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Synod Gatherings!
This year we will not be be holding a Synod Assembly.
Instead, all members of the synod are invited to attend one of two Synod Gatherings that will be held in May - allowing more participants from our synod to join in worship, fellowship, and forums to inspire, educate, and equip members of our Synod!
Cost is $40/person
While registration will not open until April 10, a promo pack has been emailed to all congregations and rostered ministers last week. Please share the info with your congregations and get ready to register a group from your church! (all information is also posted on our website HERE)
Saturday, May 13, 8:30am-3:30pm - Salem Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon
+ or +
Saturday, May 20, 8:30am-3:30pm - Saint Andrew's Lutheran Church in Bellevue
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From Living Lutheran
“Living Out the Gospel in Tangible Ways”
“According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, ‘on any given night, more than half a million people sleep in shelters and unsheltered places not meant for human habitation, such as cars and encampments.’”
In the lead feature from the March-April issue of Living Lutheran, read how God’s people around the country are raising awareness of this crisis, providing safe places to sleep, serving meals, creating welcoming environments, and more. Download the study guide.
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Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW)
We give thanks for the work of LCSNW!
To increase connections with our synod congregations, please use this document for use in congregational bulletins.
Stay tuned for the introduction of a LSCNW-led book study - coming soon!
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Grace Grants
We are excited to be able to offer one final year of Grace Grants!
The 2023 Focus Areas:
Ministry Innovation
Equity and Justice for Marginalized Communities
Community, Inclusion and Belonging
Youth and Young Adult
Our online application form will open February 1 and close May 31.
You will find information and the link for the online application form on the synod website HERE
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ELCA Youth Gathering 2024
A message from our Synod Champion!
My name is Becky Cole and I am your Gathering Synod Champion for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans. I am the Director of Children’s Ministries at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Kirkland and have been serving in that role for 15 ½ years! I have participated in previous gatherings in a variety of ways: adult leader, communications team, synod day team, general volunteer, and synod coordinator.
The Gathering Synod Champion is your primary contact for any questions you have regarding the Gathering. I know that July 2024 seems like a long time in the future, but registrations will begin this September. Also, fundraising for the Youth Gathering takes planning and time. I am happy to begin answering any questions you may have and will be putting together several training sessions to help groups best prepare for taking kids to the Youth Gathering.
I am working to create a general FAQ, so please send me any general questions you have about the Youth Gathering. As our ELCA Youth Gathering team is small, I am the first point of contact for all your questions and concerns for the Youth Gathering, MYLE, and the tAble. More information can be found on the website (https://www.elca.org/gathering).
If you are planning to attend the Youth Gathering, MYLE, or the tAble, join our Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/elcayg2024nwwa/. My email address is children@hslckirkland.org. I look forward to working with you!
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Synod Events this Week:
Tues, March 21, 10am-2pm - Synod Staff Meeting
Tues, March 21, 2pm - First Call Meet Up on Zoom
Tues, March 21, 6:30pm - FREE Synod-wide Online Study of Acts (see below)
Wed, March 22, 1pm - Convocation Planning Team - Zoom
Thurs, March 23 - Candidacy Committee at Synod Office
Thurs, March 23, 5pm - Hunger Team on Zoom
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Synod-Wide Bible Study on the book of Acts
A FREE NW WA Synod LiVE Project Offering!
Tuesdays, 6:30pm - 7:30pm | on Zoom
Continues weekly - drop into any session!
The Synod's LiVE Project is offering this free, weekly online Bible Study Series! Various rostered ministers from around our synod will co-facilitate a study of Willie James Jennings' book, Acts: A Theological Commentary on the Bible. Purchase of the book is encouraged, although not necessary to fully participate.
Join any or all Zoom Sessions HERE. (Zoom Meeting ID: 822 0985 0836 Passcode: Acts)
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ELCA Coaching Network - Weekly Sessions
Every Wednesday at 11am (Pacific)
All lay leaders and rostered ministers are invited to join this weekly opportunity to hear from various leaders across the Church - and share in small group conversation - on the theme of COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP.
Learn more about this week's topic and get the registration link here: https://www.elcacoaching.org/
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LiVE Community Retreat:
Spirit-Stirring & Creation Care
Saturday, April 1, 9am-3pm
at First Lutheran Church, Bothell
The call of the Spirit is to renew the face of the earth. This call comes with renewing our attention to creation as the very partner with whom God is bringing forth new life in this world. Far too long, many Christians have related to the land, and its ancestors, with domination and neglect. This day-long retreat focuses on how to restore dignity in relationship to creation, to rethink and practice faithfully a life of faith with creation at the center of our imaginations as local congregations. This retreat is a primer to the 5-week LiVE course in April and May with Deacon Jessica Zimmerle.
Learn how to participate here:
https://www.lutheransnw.org/events/spirit-stirring-and-creation-care/2023-04-01
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Compass Housing Alliance Gala
Saturday, April 1, 6:30pm
MOHAI, 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle
Join us as we celebrate the creativity and resilience of the neighbors that Compass Housing Alliance walks alongside on their journey to home. Enjoy interactive art, performances, entertainment, dinner, cocktails, and dancing. Your participation will provide life-altering services to our neighbors in need and support Compass’s continued work to develop more services and housing in our community.
Compass Housing Alliance develops and operates permanent affordable housing with supportive services, expansive 24/7 enhanced shelter programs, and a robust emergency services hub, for low-income and unhoused individuals and families in our community. Learn more and buy your tickets by March 17 here: https://www.compasshousingalliance.org/
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5-Week LiVE Course
The Kin-dom of God and Environmental Justice
April 13, 20, 27 (one week off) May 11 and 18
Thursday evenings 6:30-8pm on Zoom
This 5-week series will help you consider and embody how faith lives at the intersection of co-creating a just and sustainable future. Using the ELCA Social Statement on Caring for Creation as a guide, participants will build a faith-based foundation with a toolkit of resources for taking action as stewards of Earth and advocates for environmental justice. Come and learn how you and your congregation can engage this essential, and timely, vocation to care for creation in a way that centers justice.
About the Faculty Facilitator: Sister Jessica Zimmerle has served as a community organizer in the faith-based environmental justice movement for 10 years, most recently as the Advocacy Director of Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power & Light. She centers stories and values in her work supporting congregations living out their call to care for creation and mobilizing individuals taking action as faithful advocates on issues of environmental justice. Sister Jessica lives out this vocation as a Minister of Word and Service and member of the Deaconess Community of the ELCA.
Learn how to participate here
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Bishop's Convocation
for Rostered Ministers, Mission Developers & Interns of our Synod
April 23-26
at Seabeck Conference Center
We look forward to sharing time and stories with you and our presenters. We will welcome Vance Blackfox, Director of ELCA Indigenous Ministries & Tribal Relations AND local Indigenous Elders and leaders, Jay Julius, Kay Knott, and Jay Bowen.
Find all the details and get registered by TODAY, March 20 at 5pm here: https://www.lutheransnw.org/events/bishops-convocation--164
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May Youth Weekend at Holden Village
Friday, May 26-Sunday, May 28
This amazing weekend is for High School Youth in Region One
Our theme this year is Rest Fest: Dwelling in Our Holy Enough
We will welcome guests Ellie Roscher and Lacey Brown
Cost is $265 per participant
Registration is at capacity - get on the waitlist HERE.
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Want an item included?
All items due by 2pm on the prior Thursday
Northwest Washington Synod / ELCA
5519 Phinney Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98103
206-783-9292
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