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REMINDER - Purchase your LiVE Congregational Bundle!
A Bundle allows an unlimited number of church members to attend an unlimited number of courses and retreats at NO COST to them! Once you register for a Congregational Bundle, your church office will be given a promo code to pass on to your members so they can register for any LiVE offering for FREE!
Purchase your bundle here
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The ELCA Youth Gathering registration opens this week - September 15! Are you ready?
The Registration Workbook is now available!
This resource has all the necessary information you'll want to collect from participants to register.
Additionally, it walks through how registration works this year, which is different than previous year.
View it now at https://bit.ly/3QMM79g.
Questions, contact our Synod's Gathering Champion, Becky at children@hslckirkland.org.
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The College for Congregational Development
A lay/clergy leadership program beginning Saturday, October 14
Clergy and lay leaders alike are increasingly exhausted and struggling to find healthy and hopeful ways forward with their congregations. This program is designed to equip and empower leaders with skills and tools that are immediately helpful for doing ministry today and will help them lead congregations of all shapes and sizes in becoming more healthy, vibrant, and sustainable.
The College recently received a grant to revamp the materials to better address the particular challenges congregations are facing right now and to be more inclusive of a diversity of experiences. This is intended to be a two-year program with this year focused primarily on culture, change, congregational vocation, group facilitation skills, and neighborhood engagement.
We will be meeting six Saturdays from 8:30 to 4:30pm between October and April 2024 at the Diocesan House on Capitol Hill. A Lutheran theological/spiritual component will be added to the program this year.
Learn more about the College for Congregational Development and register here
(for the Olympia event!)
You may also email Rev. Ivar Hillesland (ivar@apostleschurch.org) for more information.
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Month of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools
September is a month of remembrance for those who experienced Indian boarding schools. The ELCA’s Truth and Healing Movement will provide opportunities to learn about federal Indian boarding school policies and address the ongoing trauma those policies have caused.
As a church, we are committed to understanding our role in this tragic and sinful history so that we can journey toward healing together. On Sept. 30, the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools, you are encouraged to wear an orange shirt and/or raise an orange flag and post a photo on social media.
Learn more about this effort and the Movement at ELCA.org/TruthAndHealing.
Sept. 30 is National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools - and an invitation to wear orange as a sign of solidarity and the continued need for learning and healing.
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“A Study Curriculum on Civic Life and Faith”
Your feedback is desired!
Feedback forms for “A Study Curriculum on Civic Life and Faith” are due Oct. 15. Your input is key to shaping a new social statement on church, state and civic participation.
The study’s six sessions are customizable and focus on topics such as the purpose of democracy and how we as Lutherans relate to government. To download the sessions, go to elca.org/civicsandfaithstudy. A Spanish translation is also available.
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Synod Events This Week:
Mon, Sept. 11, 4:30pm - Synod Finance Committee
Tues, Sept. 12,10am-12pm - Synod Staff Meeting
Tues, Sept. 12, 1-4pm - Skagit-Isle Cluster Wee Walk - rostered ministers, check in with your dean on specifics!
Wed, Sept. 13, 12:30pm - Cascadia Cluster Wee Walk - rostered ministers, check in with your dean on specifics!
Wed, Sept. 13, 7pm - Synod Nominating Committee
Thurs, Sept. 14, 2:30 - Bishop's Convo Planning Team
Sat, Sept. 15/16 - Sacred Spaces Retreat at Lutherwood
Sat, Sept. 16, 9am - Synod Council Meeting at Lutherwood
Sun, Sept. 17, 10am - 135th Anniversary Celebration at Fir-Conway Lutheran Church
Sun, Sept. 17, 1:30pm - Rev. Halcyon Bjornstad Installation at Lord of Life, Renton
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A few more spots available for our
Sacred Space Day Retreat!
Sacred Spaces: Opening the Holy Invitation Even Wider
Part of the Cultivate Project of NWWA Synod of the ELCA
Saturday, September 16 at Camp Lutherwood
Join Facilitators and Practitioners of unique gatherings and organic forms of church, for a day of stories, experiences, and workshops to explore together how we can open God’s holy invitation even wider. There are so many ways to gather as faithful communities, whether it's outdoors, creating art, at the pub, or just eating around one big table. Why shouldn’t our gatherings reflect our uniqueness?
Let’s imagine how we can foster organic sacred spaces right in our own backyards. How can we create more inclusive gatherings for people to encounter God? How can we experiment with the gifts we have to meet the needs of those seeking the spirit in our own neighborhoods? What is sprouting up within you that is ready for germination? Come with ideas, come with questions, come to dream about what sacred spaces can be!
We’ll have an optional gathering the night before for practitioners to come, share a meal and find community in the sometimes siloed work on church experimentation. Scholarships are available so please reach out if cost is a barrier.
Learn more about this event and register now!
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Fir-Conway Lutheran Church
135th Anniversary Celebration
All pastors and laypersons who have had a connection with this community in the past, are invited to celebrate this milestone!
Sunday, September 17
Worship is at 10am - with a celebratory potluck to follow
Fir-Conway Lutheran Church - 18101 Fir Island Rd in Mount Verno
www.firconwaylutheran.org
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Welcome New Rostered Ministers!
Rev. Halcyon Bjornstad has begun serving as the new pastor at Lord of Life in Renton. Installation service will be Sunday, September 17 at 1:30pm.
Rev. Andrew Flatt-Kuntze has begun serving as the new pastor at University Lutheran in Seattle. Installation service will be Sunday, November 5 at 3:30pm.
A third installation will be planned this fall for Rev. Tormod Svensson who has accepted the call to serve at Kent Lutheran Church - he will begin October 8. Installation date TBD.
We welcome each of you to the synod and may God bless these new ministry partnerships!
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Abide in the Word Bible Study
Tuesdays, 7-8pm via Zoom - beginning September 19th
This is a year-long, Synod-wide weekly Bible Study that takes participants on a deeper dive into the coming Sunday's Lectionary text. Participants will have the chance to experience diverse perspectives and voices from various guest facilitators from across the synod.
This is a FREE LiVE offering! No registration needed!
You can find the zoom link HERE.
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12th Triennial of Women of the ELCA
September 21-24 in Phoenix, AZ
We invite you to experience a life-changing event with other bold women of faith in September 2023. Find more info about the Triennial and the Quilt Challenge here: https://www.womenoftheelca.org/new-triennial-event-page. Questions? Reach out to Janice Stepp, our Synod Triennial Promoter, at 425-210-2733
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LiVE Fall Retreat - register now!
(Living into Vocational Engagement)
Saturday, September 23
Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Everett
Chosen: A Study in God's People-Creating Project
Dr. Michael Chan will lead this One-day Retreat for any and all lay leaders who wish to revisit the Chosen life of God’s people as heard within the Old Testament. Whether you are new to Scripture or a seasoned Bible reader, this day will bring you new insight, and inspiration for growing closer to the God who chooses people for a life of calling and connection.
Read more and register here
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Closing Service & Celebration
Friends Past & Present of Holy Cross Lutheran
YOU are invited to a wonderful Closing Celebration Service
October 1, at 10:30 a.m. - Followed with a potluck and fellowship!
While Holy Cross Lutheran Church is closing, we are partnering with Habitat for Humanity to provide land to build very needed housing units on the property and AND the Orchard and Gardens will stay. The church buildings will be coming down, but a gathering/outreach building will be included in the redevelopment plan. Change and renewal both! Join us as we celebrate the amazing legacy of Holy Cross Lutheran over these many decades and salute the new chapter of God’s plan for growth and service to the community. Thanks be to God for the life and legacy of Holy Cross Lutheran Church!
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Crossways Bible Study
Ever had reading the entire Bible on your bucket list?
Let Crossways and Pastor Mike Anderson be your guide.
This two-year program, hosted by Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, begins October 1 with Genesis, and will include pre-recorded lectures sent on Sundays to your email address to be watched at your leisure.
Optional Thursday evening Zoom discussions will follow each lecture’s release. The course is academic in nature and works well for those with or without Bible background. Click on this link to register and to read endorsements from former study participants. www.hslckirkland.org/crossways
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2023 Addiction & Faith Conference
The Center on Addiction & Faith will host its annual conference Oct. 5-7 in Bloomington, Minnesota. You can participate in this hybrid event either virtually or in person. The conference uses science, spirituality and personal testimony to raise awareness about the scourge of addiction. The Addiction & Faith Conference is open to everyone including rostered and lay leaders, health care professionals, people in recovery, those who love people affected by addiction, youth leaders and addiction specialists.
Register at addictionandfaithconference.com.
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Native Americans and the Church:
Working Towards Truth and Healing
Mark your calendars! On Saturday, October 14th, we are excited to welcome Vance Blackfox, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and the ELCA director for Indigenous ministries and tribal relations. He will be leading a one-day seminar at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Kirkland about the history and struggles of Native American peoples, as well as conversations around working towards healing relationships with indigenous peoples and learning from them about their relationship to Mother Earth. The seminar will be from 9am-2pm and will include lunch. This event is open to the entire synod – all are welcome! We are asking for a donation of $25 per person, but scholarships are available, so don’t let cost dissuade you from coming!
Registration for the event will open September 13th.
For more information, contact Pastor Gina Herman at pastorgina@hslckirkland.org.
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Hold Me Tight® Couples Workshop:
Build Connection in Your Relationship
Join Marcia Erickson Bates of Lutheran Counseling Network and her colleague Kristin Nielsen for a transformative couples workshop! Identify negative patterns that get in the way of your relationship, and learn new ways to communicate and build connection.
October 21 & 22 overlooking Puget Sound in beautiful Mukilteo.
For more information, see the attached flyer.
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FAN Events Coming Up!
FAN staff are working with faith communities in our network to find dates this Fall for geographical cluster gatherings across our state. These meetings provide a way to get to know your neighbors and talk about local concerns and responses to needs in your community, and perhaps create new collaborations.
EAST KING COUNTY: Wednesday October 25, 6:30-8:00 pm
Hosted by Newport Presbyterian Church, Bellevue – Register here.
BELLINGHAM AREA: Sunday November 5, 4:00-5:30 pm
Hosted by First Congregational & Christ the Servant Lutheran. Registration to come.
AND...
Save the Date for the FAN Annual Dinner on Sunday, November 19, and stay tuned for more details. We hope to offer an in-person gathering in two locations with online attendance as well.
AND...
Earlier this summer, our friends at Paths to Understanding and Challenge 2.0 released this video conversation with host Jeff Renner about the 2023 legislative session. (click on the link - or watch below...) It’s helpful to review at this time as we prepare to work with our coalition partners, policy committee, and Governing Board to develop a legislative agenda for 2024. We invite you to listen and always welcome your feedback!
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Gratitude & Sending Open House
Our Director for Evangelical Mission, Deacon Dianne Johnson, is retiring at the end of October. While we will greatly miss her enthusiasm, wisdom, creativity, and compassion, we want to send her off to her next adventure in style.
Please plan to join us for a gratitude and sending Open House Celebration!
Sunday, October 29, 2pm-4:30pm (join us any time, presentation time at 3pm)
at First Lutheran Church in Bothell (10207 NE 183rd St, Bothell)
If you are unable to attend, you are invited to mail a card of gratitude: Deacon Dianne Johnson; c/o Northwest Washington Synod; 5519 Phinney Avenue North; Seattle, WA 98103
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NO BISHOP'S Convocation this Fall *
Instead, all rostered ministers (and lay leaders!) are encouraged to attend this Anti-Racism Training
LiVing Our Values: How to deal with difference
Saturday, November 4, 10am-3pm
Trinity Episcopal Church in Everett
This experiential and educational event will focus on anti-racism and inclusion. Open to all rostered and lay leaders, participants will use the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) to assess and set their own goals in this work. There will be time for group learning, individual reflection, and affinity group breakouts. Lunch included.
Final cost TBD - we are finalizing funding to offset the cost.
Look for more information and how to register VERY soon!
Questions? Reach out to nwwa.stad@gmail.com
+ + + + +
* Our Spring Bishop's Convocation at Seabeck will be April 21-24
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Created to Be: ME
Fall Youth Retreat at Camp Lutherwood
Registration now open:
Registration Form | Info for Leaders
Who: 6th-12th grade students and leaders
When: Friday, November 10 - Sunday, November 12
Arrive at Lutherwood by 7:00pm on Friday | Depart after lunch on Sunday
Where: Lutherwood, Bellingham, WA. https://www.camplutherwood.org/
Cost: $150 per person
(includes 2 nights & 5 meals at camp; please eat dinner before you arrive on Friday!)
Registration deadline: October 1, 2023
Theme: Created to Be: ME!
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. - Psalm139:14
Throughout this weekend retreat, we will explore how we are each created in God's own image, uniquely made, and endlessly loved. We will explore themes of how we are created to be (____) and ultimately, how we are empowered to be our unique selves. Created to be ME! Join in the adventure of seeking out what it means to be uniquely created as one of God's beloved. What "me" are you created to be?
Housing Disclaimer: Participants will be housed in single-gendered cabins. Each cabin has been equipped with a changing area. There are single-gender bathrooms/showers near the cabins with private changing areas as well.
Questions? Please contact Bobbi or Doug:
Bobbi - bobbi@stmatthewsrenton.org
Doug - doug@salc.church
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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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