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We are hiring!
The Synod is looking for a new partner - in a contract position - to serve as the Director of Property for the Northwest Washington Synod. They will be responsible for real estate asset management, property management, dispositions and acquisitions, and providing congregational support.
Learn more HERE.
And please share with those qualified folks who might be interested!
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Israel-Hamas War resources and statements
In the past weeks we have borne witness to the horrors of the escalating crisis between Israel and Hamas.
In response to the Hamas attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7 and Israel's declaration of war against Hamas, including the ongoing siege of Gaza, the ELCA offers statements from some of our Lutheran and global partners in the region. Included are ELCA resources for a deeper understanding of the context, the humanitarian crises of the current war, and the ELCA's work for a just peace in Palestine and Israel. Learn more here.
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Ditty Bags for Mission to Seafarers
Every fall, Mission to Seafarers packs over 1,000 “ditty bag” gifts containing personal necessities to bring to international seafarers in the Port of Seattle. They are grateful for our many partners from local Lutheran, Episcopal, and Catholic parishes who make this program possible.
They are finalizing their collection of hand-knit hats, homemade drawstring bags, and toiletries for this year’s ditty bag season. As you are able, please contribute by November 8. See flyer for details - or check out their website here: https://www.mts-seattle.org/ditty-bags
Your synod council members will be helping with the packing day on Nov. 18!
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REMINDER:
purchase your LiVE Congregational Bundle by Oct 30!
A Bundle allows an unlimited number of church members to attend an unlimited number of courses and retreats at NO COST to them!
A GREAT value for $500!
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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October is Clergy Appreciation Month!
There are many ways to show your appreciation for and care of your deacons and pastors - invite a flurry of thank you/gratitude notes, give a gift card for a dinner out, or a gift certificate for a special outing or a weekend away, a create a special treat basket, or host a celebration coffee hour or party, or order from consecrate.cratejoy.com.
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St. Mark's Episcopal Compline Choir Pilgrimage
You are invited to join this Pilgrimage as a companion pilgrim to three of England’s most storied and historic cathedrals: Saint Alban’s, Saint Paul’s in London, and Canterbury - August 1-9, 2024. Registration/deposit due Nov. 6.
Learn more here: https://complinechoir.org/england-pilgrimage/companion/
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Civil Rights Pilgrimage
All are welcome to participate in a 10-day Civil Rights pilgrimage led by the Rev. Britt Olson, the Rev. Carla Robinson, and the Rev. Bryon Hansen September 30 – October 9, 2024. It is rooted in the movements for racial justice and the people of courage who have gone before us. We walk in their footsteps from Atlanta to Memphis as we strengthen our baptismal promise to “strive for justice and peace in all the earth.”
The trip is hosted by the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, Circles of Color, and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Itinerary, cost, and registration information can be found on the pilgrimage website here:
https://circlesofcolor.org/crpilgrimage/. A non-refundable $200 payment is due by November 30, 2023 to secure your place on the Pilgrimage.
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Synod Events This Week:
Tues, Oct 24, 10am-12noon - Synod Staff Meeting
Tues, Oct 24, 7pm-8pm - LiVE Abide Bible Study - see below
Tues, Oct 24, 7pm - Evangelical Outreach Team Meeting
Wed, Oct 25, 10:30am-12noon- Transition Ministry Leaders - Zoom Link
Thurs, Oct 26 - Candidacy Committee
Thurs, Oct 26, 5pm - Hunger Team
Sat, Oct 28, 2pm - Memorial Service for Deacon NanBeth Walton at Faith, Seattle
Sat. Oct 28, 4pm Rev. Tormod Svensson installation at Kent Lutheran - see below
Sun, Oct 29, 2-4:30pm - Open House for DEM Dianne Johnson - see below
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Abide in the Word Bible Study - continues!
Tuesdays, 7-8pm via Zoom
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!
YES, you may join in any week at this link: HERE.
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Bridge Disabilities Conference
Tuesday, October 24, 9am-1pm
at Holy Spirit, Kirkland
Come join us to learn, discuss, and actively support your church leadership in disability ministry to those who want very much to be a part of your church community!
Get registered here:
https://bridgemin.org/events/bcc-conference/
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2023 Powell-Heller Conference for Holocaust Education:
“Africa and the Holocaust”
October 25-27
The 15th Annual Powell-Heller Conference for Holocaust Education will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 25th – Friday, Oct. 27th in the Anderson University Center, Regency Room. Our conference will explore “Africa and the Holocaust” as its theme. In this conference our speakers will be exploring the under-researched experience of Jews living on the continent of Africa and how World War II and antisemitic policies impacted those communities. It will also delve into the Jewish refugee experience, Jewish-Muslim relations in African countries, and how the legacy of colonialism intersects with genocide. Keynote speakers’ information will be forthcoming.
Thanks to the generosity of donors this event is free and open to the public!
Learn more and register here.
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Fall Bazaar
Saturday, October 28, 10am-2pm
at Fir-Conway Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon
We will be raffling gift baskets, selling arts and crafts, baked goods, fall produce and Lefsa! There will also be a Baked potato lunch with all the fixings! Join us!
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Treasurer Training
Thursday, October 26, 4pm-5pm - FREE!
Thank you to the Southeastern Synod for extending an invite for ALL to attend this training for congregational Treasurers and Financial Chairs led by ELCA Treasurer Lori Fedyk. She will be going over best practices, what to do and not to do, and important and healthy habits.
Register here: https://se-reg.brtapp.com/TendingTheTreasure
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Upcoming Installations/Ordinations
Rev. Tormod Svensson has begun serving as the new pastor at Kent Lutheran Church. Installation service will be Saturday, October 28 at 4pm.
Ministry Candidate Lori Cavender has accepted the call to serve as the new pastor at Salem Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon. Her ordination & installation service will be Saturday, Nov. 4 at 4pm.
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.
We welcome each of you to the synod and may God bless these new ministry partnerships!
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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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Sovereignty Spirituality
We continue on these Wednesdays
Nov.1, 15, 6:30pm-8pm on Zoom
(missed earlier weeks? they are recorded so you can catch up!)
Dr. Beverly Wallace & Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy will lead this 5-session course. A robust understanding of spirituality embraces the whole and authentic person and their lived experience. Many in our world have been marginalized and not given room to live fully into their own self understanding of spirituality because of domination and colonizing systems of oppression. This course explores spirituality from a place of reclaiming one’s Christian identity in light of one’s ethnic identity (Indigenous and Womanist/black women), and how those particular identities, in fact, might help us to image life anew as Christians in todays’ complex world.
Learn more and register via this link.
Cost for an individual registration is $50 unless your congregation has already purchased the Congregational Bundle. Ask your church office for the bundle code to receive FREE registration for this 5-week course. (Zoom link emailed upon registration)
(Church leaders, PURCHASE CONGREGATION BUNDLE HERE)
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Lutheran World Relief Ingathering
Friday and Saturday, November 3-4
at Our Redeemers' Lutheran Church
at 2400 NW 85th St, Seattle
You can deliver your boxes of quilts or kits on:
Friday from 8am-2pm
Saturday from 8am - 11:30am
We need a few more volunteers to direct traffic and help load boxes into the containers. If you can help for 1 or 2 hours, please contact Rich Mathes at 206-384-1183 or lwrmathes@aol.com. Boxes are generally 30 pounds or less. Traffic directors do not need to lift boxes - just direct cars and trucks.
THANK YOU!
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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: Dealing 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 ministers, professional staff, and lay people, 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. Cost is $100/person - scholarships available!
PLEASE REGISTER BY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26
Learn more and get registered here!
+ + + + +
* Save the date for our Spring Bishop's Convocation at Seabeck Conference Center on Hood Canal April 21-24, 2024.
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Created to Be: ME
Fall Youth Retreat at Camp Lutherwood
Who: 6th-12th grade students and leaders
When: Fri, November 10 - Sun, November 12
Arrive at Lutherwood by 7pm on Fri | Depart after lunch on Sun
Registration deadline: October 1, 2023
Questions? Please contact Bobbi or Doug:
Bobbi - bobbi@stmatthewsrenton.org
Doug - doug@salc.church
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Grateful: Finding Joy in Transition Women’s Retreat
Join women from Our Savior (Issaquah) and Saint Andrew’s Lutheran Church (Bellevue) for their annual Women’s Retreat at North Bend’s Rainbow Lodge November 10-12.
Donna Oiland, a Christian humorist, will share ways to be grateful instead of worried and joyful instead of sad.
For more information contact Sherry Grindeland, Fellowship Coordinator at Saint Andrew’s at 425-746-2529 or sherry@salc.church.
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Our next LiVE Project Retreat:
Waiting for God Retreat: Reimagining Church Vitality
Saturday, November 18, 9am-3pm
at Saint Andrews' Lutheran Church in Bellevue
As a pre-Advent retreat, we’ll explore how the practice of waiting offers space for vitality and renewal. At our September retreat with Dr. Michael Chan we heard that faith communities today struggle to practice curiosity in the midst of anxiety. In an age of anxiety around declining church resources, how do we reimagine what it means to be Church created in God's image?
Guided by the four Sunday Scriptures of Advent, we will intentionally explore a more expansive understanding of how Jesus accompanies us in our anxieties and fears about the future of the church, giving us renewed energy, purpose and focus. Learn more and register 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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