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YAGM Applications are OPEN!
The ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program is ready for new volunteers! This year, for the first time since early 2020, YAGM participants are walking alongside our international neighbors. Now, it’s time for the YAGM team to find the next volunteers ready to step out into the world. Do you know one of them? Applications are now open, and you can invite young adults on this journey abroad for the 2023-2024 program year.
If you know young adults aged 21 to 29, this is the time to reach out. Encourage them to apply for YAGM by the deadline of Feb.1, 2023. (Priority deadline is Jan. 15, 2023.) Talk to them personally about what this opportunity will mean for their faith, identity, career and understanding of God’s work in the world. You can also watch and share this video message to learn about some of the ways the YAGM team is updating the program’s recruiting practices and making it more welcoming for everyone.
Learn more here: www.elca.org/our-work/global-mission/young-adults-in-global-mission
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Thriving Leadership Cohorts Forming Now!
Background: In 2018, California Lutheran University received a nearly $1 million, five-year grant from the Lilly Endowment to create Thriving Leadership Formation in partnership with its own Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and the 11 ELCA synods of Regions 1 and 2. Membership is open to rostered and non-rostered leaders in ELCA Regions 1 and 2.
Purpose: Thriving Leadership Formation seeks to foster relational, creative, Spirit-led, compassionate forms of ministry that are deeply responsive to local communities. Participants will work in small groups that encourage and equip leaders to live out their faith in ways that make a difference in the world. Session content will focus on spiritual resources, leadership skills, competencies and tools for thriving in the practice of ministry. Opportunities to walk with mentors and coaches enable participants to attend to their own spiritual lives, to the guidance of the Spirit, and to voices, gifts and needs within their communities. Cohorts meet virtually for 12 sessions using a curriculum of spiritual practices.
Now is the time to join a cohort!
At Large Cohorts are begin formed around a particular group or theme:
· Youth Ministry Leaders
· BIPOC
· Partners of Rostered Ministers
· LGBTQIA+
· New Clergy/First Call
· Retired Rostered Ministers (led by former pastor in our synod, Rev. Joan Beck)
· Seminarians
Our Synod Cohort is being led by Rev. John Schraan (Our Saviour's, Arlington)
Find more information and how to sign up HERE.
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Fling Wide the Door
Advent Devotional from Luther Seminary
You are invited to use the 2022 Advent devotional, "Fling Wide the Door" for personal or congregational use this Advent. If you are already a God Pause subscriber, you will receive “Fling Wide the Door” in your email inbox each day of Advent. If you’re not a God Pause subscriber, sign up here to receive the daily devotion. Once Advent ends, you’ll continue to receive daily God Pause devotions written by Luther Seminary alumni. Learn more and sign up here: https://www.luthersem.edu/godpause/advent-devotional/
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Synod Gatherings 2023
Save the dates!
In lieu of a Synod Assembly in 2023, we will have 2 Synod Gatherings.
They will be held on May 13 (at Salem in Mount Vernon) and May 20 (at Saint Andrew's in Bellevue.) At each location, will be gathering for worship, fellowship, and a number of forums for exploring and learning!
We are gathering names of those who wish to help both with preparation and during the event.
Contact Susan (susan@lutheransnw.org) if you would like to help with planning or the day-of logistics!
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ELCA Social Message on Climate Care
YOUR input desired!
Acting upon a request from several sources, in November 2021 the ELCA Church Council authorized the development of an ELCA social message on climate care. Social messages are ELCA teaching documents that address a focused social topic. Drawing from existing social teaching, they provide theological rationale and social analysis to foster discernment and engagement on a relatively narrow social issue.
This project was authorized in light of the grim contemporary situation affecting our global home and the need for fresh action on the part of this church. It draws its framing themes from several social statements, particularly Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice.
In line with standard ELCA protocol, the project is being shepherded by the ELCA Director for Theological Ethics, working with a lead writer in collaboration with a group of reviewers.
The draft social message is now available for public feedback!
Read the social message draft here.
Then use this survey to share your input by Friday, Dec. 2!
The draft will be edited, guided by the feedback, and presented to the ELCA Church Council to be voted on this coming spring.
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Synod Events this week at a glance:
Tues, Nov 8, 10am-1pm - Synod Staff Meeting
Tues, Nov 8, 6:30pm-7:30pm - FREE Online Acts Study continues (see below!)
Wed, Nov 9, 6:30pm - Intro to Womanist Interp. Course continues (more here)
Thurs, Nov 10, 11am - SeaTac Cluster Wee Walk
Thurs, Nov 10, 12noon - STAD (see below)
Sun, Nov 13, 3pm - Rev. John Kim Installation at Lakeridge Lutheran (see below!)
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Synod-Wide Bible Study on the book of Acts
A FREE NW WA Synod LiVE Project Offering!
FREE | Tuesdays, 6:30pm - 7:30pm | on Zoom
Continues weekly - drop into any session!
Nov. 1, 8, 15, 29; Dec. 6, 13, 20
The Synod's LiVE Project is offering this free, weekly drop in online Bible Study Series!
Various rostered ministers from around our synod will co-facilitate a weekly study of Willie James Jennings' book, Acts: A Theological Commentary on the Bible.
Purchase of the book is encouraged, although not a necessary requirement to fully participate.
We would love to have you join us in this creative adventure in the Spirit - Drop into any session!
We welcome the Rev. Kacey Hahn as our facilitator for Oct 25 and Nov 1.
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 and rostered leaders 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.
On Wed, Nov 9, as we hear from Rev. Adam Stockton regarding his personal experience with PTSD, recommendations for companionship, and how it has changed the way he leads and teaches (and more recently, how he coaches).
Learn more about this week's topic and get the registration link here: https://www.elcacoaching.org/
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The Onion Model - presented by STAD
(Strategic Team for Authentic Diversity)
Thursday, November 10, 12noon on Zoom
Rev. Ivar Hillesland will present a model from Beyond Inclusion, Beyond Empowerment: A Developmental Strategy to Liberate Everyone by Leticia Nieto and Margot Boyer that can help us grow in our understanding of oppression and privilege, build our compassion, increase our skills to tolerate discomfort and interact with difference, and develop our faith as a source of power for this work.
All rostered ministers, mission developers and interns are invited to participate in this monthly online gathering that covers a variety of topics regarding dismantling white supremacy and racism.
Sponsored by the NWWA Synod STAD (Strategic Team for Authentic Diversity) Join the Zoom here
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Zoom Concert
and Music Resource Website Release!
Saturday, November 12
5pm on Zoom
Join us for a live, cozy concert (pajamas and hot chocolate welcome) featuring selections of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany music from the first iteration of our new worship resource website (www.thereverbcollective.com). The goal of this website is to provide new singable, theologically sound, congregation songs for churches to use and to support artists by giving them a creative community to be a part of and a platform to share their music.
We are immensely grateful for the Northwest Washington Synod Grace Grant that made this project possible! Please join us for the concert and take a peek through the selections on the website (and report bugs). We'll be adding more artists and music in the year to come.
Join the Zoom Concert here
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Art Show: Watercolors by Saundra
Saturday and Sunday, November 12 and 13
at First Lutheran in Mount Vernon
Enjoy this lovely collection, highlighting the beauty of the northwest - items available for purchase will support ministry at First Lutheran.
See poster for details.
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Installation of Rev. John Kim
Sunday, November 13, 3pm
at Lakeridge Lutheran in Seattle
We celebrate with Rev. John Kim as he has accepted the call to serve as pastor at Lakeridge Lutheran Church. All are invited to attend his installation service. God bless this new ministry partnership!
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Time for You
Thursday, November 17, 12noon ONLINE
Join this monthly get together with children, youth, and family ministry leaders from around the synod! Share stories, swap ideas, collaborate on plans. THIS MONTH Time for You will be online!
Join the Zoom meeting HERE.
(Meeting ID: 850 3967 5139 / Passcode: 418899)
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Ukraine Refugee Crisis Update
from Lutheran Community Services Northwest
Webinar on Thursday, Nov. 17 at Noon
See poster for details
Register here
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Ordination of Sister Jessica Zimmerle
Saturday, November 19, 3pm
at Ballard First Lutheran in Seattle
All are invited to attend Sister Jessica's Ordination to the Ministry of Word and Service. She has accepted a call to (continue to) serve at Earth Ministry/WAIPL as their Program & Outreach Director. May God continue to bless this partnership!
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Bring Christmas to a Seafarer!
Every year, the Seattle Seafarers’ Center provides about 1,000 ditty bags stuffed with basic personal necessities to merchant seafarers. These bags are one way we help seafarers celebrate Christmas while they are far from home during the holiday season. Seafarers help make Christmas possible by transporting lots of stuff to the US. Help make a seafarer's Christmas by providing them with a ditty bag to say thank you!
There are lots of ways to participate. You can make drawstring bags or knit hats, or you can purchase basic supplies (e.g., body soap, deodorant, and toothpaste) and drop those off at the Center. You can also make a financial gift that will be used to purchase more supplies for ditty bags. To find out more, visit our website and contact the Seattle Seafarers Center (office@mts-seattle.org), and thank you!
Ditty Bag Stuffing Day 2022 - Saturday, November 19
On November 19, 2022, join other volunteers from around Puget Sound as we stuff ditty bags for seafarers for this year’s Christmas season. We will gather from 10am-noon St. John Episcopal Church in West Seattle. Join us for all or any part of the time. To find out more, visit our website and contact the Seattle Seafarers Center (office@mts-seattle.org), and thank you!
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FAN Annual Dinner Fundraiser
Sunday, Nov. 20, 4:30pm-7:30pm
in person at the Renton Pavilion and
online - a YouTube link will be sent out the week prior
After two years of virtual dinners, we will be gathering in person this year in Renton AND Spokane, and also offering an online option for those who can't attend in person.
To attend in person, it is suggested you register before October 31 to guarantee your seat. We will follow up with other COVID-safety protocols as we near the event. Once you have registered, you will have the option of paying online through PayPal or sending a check by November 10, and then you will receive updates and reminders from us, and the online link will be sent the week before the event.
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The Spirituality of Waiting
a LiVE Project Day Retreat
Saturday, December 3, 9am-3pm
at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Seattle
How will we wait? The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker invites unique ways we explore the contours of waiting and community interaction. The season of Advent gives us an opportunity to pause, and to consider how our ways of gathering open up space to be God‘s people. Come and experience practical tips for how you and your communities of faith can deepen their callings by cultivating communities of belonging and inclusion. Lunch will be provided.
Learn more about how to participate here:
www.lutheransnw.org/events/the-spirituality-of-waiting/2022-12-03
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Thanksgiving Eve Dance Party!
Wednesday, November 23, 6pm
at Salt House in Kirkland
(11920 NE 80th St. Kirkland)
Salt House Church is throwing a big old dance party… because when we come alive to God's HUGE generosity, something in us just wants to dance!
We'll be DJing amazing sets of music that everyone can dance to no matter your age (or dance moves). And throughout the evening there will be experiential worship opportunities.
So come out, invite your friends, and burn some calories before your big feast.
The party starts at 6:00pm. RSVP here (or just show up!)
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PLU Christmas Concerts!
Sat, Dec 3, 7:30pm – Lagerquist Concert Hall, PLU
Sun, Dec 4, 2:00pm – Lagerquist Concert Hall PLU
Mon, Dec 5, 7:30pm – Benaroya Concert Hall, Seattle
Sat, Dec 10, 7:30pm – Lagerquist Concert Hall, PLU
Sun, Dec 11, 2:00pm – Lagerquist Concert Hall, PLU
Join us for our popular, beloved holiday tradition, as the Choir of the West, University Chorale, and University Symphony Orchestra present our annual PLU Christmas Concert. Works by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Dan Forrest, Jocelyn Hagen, and Cecilia McDowall mix with traditional carols and other seasonal favorites as we seek peace, renewal, and joy in this Christmas season.
Learn more and get tickets here: https://www.plu.edu/christmas/
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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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