Southwestern Washington Synod E-News Week of September 18, 2022
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Rostered and Congregation Member News
We’re getting a jump start on Pastor Appreciation Month (October) by
Honoring those who serve(d) as Pastors to our Pastors and Deacons in the Southwestern Washington Synod:
 Bishop Rick Jaech, Bishop Emeritus Rob Hofstad and Bishop Emeritus David Wold.
 You’re invited to an Open House on
Saturday, September 24th at 11am-1pm 
the Community Center Room of the Baker Building at Point Ruston- Third Floor
4961 Main St. Tacoma, WA 98407
Park in the Public Parking garage (small parking fee required) at Point Ruston and walk east to the Baker Building.
We look forward to seeing you there!
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
This Suicide Prevention Month, we highlight the Suicide Prevention Ministry, whose mission is “to call on faith communities and equip them to reduce stigma, promote awareness, and provide training and resources to prevent suicide, and to help those who struggle with mental illness, their family, and their friends.” This ministry, based on the ELCA social message on suicide prevention, became a passion project for the late Jerry and Elsie Weyrauch after the suicide of their daughter Terri. Read more here about this vital ministry and what we can do to prevent suicide.

Crisis Resources from NAME (the National Alliance on Mental Illness):
Events and Trainings
Using the research of Fuller Youth Institute’s “Growing Young” study, we will learn key concepts and behaviors that are found in congregations who actively engage youth and young people. We will explore the “6 Core Commitments” that these types of congregations display and learn how to implement them in our own contexts. Any congregation can be successful in ministry with young people, no matter what size, age, demographics, and location. We will also hear from local congregations who are doing this work in order to learn from their experiences, as well as young people active in our churches today. This 5-session course is being offered through The LiVE Project of the NWWA Synod and is open to any congregation in NWWA or SWWA synods!
The Priory Spirituality Center will explore 20 types of prayer practices.
The 20 sessions are on zoom on Mondays from 1-3pm PST beginning September 26, 2022 and ending April 24, 2023. The cost is $400 or $600.
One River, Ethics Matter (OREM) Conference
Restoring Salmon to the Spokane and
Upper Columbia Rivers
September 27-28, 2022
(2 morning sessions) 

This 9th OREM focuses on righting historic wrongs, advancing stewardship, and exploring who — at the treaty negotiating table — speaks for the voiceless: salmon, the River, and future generations. This transboundary river ethics conference is virtual, free, and open to the international public.

Additional Information: Here
Cultural release of Chinook Salmon into the Little Spokane River, 2021. Photo courtesy of Nick James photography.
I Love to Tell the Story - SWWA Synod WELCA Convention







Pastor Chavaleh Forgey's Bio:
Passionate about Christ, community, and connections, Pastor Chavaleh Forgey
(Christ Lutheran, Federal Way) is a recently ordained Luther Seminary graduate
with honors in Systematic Theology. She has written for Living Lutheran and for
Word and World, Luther Seminary’s academic journal. She and husband Lim have recently returned to the Pacific Northwest after almost 20 years serving Christ Lutheran Visalia, California in music and adult ministries. They have three adult children and share their space in Gig Harbor with furry family members and much
backyard wildlife.
October 8, 2022
9:30am to 3:30pm
at Christ Lutheran Church in Federal Way, WA
Keynote speaker is Reverend Chavaleh Forgey of Christ Lutheran who wants to hear “your story.” Her bio is in the column to the left.

Spirit and Story
How God’s work in our lives can inspire the next generation of believers
Theme Verse: Acts 2:17 “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.”
Theme Song: “I Love to Tell the Story”
You have a story to tell. God has been at work in and around you, and even if you feel ordinary, you are a follower of a God who is extraordinary. Come and re-awaken or ponder for the first time the wonder and awe of following Jesus, and learn how your story is not only a vital part of God’s ongoing drama but can be exactly what another person needs to hear to open up their imagination toward a more abundant life in Christ.

Workshops - discovering one’s story through creative experiences!

Each Congregation WELCA Unit Please Bring:
• Poster Boards – Bring a display of your group’s activities showing how your
congregational unit encourages exploring “personal stories”.
• Money for offering – Individual, Unit
• Raffle Item – More information to follow
Cost - $25 includes morning refreshments, lunch and handouts

Registration Form and Nomination Form here (print to mail in) Each Congregation WELCA Unit gets ONE voting member, though more women can attend the conference from each congregation.
Save the Date Events
2023 Bishop's Convocation for Rostered Ministers
January 17-18, 2023
In-person at Seabeck Conference Center
Theme: Intersections between Native American traditions and Christian traditions
Keynote: Suzanne Crawford O'Brien, PhD, PLU Professor of Religion and Culture; Director of Native American and Indigenous Studies

Registration available in October.
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2023 Synod Assembly
Registration will be available in January. We're trying a tighter schedule this year, so the event is May 5 (evening only)-May 6 (all day), 2023 at Messiah Lutheran in Auburn. All rostered ministers serving a congregation and at least 2 voting members from each congregation are allowed. Retired and OLFC rostered ministers' pre-notification form will be sent out in October, in order to keep with 60% lay/40% rostered voting members.
Job Openings
Bookkeeper Recommendations Requested
If your congregation contracts with a professional bookkeeper, would you please email Pastor Alison Shane (pralison@pflc.org) with that person's contact information?
Poulsbo First Lutheran is looking for a remote bookkeeper for a few hours a week.
Thank you!
Current Job Openings
Updated 09/13/2022
Is your congregation willing to share staff?
Some congregational part-time job openings have the same, or similar, requirements and needs. Are you willing to share staff with another congregation so that the staff person can make benefits and, perhaps, be willing to stay longer? Several congregations are already doing this successfully.
Upcoming Synod Dates:
Open House to Honor the Pastors to our Pastors/Deacons- Saturday, Sept 24th 11am-1pm at Baker Building at Point Ruston
PSALM Retreat- September 31-October 1, 2022
Synod WELCA Conference- October 8th at Christ Lutheran, Federal Way
Pastor and Deacon Appreciation Sunday- October 9, 2022
Pastor and Deacon Appreciation Month- October
First Call Theological Education- November 14 (3pm)-November 17 (12:30pm)
Under 45 Rostered Retreat- January15-17, 2023 at Seabeck Conf Center (tentative dates)
Bishop's Convocation- January 17-18, 2023 at Seabeck Conf Center
Synod Assembly- May 5-6, 2023 at Messiah Lutheran, Auburn (may be 1 or 1-1/2 days only)



A Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Rev. Richard E. Jaech, Bishop
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