ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shared a message of support with the NW Washington Synod, in particular, our Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) members. View her message here:

March 19 - Bishop Eaton issued a statement on anti-Asian racism:

Read other news statements here:

A new book from a fellow ELCA member shares reflections that invite readers to explore identity, the importance of rootedness, discovering home away from home, what it means to be home for one another.

Find it here: https://wipfandstock.com/9781725276024/finding-home/

About the book: For all who know the security of home--in all its iterations--and for those who don't, finding home is complicated. Home always is characterized by joy and sorrow, grief and gladness, the realities of complicated lives. What is it like to flee the horrors of war as a refugee in search of home? When daily life is unbearable, what exactly does home mean? How do we learn to be at home in our bodies, at home with ourselves? What does it mean to be made in the likeness of the Holy One? Can we find home in the company of strangers and how do we reclaim our earth home? So many images swim just below the surface of my memory, all the houses where I came to know home. It takes little to retrieve them--a shared story, the pungent smell of tide flats, the sound of rain on a tin roof. But home, of course, is much more than houses. These reflections invite readers to explore identity, the importance of rootedness, discovering home away from home, what it means to be home for one another. Finding home--literally and metaphorically--is challenging.

Written by Julie K. Aageson - who has served as a resource specialist and writer for the ELCA. For a decade, she wrote a monthly column for the ELCA magazine, GATHER. Her books include Benedictions: 26 Reflections and Holy Ground: An Alphabet of Prayer.

Learn more and apply here: www.elca.org/domestichungergrants

Our neighbors in the Southwestern Washington Synod are inviting Hunger Teams from around ELCA Region 1 to learn about ELCA World Hunger, Lutheran Disaster Response, the ELCA Domestic Hunger Grant application process and other possible funding sources. We will be joined by a professional grant writer who works with non-profit clients, to learn the top things any successful program needs. Register for this free event here: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=magpslfab&oeidk=a07eho1rde5d57ab82f

Questions? Email swwsynod@plu.edu or call the Southwestern Washington Synod at 253-535-8300.

Reach out Committee Co-Chairs Carol & Bob Wall with questions and/or for the Zoom meeting link.

Register now at boldgathering.com

The Spring Ingathering will be a modified Covid19 Ingathering process. Churches/quilting groups need to reserve a delivery spot by calling/emailing Rich Mathes at 206-384-1183, or email lwrmathes@aol.com. The incoming cars and trucks will be staggered; drivers and passengers must wear masks and are to remain in their vehicles as much as possible. The church building is not open for use by drivers or passengers.

HELP US KEEP YOU IN THE LOOP: If your quilting group, or church, or kit-assembly group has not received your instructions, loading form, or newsletter, please notify Rich at either contact above.

First to Worship Planners: a pre-recorded video worship service will be made available - five Lutheran Campus Ministries, their pastors and students will be leading this service, as well as music contributed from 5 congregations from around the state.

Second - On Sunday, May 2 at 11:30am - join Pastor Chelsea Globe of UW Lutherans for a region-wide education time to discuss campus ministry, young adult ministry, and how your congregation can get involved!