E-NEWS for Week of August 2, 2020

Synod Staff are still working from home, so the Synod Office is only open virtually. The best way to reach us is through email. swwsynod@plu.edu.

Integrity Read the article on Senator John Lewis by Rev. Scott Stoner, Living Compass Wellness program https://www.livingcompass.org/wwow/integrity

Program for Strengthening Active Lay Ministry Applications due August The Southwestern Washington Synod seeks to form and support trustworthy, inclusive lay leaders who are grounded in Christian faith and in a Lutheran expression of faith. The Program for Strengthening Active Lay Ministry (PSALM) is designed for congregation members who have discerned a call to more intentional and public lay leadership in their congregation and community. PSALM is a two-year program that takes place over four terms. Each term is approximately 6 months long and begins with an overnight retreat. The coursework for the term is introduced at the retreat by a variety of presenters who bring expertise to the topics. In addition to course assignments and reading each term, students will work on practical ministry projects in their congregation or ministry setting. They will have an opportunity to share these projects with each other as part of the retreats. Topics covered: Church History, the Craft of Preaching, Evangelism in a Pluralistic Culture, Scripture through the Lutheran Lens, PNW Context, Lutheran Theology and Pastoral Care The Synod's Program for Strengthening Active Lay Ministry will begin a new cohort with 10 students in August. Applications are due August 15th. Pastor Rebecca Shjerven has updated with new study materials and topics. updates and changes to the program. Learn from the Introduction to PSALM (video) https://vimeo.com/432040971 For more information and an application, go to https://lutheranssw.org/leader-resources/psalm OR Contact Pastor Rebecca Shjerven, Bishop's Associate at shjervrl@plu.edu. This cross image is used by permission by artist Vonda Drees, Director of the Grunewald Guild.

Worship Resources for August- November 2020 Pastor Daniel Hille of Ohio put together an RCL Worship Companion intended for folks who aren't comfortable with electronic forms of worship. The first sermon is by Pastor Eric Wooldridge of Trinity Lutheran, Enumclaw. It has a nice variety of contributors from around the ELCA, and is intended for use by anyone (no copyrighted material).You are free to use it for your congregational use, or for shut-ins and people without internet access. It has already been well-received by many churches in Southern Ohio and Chicago, and in Enumclaw. Here are links for the full August-November form as well as large-print forms. Worship Resource August - November 2020 https://lutheranssw.org/wp-content/uploads/Worship-Companion-Aug.pdf August - September large print https://lutheranssw.org/wp-content/uploads/WC-August-September-Large-Print.pdf October - November large print https://lutheranssw.org/wp-content/uploads/WC-October-November-Large-Print.pdf

"God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday- Service in the time of COVID-19- September 13th On Sunday, September 13th, congregations across the ELCA will observe "God's work. Our hands." Sunday. This year our church — and our world — are living through the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical distancing has changed the way we worship and serve. But the need is great, and God’s church is at work. This year, we encourage you to participate in acts of service in compliance with local health guidelines. Acts of service can happen online, or you can contribute to a project from your home or from a safe physical distance while wearing a mask. As church, we are guided by our life in Christ to share the love of Jesus and serve our neighbors — even if these acts of service look different this year. Get ready at ELCA.org/DayOfService., including a new "God's Work. Our Hands." hymn.

Build a Culture of Generosity Notify Synod Office to join this personalized stewardship program by August 5th at swwsynod@plu.edu   Building a Culture of Generosity. Congregations who choose to participate in this program with BSG non-profit consulting company will carry out a focused, 4-month Stewardship Appeal from August through December, helping you to finish the year strong.  Using video sessions and Zoom discussions/coaching, the staff of GSB will guide you through this Stewardship Appeal process and provide 75% of the needed written materials that you can customize- all the how-tos to make it successful. Each of the first 20 congregations who register will receive a $100 grant from the Synod- paid to GSB. We still have a few grants available, but you must let the Synod Office know by August 5th. Total Cost $450. Synod Grant $100 + Thrivent Action Team grant for education of $250 may be possible (check with your Thrivent member and your Thrivent rep) = congregation total $100. To register by August 5th and to learn more details about this opportunity, click on this link. https://lutheranssw.org/wp-content/uploads/Synod-Stewardship-Training-2020-brochure.pdf Email the form to swwsynod@plu.edu Watch this 5-minute video describing this program is here: https://gsbfundraising.com/beginning-a-culture-of-generosity-video/  What is a Thrivent Action Team Grant? A grant for a team education effort in your congregation by a Thrivent member in your congregation. The Thrivent grant application process and a brief explanation: https://www.thrivent.com/what-we-offer/generosity/thrivent-action-teams.html and a flyer on the basics: https://www.thrivent.com/making-a-difference/files/CA_Conversation_Guide.pdf Bishop Jaech stresses that all of your ministries are vital and he encourages you to take advantage of this new stewardship training program to help keep it strong.

Service of Hope and Remembrance Resources- November 1 and 8, 2020  The Synod Hunger Committee is asking congregations in the Southwestern Washington Synod to use their service on November 1 or November 8 to honor those who were heroes, and those whom we lost from COVID-19 and other reasons when we were not able to gather to say goodbye.  The resource packet contains materials to help you plan a service of Hope and Remembrance- including an MP4 file of a sermon on that week's text, suggested hymns, suggested prayers. and a blessing. If you choose not to use the recorded sermon, we'll also include sermon prompts from ELCA World Hunger. The packet will be available on October 15th, with a smaller intro packet in early September. As part of this service, we request that congregations hold an offering to support ELCA World Hunger/Lutheran Disaster Relief.  The after-effects of the pandemic and economic recession are not going away overnight, and too many people continue to struggle.

Updated COVID-19 Resources may be found listed on our Synod Website https://lutheranssw.org/covid-19-related-resources

Southwestern Washington Synod Phone: 253-535-8300 Email: swwsynod@plu.edu A Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America The Rev. Richard E. Jaech, Bishop Visit Our Website

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