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LiVE PROJECT
We are excited to embark on the next year of the LiVE Project!
There are a host of learning opportunities for congregations and lay, life-long learners. The theme for this year is Spirit Stirring. How is the Spirit stirring in your life? How is the Spirit informing your sense of call?
All mini-courses (5-8 weeks) and the four day-long retreats explore how the Holy Spirit is igniting curiosity and fresh ways to integrate life, faith, and the public witness of the church.
Congregations and individuals have a few options to register: Sign up (and save!) for the unlimited bundle of ALL of the offerings - or register for each one class/retreat individually.
Check out the 2022-2023 Courses and Retreats in the catalog.
Read the invitation email HERE.
Learn more about the LiVE Project HERE.
Register yourself or your congregation group soon!
ONE FINAL information session this week on Wed. Aug 31 at 6pm
Please register here to attend this online Zoom session:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEvf-CgrjwqHdUgRJXv8o4VVy-DEVPa72N_
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TWO Upcoming Installations
The Rev. Paul Eldred will be installed as the Pastor at Central Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity on Friday, September 16 at 7pm. (Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process, please arrive at 6:20)
The Rev. Leslie Mahraun will be installed as Chaplain at The Hearthstone in Seattle on Tuesday, September 27 at 2pm at Hearthstone in the Gardens at the Cove. (This event will only be open to public if weather permits it to be outdoors!)
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Upcoming Faith Action Network Events:
The Alliance for Gun Responsibility Foundation's Youth Summit
Saturday, August 27, 10am, Town Hall, Seattle. This will be a space for young activists (under 25) to learn more about how to effectively bring about change to keep our communities safe.
Find out more and register here.
Community, Conservation, & Culture, a community event organized by Global Social Business Partners and the Lake Sammamish Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership.
Thursday, September 1, 5pm-7:30pm, Lake Sammamish State Park, Issaquah.
Learn more and RSVP here: https://bit.ly/GSBP-UWRP.
Global Interfaith Compassion Challenge
Sunday, September 11 to Saturday, October 22, online.
Join people from many faith communities in exploring ways to bring the timeless virtue of compassion into our lives and work toward bringing about large-scale social change through compassion. Find out more here.
2022 Labor & Immigration Summit
hosted by the Washington State Labor Council and the AFL-CIO Labor & Immigration Committee.
Saturday, September 17, 10am-5pm, Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon.
FAN is pleased to co-sponsor this year’s event with the theme “Immigrant and Refugee Workers Rising and The Future of the Labor Movement.” There will be workshops, a guest speakers' breakfast, lunch, and free parking. Register here. For more information, email Dgutierrez@wslc.org.
Seattle Rally and March for Nuclear Abolition,
sponsored by Citizens for the Universal Abolition of Nuclear Weapons.
Saturday, September 24, noon, Cal Anderson Park to the Federal Building. Find out more here.
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Mission Investment Fund:
Good investment rates just got better
If you or your ministry are wondering where to invest right now, consider the Mission Investment Fund (MIF). With competitive investment rates now as high as 3.25% APY*, MIF remains a reliable financial investment choice for individuals and ministries.
More than earning a high rate of return, your investment will help fund building and renovation loans to ELCA congregations and ministries, expanding their capacity for ministry. Whether that means building or renovating a sanctuary, soup kitchen, daycare center or other facility, your investment in MIF helps share God’s love. (*APY = Annual Percentage Yield)
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Synod Events this week:
Mon, Aug 29, 4:30pm - Synod Finance Policy Task Force Meeting
Tues, Aug 30, 10am-1pm - Synod Staff Meeting
Wed, Aug 31, 6pm-7pm - LiVE Project Info Session (more HERE)
Thurs, Sept 1, 1pm - Transition Ministry Leaders Meeting
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ELCA Coaching Network - Weekly Sessions
Every Wednesday at 11am (Pacific)
You are invited to join this weekly opportunity to hear from various leaders across the Church on the theme of COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP. There will usually be time for small groups in breakout rooms so that leaders across the church can continue to learn from each other and leave each gathering with at least one action step. Bring a spirit of curiosity to these gatherings and to all aspects your life. What are you noticing? Where is Spirit moving? How might you be a part?
Join Zoom Meetings here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/180439412?pwd=WlVwUUxyUE5mY2IxMktHQXFJdGNMdz09
Meeting ID: 180 439 412 / Passcode: 648160
Recordings from prior gatherings can be found here: https://www.elcacoaching.org/podcasts/media/series/courageous-leadership
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ELCA Advocacy Cafe
There's no shortage of ways we and our congregations can and do get involved in civic engagement around the electoral process. See one another and share stories on important themes in our lives as people of faith in our communities on Tuesday, August 30 (pick 10am or 5pm Pacific Time).
As a church, we do not endorse a particular candidate, party or form of government or strive for a Christian one. Yet in Lutheran teaching, one way God works to preserve creation and build a more peaceful and just social order in a broken world is through government. Let’s have a positive impact!
Offered in conjunction with the ELCAvotes initiative.
Register here:
Day Session: 10am – https://bit.ly/ELCAadvocacycafe-day0830
Evening Session: 5pm – https://bit.ly/ELCAadvocacycafe-eve0830
Learn more about the full series at https://blogs.elca.org/advocacy/advocacy-cafe/
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Webinar series: Building an Anti-Racism Team: Next Faithful Steps*
As with any team, having shared goals is important for doing effective work. The team should decide what their function will be by identifying their goals. Each racial justice team is unique to a specific congregation and community context. The goals of the team should be defined keeping that in mind. The main areas that a team focuses on falls into three areas: internal team goals, congregational goals, and community goals.
Hosted by: The ELCA European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice (EDLARJ)
Audience/For whom: Anybody in the ELCA, specifically interested in connecting with other folks building or working at a synod, campus or congregational anti-racist team.
Register in advance:
September 7, 4:30 – 6 pm Pacific time: Internal Team Goals
Team goals are generally focused on one or more of the following:
• leadership development of team members - trainings, etc.
• cultural competency work as individuals and a team
• intentionally examining personal unconscious biases
October 5, 4:30 – 6 pm Pacific time: Congregational Goals
These goals involve the whole congregation and are usually focused on one or more of the following:
• hosting educational events (i.e. movie nights and discussions, book studies, etc.)
• writing (and then getting the congregation to pass) a Racial Justice Mission Statement
• examining the culture of the congregation
November 2, 4:30 – 6 pm Pacific time: Community Goals
Community goals put the internal pieces into action with goals like:
• connecting with local diverse community organizations or congregations in partnership
• engaging in local organizing and advocacy work that is meaningful to racially marginalized communities
• simply being present, active listeners to the voices of leaders of color in your context
* We thank and acknowledge the wisdom, experience and knowledge that Brenda Blackhawk put into creating this resource. She has offered it to us to use for our benefit. Our work will be better and stronger because of this resource…we acknowledge that as white-bodied people we cannot do this anti-racism work without siblings of color and culture. Please donate if you use this resource.
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Are you (or someone you know)
discerning a call to Seminary?
The seven ELCA Seminaries are partnering together to offer a virtual discernment event on Saturday, September 10th from 8am-12noon.
Learn more and register here by September 6:
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Camp Lutherwood is Celebrating 75+ Years!!
Join the celebration at their open house:
Saturday, September 10, 10am-2pm
It will be a joyful day - with fun for the whole family, including lunch and carnival games and activities!
Learn more and register by Sept. 2nd here:
www.camplutherwood.org/celebrating-grace
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God’s work. Our Hands. Sunday!
Sunday, September 11
Don’t forget to share your congregation’s participation with the synod and wider church!
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Time for You
Thursday, September 15, 12-2pm
at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Kirkland
ALL Children, Youth and Family Ministry Leaders are invited to attend this monthly gathering to connect and collaborate! Whether you are full-time or part-time, paid or volunteer - this meet up is for YOU!
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From Holy Rage to Holy Hope:
The Pastor as Public Leader and Congregation as Healing Community
This course is led by our synod’s own Rev. Dr. Rick Rouse. It is part of Luther Seminary’s “Faith+Lead” and offers an important learning opportunity for pastors and judicatory leaders prior to the 2022 Mid-Term election. Overcome the polarization that exists in American religion and politics by learning how you and your congregation can help bridge the divide.
Offered Thursdays, 11am-12:30pm (Pacific) on Sept. 15, 22, and Oct 6-27.
The cost is $125 and scholarships are available.
For more information and to register click on the following link today:
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4 Simple Steps for Increasing Stewardship
A webinar is offered by Vanco, an ELCA-preferred eGiving vendor
Thursday, September 15, at 12noon (Pacific)
Register here.
How to improve your financial call and compel people to greater generosity.
How to incorporate storytelling to strengthen your ask.
How to encourage donations through Vanco Online.
How easy it is for your congregation to use Vanco Online to meet giving goals.
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Camp Lutherwood Middle School Retreat
Friday-Saturday, September 16-17
Calling all middle schoolers (students grades 6-8)! Join us for an awesome weekend to be in fellowship with food, games, and community! We will have campfire, worship, s'mores and more! Cost is $65.00
Learn more and register here: www.camplutherwood.org/events
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Sacred Spaces:
Opening the Holy Invitation Even Wider
September 24, 9:30am-2:30pm
at St. Andrews Lutheran Church (2650 148th Ave SE, Bellevue)
Sponsor: NW Washington Synod
Join Facilitators and Practitioners of unique gatherings and organic forms of church, for a day of stories, experiences, and workshops to explore together how we can open God’s holy invitation even wider.
There are so many ways to gather as faithful communities, whether it's outdoors, creating art, at the pub, or just eating around one big table. Why shouldn’t our gatherings reflect our uniqueness?
Let’s imagine how we can foster organic sacred spaces right in our own backyards. How can we create more inclusive gatherings for people to encounter God? How can we experiment with the gifts we have to meet the needs of those seeking the spirit in our own neighborhoods? What is sprouting up within you that is ready for germination?
Come with ideas, come with questions, come to dream about what sacred spaces can be!
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Online Boundaries Training
for Rostered Ministers
LeaderWise’s online boundaries training workshop is lively and interactive, full of reflection and conversation. Attendees have given us feedback that our boundaries training was a great experience, AND caused them to re-evaluate some of their own practices.
This live online boundaries training is 5 total hours split over 2 consecutive days (2.5 hours each day). Following the first session, participants are asked to engage in a bit of reflection work in preparation for the second session. This online boundaries training will be conducted via secure Zoom video conferencing. Cost is $78.
Two upcoming training sessions are scheduled for:
- October 12 and 13
- January 31 and Feb 1, 2023
YES! This counts for the required periodic training!
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SAVE THE DATE!!
Bright Stars of Bethlehem
Fundraising Evening
with Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb & Rick Steves
Wednesday, October 5, 7pm-9pm
at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood
Bright Stars of Bethlehem is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the health, education, and cultural and spiritual development of the people in the Middle East in order to promote peace and harmony in the region. Bright Stars impacts the lives of over 60,000 men, women, and children in Palestine. Born out of the vision of Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb and his outreach ministry in Bethlehem, Bright Stars is now more than fifteen years old. The staff and volunteer leadership work together to provide support to the Palestinian people to help grow hope in the midst of occupation.
REGISTER NOW for this special evening of updates and stories with founder of Dar a-Kalima University and co-founder of Bright Stars of Bethlehem, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, and travel expert Rick Steves!
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Fall Bishop's Convocation - Save the date!
All Saints Day, Tuesday, November 1, 10am-3pm
For All The Saints: Welcoming Immigrants and Refugees
ALL NW Washington Synod Rostered Ministers, Mission Developers and Interns, please plan to join us for our Fall Bishop’s Convocation for Rostered Ministers of the Synod. Our day will feature a live-streamed presentation and discussion with Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, as well as stories from local ministries who are accompanying immigrants and refugees. More information and registration link coming soon!
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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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