December 20, 2021
Weekly Update
announcements & events
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This is the final Weekly Update Email of the year!
Weekly emails will resume on January 2!
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NEXT LiVE Course begins in January
Culture Course “Interrogating Privilege in Church and Our Lives”
Jan. 19-Mar. 10 (No class Feb. 16)
Wednesdays 6:30-8pm (During Lent, meet on Thursdays)
The LiVE Project presents this 8-week course on Zoom - designed specifically for lay leaders to open up transparent, and honest conversation around the ways privilege shapes and impacts our lives and communities of faith. If you’ve read some anti-racist books, and are looking for next steps as an individual, family or congregation, this course offers additional ways to move forward. The learning format includes active, thoughtful engagement from all participants, and we ask that participants come with a spirit of mutual openness to sharing and receiving.
Learn more about this opportunity - and how to register, here:
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December 2021 Edition of The Spirit
Did you get a chance to read the December edition of The Spirit?
Each month our synod bishop and synod vice president share reflections in this publication. (We share it with congregations to re-post in their newsletters) You can find the December issue – and past issues here: www.lutheransnw.org/news/the-spirit
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Racial Equity & Reparations Fund
The NWWA Synod's Racial Equity and Reparations Fund made another round of distributions in November. A total of $3,750 was distributed at the direction of five of our Synod's BIPOC leaders.
Since its inception in November of 2020, the fund has distributed $14,300 in recognition of the financial impacts of systemic racism among our Synod's BIPOC leaders.
You can set up your sustained giving via the Synod's website:
The Fund's stewarding team plans to make another distribution in February 2022, and all BIPOC leaders are eligible.
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Calling Handbell Ringers
If you’d like to be part of a handbell concert coming February 19 at Faith Lutheran, Redmond, please reach out to Faith’s Director of Music, Dr. William Bryant at BryantW@faithluth.org.
Practice for the handbell choir will be on Wednesdays at 7pm, with a couple of Saturday rehearsals closer to the concert date. Music will be at a level 2-3. If you have some experience ringing and would like to participate, please join us!
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Faith & Everyday Life Devotions for 2022
Thank you to our friends at Lutheran Counseling Network for sharing this collection of monthly devotionals for 2022. (and for the many ways they walk alongside members of our communities!)
Find resources for devotions & worship here on our website:
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SAVE THE DATE!
Synod Assembly - Saturday, June 4
Our hope is to have this be an in person assembly this year.
Mark your calendar and stay tuned!
More info will be shared by email and posted on our website:
Congregation Offices & Rostered Ministers, you should have received an email last week regarding expected safety protocols and lay voting member allotment for you to use as you prepare to elect lay voting members from our ministry sites! Please email susan@lutheransnw.org if you did not get this email. |
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Being Here Podcast – New Episodes
Being Here, a podcast that explores real world issues and topics important to professionals in the faith community, has added three new episodes.
Join host the Rev. Melissa Pohlman, as she welcomes three new guests to share their experiences and points of view on navigating retirement; Christian conversations about racial justice; and creative approaches to innovative ministry. Being Here invites us to learn together, listen to each other, grow together, and move forward together — stronger, more resilient as a unique community. https://portico.thebigknow.com/home/audio-series/portico-being-here/overview
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From our friends at California Lutheran University
Fifty and Better (FAB) Upcoming Events:
Registration is now open for Fifty and Better’s January Lectures beginning January 5th and 6-week Winter Session beginning January 18th. Visit our website (www.callutheran.edu/fab) for registration details. Virtual lectures in January are $10 each, and one is free! Courses in the Winter Session are $40 each, or purchase 3 and get 2 free! All courses will be offered virtually, and two will can be attended simultaneously in-person.
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Synod Events in the next two weeks
NO First Call Meet Up this month
NO Candidacy Committee this month
Tuesday, December 28, 1pm - Living Well Webinar (see below)
Please Note: The Synod Office will be closed December 23-January 2.
For emergencies during that week, please reach out to Pr. Herb Shao (instructions will be on our office phone message / or you may email him at dem2@lutheransnw.org)
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Living Well Monthly Webinars
Next Webinar is Tuesday, December 28 at 1pm
All synod members are invited to attend these monthly webinars that address health and wellness!
Join us for one of the upcoming webinars: on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 1:00pm. Get the Zoom link, view the previous webinars, and find resource pages here: lutheransnw.org/resources/living-well
Our topic this month - Self Compassion
How often do you find yourself speaking more harshly to yourself than you would a friend? How quick are you to judge or berate yourself? Dr. Kristin Neff says, "Self-compassion involves acting the same way towards yourself when you are having a difficult time, fail, or notice something you don’t like about yourself. Instead of just ignoring your pain with a “stiff upper lip” mentality, you stop to tell yourself “this is really difficult right now,” how can I comfort and care for myself in this moment?" We will explore what self-compassion is and is not, increase awareness around your natural tendencies, and how to engage more self-compassion in your daily life and work.
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Service of Remembrance
Church of Steadfast Love hosts this annual gathering
Friday, January 7, 4pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Seattle
A time to remember, honor and pray for those who have died on the streets or as a result of being homeless. All are invited to join in person or via livestream.
Please find more information about this service HERE.
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Region One Preparedness & Disaster Response News from our Project Manager, Dave Brauer-Rieke
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Synod Russia Trip Interest Meeting!
Tuesday, January 11, 1pm-3pm at the Synod Office
(in St. John United Lutheran Church - 5519 Phinney Ave N. - Seattle)
All who are interested in traveling to Russia (perhaps this spring/summer?!) are invited to attend this information session! Please RSVP to Ken (see email below)
Questions about the trip or the interest meeting?
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Pastor Scott Peterson Installation
Sunday, January 30 at 10am
Join this celebration as Pastor Peterson is installed as the new pastor at Anacortes Lutheran Church. God bless this new ministry partnership!
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2022 Ignite the Church Conference
Seismic Shifts:
Where do we go from here?
February 8-10 in Orlando and Online
Since February 2020 and before, the Church has been enduring unprecedented seismic shifts. In response, a new hybrid version of the conference will gather this February (in-person in Orlando AND online) yo reflect on the theme: SEISMIC SHIFTS: Where Do We Go From Here?
Four large group sessions will focus on the following shifts:
- Public Church with Robin Steinke and Winston Persaud
- Hybrid Church with Joe and Jess Liles
- Adaptive Church with Tod Bolsinger
- Thriving Church with Stephanie Spellers
Ten 90-minute workshops will dig deeper into these shifts to offer encouragement, inspiration, and challenge for church leaders. To register and learn more about the presenters, workshop options, and other details go to www.IgniteTheChurch.net. Register to attend by November 30 to access the lowest $99 In-Person rate.
The Online option will provide live and recorded access to each large group session.
The Online option is FREE with a suggested donation of $30 to the ELCA Fund for Leaders.
All proceeds continue to benefit the ELCA Fund for Leaders.
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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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