IMPORTANT ITEMS FOR
ROSTERED MINISTERS,
LAY MISSION DEVELOPERS & INTERNS!
An Update from STAD
The Strategic Team for Authentic Diversity

Thank you to everyone who has participated in our monthly Zoom calls as we strive to further our education on issues of diversity, race, inclusion, and the Church. We love to see so many rostered leaders committed to the hard work of personal development and changing hearts and minds. 

In order to better meet the needs of rostered leaders in our synod, we are making changes to our meeting format and educational offerings. We have begun a process of collecting feedback from synod rostered leaders during cluster meetings, a project that is still ongoing. All Cluster Deans are invited to sign up and invite STAD members to one of your upcoming gatherings using this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0e48a5ac2fa6ff2-stad#/. 

Based on feedback received thus far, we are planning to shift our educational offerings from monthly Zoom meetings to retreats and workshops offered both online and in-person throughout the year.

We have also been asked by the Synod Council to help develop a plan for synod-wide rostered leader anti-racism training opportunities. As we make these changes, we continue to encourage your participation and feedback. Team members are available for individual consultation and conversation as well. We hope this team can continue to be a resource for you in your own goals for bringing about the Beloved Community. You can always find more resources and contact information on our webpage: https://www.lutheransnw.org/ministries/authentic-diversity. 

With you in Christ,
STAD (Darla DeFrance, Lara Forbes, Chelsea Globe, Kacey Hahn, Ivar Hillesland, Dianne Johnson, Tim Oleson, Priscilla Paris-Austin, Jana Schofield, Anna Rieke)
SAVE THE DATES
for the Spring 2023 Bishop's Convocation

April 24-26 at Seabeck Conference Center

We are delighted to share that in addition to local Indigenous Elders and leaders, we will welcome Vance Blackfox, Director of ELCA Indigenous Ministries & Tribal Relations. The Convo Planning team is finalizing all of the details - stay tuned for an email with info and the registration link VERY SOON!
SAVE THE DATES
for the SYNOD GATHERINGS!

There is NO assembly this year!
Instead, please encourage your congregation members to join us for worship, fellowship, lunch, and forums to inspire, educate, and equip members of the NW WA Synod! There are no limits on how many may attend from each congregation. Cost is $40/person, includes lunch!

There are TWO dates/locations to choose from:
May 13 at Salem Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon
May 20 at Saint Andrew's Lutheran Church in Bellevue

We will have three forum sessions each Saturday, featuring twenty different topics and presenters. Our hope is that each congregation will pick a Satruday to attend and bring a delegation of folks. In early February we will be sending full details and a registration link to each congregation and rostered minister. Mark your calendars, share the date, and stay tuned!
BOUNDARIES TRAININGS

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 training will be conducted via secure Zoom. Cost is $78.
 
Upcoming training sessions are scheduled for:
  • Feb 15 & 16 (we hear this one is full, but you can get on their waitlist)
  • May 22 & 23
  • more dates on their website
Learn more and get registered here: https://www.leaderwise.org/boundaries-training
 
YES! This counts for the required periodic training (every three years)
Be sure to ask for the certificate of completion and email it for inclusion in your rostered minister file to office@lutheransnw.org
REMINDER: ANNUAL REPORT TIME!

It is that time of the year for completing these two reports:

  1. Congregation Report to the ELCA (aka Parochial Report or Form A/C)
  2. Rostered Minister Report to Synod Bishop

Congregation Annual Report to the ELCA

Each year the ELCA asks congregations to provide information about their people and activities. This information contributes to a greater knowledge of overall trends in the ELCA - not only for the ELCA churchwide partners, but also for synod use. The last few years we have seen fewer of these reports being filed. PLEASE be sure to identify who will complete this form and thank you in advance for ensuring that your congregation completes a report this year! THANK YOU!

The annual congregation report is to be completed ONLINE and is comprised of two forms:
  • Form A includes the statistical information about the membership, attendance, and stewardship of your congregation
  • Form C asks for information about strategies and practices your congregation uses in reaching out to and welcoming new people

When your designated reporter is ready to go online and submit your congregation's report information (the online form will open mid-January), simply head to the ELCA Website and look for the report link on the right hand side.
Rostered Minister Reports to the Synod Bishop

This form is to be done by downloading a fillable form, completing it, and emailing it to the Synod Office. These forms allow the rostered minister to share information with the bishop AND help the synod office keep our records up to date. THANK YOU for completing your report as soon as you are able.

This year we are using the ELCA forms found below.
Select and download the appropriate form to your computer.
Save it with your name in the file name (example: ReportToBish_SBerg...)
Once you completed the form, save it again, and send it to: office@lutheransnw.org

Minister of Word and Sacrament – Reports to the Synod Bishop

Minister of Word and Service – Reports to the Synod Bishop