ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEXT LiVE Course begins January 19!

Culture Course “Interrogating Privilege in Church and Our Lives”

January 19 - March 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:
Day of Repentance - National Day of Racial Healing
 
As the ELCA continues its work of racial healing and implements its “Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent,” it will observe an annual day of repentance for racism on Jan. 18, 2022.
 
This date, which follows Martin Luther King Jr. Day, is observed by several organizations as the National Day of Racial Healing, to encourage acts of service and raise awareness of racial justice.
 
Download congregational worship resources to mark this day of repentance and healing: https://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/Worship_Resources_for_Day_of_Racial_Healing.pdf
 
Read "Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent": https://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/Slavery_Apology_Explanation.pdf
Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Sunday

ReconcilingWorks wants to celebrate with your faith community and is excited to offer these resources. Many Reconciling in Christ (RIC) communities celebrate RIC Sunday on the last Sunday in January.
This year, that lands on January 30, but the service can be held any date that works for our community. Be sure to use this day as a time to recommit to your partnership as a RIC faith community, discern ways to live into your RIC partner commitments, and set new milestones for the year to come.

This year's theme is: "Made in God's Image: God's Boundless Diversity."
This worship resource is centered in the spirit of youth and the voices of our young people! We ask the question, "In understanding the ways in which we all are Made in God's Image, how can we learn to care and advocate for one another so we can best see God's Boundless Diversity of creation?"

For more info and resources go here: https://www.reconcilingworks.org/ric/ricsunday/
Employment Opportunities

We have a number of new job opportunities from our local ministry partners listed on our website, including positions at Earth Ministry, Compass Housing Alliance, and several of our congregations. Check out the listing here: www.lutheransnw.org/resources/employment-opportunities
YAGM applications close soon!

The ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program invites ELCA young adults ages 21-29 into a transformative, year-long journey in international service. As they offer themselves in service, ELCA young adults are shaped by the witness of our global neighbors. They share in the journeys of companion churches and organizations in one of nine countries around the world.

Learn more and apply here by February 1st:

UPCOMING EVENTS
Synod Events

Mon, Jan 10, 3pm - Living Stones Prison Ministry Check-In Zoom- see below
Tues, Jan 11, 10am-12noon - Synod Staff Meeting
Tues, Jan 11, 1pm - Team Russia Meeting - now ONLINE! - see below
Tues, Jan 11, 3pm - Bishop's Convocation Planning Team
Tues, Jan 11, 7pm - Earth Ministry Advocacy Training - see below
Thurs, Jan 13 12noon - STAD Session for rostered ministers
Thurs, Jan. 13, 4pm - Executive Committee
Thurs, Jan 13, 5pm - LCSNW Refugee Response Webinar - see below
Thurs, Jan 13, 7pm - Synod Finance Team
Living Stones Prison Ministry Check In Call

Monday, January 10, 3pm online

Join Pastor Chris Ode for an update about what is happening in the Living Stones ministry. He will share how the men are doing as well as give an update about the new site at the Monroe Correctional Complex. We are one day closer for all of us to see our men again! (Learn more about this ministry here.)

Synod Russia Trip Interest Meeting!

Tuesday, January 11, 1pm-3pm - moved to be ONLINE!

All who are interested in traveling to Russia to visit our Companion Synod (perhaps this spring/summer?!) are invited to attend this Team Russia session! Please RSVP to Ken (see email below). Unable to attend? Let Ken know you are interested in a future travel group.

Questions about the trip or the interest meeting?
Contact Ken Grigsby at island66@comcast.net
Join the meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84521125979
Faithful Advocacy Training
 
Tuesday, January 11, 7-8:30pm via Zoom
 
Join our friends at Earth Ministry/WAIPL for this training - you'll receive practical tools to tell your story to decision makers in any advocacy setting. We’ll discuss the unique strengths of a faith-based approach to advocacy that centers our values, show what it looks like in action, and give you space to practice. We’ll also share a brief overview of the bills Earth Ministry/WAIPL will be supporting in the 2022 Washington State Legislative Session. 
 
Whether this year will be your first time speaking up in the legislative process, or you’re a seasoned advocate, you are welcome to join! Register here for the Zoom link.  
Refugee Response Webinar

Thursday, January 13 from 5pm-6pm

Join LCSNW for an update on the Afghanistan refugee crisis and LCSNW's response. We will have an amazing group of people sharing about their focus area within LCS Northwest and their part in the refugee care and support process. 

We will hear from:
David Duea, CEO and President
Salah Ansary, Director of Multicultural Community Services Programs
Nandini Rao, Immigration Staff Attorney and Program Manager
Darian and Kaisa Lightfoot, host family and supporters
RSVP for the event here!
Region One Preparedness & Disaster Response News from our Project Manager, Dave Brauer-Rieke

The next Region 1 Congregational Preparedness Network Gathering will be Thursday, January 20 at 6pm. You will need to register to participate, so please do so today. Intentional Disaster Preparedness would be an awesome New Year's resolution!!
Share it with a friend, your pastor or congregation council. Invite them to subscribe.
Contemplative Action Community
from Thriving Leadership Formation at California Lutheran

These three sessions are open to everyone - church leaders, lay people, and those who are seeking community in the new year.

Join for 1, 2 or all 3 sessions:
Thursday, January 20, 6pm-7:30pm;
Tuesday, Feb 22, 10am-11:30am;
Sunday,, March 27, 4pm-5:30pm

Learn more and sign up to attend at: www.tinyurl.com/TLFcommunity.
Upcoming Installation Services:
 
Pastor Scott Peterson Installation
Sunday, January 30, 10am at Anacortes Lutheran
We give thanks to God as Pr. Peterson is installed as the new pastor at Anacortes Lutheran Church! God bless this new ministry partnership!
 
Pastor John Schraan Installation
Sunday, February 6, 2pm at Our Saviour's Lutheran in Arlington
We give thanks to God as Pr. Schraan is installed as the new pastor at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church! God bless this new ministry partnership!
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.
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.
Elementary Retreats at Camp Lutherwood!

Join us for one of our Elementary Retreat this March! Come with your family or church!! Enjoy camp favorites including campfire, chapel, 9 square, Gaga Ball, kayaking and canoes, ropes course, Bible Encounter and more!! All campers must come with a chaperone. Groups must have 1 male and 1 female chaperone to stay with campers in their cabins.

Dates: March 4-5 -OR- March 11-12
Fridays - Check In is from 5-7pm; Saturdays - Enjoy a day full of camp and head out after dinner!

Questions about our retreat please reach out to our office at office@camplutherwood.org

Want an item included?
Email Susan Berg, Communications Administrator
All items due by 2pm on the prior Thursday

Northwest Washington Synod / ELCA
5519 Phinney Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98103
206-783-9292