We are hiring!

The Synod is looking for a new partner - in a contract position - to serve as the Director of Property for the Northwest Washington Synod. They will be responsible for real estate asset management, property management, dispositions and acquisitions, and providing congregational support. 

Learn more HERE.



And please share with those qualified folks who might be interested!

Invitation for Partners of Rostered Ministers

Spouses and partners of ELCA Pastors and Deacons in Regions 1 and 2 are invited to join this sacred place to take a deep breath, slow down, and create space to notice God’s presence among us. Our goal is to foster community and be refreshed by God and one another. Our cohort leader, Susan Berg will lead us through a curriculum of spiritual practices. 

We will meet twice-monthly on the second and fourth Mondays of the month, beginning November 13, 7pm-8:30pm. We will skip over a few of the busy weeks - Easter and Christmas for example - and conclude at the end of May. If your partner/spouse is interested, please have them reach out to Susan@lutheransnw.org - soon as space is limited.

This is a FREE opportunity!

In 2018, California Lutheran University received a nearly $1 million, five-year grant from the Lilly Endowment to create Thriving Leadership Formation in partnership with its own Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and the 11 ELCA synods of Regions 1 and 2. This FREE spiritual practice cohort is one aspect of Thriving Leadership Formation. They are intended to foster spiritual and contemplative practices in order to enrich life and ministry, and help the church and its leaders thrive.

THERE ARE ADDITIONAL COHORTS BEING FORMED! - for a variety of affinity groups (lay leaders, retired folks, youth leaders, under 40 leaders, etc.!) Check out some of the options here: https://thrivingleadershipformation.org/cohorts/

Bulletin Insert

from our partners at Lutheran Community Services Northwest

Please find the attached bulletin insert, available for your churches to copy and paste, or use parts as needed to show the impact churches and partners are making in communities in the Northwest through LCSNW. Thank you so very much for your partnership, and for your leadership in delivering and stewarding God's word. 

I would love to hear from you: Is this useful? Would you like us to make changes? Let me know. 

If you have ideas about how we can better connect, or if you would like an in person meeting or presentation, let me know. - Jaimie Fournier, Chief Advancement Officer, Lutheran Community Services Northwest - jkfournier@lcsnw.org 

Draft social message on gun violence

What is a faithful Lutheran response when considering U.S. gun culture? The draft of a social message on gun-related violence and trauma probes that question, and your feedback is requested.

The draft focuses on trauma, public health and an ethic of shared responsibility for peacemaking, seeking to move beyond the strict polarization of gun rights versus gun control. This is an issue that affects everyone in the United States — let your voice in this process be heard!

To participate in the public feedback period, read the draft and use the response form. Responses are due by Jan. 31, 2024.

Ditty Bags for Mission to Seafarers

Every fall, Mission to Seafarers packs over 1,000 “ditty bag” gifts containing personal necessities to bring to international seafarers in the Port of Seattle. They are grateful for our many partners from local Lutheran, Episcopal, and Catholic parishes who make this program possible.

They are finalizing their collection of hand-knit hats, homemade drawstring bags, and toiletries for this year’s ditty bag season. As you are able, please contribute by November 8. See flyer for details - or check out their website here: https://www.mts-seattle.org/ditty-bags

Your synod council members will be helping with the packing day on November 18 - you could join them!

REMINDER: purchase your LiVE Congregational Bundle by Oct 30 - that is TODAY!

A Bundle allows an unlimited number of church members to attend an unlimited number of courses and retreats at NO COST to them!

A GREAT value for $500!

Once you register for a Congregational Bundle, your church office will be given a promo code to pass on to your members so they can register for any LiVE offering for FREE! Purchase your bundle here

Pacific Lutheran University Christmas Concerts

Join us for a beloved Northwest tradition as the PLU Choir of the West, University Chorale, and University Symphony Orchestra present our annual Christmas concert. Works by Dan Forrest, John Rutter, Caroline Shaw, Rosephanye Powell, and Mack Wilberg highlight our traditional carols and seasonal favorites. Tickets for this special Christmas celebration go on sale November 1 at 10 a.m. General admission tickets are $40. Discounts are available for senior citizens, military, children, and PLU alumni/students/faculty/staff. For more information, call 253-535-7602 or go to plu.edu/christmas.

Lagerquist Concert Hall, PLU

Saturday, December 2 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, December 3 at 2:00 pm 

Saturday, December 9 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, December 10 at 2:00 pm

Benaroya Concert Hall, Seattle

Monday, December 4 at 7:30 pm 

St. Mark's Episcopal Compline Choir Pilgrimage

You are invited to join this Pilgrimage as a companion pilgrim to three of England’s most storied and historic cathedrals: Saint Alban’s, Saint Paul’s in London, and Canterbury - August 1-9, 2024. Registration/deposit due Nov. 6.

Learn more here: https://complinechoir.org/england-pilgrimage/companion/

Civil Rights Pilgrimage

All are welcome to participate in a transformative 10-day Civil Rights pilgrimage from Atlanta to Memphis - led by the Rev. Britt Olson, the Rev. Carla Robinson, and the Rev. Bryon Hansen September 30 – October 9, 2024. It is rooted in the movements for racial justice and the people of courage who have gone before us. We walk in their footsteps from Atlanta to Memphis as we strengthen our baptismal promise to “strive for justice and peace in all the earth.”

The trip is hosted by the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, Circles of Color, and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Itinerary, cost, and registration information can be found on the pilgrimage website here:

https://circlesofcolor.org/crpilgrimage/. A non-refundable $200 payment is due by November 30, 2023 to secure your place on the Pilgrimage. 

Synod Events This Week:

Tues, Oct 31, 10am-12noon - Synod Staff Meeting

Tues, Oct 31, 4pm - Staff Farewell Dinner for Dianne

Tues, Oct 31, 7pm-8pm - LiVE Abide Bible Study - see below

Wed, Nov 1, 6:30pm-8pm - Sovereignty Spirituality -see below

Sat, Nov 4, 10am - Anti-Racism Training Event at Trinity Episcopal in Everett

Sat. Nov. 4, 4pm - Lori Cavender Ordination & Installation - see below

Sun, Nov 5, 3:30pm - Rev. Andrew Flatt-Kuntze Installation - see below

Sovereignty Spirituality

We continue on Wednesdays

Nov.1, 15, 6:30pm-8pm on Zoom

(missed earlier weeks? they are recorded so you can catch up!)

Dr. Beverly Wallace & Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy will lead this 5-session course. A robust understanding of spirituality embraces the whole and authentic person and their lived experience. Many in our world have been marginalized and not given room to live fully into their own self understanding of spirituality because of domination and colonizing systems of oppression. This course explores spirituality from a place of reclaiming one’s Christian identity in light of one’s ethnic identity (Indigenous and Womanist/black women), and how those particular identities, in fact, might help us to image life anew as Christians in todays’ complex world.   

Learn more and register via this link.

Cost for an individual registration is $50 unless your congregation has already purchased the Congregational Bundle. Ask your church office for the bundle code to receive FREE registration for this 5-week course. (Zoom link emailed upon registration)

(Church leaders, PURCHASE CONGREGATION BUNDLE HERE)