TWO EXCELLENT SYNOD DAY RETREATS THIS FALL

Please consider joining us - and bring fellow members of your congregations!

Scroll to the "upcoming retreats" section at the end of this email...

Sacred Space Retreat

September 16 at Camp Lutherwood

Sacred Spaces: Opening the 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. 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? Join us for the day as we explore! See below!

LiVE Fall Retreat

Saturday, September 23 at Our Savior's, Everett

Chosen: A Study in God's People-Creating Project  

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Michael Chan to lead this One-day Retreat for any and all lay leaders who wish to revisit the Chosen life of God’s people as heard within the Old Testament. Whether you are new to Scripture or a seasoned Bible reader, this day will bring you new insight, and inspiration for growing closer to the God who chooses people for a life of calling and connection. See below!

Lutheran Disaster Response is coordinating with the Pacifica Synod and other partners to assess the needs of people impacted by the wildfires. They will work together to provide for immediate needs and long-term recovery amid the widespread destruction. Lutheran Disaster Response is committed to accompanying recovering communities in the years ahead.

Your generous donations may be made here: https://community.elca.org/uswildfires

Children and Youth Leader Retreat – Save the Date!

September 29-30 at Camp Lutherwood

Theme: Holy Trinity, Wholly Love

More details coming soon!

Request to Connect - from Lutherwood

The Leadership at Camp Lutherwood wishes to connect with our synod's congregational leaders! If you are a pastor, deacon, or congregation council member, please discuss inviting Lutherwood to join an upcoming council meeting (September or October perhaps!?) and reach out to Executive Director, Judy Engh, at executive@camplutherwood.org or 360-966-1902.  THANK YOU!

News from The LiVE Project

Check out the latest e-news from our Synod LiVE Project!

+ latest blog (this month from our LiVE Project Assistant, Mandy Neill)

+ September 23 retreat

+ fall courses

+ how to register

+ and more!

Read the newsletter here: https://conta.cc/3Qyc5NN

A New Ministry Out of the Rubble

Thank you to Rev. Darla DeFrance (Columbia City Church of Hope, Seattle) for sharing this story:

The Church is called to be constantly reforming, and the first step of re-forming is un-forming, breaking down what has been before trying new ways of putting it all back together. It is what Richard Rohr calls the universal pattern—the order, disorder, and reorder that we see in the changing of the seasons, the life and crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, and in the literal and metaphorical experiences all around us of construction, deconstruction, and reconstruction. Read the article HERE. 

This year marks the 10th anniversary of our annual day of service!

Over 10 years our hands have …

1.   Cleaned parks, beaches and roadways.

2.   Collected and donated food items for shelters and pantries.

3.   Assembled backpacks, care packages and hygiene bags.

4.   Repaired and painted homes, classrooms and community centers.

5.   Written letters to military members, first responders and members of Congress.

6.   Harvested produce for local food pantries.

7.   Sewed quilts and knitted blankets.

8.   Prepared meals for volunteers.

9.   Greeted homebound members and residents of nursing homes.

10. Performed random acts of kindness.

The tenth anniversary of “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is a feature story in Living Lutheran this month. Read the article celebrating a decade of service in our communities.

Truth and Healing Movement Events

Find opportunities to learn the true history and current realities of our Indigenous neighbors. It is these truths, truths that have been ignored by most for hundreds of years, that will bring healing for both Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people.

Find webinars, book lists, and more HERE!

NWWA Synod Trip to the Holy Land

January 14-25, 2024

You are invited to join with others in the NWWA Synod for a life-changing trip to the Holy Land. Not only will we visit holy sites, we will also meet with, talk with, and listen to those who live, work, laugh, worship, and struggle in this land. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) is one of our partners in the Lutheran World Federation. They are excited to share their stories with us. There is also an additional post-trip to Egypt that you are invited to sign up for, as well.

We want this to be a time for people to interact with and learn with the people of this land. Therefore, we are only taking twenty-four people. We hope that you will come and be a part of this important trip. Please click the link below to find out more information or reach out to me for any questions you might have.

https://www.eliastours.com/tours/northwest-washington-synod-holy-land-trip-with-bishop-shelley-bryan-wee-dr-rod-schofield

Synod Events This Week:

Mon, Aug 14, 2pm - Rostered Synod Staff Meeting

Mon, Aug 14, 5pm - Synod Finance Committee

Tues, Aug 15, 10am-2pm -Synod Staff Meeting

Thurs, Aug 17, 4pm - Deans' Dinner (partners & kiddos, too!)

Sat, Aug 19, 3pm - Ordination & Installation of Jory Mickelson at Faith Lutheran Church in Bellingham (see below!)

Refugees NW – Foster Care Info Session

Tuesday, August 15 at 5:30pm Online



Register HERE

For over 40 years, the Refugees Northwest Foster Care program of Lutheran Community Services Northwest has partnered with a dedicated community of caregivers to welcome and support refugee and immigrant youth. These youth cannot return to their home countries, have no available adults to care for them, and are in need of stable, loving, long-term caregivers here in the U.S. Until a caregiver is available, youth remain in refugee camps overseas, or in facilities within the U.S., waiting. You can end their wait by becoming a foster parent or host home.

At these online sessions, Refugees Northwest Foster Care staff will share an overview of the youth we serve, the supports we offer foster families, and the basics of the licensing process and host home approval process. There will be time for your questions, too.

United Farm Workers Event

Thursday, August 31

United Farm Workers is organizing on Thursday, August 31st at the Seattle Center. This is to support the Sunnyside, WA mushroom workers who have been experiencing harassment, intimidation, discrimination and poor working conditions for years now. (See details in attached flyer).

If you're interested in coming and/or bringing a group please let Rev. Josh Stromberg-Wojcik know.

If you're interested in signing up for the Farm Workers Ministry NW e-newsletter, you can do so here: 

Holden Village Retreat - register now!

September 10-15

A partnership with Music That Makes a Difference!

Learn more HERE.



The planning team will be posting regularly on this substack

It is a collaboration gathering for all people who are working toward wholeness, justice, and all those good things.

RECLAIM - register now!

September 14-17 in Minneapolis

RECLAIM is a gathering for people of African descent, brought to you by African Descent Ministries. Participants will build a tool kit for ministry as we move through a pandemic, climate change and an era of preserving healers' spiritual and emotional wellness.

The church needs healthy and whole preachers, teachers, professionals and young adults, all well-equipped with culturally relevant approaches to the word. Grounded in Scripture, RECLAIM will help participants feel embodied, emboldened and liberated in their identities.

Learn more HERE! Register by August 15!