The Holy Spirit, Like the Wind, Blows Where She Chooses | Rev Phil Misner, Assistant to the Bishop |  | |
Dear People of the Northwest Intermountain Synod,
Happy Pentecost! This past Sunday congregations and ministry sites across the NWIM Synod—and indeed, across the globe—heard the story of the coming of the Holy Spirit told in Acts 2. “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting … All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit …” (Acts 2:1-2, 4a). We heard how observers of this phenomenon were “bewildered” by this event, and how Peter, in explanation, quoted from the prophet Joel saying this was God “pour[ing] out [God’s] Spirit upon all flesh” (Acts 2:17). And with Pentecost we celebrate that indeed God’s Spirit has been and is poured out on all flesh, including you and me.
If you are like me, however, sometimes it can be hard to see or grasp the Holy Spirit at work in the world and in your life. When I find myself wondering what the Spirit might be up to, I turn to John 3. That chapter opens with Jesus in conversation with Nicodemus, a Pharisee who came to Jesus at night. In the middle of that conversation Jesus says: “The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). Jesus works with a play on words here as the word translated as “wind” is the same word translated later in the verse as “Spirit.” The Holy Spirit, like the wind, blows where She chooses. The Holy Spirit, like the wind, is impossible to see.
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We can, however, see the effects of the wind. Right now, as I type the wind is rustling the newly budded leaves outside the open windows. Tree branches are dancing. Blades of grass are waving. The wind chime is softly playing. So it is with the Spirit. People of the Northwest Intermountain Synod, where do you notice the effects of the Holy Spirit? |
 |  | In reflecting on that same question, the effects of the Spirit being poured out on all flesh look like a total of well over 300 lay and rostered leaders coming together at one of the three Regional Gatherings to sing, learn, and pray together as we all discern how to move faithfully and sustainably into the future God has for us. The effects of the Spirit look like quilts draped across pews, blessed, and sent off across the globe to bring comfort and warmth to those who need it most. The effects of the Spirit look something like a Ukelele Orchestra—a Ukestra!—formed by the faithful folks who love to make music together of Pilgrim Lutheran, Othello. These are only a few of the places I notice the effects of the Holy Spirit. What do you notice? And when you catch a glimpse of the Spirit blowing through your life, call others to notice as well for the Spirit has been poured out on all flesh. She is blowing through the world and our lives, our congregations and communities. Be blessed by the Holy Spirit!
Pastor Phil Misner
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We know many of you are concerned about the impact of devastating flooding in the Ulanga Kilombero Diocese, our companion synod in Tanzania. Bishop Manlove and Vice President Lisa Therrell are working with the Global Mission Team and soon will have a formal fundraiser proposal for the Synod Council Executive Committee to approve. We are thinking of a one-Sunday synod-wide fundraiser in June.
Stay tuned for a special email with more details shortly. On behalf of our companions, thank you for continued prayers.
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The Confirmation Project
The Confirmation Project is a partnership between the NWIM Synod and Lutherhaven Ministries to supplement congregations' confirmation ministry with three retreats offered throughout the year. Here are the retreat dates and locations for 2024-2025:
Sept 20-22, 2024 at Shoshone Mountain Retreat
January 31- February 2, 2025 at Camp Lutherhaven
April 25-27, 2025 at Camp Lutherhaven
More details about each retreat will be available closer to the retreat dates. Contact Phil Misner if you have questions.
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– Maddie Glanz,
Program Innovation Lead at Luther Heights Bible Camp, ID
Camp people are the go-getters, the movers and the shakers. We do hard things, plan the stuff, and are the brain, power and feat of strength behind this entire operation. God needs us, right?
The camp I serve at is at the feet of some of the most spectacular mountains I've ever seen — the Sawtooth Mountains. While the impulse response to the awe-struck, take-your-breathe-away majesticness is to feel small, insignificant and powerless, I feel God urging me to feel lucky because I get to witness and be part of something so much greater than myself.
Creation cannot help but praise the Creator. It’s not forced to; nature innately cries out the purpose of creation itself — to delight in the divine loving God that made this crazy beautiful world and all the people in it.
Today, no matter what mountain you find yourself at the foot of, know that the Creator calls you by name, calls you child and calls you to be whoever you were created to be. The most important thing we can do is pause while doing stuff, look up and notice God's presence in yourself and everything around you - a presence with a special purpose.
The daily focus of Day 3 in this summer's curriculum is "Created to be Brave." One of the suggested texts to use is Jeremiah 1. That big Creator who makes the awe-struck, jaw-dropping, wildly beautiful things of this world is the One who made you, me, and all our campers… and thinks we're pretty awesome!
“Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations’” (The Call of Jeremiah, Jeremiah 1:4-5).
Originally published in the Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Network e-newsletter.
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THE FOURTH FALL SOJOURN
HOLDEN VILLAGE
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9/15 - 9/22 (or 20) 2024
While at Holden Village you will have the opportunity to create your own rhythms for each day according to your interests. Teaching sessions and opportunities for creative engagement will be bountiful. You are encouraged to take time for rest and recreation - hiking, fly-fishing, weaving, other crafts, and a host of other activities.
This week will feature the following great teaching staff:
- Meggan Manlove - the practice of Story-linking
- Mark Schwehn - shaping identity
- Fred Neidner - believing the Bible: inhabiting its stories, trusting God’s promises
- Jonathan Rundman - village musician
Learn more...
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Building on Regional Gatherings' Speaker Grace Pomroy’s Presentations:
Nine Lessons from Nehemiah for Faith-based Property Development
David Bowers draws key lessons from the biblical story of Nehemiah to guide churches that are redeveloping their buildings or property to serve community needs. He says that such development is difficult, but doable, when approached with the correct spiritual and practical perspectives.
Read More
Originally in Leading Ideas from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary
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EcoFaith Action Network Forms in the Northwest Intermountain Synod
A fledgling group has been meeting virtually since last fall to explore how ministry sites that comprise the Northwest Intermountain Synod can faithfully engage in actions that care for the Earth, God’s Creation. At our April 18 meeting we settled on a name for our group—the “EcoFaith Action Network”. Are you interested in joining us? We meet virtually on the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time. We value your interest and input. If you would like more information or you wish to share your ideas or participate, email Deaconess Katrina Martich at contact@katrinamartich.com
More about our name. “Ecofaith.” “Eco” is from the Greek work “oikos,” meaning “household” and reminds us of our vocation to manage God’s “household” for the good of all life within it. We chose this name because practices to care for Planet Earth are spiritual practices rooted in our beliefs about God’s Creation and our place in it. We borrowed the name Ecofaith Network, with permission, from two synods in Minnesota that are organizing together. You can check out the inspiring work of these Minnesota synods here. Home | EcoFaith (ecofaithnetwork.org) “Action.” We wanted to make it clear that our work is about taking action. We don’t want to be all talk and no action. “Network.” We aspire to engage and connect ministry sites across our synod to each other and to resources.
We might even find ourselves connecting with the other synods, perhaps starting with Region 1 synods. For example, the Montana Synod has established a “Care for Creation Task Force” that has been successful connecting and involving youth and young adults. To check out this vibrant ministry, click here. Changing Climate Taskforce (montanasynod.org)
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Ecumenical and Interfaith Ministry
-Rev. Kimmy Meinecke
Recently, Bishop Manlove asked me to serve as the synod’s ecumenical and interfaith representative with the tasks of naming, describing, highlighting the ecumenical and interfaith ministries which are in place throughout the Northwest Intermountain Synod, and encouraging the people of the synod to be engaged in them.
To begin, I’ve been a part of the NWIM Synod since it was the EWAID Synod (which isn’t that long ago, so more specifically, for about 20 years). I have served as an intentional interim pastor, pastor, and mission developer in a number of communities throughout the synod.
I currently live a very embodied ecumenical life as the Vicar of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Spokane, Washington. That’s “Episco-speak” for Pastor-who-is-of-a-different-denomination for the congregation. I have served this community for eight years and counting. In other ministry sites, ecumenical work was an important part of my ministry and the congregation’s. Out of this experience and learning with you, I will periodically share ideas and possibilities for ecumenical and interfaith ministries which you may wish to engage in and live.
In this message, I’d like to highlight the ecumenical faith communities which exist in our synod already: Read full article...
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A Report on the Advisory Board Meeting for PLTS
(Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, CA)
On April 11, the Advisory Board for the PLTS Dean, Rev. Dr. Ray Pickett, met on Zoom for their biannual meeting. The Board is made up of representatives from each of the synods in Regions 1 and 2 of the ELCA (the western part of the US), as well as four at-large members from across the country, nominated by ELCA churchwide council. Some members are rostered (pastor or deacon) and some are regular church members. Our purpose is to help advise Rev. Dr. Pickett as the seminary charts a path forward into the future. (PLTS is one of seven seminaries of the ELCA, and is a partner with California Lutheran University, one of 28 colleges of the ELCA.)
At this meeting, our devotion centered around our own experience of the church. How do we feel connected, acknowledged, and seen? How do we connect with God? What is meaningful? A resounding sense of community was a common response, as well as a desire for depth, relevancy, and inclusivity. We wondered how faith is made tangible in worship. We articulated an importance for seminary students to experience these things, in seminary or elsewhere, in order to share them as church leaders.
PLTS has recently announced plans to move fully online and suspend their residential seminary programs. The growth in Distance Learning is happening across all seven ELCA seminaries, and across theological education regardless of denomination. It is a move that is not primarily financial, but is a response to the reality that fewer and fewer students are choosing an in-person experience for their theological education, for a variety of reasons. It is a move that is better for students and faculty. And it requires creativity to reimagine the values of community and spiritual formation and how to facilitate them for seminary students who are not in the same location.
Read full report...
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Council Members Monthly Check-In | |
The first Council Members Monthly Check-In will take place on May 28, 2024. The Zoom information, which will remain the same for each check-in, is below.
Topic: Council Members Check-In
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89176429941?pwd=OENTWS9HdEVKZ2pBOEI5eHRPbzZpUT09
Meeting ID: 891 7642 9941
Passcode: 881268
One tap mobile
+16694449171,,89176429941#,,,,*881268# US
+16699006833,,89176429941#,,,,*881268# US (San Jose)
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/knWnic4b1
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The College for Congregational Development
Currently, the College is offered in an
intensive 6-day summer format
August 4 - 9
| The College for Congregational Development is a comprehensive training program for clergy and laity in congregational and organization development. Because the College seeks to improve the way that leaders function in congregations, congregations are strongly encouraged to send clergy-lay teams to the College. | |
Featuring Ryan Lawrence, member of Cameron Emmanuel. | |
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Pastor Ethan Bergman (Ellensburg) and I sat in on the Southwestern Washington Synod’s webinar about ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants. One of the kernels that came out of the webinar was learning about other grants. You will need PARTNERS for both of these.
Safeway/Albertsons Nourishing Neighbors: Our Foundation funds organizations that strengthen the neighborhoods we serve.
On a regional basis, we fund organizations that impact the lives of our employees and customers. To learn more about what we fund in your area, choose your neighborhood.
On a national basis, we fund only organizations working in the area of Hunger through our Nourishing Neighbors Campaign. An RFP is released on an annual basis by invitation only. If you are interested in partnering with us to eradicate hunger, please fill out an application below. These applications are considered throughout the year for invites to our annual RFP in the fall of each year.
If you are interested in participating in a checkstand campaign, outside of Childhood Hunger, these too are considered on a regional basis. The calendar is generally set for the year by September of the previous year. We recommend you reach out to your regional representative for consideration.
T-Mobile Hometown Grants. We’ll help fund projects that foster local connections, like technology upgrades, outdoor spaces, the arts, and community centers.
Main Street America and Smart Growth America have partnered with T‑Mobile to help build stronger, more prosperous small towns and rural communities. With T‑Mobile’s Hometown Grant program, they’re investing big in small towns by awarding up to 100 towns a year with project funding — up to $50,000 each.
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Not-Your-Average Boundaries Training | |
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JUNE 11 & 12
Online via Zoom $89
(1:00 PM TO 4:00 PM CENTRAL)
Preregister for June 11-12 now.
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 6 total hours split over 2 consecutive days (3 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 boundaries training will be conducted via secure Zoom video conferencing.
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Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp Lectionary Retreat
Sunday, November 3 - Tuesday, November 5, 2024
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Have you ever found yourself at the beginning of a new season of the church year and your creative tank is empty? Prevent that from happening this year by joining Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis and other folks who preach in congregations in a time of learning creative brainstorming about the upcoming year’s lectionary texts. We will explore the Advent/Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost seasons and spend time thinking about different themes for these seasons and creative things we could bring into our preaching during the year.
In addition to the sessions there will be time for relaxing by the fire, spending time in the sauna, hiking, and great food and fellowship! Come join us for some wonderful time away with other preachers to relax, refresh, and ready yourself for a year of proclamation!
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Administration Matters
May 15, 2024 - Issue 93
Victim of embezzlement? Do you know how to proceed?
It is important to know what to do when your synod or congregation experiences embezzlement. Being prepared in some way will help you deal with a situation as difficult as this one. >More
Billions of federal dollars available for churches and nonprofits to go green
The Renew America’s Nonprofits grant aims to stimulate widespread energy improvements in the nonprofit sector to create a pipeline of energy- and cost-saving projects that will continue beyond the life of the grant. All applicants must have an active SAM.gov and Grants.gov registration in order to apply for a grant under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. You should register in these systems now if you think your congregation/organization may apply for a federal grant. >More
The warning signs of a mental health issue
According to a November 2022 blog post from Columbia Theological Seminary, the warning signs of a mental health issue include eating or sleeping too much or not enough, isolating oneself, having no joy in life or work, feeling helpless or hopeless, and increased or new alcohol or drug use. The top three things that improve pastors’ mental health are taking a sabbatical, joining a prayer or support group, and getting counseling, the post states.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Portico Benefit Services urges members to make use of their ELCA-Primary mental health benefits and support programs. The support programs include 24/7 counseling with a licensed Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counselor via voice, text or video; Learn to Live, which provides coach-supported, self-paced and interactive cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) programs; and Being Academy, which offers faith-based education on mental health and other topics.
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