By Our Love
Liv Larson Andrews
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I was in the first few years of my call to Salem Lutheran Church when I walked with an ecumenical group of clergy leaders in the Spokane Pride Parade. This was before things were very organized at Pride in Spokane, because I recall no need to sign up ahead of time. We just showed up. It was my idea for everyone to wear brightly colored chausables, forming a rainbow of supportive pastors. (I’m pretty sure at least three of them were my own!) As we walked, my colleague Deb, a bold, passionate pastor in the Methodist tradition, began to sing. “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”
Pride. It’s not a simple thing. Listed among the seven deadly sins. Noted for coming before a fall. Rarely praised as a virtue except in the case of school spirit. And the collective noun for a group of lions. But in the old song Deb led us in as we walked the streets of Spokane with our supportive signs and smiling faces, we came to a stanza that sings, “and we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride.” Pride! Deb turned to me with a huge smile.
Henri Nouwen defines humility as having a fitting sense of self, an accurate picture of one’s gifts and foibles. Humility may be cast as the opposite of Pride, but when I survey the spirit of parades and festivals celebrating our queer siblings and the fullness of their identity, joy, and contributions to society, I see an effort to embrace a fitting sense of self. Pride events declare, we are here. We are a part of things. We are community, home, family and friends. We are fully human.
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The presence of Lutheran Christians at Pride is important to me because of this last affirmation: we are human. Fully human—flawed, gifted, complacent, active, hurting, joyful, sinners and saints together with all human siblings. That God loves us in our humanity is what we celebrate in baptism and remember when we gather for worship. You may have never attended a Pride event, and you may have thoughts that disagree with the ELCA’s position on the matter. (Or maybe you dislike crowds!) But you are human, too. And our church is here to guard the dignity, honor the pride, and shield the joy of all its participants and neighbors. | |
While I am sad that I missed Spokane’s (more organized these days) Pride parade of 2024, I am delighted that as your DEM I get to accompany pastors in Coeur d’Alene and Idaho Falls for Pride festivities in our synod. However you find yourself this June, whether traveling or at home, ready to march with glitter in hand or hesitant and full of questions, I ask that you pray. Pray for Pride events in your area and across our geography. Pray for safety. Pray for joy. Pray for the Spirit to hover over our beautiful region and bring a rainbow of blessings for everyone to enjoy. And pray for us, the Lutherans of the NWIM synod, to always be known by our love. | |
Prayers for the Family of
Pastor Al Schoonover
Allan was born in Richland Center Wisconsin on Jan 31 ,1938. He passed away Tuesday June 4 at Intermountain Hospital in St George Ut. He was ordained as a pastor in June 1968. His last call was to Star Valley United Church in Thayne Wyoming.
In lieu of flowers, his wife De has asked that memorials be given to Star Valley United Church, Thayne Wyoming or Lucky's Place also in Thayne Wyoming.
Funeral services will be held at Star Valley United Church in Thayne Wyoming at 11am on Thursday July 25. His ashes will be laid to rest in Monroe Wisconson at a later date. Follow this LINK to read the full obituary.
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Council Members Monthly Check-In
June 25, 2024
6:30pm PT/7:30pm MT
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One way we hope to live into being Synod together is gathering those who serve on councils or boards of ministries for a monthly check-in with each other. We will meet over Zoom on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm PT/7:30pm MT. The hope and plan is that these check-ins will be an opportunity for members of councils/boards to connect, pray together, share best practices, and more. Depending upon the size of the group, breakout rooms may be used so that people can have more time to share and be heard by others.
The Next Council Members Monthly Check-In will take place on June 25, 2024. The Zoom information, which will remain the same for each check-in, is below.
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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Interviews with Lay Ministry Associates
from the Montana Synod
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Our synod staff and council have been working to build interest in neighboring Montana Synod’s Lay Ministry Associate program (previously named Lay Pastoral Associate). We hope to have registration forms rolling out later this summer. We have announced our in-synod in-person retreat Preach, Pray, Preside dates (last weekend of October in Spokane). This retreat will be one way we supplement the online learning with the Montana Synod. But what might a person do after they go through the LMA two-year program? What does that time and training prepare you to do? Synod Council and All Saints Lutheran, Spokane member Keely Eschbenacher conducted interviews with three different LMAs. Each of these individuals is embodying ministry in unique ways.
Thank you Keely! Enjoy and spread the word:
https://youtu.be/v-0iBH3fR7o
https://youtu.be/vgIHHQRut0U
https://youtu.be/MqBclXNycX4
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What is Boundaries Training for? | |
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If you are a regular reader of the Northwest Intermountain e-newsletter, you have likely noticed that we regularly publicize Boundaries Training, training online or in-person. The synod staff thought it might be good to explain why we do that.
First, all rostered ministers in the ELCA are required to participate in a boundaries training every three years. If you have not attended a previous workshop, it is important that you make an effort to do so. Non-rostered church staff are also very welcome to attend, but their participation is not required by the synod.
Following Jesus into a changing world requires a commitment to developing and modeling healthy boundaries in all areas of life. As a synod, we are committed to providing you with opportunities to explore the intersections of healthy boundaries & your core identity as a beloved child of God. Further, as people who work with people, we know that healthy relationships depend upon clear and respectful boundaries. Rostered ministers especially need thoughtful and consistent training around boundaries because of the variety of their relationships.
Merriam-Webster defines a boundary as, “something that shows where an area ends and another area begins.” It’s important to periodically step back and reevaluate where we end and where other people begin.
Rostered Leaders - please send certificates of completion to the synod office AND include boundaries training on your annual report to the bishop. Thanks.
LeaderWise will host another online training August 7 and again Nov. 12.
Click HERE for more.
-Bishop Meggan Manlove
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Connection Call: Our Kairos Moment
A Study Guide on Eath's Climate Crisis
JUNE 25th
8 PM - 5 PT /6MT
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Join us and Ryan Cumming, Program Director, Theological Ethics, Education, and Community Engagement to explore the ELCA’s brand new study guide, “Our Kairos Moment: A Study Guide on Earth’s Climate Crisis,” based on the ELCA’s 2023 social message. Hear firsthand about how to implement this interactive guide complete with story-telling, videos and interactive elements.
REGISTER HERE
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Coming Soon — Online Discernment Groups
Do you ever get a sense that God might be tapping you on the shoulder?
Are you wondering what God is calling you to do with your life? Considering learning more about church leadership and pondering whether it might be for you? Have you ever thought about enrolling in seminary or even wondered what seminary study is like today? Starting July 1, you can join an online group with others across the ELCA who share your curiosity. Sign up by visiting elcaseminaries.org and filling out the contact form, or by emailing recruitment@elca.org.
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Cultivating Generous Congregations: Fall Cohort | |
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How do we, as communities of faith, change our thinking on stewardship and generosity to meet the challenges of the moment? In partnership with the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, the ELCA is offering congregations the opportunity to reexamine their stewardship thinking and imagine ways to act on their findings in their communities. The six-week webinar “Cultivating Generous Congregations” will offer virtual cohort sessions where congregational leaders can discuss, dissect and collaborate on how generosity might work in their contexts.
The cohort now costs just $350 per congregation plus workbooks ($40 each). Sign up soon!
Register here.
For a deeper look at what the webinar entails, watch this brief Cultivating Generous Congregations video.
Please contact the Rev. Larry Strenge and the Rev. Tim Brown if you’re interested in participating! They will work with your synod to get you registered for the fall cohort.
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Take Action This Election Season | |
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Are you looking for ways to encourage voting and civic engagement in your faith community this election year? Are you also looking for community-led support?
If your answers are yes, FAN invites you to join a Network of 100% Voting Faith Communities!
Many faith traditions highlight the importance of voting in preserving community well-being and the common good in democracy. The Network of 100% Voting Faith Communities is a community space to share ideas, tools, and peer support as we collectively build civically engaged multi-faith communities. Whether you are a leader authorized to take action on behalf of your faith community or an individual willing to organize your faith community to participate, you are invited! Please read more information on this document and fill out the form to join the network. You can also access our newly launched Voting & Civic Engagement page.
We will offer monthly zoom meetings through the summer to stay engaged as a network. We welcome individuals and communities interested and committed to getting out the vote in their faith community and beyond.
The following online meetings have been scheduled:
- Tues. June 18th 12-1pm (coming up! Register Here)
- Tues. July 23rd 12-1pm
- Tues. August 20th 1-2pm
The focus of the meetings will be on supporting organizing, voter registration, and mobilization in your community.
We are committed to voicing the values from multi-faith traditions in the electoral process and we hope you will be part of this movement!
Join Here
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