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Synod Events This Week:
Mon, May 13, 1-3pm - Synod Rostered Staff Meeting
Tues, May 14, 10am-1pm - Full Synod Staff Meeting
Tues, May 14, 7pm - FREE Live Project Bible Study - see below
Fri, May 17- Sun, May 19 - May Youth Weekend at Holden Village
Fri, May 17 - 1pm - Assembly set up and run through
Fri, May 17, 5:30pm - Synod Council Dinner & Meeting (at Dumas Bay Centre)
Sat, May 18 - ALL DAY! Doors open for Synod Assembly at 8am
Mon, May 20 - SYNOD OFFICE CLOSED - assembly recovery day!
Weekly Update Submissions DUE THURSDAY at 2pm to susan@lutheransnw.org
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Synod Assembly - THIS SATURDAY!
Prayers for all who are planning, leading and attending are desired!
Our one-day Assembly will be Saturday, May 18, 9am-4pm
at Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines
Doors open for check in and hospitality time at 8am
Our theme is from Psalm 121:1-2 -- I lift up my eyes to the hills - from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. - We give thanks to God for the opportunity to spend time with you in May - lifting our eyes to see God, to see each other, and to see where God is leading us!
We will gather to worship, hear reports and synod updates, Spirit Stories from around the synod, vote on the upcoming budget, and elect members to synod council, committees, and to serve as voting members to the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
ALL the details on our website here: https://www.lutheransnw.org/pages/synod-assembly
NOTE: Registration is closed.
All registered voting members, observers, and visitors should be receiving "get ready" emails on Thursdays. IF YOU HAVE NOT received them, email Susan@lutheransnw.org ASAP!
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Synod Women's Organization
Read their latest newsletter HERE
In addition to news and upcoming events, you will find a notice about changes coming to how the ECHO is distributed. Churches will no longer get a copy mailed to them. Rather they will get an electronic copy like this one, and are encouraged to put it out in their electronic communications. If you are getting a hard copy mailed to you as an individual, you will need to pay a $5 fee annually to cover costs.
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PRIDE Events Around the Synod
We are proud to be a Reconciling in Christ synod - with many opportunities for you and your church family to join in and celebrate PRIDE this season!
Seattle PRIDE Parade
We will be marching in the Seattle PRIDE Parade on Sunday, June 30th. We have space for 200 walkers this year.
To register, email Jill with the name of your congregation leader, their contact info AND the number of committed walkers by June 17. Details about arrival time and location will be shared with the congregation leader when available.
Additional PRIDE Events Around the Synod
There are many different PRIDE events happening throughout June and July across our Synod. We will be adding "Lutheran Point People" to some of these events in the coming days – look for those updates on our synod website. Plan to reach out to that leader if you are interested in participating in the event with your Loving Lutheran Siblings. (OR perhaps YOU would like to be that point person? Email Susan@lutheransnw.org in the synod office to discuss!)
ORDER SYNOD PRIDE BANDANAS!
This year, we have RAINBOW Bandanas with the synod logo for sale!
Wear them wherever and whenever you are involved in a PRIDE event near you!
They are fun, fashionable, and fabulous!
Cost is $5 per bandana and all proceeds will go to the synod LGBTQIA+ Ministry Fund.
Have your congregation place an order here: https://forms.gle/QPM1itMCzQR4HaseA
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Abide in the Word Bible Study
Tuesdays, 7-8pm via Zoom
This is a year-long, Synod-wide weekly Bible Study that takes participants on a deeper dive into the coming Sunday's Lectionary text. Participants will have the chance to experience diverse perspectives and voices from various guest facilitators from across the synod.
This is a FREE LiVE offering! No registration needed!
YES, you may join in any week at this link: HERE.
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Book Discussion with Rabbi Anson Laytner
sponsored by Earth Ministry and other partners
Thursday, May 16, 7:00-8:00 pm
Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral - Bloedel Hall
(1245 10th Ave E, Seattle)
Gather for a book reading and panel discussion with Rabbi Anson Laytner, where we will delve into and highlight the complexities of the Human vs. Animal Kingdom dichotomy in Rabbi Laytner’s book The Animals' Lawsuit Against Humanity.
This multifaith, multicultural book will be a lovely, connective event where we can reflect and discuss not only relationships with each other, but also among the difference species that share our Earth and are harmed by our actions.
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Queen Anne Lutheran Fine Arts
Presents Pentecost Choral Vespers
Sunday, May 19 at 4 PM
Join Cantor Kyle, the QALC Choir, and guest professional choral singers for a meditative service of prayer and song based on Evening Prayer in Evangelical Lutheran Worship, including modern and Renaissance choral pieces and an organ solo.
Queen Anne Lutheran Church is located at 2400 8th Ave. NW in Seattle
For each concert, your freewill donation benefits the QALC Fine Arts fund.
Suggested donation $20—but pay as you can; all are welcome!
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UPCOMING INSTALLATIONS
Rev. Bryon Hansen
Thursday, May 30, 7pm at First Lutheran of West Seattle
Rev. Bryon Hansen began serving as pastor at First Lutheran Church in West Seattle on March 1. Please join us for his installation service on May 30 at 7pm. Rostered ministers are invited to vest, the color of the day is white. Reception to follow. God bless this new ministry partnership!
Rev. Thomas Voelp
Friday, June 7, 6pm at Our Redeemer's, Seattle
Rev. Thomas Voelp began serving as pastor at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Seattle on March 4. Please join us for his installation service on June 7 at 6pm. Rostered ministers are invited to vest, the color of the day is white. Reception to follow. God bless this new ministry partnership!
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Work Weekend at Lutherwood!
May 31 - June 2
Come help us get ready for summer camp! Your stay is free of charge, all we ask is your time and abilities. There will be projects for all ability levels, from trail clearing and platform building to cleaning and organizing. There is always a way you can help serve camp! A great opportunity for community service hours. Registration is up on our website and if you can offer specific skill sets, please reach out directly to marty.martinez@camplutherwood.org to discuss opportunities.
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Sacred Spaces Experience Event
Saturday, June 1, 9am - 3:30pm
at 7400 Woodlawn in Seattle
(near Greenlake - home of Emmaus Table)
Parking is limited, please carpool!
Join the NW WA Synod Cultivate Team, Facilitators, and Practitioners of unique gatherings and organic forms of church, for a day of experiences and workshops to explore together how we can expand God’s holy invitation even wider.
There are so many ways to gather as faithful communities, whether it's outdoors, at the pub, creating art, or just eating around one big table. Why shouldn’t our gatherings reflect our uniqueness? Why should we innovate alone? Let’s imagine how we can foster organic sacred spaces right in our own backyards–and support each other as we experiment. 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? What is sprouting up within you that is ready for germination?
You can experience:
Baking Church, Wild Church, Creative Church, Celtic Spirituality / Labyrinth, InterPlay, Pub Church
Come with ideas, come with questions, come to dream about what sacred spaces can be!
REGISTRATION is now open here: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/8571291
Cost is $35/person - or $100/3+ from one congregation - Includes lunch!
(Note - there will be an optional no-host Pub Church outing to Wooden City Tavern @ 4-5:30 after!)
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Synod Pre-Youth Gathering Gathering!
Sunday, June 9, 2:30pm-4:30pm at Holy Spirit, Kirkland
We’d love to have as many attend from your congregation as can make it. This is for the youth and the adult leaders. Bishop Shelley will also be our gathering. There will be games, conversation, snacks, and more. If you would like to help plan this event, OR have questions, please reach out to Becky. AND be sure get latest info and announcements by joining the NWWA Synod Youth Gathering Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/elcayg2024nwwa
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FAN Spring Summits - online
one more on Sunday, June 9
FAN staff are moving into what we call our Spring Outreach season, where we get to be present at your community gatherings and denominational conferences, and talk with you about what happened this legislative session. Most importantly, we seek to hear your concerns and priorities for what we might do together in the months ahead.
Essential to this outreach is our annual Spring Summits, which we’ve scheduled for two Sundays this spring--May 5 and June 9, 3:00-4:30pm. We’ve opted to host these summits online to allow more people to join and to enable advocates from across the state to hear from each other. During this year’s summits, we’ll be able to celebrate legislative wins and hear about stalled legislation and what is needed to move forward next session. FAN staff will share an update on the three ballot initiatives that will have an impact on everything we do this year. And you will have a chance to meet in issue groups to discuss with others what policy changes you would like to see in the future.
Your voices matter to us! Last year, many attendees expressed concerns for young people and mental health—we heard you and worked with NAMI this year to advocate for some important bills that passed!
Register at the June 9 links or learn more on our Spring Summit page, link, and bring your voice and your advocacy to the FAN table!
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Farm Bill Session
Thursday, June 13, 6pm-7:30pm ONLINE
Register at bit.ly/WhyFarmBill
Join the hunger ministry teams of the six ELCA Synods in Region 1 with Faith Action Network to learn about our nation’s most important and largest food system legislation—the Farm Bill. Find out its impact on you and your neighbors. Help us advocate to pass a new Farm Bill this year!
Event highlights:
- Presentation by ELCA Advocacy Staff
- Special guest speakers from across Region 1
- Prayerful reflection with ELCA Bishops
- Breakout groups to meet and discuss with ELCA and community members from across the region
- Take action by writing letters to Congress
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Leadership Lab
June 24 - June 29 | Augustana College - Rock Island, IL
Leadership Lab is a place for not only high school youth and college-age young adults to grow in their faith and leadership skills, have fun, and build meaningful relationships, it is also a place for Adult Leaders in Ministry to also grown their skills, ignite (or reignite) their passion, and connect and collaborate with other adults in ministry.
Participants will spend a week at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. (just a short trip from Chicago). With others from around the country, we will learn and grow together! Aski Bobbi how to get there – it’s easier than you think. There are many transportation options available for getting to the Quad Cities.
What is the cost? $420 per person (on 5/1/24, price increases $50)
Discounts Available (Limit 1 discount applied)
10% discount for anyone who attended Leadership Lab 2023 ($378/person)
$275 for churches who are participating in Lab for the first time. Maximum 2 registrations per church
1 FREE Adult Registration with the purchase of 5 student registrations
Questions? Please contact Bobbi Jo Cyr at bobbi@stmatthewsrenton.org
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~ Save The Date ~
NW WA Synodical Women’s Fall Retreat
September 20-21
Huston Camp & Conference Center
(14725 Ley Rd, Gold Bar)
This retreat will focus on caring for our mental, physical and emotional health with Food, Fellowship, Prayer & Guest Speaker - More information coming soon ~ watch your email!
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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
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