Continued prayers for Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee

We give thanks to God that after a week of hospitalization, Bishop Shelley is home and is continuing to recover from influenza A, viral pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia, and sepsis.

As she continues to gain strength and heal, she will not be back at work for at least the next two weeks.

She thanks you for your continued prayers and also for your understanding and grace as she takes this time to heal. Until she has returned to work, please reach out to Tabetha and Susan in the Synod office, they will connect you with the best person to assist you during this time. (206-783-9292 / office@lutheransnw.org)

Together we pray: God of love and life, we lift up our sister, Shelley. Continue to comfort and surround her with your peace as she takes this needed time to heal and recover. May healing and wholeness abound. Amen.

We are making a TEMPORARY shift ...

from a weekly e-news to a MONTHLY e-news for August and September

We will have weekly e-news offerings through July 15.

Then, to allow for Susan Berg, our Director of Communications & Events, to take some time off this summer/fall, we are shifting to a MONTHLY e-news and prayer message for the months of August and September.

If you would like an item included in the AUGUST or SEPTEMBER e-news, please submit it to Susan@lutheransnw.org by dates listed below:

August e-news - due July 17 (will be emailed out on July 22)

September e-news - due August 22 (will be emailed out on August 26)

For emergent announcements and/or prayer requests during the summer, please contact our Synod Administrator, Tabetha Myatt (administrator@lutheransnw.org).

Racial Equity & Reparations Fund News

The Synod's Racial Equity and Reparations Fund will be making another round of distributions in August. All Synod BIPOC rostered ministers, candidates, vicars/interns and SALMs are welcome to receive distributions.

Email nwwasynodreparations@gmail.com by July 31st to sign up.

Others are welcome to donate via the Synod's website (select "Synod Racial Equity and Reparations" in the drop-down menu). This will be the Fund's 9th round since May 2021 with over 40K redistributed to BIPOC leaders. Thank you for your continued generosity!

Lay Ministry Formation (LMF) Info Meeting

Tuesday, August 6 at 7pm - on Zoom

LMF is a 2-year, cohort-based, certification program that prepares participants to discuss, experiment, and wrestle with what it means to be lay leaders in their church and vocational context. Join us for this info meeting to learn more!

Our second cohort of this new program begins in September.

Applications due Monday, September 2.

Cost is $750 per person/ year - financial assistance available

https://www.lutheransnw.org/programs/lay-ministry-formation

For more details, email Rev. Dr. David Hahn or Rev. Andy Yee

For those with Portico Benefits:

Benefits reExamined Survey Reminder

Through an initiative called Benefits reExamined, Portico seeks input as we discern and design potential benefit changes to continue to meet the evolving needs of this church. Portico plan members and registered EmployerLink users, if you received an email invitation to take the survey, we strongly encourage you to take a few minutes before the survey closes July 12 and add your voice to the conversation.

Staying On Track with Retirement Planning

The idea of retirement can bring up many questions and emotions. Portico offers a series of 30-minute, prerecorded, online workshops called the Retirement Readiness Series to help ELCA Retirement Plan members feel confident about discerning their next steps. Workshops are easily accessible on myPortico. There’s no need to preregister — just sign in and watch. What to go deeper? Schedule a conversation with a Portico Financial Planner to understand more about where you are now and how to ensure you’ll reach your retirement goals.

Time for a Mid-Year Checkup?

One of the best ways to stay healthy is to get regular checkups, vaccinations, and screenings. Preventive care is not only essential for maintaining overall health, it’s also one of the best ways to catch unknown health issues early. An annual preventive exam is part of your ELCA-Primary health coverage and this video can help you maximize the time with your doctor so you can live, work, and serve well.

ELCA Youth Gathering 2024

Beginning later this week, just over 100 youth and adult leaders from our synod are heading to New Orleans to participate in the ELCA Youth Gathering and Young Adult Gathering with the theme of Created to Be.

This week, MYLE and the tAble begin on Saturday, July 13th with the main event beginning Tuesday, July 16th.

You are invited to keep our young people and their leaders in prayer over the next couple of weeks.

On Wednesday, July 17th, our synod will gather with all the other synods from our region for worship at 2pm CDT. We invite all the NWWA congregations to use THIS LITURGY on Sunday, July 21st that we are using in worship.

AND... we are still accepting donations of small personal fans shipped directly to New Orleans for our in-kind donations. To learn more, visit: https://www.elca.church/gathering/about/offering 

Ordering supplies to ship to New Orleans? Please ship to the following address:

Christ the King -- Accompaniment

1001 W Esplanade Ave,

Kenner, LA 70065

NWWA Synod YAGMs!

We are so proud of the THREE young adults from our synod who will be embarking on a year-long service in August with ELCA Global Mission - as Young Adults in Global Mission. Blessings to Brooke, Thomas, and Katie as they prepare to begin!

Read about them (and how to support them) in our July-August edition of The Spirit HERE.

ELCA Truth and Healing

July Opportunities

Thursday, July 11 - “Indian 101”

Thursday, July 25 - Indigenous Thought & Theology

Learn more HERE

Synod Pride Planning Meeting

Thursday, July 11 at 5pm on Zoom

ALL are welcome to join us as we wrap up 2024 Pride and look to 2025 Pride Season! PLEASE join us at this Zoom Link.

Download the flyer here.

Rev. Jenna Bergeson Blessing & Sending

Sunday, July 14, 2-5pm (blessing at 3pm)

at the home of Deacon Liz Colver in Kenmore

See full invitation & more details about Pr. Jenna's call here

Pastor Jenna has accepted a call to serve in an ELCA Global Mission position as ELCA Regional Representative - in Southeast Asia. She will begin 7/21 - before she heads off to serve, join this sending gathering. God Bless this new ministry adventure!

Congregations & Solar Panels



Do you want to learn about the pros, cons, costs, and financing options when it comes to solar panel installation on your congregation or business? Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power & Light invites you to a workshop to help navigate all your tricky questions for our first event for our Season of Energy on Thursday, July 18, from 7:00 -8:00 pm on Zoom!

REGISTER HERE: https://secure.everyaction.com/pYazVWQnukyyQgiy-26F3g2

Different wisdom traditions call upon us to be good stewards of our Earth and take care of what we have been entrusted to live upon and with. Faith values of stewardship, justice, and intergenerational responsibility tell us that basing an economy on fossil fuels is not taking care of creation nor good for long-term prosperity and we need to phase energy sources such as coal, oil, gas and focus on clean energy. By shifting to solar energy, houses of worship can not only be models for clean energy standards, but your facilities will begin to save on electrical bills and reduce carbon emissions while living out your values.

Earth Ministry/WA IPL is organizing this workshop to discuss the rationale for solar panels, types of solar panels, considerations for installation, and how to pay for solar panels. Richard Hartung, a homeowner with solar panels who also volunteers with a solar nonprofit, will discuss his experience with solar panels and batteries. Solar installation experts Stu Frothingham and Roy Foster, of Puget Sound Solar, will provide insights about how to select and work with an installer as well as what to consider when installing solar panels.

We will also discuss some of the financing options or grant programs available for churches, non-profits and businesses. You’ll learn about potential sources of funding or grants that you can investigate and assess after the session. AND, our Q&A at the end will provide time to have your questions answered.

Retired Rostered Minister Luncheon

Tuesday, July 23, 11:30am - 1:30pm

at Advent Lutheran Church in Mill Creek



All retired rostered ministers and their partners are invited to attend!

Join your colleagues and the synod staff for lunch, joyful conversations, synod and churchwide news from the Bishop AND some surprises!

THANK YOU to Kim Unti & Pam Kluth who will be hosting our delicious lunch. 

Please RSVP by July 16 here: https://forms.gle/ugT4Zc3q4EMZ8ht3A

Advent Lutheran Church is located at 4306 132nd St SE in Mill Creek

Take Action This Election Season

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!

lease 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. 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! 

Celebrate Christmas in July!

Thursday, July 25 at 6:30pm

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lynnwood

(6215 196th St SW, Lynnwood)

Are you missing the sounds of Christmas? Can't wait another 5+ months? Well, you're in luck! Join together for a festive Carol Sing in the Trinity sanctuary. After the carols, we'll enjoy fellowship over cookies and other Christmas treats (bring your favorite treat to share). Everyone is also invited to bring a nativity to display in the narthex.

Share with your friends! Facebook event.

For questions or more information, contact David at Music@tlcs.church.

Upcoming Installations

we lift our prayers for these leaders & their congregations

Rev. Thomas Voelp has accepted the call to serve as pastor at Our Redeemer's, Seattle. He began on 3/4. Installation service rescheduled to 7/27 at 4pm. Rostered Ministers are invited to vest (no procession.) Reception to follow.

Rev. Mark Fischer has accepted the call to serve as the next pastor at Bethlehem, Marysville. He will begin July 12. Installation service will be on 8/4 at 2pm. Reception to follow.

Skagit Valley Vacation Bible School

 

The ELCA churches of Skagit County would like to invite you and your children to four evenings of engaging, meaningful VBS! Our curriculum is Compassion Camp: Be Kind. Be Loved. Be You. 

LOCATION: Fir Conway Lutheran

DATES: Sunday, July 28th - Thursday, Aug 1st

TIME: 5-8pm, includes dinner

COST: $25/child (or $5/youth/day)

AGES: kids who are entering preschool (if potty-trained) through 6th grade (older kids can volunteer to assist; younger kids can be accompanied by a parent)

Registration is at this link. | Payment is at this link.

Enroll through July 15th for a t-shirt. Walk-ins welcome as space allows. 

Education Conversation

All are invited to join in an informal, in person chat at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Everett on Wednesday, July 31st at 10am to talk about curriculums, education models, intergenerational learning opportunities, and more.

Let Kendyll Mathiason know if you have questions and/or are planning on coming. kendyll.mathiason@oslc-everett.org, (425) 320-7263.

Lutheran Campout!

Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Bellingham has reserved the entire campground at Lutherwood Camp - all NWWA Synod churches are welcome to join them!

Friday, August 2, 3pm - Sunday, August 4,11am

$80 per campsite (Hookups available at almost all sites)

Saturday, August 3 Day Use is free and open to ALL!

ALL DAY: Crafts, Hiking, Walking, Swimming

5:00 PM Bring your own picnic supper (BBQ Area)

6:30 PM Worship, Campfire and S'mores

REGISTER HERE | Questions? Email Nicole: Nicole@ctslutheran.org

Godly Play Core Training

September 13-15 in Bellingham

Godly Play Core Training is the recommended training for those leading Godly Play sessions, program administrators, parents/caregivers and clergy. Over the course of three days, participants experience all aspects of the Godly Play method and begin to become fluent in the Godly Play core stories and fundamental practices. Our training will follow an action/reflection model of learning with a mixture of trainer-led presentations and participant storytelling presentations. There is food and childcare included. 

Learn more and get registered for this training in Bellingham

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 available HERE!

~ Save The Date ~

NW WA Synod Middle School & High School Retreat

Join us November 8-10 for our 2nd annual fall retreat.

More details will be available at the end of August. 

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