California Lutheran University and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary are producing short daily devotional emails from our students, staff, faculty, alumni and friends. These emails include a scripture/sacred text, reflection on the text and a prayer. The reflection may be written, video, art or something else creative. Our theme this year is: Power. Privilege. Presence.

To sign up to receive these short daily emails, click here: http://bit.ly/CLUlentendevo

You are invited to use the 2021 Lenten devotional, “Awesome Mystery” for personal or congregational use throughout the Lenten season.

Thank you to Luther Seminary for this gift!

Find a recording of the webinar here: https://youtu.be/QmgWHBoGBi8

This annual report is to be completed by February 15 by each congregation online for our churchwide partners. Please do NOT print them out and mail to the synod. Your congregation office should have received a password from churchwide in December.

If you need assistance, contact Traci in our office.

NOTE: Tracking online attendance - find guidance from the ELCA here

We give thanks for your generous financial partnership with the synod and churchwide organization. Your congregation’s Mission Support commitment helps the synod and churchwide organization plan more effectively. As your congregation makes financial plans for the coming year, please prayerfully consider your Mission Support portion of your regular offerings.

Please use this form to communicate your commitment.

Complete and email to - Traci@lutheransnw.org

You can now find them by signing in to the newly redesigned EmployerLink website, or on myPortico. They’ve been moved behind sign-in as part of our efforts to make our sites more secure. If you need assistance accessing them, or don’t have myPortico or EmployerLink access, call the Customer Care Center (800.352.2876) or reach out to your Portico Regional Representative, Andrea Arey at aarey@PorticoBenefits.org.

“So often, Black people are invited to teach others through the lens of their pain. This Black History Month let us explore the resilience of the Black people through the intricacy of Black joy,” said Sharei Green, a master of divinity student at LSTC, co-planner with master of divinity student Stephen Styles of this year’s celebration. Read more. 

Event and registration information: Register for all events using this link Register for all or for individual events using the links below. Zoom details will be emailed the day of the event.

Robert E. Biekman, director for evangelical mission and associate to the bishop, Metropolitan Chicago Synod, preacher. Register here. 

Panelists Nicole Anderson Cobb, Shaunna Payne Gold, Lamont Anthony Wells, and Rozella Haydée White. LSTC PhD student Denise Rector, moderator. Register here. 

Charles M. Straight, pastor, Faith United Methodist Church, Dolton, Ill., and president of The People’s Lobby Education Institute, preacher. Register here. 

Marvin Wickware Jr., assistant professor of church and society and ethics, LSTC, presenter. Register here. 

Lunch and Learn talk. Register here. 

African-American artists from Inner-City Muslim Action Network, Young Chicago Authors, and other local connections perform poetry, rap, music and jokes for this interfaith, socially conscious and personally inspiring event. View event poster. Register here. 

Presenters and guests to be announced. Register here. 

LSTC celebrates Black Joy in worship and word. Register here. 

Transition ministers - check your inbox for the Zoom link!

AND...

THANK YOU for walking with our congregations who are in the midst of transition - you are a gift!

All leaders involved in worship planning are invited to join this special meet up time (a continuation of January 12th's session). Bring your ideas (and/or questions!) for Holy Week.

Find the Zoom link in your Rostered Minister email or email Susan@lutheransnw.org to get the link!

Find a list of upcoming topics and presenters here: https://www.elcacoaching.org/

Join Zoom Meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/180439412?pwd=WlVwUUxyUE5mY2IxMktHQXFJdGNMdz09

We understand a number of folks are unable to make this day and time each week. We record the main session and debrief time. We share each recording with supporting documents here, typically by the following day: https://www.elcacoaching.org/podcasts/media.

February 5-6, Online

The Extravaganza is the premier event for faith formation leaders in ELCA congregations. The event is hosted by the ELCA Youth Ministry Network. Extravaganza 2021 will explore God’s call to “Hold Loosely” and to trust in the one who comes to create, to redeem and to sustain. More information and registration links are available at www.elcaymnet.org/Ext21Info. Note that this year membership in the Network is not required, but we hope if you’re not a member, you’ll consider becoming one when you register.

If you have questions, contact our local leaders, Taryn & Becky, at cyflutheransnw@gmail.com.   

Cal Lutheran’s Fifty and Better program is commemorating Black History Month by hosting two lectures:

Daniel Newman-Lessler will survey the lives and music of Black composers from all over the world.

Eleanor Schrader will explore the career of Paul Williams, “Architect to the Stars.”

Register here: callutheran.edu/centers/lifelong-learning/fifty-better/lecture-series.html

All are welcome to help us shape this renewed ministry team. Moving forward, the team will be meeting at 7pm on the second Tuesday of the month.

Join Zoom Meeting here:

Meeting ID: 883 5123 8652 Passcode: Abundance!

Pre-registration is required by no later than Friday, February 5 in order to receive the Zoom link.

To register, please send an email requesting registration to oslc-everett@oslc-everett.org

Learn more and get registered by February 5 HERE.

Once registered, a zoom link will be email to you.

Friday, February 19, at 2pm (Pacific)

Presenter Michael Spezio (associate professor of psychology, neuroscience, and data science at Scripps College and Presbyterian minister) will speak about empathy, theories about what it is and how our research with L'Arche and Homeboy Industries approaches those theories, and the implications for our understandings of self and other. This webinar is hosted by the Center for Advanced Studies in Religion and Science (CASIRAS) and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC). Register by completing this form to receive the link on February 19.

CASIRAS is a supporting organization for the Zygon Center for Religion and Science in partnership with LSTC. It also supports Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science in partnership with the Institute on Religion in an Age of Science and the International Society for Science and Religion.

Learn more at casiras.org

Open Door Ministries will hold their annual meeting – all are welcome to attend. One business item will be to approve new board members, if you are interested in serving on the board, please let them know at: odm.elca@gmail.com.

For more information about Open Door Ministries visit their website at: www.opendoorelca.org

Check out this unique class taught by Pastor Marshall, First of West Seattle, four times a year since 2003. The cost is $20 - which includes mailing to you your own copy of an approved English translation of the Koran. Call or email to register or ask questions. Pr. Marshall at (206) 935-6530 or deogloria@foxinternet.com. For more information on the class (including a half hour video interview) and some student recommendations, see flcws.org, “Reading the Koran with Pastor Marshall.”

See more details and register HERE. 

This event, led in partnership with Paths to Understanding, is open to all in the synod - and is free of charge. Please register for the Zoom event here.