Global Companion
Prayer Service

August 2, 2020 · via Zoom
12:00 PM MDT, 11:00 AM PDT
2100 PM Eastern Africa Time

The world has been shaken by disease, protests, and unrest.  People are showing signs of anxiety, frustration and distress. Economies, communities, and families are suffering.  

The global pandemic also delayed plans for a delegation of 20 from the NWIM Synod to visit our beloved brothers and sisters in the Ulanga Kilombero Diocese, Tanzania.  August 2 is the day we would have gathered in person to bless and celebrate the new assembly hall.

In the midst of these troubles, to whom do we turn?  This prayer service will unite us in God’s grace and mercy. Together, we will recognize the anxiety in the world that stresses our relationships and call for God’s hope, comfort, peace and blessing to be with Christ’s people through these long and difficult days.

Zoom event details will be emailed to congregations on July 30.

Just Mercy · Movie vIEWING & Discussion
Hosted BY THE ELCA southeastern synod

July 19, 2020 · 3:00pm (EDT)

Join us as we gather to view the movie Just Mercy and discuss our reactions to the movie, as well as discuss past and current events regarding racial justice. The movie will begin promptly at 3:00pm EDT / 2:00pm CDT, with discussion to follow.  The discussion will begin promptly at 5:15pm EDT.

Joining Bishop Kevin Strickland for a post-movie discussion will be Dr. Elizabeth Bounds (Professor of Christian Ethics, Candler School of Theology) & Mr. Charles King ("Just Mercy" producer).

The Southeastern Synod remains constant in the work of Racial Justice and dismantling racism.  This event will take us one step closer to the Beloved Community for which we yearn.

Be sure to Register Here in order to receive the Zoom link and to get reminders as the event approaches.

You can watch the movie with us during this movie event at no cost. Or, you may visit https://www.justmercyfilm.com/ to see other ways of viewing this film beforehand.

i’M STILL HERE · sIX wEEK bOOK STUDY

Beginning July 27, 2020 · Times To Be Determined

The Northwest Intermountain Synod staff are committed to accompanying individuals and congregations seeking to lean into the work of creating a culture of anti-racism in our congregations, our synod, and our world. The word “synod” quite literally means “to walk the road together” or “to journey together.” By engaging the work of anti-racism and understanding the ways racism becomes deeply rooted in individuals and systems, we will truly be walking this road together.

One way we are planning to begin this work is reading and discussing Austin Channing Brown’s book, I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness. On her website Ms. Channing Brown says, “Here we will go beyond platitudes, question conventional thinking, and invite everyone to deepen their work fighting inequality.” 

We will meet weekly for six weeks over Zoom beginning the week of July 27 for listening, conversation, and study following the curriculum laid out in the ACB (Austin Channing Brown) Academy. Pastor Phil Misner will facilitate the conversations.

I’m Still Here is currently available through your favorite book store or by going here: http://austinchanning.com/the-book

The NWIM Synod also has 12 copies of I’m Still Here available for the cost of $20.00. Please contact the Synod Office if you need one.

We know it will be difficult, as hard truths about our world are revealed.  As our friends in the Ulanga-Kilombero Diocese would say, we walk “bega kwa bega” (shoulder to shoulder). We will learn together. We will struggle together. We will use this time to make our world better, together. Thanks for coming on this journey with us.

Community Embracing Diversity for Resilience

Thursday, August 6, 2020 · 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

A Virtual Conference presented by the LC (Lewiston Clarkston) Valley Resilience Coalition is open for registration by Teachers, Social Workers, Parents, Law Enforcement and Healthcare Workers, and others. Register at LCVRC.org.

Keynotes by: 

• Dr. Aurora Chang, PhD – “How Marginalized People Experience Chronic Trauma”

• Joe Neigel, BA, CPP – “Hope, Resiliency, and the Whole Child: Restoring Happiness, Equity and Engagement”

Plus 9 breakout sessions to choose from, including:  LGBTQ+ Youth, Compassion Fatigue, Suicide Prevention, Trauma Informed Practice and Adverse Childhood Experiences.

For more information and speaker bios, click here.