Dear People of the Northwest Intermountain Synod,
It was so good to be together with many of you at Kennewick First Lutheran Church for the 2026 NWIM Synod Assembly last weekend. I left Kennewick with a deep sense of gratitude. Gratitude for all the ways the Holy Spirit is at work through the ministry sites & leaders across the Synod. Gratitude for all the ways these people and communities are wellsprings of God’s love. Gratitude for the Assembly goers, and all the ways folks showed up. Gratitude for small group conversations, for debates around the memorial and resolution, for ministry partner tables, for lively worship, for singing together, for praying together, and so much more. And gratitude for Kennewick First Lutheran Church for their wonderful hospitality! They welcomed close to 250 Assembly goers into their space Friday through Sunday. Thank you! And gratitude abounds!
Here is a brief summary of elections & actions. You can find more information about the 2026 NWIM Synod Assembly on our website under the Synod Assembly tab.
Elected Jeff Campbell (Grace Lutheran Church, Horseshoe Bend, ID) to serve as NWIM Synod Vice President
Elected Patrick Buckley (American Lutheran Church, Newport) as the North Idaho Cluster Representative to the Synod Council
Elected Russ Speidel (Grace Lutheran Church, Wenatchee, WA) to serve on the Consultation Committee
Adopted the Fiscal Year End 01.31.2028 NWIM Synod Budget as presented
Adopted Resolution #1 on Climate Justice Action
Adopted Memorial #1 on Rejecting Christian Nationalism
If you were unable to make it to the 2026 Assembly, Pastor Lars Hammar (Christ Lutheran Church, Walla Walla, WA) took photos throughout the weekend. You can view a selection of his photos here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCSaBo
Thank you, Pastor Lars!
All this gratitude enables me to rest in the peace only God can give. My prayer is that you, too, experience that peace. Peace at the Now.
May that peace be yours,
Pastor Phil Misner