E-News, Special Announcement
Lin Carlson
Preach, Pray, Preside & Polity

This retreat is for LAY LEADERS, especially, but not limited to, those going through Montana’s Lay Ministry Associate program OR Luther Seminary’s Lay School Certificate or Graduate Certificate programs. 

Special Announcement, E-News
Lin Carlson
2025 Bishop's Fall Convocation

October 13-15 in Richland, WA
Registration will begin soon.

Event, E-News
Lin Carlson
2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly

The ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the primary decision-making body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is a process of communal spiritual discernment. When the ELCA Churchwide Assembly convenes, its voting members meet with confidence in God’s grace around word and water, wine and bread, to carry on their work on behalf of the entire church.

E-News, Event
Lin Carlson
Portico Webinars for Region 1 this August

All ELCA-Primary Health Plan options are changing for 2026. Before Annual Enrollment begins, you’ll want to understand how the new plans will work, what factors you should consider to determine what’s best for you, and how to navigate the new tools we’re creating to help your decision process.

E-News, Educational, Event
Lin Carlson
Not-Your-Average Boundaries Training

LeaderWise’s online boundaries training workshop is lively and interactive, full of reflection and conversation. Attendees have given us feedback that our boundaries training was a great experience, AND caused them to re-evaluate some of their own practices.

"Climate Justice, Health and Wellbeing"

2021 MOHRENWEISER LECTURE SERIES

co-sponsored by PLTS Center for Climate Justice & Faith

Friday, December 10, 2021
9:00am - 12:00pm PST

Free to Join, Registration Required

This lecture will discuss how climate change is threatening human health and well-being, and the ethical and moral imperative for action. The lecture will also delve into preparedness and prevention; mitigation and adaptation; and recovery from the loss and damage already sustained. The discussions will encourage reflections on how we can be accountable and take responsibility- as individuals, as congregations, as communities, and as nations.

Mission Support

This letter was mailed to your congregation with the 3rd Quarter 2021 Statement of Mission Support. Please share in congregation newsletters so that all may witness the Holy Spirit’s presence across our synod territory!

“Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:  “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.  And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:25-27

Greetings Siblings in Christ,

We live in times where strong language can be found throughout our society, language that can dismiss another person with a swift blow to one’s ego. Its challenging to hear such exchanges or to be the direct target of them. Sadly, it’s all too common these days and yet serves no real purpose. 

In the Luke verses above, Jesus’s language of hating family members and even life itself, is strong stuff as well. It makes clear that following Jesus is a costly business and not to be taken lightly! Jesus speaks these words to the large crowd hoping that some may hear him and think it’s worth paying the price. That discipleship may be challenging yet is worthwhile in what is gained from following Jesus. 

When was a time that you felt challenged as a follower of Jesus? Do you find it easy to “go through the motions” of belonging to a congregation without ever needing to think about paying a huge price? What have you gained from being a follower of Jesus? Read this passage in Luke 14 again as you consider these questions. This spiritual practice may help you renew your commitment to follow Jesus.

Another spiritual practice each of us undertakes, is making a financial commitment, tithing, to our congregation and its ministries. We do so because we belong to a local group of followers of Jesus. You freely share of your financial resources, just as you share your stories of hope from living your life in Christ. This sharing serves many through our local ministries; we touch people who have not heard the gospel and lives are changed and hope is renewed.

Your congregation’s 3rd Quarter Statement of Mission Support is attached. As you share this good news in your congregation, may it be a reminder of the price you all have chosen to pay to follow Jesus. Thank you for pausing to reflect on how this choice brings peace into our world and comfort to those in need. 

In gratitude,

Mary Morrow, Director for Evangelical Mission
Email:  mary.morrow@nwimsynod.org                                                        

With BishopKristen Kuempel

And Tami McHugh, Synod Treasurer

God Has Given Us a Mission

Remember the Beatles? John, Paul, George, Ringo! I was into it. I had Beatle boots, love beads and granny glasses. My big brother gave me a model of Paul (the cute Beatle) for Christmas one year. It was one of those paint-it-yourself kits. I knew the lyrics to the Beatles’ hits better than I knew Martin Luther’s Small Catechism. The early hits were pop and upbeat: “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “A Hard Day’s Night.” Even later “Yellow Submarine” was still whimsical.

But then the Beatles got older, and the world changed. Vietnam, the Kennedy and King assassinations, the urban riots, the 1968 Chicago Democratic convention. Innocence—for those of us who had that luxury—was gone. Skepticism, even cynicism, was the lens through which the world was seen. A lot was broken, including trust in institutions and the church.

In 1971, John Lennon’s hit “Imagine” came out. It was evocative and, I’m sure, was meant to point us to the possibility of a better future. I found it disturbing. A world without religion. No heaven. No hell. No countries. No possessions. As if excising these things would cure humanity and the world would be as one.

Spokane Urban Ministries Affordable Housing - Invitation to Help

There are many trials in the affordable housing business, but SUM has been able to provide the best apartments we can in a very difficult market, in a challenging setting. Our waiting lists are very long since the demand is so high. The pandemic brought a new set of challenges our way, but we have been able to, not only make it through in good shape but have begun looking at expansion opportunities. After 14 years we feel that we have some expertise in the affordable housing arena and will be able to make a difference in a very tough housing market that does not favor our poorest or newest siblings in the Spokane area.

With this in mind I would invite any of you, who are interested in affordable housing, to get in touch with me. We need willing and compassionate folks to sit on the SUM board to help with some of the exciting changes to come! The board meets monthly, usually on a Thursday late in the month, but we have been flexible, especially during pandemic! We offer Zoom connection to meetings so anyone can participate!