Lutheran Disaster Response is collaborating with the Indiana-Kentucky Synod and other partners in the area to assess the damage and develop an immediate and a long-term response plan. Your gifts to support these response efforts will empower our partners to meet survivors’ immediate and long-term needs. Given the extent of the damage, recovery will take years as thousands of homes will need to be rebuilt or repaired. With your support, Lutheran Disaster Response can accompany survivors on the long road to recovery.
E-News December 12, 2021
FEATURED NEWS
2022 Vital Congregations
Re-BOOT Camp
Launches January 13
The ELCA Congregational Vitality Team is excited to share an opportunity for congregations in seasons of transformation or renewal to discover fresh ways to scatter seeds!
Pastors and congregations are encouraged to come as teams of 3 – 5 people for a time of inspiration, learning, planning, sharing, experimenting, visioning, and implementing.
2022 Vital Congregations Re-BOOT Camp launches January 13th
FOUR ONLINE SESSIONS:
January 13
January 27
February 3
February 17
TWO TIMES PER DAY TO JOIN LIVE!
1:30pm – 3:00pm Eastern
7:30PM – 9:00PM Eastern
You may choose the best time each day that works for you. All sessions will be recorded and available to all registered participants.
The registration cost is free. Instead of paying to register, congregations and individuals are encouraged to be generous by sending an extra gift of Mission Support to your synod.
For more information contact:
Mary Morrow
Director for Evangelical Mission, Northwest Intermountain Synod
(208) 446-5207
Spring Regional Gathering Update
Dear folks of the Northwest Intermountain Synod,
Blessed Advent to you all. Work is continuing to be done in preparation for our three 2022 Regional Gatherings. We look forward to welcoming Linda Staats as our facilitator for each gathering. Linda’s specialty is cross-generational ministry and interactive workshops. You can learn more about Linda here. Our time together will be framed by Acts 16:6-15. In this passage, we join Paul and his companions as they strive to listen to where the Holy Spirit might be leading them, act with courage to follow, and share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. Ministry now, like then, requires similar practices and courage.
Ministry sites from across the Northwest Intermountain Synod are encouraged to bring as many people as possible to these gatherings. The cost will be $300/congregation, plus $10 for each individual. Those serving in specialized ministry should register with the congregation of which they are a member for a cost of $10. Lunch is included with registration. It is suggested you send a group including “golden age” participants in their retirement, wage earning participants in mid-life, young adults just starting out, and youth of any age. The workshop is very interactive, so even the youngest participant’s attention will be held. Working together you learn from and about each other. We are also working with Luther Heights Bible Camp and Camp Lutherhaven to provide some programming for school-aged youth. We plan to have child-care available for those with younger kids.
There are many details still in the works, including exact locations, covid precautions, and catchy theme 😊. What we do know, though, is that the 2022 Regional Gatherings will take place on the following dates. Each gathering will run from 10am-4pm, with doors opening at 9am.
April 30, 2022 — Pullman, WA
May 14, 2022 — Twin Falls, ID
May 21, 2022 — Moses Lake, WA
God’s peace be yours and we look forward seeing you this spring,
Pastor Phil Misner
Assistant to the Bishop
2022 Legislative Conference
We invite you to join us for the 2022 Virtual Eastern Washington Legislative Conference. (Below is a bulletin inserts/promotional flier
The event will be held on Zoom from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 22. Co-sponsored by The Fig Tree, Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington, the Faith Action Network (FAN), Earth Ministries and the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, the conference informs people of faith on issues coming in the upcoming session of the Washington State Legislature and ways to be involved.
Keynote speaker Fr. Pat Conroy SJ, is chaplain at Gonzaga University and for 10 years served as chaplain for the House of Representatives. He will share insights on the theme "Mobilizing for Our Future."
Four interfaith panelists, moderated by Anastasia Wendlinder, professor of Religious Studies at Gonzaga University, are Melissa Opel of the Spokane Buddhist Temple; Jeremy Press Taylor of the Spokane Jewish community; Naghmana Sherazi of the Islamic Community, and Benjamin Watson, pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. They will discuss how their faith communities mobilize for action, what issues are priorities and where they need solidarity.
Participants may attend two workshops, also on Zoom and recorded. The sessions are on issues related to Climate Change, Housing and Homelessness, Food Security, Refugees and Border Issues, Human Trafficking, Education and Equity, and Securing Our Democracy.
A “Legislative Briefing” on the status of 2022 legislation proposals will be led by Kristin Ang of FAN, Donna Christensen of the Washington State Catholic Conference, and Jessica Zimmerle of Earth Ministry/Interfaith Power and Light.
Participants need to REGISTER IN ADVANCE to receive the link.
Those interested in registering may send a donation of $20, or $15 each for group of 5+, or rsvp for scholarship
Send a check and your email (for the link) to
The Fig Tree, 1323 S. Perry St., Spokane, WA 99202.
OR
For information, call 535-1813, email: event@thefigtree.org.
WAYS I CAN GIVE
Avenues for Hope
HOUSING CHALLENGE
This year's campaign for TNH will help with landscaping around the houses, helping us preserve foundations for years to come.
ELCA GOOD GIFT CATALOGUE
HARVESTING THE PLENTY
Our Siblings in Tanzania Need Us Now More Than Ever
LEARN MORE AND DONATE
Write Tumaini School in memo
AROUND the ELCA
Thriving Leadership Formation seeks Coaches and Spiritual Directors to provide coaching and spiritual direction to church leaders. California Lutheran University received a $1 million, five-year grant from the Lilly Endowment to create the program in partnership with its own Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and the 11 ELCA synods of Regions 1 and 2. Cohorts of church leaders began meeting in 2020 to provide support, connection, and engage in spiritual practices. This coming year, Cohort Leaders and participants will be eligible for coaching and spiritual direction sessions as part of the grant. We are seeking a pool of coaches and spiritual directors for that purpose. Interested applicants should complete an online application (below). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Thank you for your interest! Please contact thriving@callutheran.edu with questions.
THE CROSS IS THE TRUE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
I remember this jarring image: It was the Christmas Eve candlelight service at my home congregation. A banner depicting Mary and Jesus in the manger had been hung from the ceiling at the front of the nave completely obscuring the large suspended cross. I had seen that banner on Sunday mornings, but on this Christmas Eve in the semidarkness something else appeared. A spotlight that illumined the cross now shown on the banner with the effect of making the outline of the cross appear as the background of the Christmas scene.
The cross on Christmas? I didn’t want the crucified Christ casting a shadow on the Christ child. Christmas is about angels and shepherds and the babe, lying in a manger, not betrayal and death. I didn’t like it.
"The hope of Christmas is fulfilled on Good Friday."
Young Adults in Global Mission
Applications for the 2022-2023 YAGM service year will be open from Nov. 1, 2021 through Feb. 1, 2022. Priority will be given to those who apply before Jan. 15.
We are a church that believes God is calling us into the world – together. Come, imagine yourself in the world!
Global Mission News | December 2021
Harvesting The Plenty
Our Siblings in Tanzania Need Us Now More Than Ever
With everything that is happening in the world it's important to remember and lift up the good things that are occurring in so many places worldwide. Our synod has a direct relationship with the Ulanga Kilombero Diocese in Tanzania. You may know of the work that our gifts have enabled, along with other church and support organizations in Europe, to make the Gospel known in their region.
Through the Tumaini School and Seminary projects, many young students have been supported and sustained through education. The school director, Pastor Moses Nwaka, has been a guest here in our synod and shared his enthusiasm and effort for the school and their community. Many of his posts on Facebook are about the hard work that he and others are doing, including the farming of maize and rice to feed the students! It is blessed work but also hard and laborious, but without that work there would be no harvest.
Our synod's territory is deeply immersed in agriculture. To harvest, someone had to trust their instincts, training, and God's abundance to make sure that the soil was prepared, the seed planted, the crop tended so that a future bounty could be harvested and enjoyed.
Right now, there is a significant need to meet the scholarship goals for Tumaini School. The coronavirus has impacted Africa and Tanzania, which changed life for many students. Now, there is increased interest in attending Tumaini but for some young women their families are not able to fund their schooling.
Has God been generous to you? Of course, He has! For many of us with resources, especially investments, the stock markets and financial industry has seen substantial growth even during our past year of uncertainty. I would ask that you consider how you might use those gains for helping others, but especially the scholarship needs of a growing number of students in Tanzania. The investment in a child's education means significant improvements in the lives of the student, their families, and their future.
Donations through charitable distributions are able to be received for these purposes. Speak to your tax specialist and investment advisor to determine how you might make a contribution that would have a powerful impact on young student lives going forward.
Recently, the leaders of the UKD shared the status of the Spiritual and Conference Center being constructed on the grounds of the diocese in Ifakara. Over multiple years, they have done much of the construction of the facilities using their own resources. Recently, a request was made for funding to help finish the construction and make the Center useable.
Initially, there was no funding available. Once the need was made known to a wider audience, an anonymous donor offered to make a Charitable Distribution to match the request, almost $25K. This would not have been possible if there was no early work, no past investment, to enable the 'harvest' of funds to help reach the goal.
Help us by supporting Tumaini, the school staff and teachers as they 'plant' knowledge and anticipate the 'harvest' of students with bright futures. Thanks be to God for His abundance in our lives, that we might share with others.
++++++
Rev. Wayne Shipman
Pastor - Good Shepherd (Pocatello, ID) and Emanuel (Blackfoot, ID)
Dean, Upper Snake River Cluster, NWIM Synod, ELCA
What Are ELCA Good Gifts?
ELCA Good Gifts are a creative, meaningful way to support the ministries of the ELCA that mean the most to you and your loved ones. These gifts are real examples from projects currently supported through ELCA churchwide ministries:
The ELCA Fund for Leaders,
ELCA Global Church Sponsorship,
ELCA New Congregations,
ELCA Vision for Mission,
ELCA World Hunger, Disability Ministries
Lutheran Disaster Response.
Each of these programs is a long-term, partnership-based ministry that focus on the needs identified by local congregations and global companion churches and their communities.
Holden Village Bed and Breakfast
Greetings from Holden Village Bed & Breakfast!
As leaders in our Synod, we want you to know about this facility as a resource and for personal enjoyment. You are invited to consider the B&B as a destination for you, your family, and your congregation or ministry. Come as individual guests or rent the entire house.
The B&B is a perfect setting for personal rest & relaxation, a family getaway, council, staff or small group retreats. The house has 6 bedrooms with sleeping space for 13. There are 3 bathrooms, a large kitchen and dining area, living room and additional seating areas. There is WiFi available, but no cell service. Winter rates are $40 per person or $350 per night to rent the entire house.
Is it time for a mini sabbatical, a reading retreat, a family reunion, to explore Chelan or adventure into the North Cascades? The Holden B&B could be just what you've been looking for.
Please contact Roberta at (509) 687-9695 or email BandB@HoldenVillage.org for more information and to book your stay.
Global Mission News November 2021
Download the November 2021 Global Mission Newsletter here.
Don’t forget to subscribe to receive the Global Mission Newsletter in your inbox!
"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