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.

Adult Education/Spirituality Retreat

Join us for this special retreat with Dr. Andrew Root, professor of youth and family ministry at Luther Seminary, will be our presenter. Expect insightful sessions such as “Why are People Leaving the Church? Mis-Diagnosing Our Challenges in a Secular Age,” “Ministry Inside the Immanent Frame: The Task of Speaking of God in a Secular Age,” “Families, the Good Life, the Need for a Story,” and “Why We’re All So Exhausted: The Church in a Time of Crisis.” and time for fun and relaxation at camp, too – quiet time, reading time, worship, hikes, pottery, and great food

Youth Worker's Retreat

Peer Ministry Leadership Training

Peer ministry is about the practical life skill that empowers us to become Good Samaritan leaders who care for every neighbor, every day, everywhere in every relationship. Peer Ministry is about loving, because God first loved us! 1 John 4:19 This retreat is for adults and youth (Jr high and up) Bring a group from your congregation, scout troop, or come on your own!

Tumaini Girl's Scholarships

UKD Tumaini Lutheran School

After our Companion Synod partnership was formed, Bishop Keller and his wife Betty went to visit Ulanga Kilombero. While there, Betty developed a passion for the girls to be able to go to secondary school that at the time cost $150 for a year.  She found that it was sometimes more than a family made in a year and if they did make enough to send a child, a son would have priority.  She brought her concern to the Synod Women’s Organization at our next convention after they came back.  From that our women’s board developed a plan to raise that $150 each for 10 girls to continue their education.

We sent out Sunbonnet Sue quilting kits that the board put together and asked the women’s units to raise $150 and put the quilt square together as they raised the money and to send both to the SWO.  We built quilts out of the blocks and raffled them off at gatherings and added that money to the fund.  We started a Mission Investment Fund account for the funds and with ongoing donations from churches and individuals we have been sponsoring 10 girls every year for almost 30 years.  The cost has gone up over the years and now takes $800 for each girl. 

The last two years has been a struggle but generous donations from fewer sources has helped us accomplish it.  Now we have to build the account back up again.  My church puts a donation basket out on the refreshment table after church every week and has been able to raise our $800.  This year we dedicated it to the memory of Marj Nishek and Elaine Peterson who were strong Global Mission people and supporters of this scholarship program as will as members of our church.

Checks can be sent to the Synod office and payable to: NWIM Synod. Please note that the contribution is for the girls’ scholarship fund. Please mail to 245 E 13th Ave., Suite A, Spokane, WA 99202.

Thank you for your support!

Carole Dinning

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Message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton

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What Masks Do We All Wear?

Getting ready to leave the house—for work or errands—takes a couple extra steps during a pandemic. Do I know how crowded my destination will be? Did I remember to take a mask? Of all the annoying things about this pandemic, I find remembering to take and to wear a mask is one of the most irksome. Masks aren’t comfortable, they make it more difficult to understand conversations, and they are a daily reminder that we are not out of the woods yet.

Let me be clear—masks are an effective way to stop the spread of this terrible virus, and I will wear one for as long as it takes. I urge all of us to do the same. This isn’t about personal choice, but it is a physical manifestation that in baptism “we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another” (Romans 12:5). Wearing a mask is as much for our protection as it is for protecting others. I will continue to mask up.

I always thought it was silly that bandits and robbers are depicted wearing only a mask from just below the eyes down. How could that possibly be a disguise? One’s eyes, hair and ears are all visible. You can hear the voice. You can figure out a person’s stature. What’s the point?

“I mask people even when they aren’t wearing an actual mask.”
— Elizabeth A. Eaton, Living Lutheran, January 2022