Current News
You are invited to attend one of our upcoming virtual town halls introducing the new Church Property Resource Hub. A project of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Church Property Resource Hub is being developed in response to requests from synod and local congregation leaders for support in navigating the challenges and opportunities that buildings and land represent — for both congregational vitality and the wider mission of the church.
Webinar: Monday, Nov. 17, at 5 pm PST/ 6 pm MST
Every church should be a place where everyone feels welcome and included — regardless of ability. But making your facilities more accessible doesn't have to break the bank.
Enrollment is now open for Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) 2026 at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN! LSM is a faith-based residential music academy for high school students who come together to immerse themselves in musical excellence and build a supportive and fun community.
You are invited to a celebration of 96 years of ministry and the final worship of Central Lutheran Church, Spokane. 512 S Bernard St, Spokane, WA 99204
November 8 & 9
Join us in Celebrating Community, Faith, and Purpose
Thursday, October 16, 2025
5-8 PM
Big Barn Brewing - Green Bluff
16004 N Applewood Lane, Mead
RSVP by October 9
Our guests from our companion synod, the Ulanga Kilombero Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, would be happy to take your extra clergy shirts and tabs!
The ELCA Churchwide Assembly held July 28 – Aug 2, adopted a new Model Constitution for Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Link: 2025 Model Constitution for Congregations
Important highlights from the Introduction paragraph of the updated constitution regarding expectations of each congregation and the review process.
This afternoon, the ELCA will came together for the installation of Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry. We had a number of ecumenical guests, but I am sure so many people present were ELCA Lutherans, and I thought again of the many gifts present in that sanctuary.
All are invited to a Workshop offered by the Synod's Worship Team
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Boise, Idaho
Join LCSNW in fellowship, strengthening bonds, and supporting the vital services that bring health, justice, and hope to our community.
Are you wondering if seminary might be right for you? Consider joining Signs Along the Way at PLTS in Berkeley, California to connect with others in discernment, get to know PLTS faculty, and explore what it’s like to be an online student in the MDiv, MA in Spirituality and Social Change, or Lutheran Year programs.
JANUARY 16 – 19, 2026
A Spirited Assessment of the Christian Story in the Light of Earth-based Wisdom and Today’s Sciences
Seaside, OR
Registration Open September 12-December 15
FREE Exploration Workshop
Come join the Northwest Intermountain and the Northern Great Lakes Synods in this extraordinary opportunity to focus the efforts of your congregation and clarify your mission. The entire series by congregational experts with Living the Resurrection will begin in January and has a $2000 value, but thanks to a generous gift from each synod, the series will only cost each congregation $50. Join this exploration workshop Nov. 13 to see what's possible.
Grunewald Guild near Leavenworth Oct. 17-19
Are you wondering about a call to leading worship in your congregation? Helping with pastoral care? Many congregations are lifting up leaders and some leaders are supporting their congregations in worship, preaching, and pastoral care. With the various programs out there it’s time to untangle the “alphabet soup” of options. The good news in our synod is that DEM Pastor Liv Larson Andrews is planning our second retreat for lay leaders, and we have an excellent group of presenters and a great deal of interest from around our synod.
Free Webinar
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
11:00a-12:00pm MT / 10:00-11:00am PT
A one-hour free webinar titled "Addiction & Youth: Trends & Challenges" hosted by the Center of Addiction & Faith. Guest presenter will be Michael Durchslag, Director of P.E.A.S.E. Academy, the longest running recovery high school in the U.S.A., and Board Chair of the Association of Recovery Schools.
The Shape of Leadership is for clergy who want to renew their leadership, and step up their ability so they can significantly impact the future of our faith communities.
Tailored specifically for small town and rural contexts, this six-session webinar series will introduce participants to baptismal ecclesiology and its practical application for the life of the church. Sessions will be hosted on zoom at 5pm PST/ 6pm MST/7pm CST.
October 20th 2025 - From Gathering (attraction) to Scattering (equipping)
This two-part series designed specifically for The CaSTLE Project will equip leaders with practical, faith- rooted tools to lead and adapt through change. Each session blends research-based frameworks with a lens of faith and includes actionable resources that can be used immediately across diverse ministry settings.
Register here https://forms.o-ice.com/r/LtWaE2PYL5
I am deeply troubled by incidents of racial profiling* that are happening across this country in the name of law enforcement and national security. Such inhumane treatment is being employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in wanton immigration stops, targeting individuals based on race, ethnicity, language, occupation or location. In particular, I and many in this church lament the Supreme Court action of Sept. 8 in which the court granted a stay of a lower court's restraining order that had limited such enforcement practices in Los Angeles while judicial action is pending.
Scott Kinder-Pyle, Interim Pastor at Northwood Presbyterian Church and Certified Chaplain with Gentiva Hospice, has offered some essay-reflections and poems in his newly published book, Hospice Chaplain, Interrupted.
We’re excited to share the latest School Spotlight featuring Advent Lutheran Child Center in Spokane Valley, Washington!
Earlier this summer, the Senate Banking Committee advanced a bipartisan housing reform bill by an overwhelming 24-0 margin. The ROAD to Housing Act (S. 2651), introduced by Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), comprehensively bundled together many bipartisan solutions to addressing the housing crisis affecting millions of Americans.
Mission Possible is the annual servant learning opportunity of this congregation. It started in 2005 under the ministry of our retired Deacon Heidi Cryer. Mission Possible uses an accompaniment model of service, where we seek to learn from those in need, to be part of what is already being done, and to interact with agencies that provide direct services to the poor and vulnerable in our community. We recognize that joining together is the best way to address our community’s challenges.
The Blessing of Animals is a fun way to engage people of all ages and to have conversations about our responsibilities to all creatures who share Earth with us. Some people may bring their animals to church to be blessed, while others bring photos to avoid unnecessary stress on their pets. Through photos or stuffed toys, congregations may celebrate and bless all types of creatures beyond pets. An appropriate hymn for the blessing of animals is number 1064 in All Creation Sings, “Earth is Full of Wit and Wisdom,” which sings of roly polies, giraffes, geckos, monkeys, mice, and many other creatures!
We are preparing to open registration for our three one-day United at the Font: Partnering for the Future events this fall. As I wrote in our grant application to Wartburg Seminary, these three locations were chosen in conversation with ecumenical partners. However, I see no reason why the entire synod cannot join in on the learning and growing.
Pastors Wilson Nyakachewa and Ezekiel Mwambungu will soon be here! They arrive On September 8 and will depart our area on October 27. Please hold them in prayer as they prepare to leave, travel, and be with us
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has issued a letter to President Donald Trump and members of Congress expressing support of “our Jewish-American and Israeli siblings who have suffered because of the Oct. 7 attacks,” yet voicing “profound horror regarding the catastrophe in Gaza and the wider crisis in the Holy Land.”