This spring we’ll be gathering on May 3, 2025 via Zoom beginning at 9AM Pacific/10AM Mountain. The theme for the 2025 NWIM Synod Assembly is “Wellsprings of God’s Love.”
Thursday - May 1, 2025
1:00 - 2:30pm PST
In a time where churches are navigating both everyday challenges and larger crises that arise in communal spaces and grappling with the urgent need to “speak up” in the face of injustice, the need for a robust Crisis Communications Strategy has never been more critical.
The Rev. Dr. Barbara Rossing will offer a recorded sermon in recognition of Earth Day according to the readings for Sunday, April 27.
Join Dave on his adventures, hear the stories of new friends, and imagine new adventures as you, “Go Outside & Play!” and what better place than camp to “Go Outside & Play”?
Some “may rubrics” you might be familiar with are confession and forgiveness, or remembrance of baptism. These may happen, or they may not. Or the recitation of the creed. It can happen in worship — it may happen or it can be omitted.
But did you know that the offering is not a “may rubric?”
Stories and storytelling can be tools for so many facets of ministry. Stories can help people heal from wounds, even trauma. Stories can help with financial stewardship. Stories can help us teach lessons or learn. Stories can be incorporated into the proclamation of the gospel. Stories can help us build new relationships and strengthen old relationships. Stories can give us hope and help us in imparting hope. Stories invite us to be part of something bigger than ourselves.
Spring is here and so are some BRAND-NEW materials from our synod’s EcoFaith Action Network - just in time for Earth Day Sunday on April 27.
Register now for
Thursday, May 8, 2025
6:30 – 7:45 pm PDT / 7:30 – 8:45 pm MDT
This EcoFaith Zoom event is for everyone who wants to:
Be inspired by stories of ministry sites engaging in creation care
Create energy within your congregation for people to come together around a shared love of creation, especially the beauty and bounty of the northwest intermountain region
Connect with others in our synod who are caring for creation in ways informed by the context of their ministry site
The moment I discovered the profound impact of asking — or being asked — the right question was during my first experience with a clearness committee.
This in-person visit is for anyone who is interested in learning more about the PLTS MDiv, MA in Spirituality and Social Change, and Lutheran studies programs
For the past 9 months, the ELCA Research and Evaluation team has been hard at work to produce this important new study on The Future Need for Pastoral Leaders in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
As people of faith, we are called to give of our time, talent, and treasure for a Greater purpose. Bread for the World invites you to use your voice to help end hunger.
Gifts of non-cash assets and other tax-advantaged giving strategies can maximize your impact on the ELCA ministries you care about while offering significant financial benefits. Here are some options to discuss with your CPA or other allied professionals in the coming weeks:
Annually, we determine our new scholarship opportunities in alignment with our mission, vision, and strategic priorities. For the 2025-2026 academic year, we have two scholarship programs open to new applicants:
As you watch the news and learn of detained folks in your local area, know that there is information available for our immigrant neighbors that would significantly help them to prepare for the worst case scenario.
Resources on Immigration for Faith Communities compiled from the Region 1 Webinar on 2/12/25.
Chelan, WA – Holden Village, the remote retreat center nestled in the Cascade Mountains, is delighted to announce the appointment of Bjørn and Elise Peterson as its new Co-Directors.
Safe Families for Children - Treasure Valley is a program of LCSNW. We partner with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope. ALL are welcome!
The Northwest Intermountain Synod and Luther Seminary's Faith+Lead are joining together to provide our entire synod with free access to theological resources and training designed to equip disciples and leaders for today's ministry challenges.
ELCA Presiding Bishop speaks on Faith, Fear, and the Call to Community
My deepest gratitude comes from the well of faith, sometimes my own and sometimes the faith of another human. Memory is powerful--memories of and stories about God who is faithful, who keeps showing up with grace and mercy for the entire world. The psalmist’s words become my own again, “I trust in your unfailing love…I will sing to the Lord, who has dealt with me richly.”
CHICAGO (Feb. 14, 2025) — ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has issued a video message in response to the executive order on immigration that rolled back guidance to immigration authorities in protected areas such as places of worship, schools and hospitals.
At the ‘State of the Church’ presentations, the rise of Christian Nationalism in America was front and center. Bishop McKenzie and others spoke with power and hope, clearly pointing to the sovereignty of God in all things. But the Word of God came from a different source!
American Idolotry
There are dozens of books out now on Christian nationalism. I know at least several of our congregations have done studies on the topic in the last few years. What I like about American Idolotry is that it truly is about the ideology and less about people.
After meeting the Rev. Leticia Alanis, pastor of Unidad y Fe Lutheran Mission in the Queens borough of New York City, I was in awe of her experiences, her challenges, her love for others and her profound mission of building community.
In response to the on-going challenges of demographic, economic, and cultural change, small town and rural (STaR) congregations and small membership congregations in metropolitan contexts and their judicatories are creating and/or recreating a spectrum of innovative responses in leadership training and missional form to sustain and enhance the sustainability and vitality of mission and ministry. We will gather to learn what God is doing out there, cross-pollinate with ideas from one place which might work in another, and dream together (Acts 2:17) and perhaps perceive of a new thing (Isaiah 43:19).
Considering the new Trump Administration directives limiting congregational rights to offer sanctuary for our immigrant neighbors, and our position as a faith community rooted in biblical admonitions to accompany the stranger, we highly encourage you to participate in a Region 1 online forum discussing protections for churches, organizations and individuals and how we might know our rights and/or rise up to be sanctuaries for our most vulnerable.
Feb 12, 2025 06:30 PM in PT /7:30 PM MT