Synod Assembly Report Edition. Bishop Robert D. Hofstad

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1 Moments for Mission Southwestern Washington Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ by empowering congregations and church leaders to grow in worship, education, outreach, stewardship and other ministries. June/July 2012 Bishop Robert D. Hofstad Rev. Ronald Hoyum assistant to the bishop Rev. Valinda Morse assistant to the bishop Rev. Melanie Wallschlaeger director for evangelical mission Rev. Donald Fossum assembly planner Allison Ramsey office manager Rachel Pritchett editor, Phone Address st St. S Tacoma, WA swwsynod@plu.edu Websites Lutheranssw.org Elca.org Blog swwsynodelca. 2 blogspot.com Facebook Facebook.com/pages/ southwesternwashingtonsynod/ Synod Assembly Report Edition Photo by Rick Nelson Gov. Chris Gregoire, special guest of the 25 th annual assembly of the Southwestern Washington Synod, is greeted by Bishop Robert D. Hofstad on May 18 in Vancouver, Wash. n Gregoire on Sunday Worship Meets Monday Work 2 n No third term for bishop; elections next year 3 n Resolutions including sexuality spur debate 3 n ELCA Secretary David Swartling comes home 4 n Bishop s Award goes to Jim Hushagen 5 n Much more inside...

2 Synod Assembly Report Photos by Rick Nelson In rare address, governor shares personal sense of faith VANCOUVER, Wash. Keynoter Gov. Chris Gregoire, in sharing how she draws on her faith to lead a state, told the 2012 assembly of the Southwestern Washington Synod her most difficult dilemmas were capital punishment and endorsing civil rights for gay marriage. The theme of the assembly, which took place May 18 and 19, was Sunday Worship Meets Monday Work. In her seven years as governor, the devout Roman Catholic allowed one case of capital punishment, a decision she said will live with her for the rest of her life. She said the day she announced her support for civil rights for same-gender couples was a weight lifted off my shoulders. Regardless of personal opinion on the issue, she had come to the conclusion that it s the responsibility of a faith-based public leader to respect everybody. It has been a journey for me, Gregoire said. She said she has prayed all along. As a young adult, she couldn t find a teacher s job after graduating from the University of Washington, so went to work as a typist for the state Department of Corrections in Seattle s high-crime Central Area. While there, she helped a convict exiting prison learn simple daily tasks such as getting a bus pass. He eventually became a probation officer and just retired after decades of service. From that, she learned how to give people a chance. She taught baseball and swimming to a disabled cousin. He lived to age 60, instead of the predicted age 30. She learned never to give up on people. As a caseworker for the state Department of Social and Health Services, she watched medics refuse to help one of her clients who had suffered a stroke, because the client didn t have a Medicaid card. Gregoire learned about limited access to health care. She concluded with a challenge to her listeners to serve in public office. It s service first, leadership second. We need folks like you. Rachel Pritchett, communicator Media accounts: Gov. Christine Gregoire s remarks were featured in The Columbian of Vancouver and the Wahkiakum County Eagle of Cathlamet. Read them here: gregoire

3 Synod Assembly Report Bishop Hofstad will not seek third term Bishop Robert D. Hofstad announced at the assembly he will not seek a third term. This has been a difficult decision, he said, adding he seeks to spend more time with family. Next year, the assembly will choose a new bishop. By then Hofstad will have served 12 years in that post, and 17 years total in the synod office. The bishop lifted up the new worshiping communities begun during his tenure. They include Living Stones Prison Ministry at Shelton; Light of Grace, which offers worships to Koreans in Federal Way; the northcampus ministry at Messiah Lutheran Church of Vancouver; Peace Lutheran Fellowship of Port Ludlow; Federal Way Chinese Fellowship; and two Lutheran/Episcopal groups, St. Christopher's Community Church near Olympia and Faith Community Church of Kingston. In a Bible study addressing the theme Sunday Worship Meets Monday Work, the bishop said that people s occupations are only part of their vocations. Drawing from the seventh chapter of Corinthians 1, the bishop said we are called to many offices simultaneously. Besides employee, they may be wife, mother, daughter, neighbor, co-worker, and child of God. True vocation, he said, is a juggling act, and we are constantly honoring and dishonoring each other in our vocations as we fall short of expectations. We ll never really be able to honor our vocation in the best way we can, he said. The bishop suggested listeners look at their own vocation and its multiple offices and prioritize. And ask the question, Am I really dealing with the need of the people around me? Approved resolutions include one concerning same-gender couples Amid vigorous debate, voting members of the assembly approved resolutions that addressed same-gender couples, an occasional biennial synod assembly, electronic notification for congregations to cut down on paperwork, and support of the ELCA Malaria Campaign. Below is the text of the amended resolution regarding same-gender couples. To view the other resolutions, visit the synod blog at Pictured: The gender vote. 3 RESOLVED, that the Southwestern Washington Synod, meeting in Assembly: 1. Calls upon the bishop, staff, pastors and congregation members of the Southwestern Washington Synod to provide full support insofar as it is consistent with their conscience-bound beliefs to pastors and congregations where same-gender couples are married. 2. Calls upon congregations and members of this synod to welcome, care for, and support samegender couples and their families and to advocate for their legal protection.

4 4 Synod Assembly Report ELCA secretary, wife visit home state Submarine officer, Seattle attorney and now secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, assembly speaker David Swartling said of his many-faceted career, It s been a journey of self-reflection. He drew on the Apostles Creed to describe surfacing during lonely trips across the Pacific, in the middle of the night and spotting dolphins gliding alongside, a scene that took his breath away. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and Earth. Remembering 100 crew members crammed on a small sub, he drew on Corinthians 1, which speaks of people bringing their different talents to the same goal of Christ. Everyone has different gifts, he said. Looking back at his lawyer years, Swartling said that for him, Christian vocation means more than getting the work done but instead is three-dimensional. It means creating relationship with co-workers, family and community, always striving to relieve burden. Vocation is about living the whole life, said Swartling, who relocated to Chicago with wife Barbara from Bainbridge Island when he became ELCA secretary. Barbara Swartling is the executive director of the Deaconess Community of the ELCA, and invited women to consider serving God through service as a deaconess. More about ELCA deaconesses can be found at New leaders selected The following people were voted into leadership positions. Some were new; others were re-elected: Synod Council Vice President Paul Opgrande Synod Council Rick Nelson Ann Cummings Darcy Huffman Kathryn Nelson Monica Hurley Rev. Pam Hunter Synod Consultation Committee Rev. Martha Maier Robert Harley Rev. Mary Davison Mary Keil Vic Boyer George Leone Synod Discipline Committee Rev. Steven Ray Gerald Larson Rev. Mary Sanders Synod Nominating Committee Nan Larson Rev. Nina Body Rev. Mark Woldseth PLU Member Representatives Ellen Leapaldt Ed Brannfors Rev. Kim Latterell John Anderson Rev. Rebecca Shjerven Allen Brooks Rev. Richard Knutzen James Reddick Rev. Jonathan Sansgaard Rev. Nina Body 2013 Churchwide Voting Members Rev. Carol Plummer Karen Haas Leslie Woldseth Rev. Linda Milks Alex Lund Thomas Siburg 2013 budget approved After several years of declining synod finances, Treasurer Andreas Udbye announced the synod s budget now has slipped beneath the $1 million mark. This is sort of a steady drain here, he said. Nonetheless, voting members approved a $970,000 budget. Andreas blamed three factors a slumping economy, aging members, and the 2009 churchwide sexuality vote. Despite that, the synod will raise its giving to churchwide from 39.5 percent to 40 percent next year. In addition, the synod has been able to continue support for its prison ministry at Shelton, and continue backing partner ministries such as seminaries and Pacific Lutheran University.

5 Synod Assembly Report Hushagen receives Bishop s Award Jim Hushagen, outgoing vice president of the Southwestern Washington Synod, was this year s recipient of the Bishop s Award. The longtime business attorney at the Tacoma law firm Eisenhower Carlson also has spent many years doing work for Lutheran causes, usually for free. Besides serving seven years as the top lay leader of the synod, Hushagen has been the voice of the member on the Thrivent Financial for Lutheran board for many years. As a regent for Pacific Lutheran University, he recently chaired the search committee for new president Thomas Krise. He helped improve the finances and raised the visibility of Lutheran Summer Music. As pro bono attorney for Holden Village, he is working on the legal end of a $100 million environmental remediation to start soon. Hushagen worships at Mountain View Lutheran Church of Edgewood. Pictured: Hushagen in his law office. 5 Workshops: Transformation in a congregation, at Holden Village In one of the many workshops at the assembly, the Rev. Dan Wilson and leaders of Hope Lutheran Church of Enumclaw told how they stared the uncomfortable subject of evangelism in the face and didn t blink. The Hope congregation undertook the extensive Unbinding Your Heart program for renewed evangelism based on the books by the Rev. Martha Grace Reese, and emerged a transformed and energized congregation than ever before, Wilson said. The months-long process began by members getting to know each other in new settings. Fourteen joined in the end. Wilson can share more at or hloffice@skynetbb.com. n Holden Village due for environmental remediation: Synod Council member and Holden Village development team member Monica Hurley encouraged workshop participants to come enjoy Holden Village, the Lutheran retreat in the hills above Lake Chelan. It s a contemplative place, she said, where people come to gain some deep understanding of where their future is going. Holden pro bono attorney Jim Hushagen explained that the former copper-mining camp soon will enter a $100 million environmental remediation to keep leftover metal by-products from leaching into a nearby river. The work will be in full swing in 2013, and be completed by 2014, he said. To learn more, visit Pictured: The Rev. Dan Wilson explains the transformation of his congregation.

6 6 Congregations in transition Call process Position Status Pastoral care Amazing Grace, Aberdeen P TR Linda Nou Chinook P TR Pulpit supply Christ, Belfair P I Robin Pizanti Family of Christ, Vancouver P C Pulpit supply First, Port Orchard P TR George Larson Mountain View, Edgewood AP I John Vaswig Naselle P TR Pulpit supply Our Saviour s, Cathlamet P TR Les Foss Peninsula, Gig Harbor P I Art Sortland Key: AP Associate Pastor; C- Calling; I Interviewing; P Pastor; NV New Vacancy; TR Transition Calls accepted: The Rev. Shelley Willem has accepted the call to serve at Bethany Lutheran Church of Longview. She transfers from the Oregon Synod. Contract accepted: The Rev. George Larson, retired, has accepted a contract to serve at First Lutheran Community Church of Port Orchard. Opportunities PLU faculty members have much to share with congregations A number of faculty members from Pacific Lutheran University s Religion Department are available to speak to congregations starting this fall under the Faculty Speakers Bureau. To learn more, contact them directly or Marit Trelstad, chair of the PLU Religion Department, at or marit.trelstad@plu.edu. The speakers and topics include: n Erik Hammerstrom on religion in China today and Buddhist ethical issues, available September to November and February to May, hammerej@plu.edu. n Brenda Llewellyn Ihssen, Christian history, available September, January and February, ihssenbl@plu.edu. n Kevin O Brien, Christian ethics, obrien@plu.edu. n Douglas Oakman, Historical Jesus, New Testament, Christology, available September to May, oakmande@plu.edu. n Antonios Finitsis, Old Testament, Biblical interpretation, available September to May, finitsak@plu.edu. n Joseph Hickey-Tiernan, New Testament, modern Christian history, John s Gospel, available October to May, hickeyjj@plu.edu. n Seth Dowland, American religious history, dowland@plu.edu. n Samuel Torvend, History of Christianity, torvensa@plu.edu. n Lynn Hofstad, Christian and feminist theology, lynnhofstad@yahoo.com. n Agnes Choi, New Testament, early Judaism, available September to October and January to March, choiaa@plu.edu. n Marit Trelstad, Lutheran theology in Namibia, feminist theology, atonement, available October and February, marit.trelstad@plu.edu.

7 Upcoming PLU conference looks at changes in spiritual transformation Pacific Lutheran University's summer conference will focus on Spiritual Formation in the Home when it takes place June 18 to 20. To learn more or to register, contact the Rev. G. Lee Kluth, director of the PLU Office of Constituent Relations, at or at 7 Opportunity to comment on ELCA social statement coming ELCA members are invited to comment on the ELCA s draft social statement on criminal justice from 10 a.m. to noon June 23 at Kent Lutheran Church. Comments will be forwarded to a socialstatement task force, which is expected to release a final version early next year. The church is at 336 Second Ave. S. The opportunity is hosted by this synod and the Northwest Washington Synod. Information: Gather magazine Bible study leader to visit Audrey West, author of the Gather magazine Bible study, will introduce the study to the Southwestern Washington Synod Women of the ELCA this summer in Tacoma. Taking place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at Christ Lutheran Church of Lakewood, the event costs $14. To register, telephone Kathy at To subscribe to Gather at $12 annually, call or subscriptions@augsburgfortress.org. Postings Youth director: Our Saviour s Lutheran Church of Bremerton; Child-care director: Spirit of Life Lutheran Church of Olalla; Youth worker: Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church of Vancouver, Wash.; Youth and family coordinator: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Port Angeles; Music director: State Andrew s Lutheran Church of Bellevue seeks a music director; Calendar June 7: Candidacy Committee Meets, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., synod office June 18 to 20: Pacific Lutheran University's Summer Conference, see above June 19: Synod Global Mission Committee meets, Peace, Tacoma June 24 to July 22: Lutheran Summer Music, Iowa, July 25: Women s Mount Rainier Cluster Ice-cream Social, Mountain View, Edgewood Aug. 3: Catechumenate training, Spokane, Aug. 18: Women s Bible Study Event, Christ, Lakewood, featuring Audrey West, Bible-study author Sept. 21 and 22: ELCA global-mission event, Portland, Ore. Sept. 22: Synod Council meets, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bethlehem, Tacoma Oct. 6: Auction to support Mount Rainier Lutheran High School, Tacoma, Oct. 12 to 13: Southwestern Washington Women of the ELCA convention, Good Shepherd, Olympia Oct. 19: Region 1 Governing Council Oct. 26 to 27: Synod Council Retreat, Dumas Bay Centre, Federal Way Nov. 10: Synod global-mission event, St. Mark s by The Narrows, Tacoma

8 8 Our congregations From newsletters and websites across the synod, for keeping up Record numbers: Winter Hospitality Overflow, the longtime homeless shelter conducted by St. Andrew and St. Paul of Vancouver and others, delivered a 12,646 bednights this season, a record. Guests at St. Andrew, which serves families, stayed an average of 16 nights. Single men at St. Paul remain 26 nights, on average. WHO is among the largest homeless shelter efforts in the Pacific Northwest. It will be featured in the July issue of The Lutheran. Turning 10: Amazing Grace of Aberdeen is celebrating its birth 10 years ago from two former congregations combining, Trinity and Our Savior s. For Amina: Our Saviour s of Bremerton, in conjunction with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, raised $6,000 to defray medical costs for young shooting victim Amina Bowman. The church raised the money through a movie benefit. In other news, the historic downtown Bremerton church has formed a band for its contemporary worship service. Spanish-speaking service to begin: Messiah of Auburn begins a weekly Spanish-speaking worship service beginning at 11 a.m. June 1. Spanish-speaking Messiah members already are meeting at the church every other week for Bible study and prayer. Garage sale: All are invited to a garage sale to benefit Messiah of Auburn from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 14 in the church s north parking lot. Success: Some $3,600 was raised at a recent garage sale at Christ the King of Tacoma. Mission trips planned: High-school youth at Creator of Bonney Lake soon will be bound for two locations to help people struggling with poverty and displacement. Some will travel to Portland, Maine, to help run a program for children from Somalia and Sudan. Also, some will go to Rio Grande Valley, Texas, to work with border residents. Hiking above Hood Canal: Hikers from Agnus Dei of Gig Harbor will hit beautiful Guillemot County Park on the eastern shore of Hood Canal for a walk with 2.5-mile walk with nature. The easy hike goes through forests and beaches, and all are invited, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., meeting at the church, at Peacock Hill Ave. NW; Discount happened: Allison Ramsey, office manager of the Southwestern Washington Synod, reports that the 69.4 percent of the synod s Portico benefits participants took the Mayo Clinic Wellness Survey, so everyone now will receive the 2 percent discount on ELCA Portico medical and dental costs. Synodwide, that s a savings of $21,000. Sixty-nine percent was required. People Edna Reel is retiring from working as an office coordinator at All Saint s of Auburn, to be replaced by congregation member Phyllis Glenn. Reel will continue occasionally as a volunteer. Janie Mauel retires as church-office secretary at St. John s Lutheran Church of Chehalis, having served more than 32 years. She will be replaced by Linda Lowery. Synod Communicator Rachel Pritchett has received the first-quarter 2012 E.W. Scripps Award for Superior Journalism for her part in team reporting at the Kitsap Sun following a series of shootings.