Moments for Mission. Newsletter of the Southwestern Washington Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Transcription

1 Moments for Mission Newsletter of the Southwestern Washington Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America The mission of the Southwestern Washington Synod is to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ by empowering congregations and church leaders to grow in worship, education, outreach, stewardship and other ministries. April 2011 Address A different kind of synod assembly By Allison Ramsey, office manager Submissions can be sent to the synod office and to racehelpritchett@msn.com. Editor Rachel Pritchett Staff 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 Phone (253) Address st St. S Tacoma, WA swwsynod@plu.edu Blogs Synod updates Namibia companion relationship Websites The 2011 Synod Assembly will be Friday, May 13, and Saturday, May 14, at the Great Wolf Lodge in Chehalis. This fun, family-oriented hotel will be the backdrop for two days of learning, worship and business for our Synod s rostered clergy and associates in ministry, and for congregational voting members and visitors. The theme is God s Work. Our Hands. Worship and Wellness. You can register for, and learn more about, the Synod Assembly at The cost is $180 per voting member before April 12, and $200 after that. The hotel is $145 per night. Reservations must be made directly with the Great Wolf Lodge, by April 12. Speech topics and leaders include: When God Speaks the Rev. Dr. Craig Satterlee will give keynote addresses on Friday and Saturday entitled When God Speaks, plus he ll preach at Friday evening s worship service. Satterlee is the director of the ministry program and chair of homiletics at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. He is the author of seven books centered on preaching that include When God Speaks Through You and Preaching in Times of Congregational Transition. Himself legally blind, Satterlee has a passion for ministry with persons with disabilities. Personal Wellness and Exercise Our ELCA representative will be the Rev. Mary Frances, the ELCA s assistant director for the development of new congregations. She will provide an update on new congregations in the ELCA, as well insights on wellness and exercise. She will lead an early-morning yoga session Saturday. Personal Wellness and Spiritual Renewal Dr. Alan Shelton, medical director and family practitioner at the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority, will speak on wellness and spiritual renewal. Continues

2 2 Different assembly: Continued Other highlights include a presentation by a nutritionist, and Saturday-afternoon workshops focusing on everything from financial to spiritual wellness. One workshop will explain how to apply for ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants, and participants should bring their latest versions to review with members of the Synod s Hunger Committee. Friday evening s worship service will include the ordination of the Rev. Hang Mo Son of Light of Grace Korean Lutheran Church in Federal Way. Following worship will be a banquet that will include the Bishop s Award given to a very deserving person and some fun healthrelated activities. The water park at the Great Wolf Lodge is available to registered guests of the hotel and is included in the price. There are lots of other activities and restaurants in the hotel, so bring your family if you d like. Congregations in transition Mobility Call process Position Status Pastoral care All Saints, Auburn P TR Janis Otto Christ, Belfair P TR Robin Pizanti Elim, Port Orchard P TR Steven Ray Emmanuel, Tacoma AP TR Dan Shaw Family of Christ, Vancouver P TR Janell Bethke Naselle P TR Pulpit supply Our Saviour s, Cathlamet P TR Les Foss Peninsula, Gig Harbor P TR Lyle Miller St. Mark, Lacey P TR Linda Nou St. Paul, Winlock P TR Al Berg Trinity, Enumclaw P TR Dennis Hartsook Trinity, Parkland P TR Howard Fosser Mobility position key: P Pastor; AP Associate Pastor; AIM Associate in Ministry; DM Diaconal Minister Mobility status key: NV New Vacancy; TR Transition; I Interviewing; C Calling Calls Elizabeth Felt has been called by the Synod Council to be pastor at the new Peace Lutheran Fellowship in Port Ludlow. Bishop Robert D. Hofstad will ordain her on April 29 at Trinity Lutheran Church of Whidbey Island. Her installation service date has not yet been set. The Rev. Doug Nemitz has accepted the call to serve as pastor at First Lutheran Community Church of Port Orchard. His installation will be April 17. Nemitz and wife Pamela have transferred to this synod from the Montana Synod. Contracts The Rev. Howard Fosser has accepted a contract to serve as interim pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church of Parkland.

3 News South Sound s first federated congregation comes online By Rachel Pritchett, communicator OLYMPIA Two bishops, one Lutheran and the other Episcopal, were on hand March 15 to install the Rev. Andy Willis as pastor of St. Christopher s Community Church. It took two because this unique congregation is federated, a blend of both denominations. This is the first federated Lutheran/Episcopal congregation in the South Sound, Bishop Robert D. Hofstad of the Southwestern Washington Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America said at the service. Just-ordained Willis will be a full-time pastor, something St. Christopher s hasn t had for a long time. The agreement between the ELCA and the Episcopal Church in the United States of America stipulates that future pastors will alternate as Lutherans or Episcopalians. Before Willis, the Rev. Sandra Kreis, a Lutheran pastor, served here. Kreis now is retired. The fact that St. Christopher s was formally served by Pastor Kreis in many ways paved the way for this relationship as her service gifts and leadership were warmly welcomed and received in the congregation, said the Rev. Melanie Walschlaeger, the Synod s director for evangelical mission who helped lead the journey toward federation. St. Christopher s is the only church on this remote peninsula, and over the years has drawn worshippers from many faiths. Conversations that started in 2009 between Lutheran and Episcopal leaders began to focus on setting up an officially shared congregation with stronger combined resources. We began to believe that we could do more in that particular area of Olympia than either denomination could do alone, Walschlaeger said. Some 50 members and friends were at the installation, along with more than a dozen pastors and priests. Joyful singing, a procession and Communion marked the service. In his sermon, Episcopal Bishop of Olympia Greg Rickel told Pastor Willis he would have his hands full. It s not the load that you are carrying that will bring you down; it s how you carry it, he said. Willis was presented with many gifts in his installation, including a Bible, stole, prayer book and keys. The federated church counts as a new mission start for the synod. Pastor Willis can be reached at pastorwillis3@gmail.com or (360) The church is at 7902 Steamboat Island Road NE, and the church phone is (360) The congregation worships at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday and all are welcome. Pictured: The Rev. Andy Willis, center, flanked by an acolyte at left and Bishop Robert D. Hofstad 3

4 News Advocating for the poor, now more than ever By Rachel Pritchett OLYMPIA Two hundred and seventy-five people from many faiths converged on the Capitol Campus on March 17 demanding justice for the poor. This year s InterFaith Advocacy Day came at the half-way point of a grueling 105-day session in which lawmakers will make vast cuts to the upcoming biennial budget as the state faces a $5 billion-plus shortfall. Welcomed by the Lutheran Public Policy Office of Washington State and others, participants learned that even the most basic safety-net programs are threatened this time around. Those include Washington Basic Health, which provides health insurance to the working poor, and a portion of Disability Lifeline, which provides small monthly payments to those who cannot work. The Rev. Paul Benz, executive director of the Lutheran Public Policy Office, has been tirelessly working to minimize impact to the poor. Participants later took the message to their lawmakers. A third of them had never lobbied before. Contact Benz at lppooffice@lcsnw.org or (206) to see how your congregation can help in the crucial weeks to follow. The following voices were overheard at the event: It is not your obligation to complete the task, but neither can you desist from it. an ancient Jewish teaching recalled by Rabbi Seth Goldstein, Temple Beth Hatfiloh of Olympia, on advocating for the poor None of you has faith unless you want for your brother what you want for you. Shaykh Hamzah Maqbul Chaudhry of the Thawr Institute of Seattle, pictured above In our brutish, nasty short existence, there are instances when we have compassion. the Rev. Guo Cheen, of the TCN Buddhist Center of Seattle More at this critical time from Rev. Paul Benz... The last scheduled day of the current legislative session is Easter, April 24. Between now and then, the Lutheran Public Policy Offices urges congregational advocates to contact their state legislators at (800) and leave this message: As a person of faith, and a part of the Lutheran Public Policy Office statewide network, I urge you to consider the poor and most vulnerable in our state as you face the unenviable task of balancing the biennial budget that has a $5 billion shortfall. The Office is a part of Our Economic Future Coalition that urges repealing tax exemptions, requiring transparency and accountability for the 500-plus tax exemptions in our state, and preserving our state s safety net. Visit for more. 4

5 5 News Luther s Table opens in Renton RENTON Luther s Table, a church-grown café and soon-to-be pub, now is open for business. Located on S Second Avenue across from Renton High School, it offers breakfast and lunch from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Later this spring, live music will be added and beer and wine will be served as hours expand. Luther s Table is continuing a legacy that was started more than 50 years ago by the Renton Lutheran Church, which closed in The vision to move it forward was continued by St. Matthews Lutheran Church of Renton. It gets its name from Martin Luther s practice of inviting students to his home to share a pint and foster conversation and faith. We ve basically taken the same concept that Luther built and replicated it with a place that fits today s times, said Gretchen Mertes, mission developer at Luther s Table. Luther s Table is today s way of making church a social center again, like it was 50 years ago, with a modern twist really great music, an open mic, poetry slams and a place to meet a friend and have a beer." It is run by volunteers. An article on Luther s Table appeared in The Lutheran. Read it at Synod giving to world hunger decreases Baptized members of Southwestern Washington Synod congregations contributed $158,931 to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal in 2010, according to an ELCA tally. That amount was down from the previous year, when the total was $196,754. In total, congregations across the ELCA contributed $17.7 million to the World Hunger Appeal. Upcoming Gospel in cyberspace is upcoming topic The Rev. Eric H.F. Law is the featured presenter at Grace in Cyberspace: Sharing the Gospel in a Post-Digital Age, to take place April 8 and 9 at Trinity Lutheran College in Everett. Combining hands-on experience and ethical reflection on the impact of computer technologies, this series of lectures and workshops will provide insight for living in a diverse and digitally expanded world. The presentation is free. For more information or to register online, visit or call Tracy Weber at (425) The college is at 2802 Wetmore Ave.

6 6 Upcoming Training events for youth leaders scheduled A series of upcoming training sessions and webinars to train youth leaders in the Southwestern Washington Synod has been announced. Sponsored by the Synod s Youth Committee and churchwide partners, the events are free. The first in-person training event presented by Associates in Ministry Ingelaurie Lisher and Justin Snider is titled The Landscape of Youth Ministry and Youth Ministry as Faith Formation. It will be in two locations. The first is from 9 a.m. to noon April 16 at St. Mark s Lutheran Church by The Narrows, 6730 N 17th St. in Tacoma. RSVP by April 8 with names and number attending to Lisher at ingelaurie@smlutheran.org. The second will be from 9 a.m. to noon June 11 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1515 Harrison Avenue NW, Olympia. RSVP to Lisher by June 3. More information on in-person training events and webinars will be coming. Book of Faith Jubilee coming to Luther Seminary April 29 to May 1 is the time for the Book of Faith Jubilee: Inspiring Everyday People to Engage the Bible event at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. The celebration is appropriate for clergy and lay alike. Visit for more information, or call the Luther Seminary Lifelong Learning office at (651) Discernment opportunity for clergy, church workers planned Clergy and other rostered church workers have a valuable opportunity to assess where they re going professionally and personally at a seminar and workshop hosted by Consultation to Clergy of Seattle. Titled Crossroads: Redefining Your Vocational Vision, the three-day learning session will provide a safe and open venue for participants to assess key vocational strengths; identify viable vocational options; and develop strategic plans for future chapters in life and ministry. The facilitator will be the Rev. Philip Streufert, the director of Consultation to Clergy who also is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a certified pastoral counselor. The seminar will take place first on May 2 to 4 at Concordia University of Portland, Ore. It will be repeated June 13 to 15 at the University of Washington Lutheran Center in Seattle. The tuition is $325, which includes materials and career testing. Registrations postmarked three weeks before the events receives $25 off. More information is at Desmond Tutu coming to Tacoma on May 13 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Bishop Desmond Tutu speaks in his final public engagement in the United States at 7:30 p.m. May 13 at the Tacoma Dome. Check ticket availability at and Ticketmaster. Pacific Lutheran University and others are hosts.

7 7 Upcoming Lutheran Public Policy Office fundraiser set The annual awards dinner and fundraiser to continue the work of the Lutheran Public Policy Office of Washington State takes place from 4:30 to 7 p.m. May 22 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, st Ave NW, Seattle. The theme is Advocacy Jam: Preserving Services for the Common Good. Tickets are $70 each or $500 for a table of eight. Persons with auction items to donate can contract Kathy Long at lppooffice@lcsnw.org or (206) Conference looks at congregations spiritual formation The 2011 Pacific Lutheran University Summer Conference on Pastoral Theology focuses on The Spiritual Formation of the Congregation and takes place June 20 through 22. To sign up, contact the Rev. G. Lee Kluth, PLU director of congregation relations, at (253) or him at crel@plu.edu. National catechumenate gathering August in California Mercy Center of Burlingame, Calif., is the location of the North American Association for the Catechumenate gathering on Aug. 1 to 3. The theme is Christian Initiation and the Prayer of the Faithful. Dr. Mark Stamm of Southern Methodist University is the speaker. NAAC president the Rev. Dr. Rick Rouse invites pastors, worship leaders and educators of all denominations to attend. Anyone who wants to help congregations move from a paradigm of membership to discipleship will find the catechumenate an invaluable tool and should attend this conference. For more, visit Bulletin board Bookmark synod blog for latest on Namibia companion bond The companion relationship the Southwestern Washington Synod has with its counterpart in Namibia, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN), continues stronger than ever. To read and to view photos of what s happening in that region of north Namibia, visit the synod s blog devoted to the subject at March marked a giant celebration there as new ELCIN bishops were consecrated, pictured. The site is maintained by Communicator Rachel Pritchett.

8 8 Bulletin board Lutherans needed to teach English in China Chinaconnect is seeking volunteers to teach English as a second language in Nanchang, in the Jiangxi province of China. Chinaconnect continues to build relationships with the Nanchang Nursing School and the Nanchang Education Department, who are asking for the teachers. The dates are July 3 to Aug. 1. The goal is to provide intensive oral English training for Chinese teachers of English in the forgotten rural countryside. The cost is $1,300 excluding airfare and visa. Upon completion of teaching, visitors will go to Xi an, home of the terra cotta warriors, and Lhasa, Tibet, according to the Rev. Steve Ray, executive director and pastor in the Southwestern Washington Synod. Visit or contact Ray at sray@chinaconnectonline or (253) Tanzania missionary available for visits Barbara Robertson, ELCA missionary serving in Tanzania, will be back at home in the Pacific Northwest from August through October, and is available to visit with congregations and other groups then. She can be reached at bubia2@hotmail.com. Job postings Director of middle-school programming: Peace Community Center on Tacoma s Hilltop seeks a director of middle-school programming to lead the center s emerging middle-school programs. Applications to peacecommunitycenterjobs@gmail.com are due by April 1. More information is at Contemporary worship leader: Our Saviour s Lutheran Church of Bremerton seeks a worship leader to finalize and implement a new contemporary service. Interested applicants can view the job description at and should submit a resume and letter of interest to the church at 1015 Veneta Ave., Bremerton, WA Open until filled. Calendar April 8 to 9: The Rev. Eric Law speaks at Trinity Lutheran College, Everett, see Page 5 April 8 to 11: ELCA Church Council meets, Chicago April 29 to May 1: National Book of Faith Jubilee, Minn., see Page 6 May 2 to 4: Consultation to Clergy discernment seminar, Portland, see Page 6 May 13: Desmond Tutu speaks at Tacoma Dome, see Page 6 May 13 to 14: Southwestern Washington Synod Assembly, Chehalis, see Page 1 May 22: Washington Public Policy Office fundraiser and awards dinner, see Page 7 May 24: Synod conference deans meet, synod office, call (253) for time June 4 to 6: Consultation to Clergy discernment seminar, Seattle, see Page 6 June 11: Synod Council conference call, 10 a.m. to noon June 20 to 22: PLU Summer Conference on Pastoral Theology, see Page 7 July 14 to 17: Churchwide women s eighth triennial gathering, Spokane Aug. 15 to 19: ELCA churchwide assembly, Orlando, Fla. Oct. 28 to 29: Synod Council retreat May 18 and 19, 2012: Southwestern Washington Synod Assembly, Vancouver, Wash.