The Tidings. February A quick summary of the annual meeting includes: A newsletter of Central Lutheran Church of the Holy

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1 The Tidings February 2012 A newsletter of Central Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity January was a big month! We celebrated Pastor Cindy's first full year at Central, kicked off our first "Committee Sunday" (next one is on February 5 th L and had our annual meeting. During January, the council does not have a regular meeting, but rather a shorter meeting to approve the budget for the congregation to review and vote on at the annual meeting. We also wrote a state of the congregation report for the Annual Report that is reprinted on pages 6-7 in case you were not able to attend the annual meeting. A quick summary of the annual meeting includes: Successfully passing our budget for 2012 Honoring departing council members John Mostrom, Jackie Brolsma, and Tom Donlea Electing new council members Meredith Fane and Chris Kealy Electing synod assembly delegates Liz Langeland and Brian Anderson (we are looking for a youth too!) and Approving building maintenance and remodeling funding Thanks for all the support and encouragement the community provides the Council. We appreciate it... and need it! Tom Donlea & Cori Myka Council Co-Presidents

2 February 2012/ Page 2 Central Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity 1710 Eleventh Avenue Seattle, Washington phone: fax: Winter Schedule Singing School: 8:30 am Choir: 9:00 am Sunday School: 9:45 am Adult Forum: 9:45 am Worship: 11:00 am Pastors: Cindy Salo pastor@loveiscentral.org By appointment on Tues. through Thurs. Home phone in emergency: Verlon Brown office hours by appointment, the office, please call Thank you! ALTAR GUILD: Bob Hartl, Carl Kaiser, and Sue Anderson ASSISTING MINISTERS: Theresa Wagner, Steven Chapman,jeff Roberts, Fievel Gordon, and jackie Brolsma COFFEE: Carl Kaiser, Theresa Wagner, Betty Bekemeier, Emily Griffin, Pam johnson, and Liz Langeland COMMUNION BREAD: Steven Chapman and David Copley TELLERS: Chris Kealy,jeff Cook, Adam Rauch,jamie Pedersen,jeff Roberts, Cathy Woods, Sally Brunsman, and Allen jones USHERS: jen & Alex Fernandez, Brooke Powers,john Mostrom, and Nicole Anderson Office Manager: Sandy Kraegel office@loveiscentral.org Office hours: 9:30-4:30 Tuesday-Friday Music Director: Jim Peterson music@loveiscentral.org Custodian: Duane Miles Nursery: Nursery hours: Sunday 9:45 am- 12:45 pm For children ages five and under We are an open and affirming congregation, which in Lutheran churches is called Reconciling in Christ. We seek to share God's love with all people regardless of race, age, gender or sexual orientation. All are welcome. Receive the readings via Many people find it helpful to read the Sunday readings ahead of time. If you would like to receive a weekly with the upcoming Sunday's readings, please let Sandy know at office@loveiscentral.org.

3 February 2012/ Page 3 Note/rom Pastor Cindy Salo Reprinted from the Pastor's Annual Report 20// Dear People of Central, Whew. We made it. One year in. My first Sunday with you was last year's annual meeting, one in which I donned a poodle skirt and a spirit of openness and great expectation. My last two calls being intentional interims, I told myself that I needed to change that mindset; no going in, quickly assessing the system, and doing what I could to affect whatever the changes necessary before the next pastor. No, this time I needed to listen and be patient. To get to know people and what your concept of Central's mission is. I returned often to the direction for the year that I was given by Central's call committee. Here's a reminder for you, as well: 13. MUTUAL EXPECTATIONS Please list the five primary areas of activity or focus that you wish your newly-called rostered leader to give special attention to during the first year of his or her ministry at this congregation or organization: A. Get to know and care for all our members and be approach~ble and accessible 8.' Assist us in guiding and developin~ the spiritual foundation and direction of our members C. Enable us to develop a stronger voice and identity in the larger community as a welcoming congregati~n D. Lead and support volunteers in our ministries to children and youth E.' Effectively administer staff and programs of and coordinate volunteers for our faith community Please list five ways that this congregation I organization will support and encourage the rostered leader during th~ first year in order to help her or him accomplish these responsibilities: A. Initiate opportunities for the pastor to participate in our church and non-church events B. Be honest and straightforward with the pastor C. Work c10seiy with the pastor to develop member visitation, outreach & mission opportunities D. Provide resources, both human & curricular, to develop a dynamic education program E. Involve the pastor in our strong commitment to and God's call for peace and s~cial and economic justice continued on the followingpage...

4 February 2012/ Page 4 Note/rom Pastor Cindy Salo continued from the previous page... Reprinted from the Pastor's Annual Report 20// In our mutual ministry together, I think we made a dent! More time than I had ever anticipated was spent on finding employee backup and unexpected maintenance (furnace, sewer, sidewalk, etc.) But I think, with a great group of leaders on Central's council, that we took the time to map out goals and direction and provide structure for new systems and systems already in place. One of those tasks was to evaluate the building use agreements with all of our partners: Community Lunch, Lutheran Peace Fellowship, and Seattle Progressive Preschool. My intention with these partners was to foster trust and increase open communication among these groups that frankly, work within the confines of limited space and resources. We have a way to go with this, but Tom Donlea, Cori Myka, Theresa Wagner, and now, much more visibly, David Johnson with the Property Committee, are all doing great work. The confirmation program is on a new two-year, every-other-sunday schedule, and we are experimentingwith new curriculum. I introduced the idea of intergenerational Sunday School with the sacraments, Baptism, and Communion (you know it's intergenerational when you cover everything from "How does Elmo take communion?" to "What is the Meaning of Transubstantiation?:) "Committee Sunday", after much council deliberation, has been instituted, due to Sunday being the primary day for members to gather together and engendering more communication across committees. "Faith Formation" - Since this was an area in which my focus was requested this year, I attended the summer theological conference at PLU entitled "Spiritual Formation of the Congregation." Sharing our faith stories during Lenten services was also a way to foster community and develop our faith in an intimate setting. Staff Relations and building up of the tasks of the personnel committee was also a primary focus for me this year. I became part of a group of pastoral colleagues who began to explore "The Art of Pastoral Supervision". I spent three 2-day sessions on Camano Island with this group, studying and helping one another with staff structure, employee policies, and supervision. Here at Central, I proposed to council a revision of mutual ministry, personnel, and pastor support committees. The revised model has no mutual ministry committee per se, but instead employs use of a conflict resolution team Goon-Ho Y, chair), utilizing council co-chairs during executive committee meetings for a "pastor support" committee, taking a pulse of the congregation and providing feedback continued on the followingpage...

5 February 2012/ Page 5 Note/rom Pastor Cindy Salo continued from the previous page... Reprinted from the Pastor's Annual Report 20// for the pastor. Personnel committee would take on the lion's share of work, meeting every month. We are trying out a system in which each employee has a liaison on the committee. Once the Coordinator for Intergenerational Ministries is on board, we will have more regular staff meetings, as well. Task Force for Creating and Hiring Coordinator of Intergenerational Ministries - We are interviewing what may well be the final candidate today and hiring as soon as possible. The task force, a group of professional and intuitive women (Lynn Rauch, Rebecca E., Cathy Woods, Suzy Oversvee, and Claire Kaiser) should be commended for their hard work, deliberation, and patience in this process. We have heard from the candidates themselves how impressive the job description is, and we have been blessed with many talented applicants. I plan on spending a lot more time next year in direct supervision of this person, helping them to do just SOME of what is on their job description! Let me say a public and heartfelt thank you to Pastor VerIon for his commitment to ministry here at Central and his willingness and flexibility to cover worship services and his involvement in confirmation. Central is very lucky to have you, and I look forward to many years together! One of the most difficult events that we as a congregation underwent this year was the death of beloved Pastor Jon Nelson. Know that I realize how much of "Pastor Jon" is part of Central Lutheran Church, and that his legacy of peace and social justice will live on. Thank you for your continued support and embrace ofjuni. This covers just a few highlights of this year. Please know that I am proud to be part of such a vital, open, and progressive congregation, and I will work hard to continue in that tradition. Some goals for next year: Staff reviews, equipping committees and enlisting volunteers, activating new youth programs and retreats, building on the excitement of new staff with a renewal of the Welcome and Nurture Committee. Many structures are needed to welcome new visitors and engender the spirit of openness that Central so proudly represents. I have worked in the past with the formation of a Lay Caring Ministry Team that would journey with people in the congregation going through struggle or change. I would also like to train a team of communion ministers who could be available to bring the elements of communion to those who are unable to make it to worship services. continued on the followingpage...

6 February 2012/ Page 6 Note from Pastor Cindy Salo continued from the previous page... Reprinted from the Pastor's Annual Report 20// Finally, remember that I appreciate you always coming to me directly with issues. The council has heard me discuss "triangles" until they will soon be rolling their eyes. But direct and honest communication will be a healthy way to look into the future, a future I am excited to walk into with Central Lutheran Church and its wonderful people! Thank you for being who you are! Peace and Blessings, Pastor Cindy News from Church Council Reprinted from the Co-President's Annual Report 20// 2011 was a year of great transition. We welcomed Pastor Cindy Salo into our community and in many ways, it was like the welcoming her into a family that has long established traditions, quirks, and dysfunction! She has done a great job of both learning from us and teaching. Seeing Pastor Cindy in a poodle skirt at her first congregational meeting and polka dots at her installation service really let us know she's got a sense of humor (and sense of style?). We also said goodbye to a giant of Central's history: Jon Nelson. He died in July in Minnesota and we paid tribute to his legacy and showed our support to Juni at a service at University Lutheran in September. We are so glad she continues to worship with us and provide "Juni hugs". With support and guidance from Pastor Cindy, the council tackled many complex and important issues: Hiring a Coordinator ofintergenerational Ministries (CIM): As a result of the Mickelsen bequest, the congregation decided to spend some of the money as seed funding to hire an additional staff person to advance the life and mission of the church. A very active committee led ably by Rebecca E. met for many months forming the job description and interviewing candidates. The position will be filled in early 2012.

7 February 2012/ Page 7 News from Church Council Reprinted from the Co-President's Annual Report 20// Annual Planning: In April, the Council went on retreat and developed over the course of subsequent months a simple 12 point plan that kept us focused and on task all year. Programs: 2011 was another year of great programming for kids and youth. We included several new Sunday school teachers and launched another large confirmation class. These are all very good indicators for an urban church. Brian Anderson did a great job again this year leading the Social Advocacy and Outreach Committee getting members engaged in issues that are vital to our progressive faith community. Thanks to Jackie Brolsma, we hosted the cultural competence focused Kaleidescope training in October. Financial Stewardship: We learned that Betty Haberman had bequeathed the congregation more than $280,000. The council voted to move 10% of this to our property committee and John Mostrom and Juni Nelson led a group to tithe 10% of these funds. Karen Hoven agreed to chair a "Dream Big" committee that will determine in 2012 how we will utilize the 80% of the bequest to advance the life and mission of the church. Thanks also to everyone who supports our operating budget... we had expected a small operating deficit for 2011 and were able to do better than budget... a tribute to the generosity of our members! Physical Facility: The Property Committee, under the leadership of Karen Sticklin and David Johnson, has done a great job of ensuring our facilities are in the best repair possible and we are becoming more proactive about budgeting likely repairs and maintenance. Staff: Sandy, Duane,Jim and Pastor Verlon continue to bring their gifts and talents to the Central Community and we thank God for them! Please take a minute to thank each for their individual contributions and add them to your prayers... our community is richer because of their contributions! Partnership: Central continued to provide space and collaborate with the Community Lunch on Capitol Hill, Lutheran Peace Fellowship, and Seattle's Progressive Preschool. Each of these organizations is an extension of our mission and we are thankful for their contributions to our community. And finally, there are just too many people providing leadership and support at Central to name them all. You'll find many reports from the annual meeting detailing key initiatives and accomplishments for the year. Read them. Thank the volunteers who made all this good work happen. Please take prayerful time to determine how you can best support our Central Community in the new year. Respectfully submitted by CoriMyka and TomDonlea, Congregation Co-Presidents

8 February 2012/ Page 8 Join us for Ash Wednesday Service February 22 at 7pm Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our Lenten observance. This somber service can be a powerful experience as we remind ourselves of our mortality and commit ourselves to Lenten disciplines. Our service will be at 7 pm. Confirmation Schedule for February February ask." 5 - Pastor Cindy will pass back sermon notes and take "all the questions you were afraid to February 19 - New Coordinator of Intergenerational Ministries (CIM) on the Creed Adult Forum Schedule Our Sunday mornings are a good time to come together to learn and share with one another. Please join us at 9:45 am in the Parish Hall and we'll have the coffee on. February 5: MARRIAGE EQUALITY: featuring a discussion led by Representative Jamie Pedersen and volunteers from Washington United for Marriage. The focus will be on providing interested attendees with ideas for becoming involved in the upcoming effort to legalize same-sex marriage in Washington state. February 12: Adult/Youth Forum- Come meet our new Coordinator of Intergenerational Ministries (CIM) February 19: TBA February 26: Cafe Central. Join us for hot coffee and cool conversations in the Parish Hall.

9 February 2012/ Page 9 A Note from... A Big Thank You from Columbia City Church of Hope Dear Centralites, Here at Columbia City Church of Hope we are so grateful for your partnership in ministry! We were delighted to receive your generous gift from the Haberman bequest, and we can assure you that your gift will go to great use as we go about the work of building a community of faith and awakening to the presence of God in ordinary life. In the past year we launched weekly Sunday morning worship (10:30 am every week-we'd love to have any of you join us from time to time!) and have become actively involved in the neighborhood, in numerous ways: hosting the new Columbia City Art Walk, leading children's crafts at the local farmers' market, offering a yoga retreat, and blessing animals for St. Francis Day. We look forward to collaborating with you on some ministry ventures in the future: perhaps marching together again in the Seattle Pride Parade, hosting homeless families through Mary's Place, and/ or cohosting a family retreat. We are honored to be a sister congregation with you, sharing the calling of working for peace and justice in urban Seattle! Blessings to you and your ministries, and please do stop in to visit us sometime about ideas for collaborative ministry! or contact me to talk Peace, Darla DeFrance & Columbia City Church of Hope It's hard to believe that 2012 is already here! If you would like to sign up to bring communion bread for a month in 2012, please let Sandy know You can either bring a fresh loaf each Sunday or bring enough loaves for the month and put them in the freezer. Sandy will then make sure a loaf is thawed for each Sunday. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the back of the church. You can also call the office or Sandy at office@loveiscentral.org. Thanks for your consideration!

10 February 2012/ Page 10 For Prayer Central does have a Prayer Chain. If you are interested in joining it or have a concern you would like to have the Prayer Chain pray for, please contact Pastor Cindy ( ; pastor@loveiscentral.org). We pray for the following this month: Homebound: Joan Norman Doris Schlecht Blanche Sylvester IIIand recovering: Kathy Twohig Yada Hartmann Julie Mattson Brian Anderson's Aunt Margaret Gerhold Andrew Rapp and Jennifer Evans' nephew Ronan Louis Phyliss Nelson, Roger Nyhus' mother Doug Singer, friend of Chang Choi Shelly Langton Willa Brunsman Barnett Tianna Schilling, 8 year old daughter of dear friends of the Andersons Scott & Patty Kraegel, Sandy Kraegel's brother and sister-in-law Mourning: Fievel Gordon, Erica Hieggelke, and family on the death of Fievel's brother Travis Allison R. and family on the death of her grandmother Elaine David Johnson, Anna Copley, and family on the death of David's mother Helen

11 February 2012/ Page 11 Happy Birthday This In' That Below, you'll find the names of Centralites celebrating their birthday this month. Share a birthday wish with them and help make it a special day! Ella Johnson 2/04 Kjersti Braunstein 2/08 Lauren Fryhle 2/12 LucyBaker 2/14 Denise Hart 2/14 Steven Saito 2/14 Cheri Cornell 2/16 Claire Kaiser 2/17 Anne Bush 2/21 Efrem Zewoldi 2/23 Jim Peterson 2/28 Annoucement from University Lutheran: BOOK STUDY: The New Jim Crow, by Michelle Alexander Beginning at the end of February the UDEP (University District Ecumenical Parish) Social Justice Committee is hosting an ecumenical book study group focusing on criminal justice. We will be reading Michelle Alexander's book, The New.Jim Cro~ Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. Lauded by Leonard Pitts of the Miami Herald as "a troubling and profoundly necessary book;' Alexander argues that we have not ended racial caste in America; we have simply redesigned it. Mass incarceration of black men for nonviolent drug offenses, combined with laws making it legal to discriminate against felons in housing, employment, education and voting constitute nothing less than a means of racial control. It is, in a sense, just a new version of Jim Crow. This is a "must read" and is receiving a great deal of national attention. Joins us for this worthwhile discussion. December 4 December 11 December 18 December 24 December 25 December Attendance The book study will meet at University Christian Church, th Avenue NE for four consecutive Sundays beginning February 26- March 18, from 6 to 7:30pm. We will make some copies available in the upcoming weeks however you can also order the book or pick up a copy at the local bookstore. For more information, please contact Ray Munger at raymunger@clearwire.net.

12 February 2012/ Page 12 Community Lunch ~ on Capitol Hill Feeding the Community Serving the Community Creating Community Januarywas an adventurous month at the Community Lunch thanks to the weather, but we managed to find enough food and volunteers to make every single of the 13 meals come off without a hitch. Thanks to Magnolia Lutheran for staffing the lunch each Friday in January, making some really good food, and thanks to all the volunteers who braved the weather to serve so many hungry (and cold) people! We distributed socks, hand warmers, and hats at several of the meals. If you have access to any warm weather items please contribute them-unfortunately, winter is not over. I'd like to introduce our new Seattle University Americorp student, Jonah Imee Talavera. She will be working with us this year as part of the program that provides her with scholarship funds in exchange for her service. She is our second Americorp student from SU and the program has been working great. She will be at the meal every Tuesday this quarter, so be sure to stop by and welcome her. She is a native of Guam, lives in Issaquah, and is a pre-med student. We are lucky to have her! First Lutheran Richmond Beach is providing the cooks and volunteers for the Friday meals in February, but after that...we have no regular groups again until November. Many people help out on a regular basis, and if you would like to become one of them just let us know We can use your help! Thanks, DonJensen Executive Director Director@CommunityLunch.org

13 February 2012/ Page 13 News from Seattle's Progressive Preschool Twice a week, I walk my son from our Capitol Hill apartment to Seattle's Progressive Preschool to spend the morning with his-preschool buddies and Teacher Sarah upstairs at Central Lutheran. This means that, since August, I have thought, "We are so lucky to be housed in such a beautiful, kind community," at least 38 times but haven't once had the opportunity to tell you so. So I'm telling you now, "Thank you Central!" Thank you for generously housing our coop and for being a partner in making the world a more peaceful and welcoming place. When we first applied for the coop, I didn't realize that it was housed at Central, though I can say now that it would've made me that much more enthusiastic about the program. Seattle's Progressive was an obvious fit for our family. With backgrounds in education and health, my partner and I both care deeply about remedying social inequities and were thrilled to find a preschool that shares our values without sanctimony or self-satisfaction. I liked that they take an abstract concept like "community" and apply it to something relatable and age-appropriate like sending home made letters to children displaced by the disaster in Japan. It wasn't until after the school year began, that I learned the coop and Central have such compatible values. At SPp, we are driven by a vision to retain in the hearts of our children their innate faith in humanity and to help them learn how to channel that faith by being kind and generous citizens. Our core principles of honoring diversity, working for social justice and respecting the environment drive our curriculum and decision-making (though we value PLAY equally). In the classroom, we provide opportunities for our children to celebrate the world around them through art, music, play and exploration while following an anti-bias curriculum. Being at the church for six hours each week, I have seen that Central's programs directly reflect its values of diversity, inclusivity, justice and hospitality. Through your programming, outreach and partnerships you are a model of living your mission. It is a pleasure and privilege to be housed under your roof and we are grateful to be partners. We extend our most heartfelt thanks for your hospitality and for your generous gift to the preschool! Our parents, teachers and students are grateful for the home that you have provided us with and for including us in the Central community. As a small token of our gratitude, we would like to gift you with a shrub for your grounds. This winter our 3-5 year old class will shop for a shrub of your choosing and, together with the 2 year olds, plant it on your grounds for Spring. With much gratitude, The entire Seattle's Progressive Preschool community of families and educators

14 EMERGENCY FEEDINAPROGRAM SEATTLE_..fJ_ KING COUNTY COMPASSION INT~I~c~I:;:;. RESPECT Announcement from Emergency Feeding Program February 2012/ Page 14 Celebrating 35 Years of Compassion, Integrity, and Respect We are celebrating 35 years of service to King County while rededicating mission of helping to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry. ourselves to our ongoing These are indeed difficult times. Requests for food assistance continue to climb even as public funding is eroding and the individuals, faith communities, and foundations that have long been the backbone of our support also find themselves increasingly cash-strapped. The Gala is an opportunity for us all to come together to renew our promise to do everything we can to ensure that struggling local households have the healthy nutrition they need and deserve. Sunday, February 12, :30-7 pm Bloedel Hall, St. Mark's Cathedral, Seattle, WA

15 Save the Date! InterFaith Advocacy Day February 14, 2012 United Churches of Olympia 110 rrth Ave. SE, Olympia, WA Uniting Hearts & Minds: Raising Revenue for the Comman Good February 2012/ Page 15 All faith communities are welcome to participate in an interfaith gathering, attend workshops, and advocate in Olympia. Let's unite our hearts and minds, and call on our legislators to raise revenue for the common good. Online registration begins December 10, 2011, at fanwa.org. Mail-in registration forms are also available. Registration Rates: $20 by 5pm on January 31, 2012 $25 beginning February 1, 2012 Questions? or call

16 AS please join NUS us at the Museum of Flight Up, Up and Away! Compass Housing Alliance Auction Gala and Dinner Compass Housing Alliance Saturday, March 10, :30 PM An evening of fine dining and fabulous auction items in support of Compass Housing Alliance! Register Now at compasshousingalliance.org Tickets: $150 Early Bird ticket rate: $125 Early Bird table rate (10 seats): $1,250 (Early Bird rate available until Jan 31st) Register online: or by calling A LUTHERAN ORGANIZATION

17 Compass Housing Alliance Auction Donations Needed! A LUTHERAN ORGANIZATION Our s" Annual Auction "Up, Up and Away!}} will be held at the Museum of Flight on March io" and we are looking forward to a fun evening that will benefit the housing} shelter and day programs of Compass. Here's an easy way to contribute to a great live auction item: "Lattes for a Year" package: Our goal is to offer a $1000 Coffee Card in the live auction. This has been a very popular item in the past-everyone needs a coffee} right? Please consider providing a Starbucks Gift Card to help us make this exciting item a reality. We suggest $50 cards} but any denomination is welcome. Send your gift card to: Compass Housing Alliance Attn: Auction 77 S. Washington St Seattle} WA Please don't delay - our deadline to receive the cards is February 11} If you have questions} contact Gloria at THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

18 Now Available! sharing the rock Shaping Our Future through Leadership for the Common Good 6 x 9 quality paperback ISBN: pages, illustrations, $17.00 A book that could make a difference. Parker J. Palmer Author of A Hidden Wholeness Timely, profound, inspirational, and hard to put down. Rick Steves Host, writer, and producer of PBS and NPR travel shows Grace aims not only to persuade a few readers but to initiate a movement. Should he succeed, this will prove to be the most important book thus far in this century. John B. Cobb Jr. Professor Emeritus Claremont School of Theology Purchase Sharing the Rock at or Bill Grace O NE OF THE MOST POWERFUL THINGS we can do to change the world is change our minds about the world, regarding it as a safe place for a child to be born, for environment, communities, and businesses to flourish side by side, and for strangers to be greeted as friends. Leadership is the key to achieving this future. However, first leadership itself must be transformed. Sharing the Rock recasts leadership to meet this task by introducing seven practices focused on advancing the common good through business, politics, government, education, healthcare, and community service organizations. Always the goal is to create a just society in which all voices are heard and all life prospers. Whether you are engaged in leadership education or are simply an aspiring leader, you will learn, hands-on, how to: Choose your personal values Embrace the wisdom of the margins Craft a vision Create gracious space Claim your voice Receive hope Act with courage BILL GRACE, leadership educator and social justice activist, founded the Center for Ethical Leadership in Seattle in During his fourteenyear tenure as its executive director, the Center earned a national reputation for innovative leadership development programs. Bill currently directs Common Good Works and speaks and leads seminars around the world.

19 February 2012/ Page 19 Central Kids' Page John Jesus said: Crossword John 10:9 /II am the 4." John 10:11/11am the 1 _ 1-0- nltl1 "'J ~ 'l.!i V \.!l I~'~ I 'I -, ~. IT.1. ) i'f;.1:! \f Ii;\j- 0 i- I! JI -i L John 11:25 /II am the 3 and the " " John 14:6 "I am the 5 and the 2 _ and the " " '[ '-- f-- John 15:1/11am the 7 off Fill in the crossword with the words from the above blanks. John 11:25b, 26a Begin at "Start" and write down each letter in the blanks below. Follow the arrows.,;alp laaau ll!m am U! SaAal]aq pub SaM] 0ljM auoalaaa pub 'aa!]!em 'alp Aalj+ L]~nolj+ uaaa 'am UJ aaal]aq 0lj"'. asoljl" :JiJMSUV

20 The Spirit irif Volume 29, Number 2 News for the congregations of the Northwest Washington Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America February 2012 Thank You by The Rev. Wm Chris Boerger, Bishop Thank you. I do not say that often enough in this epistle. Thank you for the discipleship that is being lived out daily in the places where you live, work and play. Thank you for hearing the call of the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus in lives of service and compassion. Thank you for sharing your faith in word and in action. Thank you for living out the various vocations that you have in family, work and relationships. We are recognizing again that our life in Christ is not just about going to church. It never was, but our over simplified culture has a times tried to limit our understanding of living in the faith as about being members of an institution called church. We know from Luther s Small Catechism that our life in Christ is about our whole life. Stewardship is about my whole life. It is about what I do and what I do not do. It is about how we live. It is about how I share my financial blessings. We tend to want to move to time and talents and to let treasure be at the bottom of our emphasis. But it is right to correct me when I overemphasize our financial stewardship with the reminder that what I do and how I live is also part of my stewardship. As I go around the Synod I am continually impressed with the many a various ways that our members and congregations are in ministry to the neighbor. The schools and preschools of our synod are affecting young lives in important ways. The youth activities are building the leaders for the church today. The senior groups, with creative names, are providing unique and exciting ministry with and by the older members of our congregations. All this is to say that God is at work through the discipleship of our members in the Northwest Washington Synod. For that I give thanks to God and to all of you. I will continue to say that we live in the mission field. That field is frankly growing to include the rest of this country but we are in leading edge of that field. The many and various ways in which you are responding to that reality is exciting and a source of hope in our world. Thanks be to God and thank you Northwest Washington Synod Assembly The 2012 Northwest Washington Synod Assembly will take place on Friday, May 18, and Saturday, May 19, at the Comcast Events Arena in Everett. Our keynote speaker is Mark Allan Powell, Professor of New Testament at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Ohio. The theme for this year s assembly is The Word of God Is Source and Seed. Deadlines for nominations and resolutions is Thursday, March 1. As information becomes available information will will be added to the assembly page on the website at

21 Here n There Where did Quilts and Kits to Lutheran World Relief go in 2011? To 26 countries around the world. Thanks to the compassion and generosity of members we were able to send: 355,786 quilts; 166,427 school kits; 311,763 personal care kits; baby care kits; and 21,234 fabric kits. In 2011 many Everett congregations supported the Trinity Aid Bank: Trinity, Central, Trinity Episcopal, First Covenant and Trinity Lutheran College. Members at Central in Everett also raised more than $9,413 for their food basket mission. In 2011 members at Bethany in Seattle donated 650 lbs of food and household items for the University Food Bank. In December members at Our Savior s in Everett donated enough food to fill more than 100 baskets and they wrapped almost 400 presents for those in need in their community. In Kirkland, members at Holy Spirit packed 62 baskets of food for their Thanksgiving Food Baskets for Kirkland Interfaith Transitions in Housing. Members were not done. They also collected $2812 which allowed additional purchases to be made for the food baskets. And, Thrivent matched their efforts with $800. The Annual Trinity Lutheran Bazaar at Trinity in Freeland raised more than $12,000 for local charities. Members at First in Mount Vernon donated more than 1,300 lbs for the charity Neighbors in Need. January Cold Weather Shelters: Trinity in Lynnwood hosted 155 people over six nights; Kent Lutheran in Kent hosted 130 people (including Pastor Jane Prestbye) over seven nights, Faith in Bellingham hosted 70 people over three nights, and Our Saviour s in Arlington hosted six people over two nights. Because of the cold, University in Seattle let the women who use the shelter during to also stay the night on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The Rev. Ronald F. Marshall, Pastor of First of West Seattle, has published his sermon, Welcome St. Stephen at Christmas, online at Logia (Blogia), posted December 20, This is his seventh published sermon. Interfaith Advocacy Day 2012 Uniting Hearts and Minds: Raising Revenue for the Common Good It s time again to register for the annual Interfaith Advocacy Day (IFAD). IFAD brings together social justice advocates from faith communities and nonprofits across the state of Washington. The day s activities include workshops on issues and advocacy (topics will include the state budget, environment, disability services and housing/homelessness), legislative briefings, visits with your state legislators and an interfaith worship. Advocacy Day will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at United Churches of Olympia, th Ave SE, Olympia. Cost: $20 if you register by 5 p.m. on Jan. 31, and $25 if you register after Jan. 31. Registration fee includes continental breakfast, lunch, materials and the event. Register at Editor s Note: University Lutheran, along with the University District Ecumenical Parish, is hosting a workshop beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 4, in order to Get a Jump on Interfaith Advocacy Day. University Lutheran is located at 1604 NE 50th Street, Seattle 98105; ; The Spirit, a publication of the Northwest Washington Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is intended for members, leaders, and clergy of synod congregations and organizations. Congregations are encouraged to copy The Spirit and include it in their own newsletters. The Spirit can be downloaded from the Synod website. Northwest Washington Synod, ELCA 5519 Phinney Ave North Seattle, WA Telephone: Toll Free: Fax: office@lutheransnw.org Editor: Margit Peiffle margit@lutheransnw.org Telephone: Website: Information for the February issue of The Spirit is due to the Synod Office by Wednesday, February 1.

22 February 2012 February 2012 March 2012 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday February :00am Seattle's Progressive 8:00am Seattle's Progressive 8:00am Seattle's Progressive 10:00am CLCH Food Delivery Preschool (Sunday School Preschool (Sunday School Preschool (Sunday School Rooms) Rooms) Rooms) 4:30pm Suziki By the Sound 6:00pm Seattle's Progressive 9:00am Community Lunch (Parish Private Violin Class (Oasis Preschool Open House hall) Room) (Oasis Room & Sunday School Roooms) 6:30pm AA Meeting (Parish Hall) :30am Singing School (Church) 8:00am Seattle's Progressive 8:00am Seattle's Progressive 8:00am Seattle's Progressive 8:00am Seattle's Progressive 8:00am Seattle's Progressive 10:00am CLCH Food Delivery 9:00am Choir (Church) Preschool (Sunday School Preschool (Sunday School Preschool (Sunday School Preschool (Sunday School Preschool (Sunday School Rooms) Rooms) Rooms) Rooms) Rooms) 9:30am Confirmation Class (Upstairs Meeting room) :::''"i;~"pmt~!"' "", 9:00am Community Lunch (Parish 4:30pm Suziki By the Sound 6:00pm Seattle's Progressive 9:00am Community Lunch (Parish.'. 9:45am Sunday School hall) Private Violin Class (Oasis Preschool Open House hall) Room) (Oasis Room & Sunday 9:45am Adult Forum (Parish Hall) 11 :OOam Staff Meeting (Pastor School Rooms) 11 :OOam Worship (Church) Cindy's office) 6:30pm AA Meeting (Parish Hall) 12:30pm Committee Sunday 11 :30am Global Missions Meeting (Parish Hall) (Church basement) 1:OOpm CLCH Food Delivery :30am Singing School (Church) 8:00am Seattle's Progressive 8:00am Seattle's Progressive 8:00am Seattle's Progressive 8:00am Seattle's Progressive 8:00am Seattle's Progressive 10:00am CLCH Food Delivery 9:00am Choir (Church) Preschool (Sunday School Preschool (Sunday School Preschool (Sunday School Preschool (Sunday School Preschool (Sunday School Rooms) Rooms) Rooms) Rooms) Rooms) 9:45am Sunday School 9:45am Adult Forum (Parish Hall) 5:00pm CLCH Finance Meeting 9:00am Community Lunch (Parish 4:30pm Suziki By the Sound 5:30pm SPP Parent Meeting 9:00am Community Lunch (Parish 11 :OOam Worship (Church) (Upstairs meeting room) hall) Private Violin Class (Oasis (Parish Hall) hall) Room) 12:30pm Pastor Cindy & Jim 6:00pm CLCH Board Meeting 11 :OOam Staff Meeting (Pastor meeting (Pastor Cindy's (Upstairs Meeting Room) Cindy's office) 6:30pm AA Meeting (Parish Hall) 1:OOpm CLCH Food Delivery >""",,,,fih'; 6:15pm Council Dinner & Meeting Off-Site (Off-Site) :30am Singing School (Church) 9:00am Community Lunch (Parish ASH WEDNESDAY 9:00am Community Lunch (Parish 10:00am CLCH Food Delivery 9:00am Choir (Church) hall) 7:00pm Ash Wednesday Service hall) ~ 9:30am Confirmation Class 11 :OOam Staff Meeting (Pastor (Church Sanctuary) (Upstairs Meeting room) Cindy's office) 9:45am Sunday School 9:45am Adult Forum (Parish Hall) 11 :OOam Worship (Church) 1:OOpm CLCH Food Delivery 4:00pm DC & V Gathering (Parish Hall & Upstairs Meeting R :30am Singing School (Church) 8:00am Seattle's Progressive 8:00am Seattle's Progressive 8:00am Seattle's Progressive 9:00am Choir (Church) Preschool (Sunday School Preschool (Sunday School Preschool (Sunday School Rooms) Rooms) Rooms) 9:45am Sunday School 9:45am Cafe Central (Parish Hall) i""'ddhhiiitl;';"d"'. 9:00am Community Lunch (Parish 4:30pm Suziki By the Sound 11 :OOam Worship (Church) hall) Private Violin Class (Oasis 1:OOpm CLCH Food Delivery 11 :OOam Staff Meeting (Pastor Room) Cindy's office) 6:30pm AA Meeting (Parish Hall)

23 February 2012/ Page 23 Mark your calendars Ash Wednesday Service-February 22 -_... 7:00 pm Service with imposition of ashes Please join us for this service which marks the beginning of the season of Lent. Central Lutheran Church... Following Christ; sharing God's love for all people. Mission Statement