Lenten and Easter Blessings

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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,

Valinda Morse assistant to the bishop Rev. Melanie Wallschlaeger director for evangelical mission Rev.

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. April 2012 Bishop Robert D. Hofstad Lenten and Easter Blessings from your synod staff 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. blogspot.com Facebook Facebook.com/pages/ southwesternwashingtonsynod/ Upcoming 2012 Synod Assembly Sunday faith meets Monday work By Allison Ramsey, office manager Bishop Robert D. Hofstad met Elvis Presley in Germany when he was 9 years old. He met Pope Benedict XVI two years ago in Rome, and again this last February. He met Gov. Christine Gregoire when his now-grown children were in piano lessons together. Last fall, Bishop Hofstad was looking for someone to speak to our Synod Assembly. He wanted a wellknown public figure who had a strong faith, someone who demonstrated their faith daily in their work. Knowing that Gov. Gregoire is an active Roman Catholic, he asked her to speak about how she brings her faith to her job as governor of the state of Washington. Bishop Hofstad asked Gregoire that this not be a political speech. It will be about vocation." Gregoire s address will be the first line of business after the opening, at 10:15 a.m. May 18 th, at the Hilton Hotel in Vancouver, Wash. She ll speak for 30 minutes and will follow that with a discussion with Bishop Hofstad at the podium for the next 30 minutes. The Assembly continues into the 19 th. Bishop Hofstad worked hard to get ELCA Secretary David Swartling to be our churchwide representative this year. Swartling is funny, personable, used to be a partner in a Seattle law firm and was in charge of the Lutheran Planned Giving Consortium of Western Washington. Five years ago, he became secretary of the ELCA, a six-year term in which he is responsible for maintaining records of rosters of the church as well as proceedings of the Churchwide Assembly, Church Council, and the Conference of Bishops. He also coordinates the ELCA s legal council. Continues

2 2 Sunday faith meets Monday work: Continued He makes sure that we follow our constitutions. Bishop Hofstad wanted David to talk about how he brought his Lutheran faith to his past job as an attorney in Seattle and how he lives it each day in his job as the secretary of the ELCA. The Rev. Don Fossum, assembly coordinator, has reworked the agenda for the eighth time to fit in a Bible study led by Bishop Hofstad on the Lutheran definition of vocation. Bishop Hofstad is a great educator and leader. I m looking forward to learning about this! For those of you who will not be voting members from your congregation, you are invited to join us for free to hear Gregoire speak at 10:15 a.m. on Friday, May 18, th at the Hilton. For security reasons, we ask that you contact me at the synod office, or swwsynod@plu.edu, by May 1 to let me know that you d like to attend. Please arrive no later than 9:45 a.m. so that we can get you seated before Bishop Hofstad opens the Synod Assembly at 10 a.m. This limited entry will only be for the governor s presentation and the discussion afterwards with Bishop Hofstad. While you leave at 11:15 a.m., our voting members will get down to the business that you elected them to do. For a full agenda and registration information, visit the synod website at We look forward to this year s Synod Assembly and hearing about how our Sunday Faith Meets Monday Work and meeting all of you! Congregations in transition Call process Position Status Pastoral care Bethany, Longview P I Jim Flachsbart Christ, Belfair P TR Robin Pizanti Faith, Elma P TR Dennis Hartsook Family of Christ, Vancouver P I Janell Bethke First, Port Orchard P NV Pulpit supply Chinook P NV Pulpit supply Immanuel, Vancouver P NV Pulpit supply Mountain View, Edgewood AP I John Vaswig Naselle P TR Pulpit supply Our Saviour s, Cathlamet P TR Les Foss Peninsula, Gig Harbor P TR Art Sortland St. Mark, Lacey P C Pulpit supply Key: AP Associate Pastor; C- Calling; I Interviewing; P Pastor; NV New Vacancy; TR Transition

3 News Vancouver shelters complete busiest season to date By Rachel Pritchett, communicator VANCOUVER, Wash. The promise of a job draws a young family with two small children from Ohio.

They are among the new homeless the Rev. Jim Stender sees much more of now, hardworking people who are no match for the recession. For nine years, St. Andrew and nearby St.

Every day from November to March, WHO provides shelter here when all other Vancouver shelters are full. That's all the time. St. Andrew takes in women and families. Single men are at St. Paul.

3 3 News Vancouver shelters complete busiest season to date By Rachel Pritchett, communicator VANCOUVER, Wash. The promise of a job draws a young family with two small children from Ohio. But they find no work here in southwest Washington, where high-tech, timber and fishing are down amid 13 percent unemployment. Penniless, they land in a homeless shelter at St. Andrew Lutheran Church. They are among the new homeless the Rev. Jim Stender sees much more of now, hardworking people who are no match for the recession. For nine years, St. Andrew and nearby St. Paul Lutheran Church are sites of two homeless shelters that together are part of one of the biggest such initiatives in the Pacific Northwest, called Winter Hospitality Overflow, or WHO. Every day from November to March, WHO provides shelter here when all other Vancouver shelters are full. That's all the time. St. Andrew takes in women and families. Single men are at St. Paul. The numbers since the recession have "gone off the charts," said the Rev. Chris Nolte of St. Paul. Some 175 men will have received shelter at St. Paul between last November and March, many staying weeks. At St. Andrew, 400 families will stay, again some for long periods. Together, 10,000 bednights will have been provided by 1,500 volunteers putting in an astounding 13,000 hours of service. Volunteers and support comes from 40 Vancouver churches, and also from social-service agencies such as Share, a government/private partnership. This has been a marvelous cooperative effort, Stender said. As for the guests, "In their faces, you see the reflection of Christ. I hope they can see Jesus in us, as well." Pictured top to bottom: Dinner, team leader Geri Hiller, and bedding down for the night, all at St. Paul.

4 News Blatt learned stewardship early, now living it in Paraguay By Denny Scott, St. Andrew Lutheran Church VANCOUVER, Wash. Jessica Blatt, who grew up at St.

Since 2009, the 25-year-old has lived in Ayolas, a town of 15,000 on the southern border of the South American country. Blatt has raised $7,000 for the project.

They have formed EcoAyolas and they are collecting plastic soda bottles and preparing them to substitute as bricks for construction of the center.

4 4 News Blatt learned stewardship early, now living it in Paraguay By Denny Scott, St. Andrew Lutheran Church VANCOUVER, Wash. Jessica Blatt, who grew up at St. Andrew Lutheran Church and is a Peace Corps volunteer, is behind the building of an environmental-restoration center made of recycled plastic bottles in Paraguay. Since 2009, the 25-year-old has lived in Ayolas, a town of 15,000 on the southern border of the South American country. Blatt has raised $7,000 for the project. A permanent slate of programs will take place after Blatt s tour ends this June. Blatt has generated excitement among the youth of Ayolas. They have formed EcoAyolas and they are collecting plastic soda bottles and preparing them to substitute as bricks for construction of the center. The group has organized community cleanups, tree plantings, Earth Day celebrations, environmental field trips and ecology summer camps. Blatt said the seeds of her service were planted at St. Andrew. Being nurtured at St. Andrew to share my time, talent and treasure, I decided to become a steward in a very real way doing an environmental project in Paraguay. Pictured below: Collecting bottles for walls, Jessica Blatt, an example of what the center will look like when completed. How to submit items to Moments for Mission Send news and photos to Rachel Pritchett, synod communicator, rachelpritchett@msn.com or to the office.

5 News Pictured: The orphanage under construction, the orphans of Milan Chok, Nepal Chance meeting leads to changed lives POULSBO Himalayan Chutney was the new eatery in this tiny city, so it didn't

They made a connection that today takes them to the other side of the world.

Soon, teams will takes turns staying at the orphanage, teaching the children there English and computer skills with laptops brought with them. Jay and Karrie Stemmler will go first in September.

5 5 News Pictured: The orphanage under construction, the orphans of Milan Chok, Nepal Chance meeting leads to changed lives POULSBO Himalayan Chutney was the new eatery in this tiny city, so it didn't take long for members of First Lutheran Church to drop by for a taste. What they left with that night was much more than the pleasant discovery of some new good eating. They made a connection that today takes them to the other side of the world. In the Nepalese jungle village of Milan Chok, members of First are helping build an orphanage for 20 children of the lowest Hindu caste. Soon, teams will takes turns staying at the orphanage, teaching the children there English and computer skills with laptops brought with them. Jay and Karrie Stemmler will go first in September. During that dinner at Himalayan Chutney, the First people got to talking with two of their hosts, Philip Chhetri and Narayan Tschetri. They learned the men were longtime Christian missionaries in their home country, focused on building orphanages for the forgotten children. They wanted to help. "They are treated as if they're less than human," said Theresa Rose, chair of First's Mission Committee, said of the orphans. Soon, First began gathering funds for the orphanage. Some $16,000 was needed to construct it, along with monthly amounts to provide the children with the basics. Constriction is underway. The project is in conjunction with Glorious Church Mission. It's all so new, and it's happened so quickly. But this looks like just the beginning. All over dinner. Rachel Pritchett Posting Office coordinator: All Saints Lutheran Church of Auburn has an opening for a part-time office coordinator. The position is for 12 hours a week. To learn more, contact Anet Fox at

6 News Praying back the peace at sites of shootings SOUTH KITSAP COUNTY Synod pastors active in congregations here led two moments of blessing March 3 for Washington State Trooper Tony Radulescu,

6 6 News Praying back the peace at sites of shootings SOUTH KITSAP COUNTY Synod pastors active in congregations here led two moments of blessing March 3 for Washington State Trooper Tony Radulescu, shot Feb. 23 during a traffic stop, and suspected assailant Joshua Blake. The first was a simple ceremony for Trooper Radulescu taking place alongside busy Highway 16 in Gorst, where Radulescu was killed. Some 20 people attended. A second immediately followed in the remote rural countryside a few miles away where Blake ended his life. Participating were the Revs. George Larson and Orv Jacobson of First Lutheran Community Church, Sarah Roemer of Spirit of Life Lutheran Church of Olalla, Sigi Helgeson of Family of God Lutheran Church of Bremerton, and Paul Meeker of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, also in Bremerton. Troopers and chaplains from law enforcement attended, as well. In other news, the Revs. Alison and Kent Shane of First Lutheran Church of Poulsbo led a community prayer service March 6 for a woman hit and killed by a car in the church's parking lot. The victim and the driver both were coming to a quilting-club meeting at the church. The driver did not see the woman as she was parking. Photo by Steve Zugschwerdt: The Rev. George Larson blesses the site of the slaying of a state trooper. Update from your synod s Namibia Task Force This spring the companion relationship between this synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia continues as the Rev. Valinda Morse, assistant to the bishop, and husband Lyle attend a consultation in the African country from May 17 to 20. Three other synods in the ELCA that have relationship with synods in Namibia will attend, as well. Updates on issues of interest to all sides are given at consultations. More will be written when Morse returns. The last such consultation was in 2005, and Bishop Robert D. Hofstad led a contingent then. If you'd like to be part of the Namibia Task Force, contact Rachel Pritchett at rachelpritchett@msn.com.

7 7 Upcoming Holden Village turning 50 Holden Village, the Christian getaway in the Cascades, is turning 50. Visit for events. Spring cleanup takes place April 22 to 29. Asian expert to speak at community event at PLU Whitman College professor of Asian religions Daniel Kent will speak on Killing Tigers, Killing Cows: The Karma of Killing Animals in the Sri Lankan Civil War, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. April 4 at Pacific Lutheran University. It takes place in the Scandinavian Cultural Center. No cost; reservations are not needed. Women conduct spring retreat at Dumas Bay The Rev. Jan Otto of All Saints Lutheran of Auburn is the headliner for the Spring Retreat of the Southwestern Washington Women of the ELCA, to take place April 20 to 22 at Dumas Bay Centre of Federal Way. Contact Carol Fossum at or carolfossum@comcast.net. New Testament learning opportunity coming The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd of Olympia hosts the Rev. Dr. Lowell Stime and his overview of the New Testament from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on April 21. The cost is $15 per person or $35 for a family. Register by April 15 by ing Missy Tade at missy@gsolympia.org. Celebration of chinaconnect coming in April Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Tacoma will be the site of an April 21 fundraiser for chinaconnect, the group that takes many congregational members to Nanchang, China, to build relationship. It is led by the Rev. Steve Ray. Ray has just returned from Nanchang, and will give a report at the celebration, from 6 to 8 p.m. RSVP to Ray at sray@chinaconnectonline.org. Plant sale too good to pass up Trinity Lutheran Church of Parkland will hold its annual plant sale April 27 to 29 at Trinity Park, 121st and C streets, to benefit its food bank. Plants of all kinds will be offered. The hours are noon to 7 p.m. April 17, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 28, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 29; Little White Church volunteers breakfast slated Volunteers new and old will convene at the Little White Church at Elbe at 9:30 a.m. April 28 for the annual volunteers' breakfast. Volunteers help with services and other functions at one of the nation's smallest churches, at Mount Rainier. For more information, contact Doris Gadley, Workshop on mediation slated in Kent Pastors and other religious leaders are invited to a Mediation Skills Training Institute from April 30 to May 4 at First Christian Church of Kent, SE 240th St. The training is offered through Lombard Mennonite Peace Center of Illinois. The cost is $695. Go to

8 8 Our congregations From submissions, newsletters and church sites, for keeping up Left the building: Members of Pilgrim of Puyallup burst open the doors and went into the community to paint, garden, weed and sheet-rock during an annual Weekend of Service on March 17 and 18. A Sunday-evening celebration dinner topped off the productive weekend. Awarded: Rachel Heckroth, youth representative to the Synod Council, received an Unsung Hero Award at a recent Community Summit for her service to the Lake Tapps community. The Sumner high-school senior is active in hunger issues and currently is planning her sixth globalmission trip. The National Honor Society member has a goal of helping reduce the impact of AIDS/HIV in developing countries. New in the office: Rhonda Madison is the new administrative assistant at Peace of Puyallup. Helping students: Karen Weathermon of Christ the King of Sumner has been named the top first-year student advocate at Washington State University. Weathermon helps new students adjust to college life. Retires: After 20 years of service, Vicki Corson is retiring as Christian-education coordinator at Holy Trinity of Port Angeles. ADA accessible: Members of Grace of Port Townsend have completed an upgrade of the church's bathrooms to make them handicapped-accessible. Amazing youth center: A Valentine dinner at Amazing Grace of Aberdeen raised $450 for the Grays Harbor Youth Center, located in the church's basement. The center typically serves 10 kids staying overnight per month. Calendar April 1: Palm Sunday April 1: Holden Evening Prayers around the World, contact Serena Giese at webi@holdenvillage.org. April 4: Daniel Kent presentation, PLU, see Page 7 April 5: Maundy Thursday April 6: Good Friday April 8: Easter April 14: Women s Fort Vancouver Cluster, Bethel Lutheran, Brush Prairie April 20 to 22: Women s spring retreat, Dumas Bay Centre, Federal Way, see Page 7 April 21: chinaconnect fundraiser, 6 p.m., Gloria Dei, Tacoma, see Page 7 April 27 to 29: Plant sale, Parkland, see Page 7 April 28: Little White Church at Elbe's annual volunteers breakfast, 9:30 a.m., see Page 7 April 28: Women s Narrows Cluster, St. Mark s, Tacoma April 30 to May 4: Mediation training, Kent, see Page 7 May 12: Women s Narrows Cluster Luncheon, St. Mark s, Tacoma May 12: Women s Evergreen Cluster Fair Trade Fair, All Saints, Auburn May 18 and 19: Southwestern Washington Synod Assembly, Vancouver, Wash., see Page 1 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. Oct. 12 to 13: Women of the ELCA convention, Good Shepherd, Olympia Nov. 10: Synod global-mission event, St. Mark's by The Narrows, Tacoma

25th Annual Assembly of the. Washington Synod

25th Annual Assembly of the. Washington Synod 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,