FROM THE BISHOP FALL 2018

Transcription

1 The Cross Connection is a quarterly publication of the Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod published for its rostered leaders, lay leadership and ecumenical partners. FROM THE BISHOP FALL 2018 This morning I sent my girls off to their first days of school. While the temperature will still reach into the mid-80 s today, this morning there was a definite crisp coolness to the air that told me, Fall is on the way! And after a hot, smoky, fire-filled summer: such a promise comes as a welcome gift. Our monthly communication took a bit of a break over the summer. We re still in the process of figuring out how we can best and most effectively communicate with the synod, but knew it was time for a printed newsletter to bring you up to speed on all that has been happening in EWAID. 1. WE HAVE A NEW DIRECTOR OF EVANGELICAL MISSION! Ms. Mary Morrow was called to serve EW- AID as our Director of Evangelical Mission (DEM). Mary comes to us with a rich and unique background in spiritual direction, business, communications, and yoga (we re counting on her to help us find our zen in the synod office!). She also brings along a great heart for the Church, and for the mission of EWAID as the Spirit is revealing it to us. She began serving in mid-july, and has already been such a gift! She will be traveling throughout the synod this fall, will be at the Bishop s Convocation, and Idaho Discipleship Conference come say hello! She and her husband, Pastor Bob Albing, live in Coeur d Alene. 2. WE HAVE A NEW ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP! Pastor Phil Misner was called to serve EWAID as our Assistant to the Bishop. Phil has long been a leader in EWAID, serving in any number of capacities and is known by his colleagues to be a thoughtful, deliberate leader. I am delighted to get to work with him as we seek to encourage connectivity throughout EWAID. Phil was most recently the pastor at Peace Colfax and Trinity Endicott. He and his family will be moving to Post Falls in early September, and Phil will likewise be at Bishop s Convocation and the Idaho Discipleship Conference. Phil s official duties within the Synod Office are still in discernment, but we know he will be taking lead on most call processes within the Synod and will have the responsibility of planning for Synod Assemblies and the Regional Gathering pilot program passed at this year s synod assembly. 3. WE HAVE NEW OFFICE SUPPORT STAFF! Melody Green has been working with EWAID since May, and is a shared staff position with the Diocese of Spokane. Melody is with us in the afternoons, and has been a fantastic addition to our staff. She is Cathy s main office support, and has done a wonderful job helping us get organized, uploading information into searchable databases, etc. I also want to take a moment to thank you for your faithful financial support to the Synod. We often get asked, Does the Synod have money to pay for..? The reality is that the Synod only has the money that congregations share with it through their mission support. The congregations of EWAID have been good partners to us this year, and as the spiritual leader of EWAID: I thank you for it! We are (and can only be) church together. Your generosity to us helps us to be generous in turn. Part of that congregational generosity is being turned into salaries for synod staff members, who will in turn be ready and able to offer support to congregations through training, call process, mediation, resources, etc. We also give thanks for the partnership of the ELCA, who has partnered with us in a temporary reduction in the mission support EWAID sends on to them in order to make some investments in the life and vitality of our synod. As Bishop Eaton says: We are church together, for the sake of the world. Congregations, synods, and Churchwide we all work together for the glory of God. Bishop s article cont d next page

2 Fall 2018 Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod Page 2 Getting new staff in place took up most of the summer. Now that we are fully staffed, it is time to turn our attention to the fall. Fall is a busy travel season for me even busier than normal, and much of my time is spent out of the synod attending the Conference of Bishops, making seminary visits, and helping to lead First Call Theological Education (a 3- year program required of all new pastors by the ELCA to help with the transition from seminary to professional ministry). We also manage to squeeze in a Synod Council meeting and this year we will conduct a 1-day Synod Staff Retreat at Lutherhaven where we will focus on casting a vision for the synod, giving us a direction to paddle the canoe. I m tired of treading water. Let s go somewhere! Finally, I wanted to share with you the goals established by the ELCA s Future Directions task force. The Bishops will be spending time talking about this in our upcoming meeting, and I would like to have input from you as well. The Five Goals are that the ELCA would be: 1. A Thriving Church 2. An Equipping Church 3. A Welcoming Church 4. A Visible Church 5. A Well-Governed, Connected, Sustainable Church We know that the Church has to evolve to meet the changing world. How we do that is where most people just short of blink and shrug. Our hope is that by having wide conversations around these goals with you, the people of the ELCA, that we will begin to discern a path forward for the good of all. For more information about the Future Directions plan, you can go to It is a busy time of year. Harvest of grain is wrapping up, harvest of grapes and apples is getting ready to start. Kids are heading back to school. Congregational program years are gearing up. God s Work, Our Hands Sunday is right around the corner. There is life in this synod! And, as always, I am so glad to get to do this work with you! Soli Deo Gloria, Bishop Kristen Greetings from our new Assistant to the Bishop Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, I am looking forward to working with you all as the Assistant to the Bishop. For the past eight years Jamie, my wife, along with our three children, Kaylynn (11), John (8), and Anders (5) have made our home in Endicott, WA. I am served as pastor alongside the people of Trinity Lutheran, Endicott, WA and Peace Lutheran, Colfax, WA. It has been a joy to be with these congregations for that time, and there is a grief to the departure. That being said, there is a strong sense both internally and externally of God s Spirit calling us (or is it blowing???) to this new place. I am excited about the work set before me and to partner with Bishop Kristen, Mary Morrow (our DEM), Cathy (our Synod Administrator), and Melody (our Administrative Assistant) as we go about the work of our Synod. What is that work, one may be asking. The word synod is a transliteration of a Greek work meaning to walk along-side. The Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod is your partner in ministry, and partnering with you is what gives me energy, whether it s developing leadership, or connecting you to the resources or walking with you through a time of pastoral or deacon transition, or in so many other ways. Thank you for being a partner in ministry! Speaking of transitions, the family and I are in the midst of our own as we move from Endicott to a new-to-us home in Post Falls, ID. We are eager to settle into our new home and into the new rhythms that serving as your Assistant to the Bishop bring. God s Peace, Pastor Phil & family

3 Fall 2018 Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod Page 3 CALL PROCESS STATUS A Process beginning/congregational study I Interim AP Associate/Assistant Pastor B Names received or on-site visits in process P Pastor VP Visitation Pastor C Call in process/issued CP Co-Pastor NV New Vacancy LP Lead Pastor L Lay Position TC Term Call SP Supply Pastor TM Transition Minister (available for the open-ended call) POS LOCATION/CONGREGATION STATUS PASTORAL CARE P Chewelah, WA - St. Paul Lutheran A... Bob Edwards SP P Colfax, WA Peace Lutheran NV P Endicott, WA - Trinity Lutheran NV P Kennewick, WA - First B... Weston Walker I P Medical Lake, WA - St. John NV P Ontario, OR - St. Paul NV... Barbara Harrison Condon I P Reardan,, WA Emmanuel NV P Sunnyside, WA - Our Savior s A... Phylis Stromme I P Toppenish, WA - Faith A... Phylis Stromme I P Yakima, WA Tree of Life NV... Retirements Rev. Steve Gutzman who serves St. John Medical Lake, WA and Emmanuel Reardan, WA has announced his retirement. His last Sunday will be September 2, Rev. Ron Nitz who serves Tree of Life Yakima, WA has announced his retirement. His last Sunday will be September 2, 2018 Calls Accepted Rev. Nancy Gradwohl has accepted the call to serve Faith - Leavenworth, WA. She will begin September 1. Rev. Phil Misner has accepted the call to serve as Assistant to Bishop, Eastern Washington - Idaho Synod. Ms. Mary Morrow has accepted the call to serve as Director of Evangelical Mission, Eastern Washington - Idaho Synod. Kelly Preboski has been called a new Executive Director Luther Heights. The Luther Heights Search Committee, with representatives from across the constituency, recommended Kelly to the board of directors following their nation-wide search. Kelly was the committee's choice for her ability to articulate a clear faith in Jesus Christ and the Luther Heights faith tradition, frame a vision for the future during this time of transition, collaborate effectively with the Luther Heights board, constituency, and staff, inspire others, and serve as an ambassador for and emulate the values of Luther Heights. Kelly and husband Zach and sons Owen and Quinn will be moving to Boise in September. Soon after Kelly's start date, she will begin visiting member congregations. Please welcome her and her family, and please keep Kelly and Luther Heights in your prayers as we continue the exciting, grace-filled ministry that God has planned for Luther Heights. Kelly has served for nearly four years as Camp Director for Pine Lake Camp, one of three camps with Crossways Camping Ministry, a Lutheran Outdoor Ministry site in Wisconsin. Prior to this, Kelly has been an education coordinator and teacher for two ELCA congregations, a classroom teacher at a parochial school, and as a young adult she served nine years in outdoor ministry, beginning as a summer counselor and concluding as a year-round program director. She has a Youth and Family Ministry Certification from Wartburg Theological Seminary.

4 Fall 2018 Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod Page 4 INFORMATION FOR CONGREGATIONAL LEADERS Bishop s Convocation October 29-31, 2018 Sleeping Lady - Leavenworth, WA Living Well as Rostered Leaders Rev. Cynthia Lindner professor at the University of Chicago Divinity School and author of Varieties of Gifts will be our key-note speaker. Brochures have been mailed to rostered leaders and registration details will be ed. ESTATE PLANNING FOR THE HEART. First there was a synod task force of subjectmatter experts, creating a spiritually-based seminar to help people plan for and talk about their end-of-life medical decisions. Then there were a number of presentations at local churches, led by those experts, where feedback was received and incorporated. If you are interested in having EPFH task force members lead a seminar, please contact Penelope Smith, micahsixv8@hotmail.com, Now there is an additional way to bring Estate Planning for the Heart to YOUR congregation. Housed at the EWA-ID Synod office, we now have several Estate Planning for the Heart "kits", available for you to check out and use. EPFH materials included in these kits are the leader manual, handouts, advertising materials, thumb drive with power point presentations, and in-class supplies. If you would like to reserve one of these kits, please contact Cathy Steiner at the EWA-ID Synod office, office@ewaidsynod.org, IDAHO DISCIPLESHIP CONFERENCE -inspire, renew and empower followers of Christ in a changing world The 3 rd Annual Idaho Discipleship Conference is in Boise, Idaho October 19-20, 2018 at the beautiful Cathedral of the Rockies downtown campus. The conference s mission is to inspire, renew, and empower followers of Christ in a changing world. For early bird ticket pricing, visit before September 24 th! Scholarships available. Event Keynoters: Nadia Bolz-Weber, published author and founding pastor of The House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver, Colorado and Bart Green, a Meridian, Idaho based attorney whose stepdaughter, Sierra Bush, was tragically murdered in Nadia and Bart s stories inspired this year s theme: Gritty Grace. The conference will surely inspire and open your hearts, as workshops range from intriguing panel discussions, faith and addiction discussions, seniors in transition, and more. Programming for K-8 youth is available, as are engaging service projects that will benefit organizations including CATCH and the Idaho Foodbank. Childcare for small children is provided on-site! All denominations are welcome, and applications for vendors are still being accepted. Follow IDC on Facebook, visit or idahodiscipleship@yahoo.com. Have your students connected with our Campus Ministers? EWU: pastorarianna@gmail.com WSU: lutheranwsu@turbonet.com U of I: lcm@uidaho.edu

5 Fall 2018 Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod Page 5 OUR CHURCH IN ACTION Friends in Christ, It is time to nominate and then choose two very special youth to attend the ELCA Youth Leadership Summit. The retreat will be held in Ashland, NE at Camp Carol Joy Holling, November 1st-4th The theme for the 2018 Summit is "Through Christ We Can" and will focus on young people's call to ministry for the sake of others and advocacy because of their faith. Two youth (grades 9-12) and one adult from each synod is invited to attend. Youth attendees should have a passion for advocacy. Synods are asked to pay attention to gender, ethnic and ability diversity when selecting youth participants. For more information about the Youth Leadership Summit look here Please share the link to the nomination form with all pastors in your cluster so that they may share and nominate. A nomination committee will be formed by September 1st, Nominees will be chosen by September 20th. Please have nomination forms submitted no later than September 15th, Transportation costs will be covered by the EWAID Synod office and event registration is covered by the ELCA via a special grant for youth leadership development. Peace and blessings to you all. Felicity Pittman Central Lutheran Youth and Family Ministries (509) Association of Lutheran Church Musicians Would you like practical help for refreshing worship in your place? Then this is for you! HEARTS HANDS AND VOICES ~ SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, The Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) is sponsoring one day workshops entitled Hearts, Hands and Voices in over forty locations throughout the country. The Spokane event will be Saturday, October 13, 2018, 8:30-3:00 at Salem Lutheran Church, 1428 West Broadway, Spokane. The presenters will be Pastor Liv Larson Andrews, pastor of Salem Lutheran and recipient of the 2018 Emerging Leader Award from the Institute of Liturgical Studies for her contribution to worship renewal and liturgical scholarship, and Carolyn Payne, organist and choir director at Salem Lutheran, member of ALCM and presently serving as co-dean for the Spokane chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO). The program content will focus on "practical helps for refreshing worship in your place and will explore new music and worship materials for pastors, musicians and others planning and leading the congregation s song. In addition to the presentations, a worship service with Eucharist will be included and the day will conclude with a panel of local music leaders sharing their experience and expertise. COME! It will be casual, interactive, a time for sharing and an opportunity to learn how we might enrich and refresh the churches worship life. Registration can be made by calling Cheryl Dieter at the ALCM office ( ) between 9:00 and 4:00 Monday- Friday, or online on the ALCM web site. Fee for the day (including lunch) is $45.00 and payable at the time of registration. Some scholarship help is available or if you have questions, call Carolyn Payne There is free street parking or use of a lot across Walnut Street to the west. ALL ARE WELCOME!

6 Fall 2018 Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod Page 6 DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION ~ MARY MORROW When was the last time God surprised you with grace? Earlier this summer God surprised me. Really surprised me! Someone pointed me in the direction of the open DEM (Director for Evangelical Mission) position in our synod. This was about the furthest thing from my mind as the next surprise God had for my life, but here I am 6 weeks into my new call! I know some of you who are reading this, and I anticipate getting to know many more of you in the coming months. So that you can begin to get to know me, here s a little background: I am a Spiritual Director (trained at the Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin), a workshop & retreat presenter and facilitator, a yoga & wellness professional, and an entrepreneur. I worked professionally as a business consultant and corporate financial analyst after receiving bachelor and graduate degrees in business and finance in eastern South Dakota (Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota). Originally from Minnesota, I currently reside in Hayden, Idaho with my husband, Pastor Bob Albing who serves Lutheran Church of the Master. I am a lover of the outdoors and any activity that takes me there: skiing, hiking, canoeing, vegetable gardening. I also enjoy collaborating with dedicated & fun folks in our church and volunteering in places where it improves quality of life for others, currently Hospice of North Idaho and the Village at Orchard Ridge. I lived in Guatemala for a year volunteering with ministry projects in dental care, reforestation, schools and community organizing. Walking alongside the delightful people of San Lucas Toliman, I found that God does grace us with surprises all along this journey of life. One morning many years ago as Bob was departing for church with a heavy load of tasks for the day ahead, I called to him as his hand reached the front door knob, Remember to look for the surprises! That grace-filled gift of encouragement from the Holy Spirit remains a companion to us both. I hope God s surprises fill you with joy. God s Work Our Hands is an opportunity to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: That all of life in Jesus Christ every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God s grace. Please share photos and stories with the Synod office how you will celebrate God s work - Our hands in your community. office@ewaidsynod.org

7 Fall 2018 Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod Page 7 Accompaniment or Bega kwa Bega You likely know that every synod in the ELCA has at least one Companion Synod. Ours is the Ulanga Kilombero Diocese (UKD) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT). Over the past 25 years we have brought several guests from the UKD to spend time with us here. And we have had several people go to Tanzania to spend time with our brothers and sisters in the UKD. Here is a little more information about recent activities in that partnership. Two representatives from our synod attended the ELCA-ELCT Bishop s Summit in Moshi Tanzania held on August 6-9: Lisa Therrell of the Synod Council and Heidi Cryer, the Companion Synod Task Force Chair. This event brought together the Bishops of the 26 ELCT Diocese and two representatives of each of the 20 ELCA Synods who are their companions. During the Summit, we explored what it is to walk with one another in Accompaniment. The concept of Accompaniment is big in the ELCA. It is how all missionaries, long term or short term, are asked to approach their ministry. Accompaniment is defined as walking together in a solidarity that practices interdependence and mutuality. It is a healthy way of understanding that everyone has gifts to share. BUT at the Bishop s Summit, we learned that the word Accompaniment does not really translate into Swahili! In the African context, it is more helpful to look at a phrase like Bega Kwa Bega, which translates as Shoulder to Shoulder. It is a wonderful image of how we understand our relationship with our companion synod, the Ulanga Kilombero Diocese. Lisa and I were not just in Tanzania for the Summit. Prior to the gathering, we spent 9 days with Bishop Renard Mtenji of the Ulanga Kilombero Diocese. He was a gracious host as he took time to accompany us to 8 different ministry sites. We visited Tumaini Lutheran School, Lugala hospital, 3 parishes and 3 sub-parishes (or preaching points). What a delight it was to be with so many of our sisters and brothers of the faith! We worshipped in small little villages, helped bless a new milling machine venture, met with church elders, heard beautiful choirs, ate wonderful meals, and were treated like dignitaries. These visits help to spread the word of our relationship beyond the school and hospital alone. Our relationship is about supporting one another, mutual sharing of ideas, about holding one another in prayer at all times, and yes, occasionally, about sharing resources (such as the Dining Hall project see below). It was a beneficial trip. A significant portion of our Synod s Mission Campaign has gone to build a Dining and Assembly Hall for Tumaini Lutheran School. This is a ministry of the UKD and the dining hall was a top priority for the UKD. This has been a 10- year dream. So, off course, a highlight of the trip was to be with the students of Tumaini Lutheran School as they ate in the new dining hall for the very first time! What a joy!! A few photos are included. We have all worked hard for this and it is a beautiful and very useful space we can all be proud of! It is the completion of phase 1 of that building. If you would like to hear more about our companion synod, please contact Lisa or me (through the synod office). We are happy to share, spend time with your congregation, and help spread the word. There are several others who are great resources as well. Our relationship grows stronger over time. I am thankful for our partners in Tanzania. Companion Synod Task Force Chair.

8 EASTERN WASHINGTON IDAHO SYNOD of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID SPOKANE WA PERMIT E 13th Ave., Suite A Spokane, WA Fall 2018 Newsletter Please reproduce any and all articles for publication in congregational newsletters or bulletins. The Cross Connection is also available on the synod Web site at Deadline for articles is the 5th of the month. SYNOD CALENDAR September 12 Synod Staff Retreat 13 Executive Committee Synod Council October 5 Early registration deadline for Convocation Synod Candidacy Committee-Spokane 13 ACLM - Salem Lutheran Spokane Idaho Discipleship Conference Boise Bishop s Convocation Leavenworth November First Call Theological Education - Seabeck STAFF Bishop... The Rev. Kristen Kuempel Asst. to Bishop... The Rev. Phil Misner Dir. Evangelical Mission....Mary Morrow Administrator... Cathy Steiner Administrative Assistant... Melody Green