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Upcoming Events
links to event info embedded if applicable
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2025 SYNOD ASSEMBLY AND BISHOP’S ELECTION
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2025 Synod Assembly — June 13 & 14 — PLU Olson Auditorium
Friday, June 13th, 2025
7:30am Registration starts
8:30am Official Business starts
3:00pm Official Business ends
Saturday, June 14th, 2025
8:30am Official Business starts
3:00pm Official Business ends
*times are subject to change*
Additional Events
Friday
Social Hour to honor Bishop Jaech at Trinity Lutheran Church, Parkland (across the street from PLU), approx. starting at 3:30pm (after official business of the day is concluded) – more info coming soon!
Saturday
Cookie Reception for Bishop Elect at Field House (inside Olson Auditorium), approx. starting at 3:00pm (after official business of the day is concluded)
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Assembly Packets
Assembly Packets will be ready to get emailed out by the second week in May. This packet will include general information about the Assembly, Welcome Letters, Special Guest Bios, Proposed Agenda, Parliamentary Procedure, Resolutions, General Elections Bios, Bishop’s Election Bios of Pre-Identified Candidates, Executive Committee Reports, Ministry Reports and various reports of Synod Friends and Partners.
To reduce printing and paper, we will email the Assembly Packet to each of our registered voters and guests, but we will only provide a few hard copies on site during the event.
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Hotels and Lodging
Below are some hotel recommendations synod staff researched for you. Feel free to pick one of the recommended hotels or you may choose to find your own accommodation.
We recommend booking your stay soon, as the Synod Assembly falls into high school graduation time, which could result in less hotel availability closer to the event.
Please remember that we do not have a “special rates” relationship with any hotel and, therefore, no hotel is the official Assembly hotel. All voting members and visitors will need to make their housing arrangements at the location that best suits them.
Puyallup area (east of the venue):
Best Western Plus Puyallup
620 S Hill Park Dr.
Puyallup, WA 98373
253-848-1500
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Puyallup
812 S Hill Park Dr.
Puyallup, WA 98373
253-848-4900
Hampton Inn and Suites
1515 S Meridian
Puyallup, WA 98371
253-770-8880
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Registration for the 2025 Synod Assembly is now closed!
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Bishop’s Election
The Pre-Identification Process is now concluded. The Bishop’s Election Team reviewed submissions of four candidates for nomination in our Synod and you can now view their materials on our website at https://swwasynod.org/home/bishop-election-2025/election-process/.
Although we received these pre-identification forms, nominations will be open for all active rostered leaders of the ELCA on the day of the Synod Assembly during the first “Ecclesiastical Ballot”.
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How to Tell Your Ministry’s Story to Funders
Tuesday, May 20th 6:30-8:00pm on Zoom
Tell your Ministry Story to Funders
Telling your ministry’s story in a memorable way to funders is the most important first step in gaining funding for your program – whether you’re writing a grant, speaking to local funders or to your own council, local or state government, speaking to your community, or even your own team members.
Beth Ann Johnson, a local professional grant writer for non-profits, will help you learn how to focus on the impact your project will have, how to use vivid details and real people to humanize the problem and your solution. She’ll also help you to clearly outline the problem, your solution, and how your project will address it, while also demonstrating how your organization is capable of completing the project. Beth Ann will also help you learn about the ELCA World Hunger Domestic Grant application process which runs from April 23 – July 2nd.
Registration Link:How to Tell Your Ministry’s Story to Funders
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The Anti-Racism Work Group of Peace Lutheran Church is excited to host a free docuseries (film series with discussion) featuring three incredible and thought-provoking films that explore identity, power, and social justice. Each film will also include special guests to facilitate a community discussion and Q&A. Location: Peace Lutheran Church, 2106 S. Cushman Ave., Tacoma 98405. The first documentary, Since I Been Down, will be shown on Wednesday, May 7 at 6:30pm at Peace Lutheran Church with director and executive producer, Dr. Gilda Sheppard. Refreshments provided.
The Docuseries schedule:
Wednesday May 7, 6:30 pm: Since I Been Down with director Gilda Sheppard
Wednesday May 21, 6:30 pm: Honor Thy Mother with producer Gina Corpuz
Wednesday June 4, 6:30 pm: Israelism with Tacoma’s Jewish Voice for Peace
See flier and film information.
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Evangelism Webinars – ELCA Evangelical Outreach Network
Monthly Zooms – All are welcome to attend! Noon – 1pm
May 19: “Communicating the Good News in Everyday Language” led by Rev. Erika Uthe, pastor of Seeds of Faith Lutheran Church, Lisbon, IA.
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FROM OUR FRIENDS AND PARTNERS
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Global Refuge – Webinar on Immigration with Rev. Dr. Rick Rouse
Tuesday, May 20, 4pm Pacific – online
You are invited to join us for a virtual conversation between Rev. Eric Shafer, Global Refuge pastor in residence, and Rev. Dr. Richard Rouse, author of the newly published book A Journey Called Hope: Today’s Immigrant Stories and the American Dream.. During this time to learn more about the stories of resiliency of new Americans featured in the book, you will also have the chance to ask questions of the speakers. ‘A Journey Called Hope’ is a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about the lives of refugees and other immigrants, and can be a great resource for your congregation, book club, or small group.
Register for the virtual conversation here – (https://globalrefuge-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gU0dD8XGTHqeB5PckP-ZGQ?_ics=1744658639611&irclickid=#/registration)
Thanks to the generosity of Chalice Press, use promo code Global25 at www.ChalicePress.com/AJourneyCalledHope for a 33% discount on Rick Rouse’s book through June 30.
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Black Lake Bible Camp
One Year To Live Men’s Retreat
September 12 – 14, 2025
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Intergenerational/Community Ministry Director – First Lutheran Church, Poulsbo
Office Manager – Christ Lutheran Church, Lakewood
Worship and Music Leader – Messiah Lutheran Church, Vancouver, WA
Worship Leader Messiah North – Messiah Lutheran Church, Vancouver, WA
Music Director – Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Port
Angeles
Music Director – First Lutheran Church, Poulsbo
Musician – Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Mercer Island
CYF & Communications Coordinator – Lord of Life, Kennewick
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A Synod of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Rev. Richard E. Jaech, Bishop
Synod Office Hours
9am – 4pm
Tuesday – Friday
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