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The May edition of Moments for Mission – a monthly newsletter is here!
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A Newsletter from the Reconciling in Christ Work Team of the Southwestern Washington Synod
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Upcoming Events
links to event info embedded if applicable
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Storytelling – a new segment of our weekly eNewsletter
Every month we will feature a story from and/or about one of our worshiping communities with the desire to inspire, inform and build community! Each story will remain published for the duration of the month and will then find a home on our website at https://swwasynod.org/home/news/stories-of-shalom/.
Do you have a story to tell? Contact us at swwsynod@plu.edu.
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Light of Grace Kimchi Boxes
“It’s different and spicy – but it is God’s body. This soup is God’s blood.”
Pastor Jenny Kim
Pastor Chong, or Jenny, Kim considers herself first and foremost a missionary. Her mission field is here in the Southwestern Washington Synod, in the area of Federal Way. Food is the entryway that is lovingly created from scratch (Koreans don’t know how to open a can, she says), then offered and delivered slowly with careful listening in order to be Christ’s feet, our faith, and God’s love.
In February 2020, the Dasom Bicultural School, an offshoot ministry of Light of Grace Lutheran, opened with great excitement. Classes were planned, scheduled, and signed up for. Teachers were ready. The church was celebrating this new chapter – but suddenly the book was closed as the coronavirus shut all doors.
People still would drop by the church, in those early days, but they would leave quickly. It soon became apparent that elderly members of the faith community were the hardest hit. Many couldn’t drive, and those that could were afraid to leave their homes. Food was a problem.
Church members saw a solution. They began to cook. Every Tuesday and Thursday they made soup, kimchi, and three side dishes. They delivered. People picked up to bring to their aging parents. A large outside fridge was stocked so people could come and get meals and maintain social distance.
When the fear of the virus began to wane, the need remained. This food ministry now partners with Dasom bicultural school and connects classes with food distribution. The Kimchi Box ministry has received thousands of dollars in grants and now employs two part time workers and pays members of the youth group for their work – which in turn gives them a great foundational start for future employment. All paid and volunteer workers have food handlers’ licenses and food is both given away and sold at the local farmer’s market from May through October and out of the church parking lot, funding other ministries including the school.
Pastor Kim connects all of this to one big vision – all of life is worship, and she desires for her church to be a core connection point for all of people’s lives. She wants their important stories and life events to be connected with faith community. Her biggest dream is that “church is always open and the whole community is thinking that the church is always open to their life.”
May it be so.
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Application Process Open!
Rooted in Lutheran theological tradition and in the context of the Pacific Northwest, PSALM is a community of learners and leaders engaged in a process of conversation, reading, prayer and practice with the intention of growing in faith, clarity of mission, and skills for ministry.
PSALM cohorts meet for four terms over two years. Each term begins with an overnight retreat at Seabeck Conference Center in Seabeck, WA. We worship together, share meals and hear from presenters on a variety of subjects. Students receive their books and syllabus for the upcoming term. Retreats take place the first Fri./Sat. in October and March. The fee for each term is $400, which covers the cost of retreats, books and presenters. Generous donors have made it possible to offer scholarships for PSALM, so fees ought not be a barrier for anyone.
To apply for the cohort that will begin in September 2024, please complete application materials (application, Pastor’s recommendation, Council covenant and Learning Community agreement). They can be found at www.swwasynod.org. Click on Leadership/Growing Leaders/PSALM. Application materials are due August 15th, 2024.
If you have questions, please contact Pastor Rebecca Shjerven at shjervrl@plu.edu or 253-961-2412.
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Free Choir Robes
St. Mark in Lacey has approximately 50 purple and one red adult sized choir robes they would love to give to another congregation or community group! Please call the church office at 360-491-2052 or email office@stmarklacey.org if you are interested.
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Join Messiah’s Choir for an afternoon of anthems and congregational hymn singing! Come and enjoy music ranging from traditional spirituals to soaring contemporary harmonies, and sing your favorite hymns in 4 parts.
June 9, 3pm
Messiah Lutheran Church
905 NW 94th St
Vancouver, WA
Under the direction of Maria Kramer, Director of Worship and Music.
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FROM OUR FRIENDS AND PARTNERS
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Join LSM 2024 In Person or Online!
Lutheran Summer Music announces its 42nd season, offering over 30 free and open-to-the-public concerts and recitals. All events take place this July at Valparaiso University, and most will be livestreamed. Performances and services are shared by over 250 students, faculty, fellows, worship staff, and guest artists who come together to create a vibrant community of music-makers. The LSM 2024 season will culminate during Festival Week (July 21-28), featuring the LSM Festival Band, Choir, and Orchestra, a Festival of Hymns, and closing each day with sung Evening Prayer. Of special note, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) will join this year’s LSM community and offer an intergenerational performance of J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion. Visit LSMacademy.org/2024 for a complete listing of events and to access the livestream.
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LEAD presents Good Soil Online Summer Seminar on Thursday, June 13th! This is a great online learning event for deacons, pastors, and all leaders within your faith community. Topics/speakers: Leading with Love (Rozella Haydee White), Teamwork Works (Pastor Brad Otto), Know Your Neighbors (Deacon Jessica Noonan), Communication Clarity (Deacon Peggy Hahn).
Cost is $45 per seminar for 150 minutes of learning! Share the flyer and promo video with your friends on this page.
Questions, contact LEAD at LEAD@leadconnects.org
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Applications Open for Certificate in Climate Justice and Faith
The Center for Climate Justice and Faith at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary is accepting applications to their Certificate in Climate Justice and Faith program. This program is designed for lay leaders and clergy members from around the world who want to be effective advocates for climate justice. Students will grow their faith, practice skills, gain knowledge, and build community to allow them to address the climate crisis in ways that also address racial, gender, and economic injustices.
This two-semester program will begin August 2024 and end May 2025. A 100% online curriculum allows students from around the world to build relationships through bi-monthly small group meetings on Zoom. Since launching in 2021, students from 29 countries and five continents have participated. The full cost of the program is $600. Scholarships of up to $550 are available if needed, please do not let finances prevent you from applying.
Applications are due June 17, 2024 and can be found here: https://bit.ly/24_25CCJFApp
More information about the Certificate can be found here: https://centerforclimatejusticeandfaith.org/programs/certificate-in-climate-justice-and-faith/
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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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