Synod E-News: Holden Youth Weekend, Disaster Response, & more

Southwestern Washington Synod E-News Week of December 19, 2021 PRESIDING BISHOP ELIZABETH EATON’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE 2021 ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares her 2021 Christmas message. “This is our second pandemic Christmas. … There’s so much that’s broken in this world, so much that tells us, ‘Why have hope? Just give up.’ But we have a hope that’s stronger than any of this, stronger even than death. The hope of God comes in the form of a tiny baby, a helpless child.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNji__fiYl8 Blessings for a very Merry Christmas from your Synod Staff, Bishop Rick Jaech, Pastor Rebecca Shjerven, Joey Ager and Allison Kies HOLDEN YOUTH WEEKEND THIS MAY May Youth Weekends at Holden Village are back for 2022!   Quick details: Session Dates: May 20-22 (Friday – Sunday, only one weekend this year) Theme: “Transformation” Change is constant and transformation is sacred. How can we express our changing hearts and minds to speak out as change makers in God’s World? Theme Verse: 1 John 3:2 “Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed.” Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer (they/he)  Musician: Lacey Brown (she/her) Registration: $265 per participant. Registration opens on February 1, 2022 at 9am. In depth details: Below you’ll find links to their information packet that includes all the information you’ll need to learn about the program, register, and prepare for a visit to Holden Village – including current COVID-19 protocols. You’ll also find a poster for advertising, an individual registration form, and a background check confirmation form. Questions?, please contact the SWWA Synod Deacon Ingelaurie Lisher at ingelaurie.lisher@smlutheran.org Related attachments: Holden May Youth Weekend Poster: https://swwasynod.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/HoldenPoster-MYW-2022.pdf Leader Information: https://swwasynod.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Holden-LeaderInfo-MYW-2022.pdf Individual Registration https://swwasynod.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Holden-Indiv-Reg-Form-MYW-2022.pdf Background Check https://swwasynod.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/HoldenBkgd-Chk-Form-MYW-2022.pdf SYNOD EDUCATIONAL GATHERINGS- Spring 2022 Save the Date! In lieu of a Synod Assembly this year, we will be hosting 3 in-person regional Synod Educational Gatherings. We’ll have 2 sessions of workshops to choose from, worship, lunch and a keynote by our new Bishop’s Associate/DEM, Joey Ager. Times at each location: 10am-3:30pm. More information coming soon Saturday, April 30th- Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Port Angeles Saturday, May 14th- St Mark’s Lutheran Church by the Narrows, Tacoma Saturday, June 4th- Trinity Lutheran Church, Longview DISASTER RESPONSE LDR Tornado update Information on the tornadoes and how to give to ELCA’s Lutheran Disaster Response is at https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Relief-and-Development/Lutheran-Disaster-Response/Our-Impact/US-Tornadoes The ELCA Region 1 Disaster Response newsletter: December Hammer and Dance is now available at https://www.region1beprepared.org/newsletters/ Individuals and churches interested in disaster response, the Region 1 Disaster Preparedness Gathering is Thursday, January 20, 2022 (!) at 6 PM PST). The registration link is  https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYtdOGgqT4uHtYT-WoExGrfIT0bCpQrn_2E Tornado Response Update as of 12-16-21: LDR is deeply engaged with the tragedy in Kentucky. To date there have been 46 “out of season” tornados affecting not only Kentucky, but Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee. As of this morning 88 people are known to have lost their lives – 74 in Kentucky and 14 in other states. 100 people are still missing. Immediate needs are, of course, for food and shelter which are being provided by a network of disaster response groups. Debris removal is a next step in such work, along with the rescue of people who may be stranded. Disaster response in the early phase is always day to day and LDR coordinates with its partners on a daily basis. Due to the generosity of the American people, disaster groups are overwhelmed with tangible goods donations. However, financial donations are always welcome and will be used well. People often want to know whether LDR will be “sending workers” to Mayfield. The answer is “Yes,” but not directly. Our Lutheran system is not only a national program, but it is a network of Lutheran responders which includes Lutheran Social Service Agencies, Synod Offices and congregation response teams. “Hands on” help for search and rescue, or debris removal, reconstruction and the like comes from local congregations who may have designated teams for such work, or who cooperate and coordinate for county groups, “Habitat for Humanity” and the like. Specifically for Mayfield, LDR is working with the Indiana-Kentucky Synod and their congregation network. Bishop Bill Gafkjyn has appointed two synod disaster coordinators who are already busy at work. We are also in contact with other affected synod offices. At this point what is (and must be done) is a daily assessment of needs being addressed. LDR participates in such assessments and specifically looks for gaps in services where people may be falling through the cracks. It is not at all uncommon that communities of poverty, and/or race specific communities, are underserved. We in the ELCA and LDR feel a special call to such people. We also have a unique role addressing spiritual and emotional needs of survivors by a simple ministry of presence. We don’t do this in lieu of direct aid, but in addition to it. If you feel called to make a financial donation for tornado relief please know that your designated gift will go 100% to disaster relief. You can make such a donation here. You can find further information on the LDR webpage here. Disaster response is always a marathon and never a sprint. Eighty to 90% of all gifts for relief are generally received in the first 90 days after an event. The reality, of course, is that resources are needed for years to come. Undesignated disaster donations allow LDR to serve long term needs with more flexibility as they become known. If you wish to give for disaster relief in general your LDR gift is still used 100% for relief. (You can choose what you wish to do at the link above.) Thank you for your compassion and concern. If you wish more information I am always glad to speak with you personally. Dave Brauer-Rieke Bishop Emeritus, Oregon Synod, ELCA ClimateImagination LLC 4262 SE Belmont St. #401 Portland, OR 97215 dave@climateimagination.com END OF YEAR CONGREGATIONAL REPORTS DUE FEB 18TH More information was sent to all rostered ministers and congregations on December 13th from Synod Office 1. Congregation Parochial Reports Forms A & C  (I expect these two forms to be up on the ELCA website by early January)  .https://webapps.elca.org/FormAAndC/Login.aspx 2. Rostered Ministers Report to the Bishop.  Please Click on the related link for you, download the document to your computer, complete the form online, save it and send it to swwsynod@plu.edu as an attachment. Ministers of Word and Service: Word and Service Under Call from a Congregation Word and Service Under Call from the Synod Word and Service Retired Word and Service Not Under Call Ministers of Word and Sacrament: Word and Sacrament Under Call from a Congregation Word and Sacrament Under Call from the Synod or Churchwide Council Word and Sacrament Retired Word and Sacrament Not Under Call 3. Mission Intent Form online: https://download.elca.org/ELCA Resource Repository/2022_English_Mission_Support_Statement_of_Intent_form_fillable.pdf?_ga=2.103967814.790504793.1639414735-488237888.1612287583 4. Congregation Annual Report.  Please email to swwsynod@plu.edu or mail to SWWA Synod 420 121st St S, Tacoma, WA 98444 REFRAMING THE CONVERSATION: GOING DEEPER TO BUILD THE BELOVED COMMUNITY This is a special one-day preaching workshop offered by Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, Thursday January 13, 2022, 10am-2:30pm in person at the cathedral or online via Zoom. All clergy and preachers are invited to attend. Pre-registration is required. Whether talking about dismantling White supremacy or debating “critical race theory,” opportunities for speaking about and building Beloved Community abound. We will delve into the baptismal imperative for dismantling systemic racism and its roots in faithful Christian witness. Bishop Baskerville-Burrows is the first black woman to be elected a diocesan bishop in the Episcopal Church. Read more of her bio here. The workshop is underwritten by Saint Mark’s Cathedral Leffler Preaching Education Fund and a grant from the Office of the Bishop of the Diocese of Olympia. Advance registration is required. Fee: $10. Scholarships available. In-person attendance includes lunch. Learn more and register here. CONGREGATION JOB OPENINGS (link to job descriptions by clicking on bolded job title) Updated 12/06/2021 Accompanist, Galilean Lutheran Church, Ocean Shores Ministry Associate for First Third of Life (PT), Messiah Lutheran, Vancouver WA Office Administrator, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Bremerton Digital Media Coordinator, Zion Lutheran Church, Camas Organist/Musician, Christ Lutheran Church, Lakewood Church Musician, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Vancouver WA Piano Accompanist, First Lutheran Community Church, Port Orchard Director of Faith Formation in the First Third of Life, Beautiful Savior, Vancouver WA Technology Support (Information and Communications), Beautiful Savior, Vancouver WA Children’s Ministry Coordinator (PT), The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd, Olympia Nursery Attendant (hourly), The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd, Olympia Children and Family Ministry Coordinator, Mountain View Lutheran Church, Edgewood Church Administrator, Mountain View Lutheran Church, Edgewood Minister of Music and Worship, Celebration Lutheran Church, Puyallup Job openings are updated on the synod website at Job Opportunities – Southwestern Washington Synod (swwasynod.org) RETREAT OPPORTUNITY AT THE HOLDEN VILLAGE BED & BREAKFAST In addition to being a jumping off point to reach Holden Village, this facility is a resource and for personal enjoyment. You are invited to consider the B&B as a destination for you, your family, and your congregation or ministry. Come as individual guests or rent the entire house.  The B&B is a perfect setting for personal rest & relaxation, a family getaway, council, staff or small group retreats. The house has 6 bedrooms with sleeping space for 13. There are 3 bathrooms, a large kitchen and dining area, living room and additional seating areas. There is WiFi available, but no cell service. Winter rates are $40 per person or $350 per night to rent the entire house.  Is it time for a mini sabbatical, a reading retreat, a family reunion, to explore Chelan or adventure into the North Cascades? The Holden B&B could be just what you’ve been looking for. Check out their flyer HERE. / Please contact Roberta at (509) 687-9695 or email BandB@HoldenVillage.org for more information and to book your stay. CAL LUTHERAN’S FIFTY AND BETTER (FAB) UPCOMING EVENTS Registration is now open for Fifty and Better’s January Lectures beginning January 5th and 6-week Winter Session beginning January 18th. Visit our website (www.callutheran.edu/fab) for registration details. Virtual lectures in January are $10 each, and one is free! Courses in the Winter Session are $40 each, or purchase 3 and get 2 free! All courses will be offered virtually.  LOOKING FOR GOOD GIFTS THIS YEAR? Shop ELCA Good Giftsand choose from more than 50 unique, charitable gifts to give in honor of friends and family. They’ll get a card to let them know about what you’ve done, and you’ll get the joy that comes with making the world a better place. God’s love is a gift, given through Christ. This Christmas, let us celebrate that gift by sharing God’s love with others! Email: swwsynod@plu.edu Website: https://swwasynod.org/ A Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America The Rev. Richard E. Jaech, Bishop Visit Our New Website STAY CONNECTED  through Links to the Synod’s Social Media  ‌ ‌ ‌

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