|
|
 |
Upcoming Events
links to event info embedded if applicable
|
|
|
|
2025 SYNOD ASSEMBLY AND BISHOP’S ELECTION
|
|
|
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)
|
|
|
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.
|
|
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
|
|
Registration for the 2025 Synod Assembly is now closed!
|
|
|
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”.
|
|
|
Refugee Support Project
Dear friends,
Thank you for your support for refugee families who have arrived in the United States sponsored by Lutheran Community Services Northwest and our Synod congregations. I write once again to invite you to join with us in this crucial ministry.
Our goal is to raise $8,000 to provide adequate housing and financial support for the sponsored refugees in the coming months as they get settled. I am happy to report that Synod members have already donated $3,200, plus another $1,500 has been provided from our Synod’s Disaster Rapid Response Fund, for a total of $4,700.
We are over half-way there, but we need $3,300 more in donations provide the needed help.
To make a donation, please make out your check to the SW Washington Synod, and write “Refugee Support Project” in the memo line. Mail your check to:
SW Washington Synod
420 121st St. So.
Tacoma, WA 98444
There is more good news! Representatives of all six synods in the ELCA Region 1 are forming a Region 1 Immigrant Support Team. This Region 1 Immigrant Support Team will coordinate our efforts to support refugees and immigrants in a variety of ways, including support with job search, getting settled in new homes, and providing legal information for congregations who are serving the immigrant community.
If you are interested in being involved with the work of the Region 1 Immigrant Support Team, working with people from our neighboring five synods, please contact our Synod Office at swwsynod@plu.edu
Blessings to you in this Easter time of new life for all!
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Dear church,
We of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America join with people around the world in praying for the ministry of Pope Leo XIV. We rejoice with the people of the Roman Catholic Church, especially those in our communities, as they joyfully receive their new shepherd.
Today we witnessed the historic election of the first Augustinian and the first U.S.-born pope — only the second to come from the Americas. Thus we share with him both context and theological roots (Martin Luther was also an Augustinian). We pray that this will provide us, as Catholics and as Lutherans, with an opportunity to strengthen our visible unity in Christ through dialogue and cooperation for the life of the world.
In his first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the new pope extended the blessing of Pope Francis, saying: “God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward. We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs His light. Humanity needs Him like a bridge to reach God and His love. You help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter so we can all be one people always in peace.”
We pray that the Holy Spirit will sustain Pope Leo XIV for the ministry to which he has been called, and will strengthen us all in our vocations as bridge-builders and as witnesses to God’s love for all people and creation.
In Christ,
Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
|
|
|
FROM OUR FRIENDS AND PARTNERS
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Black Lake Bible Camp
One Year To Live Men’s Retreat
September 12 – 14, 2025
|
|
|
A Synod of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Rev. Richard E. Jaech, Bishop
Synod Office Hours
9am – 4pm
Tuesday – Friday
|
|
|
|
|
|
