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Prayer of the Day
Gracious God, throughout the ages you transform sickness into health and death into life. Open us to the power of your presence, and make us a people ready to proclaim your promises to the whole world, through Jesus Christ, our healer and Lord. Amen.
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Upcoming Events
links to event info embedded if applicable
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Storytelling – a new segment in 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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Stay tuned for the next story coming in September!
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September 19, 6:30-8:00PM
As we look at both our Lutheran teachings and the Constitution of the United States, what are the rights and duties of church members and church denominations as we guide our cities, states, and nation through complicated times? We invite all of you to join us to consider and discuss together the working relationship between the Church and Civic Politics.
There is much media discussion currently about those who, on one hand, promote Christian nationalism and those who, on the other hand, insist on a wall of separation between church and state.
Lutherans in the United States have the tradition of practicing a third, middle way.
- What is that third way?
- How do Lutheran Christians work together with civic political institutions to build and maintain a just society?
- How do we help democracy to function in a way that the voice and well-being of every person is honored?
- How do we follow Jesus and “love our neighbor” in the face of the critical problems that often divide us?
To register for this discussion, email the Synod Office at swwsynod@plu.edu. Registrants will receive the Zoom link to join the event and also background resource material.
Through Jeremiah, God said, “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you.” In our discussion together, we will learn from each other and ask the Holy Spirit to help us know how to do just that.
Bishop Rick Jaech is the bishop of the Southwestern Washington Synod of the ELCA. Tom Hulst, the Vice-President of the Synod Council, has enjoyed a career in education and public service and currently teaches political science at Tacoma Community College.
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Bishop Eaton addresses political violence
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has issued a message on political violence. “Just a few weeks ago in my June column for Living Lutheran I wrote, “I can’t think of an election cycle more fraught and divisive than this one. People all across the political spectrum claim that life as we know it is on the line. It’s not possible to agree to disagree—one must decide and put a stake in the ground. There is the potential for violence.” That potential is now a reality after last weekend’s shooting at a Trump campaign rally that killed Corey D. Comperatore and injured other attendees. I am thankful that former President Trump’s injury was minor and pray for his recovery alongside those affected.
I also wrote, “But division and violence don’t have to be our inevitable future.” I believe this and that God calls this church to say a definitive “no” to political violence now and in the future. Political violence has a long history but no place in democracy. This church belongs to God, and our unity in Christ is a grace-filled and healing gift in a fractured society. As the ELCA we have theological and community resources to meet this moment through worship, discipleship and civic engagement.
In the face of violence, God’s resolve for peace in human communities is unshakable. In proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ’s forgiveness, healing and new life, the church addresses the ultimate root of violence. God calls us as church together in this moment to hear and embody this good news by embracing our identity as peacemakers through active civic engagement grounded in our baptismal identity and our institutional witness to foster justice, racial and social equity, reconciliation, and healing with compassion and imagination.
Read the full message.
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FROM OUR FRIENDS AND PARTNERS
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Discernment Opportunities –
Have you ever thought about becoming a pastor or deacon? If so, there are resources available to help you explore where God might be calling you next!:
- Online discernment groups and/or one-on-one conversations with a discernment advocate. To sign up visit: https://elcaseminaries.org/
- Journi, a self-paced online tool to help focus your faith, your actions, and your relationship with the Lutheran church: https://www.journi.faith/how-it-works
- Join all seven ELCA seminaries for Joint Virtual Discernment Event on Sunday, September 15th from 1:00-3:30 (PT), 2:00-4:30 (MT), 3:00-5:30 (CT), or 4:00-6:30 (ET). Click here to learn more and register.
- Contact Pastor Rebeccca Shjerven in your synod office.
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Adult Formation Resource for your Congregation
Samuel Torvend, University Chair in Lutheran Studies emeritus at PLU, is available to offer adult education classes, workshops, and retreats on topics such as the challenges of being Christian in the Pacific Northwest; ministry in the PNW; baptismal affirmations as a rule of life; Luther’s eucharistic economy; Luther’s teaching on politics; and a Lutheran spirituality shaped by the musical and visual arts. He can be contacted at torvensa@plu.edu.
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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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