Bishop’s News – Special Edition: Bishop Rickel’s Statement on the Invasion of Ukraine
Bishop Rickel’s Statement on the Invasion of Ukraine February 25, 2022 Dear Ones, Like many of you, I have been watching the news these past weeks with sickening dread as Russian forces have moved inexorably toward war and the invasion of Ukraine. There has been no justification for this act of brutal violence, hostility, and naked aggression. Already, innocent lives have been lost in this needless bloodshed. Throughout Europe, around the world, and indeed, within Russia itself, anti-war demonstrations are rising up to protest this assault on a sovereign, democratic nation. I ask you to join me in prayer for […]
Bishop’s News – Executive Order 9066, 80 years Later
Executive Order 9066 80 years later February 19, 2022 On this day, February 19, 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt signed this order and by so doing authorized the evacuation of all persons of Japanese descent, alien or non-alien, which were deemed a threat to national security from the West Coast to relocation centers further inland. In the next 6 months, over 100,000 men, women, and children of Japanese ancestry were moved to assembly centers. They were then evacuated to and confined in isolated, fenced, and guarded relocation centers, euphemously known as internment camps but much better described as concentration camps, or […]
2022 Thurston Hunger Walk
The 2022 Thurston Hunger Walk will occur at 3 pm sharp on Sunday May 1st at the track at Saint Martin’s University (Please note the new location.) Participants will be encouraged to walk as much or as little as they like. Besides enjoying relatively Covid- safe outdoor camaraderie and some fun live music, the Walk will be raising much needed funds to help The Thurston County Food Bank and The Community Kitchen keep our hungry neighbors fed. (Aside:This year South Sound Senior Services decided to hold their own fund raiser separate from the walk.) Last year the THW overall goal was $60,000; which was met. This year […]
Synod E-News: ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response, Afghan Resettlement Webinar, Our Jewish Siblings
Southwestern Washington Synod E-News Week of February 6, 2022 Synod Newsletter, Moments for Mission, February 2022 hereLutheran Disaster Response Update: As 2021 drew to a close several counties in the state of Washington were hit by atmospheric rivers. Clallam, Skagit, and Whatcom counties were hit the hardest. Roads, bridges, public water systems, and public transportation were all affected. In Whatcom County more than 100 structures were destroyed and 500 homes damaged. Many people found themselves displaced to shelters. Governments, local nonprofits, and civic groups waited patiently for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to set up shop and start writing checks to assist […]
SOGIE workshop announcement
What does LGBTQ mean? · Have you ever wondered about the difference between sexual orientation andgender identity?· Are you curious about vocabulary that may be new to you. . . gender expression,cis-gender?· Are you seeking to expand the holy work of welcome, inclusion, and celebration of LGBTQIA+ people in church and society?If so, then this workshop is for you!On Thursday, March 17th , from 3:30-5pm the SWWA Synod will join an online training provided by our ELCA partner, ReconcilingWorks. During this 90 minute workshop wewill learn helpful vocabulary, skills and tools to support us in our ministry of welcome. This workshop […]
Bishop’s News – Special Edition: Bishop Rickel’s Statement on the HBCU Bomb Threats
Bishop Rickel’s Statement on the HBCU Bomb Threats February 2, 2022 Dear Ones, As many of you are well aware by now, yesterday, on the first of February and the first day of Black History Month, several of our historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were terrorized with bomb threats. Sadly, this incarnates the reality that we still have a long collective way to go to reach Beloved Community and that any notion that we can now stop talking, working, and struggling toward it is an illusion. I want to say first how sorry I am to our African-American and Black […]
Synod E-News: “What does LGBTQIA Mean?”, Epiphany Lng Events, Afghan refugees, Jobs
Southwestern Washington Synod E-News Week of January 23, 2022 Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery and Land Acknowledgements Brought to you by the Conversations Around Race group at Peace Lutheran, Tacoma Tuesday, January 25 – FREE of charge 6:30 – 8:30pm PT Examines the church documents in Christian Europe in the mid-1400s that justified the domination and oppression by its monarchies as they invaded the Western hemisphere and how this affects Native Americans today. Speaker:Rev. Irvin Porter (Pima, T’hono O’odham, Nez Perce) of Church of the Indian Fellowship Also examines our use of Land Acknowledgments. Acknowledging the legacies of brokenness can […]
URGENT NEED FOR CONGREGATIONAL ACCOMPANIMENT OF AFGHAN REFUGEES
URGENT NEED FOR CONGREGATIONAL ACCOMPANIMENT OF AFGHAN REFUGEESAt the end of August, we watched with anguish the fall of Afghanistan’s government and the evacuation of thousands of Afghan refugees to U.S. military bases called safe havens. Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminded us of the critical need for Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) engagement:“Afghan families coming to the United States will need support for months, not just for days. And we need to call on our congregations to be sponsoring entities for the months to come. Join us in supporting the ‘long welcome’ for these families.” Not since World War […]
Living Stones Prison Congregation Jan. Updates
What’s happening in the Living Stones community (please feel free to forward this email to others who may be interested) View this email in your browser Monthly Living Stones Zoom check-in TODAY (Jan. 10) at 3 p.m. Join Pastor Chris for an update about what is happening in the Living Stones ministry. He will share how our men are doing at Washington Corrections Center in Shelton, talk about progress towards bringing Living Stones to the Monroe Correctional Complex, and give info about a workshop he will co-lead at Holden Village this summer. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81253276927?pwd=U21yenB6Y0ZlYkVaVXhiVmdXYUdQUT09 See you later today! For […]
Stewardship Workshops by Thrivent: “Love & Money”, “Investing for Retirement”, & more
View in Browser The 2020s have impacted us all. Whether good or bad, you may be reexamining your life and asking yourself, ‘What do I want and how can I achieve it?’ Knowing where to start can be the hardest part. Since the same actions may produce the same results, the simple solution is to take it one step at a time. This winter, our focus is to help you Do One Thing Differently to achieve financial clarity. Tuesday Jan 2506:30 p.m. PT Stop Overthinking. Start Doing.with Jon AcuffKeynote Virtual Event Join Us Tuesday Feb […]