At Port Orchard's First Lutheran, it's OK to be sad at Christmastime

This from the Kitsap Sun:

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/dec/15/at-port-orchard-churchs-service-its-ok-to-be-sad/

Creator Lutheran Church digs out from under fallen tree

BONNEY LAKE
Members of Creator Lutheran Church of Lake Bonney Lake will continue to repair extensive damage through Christmas caused when monster tree came down during a Nov. 15 windstorm.
The tree smashed through the roof, breaking a beam and rafters and destroying much of its fellowship hall. It broke several waterlines in the ceiling, sending water everywhere. Fencing and playground equipment were damaged.
A number of other trees with root rot close by later were taken down.
The Rev. Kim Latterell said that for the time being the preschool has been moved to another part of the building and classes have been postponed.
"We will continue to worship on sticky, carpet-less floors ... but a step up from the dirt floor in the stable, eh?" he said.
Pastor Latterell gave thanks for the prayers and offers of support from neighboring churches and pastors.
The church was insured. — RP

2010 Christmas Message from Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announced peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation! Isaiah 52:7

When Jesus was born, angelic messengers broke the still calm of a Judean night to sing joyously and proclaim, "This very day in David's city a Savior is born for you, O God's Promised One, your Lord. Glad tidings of great joy! Common shepherds were the first and heartiest heralds of the promised Savior's arrival then, and today the joy in Jesus' birth fills every corner of this season.

Admittedly sometimes in modern America the commercial clatter and cultural clutter of the season seem to overtake the angels' song and the shepherd' joyous news. But such a majestic message of God's salvation cannot be silenced. Some loudly lament that the world will not listen to the Gospel message, but in this season so many beckon.

Christians, sing with us. Bring your songs of Christmas, of Jesus. A few may shush you, just as there were those who would later attempt to silence Jesus and his message of God's remarkable, revolutionary marcy, even to the point to crucifixion.

If so, then that is all the more reason to enter into the commotion and clutter, to let go of your inhibitions, to join the angels in singing and the shepherds in exulting with unashamed joy: Jesus, the Savior is born!

Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy? See, our salvation comes. Isaiah 52:8; 62:11

Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

'Colonial House' actor and pastor shares new book

By Rachel Pritchett

GIG HARBOR
His face is still recognizable from the 2004 PBS series "Colonial House."
The Rev. Dr. Donald Heinz was the pastor in the series that recreated life in 1628 in the colonies.
The real-life ELCA pastor and retired religion professor today is living in Gig Harbor, writing instead of acting.
His newest, "Christmas: Festival of Incarnation," looks at the secularization of Christmas and urges readers to take a step beyond.
"There is still much more to Christmas that can be discovered, and if you're going to discover it, you're going to have to go to church," said Heinz, who taught and was a dean at California State University, Chico.
Heinz's book takes the form of a three-act play in which the church is a theater, the pastor a director and the congregation a troupe.
Heinz said he himself is not at all above the commercialization of Christmas, admitting "I love all that stuff," but if readers settle just for that interpretation, they're missing the message.
"Christmas: Festival of Incarnation," with study guides, is available through Fortress Press. It is the second book for Heinz. In 1999, he write "The Last Passage: Recovering a Death of Our Own," based on a rediscovery of ritualizaiton surrounding death mostly in the gay community through AIDS deaths (Oxford University Press). The ritualization of death also has been lost in the secularization of the culture, he said.
Heinz and wife Carolyn have been living in the Northwest for several years now, getting used to the gray climate and attending Agnus Dei Lutheran Church of Gig Harbor.
Even now, nine years after it was filmed, he still gets stopped on the street by people curious about what it was like to recreate life in 1628, and if the popular series where hardships and strife among close neighbors was for real.
"We didn't cheat at all," he said. The crew lived life as close as America's first settlers did then, though they were chagrined when PBS producers sometimes twisted the stick for some reality TV. Once, they encouraged one of the actors to go skinny dipping instead of coming to worship.
"It began to dawn on us," Heinz said, "that the worshipful attitude we had toward PBS started to feel like reality TV."
The series still is shown occasionally on PBS and is avaiilable through Netflix and at local libraries.
Heinz grew up in Dubuque, Iowa, went to a Missouri Synod seminary and switched over to the ELCA a quarter of a century ago, because of "irreconcilable differences."
Having coffee outside a Gig Harbor Starbucks one cold November day, Heinz said he is sad about the division in the ELCA caused by the 2009 churchwide vote on sexuality.
"In about 15 to 20 more years, no one is going to even be debating this question," he said. "It really grieves you, I think, that the church will split over an issue that is going to resolve itself."
Heinz is working on a third book now, this making the case that the progressive Christian voice needs to be much more assertive in this country, where the far Christian right seems to be the chief public voice for Christianity, he said.

Global mission keynoter: Missionaries called home

TACOMA
For the first time in its history, the ELCA recently recalled a handful of its missionaries, due to budget cuts.
That somber news was delivered by the Rev. Twila Schock, ELCA director for mission support, at a synod global mission event Nov. 13 at St. Mark's by The Narrows Lutheran Church of Tacoma.
The average annual $70,000 cost to support a missionary could not be sustained at a time when the ELCA's budget was shrinking, due to fallout from the 2009 churchwide sexuality vote, she said.
The pullbacks are particularly painful because they come at a time when relationships between the ELCA and its companion churches are growing fast. Its relationship with its partners in Ethiopia, for instance, grew 475 percent in the past two decades, she said.
Today, the ELCA has 250 missionaries in 48 countries, 63 of them in Europe, where the ranks of practicing Christians are diminishing in some places. Even in Wittenberg, Germany, only 27 percent of residents are practicing Christians, she said.

Upcoming events

Don’t Forget to Register for 2011 Bishop’s Convocation
Register through the synod office or its website for the 2011 Bishop’s Convocation, “The Balancing Act of Pastoral Leadership,” to take place Jan. 25 and 26 at the Seabeck Conference Center. Participants will examine the many roles pastors are called to fill. The convocation will be preceded by a prayer retreat on Jan. 23 to 25 lead by the Rev. Jim Christianson. The theme will be “Tending to the Holy: Practicing the Presence of God in Ministry.”

PLU Sunday Coming Feb. 13
Congregations throughout Region 1 of the ELCA are invited to lift up Pacific Lutheran University and its effort to educate tomorrow’s leaders on Sunday, Feb. 13, for PLU Sunday. Congregations can contact the PLU Office of Congregations Relations at (253) 535-7424 or crel@plu.edu to request free materials.

Catechumenal Training Slated for February in Vancouver
The next “Come to the Water” ecumenical catechumenal-process training event will take place Feb. 18 and 19 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Vancouver. The event is appropriate for congregational teams that need resources to begin the catechumenal process, which is faith formation for newcomers and people who need refreshers in faith basics. Featured speakers include Bishop Robert D. Hofstad and catechumenal author Ann McElligott.
The cost is $30 per person. Further information can be found in a brochure at
http://catechumenate.org/uploads/file/Water2011.pdf or by contacting the Rev. Martha Maier,
maierm@comcast.net or (360) 892-7160.

Conference Focuses on Spiritual Formation of Congregations
The 2011 PLU Summer Conference on Pastoral Theology focuses on “The Spiritual Formation of the Congregation,” a follow-up to the 2010 theme of “The Spiritual Formation of the Pastoral Leader.”
Taking place June 20 through 22 at the Pacific Lutheran University campus in Tacoma, the event will feature the Rev. Melissa Skelton, director of congregational development for the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia and rector at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Capital Hill of Seattle.
Bishop Robert D. Hofstad of the Southwestern Washington Synod urged attendance.
“I encouraged congregations and rostered people of the Southwestern Washington Synod to consider participation in this event.” To sign up, contact the Rev. G. Lee Kluth, PLU director of congregational relations, at (253) 535-7423 or e-mail him at crel@plu.edu.

If Elvis isn't the only one having a Blue Christmas ...

... so is First Lutheran Community Church of Port Orchard, which plans a service at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at the church specifically for those who are sad at Christmas, maybe due to a death, a broken relationship or lost job. All are welcome, says the Rev. Joe Smith. The church is at 2483 Mitchell Road SE, and the phone is (360) 876-3901.

Luther Seminary quarterly journals yours for the taking

Word & World: Theology for Christian Ministry

The first issue of this quarterly journal was released in January 1981 from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., and continues to this day. For nearly 20 years, I was a regular subscriber and found this journal to be helpful for reflecting on issues important for my pastoral work. I discontinued my subscription shortly after I retired in 2006, but I've had a hard time letting go of the 72 journals I collected over the years. Now I'm ready, but I hate to throw them. Are you interested? From Vol. I, there were 104 issues published by the end of 2006; 72 of them are in this stack on my shelves. Call me at (360) 867-0428, and they're yours.

Paul Lundborg
prlundborg@comcast.net

'Vilest of Sinners' Takes on Rare, Two-Point Urban Ministry

By Rachel Pritchett
TACOMA
He's got tattoos head to toe, wears a Harley thrill-ride T-shirt and any smile he can muster is a deep grimace at best.
With an appearance rare for a pastor, the Rev. Randy Haas, 61, of the Southwestern Washington Synod has just taken on an even rarer, two-point urban ministry at Salishan Lutheran Eastside Mission and Hope Lutheran Church, where he just might fit in. Financial woes are bringing the two churches together.
"What this is is rural ministry in the inner city," Haas said during a visit in his modest rental where his Harley Street Glide is parked outside.
But with a twist.
In rural two-point ministries, he explained, you deal with long distances and with established churches with strong self-identities. Salishan and Hope, both in the heart of Tacoma, must redefine themselves.
Salishan, just 25 years old, is in a poor, crime-infested section of the city, where some members show up for worship high, and others are burdened with criminal pasts, joblessness and poverty.
"We have this core of broken people who come to this church," Haas said, adding "we all are broken sinners."
For many years until he retired, Salishan was led by the Rev. Ron Vignec, who became famous for helping to dig this part of Tacoma out from the depths of gang control and violence. The church has suffered since he left.
"I can't be Ron," Haas said.
That is fine with the people of Salishan, looking for somebody who doesn't fit the mold to bless them with a new beginning, on their terms.
Haas, broken himself, seemed to fit.
Doing two tours of Vietnam in the '60s when was he was no more than a boy, he wasn't even old enough to enjoy a beer on the plane ride back to the States.
What followed was a young man's life full of pain, sadness, broken relationships and loneliness.
"I am the vilest of sinners," Haas said. The sinner later went to Luther Seminary to become a pastor.
Hope, just a few miles away, is an old inner-city church that has lost members over the years to the suburbs and is struggling to survive. It has been exploring a sister relationship with Salishan.
Despite their different roots, the two congregations get along "amazingly well," he said. He was installed at a combined Salishan and Hope service at Hope on Oct. 10 by Bishop Robert D. Hofstad, who ordained him in 2006.
While Salishan and Hope are looking to Haas for direction, he instead is holding the mirror up to them. It is a bold challenge on his part for them to use undiscovered talents to build a future together.
"Most people are filled with wonderful gifts, wonderful talents. They just don't know it," he said.
Haas was encouraged when both recently enjoyed a performance of hard-core Christian rock band Convicted, made up of some former prison inmates.
"We had kids dancing in the aisles with their moms. Everyone was moving to the music. There was the spirit of the Lord in that sanctuary that morning," Haas said.
"It proved to me that they're open to new ideas."
Peel away the rough exterior of Randy Haas and you discover a man utterly and completely devoted to God. His tattoos that span three decades are of God and the Bible.
Now also Haas is committed to his two fledgling congregations.
"I will do my best to try to link the DNA of these two churches," said Haas, with what passes for a smile. "That's all I can do."

Twila Schock: For the first time ever, ELCA calls missionaries home

TACOMA
For the first time in its history, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America recently recalled a handful of its missionaries, due to budget cuts.
That somber news was delivered by he Rev. Twila Schock, ELCA director for global mission support, at a "Global Stories" event Nov. 13 at St. Mark's the The Narrows Lutheran Church.
The average annual $70,000 cost to support a missionary could not be sustained at a time when the ELCA's budget is shrinking, due to fallout fro the 2009 churchwide sexuality vote, she said.
The pullbacks come at a time when relationships between the ELCA and its companion churches are growing fast. The ELCA's relationship with its partners in Ethiopia, for instance, grew 475 percent in the past two decades, she said.
Today, the ELCA has 250 missionaries in 48 countries, 63 of them in Europe, where the ranks of practicing Christans are diminishing in some places. Even in Wittenberg, Germany, only 17 percent of its residents are practicing Christians.
"So we do have a calling to be in Europe," she said.
The method of missionary work has changed from imposing our culture on others in a "mission field" to "accompaniment," where missionaries work with companions to train leaders.
But even with the shift "it is always about the proclaiming of the gospel of Jesus Christ," she said.
To help, contact Schock at (800) 638-3522, Ext. 2657.
The "Global Stories" attended by about 45 people also featured presentations of recent vists to Namibia, El Salvador, South Africa, China and Palestine.
- RP

Pie-throwing congregation raises $500 for Lutheran House

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
Visitors to a Halloween carnival at Port Madison Lutheran Church of Bainbridge Island tossed cream pies at the Rev. Lori Hoyum for three hours, all for a good cause.
When it was all over, $500 had been raised for the Lutheran House under construction at Cornerstone Place in Bremerton, a community sponsored by Habitat of Humanity of Kitsap County.
Many Kitsap County-area Lutheran churches have gotten together to fund the home.
"Did you know that whipped cream hardens when it dries? Neither did I," said Pastor Hoyum, whose booth alone raised $56.
The carnival — and the pie-the-pastor event — was organized by a number of members, including Deb Baxter and the pastor's own daughter, Gretchen.
— RP

Torvend takes on the Holy Spirit

PARKLAND
Two interpretations of the Holy Spirit have stood side by side throughout Christianity, but they work best together, argued the Rev. Dr. Samuel Torvend.
Tovend spoke Nov. 6 at a Southwestern Washington Synod event on Renewing Congregations at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Close to 100 persons listened as the Pacific Lutheran University religion professor said one interpretation is of a rushing wind or dramatic energy, and that's seen in the New Testament.
Then there is the quieter notion of the spirit, one of a "quiet, constant presence in our lives."
Taken alone, each has its risks. The first can become legalistic; the second can be too passive.
"You see how we can go to extremes on each side," he said.
The Renewing Congregations event continues with Parts Two and Three. Part Two focuses on resources for congregation; Part Three examines how congregations can take the gospel message to communities.
For more information, contact the Revs. Melanie Wallschlaeger or Valinda Morse at the synod office, (253) 535-8300.
- RP

Listeners pack Reformation hymnfest

TACOMA — Nary an empty seat was to be found Sunday, Oct. 31, as Gloria Dei Lutheran Church celebrated its 20th annual Reformation Sunday Hymn Festival.
The couple hundred who attended heard the Evergreen Brass Quintet and the Tacoma Youth Chorus Chorale, as well as something new this year, the Class Act Barbershop Quartet.
A crowd favorite was the Sons of Thunder Men's Gospel Choir from the Allen A.M.E. Church.
In all, more than a dozen groups and soloists performed in the event that's become a hallmark of autumn. — RP

Opportunity to share in global mission stories

This year’s global mission event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 13 at St. Mark’s by The Narrows Lutheran Church in Tacoma will feature stories of persons who have served in mission work in many corners of the world. Participants will have a chance to get updates on work, and get information if they’re thinking about taking part in global mission work themselves. Namibia, South Africa, China, Palestine and El Salvador are among are some of the areas to be featured. Lunch and child care are provided. A $10 donation is requested. Pre-register to GlobalStoriesMission@gmail.com. The church is located at 6730 N 17th St., Tacoma.

Congregational renewal workshops offered

The Outreach Board of the Southwestern Washington Synod is sponsoring a three-part "Renewing Congregations Series" for congregations interested in renewing the commitment to ministry. Part 1, "Renewing the Faithful" presented by the Revs. Samuel Torvend, Valinda Morse and Melanie Wallschlaeger, is under way now. Upcoming Part 1 venues include Nov. 6 at Trinity Lutheran Church of Parkland, Nov. 13 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Bremerton, and Nov. 20 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Port Angeles. Part 2 will focus on "Renewing Congregations" and Part 3 will look at "Renewing Service in the World." All are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more, contact Morse or Wallschlaeger at the synod office, (253) 535-8300 or swwsynod@plu.edu.

Reformation Sunday HymnFest Oct. 31

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Tacoma will host its 20th annual Reformation Sunday HymnFest at 3 p.m. Oct. 31. The program will feature congregational singing, and a variety of musical including choirs, brass, strings, gospel music and soloists. Festival admission is free with a free-will offering being divided among the musicians. A reception with refreshments will follow the program in the church’s Goldenman Social Hall. The church is located at 3315 S 19th St, across from Allenmore Medical Center. See you there.

Port Orchard's First Lutheran feeds homeless, when it can find them

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/poi/lifestyle/104964159.html

Presentation this Sunday on Namibia

Readers,

I will lead a presentation on the companion relationship between the Southwestern Washington Synod and its companion synod in Namibia this coming Sunday, Oct. 24, at 9:30 a.m. at Port Madison Lutheran Church on Bainbridge Island. We'll look at the 30-year history of this friendship, how it's deepened and what's been accomplished. And, we'll look at the most recent visit by a synod delegation earlier this year. Come join us. The church is at 14000 Madison Avenue NE on the north end of the island. Coming from the south, take Highway 3 to 305 at Poulsbo, turn right and follow to the island. Turn left at first stoplight on island (Day Road). Turn left at Madison Avenue and you're there. Free coffee.

I'll see you there. Rachel Pritchett, communicator

Toward bringing everybody to the table

PARKLAND – "It is important to understand that ending hunger is not impossible."
That bold proclamation came from The Rev. Jim McDonald, managing director of Bread for the World, at the Oct. 15 kick-off of the synod’s Ethic of Eating conference at Trinity Lutheran Church and Pacific Lutheran University.
A "great exodus" out of global hunger and poverty has taken place between 1970, when one in three people went hungry, to 2000, when one in six needed food, he said.
That was particularly true in India and China, where more affluent, urban middle classes emerged from impoverished rural areas.
But the severe food-price wars that covered the globe in 2008 coupled with the unprecedented worldwide recession cause the fight against hunger to retreat, he said. Today, progress stands at 1970 levels.
In the United States, one in four children live in families struggling to put food on the table, he said.
McDonald suggested that to understand how some eat and some don’t in this world, and what can be done, he suggested two books by Michael Pollan, "The Omnivore’s Dilemma" and his newest, "Food Rules."
McDonald urged listeners to contact their political representatives and let them know that alleviating hunger is a top priority. If they don’t respond, vote them out in November.
David Creech, ELCA director of hunger education, urged participants to become "critically aware" of what comes to the table, and respond, either simply through grace acknowledging the sacrifice, or joining a community-supported agriculture group.

Namibia blog re-activiated

Readers,

I have re-activated the Namibia blog, used last spring by the synod delegation that visited in order to communicate with readers. I'm starting to dump more stories and photos into that blog, now that I'm free to do so, and there will be quite a bit more starting Friday, when I have some time I can devote to that. the blog can be accessed from the synod website home page at www.lutheranssw.org or here:

http://namibiaconnect.blogspot.com/

Rachel Pritchett, communicator

Bishop Hofstad argues for balance of power

Readers,

Bishop Robert D. Hofstad speaks out as the ELCA considers changes in governance. He argues that the authority of decisions between the Church Council and the Council of Bishops "is not in balance." His voice is being heard. Read more about this on the link below.

Also, for those of you who might not know. ELCA Secretary Dave Swartling and wife Barbara are from Bainbridge Island. - RP


http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4651

Regarding the North Seattle Church and the Tent City ...

It's a question that's been addressed recently by a smattering of other Western Washington communities - Kent and Puyallup, for starters. Many point to Tacoma's Housing First initiative that puts homeless in apartments rather than tents, at least in Bremerton, where I work. - RP

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/oct/08/east-bremerton-church-backs-away-from-tent-city/

Ethis of Eating Conference Coming

Readers,

While I was in Namibia on a synod visitation trip this spring, the women of a church in a remote desert region in the north cooked us a special meal that was, by all means, all local. The goat, the chicken, a fermented milk concoction, the pumpkin and grain for the oshifima porridge all came, I'm certain, from a mile or two radius. Other than a few cans of pop, I'm thinking that this was the most "locally produced" meal I'd ever had. I've marveled over that meal and how it was accomplished many times since. I'm looking forward to next weekend's Ethics of Eating conference in Tacoma, and I hope you'll join me. Here are the details. -RP

The 2010 Ethics of Eating event "What’s on Our Plate and Why Does it Matter?" will be Oct. 15 and 16 at Trinity Lutheran Church of Parkland and Pacific Lutheran University. The event, to raise awareness of hunger in the world, will feature the Rev. Jim McDonald, managing director of Bread for the World. Other speakers will include David Creech of the ELCA Hunger Appeal. It begins Friday evening from 5 to 9 p.m. McDonald will speak then and a soup supper is planned. Also that night, a film is planned, along with discussion on ELCA water efforts. Trinity Lutheran church is at 12115 Park Ave. The event continues Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at PLU. The cost is $25 for adults and $15 for youth. To register, contact Allison Ramsey at the synod office or visit www.lutheranssw.org.

Seattle Church, Neighbors in Battle’s Grip Over Tent City

Readers,

I had occasion to do this story, though it takes place in the Northwest Washington Synod. - Rachel Pritchett

SEATTLE - A North Seattle church whose members have decided to host a temporary tent city is feeling intense heat from neighbors, but is resolved to live its mission.
Signs have surrounded Maple Leaf Lutheran Church in this usually bucolic neighborhood saying, "Burn in Hell, Maple Leaf Lutheran" and "Please be Good Neighbors; No Tent City."
Neighbors have intimidated Maple Leaf members trying to get to worship with aggressive questioning while handing out 65-page booklets stating the case against a tent city. They’ve strewn nails across the church parking lot, and even driven vehicles next to a recent outdoor Oktoberfest and set off car alarms, according to the Rev. Julie Blum of Maple Leaf Lutheran.
"I want to think I can give humanity more credit," said Pastor Blum, adding that everyone is encumbered by sin. "I think their biggest concern was they didn’t have a say in the matter."
Tent City 3 is a legally sanctioned traveling homeless encampment that’s operated for many years in Seattle. It is operated by SHARE/WHEEL, the Seattle Housing and Resource Efforts and Women’s Housing, Equality and Enhancement League.
SHARE/WHEEL, always having to search for venues on which the tent city can live for 90 days before moving on, asked the congregation if it would be willing to be a host.
On Sept. 19, some 80 percent of members voted yes as about 50 protesters milled outside. The congregation served them coffee and donuts, but that didn’t bridge the gulf of misunderstanding. The congregation had a long history of helping the homeless, having housed homeless people in the church basement for the past 15 years.
The face-off with neighbors has left its mark, with congregants having to answer how the camp would benefit the community, since there are few grocery stores in the neighborhood to serve the camp, and how it could ensure that children living in homes nearby would be safe.
"We try to claim that they don’t know that about their neighbors now," Pastor Blum said.
A church tent-city task force has received intimidating e-mails, threats of lawsuits and at least one house-egging, and remains weary but solid in resolve. One neighbor threatened to move should the tent city come.
"We’re trying to do something good, and we’re being met with hostility," Pastor Blum said. "Jesus said it wasn’t going to be easy, but this is what we were called to do."Meanwhile, the standoff, and the opposition the congregation met 15 years ago when it began putting homeless people in its basement, has changed the congregation forever.
Blum says it’s become more "outward focused," doing things like becoming supporters of the Lake City Holiday Project, which provides Christmas gifts to low-income children.
"I think that we are realizing in a world that has needs that the church can address, the church can respond instead of just getting caught up in ourselves," she said.
Meanwhile, Tent City 3, made up of 100 or so destitute adult men and women, is set to move to the Maple Leaf Lutheran parking lot. The nails will be all cleared, just hours after America celebrates Thanksgiving with turkey with all the trimmings.
"If we’re going to be disciples of Jesus, we’re going to follow his lead," the pastor said.

Lutherans working together to build Habitat house

By Jim Lamb and Rachel Pritchett

BREMERTON – Lutherans from all corners of Kitsap County are building a Habitat for Humanity house in Bremerton.

It is the first of its kind in the county, and will be occupied by a low-income family next spring.
The house is located at Habitat for Humanity's emerging Cornerstone Place neighborhood. Workers now are hurrying to get to a stage in construction to keep the rains out.
The home will be occupied by a nursing student at Olympic College and her two sons.
Leon Thomas of nearby Silverdale Lutheran Church came up with the vision for the Lutheran-built house. He developed a plan to raise $24,000 and get pledges of at least 1,500 hours of work from members of local Lutheran churches. Tirelessly visiting each church beginning in June, he and the Rev. Bill Crabtree of Silverdale Lutheran so far have raised more than $16,000 and received commitments of 500 hours of work.
That's been enough to start.
Groundbreaking and a worship service were held at the sight on Aug. 7. Walt Washington, the county treasurer, delivered remarks.
"Besides the joy of helping a deserving family, just imagine the fellowship, relationships between churches and new friendships that would develop as Lutherans worked together," said Jim Lamb, member of Silverdale Lutheran.
That’s happened, and members from the following churches now are working shoulder-to-shoulder: Port Madison and Bethany Lutheran churches of Bainbridge Island; Family of God, Memorial and Our Saviour’s Lutheran churches of Bremerton; Spirit of Life Lutheran Church of Olalla; and First Lutheran Church of Poulsbo.

Disabled young adults reach out to God at Messiah

By Rachel Pritchett, communicator

VANCOUVER - The mother of a young Vancouver woman with Down syndrome has come up with an amazing way to wrap God’s love around her and her friends.
Shelley Park at Messiah Lutheran Church explains that when daughter Hadley was young, it didn’t take much to fold her into church activities with the other children.
But as Hadley reached middle-school age, teachings in Sunday school and in youth activities became more abstract. Classmates became less understanding and less tolerant of behaviors that can sometimes come from people like Hadley.
"It gets harder for people with disabilities to participate in church life," Park said. And even harder as Hadley grew into a young adult.
"Hadley said, ‘Mom, where’s my part?’ " Park remembered.
Park prayed for guidance.
Nearly three years ago, she began a group at Messiah specifically for young adults like Hadley - a place where they could deepen their understanding of the love of God in a way they understood, an ecumenical place where they could deepen friendships and enjoy the fellowship so many others at Messiah enjoyed, but which eluded them.
Park called the group All for One. At times with more than a dozen members, it meets on Saturday at the church, with volunteers assisting.
Since it began, the special young adults from all religious backgrounds prepare and eat a meal together. They learn the meaning behind Bible stories on their terms. They share, they do crafts projects like taping newsprint all over each other to demonstrate the armor of God. They love. They fold their hands and look upward.
They pray for one of their dads who lost his job. They pray for Kyron Horman, the little Portland, Ore., boy who vanished.
"It’s the groaning of the spirit. God understands; angels understand," Park said.
Park has struggled to find appropriate curriculum for the young adults in All For One. The Lutheran church has some, but Park considers it too Lutheran for the diverse group.
"It is really hard to find Bibles for disabled people. I’m still struggling," Park said.
Park’s efforts have caught the attention of local media, who have featured her group.
Today, friendships have deepened in the All For One group, as has their exploration of God.
"I think disabled people are close to God. Their God space is already filled in them," said Park, who also is a preschool teacher at Messiah.
As for Hadley, now 25, "She finally had a spot. She finally had a place."

Opportunity coming to learn about synod's companion relationship with Namibia

Greetings,

Starting with its October edition and continuing through the end of the year and into next year, The Lutheran magazine will run a series of articles and photographs featuring the Southwestern Washington Synod's companion relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia. The series is based on a synod-delegation visit that took place this spring that was led by Bishop Robert D. Hofstad.

To subscribe to The Lutheran either online or by mail, visit www.thelutheran.org. The series will appear on the synod's new website at http:/swwsynodelca.blogspot.com/ after publication in The Lutheran. A related article will appear this fall in The Little Lutheran.

Please consider sharing with your congregations and friends in your newsletters.

Thank you,

Rachel Pritchett, Southwestern Washington Synod communicator
rachelpritchett@msn.com

Synod's newest worshipping community elects officers

EAST JEFFERSON COUNTY -- Peace Lutheran Fellowship of Port Hadlock, the Southwestern Washington Synod’s newest synodically authorized worshiping community, elected new steering-committee officers on Sept. 19, just three months after first convening.
They include President Dave Witsoe, Vice President Mark Getzendanner, Treasurer Jack Randall, Secretary Janet Getzendanner and Members at Large Jerry Larson, Linda DeLeo and Harold Jensen.
The fellowship formed after Lutheran Church of the Redeemer of Chimacum left the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American following the 2009 churchwide vote on sexuality. It was one of five congregations in the synod to leave.
Some 35 Redeemer members, however, wanted to continue together as an ELCA congregation, and began meeting first in a restaurant and currently in a picturesque lodge on Beaver Valley Road near Chimacum.
"It’s amazing to me we’ve come this far this fast," said Mark Getzendanner.
The congregation now is working toward forming a constitution and vision statement.
Pastors from nearby ELCA congregations have been preaching each Sunday. The Rev. Kent Shane of First Lutheran Church of Pousbo preached during the inaugural service on the Fourth of July. On Sept. 19, the Rev. Julie Kanarr of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Port Angeles came.
"We give thanks to God for you," Kanarr told the worshippers, adding she looks forward to her congregation partnering in many endeavors with Peace in the future.
The synod gave the congregation a $10,000 grant, and participants now are beginning to talk about a pastor.
"We need to have a pastoral leader," said Joe Wagner.
Witsoe, the newly elected president, said the fellowship has come about because every person in it has helped in their own way.
"I don’t see one person witting here who hasn’t help Peace Lutheran Fellowship evolve to where it is today," he said.
The fellowship meets at 10 a.m. Sundays at Beaver Springs Lodge, 2924 Beaver Valley Road. To learn more, visit the community’s website at www.peacelutheranfellowship.org.

Messiah Lutheran Church - North County Campus begins worship

RIDGEFIELD, CLARK COUNTY – More than 100 worshippers crammed into new space in the second floor of a Ridgefield office building for the Sept. 12 kick-off of Messiah Lutheran Church – North County Campus.

Welcoming worshippers were the Revs. Peter and Kathleen Braafladt of Messiah. Kathleen Braafladt delivered a moving sermon about willingness to let God take control.
Also starting just before worship was an intergenerational education hour called G.R.A.C.E., God Reaches All In Christian Education.

Lynda Laird, the new site’s outreach coordinator, gave an orientation, and the Rev. Melanie Wallschlaeger, director for evangelical mission for the Southwestern Washington Synod, was on hand.

The new worshipping group is an expansion of Messiah Lutheran Church of Vancouver, and was supported by a $100,000 grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and a $150,000 grant from the Evangelical Outreach and Congressional Mission unit of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Organizers found the new worshippers through doorbelling and advertising. The new group continues to contact persons who work in the office building during the week.

Messiah – North Campus meets at 2 South 56th Place, Suite 204, close to Interstate 5 at Exit 114. The education hour begins at 9 a.m. and worship starts at 10 a.m. For more information, visit http://www.messiahvancouver.org/.

Speaker: Stewardship calls for being in life of congregation

TACOMA – Keith Mundy, ELCA assistant director for stewardship, was the keynoter for five recent events at synod congregations.
Some 40 persons attended one at Peace Lutheran Church of Tacoma on Aug. 28, where he explained that while 90 percent of people believe all that they have belongs to God, only a few live that out.
"Stewardship is about connecting what we believe with our lifestyle," he said.
Yet our culture teaches us to accumulate and hold onto everything, he continued.
"We have to turn things upside down and look at things differently," he said.
Rather than inviting newcomers to first give generously, congregations should first work to make them part of the life of congregations, he said. Giving follows later.
When congregation members are asked to plan on giving a specific dollar amount, giving increases 70 percent, he said. When they’re asked to give a percent of their total income, giving increases much more, he said.
Lutherans give 1.5 percent of their income, on average, the lowest of any mainline denomination. "There is room to grow," he said.
Mundy said congregation members sharing stories about their history of giving is effective.
In a workshop that followed, Margie Fiedler, vice president of marketing for the ELCA Mission Investment Fund and Jim Leistikow, director of Lutheran Planned Giving Consortium of Western Washington, focused on teaching children about stewardship.
A good place to start is sharing the 10-10-80 rule, they advised. That means putting 10 percent of their money toward savings, 10 percent toward giving, and spending the rest.
The pair suggested getting children involved early in stewardship opportunities at church, including taking part in collecting offering. The Mission Investment Fund has many other opportunities to save and to learn the practice of giving. Fiedler is available to help parents find those paths. She can be reached at (208) 664-7973 or margie.fiedler@elca.org.
Other congregations that hosted the stewardship event include Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church of Sequim, Amazing Grace Lutheran church of Aberdeen, Trinity Lutheran Church of Vancouver and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Olympia.

Unity in the midst of diversity theme of Bible study event

SILVERDALE - Unity in the midst of diversity was the theme of the Women of the ELCA Bible Study Event held Aug. 21 at Silverdale Lutheran Church.
Almost 200 women from the Southwestern Washington and Northwest Washington synods of the ELCA turned out to hear the Revs. D. Jensen and Linda Seyenkulo lay the groundwork for those who will take part in the Lutheran Women Today magazine Bible study for 2010 and 2011.
Pastor Jensen Seyenkulo called on the passage from Amos 3:3, which asks, “Can any two walk together except they be agreed?”
“Our responses is come and see,” he told the listening crowd.
“There are a lot of things we disagree on in the church, but we can still walk together,” he said.
Jensen Seyenkulo is director for rostered and authorized ministries in the ELCA’s churchwide Vocation and Education unit and is originally from Liberia. Wife Linda is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church of Park Forest, Ill. The couple met in seminary in Minnesota, and lived in Liberia before war forced them out of the country.
Jensen Seyenkulo also spoke of the ELCA’s Book of Faith initiative, to better acquaint followers with the written word of God. Some people new to the faith desire “milk” from the scripture, similar to a brand-new infant, he explained. Learning more, they eventually transition to the “solid food” of scripture, he said.
Linda Seyenkulo urged participants, in studying the Bible with others, not to keep exclusively to groups of like-minded people who agree on all aspects of the faith. She urged them to get to know others they may disagree with on some issues, to foster “cross-fertilization of thinking.”
“In the body of Christ, we believe there is room for differences,” she said.
To order the materials for the Lutheran Woman Today nine-month Bible study titled, “The People of God: Unity nthe Midst of Diversity,” call Augsburg Fortress at (800) 328-4648.

Attention pastors: Are you doing a green funeral?

Southwestern Washington Synod pastors,

The Lutheran magazine wants a piece on the greening of the funeral industry. I said I'd do it if I could find a green funeral taking place in our synod. If any of you have a funeral planned, or come across one in the next couple of months, and it has an aspect of green in it, please contact me. Family need not be involved. Green would be choosing not to embalm, basket caskets, ashes at sea in biodegradable container, burial in section of cemetery designated as green, etc. I have a bunch of research on this already. Thank you. Rachel Pritchett, communicator, rachelpritchett@msn.com.

Vocal quartet in concert this Sunday

Liberty Quartet of Nampa, Idaho, will sing in concert at First Lutheran Community Church of Port Orchard at the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. services this coming Sunday, Aug. 22
The community is invited to the free event. The church is at 2483 Mitchell Road SE, a few blocks south of South Kitsap High School. - RP

Check in with the Rev. Allen Cudahy

The Rev. Allen Cudahy, formerly of First Lutheran Community Church of Port Orchard and now is in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica, hopes to start worship services next month in a church he's started there. Find out how it's going by clicking on the headline. - RP

Tough guys on Harleys invade St. John's

CHELALIS – The deafening roar of Harleys arriving at St. John’s drowned out the final stanza of the pre-sermon hymn at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Aug. 1.

Worshipers’ eyes grew wide as seven tough guys in black leather and chains burst and sat down. The Rev. D. Randall Faro was nowhere to be seen as sermon time arrived, so the head dude of the gang, a scary-looking guy with long, straggly hair took over.

Church, he said, is where the rubber meets the road, where tough guys who might have led a life they’re not too proud of come for forgiveness and acceptance.

What’s your reaction when they arrive? he asked the startled congregation. Are you welcoming and see these tough guys as children of God, or do you judge?

He and his boys really need to be welcomed, he said, and invited to hear the Word."We need you," he told worshipers, "and it means a lot to us that you welcome us here."
It turned out that the head dude was Pastor Faro in disguise, and his boys were all familiar faces in the congregation – Douglas Lee, Larry Moir, Tony Miles, Bernie Schreck, Ron Kuxhausen and John Haworth.
And with that, the St. John’s congregation got a reminder to be welcoming they’ll not soon forget. - RP

Sometimes the words just come out wrong ...

These church-bulletin and announcement bloopers were forwarded by the Rev. Valinda Morse, who promises they're funny, and she's right.

“Silence is the language of God, all else is poor translation.” - Thomas Keating

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.

The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus."

Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.

Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.

Don't let worry kill you off - let the church help.

Miss Charlene Mason sang, " I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.

Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.

A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.

At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.

Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.

The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.

Potluck supper Sunday at 5: p.m.; prayer and medication to follow.

The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.

This evening at 7 p.m. there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.

Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 a.m. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done.

The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.

Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 p.m. Please use the back door.

The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the church basement Friday at 7 p.m. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

Weight Watchers will meet at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church.. Please use large double door at the side entrance.

The associate minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours."

LWR launches new line of fair-trade coffee with Equal Exchange

BALTIMORE — Lutheran World Relief and Equal Exchange, a fair-trade supplier and worker-owned cooperative, are introducing a new line of fair-trade coffees. They are available to both individuals and congregations through the LWR Coffee Project and help support small-scale farmers.
Included in the line are Organic Sisters' Blend, Organic Gumutindo, Organic Breakfast Blend, and Organic Breakfast Blend Decar.
To find out more, visit www.lwr.org/coffee. — RP

New Chinook service amid coast's beauty

CHINOOK — Every Sunday at 7 p.m. this summer, members and friends from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Chinook head to the shore overlooking the confluence of the Columbia River and the ocean to worship.
It's part of the congregation's new "Sunday Summer Sunset Service at Seven," held in a member's back yard overlooking Baker Bay.
"We have much better sunsets that sunrises around here," said the Rev. Chris Ode, "and it made sense to take advantage of that."
Pastor Ode hopes the service will attract tourists and visitors and to help that along, congregation members have put notices in RV parks and grocery stores along the Long Beach peninsula.
The service even has music, provided by Matthew Downs.
"We were expecting to be a cappella, but then Matthew was dropped into our laps; truly the Lord will provide," Ode said.
Worshipers cam up with the idea for the unique summer services after one of their Easter sunrise services at nearby Fort Columbia State Park. To learn more about the smmer services or about Chinook, visit the congregaton's Facebook page at www.tr.im/chinooklutheran. — Rachel Pritchett

Back from Namibia

Hi friends,

This is Rachel Pritchett, synod communicator. Thanks, Allison, for this blog. I hope it's used frequently.

I am newly back from our synod's mission trip to Namibia that was led by Bishop Robert D. Hofstad, and am only just now completing five stories and a video about the trip. I am available to speak on what we saw and contributed on congregations' behalf starting this fall. I'm at rachelpritchett@msn.com.

Synod StewardShop Events

The Rev. Melanie Wallschlaeger has been working really hard to help bring you these stewardship workshops...and the fantastic ELCA and synod speakers! Please invite your congregational rostered leaders, stewardship team, finance team and future stewardship leaders:

STEWARDSHOP
Skill-based Workshops for Stewardship Leaders

Are you striving to move from paying the bills to living the mission?
Are you looking for ways to improve your fall response?
Are you trying to re-energize year-round stewardship?
Are you looking to grow well-formed stewards?

Free skill-based stewardship workshops will be offered in five churches around the Southwestern Washington Synod. All pastors, lay professionals, stewardship leaders, finance teams and future stewardship leaders are invited to attend these practical and experiential workshops. Each StewardShop will include a plenary session and question and answer time with Keith Mundy, Stewardship Consultant. In addition, each participant may choose to attend two of the six workshops offered at each location (workshop descriptions below).

To register, please contact the Synod Office at 253.535.8300 or email the congregation name, participant name(s) and email(s) to: swwsynod@plu.edu. These no-cost workshops are sponsored by the Southwestern Washington Synod and the ELCA.

Workshop presenters:
+ Mr. Keith Mundy, Assistant Director for Stewardship, Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission Unit of the ELCA
+ Rev. Dr. Melanie Wallschlaeger, Synod Director for Evangelical Mission, Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission Unit of the ELCA
+ Rev. Jim Leistikow, Director of the Lutheran Planned Giving Consortium of Western Washington
+ Ms. Margie Fiedler, Vice President of Marketing, ELCA Mission Investment Fund
+ Rev. Sarah Roemer, Mission Interpreter

Help to bring life and energy to your congregation’s stewardship program by registering now!

Here is where to be: (choose one)

Thursday, August 26: 6-9pm Dungeness Valley Lutheran, Sequim (dinner included)

Saturday, August 28: 9am-Noon Peace Lutheran, Tacoma (snacks included)

Sunday, August 29: 3-6pm Amazing Grace Lutheran, Aberdeen (snacks included)

Monday, August 30: 6-9pm Trinity Lutheran, Vancouver (dinner included)

Tuesday, August 31: 6-9pm Gloria Dei Lutheran, Olympia (dinner included)

Dinners are served at 6pm on weeknights.


StewardShop Workshop Descriptions: (choose two)

Conducting an Effective Annual Response
Does your congregation do an annual response? Here are three proven approaches (Walk with Jesus, Make It Simple, Consecration Sunday), and the secrets for them to be most effective. In addition to these, other stewardship resources and consultation services will be made available before and after the event. Simply go to the stewardship resource table or talk with one of the presenters.

Getting to Year Round Stewardship
Is your congregation stuck? Are you trying to move from the once-a-year ask to being joyful stewards year-round? Here are some fresh and practical ways to reshape the culture and calendar of your congregation.

Giving from Font to the Grave: Nurturing Children and Youth in Stewardship
How does a congregation grow young stewards? Are your youth prepared to be good stewards as they become adults? Come see practical approaches and tools to grow well-formed young stewards in your congregation. Begin now to grow steward leaders, by teaching them about money. Bring a Sunday school or confirmation leader with you.

How to Use a Narrative Budget
Do your members ask, ‘Where does all that money go, anyway?’ Are you concerned about the large portion of the budget that goes for facilities or staff? The Narrative Budget, or Missional Spending Plan, provides clarity and focus based on specific ministry priorities for your congregation. Come learn the steps and practical guidelines for an approach that can help grow giving.

Leaving a Legacy through Planned Giving
Are you looking for ways to sustain and grow the ministries of your congregation? Do you want to strengthen your congregation’s financial capacity for the future? Planned giving can provide these and more. Come learn how planning today, by both your family and your congregation, can create and support ministries in the future. Topics include: How to jump start your endowment committee, best practices for growing mission endowments and legacy gifting; plus how to invest money that helps the church grow.

Storytelling and Mission Interpretation: “It’s as simple as a story!”
We tell stories every day; stories shape our lives. They thank, inform, teach, inspire, connect and invite. When the stories we tell proclaim how God is making a difference in our lives and the lives of others through the church, our stories become a way to understand how God transforms and utilizes the prayers, tithes, offerings, volunteer efforts and special gifts of the people in your church.

Come learn basic storytelling approaches, discover how something as simple as telling a story can inspire and transform your congregation, and how Mission Interpretation can strengthen your congregation members to become even stronger advocates and supporters of the mission and ministries within your church, our synod and the world.