Loren Anderson will retire as PLU president

Just posted on the Tacoma News Tribune site:

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/05/31/1687623/plu-president-loren-anderson-announces.html

From our friends: An end-of-session wrap-up from LPPO

By the Rev. Paul Benz, executive director, Lutheran Public Policy Office of Washington

The just-adjourned Legislature passed and balanced all three state budgets - transportation, capital and operating. The biggest disappointment is that the operating budget was balanced by about 90 percent cuts; the rest (about $460 million) was in fund transfers. There were no revenue solutions or repeal of tax exemptions that made the light of day. The house did vote on one tax exemption bill (an out of state bank exemption for interest they earn on first mortgages.) That bill would have directed the money recovered from repealing this exemption to help preserve funding for K-3 class size reduction. The vote received a majority vote, however, Initiative 1053 requires two-thirds for any tax or fee increase - therefore the bill died - because repealing a tax exemption is being interpreted by legislative leadership as a tax increase. In this bleak picture we did never the less have some major policy victories.

Victories
HB 1362 - Preventing home foreclosures via non judicial mediation: LPPO is a part of the Alliance for the Prevention of Predatory Lending, which was the force behind getting this bill passed and signed by the governor. Bruce Neas from Columbia Legal Services was our lead lobbyist/negotiator on this and deserves a lot of credit.

SB 5769 - Transition of the Lewis County Coal Plant: LPPO is a part of the Environmental Priorities Coalition and this was its main victory of the session. Sen. Phil Rockefeller from Kitsap County deserves a lot of credit as he skillfully led the negotiations on this. Earth Ministry, a religious partner of LPPO's, was a key advocate in this effort as well.

SB 5423 - Legal Financial Obligation Reform to stop the interest rate clock during incarceration: This reform will lighten the financial burden of people coming out of prison in our state and help reduce recidivism. Nick Allen with Columbia Legal Services was key in keeping this bill moving thru the process.

HB 1277 - Adult Family Home reform and reducing elder abuse: This bill will now help provide better oversight of inspecting for abuse and greater penalties and fees for AFH owners. LPPO was a part of the Long Term Care Coalition and helped form a new group of consumers who have family members that have been abused. One worthy of noting is Ann Detlefs, member now at Peace Lutheran in West Seattle, who was very active in this effort and testified before the senate health care committee.

HB 1874 & SB 5546 - Human Trafficking: LPPO was the main religious voice in Olympia on this issue and worked with Velma Veloria and Rose Gundersen, lead lobbyists, to get these bills through. The house bill gives local law enforcement greater ability to apprehend the actual perpetrators and the senate bill strengthens the definition of the current statute regarding human trafficking.

Two bills we opposed and helped stop:
HB 1126 — the anti-gang bill proposed by the attorney general: This bill was opposed by the Community of Color coalition led by the ACLU because it focused too much on punishment and prosecution versus prevention and intervention.

HB 1577 and SB 5407 - Driver's license anti-immigrant bill: LPPO was a part of the largely Latino led coalition of communities of color and testified on the bill in the house. Both of these efforts to oppose harmful legislation are a testament to grassroots organizing.

Regarding LPPO's priorities:
In education, state funding for school lunches cut remained at $6 million and K-12 class size reduction funding was reduced.
Housing Trust Fund was preserved at $50 million. This includes $3 million to serve people with developmental disabilities, $3 million for farm worker housing, $3 million for homeless veterans, $3 million for communities of concern, and $6 million for weatherization. However, increased funding for homeless services did not pass.
Basic Health was preserved but will be reduced down to 34 thousand enrollees by the end of the biennium (July 2013), with a freeze on the new admissions for next two years. There is now a waiting list of 150,000 people for this program.
Disability Lifeline was totally restructured. For those who are not awaiting federal SSI determination, the cash grants were eliminated, though medical benefits were restored and a new Essential Needs and Housing Support Program will be available for those who are eligible. This program will be run through the Commerce Department. A new ABD (aged, blind, or disabled) program will serve those awaiting federal SSI assistance and they will be eligible for monthly grants of up to $197/month.

Thank you
Thanks to all advocates who responded to this alert during this year’s session. In these difficult times there still were victories, and though drastic cuts were made to critical programs for the most vulnerable, many programs, through the efforts of many faithful advocates, were preserved.

$35,000 raised to strengthen network of advocating congregations

SEATTLE — Some $35,000 to increase Washington state's network of advocating congregations was raised May 22 at the eighth annual fund-raising dinner and auction of the Lutheran Public Policy Office of Washington.
Two-hundred people enjoyed an evening of fun at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in North Seattle, including Bishop Robert D. Hofstad, wife Linda and Bishop Chris Boerger and Assistant to the Bishop Jan Nesse from the Northwest Washington Synod.
Talks continue to merge the Lutheran Public Policy Office with the Washington Association of Churches, and an announcement is expected this summer.

Lutheran synod supplement deadline is Wednesday

Readers,

Do you have something you'd like to put in the Southwestern Washington Synod insert to the August edition of The Lutheran magazine? Photos and text welcome. That's the one we'll have all the assembly information in, too. Go ahead and send it to me by Wednesday, June 1, at rachelpritchett@msn.com or call me on my cell, (206) 498-0920.

Rachel Pritchett, communicator

Stay tuned for full synod-assembly report

Readers,

We'll be producing the full report from the recent synod assembly in the June/July Moments for Mission synod newsletter, to come out mid-next week. I'll post the link here, as well.

Rachel Pritchett

Joint Episcopal-Lutheran Ascension Day service is June 2 in Tacoma

The fourth annual Episcopal-Lutheran Ascension Day Service takes place at 7 p.m. June 2 at Christ Lutheran Church of Lakewood.
Bishop Robert D. Hofstad will preside and Episcopal Bishop Greg Rickel, head of the Episcopal Church in Western Washington, will preach.
An offering will be taken for the FISH Food Bank of Pierce County.
The church is at 8211 112 St. SW. For more information, contact the Rev. Martin Yabroff at (253) 564-4402.

More from the assembly

The following people were elected to the following leadership positions at the 24th annual assembly of the Southwestern Washington Synod in Grand Mound, Wash.

Synod Consultation Committee
Rev. Robert Hoem
Marilouise Petersen

Synod Discipline Committee
Rev. Christopher Nolte
Beverly Knutzen
Rev. Steven Ray

Synod Nominating Committee
Claudia Wagner
Diane Hanson
Rev. Jon Petersen
James Morell
Vic Boyer
Rev. Mark Woldseth
Rev. Nina Body

PLU Corporation Delegates
Elaine Lokken
Rev. Tom Tweed
Joy Lingerfelt
Lisbeth Lusk
Rev. Gregory Kaurin

Communicator wins investigative-journalism award

Rachel Pritchett has won the 2010 first-place prize in investigative journalism for newspapers 25,000 in circulation or less from the Society of Professional Journalists for her stories in the Kitsap Sun examining poor conditions at local nursing homes.
The 2010 awards were announced at an event at Seattle's Safeco Field on May 21. More than 2,500 entries from media organizations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska were submitted for various categories.
Pritchett has reported for the Sun since 1984, and has held the position of synod communicator for 10 years. She holds a master's degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.

Letting go of stress and stepping into 'resonance'

His message on "transforming burnout" felt like salve on a wound to listeners at Dr. Alan Shelton's presentations at the assembly.
The author of "Transforming Burnout: A Simple Guide to Self-Renewal" challenged them to let go of the branches of stress and negativity, and fall unafraid and confidently into the grace of God, who manages all things. Trade bitterness for resonance, he said.
"Resentment is like drinking poison every day and hoping the other person dies," he said.
Shelton, longtime medical director at the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority, should know. At one point, he realized he was caught on the hamster wheel of cynicism and burnout, and no longer loved his job.
"I lost touch with my center," he said.
But after learning how to step off the wheel, using the "gifts of the Christian faith," he found new life not only in his profession, but in his very being.
Shelton, member of Peace Lutheran Church of Tacoma for 27 years, was a tremendous hit at the assembly. He speaks nationally, and is available to speak to your congregation or group. He can be reached at alan@eptha.com or (253) 377-9144. More about Dr. Shelton is at www.transformingburnout.com.

Welcome Rick Nelson

Professional journalist Rick Nelson has agreed to write a monthly column about hunger for the synod newsletter, Moments for Mission.
Rick is on the Synod Council and a member of the Synod's Hunger Committee.
His day job is publisher of the feisty Wahkiakum County Eagle (www.waheagle.com) in Cathlamet.
I know of no other people who work harder or longer hours than publishers of weekly newspapers. They have to do everything from writing the editorials to emptying the wastebaskets. And he's a nice guy, to boot.
So I'm very grateful for Rick's upcoming contributions. I'll post them here, too, as he and I work to get the word out about what you and I can do to help fight hunger. Thank you so much, Rick.
If you're not receiving Moments for Mission and wish to, shoot me an email.

— Rachel Pritchett, rachelpritchett@msn.com

Worship-formation resources available

A fresh collection of worship-formation modules now is available by sending a request to worship@elca.org. Each is three hours long, and comes in a PDF format. There is no cost. The modules based on Evangelical Lutheran Worship and designed to support ongoing worship education include:

Evangelical Lutheran Worship: A Deeper Look;
Scripture Shapes Worship;
Evangelical Lutheran Worship: More Freedom and Flexibility;
Worship and Mission;
The Place Where We Worship:
Exploring Musical Riches in Evangelical Lutheran Worship; and
Evangelical Lutheran Worship: Leading the Assembly's Song.

Shari Shull, minister of music at Agnus Dei Lutheran Church of Gig Harbor and a Partners in Evangelical Worship representative, is available to share more information about the modules. She can be reached at sbshull@comcast.net.

Interested in hosting a visitor from Namibia?

The synod's enlarged Namibian Task Force will convene toward the end of the summer to discuss the possibility of bringing a representative of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) to visit synod congregations this fall. There would be a modest cost.
If your congregation is interested in possibly hosting this still-unidentified person to speak and preach one Sunday, send a note to synod Communicator Rachel Pritchett, who is compiling a list, at rachelpritchett@msn.com or call her at (206) 498-0920.
Pictured left to right are Bishop Robert D. Hofstad, wife Linda, the Rev. D. Randall Faro of St. John's Lutheran Church of Chehalis, and aide and Bishop Zephania Kameeta, right, an influential religious and political leader in Namibia. Bishop Hofstad led a delegation to Namibia last spring. The synod has a companion relationship with ELCIN.

Update from Lutheran Public Policy Office, on legislature, merger

The Lutheran Public Policy Office of Washington, its community partners and congregational advocates have accomplished a lot this legislative session.
On the environmental front, we now have a plan to transition Washington’s last remaining coal based energy plant.
Our work stopped legislation that would adversely affect communities of color while at the same time providing new tools to strengthen the fight against human trafficking and victimization of the homeless.
New rules for dealing with the financial obligations of prisoners will enable more successful reintegration after serving their sentences.
A new law to encourage mediation between banks and homeowners will prevent many foreclosures.
The major issue was preventing deep cuts and elimination of programs that serve the most vulnerable in our state. Such programs as Disability Lifeline, Basic Health, and Apple Health for Kids were preserved in the state budget.

Merger talks: The LPPO and the Washington Association of Churches continue in merger conversations that are putting us on the path to forming a new ecumenical statewide organization. Look for more information coming that will describe the process as we move forward. Pray that all of us together can be a powerful witness of the Just and Peaceable Kingdom of God.

Special choral concert coming in Tacoma

"Bridges of Song: A Concert of Peace and Justice" featuring the Tacoma Symphony Chorus takes place at 7:30 p.m. June 11 at Urban Grace Church, 902 Market St., Tacoma.
The concert featuring music by James Taylor, U2 and others will be lead by Geoffrey Boers, director of the Tacoma Symphony Chorus and member of Mountain View Lutheran Church of Edgewood. Other participants from congregations of the Southwestern Washington Synod include Boers' wife, Amy; Kerstin Shaffer, music minister at St. Mark Lutheran Church of Lacey; Jill Westwood, of Celebration Lutheran Church of Puyallup; and Karen Irwin of St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows of Tacoma.
The concert is being presented in conjunction with Peace Community Center of Tacoma.
Tickets cost $15 for adults and $5 for students. They are available online at http://www.tacomasymphony.org/index.php/ConcertsandEvents/TSOChorus/) or by calling (800) 291-7593. Tickets also are available in person at the Broadway Center box office, 901 Broadway, or at the commmunity center, 2106 S. Cushman Ave.

Some images from the assembly, information at bottom

Here are some images and cutlines from the synod assembly. Contact the synod office at swwsynod@plu.edu or (253) 535-8300 or me if you'd like larger images. Rachel Pritchett, communicator rachelpritchett@msn.com

The Rev. Dr. Craig Satterlee and Doug Drees of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Olympia
Dr. Allen Shelton, medical director at the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority and assembly speaker
Assembly ushers
The Rev. Dr. Craig Satterlee signs books. Satterlee was the keynoter for the assembly and is a professor of homiletics at Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago
Assembly choir
The Rev. Rowena Wang, Federal Way Chinese Fellowship, and daughter Keren Wang, 13 months
Assistant to the Bishop Ron Hoyum, left, and Andrea Udbye, synod treasurer
Laying on of hands in a workshop conducted by the Rev. Dr. Craig Satterlee
Namibia Connect (there have been some requests for the CD, contact Rachel if you want one
At the controls
Beth Ann Johnson, synod worker
Southwestern Washington Synod Council members who are leaving, coming onto the board
Bishop Robert D. Hofstad
Ordination anniversaries
Rev. Heinz Malon, Key Peninsula Lutheran Church
Lis Lusk, member, Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Bremerton
Rev. Mary Frances, ELCA associate director for new evangelizing congregations
Assembly heavy-haulers

We saw Desmond Tutu

A few of us had a tough decision last night to stay at the assembly or go to the Tacoma Dome and hear Archbishop Desmond Tutu speak at a "Be The Spark" event.

I met up with two of my three daughters and we had a night we'll never forget. The famed peace leader who was instrumental in breaking the back of apartheid in South Africa inspired the young crowd. There were plenty of old folks, too.

The peace leader chose three Bible stories of inspiration — Moses leading the people out of Egypt, Mary being told her son would be the Savior, and the feeding of 5,000 — to challenge his listeners. There were many tears.

Here's the Tacoma News Tribune story this morning:

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/05/14/1665017/during-tacoma-visit-tutu-encourages.html

Here's a photo of Sonya and Hillary Pritchett.

Rachel Pritchett

Day Two assembly, good morning

This is Rachel Pritchett, communicator.

The Bishop's Award was given last night to the Rev. Mary Davison, retired, Resurrection Lutheran Church of Tacoma.

Pastor Davison was lifted up by Bishop Robert D. Hofstad for her work in mentoring the Rev. Hang Mo Son, pastor of Light of Grace Fellowship in Federal Way.

Coming from the Christian Mission Alliance, Pastor Hang Mo desired to be a Lutheran pastor. Over the course of seven years, Pastor Davison worked patiently with him in order for him to complete the candidacy process.

Pastor Hang Mo Son was ordained as a Lutheran pastor last night in a special service.

Ordination anniversaries marked

Pastors and associates in ministries received recognition for ordination anniversaries Friday at the synod assembly.

They included the Revs. Kristi Kreamer, Lori Bonkoski, Lori Hoyum, Norma Borgford, Pamela Hunter, Ralf Kalms, Sheryl Biegert, Stephen Olson and Steve Ray, along with Ronald Coen, all celebrating 25 years of ordination.
Celebrating 20 years, was the Rev. Dr. Richard Bliese.
Celebrating 35 years were the Rev. Albert Harness, Randy Faro and Richard Sipe.
40 years: the Rev. Dean Wingstrom
45 years: The Revs. Alan Marshall, Donald Moore, Orv Jacobson and Ronald Gadde.
50 years: The Revs. David Steen, Donald Little, Edgar Larson, Kenneth Robinson, Lyman Lundeen and Vernon Flesner.
55 years: The Rev. Paul Baughman and Paul Clement.

Assembly OK's 2012 budget

One one vote, the assembly on Friday afternoon approved a synod budget for 2012 of $960,000, down about 25 percent from three years ago and containing widespread cuts.
Synod Treasurer Andreas Udbye called the budget "a carbon copy" of the 2011 spending plan. Priorities include giving to churchwide, which will rise from 39 percent to 39.5 percent; giving to synod and Region 1 administration; serving the synod's boards; and lastly, giving to agencies and missions.
The synod retains nearly $1 million in endowment funds.
"It's tougher than it's been, but we'll get through it," Udbye said.

Hoyum receives Trinity scholarship

John Hoyum, son of Assistant to the Bishop Ron and the Rev. Lori Hoyum of Port Madison Lutheran Church of Bainbridge Island, has received the "Bishop's Scholarship" to attend Trinity Lutheran College of Everett beginning this fall, presented at the assembly by Dr. Jeff Mallison, Trinity's academic dean.
Hoyum graduates this spring from Crosspoint Academy in Bremerton and lives on Bainbridge Island with his parents and sister Gretchen.

Heard in the hallway at Great Wolf: A hunger grant above and beyond

Just ran into Beth Ann Johnson who had this announcement ...

GROUND MOUND — Beth Ann Johnson had a great surprise waiting when she got home from work last night and was opening her mail.
Waiting for her was an announcement from the ELCA that the synod's Hunger Committee, of which Johnson is a member, had received a $1,500 grant.
That amount was $500 more than the top level of the grant, and the ELCA made the exception because it believed this particular group was being most effective.
In the past year, members of the synod's Hunger Committee worked with pastors to address hunger in their own congregations and communities in addition to addressing the greater need, Johnson explained.
The grant will be used to recruit new workers in the struggle against hunger, and to help with education. Johnson wrote the grant.

More on remarks from Craig Satterlee

The professor of homiletics at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and first speaker Friday at the assembly of the Southwestern Washington Synod said that healing is not necessary the full result of prayer for the sick.
"I'm convinced that physical healing may be a manisfestion of the wholeness, but the wholeness is more important," the Rev. Dr. Craig Satterlee said.
Jesus did not demonstrate in any way the Old Testament notion that sickness is define punishment, or visited upon people to teach them patience and endurance.
"Jesus understands sickness as a disruptive force contrary to God, and so Jesus stops it."
Regarding wholeness, Satterlee said that attaining wholeness in times of sickness means coming to grips with the brokenness of our relationship with God, dealing with our isolation from community, and our inability to fulfill vocation.
"Jesus wants to get at the brokenness that lies at the heart and that grows from sickness," he said.

Blogging live from the synod assembly ...

Good morning,

GRAND MOUND — Roughly 300 attendees from around the Southwestern Washington Synod have converged at great Wolf Lodge, where this Friday morning the Rev. Dr. Craig Sattterlee is giving the first keynote address. The professor of homiletics at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago is speaking about the power of prayer. He is legally blind, and is having a difficult time here staring at the bright lights.

Check in here a few times a day today, tonight and tomorrow and find out what's going on. For specific requests, you can post here, email me at rachelpritchett@msn.com, or call me at (206) 498-0920 anytime.

Rachel Pritchett, communicator

Fill out the survey

This today from the people at Augsburg Fortress. Click on the links and fill out the survey. Rachel

Dear Synod Communicators:

We’re looking for 1000 survey respondents (or more!) by tomorrow. We’re up to 700 in the past 24 hours, so we can see the target!

The survey is a brief questionnaire for pastors, worship leaders and people in the pews to help our Worship & Music team create a new “Worship 101” resource.

Please share this link and invitation with anyone you think would find it of interest! http://tinyurl.com/3mv9kt8

Reminder: Round two of planned giving workshops start next week

Growing Congregational Planned Giving Leaders Workshop # 2

Where: Seven sites in SWWA Aberdeen, Federal Way, Olympia, Port Townsend, Puyallup, Tacoma & Vancouver When: On 3:00-5:00 pm, 5:00-6:30 pm & 6:30-8:30 pm at seven locations from Monday May 16th to Thursday May 26th. Add to my calendar

Dear Rachel, Workshop # 2, is all about understanding "nuts and bolts" of planned giving. It is another important step in providing the support and information to assist congregational planned giving leaders. Starting, Monday, May 16 it is being offered at seven locations throughout our synod Workshop # 2 will include: · "Giving 101 Simply Stated" Will focus on the top ten avenues for gifting with emphasis on communicating the three major opportunities available for congregations. · "Watering the Bamboo - getting on with it!" Will introduce some of the 'best practices" of Lutheran Congregations successful in planned giving. · "Endowment Committee Code of Ethics," Will address the difference between success and failure. · "Trust and Confidentiality" Will touch on these essential elements of faithful and effective ministry. A catch-up opportunity has been scheduled for congregations not represented in Workshop # 1. The material covered in Workshop # 1 will be offered from 5:00-6:30 PM on all seven dates and locations. Those congregations who were unable to attend the first workshop should register for one of these opportunities and then register for Workshop # 2 offered from 6:30-8:30 PM the same day. Please RSVP by Registering Below: (Click on the time of your choice) Monday, May 16, Good Shepherd Lutheran, Olympia South Sound Conference 3:00-5:00 PM or 6:30-8-30 PM Workshop # 2 5:00-6:30 PM Workshop # 1 Make-Up Tuesday, May 17, Amazing Grace Lutheran, Aberdeen Costal Conference 3:00-5:00 PM or 6:30-8:30 PM Workshop # 2 5:00-6:30 PM Workshop # 1 Makeup Thursday, May 19 Grace Lutheran, Port Townsend Olympic and Peninsula Conferences 3:00-5:00 PM or 6:30-8-30 PM Workshop # 2 5:00-6:30 PM Workshop # 1 Makeup Monday, May 23 Peace Lutheran, Puyallup Mt. Rainier Conference 3:00-5:00 PM or 6:30-8-30 PM Workshop # 2 5:00-6:30 PM Workshop # 1 Makeup Tuesday, May 24 St. Andrew Lutheran, Vancouver Ft. Vancouver and Lower Columbia Conferences 3:00-5:00 PM or 6:30-8-30 PM Workshop # 2 5:00-6:30 PM Workshop # 1 Makeup Wednesday, May 25 Christ Lutheran, Federal Way Evergreen Conference 3:00-5:00 PM or 6:30-8-30 PM Workshop # 2 5:00-6:30 PM Workshop # 1 Makeup Thursday, May 26 St. Marks by the Narrows Lutheran Tacoma Narrows and Tacoma SW Conferences 3:00-5:00 PM or 6:30-8-30 PM Workshop # 2 5:00-6:30 PM Workshop # 1 Makeup The Synod is grateful to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans who provided the grant with the financial resources to enable the congregational participation of every SWWA Synod Congregation at no cost or obligation. What's ahead? Workshop # 3 will be offered in the later part of August in conjunction with the Stewardshops currently planned throughout the synod. Workshop # 3 will include several new planned giving resources to "Water The Bamboo" within congregations. Participants will be given a DVD reinforcing the information shared in the previous "Congregational Planned Giving Workshops" , a PowerPoint featuring planned giving made simple, a Bible Study suitable for a 2 to 3 session adult class, and a review of 18 effective practices used by congregations strong in planned giving. Any questions? Stop by the "Congregational Planned Giving Leaders" display at the Synod Assembly! Please call or e-mail if I can assist in any way. Blessings! James Leistikow Southwestern Washington Synod Planned Giving Leadership Grant 425-252-2021 jim.leistikow@gmail.com Forward this e-mail to stewardship leaders! Information provided in the "Congregational Planned Giving Leadership" workshops should not be considered tax or legal advice. Please always consult with your tax or legal advisor before proceeding with estate or gift planning.

Look to the live blog from next weekend's synod assembly ...

Hi ho, fellow bloggers,

If you can't make it to the annual assembly of the Southwestern Washington Synod on Friday and Saturday, May 13 and 14 in Grand Mound, there's an easy way to get instant updates during those today days.

I will be blogging live both those days here, with updates and images. Check in a few times during the day. You can post comments, too.

Rachel Pritchett, communicator

P.S. I'll tell you what Desmond Tutu said, too, in his Friday appearance at the Tacoma Dome.

In search of tickets to hear Desmond Tutu?

The beloved Nobel Peace Prize winner speaks at 7:30 p.m. May 13 at the Tacoma Dome in his last public appearance in the United States. Doors open at 6 p.m. He will encourage listeners to "Be the Spark" to make a difference for justice. Peace Community Center of Tacoma has tickets available, free for youth and $35 for adults. The center has scholarships available. Contact Kerri Greenaway at admin@peacetacoma.org or at (253) 383-0702, Ext. 105.