Posting: Spirit of Life seeks finance steward

Spirit of Life Lutheran Church of Olalla seeks a part-time finance steward to manage the financial and business resources of its ministries. The position is for 16 hours a week, with the requirement of being on-site at least two days. The salary is between $13 and $15. A full description is at www.spiritoflifelutheran.com. Interested candidates should a submit resume and cover letter by Sept. 10 to Spirit of Life Lutheran Ministries, 3901 SE Mullenix Road, Port Orchard, WA 98367. Questions? Call 360-876-5094.

Mountain View's giant event eases back-to-school costs

 By Beth Ann Johnson, Mountain View Lutheran Church and Community Center

EDGEWOOD — For many families in our community, this is a tough time of year — they need to purchase school supplies and clothing for their kids. It can be expensive. A recent survey pegged the cost of school supplies for an elementary student at $65. For secondary students who require multiple binders and expensive calculators, the price is more than twice as much.

Three years ago, Mountain View Community Center saw an opportunity to make a difference for local families, creating their annual Back to School BBQ and Health Fair. This year's took place Aug. 25.

As the name implies, it’s more than just school supplies. “We were really blessed,” said Center Director Charmaine Jovanovich Miller. “We had volunteers running a vision-screening room; we had the dental van here to give check ups and fill cavities; we had free haircuts for students.” And they gave out around 800 backpacks and more than 2,800 clothing items. All was made possible by donations big and small, and time from 147 volunteers.

There was fun stuff, too: a free BBQ, drawings for prizes, music and entertainment, a rock-climbing wall, popcorn and snocones.

The community center was the vision of Mountain View Lutheran Church, which shares its campus with the Center. Many of the volunteers are church members, but there were many community volunteers involved also.

Freda Smith, who works with Medical Teams International (which provided the dental van) was also impressed.  “One little girl came down to get her dental check-up after getting her backpack — and she wouldn’t take her backpack off while she was getting her check up — she was so happy!”

The Rev. John Vaswig of Mountain View Lutheran called the event an opportunity for the spirit to move in daily life. 

“When you walk across this campus (during the event) and see everything happening, see the kids getting haircuts and dental exams, and the difference a backpack makes in the life of a seven year old, this is following Christ.”

Miller agreed.  “Knit together, we made a big difference to hundreds of little people — no wonder the Lord blessed us with such a beautiful day — thank you to everyone who made this day possible.”

Soon, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will turn 25

By the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

We are a church that is deeply rooted and always being made new. May the Holy Spirit fill and guide us, so that we may be a church that is both resilient and always reforming.

In less than a year, we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ELCA. As we celebrate, we look back at the people and events that have shaped us as a church.

Join us in celebrating the stories that have made us vibrant and distinctive yet brought us together as nearly 10,000 congregations, 65 synods and numerous churchwide ministries freed in Christ to love and serve neighbors in our own communities and around the world.

What God has done through us is indeed worth celebrating. In 25 years, we have:

• Started 435 new congregations
• Ordained nearly 8,000 pastors
• Sent more than 2,000 missionaries to serve around the world
• Contributed more than $350 million toward the alleviation of hunger and poverty

The year of our 25th anniversary begins Jan. 1, 2013, with the theme “Always Being Made New.” I invite you to join me in celebrating these 25 years together in Christ. Visit www.ELCA.org/25years for more information, and begin planning ways to bring this celebration to your congregation.

I am grateful for your leadership, support and prayers in making the work of this church possible.

In God's grace,

Mark S. Hanson

P.S. In the coming months, please continue to visit www.ELCA.org/25years for resources to help you celebrate this important milestone in your own congregation and community.

Certificate-in-lay-ministry training expands online

The Weyerhaeuser Center for Christian Faith and Learning at Whitworth University has expanded its certified-lay-minister training online.

From October through June, persons who seek to increase their Bible and theological knowledge in order to fill non-ordained leadership positions in a number of field can sign up for nine months of online training taking place from October to June. For more information and to register, visit http://www.whitworth.edu/FaithCenter/Calendar/Certificateinlayministryonline.htm.

That's in addition to the center's traditional classroom instruction, to take place from September through June at the university near Walla Walla. For more information, visit http://www.whitworth.edu/FaithCenter/ClergyLay/Certificates/LayMinistry.htm.

Certified lay ministers become commissioned lay pastors, Christian-education directors, lay-ministry coordinators, youth leaders, church administrators and elders, to name a few paths.

Wudel new regional leader for Mission Investment Fund

Joel Wudel is the new regional manager for the ELCA Mission Investment Fund, replacing Margie Fiedler.

Previously, Wudel was vice president for seminary relations at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, Calif. His wife,  the Rev. Kari Sansgaard, is associate pastor at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Boise, Idaho, where they reside.

The Mission Investment Fund, a financial ministry of the ELCA, offers a variety of investments for congregations, their members and ELCA-related ministries to purchase.

  

MIF uses investments to make low-interest loans to established ELCA congregations, new-start congregations and ELCA-related ministries for important capital projects. Loans by the Mission Investment Fund fuel growth of the church.

Individuals, congregations of ministries seeking investment opportunities or improvement loans can contact Wudel at joel.wudel@elca.org or 773-682-1765.

Messiah of Auburn singers perform Sunday in Federal Way

Several worship team members from Messiah Lutheran Church of Auburn will sing at the Northwest Sand Festival at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow, Aug. 26, at the Commons mall in Federal Way. They will perform under the direction of Patty Taylor Lins.

There's more. Chris Sandoval and his Serve Christ band will perform at 4 p.m., same venue, says Carmen Ode, administrator at Messiah. Messiah has a long history of musical performance and instruction.

Here's more about the festival:

http://www.nwsandfestival.com/

Deadlines and an opportunity to participate

The deadline for the September Moments for Mission is Friday, Aug. 24. That also is the deadline for the November synod insert in The Lutheran magazine.

Callout: I'm preparing a piece for The Lutheran about Pacific Lutheran University's global-education effort, focusing on the Wang Center. PLU sends more than half its students on study-away opportunities, and the national average for universities is a tiny fraction of that. Also, faculty are encouraged to go to under the Wang Center philosophy that education leaders to poverty reduction.

I'm interviewing students, alums and faculty now. If you have a story to tell me, or feel you have a voice on this subject, contact me before Friday, Aug. 31. Evenings and weekends are best.

Rachel Pritchett, communicator

Don't miss the StewardShops going on now

By the Rev. Dr. Melanie Wallschlaeger, synod director for evangelical mission

Dear Pastors and Lay Leaders,

I am emailing to encourage and invite your participation in this year’s StewardShops and to tell you a little more what is behind this year’s StewardShops design.

A concerted effort has been made to provide keynote speakers (both clergy and lay) that demonstrate expertise and passion for growing stewards. I am really proud to announce our synod’s own Marc Rieke, president of the Enrichment Group, as this year’s StewardShop keynote presenter. Marc is a lay leader who is passionate about how we celebrate the abundance with which we’ve been blessed in the stewarding of all God has entrusted to our care. While it is easy and perhaps human to focus on what we don’t have, Marc will provide us with insight on how congregational leaders can grow stewards and shape congregational culture out of a sense of God’s abundance and gratitude.

“Open Space” design-facilitated conversations will replace instructor-led prepared workshops. “Why are we doing away with workshops?” you’ve asked. As one who has prepared and led workshops, I have noticed that I have often been in the midst of folks who know as much I do about a particular subject – and sometimes even more.  One suggestion to improve StewardShops has been to allow space for attendants to learn from each other and design their StewardShop experience to fit their particular needs. You may bring your most nagging question or challenge you’ve confronted in regards to growing stewards. You may also bring a best practice that you’d like to share or build on. If others share you’re interest, we’ll have a conversation about it.

Examples of potential Open Space facilitated conversations might be: How do you go about developing a Narrative Budget? How do you maintain momentum for stewardship in a small congregation? Where do you start stewardship education in a congregation that has never had it? What have you done to change attitudes about stewardship being a taboo? What are best practices, resources and first steps for an endowment team? What are annual response methods you’ve used and found most helpful? How can I find out more about stewardship coaching? How do you have a conversation with folks about how they steward their financial lives, of which giving is just one aspect? How do we articulate vision for ministry which we are inviting people to support with giving? What have you found most helpful in teaching youth and families about giving?

Some of the synod’s most well informed stewardship leaders will be present to join in the conversations as they occur. Additionally, we will have resources available for participants to take back with them to their congregations. I feel confident that participants will glean as much and perhaps even more from this StewardShop design. As I travel throughout our synod I am amazed by the creativity and passion that is found in our congregations. I am hopeful you will get a glimpse of what I see by engaging in conversation with your brothers and sisters in Christ whose questions and challenges are similar to your own.

Upcoming Stewardshop Locations: (A light dinner is included at each event)

Wednesday, Aug. 22, 6 to 9 p.m., Bethlehem Lutheran, 101 E 38th St., Tacoma
Monday, Aug. 27, 5 to 8 p.m., Water and Adams streets, South Bend
Thursday, Aug. 30, 6 to 9 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran, 8310 MacArthur Blvd., Vancouver

Please let me know if you have any questions about this events. Registration with Allison at the synod office is appreciated so that hosts may adequately prepare the meal.

I hope to see you at soon at one of our StewardShops!

Gratefully,

Melanie

Pastoral discernment occasions scheduled

Pastors and professional church worker seeking deeper discernment into their ministries are invited to an upcoming Crossroads Vocational Discernment/Transition Seminar in Seattle. It will take place Nov. 15 to 17 at the Lutheran Campus Center at the University of Washington. A similar event will take place in Spokane Nov. 12 to 14.

Seminar participants will explore personal future directions, potential transitions and next chapters in life and work, according to the Rev. Phil Streufert of Consultation to Clergy, sponsor of the session.

To learn more, contact Streufert in the Consultation to Clergy office in Seattle at 206-623-8193.

Bible-study author steals the show in Lakewood

Some 140 members of the Southwestern Washington Synod Women of the ELCA took in remarks from Audrey West, professor at the Lutheran Church of Theology at Chicago and author of a new Gather magazine Bible study, on Aug. 18 near Tacoma.

"As I do the studies each month, I will see Audrey West pacing the sanctuary as she talked and coaxed us to talk," said Carol Fossum of Mountain View Lutheran Church of Edgewood, one of the organizers.

West, speaking at the gathering at Christ Lutheran Church of Lakewood, said, "This study will give you lots of opportunities to discover and re-discover. God gathers, God is present, the two things we are focusing on with the gathered people."

Persons interested in taking part in the 2012/2013 study can subscribe to Gather at $12 annually by calling 800-328-4648 or e-mailing to subscriptions@augsburgfortress.org.

— Rachel Pritchett

Gigantic back-to-school event next Saturday at Mountain View

Again this year, Mountain View Lutheran Church of Edgewood will host its gigantic back-to-school event, where students in need will find all kinds of resources to set them up for the coming school year. It takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, August 25, at the Mountain View Community Center, 3505 122nd Ave. E. Get there early; the lines can be long. Volunteers are always needed. Contact Beth Ann Johnson at bethannj@mtviewcc.org.

VanBeek joins ALYVE board

By Rachel Pritchett, synod communicator

GIG HARBOR — With a deep passion for nurturing young people in service for Christ, Katie VanBeek has been named adviser to the synod's Associated Lutheran Youth in Various Endeavors board.

She replaces Justin Snider, and has been charged with helping the board pull off all that it does to encourage and empower youth.

VanBeek, 25, is the youth director at Peninsula Lutheran Church. She had just returned from a mission trip to the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation when she paused for an interview in August. Already, she was knee-deep preparing for an upcoming vacation Bible school week.

"I think it's one of the best jobs in the world," VanBeek said about being a youth director. 

Having earned a bachelor's degree in children, youth and family studies from Trinity Lutheran College in Everett, she became a youth director in a Mill Creek church before coming to Gig Harbor.

Unlike many other youth directors who go on to other things later in their careers, VanBeek thinks she's found her professional niche. But she said it's not for everyone and burnout is common.

In her profession, she's had the responsibility to teach young people about lifelong service to others in the name of Christ. Along the way, she's stood with them, even in tough times.

"Life crises don't always create crises of faith," she said, adding she's been able to help some in trouble turn to God.

As ALYVE board adviser, VanBeek hopes to increase the number of congregations that send young people to ALYVE events, such as its annual combined middle- and high-school camp at Black Lake.

She wants to connect with all congregations' youth.

"Otherwise, it's really easy to get stuck in your little place, your little bubble, especially in Gig Harbor," she said.

Also, VanBeek would like to reach out to other denominations besides Lutheranism to combine on projects.

And lastly, she'd like the ALYVE folks to begin supporting a national day of service with a service project.

When asked if she has time for fun, VanBeek holds up a typed piece of paper and points to the blank margins.

"I have my paper full, but I also have room.

She enjoys photography, painting and riding the ferries.

In her new role, VanBeek also will serve on the Synod Youth Committee.

Cudahy heading to Malaysia as Young Adult in Global Mission

By Rachel Pritchett, synod communicator

BREMERTON — Medical school will wait.

On Aug. 22, Patrick Cudahy of Bremerton leaves for Malaysia, where he will teach — and most likely learn from — poor and disenfranchised children.

"I hope to gain maturity and become more compassionate and appreciative of what I have," said Cudahy, 22, who is among 19 people selected to serve for a year in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Young Adults in Global Mission program. He is the only one from the Southwestern Washington Synod. "These kids have not had too much opportunity in their lives."

While in the predominately Islam country, he wants to inspire the children, "that this is what a good Christian looks like."

He has been assigned to teach English and other subjects at the Grace Centre, a Christian education facility in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia's sixth largest city, on the island of Borneo.

His students are from families who have illegally immigrated to Malaysia, probably to find work. Because the families are undocumented, the children have very little hope, except for this center, where they are educated and even have a chance to proceed on to college.

"It really gives them a leg up in society. Otherwise, they would be basically uneducated," Cudahy said.

Cudahy graduated this spring from California Lutheran University, where he majored in biology and minored in chemistry. But he needed a break. Mission work seemed a natural choice.

As a young teen, he'd built houses in Tijuana and Tecate, Mexico. After Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, he was among the first wave of helpers, ripping out molding house walls.

"Service has always been one of my favorite things to do," he said.

His mother, Sigi Helgeson, told him about the Young Adults in Global Mission program. He found time just before graduating from Cal Lutheran to take an online class in English as a second language.

Cudahy said he is not concerned about being in a country where Christians can be imprisoned for proselytizing and are ridiculed in the state-run media.

"I should be able to handle myself pretty well," said Cudahy, who is 6 feet 2 inches, 185 pounds, and muscular from working out and playing rugby,

As for setting an example of being a good Christian, Cudahy should be OK. Mom is the pastor at Family of God Lutheran Church of Bremerton. Dad is a pastor, as well.

"Both of them being pastors, anything involved with the ELCA, they're definitely very pleased with that," he said.

Cudahy will return home in July 2013, and then attend medical school, like brother Ryan, 24. His dream school is the University of Washington, but any of the University of California schools would do, he said. He takes the Medical College Admission Test this Saturday.

Then again, a lot can happen in a year. Sometimes plans change.

"If that's the case, then so be it, I guess," he said. Cudahy will keep a blog, at
http://pcudahy.tumblr.com/.

To learn more about the ELCA's Young Adults in Global Mission program, visit
www.elca.org.

Pictured above: Cudahy at home July 30.

Upcoming StewardShops celebrate abundance

A series of upcoming stewardship workshops throughout the Southwestern Washington Synod will focus on celebrating abundance. Led by stewardship expert Marc Rieke, the free StewardShops will be based on conversations among participants. All are from 6 to 9 p.m. and include dinner. They are sponsored by the synod. Here's the schedule:

 

Aug. 21, First Lutheran Church of Poulsbo;

Aug. 22, Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Tacoma;

Aug. 27, First Lutheran Church of South Bend; and

Aug. 30, Immanuel Lutheran Church of Vancouver.

Rieke is president of The Enrichment Group of Tacoma, a consulting group serving Christians in stewardship-education efforts. He is a member of Mountain View Lutheran Church of Edgewood, and serves on the Synod Council. To register, contact Allison Ramsey in the Synod Office at swwsynod@plu.edu or 253-535-8300.