Bishop Hofstad's final convocation completed

Pastors from throughout the Southwestern Washington Synod convened in Seabeck in late January for the 2013 Bishop’s Prayer Retreat and Convocation. The opportunity for learning and reflection was the last one Robert D. Hofstad will lead as he prepares to retire from 12 years as bishop of the Southwestern Washington Synod. Emotions ran deep. A heartfelt sermon by Assistant to the Bishop Valinda Morse on Jesus’ miracle at Cana drew tears and grateful applause. Pastors laid hands on somber synod staff members whose time serving under Hofstad will end. Clergy discussed gay marriage, with no agreement. Evening bluegrass music by the Revs. Andy Willis and Mark Johnson, and Bekkah Weinberger and Steve Body, lent joy and happiness.

Bishop reflects on four decades of ministry

Bishop Robert D. Hofstad led several sessions of the convocation, sharing what he’s learned from 40 years of ministry. He’s learned to preach forgiveness more directly to listeners’ hearts, he told the pastors. Rather than saying, “You are forgiven,” he now says, “I forgive you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”

“It’s how they need to hear it,” he said.

The outgoing bishop also spoke of honoring individuals’ Christian vocation, and he questioned whether he’d done enough of it in four decades.

A person’s Christian vocation is much more than an occupation, he said. Rather, it’s his or her holy calling in life, given in Holy Baptism, be it parent, spouse or volunteer. Christians have many God-honoring ‘offices,’ and at any given time only some are being observed.

“The fact of the matter is we’re always juggling,” he said. 

In remarks about practical ministry, Hofstad asked pastors whether they were using too much “territorial protectionism” in their work. It’s not uncommon to have pastors who feel they need to lead every meeting and make every decision.

“We simply want to be the very one who make the decisions,” said Hofstad, admitting he had been one of them.

But over time, the burden becomes too heavy.

He suggested pastors allow others to take on some decisions, and also pass on to them the responsibilities for the outcomes of those decisions.  

Pictured: Bishop Robert D. Hofstad

An assembly not to be missed

Registration now is open for the Southwestern Washington Synod Assembly, to be held June 7 and 8 at the Hotel Murano and Bicentennial Pavilion in Tacoma. The assembly's theme is "Always Being Made New," the 2013 theme for the ELCA as its turns 25.

This is one not to be missed, with voting members taking on the profound duty of electing a new bishop.

Beyond that important business will be a plethora of presentations and workshops, all designed to inspire and equip congregational members for the year ahead. Worship opportunities, big and small, abound. A special banquet to celebrate Bishop Robert D. Hofstad's 12-year-tenure and to welcome his replacement will take place, too.

The Rev. Dr. Terence Fretheim, Old Testament professor at Luther Seminary, will be a presenter and Bible-study leader. The churchwide representative will be the Rev. Donald McCoid, executive for ecumenical and inter-religious relations of the Office of the Presiding Bishop. McCoid will speak and lead a Bible study.

Reduced costs are in place until May 16. Voting members pay $180, clergy who are retired or who are on leave from call pay $145, visitors who want meals pay $125 and without is $75. Room reservations also should be made before May 16, by calling 888-862-3255 and asking for the Southwestern Washington Synod/ELCA group block. The reduced nightly rate is $165, double occupancy.

To register online, go to www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1099848.

Pictured: Voting members at work at last year's assembly.

Lend your voice at upcoming listening posts

Four opportunities to provide input into the selection of a new synod bishop and to learn more about the process take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on the following Saturdays at the locations listed:

Feb. 2: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Tacoma, 3315 19th St.; and St. Andrew Lutheran Church of Vancouver, 5607 NE Gher Road.

Feb. 9: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Olympia, 1515 Harrison Ave. NW.

Feb. 23: Poulsbo First Lutheran Church, 18920 Fourth Ave. NE

Messiah's second site moves to golf-course clubhouse

By Rachel Pritchett, communicator

RIDGEFIELD, NORTH CLARK COUNTY — Planners at Messiah Lutheran Church of Vancouver had a strong hunch a second site in fast-growing Ridgefield would draw local worshipers.

What they didn't know two and a half years ago was that families would drive to Messiah's North County Campus not just from Ridgefield, but from outlying areas many miles away. Some 50 came each Sunday from places like Woodland, Kalama and Longview to the north, and from Battle Ground to the east, since there was no Lutheran church in the region.

Messiah had invited them using direct-mail post cards, according to the Revs. Peter and Kathleen Braafladt of Messiah.

Meeting in an office building close to Interstate 5, the newcomers brought a lot of new energy and fresh leadership. Three sit on the Messiah Church Council, which serves both sites.

"We've really emphasized the fact that we're one congregation with two places," Peter said.

Last fall, the North County Campus lease came up, and a new agreement could not be reached. The North County Campus moved to the clubhouse at the nearby Tri-Mountain Golf Course. 

The transition "zaps your energy" for a while, Peter said. Some of the newcomers switched to Hazel Dell, so attendance at the North County Campus dipped slightly, but went up at Hazel Dell.

The new location also is near I-5, and curious golfers are milling around and popping their head inside. 

"We're getting a lot more exposure," Kathleen said.

The clubhouse arranged eating discounts for Messiah members at the North County Campus, and members have added to clubhouse business at the struggling county-owned golf course.

The clubhouse rent is easier to swallow. 

"I actually feel freed up; we're not house poor," Kathleen said, adding that more money now is available for ministries.

Leaders aren't sure how long the North County Campus will stay at the golf course; they're open to where God leads them. 

The Braafladts' advice for other new mission starts is try different things, and if they don't work, it's not failure.

"Don't be afraid to experiment," Kathleen said.

Sunday worship at Messiah's North County Campus is at 10 a.m. Tri-Mountain Golf Course is at 1701 NW 299th St., Ridgefield, Exit 16 off I-5. All are invited.

Pictured: Kathleen and Peter Braafladt

Widen the Lenten soup-and-supper experience

By Beth Ann Johnson, chairwoman, Synod Hunger Committee
 
One of the wonderful things about Lent is that each Wednesday evening I am greeted by a warm bowl of soup. It is such a comfort food, particularly this time of year when the evenings are cold, dark and damp.

But it can be good to get out of your comfort zone. Two years ago, the members of Mountain View Lutheran Church of Edgewood did just that, eating food from Nicaragua, the West Bank and Tanzania. How? By taking part in the Lenten Meal Project from ELCA World Hunger has put together a Lenten Meal Project.  Instead of soup and bread, imagine eating a meal of tandoori chicken or finding out what kind of meal a family using food stamps can afford.

This isn’t just about a meal — there are traditional prayers from each country, placemats with information about the country and the hunger and poverty issues they face, and discussion questions.

Lent can be a time of great introspection. But it can also be a great time to talk over dinner with your friends about our neighbors in need. There are 18 meals your congregation can chose from, from Columbia to Nepal. Go to ELCA World Hunger, click on resources, then look at the meals listed under Lenten Meals on the left side of the page. The resulting meals may be a bit uncomfortable, but it is the quiet discomfort we feel when we are called by Christ to care for our neighbor.

Gallimore named host pastor of Little White Church at Elbe

ELBE — The Rev. Galen Gallimore of Bethany Lutheran Church of Spanaway is the new host pastor the charmed-filled Evangelische Lutherische Kirche, or the Little White Church.
 
Perched on the shoulder of majestic Mount Rainier, the 18-by-24-foot church founded by German immigrants in 1893 offers Sunday-afternoon worship services from May to November, and is a popular wedding venue. Visitors also stop by to worship on their way to the nearby Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad or for hike and picnics in the tall surrounding forests.
 
Gallimore replaces retired Rev. Randall Olson as host, and now is lining up 10 pastors from the synod willing to preach once this coming summer.
 
Gallimore said that the steeple room of the wee-sized worship space needs to be replaced, and brick pavers are being sold to support construction. The bricks will be laid in an area between the sanctuary and the fellowship hall.
 
To volunteer to preach or to purchase pavers, contact Gallimore at pastorgallimore@gmail.com. To learn more about the church, visit www.elbehistoricchurch.com.

Retired pastor attempting Continental Divide Trail

By Rachel Pritchett, synod communicator
 
TACOMA — She just keeps hiking.

Last summer, retired Rev. Mary Davison finished all 2,600 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail at about a dozen miles a day, mostly by herself.

She'd already accomplished the 2,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail.

Apparently that wasn't enough.

Davison, 71, of Tacoma now has began her biggest mountain journey yet — the Continental Divide Trail. She started last summer at the Mexican border (pictured), where she found the locals very friendly, constantly offering food and water.

"It's pretty cool that half of them stop," Davison said.

Talkative and always encouraging, Davison said she hopes to hike the Divide's 3,000 miles by the time she hits 75, if she's able.

"This one's not a sure bet. But I'm going to act like I'm going to finish it, and we'll see what happens," she said.

If she makes it, she'll be one of the oldest hikers to complete hiking's "Triple Crown."

"My life is adventure to adventure," said Davison, who attends Family of Grace Lutheran Church of Auburn.

Drawing from her experiences in the vast expanses up high, she's just completed a four-part adult Bible study entitled "Spirituality and Life's Blessings from the Trails and Psalms." She can be reached at pastormaryd@msn.com.

Upcoming events

Chance to help women exiting prisons and their families

Once again this year, a fundraiser will be held to benefit Empowering Life, the group that helps formerly incarcerated women and their families success in the community. The fun evening is from 7 to 9 Feb. 9 at St. Mark's by The Narrows Lutheran Church of Tacoma, 6730 N 17th St. For a suggested donation of $15, participants hear intimate stories from some of the woman, share in fabulous desserts, take part in a silent auction and enjoy the music of the Peninsula High School Jazz Band. To register, contact Joan Nelson at joan2nelson@comcast.net or 253-208-3307. Checks for $15 can be mailed to her at P.B. Box 1803, Gig Harbor, WA 98335. Nelson is seeking auction items.

Advocacy Day approaches as FAN voices legislative priorities

OLYMPIA — Faith Action Network, co-directed by the Rev. Paul Benz, has laid out its priorities as the 2013 legislative session gets underway.
Those priorities include working for legislation to:
— prevent wage theft;
— provide adequate funding for food assistance, farm-to-school programs, the Housing Trust Fund and the expansion of Medicaid;
— create enough revenue to balance the budget;
— support gun-control legislation and repeal of the death penalty; and
— improve immigration laws.
All are encouraged to come join the Inter-Faith Advocacy Day, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 20 starting at the United Churches of Olympia, 110 11th Ave. SE, Olympia. The day begins with worship and workshops. Then groups take their messages to the offices of their legislators. Registaer at bit.ly/IFAD2013. For more information about the day, email FAN at fan@fanwa.org or 206-625-9790.
Benz suggests congregations pray fervently for their lawmakers and regularly call them to share views on the free legislative hotline at 800-562-6000. FAN is a merger of the former Lutheran Public Policy Office and the Washington Association of Churches. Benz can be reached at benz@fanwa.org or 206-390-4133. To stay current on FAN's work in Olympia, go to www.fanwa.org.

Lutheran Community Services Northwest fundraiser coming

Lutheran Community Services Northwest's annual fundraising event takes place March 10 at the Landmark Convention Center in Tacoma. With the theme "Growing in Strength," the event for the social-service provider will start with at 12:30 p.m. social hour, followed by a buffet lunch. The program begins at 1:30 p.m. and ends at 3 p.m. For more information or to register, contact Lee Tenneboe at ltenneboe@lcsnw.org or 253-722-5694.

Mark your calendars for boundaries training

Barbara Keller, ELCA consultant for misconduct prevention, will lead required boundaries training for clergy, lay leaders and youth directors Friday and Saturday, April 5 and 6, at locations yet to be announced.
Training for clergy will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5, at a cost of $30. Training for lay leaders will be from 9 a.m. to noon April 6, followed by training for youth directors. The cost for the April 6 sessions has not yet been announced. Look here for further details. To register, contact the synod office at swwsynod@plu.edu or 253-535-8301. The training is sponsored by the Southwestern and Northwest synods.

Pastoral-theology conference focuses on Book of Matthew

"God is with us: Preaching, teaching and living the Gospel of Matthew," is the title of the 2013 Pacific Lutheran University Conference on Pastoral Theology.
The conference takes place June 17 to 19 at the Tacoma university, and will precede a period starting in December 2013 when congregations will engage in the Gospel of Matthew. Pastoral scholars John Pilch of Georgetown University and the  Rev. Dr. Melinda Quivik of Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia will share the cultural context that shaped the gospel. Workshops will focus on congregational planning in 2013 and 2014. More information and registration is at www.plu.edu/congregations, 253-535-7424 or crel@plu.edu.

Our congregations

Information gleaned from throughout the synod, for keeping up

Message is loud and clear: Resurrection Lutheran Church of Tacoma recently started a "Noisy Offering" that demonstrates the joy and giving loud and clear. Each Sunday, the children collects coins from worshipers in glass or metal jars, with much clanging and jangling. In the past two months, the young people have collected almost $300 (with matching gift, too) to help buy animals through the ELCA Good Gifts program. This has become a fun and meaningful project for our little ones. — Allison Ramsey

110th anniversary: St. Paul of Vancouver celebrated its 110th anniversary Dec. 15 and 16 in part with a luncheon at the Red Lion at the Quay. Some 100 people celebrated. The 100th anniversary task force included Geri Hiller, Lorraine Anderson, Veronna Sjothun, Marlene Janneck, Edie Cotton and Steve Friebel. St. Paul, by the way, has started a second, more informal worship service at 4 p.m. on Sundays, with the hope of appealing to new populations.

Winter lock-in: Vancouver Lutheran churches were planning a Winter Lock-in for youth Feb. 1 and 2 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vancouver. Some 70 middle-school youth are going to take part, diving into God's word and having lots of fun.

Teen center fundraiser: March 11 is the date for the annual fundraiser to support the RockSolid Community Teen center at Bethel Lutheran Church of Brush Prairie. More information about the "Auction on the Rock" is at www.rocksolid-teen.com.

Resources

Opportunity to hear from Nigerian preacher

Dorthea Hustoft-Hamman, longtime volunteer missionary in Nigeria, Southwestern Washington native and friend of the synod, plans to visit here this coming summer with her pastor husband, Amson, and some of their three children. Amson will be available to preach to synod congregations about his four-point ministry in and around Jos, Nigeria, or meet with Bible-study and other groups. 
Congregations, particularly those in the the Vancouver area where Dorthea has family, with an interest in meeting and hearing from Amson are invited to contact Diane Armbrust, co-chair of the synod Global Missions Committee, at dparmbrust@hotmail.com. Dorthea, who teaches social studies in Jos, Amson, and children Annette and Daniel last visited the synod in August 2011.

Augsburg offers all-new 2014 music planner

Augsburg Fortress, the publishing arm of the ELCA now is offering the all-new 2014 Prelude Music Planner, a web-based subscription resource for church musicians. The resource is designed to help church musicians spend more time making music and less time planning for it. The resource allows musicians to browse hundreds of pieces based on lectionary days, keywords and skill level, and everything needed to create comprehensive plans is accessible from one place.
Augsburg is offering a free 14-day trial period and free webinars. Visit http://Preludemusicplanner.org.

April 16 is deadline for health-ministry grant applications

Wheat Ridge Ministries of Itasca, Ill., invites Lutheran congregations to submit proposals for its Congregation Health Ministry Grant program at www.wheatridge.org/chmgrants. The one-year, $2,000 matching grants are to support ways congregations are supporting whole-person health. Proposals including anti-violence themes are preferred. The application deadline is April 16, and funds are distributed in June. For more information, go to  grants@wheatridge.org or call 800-762-6748.

Calendar

Feb. 2: Synod Nominating Committee’s Listening Post for bishop election, Gloria Dei of Tacoma and St. Andrew of Vancouver
Feb. 9: Synod Nominating Committee’s Listening Post for bishop election, Gloria Dei of Olympia
Feb. 9: Empowering Life celebration and fundraiser, St. Mark's, Tacoma
Feb. 20: Inter-Faith Advocacy Day, Olympia
Feb. 23: Synod Nominating Committee's Listening Post for bishop election, Poulsbo First
March 10: Lutheran Community Services NW annual fundraiser, Tacoma, www.lcsnw.org and ltennebee@lcsnw.org
Feb. 28 to March 5: Conference of Bishops
March 16: Synod Council meeting, 10 a.m. to 3. p.m., Redeemer of Fircrest
March 16: Southwestern Washington Women of the ELCA Olympic Cluster spring celebration, Silverdale Lutheran, carolfossum@comcast.net
March 31: Easter
April: Southwestern Washington Women of the ELCA Fort Vancouver Cluster, Highland Lutheran, La Center, date to be determined
April 4: Boundaries training for clergy
April 5: Boundary training for lay leaders, youth directors
April 19 to 21: Southwestern Washington Women of the ELCA spiritual retreat, “Fully Rely on God” with the Rev. Mary Sanders, Dumas Bay Centre, Federal Way, carolfossum@comcast.net
June 7 to 8: Assembly of the Southwestern Washington Synod, Hotel Murano Tacoma
June 17 to 19: PLU Conference on Pastoral Theology
June 21 to 23: Region 1 gathering including Southwestern Washington Women of the ELCA, featuring author Jane Kirkpatrick and Bishop Kay Ward, Heathman Lodge, Vancouver, Wash., carolfossum@comcast.net
July 24 to 27, 2014: Ninth Triennial Gathering of the Women of the ELCA, Charlotte, N.C.

Impressions from the convocation

 

 

Readers,

We've returned from the synod's annual prayer retreat and convocation, held Tuesday and Wednesday at the Seabeck Conference Center. This was Bishop Robert D. Hofstad's final time leading one, as he soon will retire. 

I'd call it intimate, among pastors, with Rob sharing what he'd learned during 40 years of ministry. The Rev. Valinda Morse gave a powerful, personal sermon. And in a prayerful moment, the pastors laid hands on the synod staff, which soon will disband as one that serves at the will of the bishop.

One extraordinary personal note from the convocation I'd like to share: I was having a conversation with Pastor Dennis Hartsook of Faith Lutheran and I was reminded that for years he'd served at St. Mark's Lutheran Church of Lacey.

As it turned out, I suddenly remembered, Hartsook was the one who visited me 30 years ago after I worshiped at St. Mark's a few times. I was young and alone in the world then, trying to claw my way into journalism and working for the Senate Republican Caucus in the meanwhile. I remember Hartsook's visit at that time was one of those mileposts that made a difference in my faith journey. Imagine how I felt realizing that Hartsook was the one who visited me way back then. I didn't make the connection until the convocation.  — Rachel Pritchett

Here are some images from the convocation, top to bottom.

Pastors lay hands on Rob's soon-to-dissolve staff.

The Rev. Sandra Kreis, retired, talks with the Rev. G. Lee Kluth, director of congregational relations at Pacific Lutheran University.

The main dining hall at the historic hillside retreat on Hood Canal

On choosing a bishop ‘from base up, not top down’

By Rachel Pritchett, communicator

Who will be the next top pastor to lead the Southwestern Washington
Synod?

That question is being asked with increasing frequency as the New Year unfolds, according to the Rev. Nina Body, who as chairwoman of the Synod Nominating Committee is in charge of the process that will 
result in a replacement for Robert D. Hofstad.

“There’s a lot of buzz,” said Body, pastor of Bethlehem 
Lutheran Church of Tacoma. “I think this synod is rich in 
leadership, and while looking outside our synod is an option
I don’t think we have to do that.”

The election process, which takes place at the Synod 
Assembly next June, starts with an “ecclesiastical ballot.” 
That’s when nominations come from the floor in the first 
round of voting. 
Later, the field is reduced to seven, then to three as successive voting rounds continue, with profiles and statements from the candidates emerging along the way. The Rev. John Rosenberg of The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd of Olympia and a churchwide representative will lead the election. 

There’s no way to predict whether just a few nominations or dozens of nominations will flow forth at the assembly, or who those nominations will be. 

“It could go anywhere from five to 50 or more,” Body said.

Until then, for the Nominating Committee, it’s a matter of reaching out to synod Lutherans to get their input on the qualities they want in their new bishop, and to show congregational leaders that the process of electing a bishop is similar to calling a pastor to a congregation.

In February, the Nominating Committee will hold four “listening posts” at different locations (See below) for assembly voting members and anyone else interested in joining in the process.

“We’re from the base up, not top down,” Body said.

Coming up in Moments for Mission and on the synod website will be articles on the results of those listening posts, as well as the results of a demographic synod profile preformed by the ELCA Office for Research and Evaluation. The profile will be valuable to the voting members, and also to the new bishop, as he or she designs a six-year term.
In April, a biographical-information form will be available on the synod website and in Moments for Mission for any ELCA ordained clergy to share their interest and willingness in being nominated. The form is not a nomination in itself.

Twelve years have gone by since Bishop David Wold turned the office over to Bishop Hofstad, who is retiring. The next five months will be exciting and a time for fervent prayer.

“The bishop is our local top pastor who is pastor to our pastors,” Body said.

Body invites any questions at pastornina@gmail.com or 253-474-0525.

Lend your voice at upcoming listening posts

Four opportunities to provide input into the selection of a new synod bishop and to learn more about the process take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on the following Saturdays at the locations listed:

Feb. 2: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Tacoma and St. Andrew Lutheran Church of Vancouver

Feb. 9: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Olympia

Feb. 23: Poulsbo First Lutheran Church

Registration now open for synod assembly

Registration for the Southwestern Washington Synod Assembly in which a new bishop will be elected opens Jan. 15.
 

“Always Being Made New” is the theme of the assembly, taking place June 7 and 8 at the Hotel Murano and Bicentennial Pavilion in Tacoma. In addition, participates will hear presentations, take part in workshops and Bible studies and have time for fellowship and celebration. The Rev. Donald McCoid, assistant to the ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson and the ELCA’s executive for ecumenical and interreligious relations, will be the churchwide representative. The Rev Dr. Terence Fretheim, Old Testament professor at Luther Seminary, will help lead. 

To register and to obtain more specific information on fees and room reservations, visit the synod website at www.lutheranssw.org. Select “The Synod Assembly” at left. Discounts are offered before May 16.

New Lutheran/Episcopal group has Methodist surroundings

To help spread the word about the synod’s eight mission starts, Moments for Mission and this blog are highlighting each of them. The synod’s two federated Lutheran/Episcopal worshiping groups, one new and one that’s been around a long time, are featured below. Contributions through 1,000 Mission Friends help support new mission starts. Contact the synod office. — RP

KINGSTON — “It feels like getting to know somebody after you’ve married them,” laughed the Rev. Ray Sheldon of Faith Community Church, one of only two federated Lutheran/Episcopal worshiping groups in the Southwestern Washington Synod.

Unlike St. Christopher’s Community Church of Olympia with its long multi-faith history, Faith has only eight months under its belt. Faith members are tentatively feeling their way along a new path, and getting to know their other half. 

“It’s not in a book anyplace,” said Sheldon, an Episcopal priest. 

The Episcopal half comes from the former Faith Episcopal Church of the Episcopal Church, which about 18 years ago broke off from St. Charles Anglican Church of Poulsbo. The Lutheran half comes from a long-held desire of the synod to have a presence on the remote north end of the Kitsap Peninsula.
 

Faith resulted after two years of planning by the “Dream Team," a group of area pastors, priests and lay leaders led by the Rev. Dr. Melanie Wallschlaeger and her Episcopal counterpart.

Finding a place to worship has been very difficult for the tiny congregation of two dozen. A theater was too dark and lacked parking. An old community hall was prone to floods. Leaders considered an old house, a former liquor store, and the community room of a future independent-living facility now under construction.

But for a couple of months, now, Faith has worshiped at 11 a.m. at Redeemer United Methodist Church of Kingston, at 9900 NE Shorty Campbell Road, Kingston. 

Lutherans in remote North Kitsap are invited visit and join. Synod Communicator Rachel Pritchett is a member and can be reached at 206-498-0920.  

Pictured: Father Ray Sheldon and Connie Aurand.

St. Christopher’s: Less ‘high church,’ more about community

OLYMPIA — A mountain of Christmas presents bound for the needy clog the narthex at St. Christopher’s Community Church of Steamboat Island one recent Sunday morning.

Children hoist the gifts out into the chilling rain for delivery as some 60 worshipers flow into the sanctuary. Jeff Sprengel plays a restored 1888 tracker pipe organ, once the biggest in Washington state and formerly at St. John’s Episcopal Church of Olympia.

Like Faith Community Church of Kingston, St. Christopher’s is a federated Lutheran/Episcopal worshiping community, but members come from other faith backgrounds, too. It’s the only church for miles.

“We have so many denominations,” said Sharon Parker. “Everybody’s welcome.” The Rev. Andy Willis, a Lutheran pastor, has led the worshiping group for nearly two years. 

“Worshiping holds us together,” he said, and the decisions of how to worship “are very small ones.” All agree that services now are less “high church” than in 1959, when it began as a mission of St. John’s. Around 1990, the Rev. Pete Van Zanten, an Episcopal priest, folded St. Christopher’s more fully into the community. Later, Lutheran pastor Sandra Kreis helped lead worship. 

Like Faith, St. Christopher’s is a mission start of both the Southwestern Washington Synod and the Olympia Diocese of the Episcopal Church. Deacon Patti Sells of St. Christopher’s had this advice for Faith members: “Change is difficult for people. You have to hang in there for a while. Trust the Lord.”

St. Christopher' is at 7902 Steamboat Island Road NW, and worships at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. All are invited. — Rachel Pritchett

Pictured: A boy helps gather presents collected for the poor.

Calendar

Feb. 2: Synod Nominating Committee’s Listening Post for bishop election, Gloria Dei of Tacoma and St. Andrew of Vancouver

Feb. 9: Synod Nominating Committee’s Listening Post for bishop election, Gloria Dei of Olympia

Feb. 23: Synod Nominating Committee's Listening Post for bishop election, Poulsbo First

March 10: Lutheran Community Services NW annual fundraiser, Tacoma, www.lcsnw.org and ltennebee @lcsnw.org

March 16: Southwestern Washington Women of the ELCA Olympic Cluster spring celebration, Silverdale Lutheran, carolfossum@comcast.net

March 31: Easter

April 4: Boundary training for clergy, synod office

April 5: Boundary training for lay leaders, more information with synod office

April 19 to 21: Southwestern Washington Women of the ELCA spiritual retreat, “Fully Rely on God” with the Rev. Mary Sanders, Dumas Bay Centre, Federal Way, carolfossum@comcast.net

June 7 to 8: Assembly of the Southwestern Washington Synod, Hotel Murano Tacoma

June 21 to 23: Region 1 gathering including Southwestern Washington Women of the ELCA, featuring author Jane Kirkpatrick and Bishop Kay Ward, Heathman Lodge, Vancouver, Wash., carolfossum@comcast.net

July 24 to 27: Triennial Gathering of Women of the ELCA, Charlotte, N.C.

People around the synod

Synod's Newest YAGM has new address: Patrick Cudahy, the synod’s newest ELCA Young Adult in Global Mission currently serving in Malaysia, has a new mailing address. It is Patrick Cudahy, ELCA/YAGM c/o BCCM Central County Wisma BCCM, Lorong Passir off, Jalan Passir, Likkas 88400, Lota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Cudahy is the son of the Rev. Sigi Helgeson of Family of God Lutheran Church of Bremerton.

New youth director: Kristin Fowell-Foulger is the new youth director at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Castle Rock. Originally from Arizona, she has served as a youth leader, worship-team member, in women's ministry and as a youth pastor. She and husband Frank have four children and stepchildren ranging in age from 11 to 22. They came to Castle Rock from Sequim.

IRS mileage rates increase for 2013

The Internal Revenue Service has announced the new 56.5 cents-per-mile reimbursement rate for 2013, effective immediately. That’s up form 55.5 cents for 2012. Most synod reimbursements, including pulpit supply, reflect that rate. The exceptions are travel related to moving or medical, and travel for charitable work, which is 14 cents.

Ellingson receives fellowship

The Rev. Dr. Dave Ellingson has been named a 2013 fellow of GreenFaith’s National Fellowship Program, which trains religious leaders for environmental leadership, advocacy and justice. Ellingson is a professor of children, youth and family studies at Trinity Lutheran College of Everett. The program is the only one of its kind in the nation, and Ellingson joins 20 other leaders from a variety of faiths who will work in a wide variety of academic, religious and charity organizations.

Leaders eye new direction as after-school program turns 20

OLYMPIA —  The After-School Tutoring Program at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd has changed many of the lives of the middle-school students it serves, as well as the volunteers who run it.
So when the program turned 20, dozens from the large, suburban church turned out on Dec. 2 to celebrate, including Devin Hustoft, who received tutoring when he was a sixth, seventh and eighth grader. Today, when he isn’t acing advanced-placement classes in high school, he’s helping the younger students who gather twice a week at Good Shepherd to do their homework.

 “I’m trying to give back by becoming a tutor myself,” Hustoft said. 

Director Jennifer Meyer said she found unexpected fulfillment on the job. “This program has been such a blessing in my life,” she said.

Longtime ASTP volunteer Dotty Fehring said, “Being with you people keeps me young. It is encouraging to be able to channel their energy in positive directions, and see them gain confidence in the ability to succeed in school and life.”
The initiative was begun two decades ago by Bishop Robert D. Hofstad, then a pastor at Good Shepherd, and others after asking the community about needs of young people that weren’t being met. ASTP quickly grew, with congregation members, parents and teachers volunteering not just with tutoring, but also as van drivers, activity helpers and snack-preparers.

The program currently serves about 18 young people.

Meyer and Bishop Hofstad hinted ASTP may be close to having run its course. Meyer said leaders are looking at switching the focus to high-schoolers. Hofstad challenged the group to again look to the community, just as it did 20 years ago, “and ask what else is needed.”  

Pictured: ASTP Director Jennifer Meyer and volunteer Devin Hustoft