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.