Global water crisis claims more lives than war or natural disasters

Readers, Lanny Westphal of ELCA Global Mission asked communicators to post this message this morning. — Rachel Pritchett

Nearly a billion people — that’s one out of seven people in our world today — lack access to clean, safe water. Unclean water causes millions of people, especially young children, to die from water-related illnesses each year. Learn how ELCA youth can make a difference through the 100 Wells Challenge at www.elca.org/100wells.

Stortz speaks on pilgrimage this coming Saturday

Martha Stortz, longtime instructor at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in California and current chair of religion and vocation at Augsburg College in Minnesota, speaks in Tacoma this coming Saturday, April 21.

Appearing in a free public lecture from 9:30 a.m. to noon at St. Mark's by The Narrows Lutheran Church, Stortz will address "Vocation as Pilgrimage: Place, Path, and People." A complementary brunch will be served. St. Mark's is at 6730 North 17th St.

Come hear report from Ray, fresh back from Nanchang

The Rev. Steve Ray, fresh back from Nanchang, China, will give a presentation of the work chinaconnect is doing there and plans to do there in the future, at a fundraiser for chinaconnect from 6 to 8 p.m. April 21 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Tacoma. Ray, pastor at Elim Lutheran Church of Port Orchard, is the group's executive director. Gloria Dei is at 3315 N. Stevens St.

New Testament learning opportunity coming

The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd of Olympia hosts the Rev. Dr. Lowell Stime and his overview of the New Testament from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on April 21.

The cost is $15 per person or $35 for a family. Register by April 15 by emailing Missy Tade at missy@gsolympia.org.

Women conduct spring retreat at Dumas Bay

The Rev. Jan Otto of All Saints Lutheran Church of Auburn is the headliner for the Spring Retreat of the Southwestern Washington Women of the ELCA, to take place April 20 to 22 at Dumas Bay Centre of Federal Way. Contact Carol Fossum at 360-620-5368 or carolfossum@comcast.net for more.

The deadline for the May Moments for Mission is ...

.. a little early this month. Why don't we say Saturday, April 21.

Thanks, Rachel Pritchett, communicator, 206-498-0920 and rachelpritchett@msn.com

Ode installation is April 22

All are invited to the installation and chili-dinner celebration for the Rev. Chris Ode on Sunday, April 22, at Bethel Lutheran Church of Shoreline.

Ode, who used to be at Chinook Lutheran Church in the Southwestern Washington Synod, now will be a pastor at the church just north of Seattle. Bethel is in the Northwest Washington Synod.

Worship begins at 5 p.m. and dinner starts at 5:45 p.m. The church is at 17418 Eighth Ave. NE. RSVP to 206-362-4334.