Moments for Mission – Southwestern Washington Synod

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Moments for Mission

Newsletter of the Southwestern Washington Synod
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The mission of the Southwestern Washington Synod is to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ
by empowering congregations and church leaders to grow in worship,
education, outreach, stewardship and other ministries.

Rev. Ronald Hoyum
assistant to the bishop

2

Please share this monthly

e-newsletter. If you would like to
subscribe, send a request to

the synod office or

rachelpritchett@msn.com.

EDITOR, WRITER

Rachel Pritchett
adjunct, fifth-time

SYNOD STAFF

Bishop Robert D. Hofstad

PHONE
(253) 535-8300

E-MAIL
swwsynod@plu.edu

SYNOD WEB SITE
www.lutheranssw.org

ELCA WEB SITE
www.elca.org

Rev. Melanie Wallschlaeger
director for evangelical mission

Pat Durston
fifth-time office assistant

Rev. Valinda Morse
assistant to the bishop

Rev. Donald Fossum
two-fifths time

Allison Ramsey
office manager

May 2010

Inside

Address

Some updates on emerging congregations
By the Rev. Melanie Wallschlaeger, director for evangelical mission
Help wanted: prayerful midwives. God is birthing two new
congregations in our synod.
Federal Way Chinese Fellowship (FWCF) gathers for dinner and Bible
study every Friday. Led by Pastor Rowena Wang, the fellowship emerged
from a growing home-based Bible study in Auburn and Federal Way.
FWCF serves in missional partnership with host church
Calvary Lutheran.
The vision of the partnership is one of two
communities offering concurrent worship services and
shared education time. As Pastor Rowena leads the
fellowship of 20 adults and 15 children, the fellowship
will move to a Sunday-morning hour and worship in
separate spaces, but at the same hour as Calvary
Lutheran. The two congregations will worship in the
mother tongue of each community and share an English
Sunday school where children from each congregation
experience friendships and learning.
The two communities have partnered on several
occasions including the blessing of the fellowship space where FWCF
meets as well as a Lenten soup supper and worship. Federal Way Chinese
Fellowship and Calvary will worship together on Pentecost Sunday at 8:30
a.m. to celebrate the Spirit’s work among them.
Pastor Rowena Wang earned her master of divinity degree in Hong
Kong. She shared a mission-developer call with her husband, Pastor Mike
Wang, as the couple started Grace Lutheran Church of South King County
in Renton. Pastor Rowena is mother of two children including a 2-year-old
son, Tommy, and daughter Keren, born in April.
St. Christopher’s Community Church (Episcopal Church in the United
States of America or ECUSA) of Steamboat Island anticipates federation
with the ELCA in January 2011. Partnering with a “dream team”
comprised of Lutheran and Episcopal members, the congregation
developed a federated ELCA/ECUSA congregation timeline and plan.

Last call for
assembly
Page 2

Knit, blog for
Namibia effort
Page 2

Continues

2

Emerging congregations: Continued from Page 1

An ELCA pastor developer will be called to serve as the first full-time pastor to the community in
over 20 years. St. Christopher’s (SCCC) is poised for growth as the only congregation on Steamboat
Island. SCCC nearly closed 16 years ago, yet learned to connect with the surrounding community,
growing worship attendance from 17 to 85. With combined assets of the ELCA and ECUSA, SCCC
will expand the current structure and provide resources for further growth. SCCC has been a developing
congregation of the ECUSA for 53 years. As a federated congregation of the ELCA/ECUSA, it will
move from mission status to that of an established congregation under the spiritual guidance of an
ELCA mission developer.
As the Southwestern Washington Synod welcomes these communities of faith, I offer three
opportunities for partnership. Pray for God to be at work in these communities, their pastors and
leadership as they share the good news of Jesus Christ in their contexts. Second, build relationships.
As neighbors of these communities, extend yourself in relationship. Get to know Pastor Rowena and
the people of Federal Way Chinese Fellowship and the future pastor of St. Christopher’s next chapter
of ministry. Your support and encouragement will not only benefit these new starts, but will likely
inspire passionate discipleship in your own setting.
Finally, offer financial support as the Spirit guides you and inspires you to do so. This synod’s
1,000 Mission Friends offers one way you can directly support to these congregations as well as other
congregations in renewal or development. God is laboring to birth new life among us in the form of
infant congregations. My role as director for evangelical mission and our shared role as brothers and
sisters in faith to be the midwives, proclaiming and partnering in the midst of God’s action. As we see
what is born among us we marvel and say, “Thanks be to God!”

More from your synod

Last call to join in assembly
There’s still time to make plans to attend the 2010 Assembly of the Southwestern Washington
Synod, to be May 14 and 15 in at the Hilton Hotel Conference Center in Vancouver, Wash. Renewing
congregations is the theme. Don’t miss an opportunity to make a difference in the church at the synod
level, to enjoy fellowship outside your congregation and to learn from motivating and inspiring
workshops. Go to www.lutheranssw.org to register.

Knit, blog with Namibia visitors
Bishop Robert D. Hofstad will lead a group of seven from the Southwestern Washington Synod
on a mission-and-visitation trip to Namibia from May 24 to June. 5. Track and comment on the
group’s progress as it visits ELCA-supported schools, an orphanage and seminary while joining in
the celebration of Jesus Christ with Lutheran congregations in remote villages. Bookmark
http://NamibiaConnect.blogspot.com and join in the conversation.
Also, Linda Hofstad is putting out a call for knitted hats for children, from preemie to school
age, to deliver to those in Namibia. Bring them to the synod assembly May 14 and 15 in Vancouver
and give to any of the synod staff. Or, they can be brought to the synod office. Patterns are needed,
too.
The synod has a companion relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia
(ELCIN), which is active in north Namibia. Accompanying the bishop is wife Linda; the Rev. John
Stroeh of Peace Lutheran Church of Tacoma; the Rev. Randy Faro of St. John’s Lutheran Church
of Chehalis; Jerry and Cindy Schultz of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd of Olympia; and
Moments for Mission Editor Rachel Pritchett.

3

Position
P

Status
TR

Pastoral Care
Sarah Roemer

Congregations in transition

Mobility

Call Process
All Saints, Auburn

Christ, Belfair

Elim, Port Orchard

Faith, Shelton

AP

First, Port Orchard

Grace, Port Townsend

Hope, Tacoma

Ocean Park

Our Saviour’s, Cathlamet

Peninsula, Gig Harbor

AP

Salishan, Tacoma

Spanaway

Spirit of Life, Olalla

Trinity, Enumclaw

United, Tacoma

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

NV

TR

I

I

TR

TR

I

TR

NV

TR

I

NV

NV

TR

Pulpit Supply

Steven Ray

Steve Olson

Joe Smith

Beth Orling

Randy Olson

Dawn Coffey

Les Foss

Paul Schroeder

Pulpit Supply

Dennis Hartsook

Pulpit Supply

Pulpit Supply

Jan Otto

Mobility position key: P – Pastor; AP – Associate Pastor; AIM – Associate in Ministry; DM – Diaconal Minister
Mobility status key: NV – New Vacancy; TR – Transition; I – Interviewing; C – Calling

Transitions
On leave from call: The Rev. Eric Allert of Sprit of Life of Olalla will be on leave from call, effective May 14. Spirit of
Life has entered into the transformation process with the Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission unit of the
ELCA.

News

Domestic Hunger Grant application period opens
The application process for the ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants begins May 1 and the
applications are due to the ELCA by June 30. ELCA congregations and partnering community
organizations can access applications at www.elca.org/domestichungergrants. Domestic Hunger
Grants provide relief and development assistance for those who suffer hunger and injustices
related to hunger; and foster education and advocacy about hunger. Most grants are between
$1,000 and $3,000. The applications are reviewed by the Synod Hunger Committee before
review by the ELCA Hunger Program.

Have a story idea?
Get your news into “Moments for Mission,” the synod’s monthly e-newsletter. Contact the
synod office or Editor Rachel Pritchett at rachelpritchett@msn.com. This year, the July and
August issues will be combined rather than the June and July issues to more timely report on the
synod assembly and the Namibia visitation. An assembly report will be in the June issue.

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Upcoming events

Prayer retreat coming to Vancouver
Members of the Community of Lay Ministers of the Southwestern Washington Synod and the
congregation of St. Andrew Lutheran Church of Vancouver invite all to a prayer retreat May 1 at
St. Andrew. The retreat, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature Peg Edera speaking on labyrinths and
how they can be used for prayer for individuals and groups. The cost is $25 at the door;
(360) 892-7160.

Christian rock band in concert
Lost and Found will perform in concert at 6 p.m. May 2 at Poulsbo First Lutheran Church. The
cost is $10 at the door and free for children 10 and younger; (360) 779-2622.

Byberg Preaching Workshop to take place soon
The annual Byberg Preaching Workshop will take place May 3 to 5 in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho;
(360) 770-2774 or tkyllo@verizon.net.

Youth invited to special PLU weekend
Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland invites high-school youth to join in on a special
weekend of fellowship, worship and service on May 8 and 9 at the university. The cost is $20 per
person; www.plu.edu/crel.

Join confirmands at Holden Village
St. Mark Lutheran Church of Lacey will host an Eighth-Grade Affirmation of Baptism
Retreat at Holden Village over Memorial Day weekend, May 29 through 31. It invites other
congregations to participate. For more information, contact the Rev. Rachel Wangen-Hoch, St.
Mark associate pastor, at (360) 401-0372 or wangen-hoch@live.com.

Conference explores ends to human trafficking
Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church of Gig Harbor and the South Puget Sound Women of
Vision will host a conference featuring speakers engaged in the battle to end human trafficking
June 5 at the church. All are invited to the conference titled “Break the Chain: A Conference of
Human Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery,” from 8 a.m. to 5.p.m. The $40 cost includes a box
lunch. Register at www.wovsps.org.

PLU Summer Conference addresses pastoral theology
“The Spiritual Formation of the Pastoral Leader” is the topic of the Pacific Lutheran
University Summer Conference on Pastoral Theology, taking place June 28 to 30 at the
university. The conference, designed for ordained and lay leaders, will feature Timothy Wengert
of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia; theologian Patricia Lull, Samuel Torvend
of PLU and the Rev. Katy McCallum Sachse of Kirkland as worship leader. To learn more,
contact the Rev. G. Lee Kluth, office of Congregation Relations, PLU, at kluthgl@plu.edu or
(253) 535-7423. To register, visit www.plu.edu/crel.

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Upcoming events

Theology on the River event planned
The Rev. John Lund of the Emmaus Campus Ministry of the ELCA says clergy, rostered
leaders and their families and friends are welcome to join in on a five-day float trip down
Montana’s Blackfoot River July 30 to Aug. 4. During the float, participants will explore
theological perspectives to reconnect with creation; (406) 396-4974 or john@montanalcm.org.

Church-planting conference scheduled for autumn
Messiah Lutheran in Vancouver is hosting a “Churches Planting Churches Conference” from
Oct. 17 to 19. The event is the only conference of its kind offered this year for congregations and
pastors of the ELCA. It is suitable for those considering a satellite or second site, or working with
neighboring congregations to birth an independent start. For more information, contact synod
Director for Evangelical Mission the Rev. Melanie Wallschlaeger at (253) 535-8300 at her office;
(253) 225-9721 on her cell; or at Melanie.Wallschlaeger@elca.org.

Our congregations

From newsletters across the synod, for keeping up

Ministry after tragedy: United of Tacoma jumped into action in February after a young
teacher was fatally shot by a stalker at Birney Elementary School. United member Barb Larson,
who teaches at the school, and United Office Manager Marcia Halstead helped contact retired
Pastor Jim Riede, who hosted a support gathering for Birney staff and the community. It soon
became apparent that United was not going to be big enough to handle the crowd of mourners, so
the event was moved to nearby Wapato Park. United has a long relationship with Birney, and
Pastor Jan Otto said members are continuing to offer help, including helping to send Birney’s
fourth-graders to camp.

Good Shepherd invites all to feast, be entertained: Members of Good Shepherd of Olympia
will hold a spaghetti dinner and talent show at 4:30 p.m. May 1 to further work started by Dawn
Fehring. The young woman was slain in her Kirkland apartment in 1995 while a student at
Lutheran Bible Institute. Even though she was young, much of her life had been involved in
sharing the love of Jesus Christ. Family and friends established the Dawn Fehring Love of God
Awards, monetary award to be given to persons who have a commitment to spread the Gospel.
The Good Shepherd dinner will raise funds to support the yearly awards. The dinner and show are
the church, at 1601 North St. SE. For more information, call the church at (360) 357-6828.

Good-bye Eric: The congregation of Amazing Grace of Aberdeen said its formal so-long to
Pastor Eric Utto-Galerneau during a recent special service, now that he’s the newest chaplain at
Grays Harbor Community Hospital. At Amazing Grace, he shared a pastor slot with his wife,
Pastor Beth Utto-Galerneau. Susan Bylund of the congregation delivered remarks. “I liked Eric
from the very beginning, a big tall guy seldom wearing clergy clothes but enjoyed shorts, T-shirts
and bright orange crocs.” He joins Pastor Dave Monsen, chaplaincy services director at the
hospital.

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Our Congregations

Gifts of Hope fuel many efforts: Eight of the synod’s congregations who participated in the
2009 Gifts of Hope program for alternative Christmas gifts raised $16,115 according to the
Tidings, the newsletter of Trinity of Vancouver. The top three beneficiaries included a family that
will receive eggs through the Chehalis Food Bank; a children’s center in Kenya where a well will
be built; and children in Pierce County who need supplemental food during the summer.
Besides Trinity of Vancouver, participating congregations included Trinity of Parkland, St.
Mark’s by The Narrows of Tacoma; Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd of Olympia, Gloria
Dei of Olympia, Creator of Bonney Lake, Peninsula Lutheran of Gig Harbor and St. John’s of
Chehalis. Three Thrivent Financial chapters assisted in fund-raising. This was the fifth year for
the Gifts of Hope program and the total mount raised now tops $65,600.

205 and counting: Just since last fall, the quilters at Chinook Lutheran so far have sewn up
205 quilts for Lutheran World Relief, and that number is growing, according to Pastor Chris Ode.
To camp they will go: Outdoors-minded folks at Creator of Bonney Lake are looking
forward to a July family campout, this year at Wenatchee State Park.
Sale a success: Faith of Shelton’s March rummage sale netted $2,810, and the congregation
will gift local food banks and others with some of the proceeds.
HUB continues: The three congregations of Hope, United and Bethlehem (HUB) continue
to work at sharing ministry, fellowship and resources with one another. Pastor Nina Body of
Bethlehem and interim Pastors Randy Olson and Jan Otto meet frequently to give guidance to the
HUB steering committee. During Lent, the churches took part in a round robin in which each
congregation focused on a country, a missionary serving there, and made soups from that country.
Holy Week included a dinner and communion at United; prayer around the cross for Good Friday
at Hope; and an Easter vigil at Bethlehem. “Attendance from all three congregations is high and
the enthusiasm is contagious,” Pastor Otto said.
Time capsule: Members of Resurrection of Tacoma are planning a time capsule, to be
opened 50 years from now. Included might be things such as faith stories to inspire the next
generation.
Soon to depart: Vicar Tim Weisman’s time with the congregation of St. Paul of Vancouver
is fast coming to a close. Weisman’s been there a year, and a celebration is slated for May 30.
Dorm done over: The Monday Morning Men of Christ of Belfair are hard at work
remodeling a dorm on the premises. Work so far includes removing walls and showers.
New cooler: The old refrigerator gave out, so Christ of Belfair members Merry and Dick
Quy selected a new one and Christ’s child-care center footed the bill. The new double-door
beauty is humming away. Christ Lutheran Childcare Center has a new Web site, by the way, at
www.clchildcare.com.
Thousands raised: More than $2,000 was raised in two hours at a recent spaghetti fundraiser
at United of Tacoma to benefit ELCA Disaster Relief for Haiti, Samoa and Chile. Two Samoan
congregations that worship at United prepared a traditional dessert called bene po po, made of
banana, coconut and sweet bread and served with ice-cream. Contributions came from the three
congregations, as well as neighborhood members.
Pastor needs vacation from vacation: Pastor Jan Otto of United of Tacoma is recovering
from injuries sustained in an 8-foot-fall off a lava edge on the Big Island in Hawaii. Otto also
reports she took part in a tsunami evacuation after the Chili earthquake on her Hawaiian vacation.

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From our friends

Advocacy update from Lutheran Public Policy Office
By the Rev. Paul Benz, director, Lutheran Public Policy Office of Washington State

Two important issues working their way through Congress for you and your congregation to
advocate on regarding the alleviation of poverty are:
(cid:132) Enhanced funding for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and
(cid:132) Enhanced funding for the reauthorization of our nation’s child nutrition programs that
include the Women, Infant and Children supplemental-nutrition effort, as well as breakfasts and
lunches at schools.
Calls or e-mails to your local congressional delegates’ offices or their Washington, D.C.,
offices are helpful; however there is nothing better than a handwritten letter. If you do write, we
recommend sending it by mail or fax to your local congressional office. They then will forward it
on to the D.C. office.
For more information on the EITC issue, go to www.bread.org or www.offeringofletters.org
(Bread for the World). For the child-nutrition issue go to www.frac.org (Food Research Action
Coalition). Opportunities for people to write letters or send e-mails will be available at the synod
assembly at the Lutheran Public Policy Office table and at the workshops.
The Washington State Legislature ended its regular session March 11, but because there was
an impasse on the proposed revenue package, which helps alleviate cuts in health, human service
and environmental programs, a special 30-day session had to be called. The office has a summary
of the outcomes of our legislative agenda that was e-mailed out to all who are a part of our
statewide network. It also is available at www.lppowa.org.

Calendar

May issue: Peace of Tacoma’s Hilltop Scholars program featured in The Lutheran, www.thelutheran.org
May 1: Prayer retreat, Vancouver, see Page 4
May 1: Hunger grant applications open, see Page 3
May 2: Lost and Found performs, Poulsbo, see Page 4
May 3 to 5: Byberg preaching workshop, Idaho, see Page 4
May 8 to 9: PLU event for high-schoolers, see Page 4
May 14 and 15: Southwestern Washington Synod Assembly, Hilton Hotel, Vancouver, see Page 2
May 24 to June 5: Synod group visits Namibia, blog at http://namibiaconnect.blogspot.org
May 29 to 31: Confirmands at Holden Village, see Page 4
June 5: Human-trafficking conference, see Page 4
June 25 to 27: Women of the ELCA Region 1 gathering, Kalispell, Mont.
June 28 to 30: PLU Summer Conference, see Page 4
July 28: Mount Rainier Cluster gathering of the Southwestern Washington Women of the ELCA, Puyallup
Aug. 21: Southwestern Washington Women of the ELCA Bible Study Event, Silverdale
Oct. 8 to 9: Southwestern Washington Women of the ELCA convention, Longview
Oct. 15 to 16: “What’s on Our Plate and Why it Matters” ethics of eating symposium, PLU and Trinity
Lutheran
Oct. 17 to 19: Church-planting conference, see Page 5
Oct. 23: Healthy Homes, Healthy Families event, Mountain View, Edgewood