Around the Synod

Interested in posting an event?  Please send us the event and contact information to communication@oregonsynod.org.

September 13
New Consecration Sunday Seminar
St. Paul Lutheran Church, 3880 SE Brooklyn Street, Portland
9:30 am until noon

It’s that time of year to be planning your congregation’s fall stewardship drive. If you haven’t already decided what your program will be, the synod stewardship committee has a suggestion. The New Consecration Sunday program is very effective in teaching Biblical giving practices including tithing and first fruit giving. Developing faithful habits in giving is an important part of teaching the faith. This seminar will give you insight into the updates that Herb Miller has made to this program if you are already familiar with the (classic) Consecration Sunday program. As a new user, you will find the orientation very helpful for planning your use of these materials in your congregation for this year or next year.

The synod stewardship committee is hosting an orientation on this new program. Please join us at St. Paul Lutheran Church (3880 SE Brooklyn Street, Portland) on Saturday, September 13 from 9:30 am until noon. There is a $20 registration fee per congregation with an unlimited number of people attending from each congregation. Please contact Becky Brown to register or if you have questions about the event: 503-244-1797 or becky.brown@comcast.net (don’t forget the dot between becky and brown). Visit www.oregonsynod.org/growingfaith/stewardship/index.htm for more information. We look forward to seeing you at the event.
Download PDF Flyer and PDF Agenda

September 13
Building Bridges Through Health Care Ministries
St. John Lutheran Church, 1350 Court Street NE , Salem, Oregon
8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Every congregation and pastor is attempting to serve each of their members needs both Physical and Spiritual. With our Word and Sacrament ministry, we address the spiritual need for the Gospel. But ministry to the whole person calls us to assist our members (and communities) in meeting their various Physical needs as well. This is a challenge indeed. How many times has each of us prayed for help in finding resources? How many times have we each wanted to share our experience and/or discoveries with sister congregations?

Building Bridges in Health Ministry is the opportunity to do just that. Here we will learn of new resources. Here we will make contacts with others who share the same ministry challenges. Here we can begin the task of forming a circuit team of health care servants in the mid-Willamette valley.

Lay leaders, Sunday School teachers, elders, lay ministers, human care/social concern boards, evangelism/mission boards, and youth workers are encouraged to attend. Bring community partners. The program has something for everyone. Use this time to learn together, plan together and minister together. Speakers and individuals with resource tables will be available for question and answers during breaks and lunch. They have valuable information and want to share it.

Please note that the closing service offering will go to the Malagasy Lutheran Hospital in Antisirable, Madagascar. Members of Calvary, Stayton, will be part of the Mercy Medical Team working at the hospital in September. They can share this ministry experience on their return. If you have any questions, please call Deaconess Arlene Janssens at 503-399-9767.

Hearings on the Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality
The Oregon Synod, ELCA will be hosting hearings for members to comment on the text of the Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality on the following dates:

1. September 20— 11:00 am — Peace, Pendleton
(please note chage in date and time)
2. September 27 – 10:00 am — St. Paul, Portland
3. September 28 – 2:00 pm — United, Eugene

September 22 - 25
A Week of Rich Fare at Holden: Food in the Wilderness
We are setting the table for conversation, song and feasts of every kind. All are welcome!
Presenters include: Fred Niedner: Dining and Dying with Christ: Meal Stories for the Year of Mark; Dorothy Bass: Practicing Our Faith in the Wilderness; Martin Wells: Water and Rock: A case study in a congregation's place in the world; Susan Briehl: A Trinity of Tables: Breaking Bread as a Christian Practice; Paul Hinderlie: Five Pasta Sauces you will meet in Heaven, and some fine meals from Holden's kitchen; Mary Preus and Tom Witt: Music. This program is cosponsored with the Valparaiso Project on the Education and Formation of People in Faith.

September 26 and 27
Passing On Faith Conference
Gathering with fellow Christians for these two days will offer other blessings as well.  Learn keys to sharing faith and values with your loved ones and others around you.  Realize that living a vibrant faith produces authentic, available, and affirming adults.  Find out how to equip families to partner home and congregation so that home is church too.  Integrate your faith talk and faith walk into all facets of life.  Detailed conference information, registration form, and promotional material can be found via a link on the Lutheran Church Northwest District website: http://www.nowlcms.org/educational_services/conferences.aspx.  For questions, please contact planning team co-chairs, Robin Fossum (503-475-2830,  rgfossum@hotmail.com ) or Phyllis Bockelmann (503-307-7281,  pjbockel@yahoo.com

September 29
Fall workshops to feature energy stewardship for congregations, homes and businesses. Two workshops to help congregations, businesses and individuals save energy and money, presented by Oregon Interfaith Power & Light (OIPL), a project of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, McMinnville Water and Light, and Bonneville Power Administration, and co-sponsored by Oregon Department of Energy. Better energy stewardship benefits the bottom-line of congregations, businesses and households and protects natural resources. These workshops will assist all who desire to improve energy stewardship.

“Energy Stewardship Workshop: A Dynamic Workshop Empowering Individuals and Congregations to Save Energy, Money and the Earth.”
McMinnville Community Cooperative Ministries, 544 NE 2nd St., McMinnville
6 to 8:30 pm
Topics include household energy efficiency, how your household or congregation can reduce its energy cost, incentives and financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, the ethics of energy stewardship, and renewable energy options that are clean and affordable.

“Save Your Congregation Energy and Money: A Consultation on Energy Stewardship for Facilities Managers, Clergy and Building Committee Members.”
First Baptist Church, 125 SE Cowls St., McMinnville
12 to 2:30 pm
Geared to the needs of congregations, the consultation will cover key principles of energy stewardship for congregations, low-cost and no-cost measures to save energy expenses, energy ethics and funding energy efficiency projects for religious facilities.

Cost: $15 per workshop or $25 for both workshops. Youth are free. A light meal and materials included. Scholarships available. For discounts available to groups from a single congregation, call (503) 221-1054, ext. 203. To register, please contact OIPL at (503) 221-1054, ext. 203, or e-mail jkam@emoregon.org by Sept. 24.

The keynote speaker for both workshops will be Doug Boleyn, PE, who has over 30 years of experience in renewable energy and energy efficiency. He is the energy consultant for Oregon Interfaith Power & Light, past-president of the Solar Oregon, president of Cascade Solar Consulting, LLC, and a member of the Energy Trust of Oregon Renewable Advisory Committee.

October 10-11, 2008
Living Faithfully through Passionate Spirituality
an intergenerational event to
nurture disciples and empower congregations
Christ the Good Shepherd, 4440 State Street, Salem

LJR is an annual program traditionally held at Holden Village (www.holdenvillage.org), a Lutheran Retreat Center above Lake Chelan in Eastern Washington. The program is intended to reach high school students interested in social, economic, political, and environmental justice issues. The goal is to provide a place where these students can learn about these global issues incorporating a Lutheran theological perspective and to provide a place where students can putting their faith into action.

2008 theme: Practicing our Faith in the Salmon Nation
The “Salmon Nation” is a project developed by the EcoTrust in Portland, Oregon. It is a creative project that seeks to bring people together to think about the interconnectedness of life, specifically in the Pacific Northwest. Anywhere pacific salmon are found is included in the Salmon Nation bio-region. Salmon Nation is about fostering healthy relationships between people, businesses, and the environment. It is a way to learn about the place we call home, to take seriously the natural beauty of the environment that surrounds us, listen to the stories of this place, and to have fun meeting our neighbors. For more information: www.salmonnation.com.

“Practicing our Faith in the Salmon Nation” is a project was convened by Dr. Patricia Killen and Dr. Samuel Torvend of Pacific Lutheran University. They gathered eight ELCA clergy to talk about the ways life in the Pacific Northwest shapes our lives in the Christian faith. Please visit: http://oregonsynod.org/docs/careforcreationsalmon.pdf

Using this theme at the Let Justice Roll Event will provide presentations sparking lively conversations around the practices of sustainability, relationships, and creation. Sustainability is meant in this context to include relationships between the environment, communities, businesses, people, friends, neighbors, and healthy care of self.

The subthemes of the weekend are Caring for Self, Caring for Neighbor, and Caring for Creation flowing out of the biblical “great commandment” to love God, neighbor, and self.

Self: The focus here has two parts, one focusing on physical self-care (diet, exercise, sleep, and healthy self images) and the other focusing on self care though healthy spiritual practices (scripture, prayer, meditation)

Neighbor: The focus here will be on “who is my neighbor” and “how can I love my neighbor” by looking at issues, but not limited to, such as social justice, race, slavery, gender.

Creation: The focus will be on examining this deeply complex and currently very popular topic (carbon footprint, going green, organic etc) from a theological perpective of being faithful stewards of God’s creation. Holden Village provides a uniquely beautiful “laboratory” to celebrate and examine these issues and apply them to our Pacific Northwest. Building on the first two components we will explore the interconnected relationships between self, neighbor, and creation to discover faithful responses as followers of Jesus.

This year in addition to our regular “partners” in this program we welcome Earth Ministry www.earthministry.com who will be providing wisdom and resources for our conversation.

A Word about LJR: LJR is not designed like the Holden Youth Weekends for participation from large youth groups. Its unique focus is meant to feed, support, and stimulate those young people who have a special interest in the issues of peace, justice, and care of creation. Because of the fall date, space is limited, so we encourage you to limit your group to no more that 5 participants. Register Now to Guarantee Places for Your Group!

Resources at Wartburg Theological Seminary
Starting October 13
A new Online Course, Emerging Ministry: Being Church Today, will be offered this fall by Wartburg Theological Seminary Associate Professor of Youth, Culture & Mission, Nathan Frambach. Dr. Frambach devoted much of his sabbatical research to the challenges, opportunities and needs of emerging ministry and is recognized as a leader in this area.

Register for this course that builds on Professor Frambach's work in Emerging Ministry: Being Church Today. What does it mean to be the church as we live - not as we think or remember or long for, but as we live God's mission today? What does it mean to be who we are, where we are as the people of God? The emerging church conversation will be "Exhibit A" in this course as we respond to these and other important questions. Participants will explore evangelical listening and living in a radically contextual, communal way as seen in many emerging church communities.

October 16-18
Living Liturgy Event at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 9706 N. Division, Spokane, WA.
Early Registration by 7/15/08: Individual $125 each;
Cost per congregation (up to 4 participants): $100 each.
Register after 7/15/08:  Individual $150 each;
Congregation per congregation: $115 each
Please make checks payable to St. Luke Lutheran Church PO Box 28948, Spokane, WA  99228
For accommodations call the Ramada Limited Suites at 1800-272-6232 or Quality Inn Oakwood at 1877-424-6423 and mention the Living Liturgy workshop at St. Luke.  Call ASAP as there are other events that weekend in Spokane.

October 17-18
Deborah Govenor - Workshop
“ How Can I Keep From Singing? ” Community as a Gift from God
Gloria Dei, Coos Bay
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church is very excited to host a nationally recognized clinician, sacred composer and arranger, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Coos Bay, Oregon. Sacred choral enthusiasts would normally have to go to Portland or Seattle to attend a clinic like this and pay twice as much. This clinic is for choir directors, music leaders, worship leaders, pastors and choral singers. The cost is $ 35.00 per person which will include a music packet. To register please go to http://www.gloriadeifamily.org/. $45.00 after September 15, 2008. In order to guarantee a music packet, must receive registration by September 15, 2008
Download PDF Registration Form

October 24-26, 2008
ELCA Region I
Discernment Retreat
The Dumas Bay Centre in Federal Way, WA
This retreat resources adults who are discerning the call to rostered service in the ELCA.  The retreat begins at 7:00 pm Friday and night and concludes 1:00 pm Sunday.  All meals, lodging and retreat costs are included in the $165 fee.  Home congregations are encouraged to cover at least half the registration fee.  Registration forms and promotional material will follow.  For more information contact: The Rev. Shelley Wickstrom , Coordinator for Ministry Leadership, Region 1, ELCA at 206-624-0093 ext. 109.

November 1
"Not The Way I Heard It"
Host: Nationally and Internationally Recognized Actor, Chuck Neighbors
Trinity Lutheran Church, 500 N. Second St., Silverton
7:00 p.m.
Put November 1st on your calendar and reserve your church bus or van for a trip to Silverton in November. Trinity will host a drama performance by nationally and internationally recognized actor, Chuck Neighbors.

In "Not The Way I Heard It," Neighbors brings some of our favorite parables to life, as the familiar stories told in a fresh new way. You will see and hear, and feel the human emotions in:

• The Parable of the Talents set in a psychiatrist's office from a patient who is struggling with life after losing his job.
• The Parable of the Prodigal Son from the "other son's" point of view as he communicates his feelings toward his wayward brother.
• The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard from a disgruntled employee trying to come to terms with the boss's apparent favoritism.
• The Parable Good Samaritan from the victim's perspective, as he discovers what it means to "love your neighbor as yourself."
• The Parable of the Sower and the Seeds from a grandfather sharing the sorrow and joys of the differing paths his children have chosen.
  
  A freewill offering will be received for the work of Masters Image Productions. For more information, email trinityevents@wildblue.net or phone 503-874-9481.

November 4
Hope Lutheran Church, Klamath Falls is hosting an 11 day Greece and the Greek Isle tour.
If Interested please contact Lisa Sharp or Pastor Tim Herzfeldt-Kamprath at Hope Lutheran Church, Klamath Falls, 541-884-6416 or email: hopeklamath@aol.com

November 21-23
Marty Haugen and Susan Briehl Worship Workshops
Worship as a Way of Life
Sunriver Christian Fellowship, Sunriver
November 21- (1:00 pm- 4:00 pm) - Nurturing Parish Music Program
November 21 (7:00 pm - 8:30 pm) - Songfest
November 22- (9:00 am -3:00 pm) - Worship as a Way of Life
November 23 - Sunday services (call for times).

The general public is invited to both workshops as well as the songfest and Sunday service. Costs for the workshops are $25 for Friday, $40 for Saturday (includes lunch) or $55 for both workshops. The songfest on Friday evening and the Sunday service are free of charge. For more information contact Dr. Rob Person at 541-593-1183 or Bob Vogel at 541-598-0599.

2009

January 23-25
“Faith & Font: Discipling for a New Church”
Catechumenate Training Event
Phinney Ridge Lutheran, Seattle

February 20-21
“Come to the Water”
Catechumenate Training Event
Milwaukie Lutheran, Milwaukie

February 12 and February 13
Consultation to Clergy 40th Aanniversary Celebration
The Future of Ministry:Adaptation or Extinction
Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, Washington
A symposium sponsored By Consultation to Clergy And Pacific Lutheran University
Download PDF Brochure

June 15-18
“Being the Church in the Pacific Northwest:
Fostering a Public Voice on Critical Issues ”
Campus of Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA
While media may divide Christian communities into "liberal" and "conservative" camps, many Christians hold another view: virtue of their baptism, Christians are called to be public vocation that is a bit more complex than any neat category. At this conference, participants will explore and discuss the Christian sources of public witness, the theological foundations of social engagement, and the pastoral means to nourish a congregation focused on service in the world.

Keynote Speakers: Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, Seattle University, Assistant Professor, Theology and Religious Studies, Associate Professor, Environmental Studies;Kevin O'Brien, Pacific Lutheran University, Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics.

For more information and to sign-up for future direct mail and e-mail updates and registrtation material, call Rev. G. Lee Kluth, Director of Congregation Relations at 253-535-7423 or e-mail crel@plu.edu.

2010

July 17, 2010
Passion Play at Oberammergau Germany
For more information including a brochure with reservation application, contact Pastor Dan Hallgrimson at prdan@comcast.net or phone 541-753-8581.