December 2012 Full Synod Newsletter - Southwestern Washington ...

Moments for Mission
Southwestern Washington Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ by empowering congregations and church leaders
to grow in worship, education, outreach, stewardship and other ministries.
December 2012
Bishop Robert
D. Hofstad
Rev. Ronald Hoyum
assistant to the bishop
Rev. Valinda Morse
assistant to the bishop
Rev. Melanie
Wallschlaeger
director for
evangelical mission
Rev. Donald Fossum
assembly planner
Allison Ramsey
office manager
Rachel Pritchett
editor, rachelpritchett
@msn.com, 206-498-
0920
Phone
253-535-8300
Address
420 121 st St. S
Tacoma, WA 98444
Email
swwsynod@plu.edu
Websites
Lutheranssw.org
Elca.org
Blog
swwsynodelca.
blogspot.com
Facebook
Facebook.com/pages/
southwesternwashingtonsynod/129047787133
Bishop Rob and your synod staff wish you and yours
A Blessed Advent and Christmas
Don Fossum, Bishop Rob Hofstad,
Ron Hoyum, Allison Ramsey,
Valinda Morse, Melanie Wallschlaeger and
Rachel Pritchett, who took the photo
n Advent, Christmas updates, Page 2

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Congregations in transition
Call process
Position Status Pastoral care
Amazing Grace, Aberdeen P TR Linda Nou
Chinook P TR Pulpit supply
First, Port Orchard P TR George Larson
Hope, Tacoma P NV Randy Haas
Light of Grace, Federal Way P TR Sang Su Kim
Mount Cross, University Place AP NV Dave Steffenson
Mountain View, Edgewood AP I John Vaswig
Naselle P TR Pulpit supply
Our Saviour’s, Cathlamet P TR Les Foss
Peace Fellowship, Port Ludlow P TR Laurie Stumme-Diers
Salishan Eastside Lutheran Mission P TR Pulpit supply
Trinity, Vancouver P TR Katherine Hellier
Key: AP – Associate Pastor; I – Interviewing; P – Pastor; NV – New Vacancy; TR – Transition
Synod calls
The Rev. Joseph Smith, redevelopment pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Lakewood, will have a
different title, responsibilities and hours at the same location after the first of the year.
On leave from call
The Rev. Randy Haas is on leave from call.
Advent, Christmas updates
n Psalms at Advent: All are invited to St. Andrew Lutheran Church of Vancouver where “Psalmfest:
Celebrating Advent through the Psalms” is from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 1. Through worship and
presentations; office@salcvan.org or 360-892-7160.
n Tickets left: While all on-campus performances of Pacific Lutheran University’s annual Christmas
concert are sold out, tickets remain for 7:30 p.m. performances in Seattle on Dec. 3 and in Portland
on Dec. 4; 253-535-7787.
n Advent calendars: The University Congregation at PLU is selling fair-trade chocolate Advent
calendars to help students offset costs of traveling to Guatemala during Holy Week in 2013; $15,
253-535-7464.
n Gifts of Hope: The “Gifts of Hope” catalog, which offers alternative gifting ideas that are local and
global is available at these congregations. In the Tacoma area, they are at Spanaway Lutheran, St.
Mark’s by The Narrows, Trinity and Creator. In Olympia, they are at Good Shepherd and Gloria Dei.
They also are at St. John’s of Chehalis and Trinity of Vancouver.
n Cut waste: Instead of buying paper tablecloths, plates and napkins, buy lasting items in a color
that meets the theme of several seasons. A gold tablecloth can be embellished with candles of
different colors along with items from the yard or seasonal foods. Fall colors can be used for
decorating from Labor Day through Thanksgiving. Reds continue into Christmas, through Valentine’s
Day and again for the Fourth of July. Gift bags are easier to reuse than gift paper, lessen the need
for boxes and the time spent in wrapping them. And when thinking of gifts, think beyond “things.”
Financial gifts given in a loved one’s name to charities or nonprofits serving the needy can help
provide for their future as well as grow the gift of giving in the recipient’s heart. Check ratings of
charities and nonprofits at www.charitynavigator.org. And for gift ideas that help others, see the
ELCA Good Gifts catalog at www.elca.org. — Judy Blevens, synod Earthkeeping Task Force

Around the synod
Cleaner, cheaper heat came from forest surrounding church
By Rachel Pritchett, communicator
STEVENSON — The oil furnace at Shepherd of
the Hills Lutheran Church was 60 years old and
at the end of its life.
For a replacement, members of this tiny congregation
in the Columbia River Gorge thought it
might be time to look for a heat source that was
carbon-neutral and less expensive to run.
This Thanksgiving, the community and church
celebrated Shepherd of the Hills’ new biofuel
furnace, delivering heat that “absolutely gets in
your bones,” said the Rev. Ron McClung. So far,
the cost of running the furnace fueled by woody
biomass pellets manufactured nearby is about half what it cost to operate the old oil furnace.
“We’re surrounded by a forest here in Skamania County, yet we were using oil fuel,” McClung said.
The Harmon Stoves furnace is the size of an upright piano.
Attached to the side is a small automatic feeder hopper for the
pellets. A bulk hopper that holds a ton of pellets is a few feet away.
To heat its sanctuary and fellowship hall, Shepherd of the Hills will
go through a ton in five weeks. The unit is so efficient that hardly
any smoke comes from the chimney, just at start-up.
Members of the furnace committee were able to utilize the existing
ductwork. They installed levers so that the heat could be targeted
to specific spaces. They plan to move fans on the sanctuary’s
vaulted ceiling to circulate the warm air better. Among those who
helped plan and install the furnace were Tom Price, Norm Ward,
Dave Hansen, Chuck Sweeney and Erich Geinert.
Total investment: $15,000, funded by a loan the congregation
made to itself from its endowment fund. Total estimate operating
cost: about half of the $1,550 annually the church was spending to
heat with oil.
The people of Shepherd of the Hills feel good
about using the locally produced pellets to help
create jobs in a county where unemployment
remains at 8.7 percent.
They feel even better about using waste byproducts
from the surrounding forest for a fuel
that’s plentiful, clean and renewable.
“It all came together,” McClung concluded.
Pictured top to bottom: Norm Ward fine-tunes furnace gauges. Dave Hansen puts finishing touches
on exterior modifications for the furnace. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church overlooks the river.
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Around the synod
To help spread the word about the synod’s eight new mission starts, Moments for Mission in the
coming months will feature articles about each of them. This issue looks at Living Stones Prison
Congregation. A look at the synod’s two new federated Lutheran/Episcopal groups comes in
January. Contributions through 1,000 Mission Friends help support the new starts. Contact the
synod office to help. — Editor
Clampdown cutting ranks of worshipers at prison congregation
By Rachel Pritchett, communicator
SHELTON — It’s been less than a year since Byron Scherf strangled
officer Jamye Biendl in the chapel in the Washington State Reformatory
in Monroe
In that short time, daily life for every prisoner in the state Department of
Corrections has changed inexorably. Moving around inside is tougher
than ever.
Getting to worship at Living Stones Prison Congregation at Shelton has
become extraordinarily difficult. The Rev. Eric Wangen-Hoch used to
have a hundred inmates for Saturday-evening services since he began
six years ago.
It’s down to 20.
The men now must sign up far in advance if they want to go somewhere
in the prison. If they end up not going, they get penalized. They might
lose “good points,” or not be allowed out of their cell, or even put in “the
hole,” solitary confinement.
“The guys don’t want to put themselves into position to get more infractions,” Wangen-Hoch said.
“The prison is trying to mitigate every last opportunity of risk.”
Meanwhile, Wangen-Hoch’s full-time position has been cut to three-quarters time, due to shrunken
synod finances.
The clampdown won’t last forever, Wangen-Hoch predicted, and Living Stones, one of a dozen
Lutheran prison ministries across the country, will survive.
Synod congregational teams continue to support men exiting from the prison system. A new effort to
collect street clothes for the men soon will take place.
Lutheran Church of Christ the King of Sumner, First Lutheran Community Church of Port Orchard
and Family of God Lutheran Church of Bremerton are among many active supporters.
Wangen-Hoch and others are putting together a program where the men build connection with their
children by regularly reading to them.
Wangen-Hoch recently looked back on the men’s stories. There’ve been the defeats, when men
return to lives of drugs and violence after exiting. There’ve been victories, when the gospel they
heard at Living Stones acted on them later on the outside.
“I’ve actually been able to sit back amazed and see that the gospel really changes people. It’s not
just something you learn in seminary,” he said.
Pictured: Rev. Eric Wangen-Hoch

Around the synod
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All Saints’ at 50: Remembrance, rejoicing and rededication
By Ed Englund of All Saints’ Lutheran Church
AUBURN — The year 1962 will be remembered in our nation’s history for some major events. Most
notably perhaps was the Cuban Missile Crisis, bringing us to the brink of war. For Washington state
folks, no one will forget the Seattle World’s Fair and the Space Needle, which for 50 years has
served as the emblem of the Seattle skyline. And then there was the devastating Columbus Day
Storm that struck the Pacific Northwest with 170 mph winds resulting in 46 deaths and major
damage.
But 1962 was also the year that a handful of dedicated Lutherans and an inspired young pastor
fulfilled their dreams for a new place of worship. All Saints’ Lutheran Church was born. In the past
five decades, the church has emerged from its humble beginnings to become a major institution,
standing majestically at its prominent location off Interstate 5 at the Exit 147 off-ramp.
It originally was in a community grange hall. Old-timers nostalgically remember the old hall, which
has long since been removed and replaced with a Walgreens. In 1966, the church home moved to a
new-but-modest sanctuary built on the present site. Since that time there have been major additions,
culminating in its present contemporary sanctuary, dedicated in 1993.
Three major ceremonies are marking this 50-year milestone. First, was a “remembrance” on Oct. 6.
It was an emotionally filled reunion of past and present members with nearly all former pastors on
hand for a special program and luncheon. Retired Rev. Elvin Bjork, All Saints’ founding pastor, was
among those present. A young minister in 1962, Pastor Bjork spoke of his door-to-door campaign
seeking interested Christians to come join this exciting new adventure. During the remembrance
event, all pastors told of fond memories from their respective eras. Some charter members were
also were on hand, including several who are still active in the church.
The second event was a “rejoicing,” which took place on Reformation Sunday, Oct. 28. Bishop
Robert D. Hofstad was the honored guest and delivered an uplifting sermon. Afterward, a German
potluck was provided in honor of Martin Luther.
Finally, on Dec. 2, the church will celebrate a “rededication.” In addition to being the first Sunday of
Advent, is was exactly on that day, 50 years ago, that All Saints’ was officially commissioned under
a charter of the Lutheran Church of America. The Rev. Jan Otto will lead, followed by a social
gathering with refreshments.
Pictured left to right: The original grange, and the present inside and outside of All Saints' Lutheran
Church of Auburn, turning 50

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Around the synod
They turned a trip into a pilgrimage
TACOMA — This year’s synod global-mission event took participants from Tanzania to Uruguay,
and back home to the Mississippi River and the Appalachian Mountains.
Along the way at the all-day event Nov. 10 at St. Mark’s by The Narrows,
they learned how to turn a trip into a pilgrimage.
The Rev. Dave Ellingson of Trinity Lutheran College of Everett recounted
how he paddled 2,350 miles down the Mississippi this summer in his
kayak to the ELCA Extravaganza for youth in New Orleans, La.
Also speaking was Lori Sather, who served as an ELCA global Mission
volunteer in Tanzania, where she served as a computer specialist at a
medical center in Arusha.
For youth from Mountain View Lutheran Church who performed service in
Appalachia this summer, a trip became a pilgrimage from the
relationships they made.
ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission Erin Lee and Katy Keyes told how their lives were changed by
a year spent in Uruguay. And the Rev. Jan Ruud of St. Mark’s gave spiritual hints about getting
much more from the trip.
Some 25 people attended the event organized by the synod’s Global Missions committee, down
from previous years due to the Veterans Day weekend. Pictured: Ellingson addresses the group.
Bulletin board
Trinity Lutheran College seeks scholarship nominations
Do you know someone who would make an exceptional leader in youth or children’s ministry,
community social services, camping leadership or pastoral ministry? Trinity Lutheran College’s
Children, Youth and Family Studies program is recruiting students through recommendations from
church leaders. Referrals to the program serve as nominations for several scholarships worth as
much as $56,000. For more, visit www.tlc.edu/next or contact Mark Jackson at 425-249-4721.
Join Grinstad to visit Martin Luther territory
The Rev. Dick Grinstad of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Port Angeles will lead a group to sites in
Germany where Martin Luther lived, studied and preached. The journey takes place July 2013. For
more, send an inquiry to info@fullscoretravel.com or call 360-457-9306.
Posting
Office manager: Peninsula Lutheran Church of Gig Harbor seeks an office manager, at 35 hours
a week. Interested persons can submit a résume to Kris Bernard at krisbernard@aol.com. For more
information, call Bernard at 253-238-0809.The church is at 6509 38th Ave. NW.
Calendar
Jan. 20 to 22: Prayer Retreat preceding Bishop’s Convocation, Seabeck, see Page 7
Jan. 22 to 23: Bishop’s Convocation, Seabeck, see Page 7
June 7 to 8: Assembly of the Southwestern Washington Synod, Hotel Murano Tacoma
A complete calendar of upcoming events appears on the synod blog at swwsynodelca.blogspot.com.
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

Upcoming
New date for advocates-against-hunger training
A fall training session for congregational hunger advocates has been rescheduled for 10 a.m. to
1 p.m. Dec. 8 at Messiah Lutheran Church of Vancouver. The training is part of work of the synod’s
Hunger Committee to increase participation in the ELCA’s World Hunger Program. To learn more,
contact Rick Nelson at ernelson@teleport.com.
FAN annual dinner Dec. 8 in Seattle
The 2012 Faith Action Network Annual Awards Dinner featuring Gov. Chris Gregoire takes place
Dec. 8 at Temple De Hirsch Sinai, at 1511 East Pike St. in Seattle. Some 400 faith leaders and
advocates are expected at the dinner where the Advocating Congregation Award will be announced,
along with the Lifetime Justice Award and Interfaith Award. The cost is $85 per person. Reservation
information is at fanwa.org.
St. Paul Lutheran Church nearing 110 years
St. Paul Lutheran Church of Vancouver celebrates 110 years of existence this month. Lots of events
are planned, but the main ones take place at 1 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Red Lion Hotel at the Quay in
Vancouver, and at worship services Dec. 16. Worship times are 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. To learn more,
contact the church at 360-693-3531.
Byberg Preaching Workshop mid-January in Oregon
The Rev. Dr. Terence Fretheim of Luther Seminary will be the presenter at the 2013 Byberg
Preaching Workshop, to take place Jan. 14 to 16 at Cannon Beach, Ore. Fretheim will address
“Preaching and the God of the Old Testament.” Joining him will be the Rev. Rick Jaech of Beautiful
Savior Lutheran Church of Vancouver, Wash., who will talk on “Preaching in a Context of Conflict.”
For more information, visit www.bybergpreaching.org.
Bishop to share wisdom from 40 years of ministry
In his final Bishop’s Convocation, Robert D. Hofstad will share what he has learned in 40 years of
ordained ministry. His pastor-to-pastor remarks will focus on theology, practical information and
pastoral care at the event taking place Jan. 22 to 23 at the Seabeck Conference Center. A prayer
retreat preceeds the convocation on Jan. 20 to 22 at the same location. To learn more or to register,
begin by going to the synod website at www.lutheranssw.org.
Mark your calendars for 2013 Synod Assembly
The 2013 Synod Assembly in which a new bishop will be elected takes place June 7 and 8 at the
Hotel Murano and Bicentennial Pavilion in Tacoma. The theme will be “Always being made new.”
Registration begins Jan. 15, and can be done through the synod’s website at www.lutheranssw.org.
Details of the assembly will be listed there, as well, along with various deadlines leading up to the
assembly. Upcoming Moments for Mission will explain in detail the process of electing a new bishop.
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