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Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod news

Like a Watered Garden: a theology of water, worship and the world around us” was the theme of the 2015 Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod Assembly, based on Isaiah

58:11-12. The assembly gathered April 24-26 at the Red Lion Hotel in Pasco, Wash. We give thanks to Ken and Stephanie Tesch, assembly co-chairs, for all their hard work, as well as for the work of their committee.

This year we said farewell and thank you to our assembly manager, Karla Olson, for her 11 years of wonderful service. In turn, we welcomed Julia Bennett as our new assembly manager.

The four synod net-workers were installed: Kristin Koskella, the Rev. David Kappus, Linda Howell and Jim Peterson.

Our guest speakers, the Revs. Ben Stewart and Susan Briehl, spoke of God’s valuable gift of water in our agricul-turally based synod. Emphasis was on how vital water is to our existence and metaphors for baptismal water through Martin Luther’s Flood Prayer, the flood of grace in our daily lives, and as we live with the gift of Easter.

We welcomed the Rev. Margaret Payne, director for mis-sion support and churchwide representative to the assembly. Her report included greetings from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and reminded us that we are church, we are Lutheran, we are church for the sake of the world, and we are the ELCA together.

The assmbly re-elected synod Vice President Gary Gemar and Treasurer Tami McHugh. Outgoing Synod Council members Jarod Fritz, Donn Gehret, Sharlene Harvey, Mary Jamison and Ken Jones were thanked and given our synod’s traditional servant towels.

New council members include the Rev. Mike Sager, Hope, Eagle, Idaho; the Rev. Kristin Kuempel, First, Kennewick, Wash.; Jackson Bewick, St. Mark’s, Spokane, Wash.

Voting members who will attend the ELCA Church-wide Assembly in New Orleans Aug. 8-16, 2016, are: Kath-ryn Wee, St. Luke, Spokane; the Rev. Misael Fajardo-Perez, Wenatchee (Wash.) Valley Lutheran Latino Ministry; Donn Gehret, Central, Spokane; Cheri Nelson, Salem, Spokane; the Rev. Dave Haven, Celebration Lutheran, Wenatchee; the Rev. Meggan Manlove, Trinity, Nampa, Idaho.

Other elections include:• Consultation Committee—the Rev. Kimberly Meinecke,

First Lutheran Church, Pasco, Wash.• Discipline Committee—Kitty Eagle, Messiah Lutheran

Church, Spokane.• Discipline Committee—John Savage, St. John’s Lutheran

Church, Nezperce, Idaho.In other business, voting members passed Resolution 2:

Synod Capital Campaign. The Synod Council initiated a

CAITLIN MANZ

Church members Diane Eayrs-Mendoza (left) of First Lutheran, Pasco, Wash.; Cassie Spangrude, JoAnne Savage and Charleen Kaaen, all from Christ Lutheran in Walla Walla, Wash., stand by the 2015 synod assembly banner they created, which illustrates the assembly’s theme “Like a Watered Garden.” The banner took more than 60 hours to make.

2015 assembly highlightsfeasibility study, revealing that a campaign at this time was possible and had positive support. The three-year campaign supports:• Our companion, the Ulanga Kilmbero Diocese in the

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, through its Tumaini School, attempting to complete an assembly/dining hall for students.

• Synod endowments for congregational mission (the SHARE Fund) and for the Fund for Leaders in Mission.

• Three campus ministry sites at Eastern Washington University, Washington State University and the Uni-versity of Idaho.

• Lutheran Community Services, to expand its work in Idaho and Washington around the issue of human trafficking.

• A synod tithe from the campaign funds to Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA.The assembly also passed:

• Resolution 1: Eco-Reformation in the Context of Climate Change.

• Resolution 3: To Consider Amending the Model Congre-gation Constitution of the ELCA Regarding Discipline.

• Resolution 4: Amendments to the EasternWashington-Idaho Synod Constitution.

• Memorial #1 on Eco-Reformation, which will be sent to the 2016 Churchwide Assembly for consideration.The assembly offering went to water projects through the

ELCA Good Gifts program to develop water wells, irrigation and water jugs in countries where clean water is not available.

The assembly approved the 2017 budget, including 35 per-cent mission support to the churchwide organization. This budget represents a 12 percent increase, allowing the synod net-workers to be brought on board. Congregations were asked to adjust their mission support for this budget. M

Prepared by Synod Secretary Paula Kenney

“

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July 2015 AD www.thelutheran.org

Synod newsEastern Washington-Idaho

Continued on page B

Pasco Latino Ministry connects communities

In July 2013 a 70-year-old woman began a new venture in Pasco, Wash. Donna Kary, an Anglo and bilingual member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Kennewick, Wash., felt

called to find out what ELCA Lutherans could do to serve the Pasco community, which has 33,000 Latino members, about half of the population.

Through her work in the Peace Corps, Kary learned Span-ish. She has an outgoing nature, loves to laugh and enjoys meeting new people. She respects people from all walks of life with her compassion and generosity. Kary enjoys work-ing with a team and is motivated, if not driven, to share the love of God. This motivation led her to attend training for mission development work at the ELCA churchwide orga-nization in Chicago.

“As a teen I debated whether to be a teacher or work in a ministry,” she said. “While my vocation was a teacher, God led me through many experiences to this avocation. God brought me full circle. Thank you, Lord!”  

Meanwhile, the Area Ministry Strategy team in the Tri-Cities had met monthly for years to discern how they might do joint ministry to serve the community. When Good Shep-herd Lutheran Church, Richland, Wash., closed its doors in 2005, members wanted to “be a gift” to the ELCA and other ministries. When they sold their building, their legacy was to give a portion of the funds to “expand the Lutheran pres-ence” in the Tri-Cities area of Washington (Kennewick, Pasco and Richland).

The first attempt at a ministry start in West Richland didn’t gain traction. So a discernment process followed. Bishop Martin Wells’ motto of “fail quickly” and then move forward, revealed a clear opportunity for ministry among Latino people.

‘Walking in God’s love with God’s people’To help, Kary began with visits in the community, both to leaders and individuals’ homes. She went door knocking, often alone but sometimes with Fern Blake, a member of Lutheran Church of the Master in Pasco, who didn’t speak Spanish but would accompany Kary, pray and pay attention to the people.

The two were well received, mainly because they had taken the time to walk around the neighborhoods to offer a caring presence and to pray for people. “This ministry is an accompaniment model,” Kary said. “We are walking in God’s love with God’s people.”

After a year of exploration, it became clear that many of the Latino residents needed and wanted English as a second language classes, citizenship classes in Spanish or English, Bible study and activities for children. They also needed an avenue to learn about existing resources.

Kary then returned for second visits to 60 of the house-holds that had expressed the most interest in order to further develop relationships and invite people to various activities. She began by offering a women’s prayer/support group with volunteers who would mind the children.

In December 2013 the new Pasco Latino Ministry hosted Las Posadas (a Latino Christmas celebration) events in two parts of the community, with 165 people in attendance. On Palm Sunday 2014 a procession, worship service and Easter egg hunt were held at the same trailer park, and 54 people participated. In August 2014 a vacation Bible school was held at the trailer park.

“We are building bridges between God’s people in dif-ferent communities, working together to plan cultural, reli-gious or educational activities,” Kary said.

In September 2014, the Rev. Helga Jansons, director for evangelical mission of the Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod, attended faith-based organizing training and returned with a better understanding of how to meet with

By Caitlin Manz and the Rev. Helga Jansons

feasibility study, revealing that a campaign at this time was possible and had positive support. The three-year campaign supports:• Our companion, the Ulanga Kilmbero Diocese in the

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, through its Tumaini School, attempting to complete an assembly/dining hall for students.

• Synod endowments for congregational mission (the SHARE Fund) and for the Fund for Leaders in Mission.

• Three campus ministry sites at Eastern Washington University, Washington State University and the Uni-versity of Idaho.

• Lutheran Community Services, to expand its work in Idaho and Washington around the issue of human trafficking.

• A synod tithe from the campaign funds to Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA.The assembly also passed:

• Resolution 1: Eco-Reformation in the Context of Climate Change.

• Resolution 3: To Consider Amending the Model Congre-gation Constitution of the ELCA Regarding Discipline.

• Resolution 4: Amendments to the EasternWashington-Idaho Synod Constitution.

• Memorial #1 on Eco-Reformation, which will be sent to the 2016 Churchwide Assembly for consideration.The assembly offering went to water projects through the

ELCA Good Gifts program to develop water wells, irrigation and water jugs in countries where clean water is not available.

The assembly approved the 2017 budget, including 35 per-cent mission support to the churchwide organization. This budget represents a 12 percent increase, allowing the synod net-workers to be brought on board. Congregations were asked to adjust their mission support for this budget. M

Prepared by Synod Secretary Paula Kenney

CAITLIN MANZ

Ana Elisa Wilson teaches Spanish as a second language at First Lutheran Church in Pasco, Wash. Students Linda Parkin, Valerie Carlson and Paul Parkin, members of First, take notes. Wilson previously taught Spanish to adults and children in Arizona.

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Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod newsContinued from page A

community leaders and tap into their passion and vision for action. By implementing this training, Latino community leaders in Pasco became involved. ELCA members from the four ELCA churches in the Tri-Cities (First in Kennewick, First in Pasco, Lord of Life in Kennewick, and Master in Pasco) met regularly with Latino residents and shared their hopes for the Pasco community, as well as their faith stories and favorite Bible passages. As they continued to meet, they planned events.

The Las Posadas in 2014 was held at First in Kennewick and included a dinner prepared by Latina community mem-bers, a Christmas procession, Latin dancers, a dance lesson, singing and prayer. Of the 126 who attended, 45 were Latino and the rest were mostly members of the area ELCA churches.

In January 2015 an open house was held at First in Pasco where people signed up for activities:• Three English as a second language classes (levels 1 and 2,

and English for citizenship). • Three citizenship (Spanish and English) classes for adults.• Homework/reading support for elementary and middle

school children.• Music classes for 3- to 5-year-olds.

Seventy-one adults enrolled and an average of 20 volun-teers and 20 children attend each Monday night at First in Pasco. A nursery is available for children under 3. Later on, Spanish as a second language classes for English speakers wanting to learn Spanish were offered, and 14 enrolled.

“Those who attend the advanced citizenship classes have demonstrated tremendous success as lawful permanent residents,” said George Hunter, a member of Master. “Most have responsible positions in their employment, and one is a small-business owner. The attainment of U.S. citizenship will only increase their opportunities for continued success.”

Attorney Ana Cecilia Lopez teaches citizenship classes in Spanish. Her focus is on increasing the civic awareness and participation of her students.

“I believe that my personal success is due in great part

to my ability to function in different cultures,” Lopez said. “In addition to speaking English, I was able to bridge cul-tures and be part of the Anglo community. When I arrived in Minnesota from my home country in Guatemala, I made an effort to understand, adapt and learn from the greater community. I believe that intercultural exchanges allow all individuals to compare our own socialization and give us the opportunity to pick and choose those values we want to retain, adapt or change. This process, I am convinced, makes for a better community and serves to evolve our personal and community culture.”

Also in January 2015, another mission developer joined the Pasco Latino Ministry, Diane Eayrs-Mendoza from First in Pasco. Along with Kary, the two run and organize the weekly Monday classes with the help of many volunteers. The four ELCA churches rotate kitchen duty, providing healthy snacks.

“My favorite part is the relationships people are building among the four Tri-Cities ELCA churches’ volunteers, non-Lutheran volunteers, and the adult and children Latinos involved in the ministry,” Eayrs-Mendoza said.

Linnea Hillesland, a member of Master, teaches “God’s Children Sing” using resources from Musikgarten, a leading international program in early childhood music and move-ment. “I firmly believe that in music and movement classes like this we can build a peaceful community where accep-tance, understanding and God’s love prevail,” she said.

The Latino population in the Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod is 531,354, or around 12 percent of the residents, according to ELCA research. The number of ELCA baptized Latino members in the synod is 254 out of a total baptized synod membership of 26,462. Pasco, Wenatchee Valley and Yakima Valley are the areas where the most Latinos in the synod reside, as well as significant numbers in southern Idaho.

“Because of the abundance of agricultural work in the

CAITLIN MANZ

Diane Eayrs-Mendoza (left) and Donna Kary organize classes at First Lutheran Church, Pasco, Wash., as part of the Pasco Latino Ministry.

“I believe that intercultural exchanges allow all individuals to compare our own socialization and gives us the opportunity to pick and choose those values we want to retain, adapt or change,” Ana Cecilia Lopez says.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANA CECILIA LOPEZ

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Synod news

July 2015 C

Every year Valparaiso (Ind.) University hosts the Institute of Liturgical Studies in the weeks after Easter. This is an assemblage of the very best of our liturgical scholars,

hymn writers and worship leaders, all members of the Asso-ciation of Lutheran Church Musicians.

The event begins with a hymn sing, with this year’s event hosted by one of our finest hymn writers, Susan Palo Cher-wein. My friend, Bishop John Macholz of the Upstate New York Synod, said Cherwein began her reflections this way: “Let us begin with wonder; gratitude will follow.”

This is my theme, as I remember an excellent synod assembly in April and reflect on the gift and theology of water so ably presented by the Revs. Ben Stewart and Susan Briehl. “Let us begin with wonder; gratitude will follow.”

Those of us who live in the Spokane, Wash., area have a very present example of what this “wonder and gratitude” look like when related to water and our native salmon. Last year Avista Utilities opened Huntington Park below the Spokane Falls. The centerpiece of the park, besides the falls themselves, is a three-piece sculpture by Virgil “Smoker” Marchand, a member of the Colville Tribe.

One piece of the statue depicts the Salmon Chief sit-ting on a great horse while holding aloft a salmon in a two-handed gesture of praise and thanksgiving to the river and for the fish. During the height of the run, one couldn’t

From the bishop

‘Let us begin with wonder; gratitude will follow’see the stones in the river because of so many fish. The other two parts of the art-work depict women drying the salmon for their winter food (www.spokanehistori-cal.org/items/show/508).

We don’t worship the water nor the salmon, but each is an icon of creation’s generous provision for life. In Martin Luther’s 1526 Flood Prayer, we pray thanksgiving to God, “who by the baptism of thy beloved Child, our Lord Jesus, did sanctify and ordain Jordan and all waters for a saving flood. …”

This water, and all water, is as precious to us as a sign and instrument of God’s forgiveness. The Salmon Chief reminds us that others have recognized this same blessing, and I will be forever grateful for the wonder of this water and how it continues to provide for life itself.

God’s richest blessings,Bishop Martin Wells

Bishop Martin Wells

to my ability to function in different cultures,” Lopez said. “In addition to speaking English, I was able to bridge cul-tures and be part of the Anglo community. When I arrived in Minnesota from my home country in Guatemala, I made an effort to understand, adapt and learn from the greater community. I believe that intercultural exchanges allow all individuals to compare our own socialization and give us the opportunity to pick and choose those values we want to retain, adapt or change. This process, I am convinced, makes for a better community and serves to evolve our personal and community culture.”

Also in January 2015, another mission developer joined the Pasco Latino Ministry, Diane Eayrs-Mendoza from First in Pasco. Along with Kary, the two run and organize the weekly Monday classes with the help of many volunteers. The four ELCA churches rotate kitchen duty, providing healthy snacks.

“My favorite part is the relationships people are building among the four Tri-Cities ELCA churches’ volunteers, non-Lutheran volunteers, and the adult and children Latinos involved in the ministry,” Eayrs-Mendoza said.

Linnea Hillesland, a member of Master, teaches “God’s Children Sing” using resources from Musikgarten, a leading international program in early childhood music and move-ment. “I firmly believe that in music and movement classes like this we can build a peaceful community where accep-tance, understanding and God’s love prevail,” she said.

The Latino population in the Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod is 531,354, or around 12 percent of the residents, according to ELCA research. The number of ELCA baptized Latino members in the synod is 254 out of a total baptized synod membership of 26,462. Pasco, Wenatchee Valley and Yakima Valley are the areas where the most Latinos in the synod reside, as well as significant numbers in southern Idaho.

“Because of the abundance of agricultural work in the

state, the Latino population is not very diverse,” Lopez said. “The local Latino community is mostly composed of immi-grants and migrant workers seeking work in the farms. While the majority of workers lack formal education, there are some who have earned advanced degrees in their coun-tries of origin. In either case, legal status or lack of English language skills become a barrier to entry to the main cul-ture and society. The majority of the Latino community is of Mexican origin or descent, with minorities from other coun-tries in Latin America.”

To help build connections in the community, the Rev. Alex Schmidt from Faith Lutheran Church in Leavenworth, Wash., offered a Building Bridges workshop where 23 par-ticipants talked about cultural awareness, issues of racism and prejudice, and how to build bridges within the commu-nity. There was also time for both Latino and Anglo people to share their personal stories.

Pasco Latino Ministry’s Monday night classes take a break for summer, with the program resuming in the fall. Another vacation Bible school will be offered. Also looking

Author bio:Manz is a member of First Lutheran Church, Pasco, Wash., and is the editor for

the Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod’s supplement to The Lutheran. Jansons is

a member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Kennewick, Wash., and is the synod’s

director for evangelical mission.

to the future, 24 Latinos and Anglos together attended an introductory workshop on developing a faith-based work-ing cooperative among Latinos led by the Rev. Hector Car-rasquillo, ELCA program director for Latino ministries, and Dennis Kelleher, an attorney and cooperative developer. This is a big undertaking, so the Pasco Latino Ministry is in a time of discerning God’s will on this decision.

However the Pasco Latino Ministry chooses to grow, Kary finds the interactions between everyone to be the most rewarding part. “The spirit of spontaneously giving and receiving by all involved is the joy of this ministry,” she said. M

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