If I needed reminders that this work does not need to be done in a silo, this week gave me an abundance of them.

The week started, after my drive home Monday, with a vaccination appointment at Saltzer Health, in preparation for the synod trip to the Ulanga Kilombero Diocese in Tanzania later this fall. Shout out to Saltzer’s staff who talked me through everything.

Wednesday morning I attended my first Region One First Call Consult meeting, during which we also discussed mobility. First call is so different than when I went through it in 2004. I was reminded of how grateful I am to be part of a region that works well together and communicates regularly about calls, resources, and ideas.

Wednesday afternoon I attended a hybrid luncheon for the Faith Action Network, a multi-faith, non-profit organization though which thousands of people and over 160 faith communities across Washington State partner for the common good. Together, we are powerful voices of faith and conscience advocating for a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world. Many of our Eastern Washington congregations are part of the network. This was their first hybrid meeting, hosted by the NW Washington Synod, ELCA. Those of us from further east were grateful for the use of technology.

I was having a bit of trouble with technology, and set up an appointment with an ELCA resource person who walked me through a work-around. More gratitude.

That afternoon, we had an orientation for our new Northwest Intermountain Synod Council members. We were all reminded about Region 1 yet again, this time regarding the financial services office we all share. Different synod council officers also talked about our shared work as a synod.

Thursday I had a Zoom call with a church relations staffer from Luther Seminary. We talked about our regional gatherings as a synod, internship sites, Faith+Lead, and other resources at the seminary. Serving out west the last 12 plus years, I have gotten to know more people connected to PLTS, our seminary in Berkeley. When in Chicago, I took classes at LSTC. Serving in Iowa for six years, I went to events at Wartburg. Even though I’m not an alumni, I remain grateful for the roles the seminaries play in the life of the church.

Friday afternoon I sat in on a Zoom call with synod staff, our Washington Lutheran Disaster Response Coordinator (a volunteer!) and the head of Lutheran Disaster Response. This was of course in response to the Gray and Oregon Road Fires, both still burning. It is such a comfort to have LDR as a partner