December 6, I flew up to Spokane and drove down to Moscow for Saturday’s Advent Brunch at Emmanuel Lutheran, Moscow. I shared the history of two of my favorite Advent hymns: Lost in the Night and Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers! and talked about the work of the synod. Organizer Charlene and I learned that we both lived in the International House at the University of Chicago while earning master’s degrees. Emmanuel is served by Pastor Sierra Westermann. It was fun to talk with members about the energy in the congregation and preschool. I loved the poster on the fellowship hall wall laying out the congregation’s goals for 2024.

It was commencement weekend for the University of Idaho so the town was pretty full, though not as full as for spring graduation. There was also a Saturday evening football game at University of Idaho. I stayed at my lovely home-stay and watched the NCAA Division 1 Volleyball Tournament.

Sunday morning, interim pastor of Cameron Emanuel near Kendrick, Idaho Nick Nicolai picked me up and drove us out to Cameron where I preached and presided. This congregation has a long storied history (celebrated their 125th anniversary back in 2016) and last Sunday morning we talked about their future. The music during worship, including an anthem by the choir, was wonderful! I would love to come back for their community VBS or Fall Festival. The Palouse was a little grey this morning but the views were still spectacular.

The week up in Spokane included one-on-ones with staff members, catching up with an old friend, additional conversations with pastors serving in the area, attending a Lutheran Campus Ministry board meeting, and generally enjoying seeing the horizon (they were socked in most of the week in the Boise area by an inversion and fog). On Wednesday, our staff spent the day together at St. Mark’s Lutheran’s parish house. Our time included Dwelling in the Word, celebrating wins from 2024, looking ahead to 2025, breaking bread, stretching our legs, giving thanks for this wonderful work of serving the NWIM Synod.

On this Third Sunday of Advent, I joined the saints of Central Lutheran, Spokane and presided at Holy Communion. Central, served by Pastor David Kappus, will host the tri-parish worship for All Saints and Salem Lutheran MLK Weekend. Central is also exploring ministry with and for Riverview Reitirement Community. Central sold its building to City Covenant several years ago and now pays a minimal fee for utilities. We had a lively conversation about ministry following worship.