June 6, 2025

Northwest Intermountain Synod, ELCA Receives Grant from Wartburg Theological Seminary’s CaSTLE Project to Support Rural and Small Town Congregations

The Northwest Intermountain Synod, ELCA is honored to announce that it has been selected as a grant recipient through The CaSTLE Project: The Country and Small Town Lived Ecclesiology Project, a five-year initiative led by Wartburg Theological Seminary to support renewal in small town and rural congregations.

With this grant, the Northwest Intermountain (NWIM) Synod, ELCA will receive funding to deepen rural ecumenical relationships of lay people and rostered leaders in three areas across our synod as well as relationships between midlevel judicatory leaders (bishops, presbyters, district superintendents). The project seeks to deepen baptismal identity and cultivate thriving, Spirit-led communities of faith in rural contexts.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Wartburg Theological Seminary and The CaSTLE Project,” said Bishop Meggan Manlove, NWIM Synod. “This grant will allow us to We seek to deepen partnerships for the sake of the Gospel, equipping our congregations and leaders for a future rooted in hope and purpose.”

The CaSTLE Project, funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc., is part of the Thriving Congregations Initiative and aims to renew a baptismal ecclesiology for the long-term flourishing of rural congregational life. The first cohort of grantees will gather at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA, from August 11–13, 2025, for a summer conference focused on mutual learning, community-building, and innovation.

“We are excited to walk alongside the leaders of NWIM Synod in this journey of renewal,” said Rev. Ramie Bakken, Director of The CaSTLE Project. 

For more information about The CaSTLE Project, visit: https://www.wartburgseminary.edu/castle-project

Local Contact:
Pastor Meggan Manlove
Bishop
bishopmeggan.manlove@nwimsynod.org

DETAILS FOR THOSE IN THE NWIM SYNOD:

July 2, 2025

Please save the date for now, as the flyer states. Talk in your leadership meeting (council, vestry….) about 2 lay leaders your congregation might send. District Superintendents, Presbyters, Bishops, and Conference Ministers have all been brought in on this collaborative effort. Stay tuned for more and thank you for all you already do to partner for the sake of the gospel!

-Bishop Meggan Manlove

Moses Lake – area from Quincy to Ritzville and from Othello up to Coulee City

Clarkston/Lewiston – north to Endicott and Potlatch

Pocatello – American Falls to Ashton

Read the Spokane FAVs Article: https://favs.news/lutheran-synod-unites-churches-strength-rural-faith-communities/