Category Archives: NWIM Synod

Labor Day and Callings

Originally posted in the Northwest Intermountain Synod’s electronic newsletter. Dear Saints of the Northwest Intermountain Synod, Growing up in Custer, South Dakota, Labor Day weekend always marked the end of the major tourism season that shaped so much of life … Continue reading

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King of Glory – Feast of Creation of Christ -Sept. 6

It was wonderful to be with the saints of King Of Glory Lutheran Church in Boise this morning for Feast of creation in Christ Sunday. KOG was served by interim pastor Mark Galbraith who just took another interim in California. … Continue reading

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Southern Idaho Camp Tour

I have wanted to take a tour of the many camps in Southern Idaho since I first moved to the Treasure Valley in the fall of 2010 and the interest grew in 2011 when I started serving on the board … Continue reading

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Star Valley United, Aug. 30

This congregation started as a joint, PCUSA and ELCA Congregation just over 25 years ago. Long ago, the building was a church but for many years, including when Star Valley United started, it was an office building. A gift from … Continue reading

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Grace Lutheran, Lewiston – Aug. 23

Matthew 16:13-20 Serving as pastor and bishop in the gem state of Idaho with its mountain ranges and canyons gives me lots of access to rocks. There are even small rocks in the high desert of Southwest Idaho where I … Continue reading

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Ecumenism – at home and at the Castle

Last Monday I made it to Wartburg Seminary for the CaSTLE Project (Country and Small Town Lived Ecclesiology) Conference (their grant supporting rural ministry). Pastor Ramie drove me down from Wisconsin, where she lives and I was last weekend. She … Continue reading

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Holy Wisdom Monastery + Family History/Present

On Monday I left the Northwest Intermountain Synod, so much of it on fire, for Wisconsin. It was the first time I considered forgoing travel to stay behind, because of the fires, especially those still burning through Spokane. A wise … Continue reading

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Preparing for the 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering

Originally published in the early August 2026 NWIM Synod Newsletter. Dear Saints of the NWIM Synod, It is already time for you and your congregation to start planning for next summer’s ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis, whether you have one or … Continue reading

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Candidacy Retreat at Lutherhaven – July

Last Monday-Wednesday, July 27-29, we had our inaugural NWIM Synod Candidacy Retreat at Camp Lutherhaven. This was for all of our current candidates preparing to become pastors or deacons and our entire Synod Candidacy Committee. We stayed in Lutherhaven’s beautiful … Continue reading

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Our Savior, Pinehurst Installation – July 26

Matthew 5:1-16, Isaiah 43:1-7, Psalm 46, Ephesians 4:1-13 Pastor Amy Sperline’s Installation, Our Savior, Pinehurst Happy Installation Day Our Savior, Pinehurst! It strikes me that the Beatitudes are often the gospel reading for All Saints Sunday and an Installation Worship recalls … Continue reading

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