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Category Archives: NWIM Synod
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
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
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
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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Advent Lutheran July 26
Thanks, Advent Lutheran, for the Birthday Pie after worship. Advent Lutheran, Spokane Valley – July 26, 2026 Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52, Romans 8:26-39 The smile on my face went big and wide earlier this week when I scanned the page in … Continue reading
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Holy Trinity, Ephrata’s 80th – August 2
Matt. 14:13-21 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. It is so good to be with you Holy Trinity, Ephrata and friends for this 80th anniversary—80 years of memories, of faithful Word and … Continue reading
Remember Your Baptism
Originally published in the early July 2026 synod e-newsletter: Dear Friends in Christ, I have recently been saying around lunch tables and in sermons that my answer to just about everything in this moment is, remember your baptism. As you … Continue reading
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