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Category Archives: NWIM Synod
Walla Walla Installation Sermon – July 13
Installation of Pastor Lars Hammer Christ Lutheran, Walla Walla July 13, 2025 Mark 4:1-9, Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 96, Romans 12:4-8 An installation service is a great day for celebration. We celebrate the journeys of both the congregation and pastor or deacon and the … Continue reading
On Baptism and Vocation
Originally published in the Northwest Intermountain Synod July e-newlsetter Dear Friends in Christ,I had been planning to use this July column to look ahead to Labor Day Weekend, which I will still do. First, I want to commend to you Bishop … Continue reading
Seattle University and Quality of Call
I am a week behind on this blog, in part because as soon as I got home from Seattle there was one event after another that I was paying attention to (synod, national, global) and after months of staying healthy, … Continue reading
All about Pride parades and festivals – a letter to the NWIM Synod
Originally sent to pastors, deacons, and synod council members. Across our synod, from June through September, community members will be showing up at Pride Parades and Festivals as one way to support our LGBTQ+ siblings. You might wonder what in … Continue reading
End of a Road Trip
When people ask me what has surprised me most about this call as bishop, how I respond usually depends on the day or week. I have certainly been surprised by the pastoral care needed by both rostered leaders and congregations. … Continue reading
Posted in NWIM Synod, Reflections
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Prince of Peace – June 22, 2025
Luke 8:26-39 (Prince of Peace, Spokane, during Pr. Skindlov’s sabbatical) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you so much Prince of Peace for the invitation to be with you this morning … Continue reading
Holy Trinity Sunday with First Lutheran, Ellensburg
June 15, 2025 John 16:12-15 The Holy Trinity, the center of this Sunday’s celebration, is, I believe, one of the most counter-cultural Christian beliefs. To live in the information age is to be inundated with photos, stories, data, headlines, and … Continue reading
Outdoor Ministries, Joy, and Grief
I have spent the last week enjoying the spaces and the people who make up to of our Northwest Intermountain Synod’s outdoor ministry sites. Last Sunday through Tuesday I was at Luther Heights Bible Camp, a small camp between Stanley … Continue reading
Reflections on Montana Synod Assembly
I am writing this blog post from the Great Falls Airport having spent the last few days with the Montana Synod during their Assembly. I was here as the Region 1 bishop representative because the assembly had a bishop election. … Continue reading
Posted in NWIM Synod
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Answering “How are you?”
I’ve been quiet on this blog the last few weeks. After our Synod Assembly and a few more days up in Spokane I flew back to the Treasure Valley and because of some miracle in the calendar have been here … Continue reading
A Place at the Table 