Do you want or need to discern something?  Join with others from across the Oregon Synod this June to explore practices of discernment in solitude and community.  We'll meet on Zoom from 6:30-8 pm (Pacific Time) for four Tuesday evenings: June 7, 14, 21, and 28.  We'll be invited to orient ourselves internally with our belovedness and enter into discernment and community dialogue from that place asking the questions: How do we listen to our own voice?  What do we find trustworthy in the external world?  To what do we attribute authority and wisdom?  Where is God in all of this?  What are signs of healthy discernment?  And how might we support that for one another in community and congregations?  Register here.

Save the dates! Jerusalem week, July 11-17. Learn from Lutherans who are on the ground who are coming to Portland to share their experience and the ever-changing reality of living under occupation.

Calling all congregation president, co-presidents, and vice presidents! Please come join synod VP Greg Shea on June 4 from 10 am-noon to hear and discuss the actions that were taken at Synod Assembly this year. What does the passing of the resolutions mean for your church or ministry? How can your congregation council employ the tools from the Bishop's Report to create faithful and meaningful dialogue? What might anti-racism resources look like that would be useful for your congregation? Your voice matters! Register here for Zoom link.

First women ordained in our sister synod! After seventy years of discussion, the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland voted in favor of ordination for woman pastors. 

ELCA Response to the School Shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

We reaffirm our commitment in calling for greater gun safety, including preventing easy access to assault-style weapons and strengthening our federal system of background checks for all gun sales. 

A pastoral message on abortion from Presiding Bishop Eaton: “This church teaches that abortion and reproductive health care, including contraception, must be legal and accessible. But it also teaches that, as a society and as a church, we must continuously strive to mitigate the factors that make it difficult to bear, raise and nurture children...” Read Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton's full statement.

From the1991 ELCA Social Statement on Abortion: "Because of our conviction that both the life of the woman and the life in her womb must be respected by law, this church opposes ... 

• legislation that would outlaw abortion in all circumstances.
• laws that are primarily intended to harass those contemplating or deciding for abortion.
• laws that prevent couples from practicing contraception.
• and more...

Prepare for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday (September 11) with new resources. As you explore opportunities to participate, visit elca.org/dayofservice for planning resources including a tool kit, worship material, videos, posters, social media graphics and a special hymn for the day. As we continue our tradition of service to our neighbor, we remember the words of Martin Luther: “Our faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing.”

Lutheran World Relief Matching Gift Challenge. The war in Ukraine is affecting countries far beyond its borders. Ukraine and Russia are responsible for 30% of the world's wheat supply. And more than half of the cooking oil. Shortages in wheat and oil have caused food prices to soar to record levels around the world. Families who were already struggling with severe hunger in the world’s poorest countries are now facing imminent starvation. Prompted by God's call to take action for neighbors in need, a group of generous donors has joined together to create this match. Your gift will be matched—dollar for dollar—up to a total of $135,000.

Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) applications are open. It's not just for new grads! Know ANY adult 21 or older who may be interested in a year of service? ️ LVC is a full-time service and leadership program operating in many cities across the United States. Volunteers are placed in full-time positions at social justice. Learn more here.

Music that Makes Community is offering a One-Day Paperless Music Workshop at The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Eugene. Come Saturday, June 25, from 9 am to 4:30 pm for a renewing day of singing, learning and fellowship. Clergy, music directors, lay leaders, and those who love to sing are warmly welcomed. Each person will leave with new music to offer in their congregation, as well as experiences of learning and teaching songs that are directly applicable to worship, formation, and fellowship contexts. The $100 fee includes workshop materials, lunch, and refreshments throughout the day. Scholarship support is available, and we do not want cost to prevent anyone’s participation. Feel free to contact for more information. Register here!

Apply for a youth gathering planning team! Did you know that the Gathering is planned almost exclusively by volunteers? As we ramp up for the 2024 Gathering, we’re opening applications to serve on one of our 10 planning teams. Consider applying to serve the young people of our church in this unique way. Applications accepted until July 24.

Join the ELCA World Hunger’s Global Farm Challenge, a youth-focused, whole-church campaign to accompany our neighbors who are facing threats of hunger and poverty around the world. Global Farm Challenge resources, which will be mailed to your congregation and available to order or download in mid-May, will include: a brochure, Youth Action Guide, a podcast mini-series, Global Farm Challenge To-Go game and more! Learn more.

Register for summer at Camp Lutherwood Oregon! Two nights, four nights or five? High adventure, deep faith, and lifelong memories await! Find the right program for your campers with options for grades 3 to 12, plus adult and family retreats. Browse the full list.

Save $25 on camp registration: Siblings = savings this summer! Sign up another camper from your household or family and save $25! There's still space available in elementary and high school camps so register now at lutherwoodoregon.org/camp! The discount will be applied automatically. Does not apply to confirmation leaders, Family Camp or Women's Retreat.

Spring Work Day: June 4. Start your shovels! Bring your youth group, book club, family or neighbors to Camp Lutherwood Oregon for a Saturday of hands-on service projects this spring to help get the site summer-ready! Work Days run from 10am to 3pm, and lunch is provided. Contact the camp office at 541-998-6444 or office@lutherwoodoregon.org to RSVP!