Oregon Synod

TACOMA — The Rev. Rick Jaech, pastor of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church of Vancouver, Wash., was elected bishop of the Southwestern Washington Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on Saturday, June 8, in Tacoma.

Jaech, 63, will serve a six-year term in the post that oversees close to 90 congregations and worshiping groups from south of Seattle to the Oregon border, and from the Cascades to the Pacific beaches. The synod is one of 65 in the ELCA.

The decision was reached after six voting rounds over two days that narrowed the field from 46 to 3 and then to Jaech. The two other finalists were the Rev. Kim Latterell of Creator Lutheran Church of Bonney Lake, and the Rev. Dr. Melanie Wallschlaeger, who works out of the synod office in Tacoma starting new congregations. The three finalists all led at various points, but Jaech pulled ahead during late question-and-answer sessions.

Jaech replaces Bishop Robert D. Hofstad of Lakewood, who served as bishop for 12 years and now is retiring.

In remarks during the synod assembly at which the selection took place, Jaech said that as bishop he will bring ecumenical groups together for common work. In Vancouver, he organized and led a two-year dialogue among Christian, Muslim and Jewish congregations.

"That is how God gathers us together for ministry," Jaech told the assembly of about 300 people.

Jaech has led Beautiful Savior since 1987 and previously served a Latino congregation in San Francisco.

He holds a master's degree in conflict facilitation and recently published a book on transforming conflict within congregations titled, "Transforming Church Conflict: A Guide for Pastors and Leaders." He received his pastoral training from The Lutheran School of Theology.

He is married to Satya and they have one son attending the University of Washington.

Is your congregation looking for ways to fund its most creative children’s or youth ministry ideas? The Synod Endowment Fund has a new way to help.

We are starting a new grant: the Victoria Delk Children’s and Youth Grant. This grant is named after a 100-year old member of Augustana (Portland) who worked at Jantzen Mills and made a legacy gift to the church. Synod Endowment is working with Augustana to help her gift reach beyond the congregation. The grants are similar to Creative in both size and application process.

An application for the Grant is available for download below. We expect to make grants of approximately $500-$1000 per project. Applications are due by August 1.

The funds that we distribute are the result of gifts made by individuals like Victoria Delk and congregations like Augustana specifically for this purpose. If your congregation as a whole or anyone you know wants to provide for a legacy of ministry, we would love to talk. Please contact us at endowment@oregonsynod.org.

Portland Lutheran School has a set of 50 dark blue choir robes available for donation to (an) interested congregation(s).  Interested groups should contact Leslie Wong or Sharon Nyberg at 503-667-3199.

St. Luke Lutheran Church (ELCA), a medium to large growing congregation located in north Spokane, Washington is seeking a Worship Coordinator to plan, organize and coordinate inspired and creative worship experiences for both traditional and modern worship services. Additionally, vocal and/or instrumental leadership in worship is helpful for the modern worship service (but not the traditional). This position could be either one full-time position with benefits or two half-time positions: one for traditional worship planning and one for planning and leading the modern worship. Choir directing is also available for an additional stipend to the traditional worship coordinator position. Salary DOE. View the detailed job description at www.sllcspokane.org. Position(s) will be filled by September 1, 2013. Send the following information to St. Luke Lutheran Church, ATTN: Admin., P. O. Box 28948, Spokane, WA 99228-8948 or to sllcworship2013@gmail.com: Letter of Interest, Resume (include 3 references), Faith Statement & one Letter of Recommendation.

The totals are in for donations made at this year's assembly:

• $1,689.00 - Friday offering
• $1,335.10 - Sunday offering
• $2,115.00 - Quilt sales

Friday and Sunday offerings will be split between Food for Lane County and ELCA Malaria Campaign. All proceeds from the quilt auction will go to ELCA World Hunger.

Milwaukie Lutheran Church is looking for a new Youth Director for Jr. High and High School Youth.  The position is currently part-time (app. 16-20 hrs per wk.).  MLC is seeking a professional leader with a solid understanding of the foundations of the Christian faith, Lutheran traditions, and who has a strong desire to nurture young people in the Christian faith. The person should also be someone who generates new ideas and programs and who values a team concept of ministry.  Applicants should submit:

• A detailed resume
• 3 references
• 1 letter of recommendation

More information is in the job description linked below.  To apply, submit the above documents to info@milwaukelutheran.org or drop them off at the church office during hours (9am-3pm Monday through Thursday, 9am-1pm Friday).

St. Andrew Lutheran Church is an ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) Reconciling in Christ congregation seeking a skilled Minister of Music to develop and lead the worship, music, and the arts (WMA) ministry for our church. The Minister of Music advances our mission, values and theology to increase the capabilities of worship at St. Andrew.  We have a beautiful Paul Fritts organ, Steinway grand piano and a lot of musical talent in our congregation.

Responsibilities include playing a central role in creation of the vision of worship; direction of the sanctuary choir; and further development of ensembles and individuals to participate in worship, music and the arts (WMA). These activities include working with a team to plan worship and music, rehearsing the choir, providing vocal training, identifying and rehearsing musicians, and maintaining a spiritual base for ministry.

Qualified candidates will possess a commitment to the ministry and mission of St. Andrew Lutheran Church and the ELCA. Candidates will be an accomplished musician with a bachelor’s degree in music or theology, or equivalent experience (Masters or PhD preferred) with 5 years of experience in a church-related setting preferred. The successful applicant will be dependable, responsible, self-motivated and creative. Musical competencies should include experience conducting choirs and ensembles; abilities in a wide range of styles; and demonstrated ability in composing, arranging and writing music. See the Job Description for more detail at www.standrewlutheran.com.

Part-time, 30 hours per week, includes benefits and opportunities for ongoing education and practice.  To apply for this position, submit cover letter, resume and references to musicministerjob@standrewlutheran.com.

On Saturday morning, May 18th the Oregon Synod reelected Bishop David Brauer-Rieke to serve another six-year term. Brauer-Rieke was reelected on the second ballot in the synod's ecclesiastical ballot process, receiving the 75% majority required of that ballot. ELCA Representative David Swartling and Election Committee chair Rev. Jeff Kallevig reported the results of the election to the synod during the morning plenary session of the assembly.

Three Synod Council positions were reelected: Marie Wehage as Crater Lake Cluster Rep, Kris Doversberger as Oregon Trail Cluster Rep and Marilyn Halvor as South Coast Cluster Rep. Four additional council positions were filled: Rev. Barbara Punch as High Desert Cluster Rep, Rev. Kim Hester as Member at Large, Rev. Elizabeth Larsen as Mt. Tabor Cluster Rep, and Susan Doyle as Rose Cluster Rep.

Rev. Jeff Kallevig and Mary Shultz were elected to serve on the Consultation Committee. Carol Law and Mary Beth Wilson were elected to serve on the Endowment Committee.

Hello all, we are now three weeks away from assembly. We're glad that so many were able to register by last Friday. There is now a late fee in effect, but you can still register or update your registration until May 3rd. A few new things:

• Some of you may have had difficulty reserving a room through the Hilton's website on Wednesday morning. The problem has been fixed. There are still plenty of rooms available. The Hilton has extended the block room reservation deadline until Monday April 29th. To make a reservation, visit http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/E/EUGEHHF-SYN-20130515/index.jhtml.
• Resolutions have been posted online. They are being reviewed by Reference and Counsel committee and may change pending that committee's decisions. Download links are at http://oregonsynod.org/assembly/resolutions.
• There are a number of open council and committee positions. We are accepting nominations through an online form again this year. To read more about the positions or to submit your nomination, visit http://oregonsynod.org/assembly/nominations.

Portland Lutheran School is Seeking a New Executive Director. A qualified candidate must be a member of a Lutheran church who models a lifestyle of Christian faith and who communicates effectively, displays innovation, demonstrates successful financial management and institutional development/advancement, possesses the minimum of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution of higher education (advanced degree preferred), and possesses at least five years experience in an administrative role. To apply, please send your resume, a cover letter, three letters of recommendation, and a list of references to kkaufman@portland-lutheran.org, and jbishop@campbellgroup.com. Applications will be accepted through May 15, 2013.