Notes from your Dean February 2023

Dear Upper Snake River Cluster: The nominations are IN! We had a successful cluster meeting in January but are trying to improve our communications out to all the congregations. We are hoping to have our cluster represented well at the Synod Assembly in Pasco, WA in April. Please keep this on your radar. Lots of information on the synod website or call me with questions.

The cluster will begin planning for an All-Cluster Picnic to be held at the park adjacent to New Day Lutheran in Idaho Falls. This will happen in May. We will try to hold the picnic at the same time our friends from the Ulanga Kilombero Diocese are in our cluster, but that schedule is still fluid. If your congregation has a contact person to help with planning the picnic, please let me know!

Your congregation should have selected two voting members to attend the Synod Assembly, either by council vote or at the congregational meeting. Info and registration opens in February, and it's a long trip to Pasco from here! Make sure the council considers the options and allows for an extra night in a hotel to make the trip safe for the members to arrive fresh and ready for a lot of meetings!

The synod assembly is a place for congregations to offer memorials - there are rules and forms to prepare and submit any memorials on the synod website.

February is when we begin out Lenten Journey with Ash Wednesday... may God grant you a penitent and prayerful Lent and carry us through.

- Wayne Shipman, Pastor and Dean