Palm Sunday Path
Michigan Palm Sunday Path FAQs: Learn more about Palm Sunday Path from the purpose to expectations.
Who We Are
People focused
We value connection.
Grace filled
We cherish this gift from God in Jesus.
Welcome all
We welcome all people.
Connected across the mitten
From St. Joe to Alpena.
Synod Shoutout
- Winter Connection Day
If you were anywhere in West Michigan during our Synod Winter Connection Days, you know exactly what we were up against. Bitter cold temperatures and truly difficult road conditions which prompted about half of our participants to cancel.
As the event unfolded, our schedule shifted more than once. Plans to the Muskegon Sports Park were cancelled due to the cold temperature. The Muskegon Museum of Art was also closed due to the weather. It wasn’t the event we originally envisioned, but it still became something meaningful.
Despite the changes in our schedule, we gathered for a lovely time of worship, grounding our days in prayer and gratitude and the reminder that God meets us wherever we are. The spirit carried through the rest of our time together, including a fun and laughter-filled trivia night that brought out both our competitive sides and our joy in simply being together.
North/West Lower Michigan Synod at a Glance
25,000+
Baptized members
100
Congregations and Ministry Sites
181
Rostered leaders
7
Conferences
Wandering and Wondering with Bishop Julie Schneider-Thomas
- An Embarrassment of Riches
Have you heard the expression, “an embarrassment of riches?” It’s this idea that you have so much that it’s almost too much — more than one person should have. When I think of living in Michigan and the water arounds us, the phrase “an embarrassment of riches” comes to mind. This past week, as I gathered with the Conference of Bishops, with all of the bishops in the ELCA, I may or may not have teased my colleagues from Ohio about their serious lack of lakes.
- From Above
On Sunday, we heard this in the conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus: Jesus answered [Nicodemus], “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the Kingdom of God without being born from above.” Hopefully at some point you have heard your pastor talk about how that phrase can be translated “born from above” or “born again.” If you haven’t and you would like to know more, please ask your pastor. I’m going to go off in a different direction from here.
- Dove of the Holy Ghost
This is an art piece in the Tirolean Museum of Folk Art in Innsbruck, Austria. It is entitled “Dove of the Holy Ghost” and is from the first half of the 19th Century. To me this looks less like a holy dove and more like a crazy chicken.
News
Synod Disaster Relief Fund
If there’s one thing Michiganders know, it’s that the weather can turn on a dime – and when it brings…
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Bishop Julie’s Installation Photos ARE HERE
We’re excited to share that the photos from Bishop Julie Schneider-Thomas’s Installation are now available! It was such a beautiful…
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Communication Survey
Oct. 03: Please consider taking a couple of minutes to complete the survey below. We want to hear how you…
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National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools
September 30 – National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools Every Child Matters Today, we honor and remember the…
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Celebrating the Installation of Bishop Julie Schneider-Thomas
On Saturday, September 13th our synod gathered in joyful celebration for the installation of Bishop Julie Schneider-Thomas. The service was…
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August 2025 Mission Support Memo from the ELCA
From the ELCA: This month’s Mission Support Memo focuses on our 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, celebrating the elections of a new…
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Introduction of New NWLM Synod Staff
See the attached letter from Bishop Julie Schneider-Thomas that provides information related to the new synod staff, office location, mailing…
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Building Resiliency Together – Getting to Know Bishop Julie Schneider Thomas
Get to know Bishop Julie E. Schneider-Thomas
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Explore Resources from Augsburg Fortress Publishers
Augsburg Fortress Publishers creates multimedia resources and distinctive books for Christian communities, higher-education learning and scholars, and the general reader….
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