Welcome to the ELCC
The Eastside Lutheran Church Community is a unique expression of Lutheran ministry on the Eastside of Seattle. It is a collaboration and partnership of several ELCA churches that recognized the power of living in a relationship as one entity with many sites. It is a collaboration born with the vision to share the love of God in Jesus with diverse expressions of ministry, while having a larger identity together. It allows us to come together in strength to share administrative and organizational tasks. This shared support enables each ministry site the room for imagination and innovation to be the body of Christ in their neighborhood.
Within this shared entity, pastors work in close collaboration with one another and are able to live into particular passions that animate their call to ministry. Together, we invest in and equip lay people to be invested in and participate in shared ministry.
Living together in a shared ministry brings together all of the assets we have in common and allows us to be big and bold in our collective impact and community witness. Pastors and lay leaders invest in various ministry opportunities such as visitation, education, worship, preaching and robust community engagement.
The Eastside is growing. New families and individuals are moving in and are seeking ways to put down meaningful roots. But many do not come from families in the traditional Lutheran tradition. We believe God is presenting us a challenge to meet our neighbors where they are; we want to create a community in the broadest sense while keeping Jesus as the center of our mission.
Learn More About the Journey Here
Hate Crimes and Bias Incidents Hotline
A new pilot program in King County
For the last few years, I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Interfaith Advisory Council for the Bellevue Police Department (BPD). It is one of seven advisory councils that meet with BPD to strengthen the relationship between the department and the community through trust, respect, and mutual understanding.
One of the initiatives that all of the advisory councils and BPD have been collaborating on is the Hate Crimes and Bias Incidents Hotline. We spent time learning about what Hate Crimes and Bias-related incidents are and offering feedback on what would be helpful (or not) for people who report these crimes. The hotline was created so that community members who may not feel comfortable initially contacting law enforcement to report a hate crime or bias-based incident would have a number to call for support and referral to services. The ultimate goal is that victims of these incidents will feel comfortable and supported in notifying law enforcement, and that their safety and confidentiality will be protected.
The hotline number is 1-855-225-1010 and the website is atg.wa.gov/REPORT-HATE   This information is also available via the QR code below. We will also put this information onto a business card that you can carry with you and share as appropriate.
While this is currently available as a pilot project in Clark, King, and Spokane counties only, the attorney general anticipates making the hotline available statewide effective January 1, 2027.
Serving the community in this capacity reminds me, and should remind each of us, that we are part of something bigger. Most of us will not be the victim of a Hate Crime or Bias-related Incident, but it is the responsibility of each of us to care for one another. Knowing this information and sharing it is one tangible way we can do that.
With peace,
Pastor Lara, Saint Andrew's Lutheran Church
           
For more information on the advisory councils: https://bellevuewa.gov/city-government/departments/police/about-police/police-advisory-councils
For detailed information on Hate Crimes and Bias-related incidents:  https://bellevuewa.gov/city-government/departments/police/report-and-prevent-crime/hate-crimes-bias-related-incidents