april 10 newsletter tan -...
TRANSCRIPT
A P R I L 2 0 1 0 INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Bishop’s Message 1
Where’s Lutheran? Bishop Eaton
2
Worship
Update on Haiti
Award to Rev.
Pharmer
3
Youth & Family
Certification School
Lutheran Men in
Mission
4
Missional Discovery
Journey Report 5
God’s Work. Our
Hands Feature -
2000 Health Kits!
6
Synod Endowment
BOP Health Survey 7
EVENTS & RESOURCES
LEAD - Event Wrap 8
India Youth Exchange
Lay School Update 9
And God Said It Is
Good Update 10
Stewardship Resource
Shepherd’s Canyon
11
LYO Excellent
Adventure
12
Book of Faith
Surfs Up!
ELCA Genetics Social
Statement
13
Call Process Update
Variety Show for Haiti
Health Congregations
Gospel Messengers
14
SYNOD ASSEMBLY 15
Synod Calendar 16
Newsletter of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, ELCA
G o d ’ s W o r k . O u r H a n d s .
MESSAGE FROM BISHOP BURNSIDE
Indeed!
That’s the Easter exclamation
point: six letters, one word.
Christ is risen. Indeed!
“I n d e e d” It is the morning,
sunrise, stone rolled away, no
need for burial spices, “he-is-not-
here” empty tomb, resurrection,
just-as-he-said, word.
The strife is o’er the battle done
Now is the victor’s triumph won!
Now be the song of praise begun.
Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia !
~Koln / Pott
Indeed!
Then comes evening. Evening.
The looking sad, discussions, long
roads, all these things that have
happened, handed over, evening
time. Now what word?
Indeed?
revealed the Scriptures
once again will stay.
Stay!
The word for Easter after
Easter.
When we are walking,
Doubtful and dreading,
Blinded by sadness,
Slowness of heart,
Yet Christ walks with us,
Ever awaiting
Our invitation;
Stay, do not part.
~Cherwien
For Christ’s sake,
+ Bruce
Your Bishop
Morning, Evening, The Same Day Luke 24:13-35
If Easter morning challenges
our imagination, defies our
sophistication and questions
our reasonableness, it is the
evening that tests our
endurance and puts on trial our
staying power. It does.
The good, hopeful, life rather
than death, Easter day, Easter
evening and every moment
after Easter word for me is
finally not my own acclamation,
“Indeed!” I cannot often
enough for my own need
muster up an “indeed!” But
this I can do; I can pray that
the one who joined the
dispirited on the roadway,
walked with them, opened
their eyes, set their hearts
burning, broke bread and
What word now?
Stay with us, till day is done;
No tears nor dark shall dim the
sun.
Cheer the heart, your grace
impart;
Jesus bring eternal life.
~ Brokering
Watercolor by Cynthia Burnside
Where’s Lutheran?
Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
Page 2
Last spring one of the first call
candidates assigned to our synod told
us about an interesting encounter she
had with a waitress. The waitress
admired our candidate’s Luther Rose
pendant and asked what it was. “It’s
Lutheran” replied the candidate.
“Where’s Lutheran?” asked the wait-
ress. We chuckled that the waitress
imagined a place of beauty and
mystery called Lutheran and were a
little rueful that she had never heard
of Lutherans before. Her question
“Where’s Lutheran?” has stayed with
me ever since.
Lutheran does not coincide with Lake
Woebegon. It is not found only in
Philadelphia or Minneapolis or South
Dakota. The cuisine of Lutheran is not
limited to green bean casserole and
jello. It is not populated exclusively by
the descendents of northern Europe,
though there does tend to be a lot of
those folks. It is not a place of rigid
conformity nor is it a place where
anything goes. Lutheran would never
be confused with utopia; its citizens
have too realistic a view of
disobedience, sin and brokenness to
believe that any human habitation can
claim goodness and righteousness for
itself.
But Lutheran is also a place of great
hope. Lutheran is a place where the
incessant human struggle for self-
righteousness and self-justification is
left at the border and, free of the
burden of making themselves holy and
April 2010
acceptable to God, its people cling
to the cross of Christ as the true
assurance of life. It’s a place
where people can get over
themselves and having been set
free can now spend their lives in
service to God and neighbor.
Lately people have been taking a
closer look at Lutheran and some
have been arguing where real
Lutheran is. This is both bad news
and good news. The bad news is
that the people of Lutheran are
separating themselves from each
other, not, I believe, over the
gospel, not over a matter of
salvation, not even over the
Lutheran understanding of the
Word of God - incarnate in Jesus
Christ, Law and Gospel, and the
written Word of God – but over a
matter of morals and ethics which
belongs to God’s left hand king-
dom. David Preus, former bishop
of the American Lutheran Church
who strongly opposes the
ordination of persons in
committed same gender
relationships recently wrote: “I do
not consider (churchwide
assembly actions on sexuality) to
be of such confessional import
that it should lead me or anyone
else to separate ourselves from
our fellow members who disagree
with us…It is my conviction that a
distinction must be made between
issues that bear directly on the
heart of the Christian faith and
issues that are comparatively
peripheral. I do not believe that
the issue at hand threatens the
gospel of God. The Lutheran Con-
fessions do not explicitly address
the issue. That is not to say that
comparatively peripheral matters
are unimportant. It is to say that
there is room for disagreement on
various issues that are important
but not all-important.”
The good news is that the people
of Lutheran have been shaken out
of their slumber.
Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
Northeastern Ohio Synod, ELCA
The good news is that the people
of Lutheran have been shaken
out of their slumber.
Bishop Elizabeth Eaton of the Northeastern Ohio synod recently shared her reflection “Where’s Lutheran?”
with the Conference of Bishops when they met in March. Bishop Burnside has chosen to pass this along.
Worship at Synod Office - Every Thursday at Noon
All are Welcome!
Page 3
"Marching May Apples" was the title of the photo used by Rev. Sara
Yotter in a recent sermon during Lenten worship at the synod office. We
will never be able to look at the May Apples again without thinking of
the journey that Joseph and Mary took to the birthplace of our Savior.
In his sermon, Bishop Burnside shared a
memory inspired by a photograph of a
time-worn, well used, well-traveled wheel
barrow. What does a wheel barrow being
dragged down an alley by an out of control
boxer (dog that is) have to do with our mission
of sharing the Good News? Perhaps we need
to become untethered ourselves in order to
bring the Word out to those that need to
hear it.
These are the kinds of provocative messages you will hear at our weekly
worship during lent as we " Remember" together. If you can’t make it during
Lent, no worries, we will continue worship at the synod office every Thursday at
12:00 noon with brown bag lunch and fellowship following. We hope you will
join us! Our address is: 2909 Landmark Place, Suite 202, Madison, WI 53713.
April 2010
Way to Go SCSW! As of mid-February over $102,000 had been given to ELCA Disaster Relief in Haiti. Thank you to our congregations for your prayers and financial support of these relief efforts.
Generosity marks the ELCA’s response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti. In the first five weeks, ELCA
members gave nearly $5.3 million dollars, and more contributions continue to flow in. Lutheran Disaster
Response works with our partners, The Lutheran World Federation and Lutheran World Relief, to meet
urgent needs, including shelter, medicine, drinking water, food, sanitation and psychosocial assistance, in a
commitment that will continue for years to come.
Update on Haiti
Photograph by Rev. Mary Kay Baum
Photograph by Rev. Mary Kay Baum
The religious studies department at Edgewood college recently awarded
Rev. Mary Pharmer of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Madison, the Dorothy Day
Award.
The award reads:
The Religious Studies Department is pleased to present The Dorothy Day Award to Pastor Mary Pharmer
in appreciation of her continuing contributions on behalf of peace and the building of community.
Well done Mary! If you would like to send Mary a note, her email address is: [email protected]
Rev. Mary Pharmer Recipient of The Dorothy Day Award
Bishop’s Initiative: Youth & Family Ministry
Certification School 2010-2011
Page 4
April 2010
The Bishops’ Initiative for Raising Up Future Leaders will be holding another round of
certification school from July 2010 to March 2011. All congregations in the South-Central
Synod are invited to send a church leader to learn innovative techniques for increasing faith
formative practices in the church and home.
Outcomes for Certification School
• Equip lay leaders and clergy with a foundational knowledge of effective youth and family ministry practices.
• Nurture the faith and spiritual lives of participants in the school.
• Create an ongoing learning community of youth and family ministry leaders.
• Create an ongoing support network of youth and family ministry leaders.
• Deepen the theological understandings of the participants.
• Equip lay leaders and clergy to teach the basics regarding effective youth and family ministry practices.
• Build a church culture dedicated to effective practices in vibrant faith formation.
The full schedule for the year can be found on the Synod Website but the following is a quick synopsis of what the year’s
commitment will include:
July 18-23, 2010 – Adventure Immersion Week at Lutherpoint Bible Camp in Grantsburg, WI
Sept. and Oct. 2010 – Class time at synod office or local congregation (no overnight commitment)
November 19-21, 2010 – Weekend event for long-range planning at Imago Dei Village in Clintonville, WI
December 2010 – Off for Holidays
January 2011 – Online Development and Relational Ministry Classes (10 hours)
February 2011 – Online Milestones, Leadership and Culture Classes (10 hours)
March 18-20, 2011 – Small Group Presentations and Graduation at Pine Lake Camp in Waupaca, WI
Cost for Certification School 2010 will be $2,500 per student. The synod will contribute $1,500 per student from
generous grants given by The Siebert Foundation and Vibrant Faith Ministries. This leaves a cost of $1,000 for the
congregation and participant (please talk with the synod coordinator or bishop if additional scholarships are needed).
Applications and detailed information are available online at www.scsw-elca.org, click on Synod
Ministries then Youth & Family Ministry, or by request.
Please send applications to the synod office attention Cory Hamilton, synod coordinator for the
Bishops’ Initiative by April 16, 2010.
Cory Hamilton
Assistant to the Bishop
Youth & Family Ministry
Bishop’s Initiative for Raising up
Lutheran Men in Mission Retreat Registrations Due by April 2
Just a reminder that the Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM) Region 5 (IA, IL, WI and North. UP) Gathering is a few weeks
away. It will be on Friday evening, April 16 through Saturday, April 17th. at St. John's Lutheran, 20275 Davidson Rd,
Brookfield WI 53045. Registration options allow for Friday and/or Saturday attendance. Help with planning for
meals by registering by April 2nd if at all possible. More information and mail-in registration form can found at
www.lutheranmen.org at the Events\Regional Gathering Page.
April 2010
Page 5
Over thirty members of seven
congregational teams are
currently participating in
“Missional Discovery Journey”
—a process coordinated by the
synod’s Center for Congrega-
tional Leadership. They and the
CCL planning group have
gathered on four Saturdays
since last October to worship,
learn, discuss, and eat together,
engaging in Bible study and
spiritual exercises. All this is
done under the focus of
becoming a missional
congregation. It has been said,
“It’s not that the church has a
mission, but God’s mission has
a church.”
Most recently on February 27,
the group gathered at Burke
Lutheran Church to consider
“The Congregation as an
Emotional System,” presented
Missional Discovery Journey Progress Report By Rev. Jim Bailey, Director, Center for Congregational Learning
by Pastor Jerry Tews. He showed
three helpful DVDs featuring
Peter Steinke, whose recent book
Congregational Leadership in
Anxious Times was provided as a
resource to each MDJ team. In
January, the teams met at New
Heights Lutheran Church in Black
Earth to hear and interact with
Dr. Craig Nessan of Wartburg
Seminary. He presented
“Transforming Leadership” and
“Becoming an Evangelizing
Church.” The final two
gatherings on April 17 and May
22 will focus on “Missional
Context: Engaging Your
Neighborhood” and “Hospitality:
Creating Space for Others.”
Each Saturday gathering includes
time for worship, exploring a
spiritual practice, and a
conversation with a specific
Biblical passage. Between these
plenary gatherings, the members
of each MDJ team meet with
a coach to apply their
learning and the practices to
their own congregational
context.
Stay tuned for further
reports about this unfolding
missional journey for the
seven congregational teams.
The hope is that the MDJ
process will be repeated in
the future for other
congregations within the
synod.
The participating congrega-
tions and coaches are: All
Saints in Fitchburg (Jack
Way, coach), Burke in
Madison (Blake Rohrer,
coach), New Heights in Black
Earth (Mike Lee, coach),
Shepherd of the Hills in New
Glarus (Rob Carlson, coach),
St. Luke in Sullivan (Chad
Christensen, coach), St.
John/St. Paul Parish in
Mazomanie (Rob Carlson,
coach), and Zion in East
Madison (Jim Bailey, coach).
Missional
Discovery
Journey
April 2010
Having just returned from the trip
to St. Paul and Minneapolis to
deliver the 2000 health kits
collected at the South-Central
Synod of Wisconsin’s LEAD
conference, I wanted to share
with you about the ongoing work
of our church through Lutheran
World Relief and Global Health
Ministries.
We were three men in a pickup
truck and 20 foot trailer (the truck
came from David Smithback a
member of the Rockdale church
and Tom Hensel supplied the
trailer whom I know through the
Cambridge Fire Department)
hauling over 2000 health kits along
with layettes, quilts, hospice and
midwife kits from 30 different
Lutheran churches in our synod. I
estimated around 250 boxes were
unloaded that day.
Rob Sperle did most of the driving
with Kent Peterson finishing up
the last leg of our journey south of
Tomah. Both are members of
West Koshkonong. I sat in the
back unfortunately sleeping while
passing Osseo and Norske Nook
and their great pie, it’s just as well
since I still have 10 pounds to lose
before Syttende Mai.
Upon pulling into the Lutheran
World Relief warehouse in St.
Paul, we were greeted by Raul
Palacios who directed us to the
loading dock where the three of us
were joined by four others from
the warehouse...and then, the
boxes began to fly.
As the warehouse folk were all
GOD’S WORK. OUR HANDS. Feature Story
2000 Health Kits Collected at LEAD for Haiti Written by Rev. Richard Dowling
Page 6
speaking Spanish, I tried to catch as
much as I could; and perhaps not
concentrating on the boxes, I got
smacked by a box. I turned to the
gentleman whom I was handing off
the boxes, Juan Gomez, and asked
him how you say ‘ouch’ in Spanish,
and he replied, “Ouch.”
Soon the cart was piled over eight
feet in the air and somewhat leaning
to one side, was pushed out of the
way and a second cart began to fill
rapidly. Obviously these men knew
how to unload a truck quickly.
After the unloading, Raul showed us
the bales of quilts wrapped in white
plastic, 3 feet high and 3 feet in
diameter and I guessed there must
have been 200 bales of quilts ready
to be shipped out loaded on metal
containers transported by truck, rail,
then onto ships. Raul said that this
shipment along with health kits and
layettes already boxed in LWR boxes
was destined for Haiti.
After that we were on to the Global
Health Ministries warehouse in
Minneapolis where we unloaded 41
boxes and met my brother for lunch.
Global Health Ministries is a ministry
of the Lutheran church that works
with Lutheran hospitals around the
world in Africa and Asia in particular.
It was there that we unloaded the
boxes of hospice and mid wife kits.
Scott Lein was on hand at GHM to
help unload and told us that though
Global Health works primarily with
hospitals they did in the last month
send off two 53 foot metal trailers to
Haiti filled with kits and medical sup-
plies. He also mentioned a website
that I’ll have to check out
www.techmd.org about the work
being done by GHM and other like
organizations.
After an enjoyable lunch with my
brother Harold, who has volun-
teered a lot of time down to the
Global Health Warehouse and who
celebrated his 66th
birthday on the
13th
of March we were on our way
back home. The only mishap in the
whole adventure was that I slept
thru Osseo and the Norske Nook;
well I’ll have to get a piece of pie on
the next trip. We will be collecting
another batch of kits and blankets
at the synod assembly the first
weekend of June so I won’t have
too long to wait for that piece of
pie. Please let me know how
many kits you will be bringing by
emailing me at: [email protected]
Editor’s note: Channels 3, and 27
covered this story...did you see it?
We think this is a wonderful
example of our congregations
working together, doing God’s
work. Our hands.
Health Kits, Hospice, and Midwife Kits will be
collected at the Synod Assembly on June
5th at the Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells.
April 2010
SYNOD ENDOWMENT IS FOR YOU!
Written by Rev. Dean Kirst
Calling all ELCA-primary health plan members — 107 more needed for 2% health contribution discount By Rev. Sara Yotter, Assistant to the Bishop
Page 7 Grant Requests are
due to the synod
office by April 16th.
As of the end of February 25.5% of the eligible ELCA-primary plan members and spouses in
our synod completed the confidential Mayo Clinic Health Assessment. Thank you to those
who have already done their part to help us reach the 65% participation necessary for all
of us to earn the 2% discount on ELCA health contributions this year. But we still need 107 more people to
take it to reach 65% participation.
ELCA-primary plan members and spouses: Complete the assessment by April 30 to take stock of your health,
put $150 in your personal wellness account, and get us all that much closer to earning the discount. Those
whose primary coverage is not the ELCA plan, Medicare for example, are encouraged to take the survey, but do
not count towards the 65% total.
Take the assessment at www.elcaforwellness.org. Find instructions for how to register and take the
assessment in Understand my benefits at www.elcabop.org.
Over the next couple of days, congregations in our synod will receive information about the opportunity to
acquire money for ministry and mission. This invitation comes from the Synod Endowment Committee. The
Endowment Fund of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin was created to enhance the mission and ministry of
congregations in our synod. This year, the Synod Endowment Committee has agreed to provide up to $40,000
for appropriate grant requests.
Grant requests must be made on the Endowment Fund Ministry Proposal Form that was sent to congregations
or which can be found on the synod web site. Grant requests coming in other ways, will not be considered this
year. Also, each grant request must fall into one of the related Endowment Fund categories which include:
establishment of mission congregations, redevelopment of existing congregations, development and support
of new evangelism programs and/or supporting congregational involvement in global missions/international
outreach. Please be sure that your grant request is received in the synod office by April 16, 2010. Grant
requests received after this date will not be able to be considered.
Your Synod Endowment Committee looks forward to the opportunity to share these grants with you. The
committee includes; Alice Mowbray, Bob Gorsuch, Chad Thomley, Mark Benson, Dean Kirst, Jim Melvin, Larry
Westfield, and Sara Yotter.
Record Attendance and a “Wonderful Spirit” are what we will remember
from this year’s LEAD Event, We Are An Offering! If you attended, we
thank you! If you missed it, we missed you!
LEAD 2010 had a record 274 registrants as congregations gathered at
St. Luke’s – Middleton to “LIVE LOVE.” Bishop David DeFreese of the
Nebraska Synod began the day with a passionate keynote filled with
real life examples and media clips guiding and equipping the South-
Central Synod of Wisconsin to live love. In his keynote, Bishop Burn-
side offered four questions for congregations to prayerfully discern:
• How is stewardship understood in your congregation? If only
as an annual fund appeal how can that change?
• How is stewardship taught and talked about in your congregation?
What are you afraid of in your conversations together?
• Scripture and Jesus talk about money and possession more than almost
anything else. How is that a spiritual issue?
• We are an offering. How well do these words reflect the priorities of
your congregation?
Worship was filled with song and scripture and sacrament. An
offering to ELCA Disaster Relief in Chile and Synod Stewardship
Ministries for $1,255 was generously given.
Over 2,000 Lutheran
World Relief health
kits were offered by 33
congregations in our synod.
Workshops enriched and inspired on all things stewardship,
From stewardship of our bodies, environment, minds, financial
resources, and more, many were given new insights and tools to
return to their congregations. Additional workshops on Book of
Faith, Youth & Family Ministry and other timely topics were also
well attended and judging by our surveys, well appreciated!
Conversations happened around the coffee pot and the lunch table. And
God’s people went away energized and reminded that we are an offering to live love!
Record Attendance for “We Are An Offering” Synod LEAD Event Written by: Rev. Sara Yotter, Assistant to the Bishop
April 2010
Page 8
Are
We
An
Offering
Synod Youth Exchange with Northern
Evangelical Lutheran Church in India
Page 9
Our South-Central Synod will be taking its first Companion Synod Youth
Exchange Trip in 2010! As we look to broaden our connections with the
NELC (Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church - India) Bishop Burnside’s
vision is to see 10-12 high school youth from our synod travel with him to
India for a two-week cultural immersion experience. If you have a
student that would represent the synod well and be able to share his or
her experiences in an effective way upon their return, this may be a great
opportunity for your congregation.
Please see the March issue of our newsletter for details or visit our website for an application:
http://scsw-elca.org/sls2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=141&Itemid=161
April 2010
The Lay School of Ministry held a Service of Completion for six students
who having completed the two-year curriculum. The students were
recognized on Saturday, February 20th
, with Jim Bailey, Director of the
Center for Congregational Leadership presiding at the service. The
following students were supported by their noted congregations and
completed courses for personal enrichment or to pursue further work
in ministry:
Beth Faith, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Monroe. Beth plans to
continue her studies in working toward rostering as an Associate in
Ministry with a focus in Administration. She is using her Lay School experiences in her work as a staff member
at Grace Lutheran Church.
Lisa Huber, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Monroe. She is working toward rostering as an Associate in
Ministry with an emphasis in Christian Education and Administration. She continues to serve in the
congregation as a worship and Bible study leader.
Lynn Miller, St. Mark’s Lutheran, Madison. He plans to incorporate his Lay School education into adult Bible
studies and serves as a worship leader in his congregation.
David Moore, St. John Lutheran, Janesville. He plans to continue to serve the synod as legal counsel, and to
serve his congregation in the areas of adult education and worship.
James Stolzenburg, Messiah Lutheran Church, Madison. He will work with the pastor and God as to how to
best direct his efforts in lay ministry.
Robin Wendt, Covenant Lutheran Church, Stoughton. She is working toward rostered lay ministry and is
serving as Youth Music Director as well as with other ministries within her congregation.
SCSW Lay School of Ministry Update
Page 10
April 2010
“And God Said It Is Good” Special ELCA Offering
“May I add my word of deep appreciation and thanks for this gift. I knew of the decision for a synod special offering for
the ministries supported through the churchwide budget, but didn't know the outcome.
What a wonderful expression of the partnership that exists between the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin and the
churchwide organization! Your gift will go to the ELCA Vision for Mission fund.
Thank the members of your synod who have given this special gift. I look forward to our continued life together in the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.”
Rev. Craig Settlage
Director for Mission Support
ELCA
Covenant-Stoughton
Cooksville-Evansville
Deerfield-Deerfield
Dekorra-Poynette
Evangelical-Mount Horeb
Faith-Janesville
First-Beaver Dam
First-Platteville
First-Whitewater
Five Points-Blue River
Grace-Cambridge
Grace-Darlington
Hope-Mineral Point
Hollandale-Hollandale
Immanuel-Waupun
Jefferson Prairie-P. Grove
Lakeview-Madison
Luther Memorial-Madison
McFarland-McFarland
Advent-Madison
Albany-Albany
All Saints-Fitchburg
Argyle-Argyle
Atonement-Beloit
Barneveld-Barneveld
Bethany-WI Dells
Bethel-Madison
Bethlehem-Brodhead
Bethlehem-Edmund
Blanchardville-Blanchardville
Brooklyn-Brooklyn
Burke-Madison
Castle Rock-Fennimore
Central-Edgerton
Christ-Lancaster
Christ-Spring Green
St. Paul-Mayville
St. Mark’s-Madison
St. Martin’s-Cross Plains
St. Paul-Beloit
St. Paul-Mazomanie
St. Paul’s-Liberty-Deerfield
St. Peter’s-Fennimore
St. Stephen’s-Monona
Sugar Creek-Elhorn
Trinity-Arkdale
Trinity-Blanchardville
Trinity-Madison
Vermont-Black Earth
Waupun
West Blue Mounds-Blue Mounds
Williams Bay-Williams Bay
York Memorial-Blanchardville
Messiah-Madison
Midvale-Madison
New Heights Parish-Black Earth
Our Savior’s-Iron Ridge
Our Savior’s-Sun Prairie
Peace-Belmont
Peace-Cobb
Perry-Mount Horeb
Primrose-Belleville
Redeemer-Rio
Spring Prairie-DeForest
St. John-Berry-Black Earth
St. John-Janesville
St. John-Johnson Creek
St. John-Leland-North Freedom
St. John’s-Madison
St. John’s-Prairie du Sac
As of the beginning of March $42,555.32 has been given for the And God Said It Is Good ELCA special
offering. Thank you to the following congregations for participating.
Many thanks to these congregations for their support of the ELCA through this special one time appeal.
The Synod received another letter of gratitude from the ELCA. Please share with your congregations.
April 2010
Page 11
Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat is a ministry of restoration and hope for church workers and their spouses. Singles are wel-
come too. Although schedules can vary slightly, normally four to six couples gather for dinner on Tuesday evening.
Group, couple, and single counseling sessions take place Wednesday through Tuesday with some time for rest and re-
laxation on Saturday and Sunday. The departure breakfast is on Wednesday morning. While clients come together as
strangers to one another, they soon become friends. They may come with anxiety about the time they will spend with
folks they have never met, but soon mutual support and encouragement comes alive. Check out Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ). If you have questions about this ministry or if you want to make a reservation for a retreat, please
Email [email protected] or call 800-783-3079
More Than Enough for Your Congregation:
Giving Magazine Now Available Written by: Rev. Sara Yotter, Synod Stewardship Specialist
WORKSHOPS, EVENTS & RESOURCES
For your congregation’s free
copy of Giving, please contact
Rev. Sara Yotter at
608-270-0201 or
Growing joyful stewards in your congregation can be a challenge in these
economic times. The good news is that God’s “more than enough” is not
an offer to indulge in more, bigger, better, etc. Instead God’s abundance
turns us toward others. Scripture encourages us,
“God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always
have more than enough to do all kinds of good things to others.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-9
Each year the ELCA generously provides a single copy of Giving to each
congregation. Giving is a publication from the Ecumenical Stewardship
Center. This year’s magazine includes:
• More Than Enough 2010 Stewardship Theme
• Tithing
• Teaching Mindful Giving To Our Children
• Stewardship with Generation Next
• Does Your Church Have A Will?
And much more…
Special Invitation For all Senior High Youth in our Synod!
The Synod Youth Board will be hosting the Second Annual
“LYOs Excellent Adventure” for all high school youth
May 7-8, 2010
Please come out and join other high schoolers
from around the Synod.
“LYO’s Excellent Adventure ” is a lockout event where we will travel by bus
to different locations in Madison throughout the night. Events will include
some or all of the following stops: Laser Tag at Ultrazone, Movie and
Tour at the I-Max Theater, Roller-Dance at FastForward Roller
Rink, Glow in the Dark Games at A Local Park, Scavenger Hunts and
other activities along the way, Fun, Fellowship and Devotion on the bus in between and much
more! We will gather together at McFarland Lutheran Church in McFarland at 7 pm Friday
night and will wrap up around 7 am Saturday morning. Don’t miss it!
Cost: $40.00 per person (Bonus: One FREE adult with every 8 youth registered)
Deadline: Registrations need to be received by the Synod Office by April 16th.
Due to limited seats on buses, we are limited to the first 80 registrants. Congregations are encouraged to
register as a group. Health forms and waivers will be sent to individuals as they require signature of a
parent/guardian for participants under 18 years of age.
To register, fill out form, detach and mail to : Cory Hamilton, South-Central Synod of Wisconsin,
2909 Landmark Place, Suite 202, Madison, WI 53713
Name: ____________________________________________________________Age: __________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________________
Congregation: ____________________________________________________________________________
Emergency Contact Information: _____________________________________ Phone: _______________
Payment Enclosed: $_________________________
South-Central Synod of Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Gods work. Our hands.
April 2010
Page 13 WORKSHOPS, EVENTS & RESOURCES
SURF’S UP: CATCH THE WAVE
Saturday, May 8, 2010
9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Christ Lutheran Church, Stoughton
This is an event for First Wave Congregations and the “next wave” to follow as ongoing participants in the Book of Faith initiative in our synod. That includes you and your congregation!
It will feature keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Ray Pickett, Professor of New Testament, Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago on the topic “Reading Scripture: Community and Transformation.” He will focus on a model and resources for engaging the Bible in community with a view to discerning what the Spirit is calling us to be and to do together. The cost for First Wave members is Free, lunch is included. The cost for non-First Wave registrants is $10, lunch is included. Congregations are encouraged to invite new congregational members and other congregations to come and catch the next wave for the Book of Faith. Please contact Vicki Hanrahan ([email protected] or 608-270-0201) in the synod office if you plan to attend.
SURF’S UP: CATCH THE WAVE!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Christ Lutheran Church
Stoughton
ELCA Releases Draft Social Statement on Genetics
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America released March 18, a 49-page
draft social statement on genetics, a framework for discussion on a variety
of current topics in the field including certain advances in medicine,
reproductive cloning, human embryonic stem cells, and animal and plant
genetic engineering. The full text of the Draft Social Statement on
Genetics, an executive summary and a question-and-answer document are
at http://www.ELCA.org/geneticsdraft on the ELCA Web site.
April 2010
Page 14
WORKSHOPS, EVENTS & RESOURCES
In study process: Interviewing Candidates:
• Bethlehem/Brodhead
• Immanuel of Lebanon/
Watertown
• St. John/Johnson Creek
• St. John’s/Evansville
Please keep these congregations in
your prayers.
Recommending Candidates
None at this time
In Transition:
Rev. Erica Adams from Central-
Edgerton to Christ-DeForest
• Central - Edgerton
• Immanuel - Waupun
(Associate)
• Luther Memorial/Madison
(Associate)
• McFarland/McFarland
• St. Paul/Mayville
• St. Peter/Cassville & Zion/
Bagley
• Trinity - Madison
Call Process Update - Congregations Seeking Pastors
Healthy Congregations Workshop with Rev. Jerry Tews
Rev. Jerry Tews is leading a Healthy Congregations workshop on 4 consecutive Tuesdays, April 13,
20, 27, May 4 from 10:00 am--2:00 p.m. at Covenant Lutheran Church 1525 N. Van Buren Street,
Stoughton, WI., 53589. This 12-hour workshop is designed to help pastors and leading lay people
maintain and improve the health of their congregation.
Through interactive means participants will learn how to protect and enhance their own health and
how to influence the health of those they serve. For more detailed information go to
www.leading2legacy.com The cost is $425 for materials and a light lunch. Fees will be adjusted for
more than one person attending from the same congregation. Deadline for registering is March 29.
For questions contact Jerry Tews at [email protected] or call 608-838-3184.
Fundraiser for Haiti Variety Show Sunday, April 11th 2:00 p.m. West Koshkonong Lutheran Church
1911 Koshkonong Road
Stoughton
Free-will offering for ELCA Disaster Relief Fund
Childcare Available ~ Handicap Accessible
608-873-9456
Email: [email protected]
The Gospel Messengers Concert - Wiota Lutheran - Saturday, April 17
The Carthage College choir, under the direction of Gloria Tillman-Kemp, will perform at Wiota Lutheran
12:00 Noon - Salad Luncheon - Cost $5.00
Menu: Various Salads, Open Face Sandwiches, Refrigerator Desserts, & Beverage
2:00 PM - Gospel Messengers Concert - Free Will Offering
Everyone Welcome! For Luncheon Reservations, please call: 608-966-3362 by April 10th
WORKSHOPS, EVENTS & RESOURCES
April 2010
Page 15
Where Will God’s Love Take You? Synod Assembly - June 5-6, 2010 Kalahari resort & Convention Center-WI DeLLS
Registration materials were mailed early February to all rostered leaders and congrega-
tional presidents for the annual synod assembly. This year the assembly will be on
Saturday and Sunday, June 5-6, at the Kalahari Resort in the Wisconsin Dells. Our keynote
speaker will be the Rev. John Nunes, the President of Lutheran World Relief. Our church-
wide representative will be the Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl.
For your budget and planning purposes, registration fees are $175 if registered by March
25, and $195 after March 25. Overnight rooms are $109 per night for a guest room (up to
four people per room) and include water park passes.
Helpful reminders for planning for a successful assembly experience:
• Registration materials can also be downloaded from our website at www.scsw-elca.org.
• Registration forms should be filled out for each attendee. Please make copies of the form for
this purpose.
• To receive the discounted assembly group rate for the hotel, you must register through the
synod office.
• There will be no programmed entertainment on Saturday night. This may allow some time to spend with your
family at the water park or free time activities of your choosing.
• You are welcome to stay additional nights at the same reduced rate, June 4, 5, and 6th if you would like
additional time to enjoy the water park.
• Childcare is not offered. Previously, attendees have invited spouses, grandparents, siblings, or babysitters to
stay with the children while they are attending the convention.
• The nomination and resolutions forms can be found on our website in the Events area under “Synod Assembly.”
The Nomination Deadline is March 25th and the Resolutions Deadline is April 7th.
The Rev. John Nunes
President
Lutheran World
Relief
Synod assembly offering and health kits
Special Offering:
Each year there is a designated offering as part of our Synod Assembly worship.
This year, $500 of the offering will support the transportation costs for the health,
midwife and hospice kits to the warehouse in St. Paul. The balance of the offering
will be divided between Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Disaster Relief for Haiti,
and the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church of India.
Health Kits:
Rev. Richard Dowling will be coordinating the health kit efforts again for synod assembly and he has
requested that you email him to let him know the number of kits that you will be bringing. This is
helpful in determining the size of the truck that will be needed to transport the kits to St. Paul. His email is
[email protected]. Please email him by the end of May.
SYNOD STAFF:
Rev. Bruce Burnside [email protected] Bishop
Rev. Dr. James Bailey [email protected] CCL
Kim Eighmy [email protected] Lay School
Cory Hamilton [email protected] Asst. to Bishop
Vicki Hanrahan [email protected] Program Asst.
Marilon Krebs [email protected] Admin. Asst.
Wayne Pinnow [email protected] Finance
Rev. Blake Rohrer [email protected] Asst. to Bishop
Rev. Pedro Suarez [email protected] Asst. to Bishop
Rev. Sara Yotter [email protected] Asst. to Bishop
The South-Central Synod of Wisconsin Newsletter “God’s Work. Our Hands.” is
published 10-12 times per year. Correspondence and articles can be emailed to the Synod
office by the first Friday of each month. [email protected] or sent via mail to
Vicki Hanrahan, SCSW, 2909 Landmark Place, Suite 202, Madison, WI 53713.
A P R I L 2 0 1 0
SYNOD CALENDAR
Visit our website:
www.scsw-elca.org
Phone: 608-270-0201
Fax: 608-270-0202
E-mail: [email protected]
South-Central Synod of Wisconsin
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
2909 Landmark Place, Suite 202
Madison, WI 53713-4237
March 27 Synod Council Meeting at the Synod Office 8:00 a.m
April 2 Good Friday - Synod Office Closed
April 5 Synod Office Closed
April 6 Synod Campus Ministry Oversight Team at Synod Office 7:00 p.m.
April 16/17 Lay School of Ministry Classes at St. James - Verona 8:30 a.m.
April 16/17 Lutheran Men in Mission Region 5 Event - Brookfield, WI
April 17 Missional Discovery Journey “Engaging Your Neighborhood” at St. Luke’s-Sullivan 8:30 a.m.
April 21 Executive Committee Meeting at Synod Office 8:00 a.m.
April 29 Endowment Committee Meeting at Synod Office 1:30 p.m.
FUTURE DATES in 2010 TO HOLD:
May 1 Synod Council Meeting 8:00 a.m.
May 7 Candidacy Committee at Synod Office 8:00 a.m.
May 7 & 8 LYO’s Excellent Adventure - Senior High Youth Lockout - McFarland Lutheran 7:00 p.m.
May 21/22 Lay School of Ministry Classes 8:30 a.m.
May 22 Missional Discovery Journey “Hospitality…” at St. Matthew’s New Life 8:30 a.m.
May 23 Lutheran Men in Mission “One Year to Live” Retreat - Poynette
June 5-6 SYNOD ASSEMBLY 2010 - Kalahari Resort & Convention Center-Wisconsin Dells
June 16-19 High School Leadership Program - fka as “PRISM” - Lutherdale Bible Camp
June 17 Executive Committee Meeting at Synod Office 4:00 p.m.
June 17 Synod Council Meeting 6:00 p.m.
August 27 Candidacy Committee Meeting 8:00 a.m.
October 8 Candidacy Committee Meeting 8:00 a.m.
October 17-19 Bishop’s Conv0cation - Abbey Resort, Fontana
December 3-5 Senior High Youth Gathering at Alliant Energy Center
FUTURE SYNOD ASSEMBLIES
May 14-15, 2011 Madison Marriott West, Middleton
May 5-6, 2012 Kalahari, Wisconsin Dells
The South-Central Synod of Wisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a church deeply and confidently rooted in the Gospel of God’s
grace. We exist, in partnership with the churchwide organization, to assist congregations and members to:
• Worship God through Word and Sacrament and through lives of prayer, praise and thanksgiving;
• Nurture one another in the Word of God and grow in faith and commitment to Jesus Christ; and
• Give our life joyfully in witness and service.
Next Deadline for submitting items for insertion in the newsletter is: Friday, April 2, 2010