APRIL 2007
The South-Central
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APRIL 2007 |
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The South-Central
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IN THIS
EDITION MISSION SUPPORT COMMITMENTS ARE DUE ROTATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPPORT GR0UP UPDATE ON LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROJECT HYMN FEST TO FEATURE DAVID CHERWIEN MAKE YOUR BISHOP CARBON NEUTRAL NOTES FROM TRIANGLE COMMUNITY MINISTRY SUE MOLINE LARSON LEAVES LOPPW NYC OFFERS SUMMER MINI SERVANT EVENT
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From Pastor George Carlson, Bishop
In early March I participated in my last meeting with bishops in the ELCA Conference of Bishops. We meet every March and October to worship, engage in Bible study, discuss issues facing the church, share common concerns, explore churchwide ministries, and support each other in our calls. In 2001, I was one of 16 newly-elected bishops; one resigned in 2006 because of misconduct, Bishop Martinez (Caribbean Synod) died of cancer on March 11, and three of us have chosen to not be nominated for a second term. With other retirements and term limits, at least 13 new bishops will be elected at synod assemblies this spring. What drew attention at our March meeting? First, we bishops anticipate renewal in members, congregations and synods with the introduction of a five-year collaborative initiative identified as Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible. As individuals, congregations, synods and churchwide face issues of faith and life, the Bible serves as our norm for deliberation and discernment. Growth happens not by osmosis but by prayerful, thoughtful engagement with scripture in all its fullness. The Bible is a book of the community, and the community of faith is called, gathered, and shaped by God’s Spirit through God’s word—living (Jesus), spoken (witness, sermon, conversation), and written (Bible). My experience these past six years has confirmed that lively, growing congregations have many members participating in Bible study. Second, much discussion took place around growth and decline of congregations in the ELCA. Between 2000 and 2005, only one of the 65 synods in the ELCA had an increase in worship attendance. At the same time, financial support from members to congregations increased in all synods. Issues of location, population growth or decline, pastoral leadership, and lay leadership development all factor into the trends. I personally believe that greater engagement in Bible study makes a significant difference. Third, we bishops looked at funding of synod and churchwide ministries. While giving to congregations has increased, mission support from congregations to most synods has been flat; that has been the case in our synod. This means that synods and churchwide have been hard-pressed to maintain important ministries. At the same time, in our synod we made significant cuts in financial support to important ministry partners this fiscal year. I personally believe that studying the Bible will open us to greater sharing to meet the needs we see. In my six years in office, these and other important issues that come before the bishops have deepened my awareness of the interconnectedness of congregations, synods and churchwide. I see more clearly the truth of St. Paul’s image of the church as a body, a living organism, in which each part has an important role that impacts other parts, that affects the health and functioning of the whole body. I pray that God’s Spirit will bind us together as the ELCA, a church so alive in God’s amazing grace that we witness boldly in words and actions to God’s presence in our world to reconcile and give life.
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APRIL 2007 |
Health kits update |
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By
Pastor Richard Dowling, I hope you are collecting mid-wife and hospice kits. And I hope you are also gathering and making bandages for Global Health Ministries. I challenged the folks at West Koshkonong to come up with the number of kits to match the age at which they want me to retire. (If they only match my current age I’m in trouble.) By the way, you can get more information on the kits and bandages as well as on Global Health Ministries by going to www.ghm.org, which is really easy to do even for an old guy like me. Also, boxes are fine and welcome when packaging the kits and bandages for the Synod Assembly. (It’s easier to load the truck when they are in boxes). Just don’t seal them, as we like to make sure that all the air is squeezed out of the kits and that everything is packed tightly for the trip. I am looking for some volunteers during registration time on Thursday afternoon (May 3) at Marriott West to help with the receiving, counting and packaging of the kits and bandages. Please contact me at wkpastor@merr.com or give me a call at West Koshkonong Lutheran Church (608-873-9456) if you can help that Thursday. PLEASE NOTE: Ibuprofen and multi-vitamins will no longer be included in the Hospice Kits for Global Health Ministries. Please remove these items from the kits before bringing them for the assembly kit offering. Mark the kit and boxes/bags of Hospice Kits: “Kit does NOT include medications.” For clarification or further information, contact Bea Haagenson at ghmoffice@cs.com or visit www.ghm.org. |
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By Rolfe Nervig Congregational financial commitments (“intents”) for financial giving to the synod and the churchwide ELCA ministries are due now. A BIG “thank you” to the 52 congregations that have returned their intent forms to the Synod Office! Of those, 18 increased the amount of their financial commitment in 2007 from 2006, seven decreased the amount, and eight congregations returned intent forms when they had not done so in 2006; the rest remained even with 2006 levels. TO CONGREGATION TREASURERS: if you have not sent in the congregation’s commitment on the intent form, please do so now, so that the Synod Council can plan the budget appropriately. Thank you for your faithful partnership! |
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Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sun Prairie would like to start up a Network Support Group for congregations using Rotation Sunday School. An initial informational meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 22, at 1:30 p.m. Contact Muriel Arms at marms@oslc-elca.org if you’d like to participate or need more information. |
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APRIL 2007 |
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By Michael Rehak There’s a proverbial “elephant in the living room” in our church and we continue to dance around it. Confirmation is an elephant around which many of our congregations dance. This dance, I suggest, is unhealthy; jeopardizing the well-being of the Church. How many confirmands from the last four years are active on a regular basis? Based on results of retention (the majority are confirmed and leave), based on comprehension (“Gospels? I don’t know what it is... is there more than one?”), based on expectation (“My child must go through it because I had to.”), it is time to admit that confirmation is not, for most, a constructive nor positive, faith-forming experience. For most students, has confirmation been spiritual or more of an exercise in deception? How many are saying, “I believe...” not so much as a statement of faith, “... and, Lord, help my unbelief,” but merely as an exercise to keep peace in the family? Dancing with the elephant is unhealthy. Sooner than later it will step on your toes. It’s systemic. Current confirmation program practices affect members as they move into adulthood; many adults have an expectation that they are done learning. It impacts attitudes and practices of clergy; we go to confirmation and then we “graduate” and we are finished. I... I mean we are confirmed. Then some go to seminary and they “graduate.” I... I mean are ordained. Continuing education among Lutheran clergy is dismal; a pattern connected to confirmation. “How dare the Bishop expect that I attend Convocation!” And this is re-enforced, “Pastor, you didn’t take any continuing education this year. You saved us money, and besides, we think that you have too much time off.” Ready for a confirmation reformation; more faith formation and less conform-ation? It is time to fashion an approach that will foster a desire for lifelong learning. We might begin with the operative model of Jesus; Jesus loved the children and taught the adults. Parents and other adults would be wise and healthy to expect and encourage the pastor to teach them that they may be more responsive to the spiritual needs of children. Consider a model that includes more experiences with fewer sessions. Second and third graders respectively may begin with three or four sessions on First Communion and God’s Word (Bibles presented). Fifth and sixth graders could have six to eight sessions each on Exploring the Bible. Ninth and tenth graders engage in eight sessions on My Relationships; Myself, Others, God. Eleventh and twelfth graders would focus eight sessions on My Gifts. Adults would engage in book study or Bible Study. Completion of each course is honored in worship as participants, and any others wishing to support them in their faith journey, come forward for an Affirmation of Baptism. Four or five times a year members are affirming their faith as through Baptism they continue to grow in God’s love and grace. Faith formation through service and mission could likewise be honored. Do we want pastors to indoctrinate our youth with church words we do not understand so that the youth equally are afraid to admit ignorance? (Exercise deception) Or, do we dare take a risk, admit that elephants belong in the wild, and honestly address the faith development needs of adults and young people? |
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By James L.
Bailey The Center is collaborating with five congregations in the synod in an 18-month process designed to assist them in developing and supporting more lay persons for leadership and ministry. The first learning gathering was held on March 3 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson. Dr. Craig Nessan of Wartburg Seminary served as the major resource person, dialoguing with the leadership teams about “Transforming Leadership.” Drawing on the work of Ronald Heifetz, he suggested that leadership is “the art of mobilizing people to deal with their most difficult problems” and then went on to claim that the most difficult problem for us is to keep clear about our identity and mission as the gathered community in Christ. At the core of our mission is fostering “life-giving relationships” as the very expression of the kingdom of God. Nessan discussed ten key leadership practices: 1. Forming and
preserving an environment of trust. In addition to the helpful time with Nessan, the participants got acquainted with one another and then reflected on the common threads that emerged from their initial conversations with the planning group members. The time together concluded with preparation for their visits to five host congregations for conversations about effective ministry and leadership development. These visits will take place before Easter and the next learning gathering on April 21. The following congregations are serving as host sites and learning partners for the five leadership teams: Grace Lutheran team (Cambridge) will visit Advent Lutheran Church in Madison. Jefferson Prairie Lutheran team (Poplar Grove) will visit Covenant Lutheran in Stoughton. Cooksville Lutheran team will visit Luther Valley Lutheran Church. Sugar Creek Lutheran team will visit St. Matthew’s New Life in east Madison. East Koshkonong Lutheran team (Cambridge) will visit Trinity Lutheran |
 St.
Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Monona, will host a hymn festival featuring noted
Lutheran musician Dr. David Cherwien on Sunday, April 15, at its 8:00 a.m.
and 10:00 a.m. services. A nationally known conductor, composer and
organist, Cherwien holds degrees in organ performance, theory and
composition, and choral music education. His specialty and passion is in
congregational song, with an improvisational/creative approach in order to
encourage meaningful and vibrant participation. His ministry spreads across
the country through his frequent hymn festivals, workshops, guest
appearances and over 100 publications. Cherwien also serves as music
director of the National Lutheran Choir. |
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By Rolfe Nervig It is important and helpful for those of us who serve in the Synod Office to keep in touch with congregations throughout the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin in order to maintain connections and to keep the programs we offer relevant. Living together as the “body of Christ” takes intentional effort so that we are not isolated in our separate worlds. That is one of the reasons I recently took a two-day trip to visit with pastors in several small town and rural congregations in the southwest part of our synod. Relationships are important, and they take time and intentionality to nurture--that’s why communicating with someone in person is so important and can never be replaced by e-mail, phone calls, web pages, newsletters, etc. We have tremendous vitality and diversity in the rural parts of the South-Central Synod, as well as real-life issues and concerns. Here are some of my observations based on these recent conversations with pastors of small town and rural churches: · There is a renewed focus on adult Bible study, exploring scripture in order to grow a deeper spirituality and to become more “Biblically literate”; the teaching takes different forms, in some cases having more of a “teaching focus” in the sermon. · Some smaller congregations have realistic concerns about their ability to continue as a separate church; this raises anxiety about life together as a congregation and reflections on identity (who are we as a congregation now?) · A number of congregations with these concerns are reviewing long-term relationships with other congregations or exploring newer cooperative arrangements; cooperative ministries among congregations require a lot of time, effort and relationship-building as they proceed on a long, slow process of “growing into” cooperation and collaboration. · There is a creative exploration of different worship expressions in order to celebrate God’s goodness in ways that connect with people: bluegrass services, polka services, country/gospel services, contemporary worship expressions, Rogation Sunday (celebration of God’s gift of the land and agriculture). · Social gatherings at church are sources of enjoyment, fun and celebration of community lived together. · Newer Christian education methods such as Rotational Sunday School are being implemented to communicate more dynamically with young people. It was a joy and a privilege to visit with small town and rural ministries on “their turf.” I hope to do more of that and to discover ways to link and strengthen congregations in the ministries in their contexts. While there are realistic concerns, we are blessed with faithful and gifted people in our congregations, and with capable, dedicated and gifted pastors. |
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In February Bishop George Carlson drove 841 miles for the synod, resulting in 1340 pounds of carbon dioxide going into the atmosphere. For a donation of just $3.66 at CarbonFund.org, that CO2 will be removed through expanded renewable energy, increased energy efficiency and reforestation. This donation will help reduce the climate impact of our synod. To learn more about making yourself or your pastor Carbon Neutral, contact Nick Utphall at (608) 222-1241 or utphall.ststephens@tds.net; or visit http://www.CarbonFund.org. |
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By Lori Richardson Mission Support,
February
2007 $ 96,809 Our February mission support was very low. This was partially due to the cancellation of services at many congregations on the last Sunday in February. Hopefully, March will help us to turn things around again. A reminder, once again, to turn in your Statement of Intent forms, if you have not already done so. In addition, many congregations have not submitted their 2006 Congregational (Parochial) reports. This is a requirement of every congregation. The forms were sent from the ELCA office in Chicago at the end of last year. For those who have not submitted their reports, forms were re-sent from the Synod Office in March. Please fill them out online or by hand as soon as possible. And a final reminder: Register for Synod Assembly. Assembly books have already been mailed, so for those that registered after March 12, you will need to pick up your books at a pre-assembly meeting (March 25 or April 15), at the Synod Office during regular office hours, or on the first day of the assembly, May 3. Registration forms are available on the Synod web site (www.scsw-elca.org). |
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Over a year ago, Pastor Bruce Burnside came up with an idea to begin a ministry that promoted conversation, intimacy and a word from scripture that would bring one week to the end and a new week to its beginning. He and his associate, Pastor Nick Utphall, team up with live jazz musicians, while the coffee house espresso machine steams milk and pulls shots of Equal Exchange coffee. For an hour, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., people come and go in a very friendly, candle-filled atmosphere. Along with the relaxed environment, a scripture reflection is shared and a time for prayer is provided. Burnside wrote a grant proposal to the Synod Endowment Committee a year ago that helped provide for start-up costs. The congregation has included this new ministry in its budget for the first time this year. |
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Triangle Community Ministry in Madison is looking for people who would like to serve as a “Befriender” to a resident at the Triangle Community. Those who are interested can contact Pastor Lil Belusa-Roberts or Frank Rudrud at (608) 257-8517 or triangleministry@sbcglobal.net. Also, The Triangle Community Ministry Board of Directors would like to invite a representative from each congregation that supports the ministry to the annual meeting on Saturday, April 21, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Karabis Apts, 201 South Park Street, across from Meriter Hospital. |
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The Rev. Sue Moline Larson resigned from her position as director of the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW) on Feb. 28 after serving in that position since 1994. Larson says, “I am deeply grateful for having had the remarkable opportunity to serve in this capacity on behalf of the national church and the synods in Wisconsin and look forward to a welcome rest before considering another call.” LOPPW is a partnership of the churchwide organization of the ELCA with the six synods that share the territory of Wisconsin. During her directorship, Larson worked with Republican and Democrat elected and appointed officials and with ecumenical and civic coalitions on a wide range of issues impacting especially the lives of people in poverty, people living with hunger, and the environment. LOPPW maintains an office at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Madison. LOPPW is one of 19 state public policy offices supported by synods, social ministry organizations, and the churchwide expression of the ELCA. It advocates on the basis of the ELCA’s social statements and is advised by a policy board made up of representatives from each of the synods in the state, including one bishop. Following an interim, the position opening will be announced on the ELCA web site (http://www.elca.org/employment/). Interested candidates should apply to the human resources unit of the ELCA churchwide organization. Questions about the position may be directed to Lynette Engelhardt Stott, director for State Public Policy Advocacy in the ELCA Church in Society unit (Lynette.Stott@elca.org). Questions about applying may be send to the director of staffing in the ELCA Human Resources unit: Letty.Villalon@elca.org. |
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Beginning Process
and/or in interims: |
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Koinonia NYC is offering a new ministry opportunity for your group: Summer Mini Servant Event Experiences. The Mini Servant Event Experience is a three-day, two-night service and community-building event in New York City. Your group would participate in a Faith Walk at Ground Zero and would serve in a service project with a NYC Lutheran congregation or agency. Each day would include worship and discussion around the summer theme: Listen! God is Calling! Finally, your group would get to enjoy some of the sights of New York City through NYC experience options such as Chinatown, Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square or Central Park. The Mini Servant Event Experience is open for groups of 8-15 participants, with housing at the Koinonia NYC Apartment, located at Our Saviour’s Atonement Lutheran Church in Manhattan. If your group is under eight people, you are welcome to inquire about a customized fee structure. More information can be obtained by contacting Sarah Clausen, Koinonia NYC Servant Event Program Coordinator, at (212) 669-6131 or Sarah.Clausen@KoinoniaNY.org. Information is also located on the Koinonia web site: www.KoinoniaNY.org. Click on the Koinonia NYC link. |
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April 6 Good
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By Rev. Kathy
Ulrich, As representatives of the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (NELC) and of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin began formulating a covenant for partnership in early October, 2005, our Indian friends declared: “The most important thing that we can do as partners is to pray for each other.” The Companion Synod team wishes to be intentional about this and offers petitions to be used in weekly worship services throughout the synod. We encourage you to use them in the Prayer of the Church or wherever you find fitting in your congregation. April 1—Let us pray for the success of the governmental Visa process for the expected visitors from India, Saroj Jha, Dr. Mrs. Manuela Tudu, Rev. Lucia Tudu, and principal of the Don Bosco School, Rosemary Hembrom, who plan to arrive April 30 and visit with us until May 15. April 8—May the resurrection of Jesus the Christ be made known around the world, from Wisconsin all the way to northern India where our companions in ministry will greet the resurrected Christ as we do here in the United States. May our common bond create a unity between us that cannot be shaken. April 15—Let us pray for all those who are called to enter into theological training. We pray especially for Sanchita Kisku, as she prepares to attend LSTC in Chicago next year, and we pray for congregations in this synod to open their hearts to support her in this holy undertaking. April 22—Together, the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin and the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church of India are walking. We are learning about each other, expanding our expressions of diversity and understanding, and helping the world to be a more peaceful place. Help us to open our hearts to those in our midst who are different than we are, and help us to reach around the world to one another in Christ’s name. April 29—During the Season of Easter, we have opportunity to live a newly resurrected life in Jesus Christ. May we be reconciled to God, each other, and know of the blessings that are ours when we embrace other Christians around the world. May our relationship with the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church of India be fruitful in all of its interactions. |
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“New Heaven, New Earth” is the theme of the 2007 ELCA Global Mission Event, July 19-22, at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. At this ELCA event, missionaries, international church leaders, special guests and ELCA members will celebrate and explore God’s mission in the world through plenary sessions, Global University sessions, prayer, song, art activities and fellowship. Plenary speakers include ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, Brazilian theologian Vitor Westhelle and Immaculée Ilibagiza, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide who works with the United Nations and helps others learn to forgive and heal from the long-term effects of genocide and war. The multigenerational Global Mission Event includes programming for people of all ages. Childcare is provided for children through age two. The children’s program offers a creative mix of learning experiences to kids age three to 10. Special programming is offered for junior and senior high school students. To find out more about the event or to register, visit the GME web site, www.elca.org/gme or contact ELCA Global Mission at (800) 638-3522, extension 2642. |
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The South-Central is published electronically 10-12 times per year by the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, ELCA, 2909 Landmark Place, Suite 202, Madison, WI 53713. Submit all articles and inserts by the 15th of the month preceding publication to address above, or send via e-mail to the editor at debra_greene@sbcglobal.net. For more information about inserts, call the Synod Office at (608) 270-0201. Visit the synod’s Web site at http://www.scsw-elca.org. |
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APRIL 2007 |
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You have two chances to catch Dr. Peter Steinke talking about his new book, Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What. On May 5, he will lead a workshop on the book at The Celebration! Community Life Center in Naperville, Ill., from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The cost of the workshop is $30 per person. If five or more from the same congregation attend, cost is $20 per additional person. After April 15, the cost will be $35 per person and $25 per person for groups of five from the same congregation. Copies of the book and the DVD will be available at the workshop. Purchase of the book before or at the workshop is required since it will be used during the workshop. Lunch will be provided. To register, or if you have any questions, contact Pastor Marty Homan at (630) 208-7178 or (847) 452-1120 or Pastor Ernie Rex at (630) 365-6751. If you can’t make it to Naperville, a day with Peter Steinke will be offered Friday, June 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Luther Seminary. Cost of the day is $40.00. For more information and registration contact Carolyn at the Minneapolis Area Synod office at (612) 230-3318 or c.ogrady@mpls-synod.org. For more about the book, read this introduction from the Alban web site: This long-awaited volume by internationally respected consultant and Alban best-selling author Peter Steinke will both enlighten and embolden leaders. With anxiety intensifying and penetrating more and more areas of our lives, leaders cannot be as anxious as the people they serve. Because they have more influence than any other group over the path a congregation takes, leaders must have a command of their own anxiety and must not let other people’s anxiety contaminate them. Steinke inspires courage in leaders to maintain the course, unearth secrets, resist sabotage, withstand fury, and overcome timidity or doubts. His insights, illustrations, and provocations will carry leaders through rough times, provide clarity during confusing times, and uplift them in joyous times. |
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Grace Institute’s Spiritual Formation Program IV will hold its first session Aug. 12-14 at Sinsinawa Mound Center near Dubuque, Iowa. This in-depth spiritual formation program has a Lutheran center and ecumenical breadth. Rostered leaders and laity come together four times a year for two years. Each session includes presentations, silent reflection and discussion, worship and small groups that stay together for the whole program. This program fosters personal spiritual growth and leadership in spirituality especially in small groups. The themes for
the eight sessions are: Presenters include Marty Haugen, Susan Briehl, Fr. Simeon (Orthodox monk), Ginger Anderson-Larson, Mary Preus and Tom Witt, Laura Gentry, E. Louise Williams and Brad Hanson. The quality of this program is seen in the fact that 90 percent of those who start this program have completed it. For information visit http://ministry.luther.edu/grace or contact Lori Ostlie at ostlielo@luther.edu or (563) 387-1271. |
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Lutheran Planned
Giving of Wisconsin is a partnership of ELCA Ministries Serving Wisconsin.
These partner ministries are committed to providing assistance to churches
and individuals in gift planning. The following article is provided to help
you think about your own charitable giving and to promote good, whole-life
stewardship.
Gift annuity
options Several types of
assets may be gifted in exchange for a charitable gift annuity. To learn more about how a gift annuity would work in your unique situation to accomplish your legacy goals and also secure income for the future, contact: Rev. Larry Westfield Lynn Tully |
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Register now for “Sowing Seeds: Growing a Movement,” June 9-12 at American University, Washington, D.C. The event is sponsored by the ELCA, ELCA World Hunger and other faith organizations. Bread for the World and thousands of people of faith will gather to launch a renewed movement to end hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world. Come to develop skills for motivating others and mobilizing faith communities, strategize ways to best influence decision-makers, and visit your representative’s and senators’ offices to speak out for hungry people. To register: To learn more: |
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The Chicago Center for Global Ministries presents the 2007 World Mission Institute, “Religion and Media Technology: Resources and Challenges,” April 19-20 the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Speakers for the event are Dr. Stewart Hoover on “The Global Mediation of Religion” and Dr. Rosalind Hackett on “Religion and Mass Mediation in an Age of Conflict.” Workshops leaders include Dr. Eileen Crowley, Dr. Antonio Sison, Dr. Marla Frederick-McGlathery and Dr. Ken Sawyer. An evening program will be held on Friday, April 20, at Trinity United Church from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the topic: “Religion, Media and the Black Churches” led by Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright and Dr. Maria Frederick-McGlathery. For more information or to register e-mail ccgm@ctu.edu, or register the day the institute begins. The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago Gospel Choir, directed by Dr. Keith Hampton, will host four area choirs for “Faithful Is Our God!” The April 22 concert is the 19th annual benefit concert for the Grover Wright and the Rev. Carole A. Burns Scholarship Funds. The free concert begins at 4:00 p.m. in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC. A freewill offering designated for the scholarships will be gathered. For more information about the concert or scholarship, visit www.lstc.edu/events/gospel_choir/index.html. Dr. Dwight Hopkins will speak on “Ecological Justice/ Environmental Racism” in the Earth Week Lecture at LSTC on Wednesday, April 25, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The lecture is free and open to the public. Hopkins is professor of theology at the University of Chicago Divinity School. He researches and writes on contemporary models of theology, black theology and liberation theologies. For more information about the lecture, contact Professor David Rhoads at LSTC at drhoads@lstc.edu or (773) 256-0774. |
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COORDINATOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: Hope Lutheran Church, Milton, seeks a year-round, part-time (20 hrs/week) coordinator of Christian education to coordinate the Sunday School, school-aged Christian education, confirmation and Vacation Bible School ministries of the church. Ideal candidates will have bachelor’s degree or higher and background in education. Must be Christian, skilled at recruiting, training and equipping volunteers, and possess excellent organizational and communication skills. Send resume to: Hope Lutheran Church, 335 Dairyland Dr., Milton, WI 53563. Or e-mail hopeluth@centurytel.net COORDINATOR OF FAMILY LEARNING: St. James Lutheran Church, Verona, is seeking a full-time coordinator of family learning. A growing congregation with over 2,000 members, St. James is seeking someone called to minister to and with parents and children by helping families grow in their faith together, equipping families to develop faith practices in the home, as well as overseeing Sunday School, confirmation, and Wednesday education programs. Interested persons should relate compassionately to people of all ages, be committed to continued personal growth in faith, be able to work together as part of a team-oriented staff, and support and participate in the mission and vision of St. James Lutheran Church. Salary and job description available on request. If interested, please send or e-mail a cover letter, resume and references to Pastor Peter Narum, St. James Lutheran Church, 427 S. Main, Verona, WI 53593 (pnarum@stjamesverona.org). |
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The information and articles in this newsletter may be reproduced in congregational newsletters unless otherwise indicated. |
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Steaming cappuccinos, lattes
and espressos from the coffee bar are combined with live jazz, good company
and conversation every Sunday night at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in
Monona.