AUGUST 2006
The South-Central Newsletter
|
AUGUST 2006 |
|
|
|
The South-Central Newsletter
|
|
NEWS |
|
IN THIS EDITION REGISTER FOR BISHOP'S GOLF OUTING PRAYER PETITIONS FOR WALKING PARTNER, NELC CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS TOGETHER Inserts |
From Pastor George Carlson, Bishop
Stamped into the metal wrist band given to me and thousands of others after we received the bread and wine at the closing session, these words remind me of the five mid-July days I spent in San Antonio with 24,000 members of the ELCA. ¡VAYA CON DIOS! (GO WITH GOD) reminds me that in going home, going anywhere, God goes before me, beside me, and within me. Through God’s call and the power of the Spirit, we journey with Jesus. During the two weeks of the 2006 ELCA Youth Gathering, nearly 40,000 youth and adults heard and thought a lot about CRUZANDO, which is Spanish for “crossing.” Each day we thanked and praised God for crossing over to all creation in Jesus. Jesus encounters us; we wake up as God humbles and exalts us. Jesus encounters us in our neighbors, so we look around to see all as neighbors and seek to live as neighbors. Jesus encounters us on the cross, so we turn around and begin to view the world through the cross. Jesus encounters us on the border and in the feast, so we cross over with Jesus to travel into unknown and unexpected places. We GO WITH GOD, growing into deepening awareness that journeying with Jesus changes us and changes the world. Later in July, I met with 80 youth from the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin and Greater Milwaukee Synod at P.R.I.S.M. (Providing Resources In Student Ministry) at Lutherdale Bible Camp. That four-day, three-night experience for youth identified by congregations as leaders helps them focus on the six pieces of student ministry: gifts, community, leadership, prayer, call and witness. They return to their congregations with greater confidence and eagerness to serve among God’s people. In November, high school youth from across our synod will spend a weekend at Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells. I will share time with them as they grow together in their journey with Jesus. Watch for more details soon! God’s Spirit blows and burns within young people in this church. Today we witness the reality of the Pentecost promise: “…I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions…” (Acts 2:17) As young people see Jesus more clearly, they want to GO WITH GOD into a hurting, hungry, harried world to make a difference. They see visions of people healed and fed, of peace with justice, of relationships restored to wholeness, of others seeing Jesus, following Jesus, worshipping Jesus. Dare we stand in the way? Turned loose in our congregations and communities, young people will breathe new life, Spirit life, into our gatherings and our goings. They do not want trivial tasks. Bright, gifted, on fire with God’s love, they want to offer their best in whatever ways will build up the church and serve others. They want us to go with them as they GO WITH GOD! ¡VAYA CON DIOS! |
| PAGE 2 |
AUGUST 2006 |
|
The Bishop’s Convocation, to be held Sept. 25-27 in New Glarus, will include the Annual Bishop’s Invitational golf outing on Tuesday afternoon. The golf outing begins at 12:30 p.m. and the cost of $39 includes greens fee, riding cart and prizes. Registration deadline for the golf outing is Sept. 18 and there is a limit of 24 golfers, so register early. See the insert in the newsletter for complete information. |
|
Those interested in learning more about the synod’s Lay School of Ministry held at St. James Lutheran Church in Verona should mark Saturday, Oct. 14, on their calendar. The Lay School staff will host another “Discernment Day” to share about the Lay School and introduce its biblical and theological courses for lay persons interested in education for ministry in daily life, Congregationally Recognized Partner in Ministry, and Associate in Ministry designations. For more information contact Kim Eighmy, Lay School coordinator, at (608) 845-6922 or keighmy@stjamesverona.org. |
|
“There Must Be a Better Way … Reaching out to a New World” is the theme for an evangelism/outreach event sponsored by the synod’s Outreach Committee. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 11, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Sun Prairie. · How do we touch new people with the Gospel message of hope and new life? · What can we do in the congregation to foster life-enhancing relationships? · How do we truly welcome guests to our congregations? · What systematic process can we undertake to strengthen the health of the congregation, so it is vital, alive, and appealing? These are some of the issues that will be explored at the Nov. 11 outreach event. Evangelism committees are encouraged to attend in order to grow skills and commitment for reaching out to new people with the good news. The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Dave Daubert, ELCA Executive for Renewal of Congregations, who brings expertise in transformation/renewal and Natural Church Development. In addition, Bob Sitze, ELCA staff person who authored “The Great Permission: An Asset-Based Field Guide for Congregations,” will facilitate a workshop on “Asset-Based Planning for Evangelism.” More event details will be available in upcoming e-mails and a mailing to congregations. For more information, contact: Rolfe Nervig at the Synod Office, ext. 106 or rolfen@scsw-elca.org. top of page beginning of newsletter |
| PAGE 3 |
AUGUST 2006 |
|
By
Michael Rehak Congregations, like pastors or parishioners, often engage in destructive behavior. These behaviors may include being controlling, angry, insensitive. One may be a perfectionist, rigid and inflexible, or irresponsible. Often affection and affirmations are withheld. “We can’t praise the pastor. Wouldn’t want him to get a big head.” Those with family of origin issues may require high standards of others while being defensive about their own less-than-laudable behavior. Similar behaviors are seen frequently in congregations. While the easy answer is to blame the other, this merely leaves the deeper issues unresolved. The behavior will continue with the next victim, pastor or congregation, or may go dormant until an act in the relationship triggers a memory that initiates the unhealthy behavioral response. Some congregations, as do people, protect themselves from ridicule and attack by trying to run under the radar. They will under function. The “maintenance mode” is an indicator of congregational poor health or identity issues. Generally this mode stems from a prevailing sense of purposelessness; corporate depression. Often the primary goal is merely to keep the peace and bury the dead. This posture is fostered in a non-reflective lifestyle wherein the congregation ceases to discern who it is or what it is to be about. Ill health becomes visible in patterns of behavior expecting strict conformity: “We’ve never done it that way before,” or, “Don’t rock the boat.” It is typified with a rather blind allegiance to authority. Tradition may be a more acceptable authority than any person, clergy included, in whom there is no trust. Many congregations in the maintenance mode may have been abused. Abuse thwarts healthy personality development. Authoritarian clergy may have been abusive in their insistence that a congregation conform to a narrow interpretation and expectation of what it means to be of a particular denomination or of a specific cultural influence, i.e. Irish Catholic, Norwegian Lutheran, or Scottish Presbyterian. The congregation is abused when its personality and value structure are not honored; when a person tries to reshape it according to his or her values, rather than affirming the value structure of the congregation. Pastors also become abusive when they use the congregation for their personal vision of the church. The maintenance-mode congregation often becomes focused on the past; on a time when there was meaning. It remembers being the largest church in the community, or having the best choirs, or being Norwegian, or German, etc. It more clearly remembers what it was, than knows who it is. By not being actively engaged in mission and service in line with its core value structure, the congregation is crippled by self-doubt, diminishes its ability to embrace the dynamics of its cultural context, and fearfully obsesses over any proposed change. A congregation finds greater health and confidence as its value structure is honored and the strengths of this structure utilized as foundational in the development of worship and education, mission and service. There are four core value structures: Service, Accomplishment, Mutuality and Structuring. Treating the congregation impersonally by ignoring or denying the power of the congregation’s value structure can lead to program failures, apathy, burnout, inactivity and conflict. Honoring its personality allows the congregation to hold its strengths and weaknesses in balance. This enables the congregation to develop and own a vision, be energized by its passion for ministry and become a healthier member of the Body of Christ. (See next month’s edition for more details on the Four Values Structures of congregations.) top of page beginning of newsletter
|
| PAGE 4 | AUGUST 2006 |
|
By Lori Richardson
Mission Support: June 2006
$169,351 We had an excellent month of June. Thank you all! We didn’t quite meet last year’s total for the year, but we came very close. Our fiscal year is over and we start fresh with a new spending plan for the month of July. We pray that with your continued support we will meet or exceed our plan for 2006-2007. Many discussions will be taking place in our synod over the next several months regarding stewardship. Rolfe Nervig, our Associate with the Bishop for Stewardship, Mission Support and Outreach, has been contacting congregations and meeting with many people to get suggestions and ideas. If you have not had the chance to speak to Rolfe yet, please call him at the Synod Office or be sure to attend his upcoming Stewardship Consultation meetings in October (see more, next page). |
|
“Understanding the Roman Catholic Church” is new to our Synod Resource Center. This DVD is the Summer 2006 Mosaic. The purpose of this video/DVD is to help Protestant Christians and others develop a better understanding of the Roman Catholic Church, its history and basic beliefs by listening to Roman Catholics tell their own story. The 36-minute program was recorded on location in Italy and the United States and is organized into three parts: Roman Catholic beliefs, church history and Catholic renewal. The program includes interviews with Roman Catholic theologians, scholars, pastors and lay people. Bonus features with this DVD include: After Katrina-Lutherans Respond, a User’s Guide and a PowerPoint presentation on ecumenism and the ELCA. Stop in and check it out. All items are available to be checked out by anyone in the synod. We do ask that you return them promptly after viewing or reading the items. If you need them for an extended period of time, please let us know before you take the items. We still have a few items that have been checked out for over a year and we ask you to return those items as soon as possible. Check out the synod Web site (www.scsw-elca.org) and click on “Synod Resource Center” under “Links of Interest.” A listing of items is posted. It is a large file, so depending on the speed of your computer, it may take some time to download. Reminder—if there is something that you feel we should have in the Resource Center, please contact Lori Richardson. Unfortunately, we do not have everything, but if there is something that many people would find interesting, we can certainly purchase it. We are always happy to receive donations also. |
| THE BEAUTY OF QUILTS |
| Lutherdale Fest and Quilt Auction will be held September 9, with over 200 hand-made quilts, table runners and baby quilts being auctioned to benefit Lutherdale Bible Camp. A silent auction, pig roast, kids' mini camp, bakery tent, craft sales and pontoon boat rides fill out the fest activities. For more information contact Lutherdale at (262) 742-2352. top of page beginning of newsletter |
| PAGE 5 | AUGUST 2006 |
By Rolfe Nervig Assistant to the Bishop for Stewardship, Mission Support, and Outreach rolfen@scsw-elca.org I have had the privilege of meeting with key stewardship leaders in several congregations of the synod over the past two months. Some common themes from those conversations are: · Our congregations have very dedicated stewardship leaders. · Some leaders are frustrated at the poor results of their annual financial response programs, while others have seen renewed commitment to support by keeping a fresh approach and mixing up the programs. · Some leaders are very experienced, while others are just getting started and finding their way. · Among various congregation stewardship efforts there is considerable creativity and variety. · Some congregations take a year-round approach to stewardship and focus very intentionally on a life-attitude of sharing what has been given to us, both our talents and interests, as well as our finances. · Stewardship leadership can be a lonely task—almost a burden, in some instances. Out of these conversations has arisen a plan to bring together stewardship leaders from congregations for “Stewardship Networking.” These will be small, informal get-togethers of stewardship people from congregations in a cluster or group of clusters in order to share information and ideas and provide mutual support. Initial stewardship networking get-togethers have been scheduled for: Green/Lafayette
and Grant/Lafayette clusters: Walworth cluster: Other stewardship networking in clusters will be forthcoming in the future. A separate stewardship focus this fall will take the form of Synod Stewardship Consultations in October. These will be larger gatherings including pastors, congregation officers and stewardship chair people, organized by including three clusters at a consultation. The focus of these consultations will be on mission support (or benevolence) by: Thanking congregations for mission support given, lifting up ministries that we all provide through our mission support dollars, and distribution of statements of intent for next year’s mission support commitments. Synod Stewardship Consultations will be held:
Sauk/Columbia, Dodge/Columbia, N-NE Dane:
SE Dane, Jefferson, East Madison:
NW Dane, SW Dane, Central Madison:
Green/Lafayette, Grant/Lafayette, Iowa/Richland/Grant:
S. Rock, N. Rock, Walworth: |
| PAGE 6 | AUGUST 2006 |
|
The synod’s Care of Creation team is forming a network of people who care about God’s creation and want to stay informed about environmental activities in the synod, the state and the nation. If you would like to be part of this network, please send your name and e-mail address to Meg Nielsen, co-chair of the Global Connections Ministry team, at churchladymeg@hotmail.com. The Care of Creation e-mail network will be used to share information about environmental events in the congregations of the South Central Synod of Wisconsin, highlight current ELCA resources, and more. Watch for more information in future synod newsletters. If you want more information or are interested in becoming part of the synod’s newly re-convened Care of Creation team, please call Nielsen at (608) 838-3184, ext. 109, or use the e-mail address listed above. |
|
Want to become a more active advocate for peace, justice and the care of creation? Sign up for the ELCA e-Advocacy Network. E-Advocacy empowers Lutherans to learn about, reflect upon, and advocate on behalf of their Christian values. E-Advocacy makes it easy for each and every member of the ELCA to work for these important issues. You’ll receive timely updates from the ELCA on a wide variety of issues, including hunger, poverty and the environment; and you can be confident knowing you are being asked to call or e-mail your elected officials only at the moments when your voice can make the most difference. Visit www.elca.org/advocacy to sign up. |
| Congregations in transition |
|
Beginning process and/or in interims: Trinity, Arkdale—Interim Jim Steinbrecher; Primrose, Belleville; Brooklyn, Brooklyn —Interim Rebecca Ninke; Rockdale, Cambridge—Interim Melissa Markquart; Peace, Cobb/Bethlehem, Edmund; Spring Prairie, DeForest—Interim Craig Jan-McMahon; Grace, Monroe; United in Christ, Morrisonville—Interim Twink Jan-McMahon; Bonnet Prairie, Rio—Interim Dean Phillips; Redeemer, Rio—Interim Ken Schaub; First English, Whitewater Study process: Bethlehem, Brodhead—Interim Richard Thickpenny; Trinity, Lake Mills—Interim Rich Collier; Lake Edge, Madison; St. Luke, Middleton (Associate) Awaiting name/interviewing candidates: Faith, Columbus (Associate); Norway Grove, DeForest—Interim Brad Pohlman; St. John, Evansville—Interim Ron Weber; Bethel, Madison (Associate/Evangelism-Outreach); St. Paul/St. John, Mazomanie—Supply James Schwarz; Trinity, Pell Lake (Associate); First English, Platteville—Interim Terry Larson; St. John’s, Reedsburg (Associate); Covenant, Stoughton (Associate); St. James, Verona (Associate); Immanuel, Watertown
In transition: |
| PAGE 7 | AUGUST 2006 |
|
The exchange visit to this Synod’s companions in the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (NELC) scheduled for October 2006 has been put “on hold” until a future time. The goal of having a 10-person team for this trip was not realized. Therefore, other goals were unattainable. The intention for the trip, as determined by the synod’s Companion Synod team, was to have five persons with a focus on education, especially at the NELC Don Bosco School. The other half of the team would focus on healthcare, specifically at the NELC-owned Mohulpahari and Parkijuli Hospitals. The SCSW Companion Synod team is reviewing plans and goals for the trip with a projected date of fall, 2007. Following the ELCA principles of accompaniment, the SCSW and the NELC are committed to growing in understanding of one another by “spending time in each other’s living rooms.” The primary objective of companionship is to walk together in solidarity, characterized by mutuality, transparency and interdependence. The model for companionship was set 300 years ago by a young German theologian, Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg, who arrived on the southeast coast of India, July 9, 1706, and whose founding principles were celebrated by Lutherans from around the world, including an ELCA delegation led by Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, July 1-9, in Chennai. Ziegenbalg’s exemplary service was to affirm and call out the gifts of the people, to stand with the poor and oppressed, and to collaborate with them in ministry and mission. He died in India at age 37 and is buried in Tranquebar. His example as “linquist and liberator” is a model for all Christians to follow. |
|
The SCSW Companion Synod team commends these petitions to congregations for use in the Prayer of the Church each week as indicated, following the mutual Covenant for Companionship. August 7 We call upon your protecting arms to embrace our companions in India, especially those of the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church (NELC), to assure them of your love and care. Companion God, hear our prayer. August 14 We celebrate with the students and staff of the NELC Don Bosco School in their achievements of this past year to reach acceptable standards for permanent affiliation by the India government. God of wisdom, hear our prayer. August 21 Break down the governmental restrictive barriers to allow medical supplies to reach healthcare facilities in the NELC and in other centers of mercy in India. Great Physician and Healer, hear our prayer. August 28 God of all creation and whose claims on us make us one, bless the connections that we hold dear in El Salvador, India, Liberia, Middle East, Namibia, Tanzania, Ukraine [add other places noteworthy to your congregation], that all may know your love and live in peace. Hear our prayer. |
|
Dr. Harry Wendt, founder and president of Crossways International, will present a one-day workshop called “See Through the Scripture,” Sept. 9 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Beaver Dam. Paul Lindau, visitation pastor at First, has attended 10 of Wendt’s week-long seminars since 1982 and has come away each time “more excited and more devoted to the Bible and its teachings,” he says. “He makes the scriptures truly come to life in a wonderful fashion.” You can register
for the all-day workshop by calling First at (920) 885-4497. |
| PAGE 8 | AUGUST 2006 |
|
A Crossways International Living Word workshop will be held Nov. 6-10 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Janesville. Author and presenter Rev. Dr. Harry Wendt will equip attendees to lead life-changing Bible studies, using the widely acclaimed courses of Crossways International. Living Word workshops are for lay leaders, teachers, pastors, seminary students, Sunday school staff and anyone interested in learning more about the Bible. Registration and more information are available from Crossways at 1-800-257-7308 or www.crossways.org. Register by Oct. 1 for an early bird discount. |
|
The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago will host “Christians and Muslims Together: Owning Our Pasts – Visioning Our Future,” a public conference exploring the long-standing relationship between the two faiths, Sept. 21-23. World-renowned experts in Christian-Muslim relations, Willem Bijlefeld, Kenneth Cragg, Vincent Cornell and Frederick Denny are the keynote presenters for this inaugural conference of a Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice at LSTC. Conference sessions are designed to acknowledge and heal the past and to envision a future of peace and justice among people of many faiths --and how Christians and Muslims together can move toward that future. The conference is free, but pre-registration is requested. For a full schedule and detailed information about the conference and inaugural gala, visit http://www.lstc.edu/ccmepj/index.html. To register, call (773) 256-0755 or e-mail ccme@lstc.edu. |
|
The Man to Man Leadership Summit will equip pastors, lay leaders and workers in the nuts and bolts of developing and sustaining a relational ministry for men in the local church. The summit will be held Oct. 13-14 at Elmbrook Church, Brookfield. Registration is $50 and includes breakfast and lunch on Saturday. For more information or to register, call 1-800-919-9059, e-mail topgun@elmbrook.org or visit www.topgunministries.org. |
|
Road Trip II—LMM Young Men’s Gathering—is a Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM) event geared to men ages 18-34. The event will provide leadership training for those who want to maintain men’s ministry at home. All men are invited and can benefit from the gathering, but those over 35 are encouraged to bring a younger man with them. The event will be
Oct. 27-29 at YMCA of the Ozarks, Potosi, Mo.
The tentative schedule includes
a golf tournament; Paul Hill, author of “Coming of Age;” music; horseback
riding; archery; hiking and an X-box tournament. |
| PAGE 9 | AUGUST 2006 |
|
Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque announces speakers for its Tri-State Forum, created in 1999 to serve pastors, ministry professionals, and all others interested in continuing education, growth, and collegial fellowship in our common faith. Lectures for this fall include: “The Theology of Solitude,” Sept. 21, by Dr. W. Clark Gilpin, the Margaret E. Burton Professor of the History of Christianity at the Divinity School, the University of Chicago, and director of the university’s Nicholson Center for British Studies. “Developments in Scholarship on the Fourth Gospel,” Oct. 19, by Dr. Robert Kysar, Bandy Professor Emeritus of Preaching and New Testament at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta. “Bonhoeffer at 100: His Significance for Ministry and Mission Today,” Nov. 16, by Dr. Craig L. Nessan, Professor of Contextual Theology, Academic Dean, and Director of Contextual Education at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque. For more information on Tri-State Forum events, contact Julie Flater at (563) 589-0324 or continued@wartburgseminary.edu . |
|
Subscribing to the South-Central newsletter is easy and free! Encourage members of your congregation to keep current on synod news by visiting www.scsw-elca.org and clicking on “Subscribe to newsletter.” Those who don’t want to receive the newsletter via e-mail each month can go to the synod Web site and read it there or have a hard copy mailed to them or to their church. To receive hard copies of the newsletter, contact Lori Richardson at the Synod Office at (608) 270-0201. |
| SYNOD CLASSIFIEDS |
|
CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTER: Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Moline, Ill., seeks a Children & Family (CF) Minister to provide leadership in educational and faith-formation ministries for children and their families, including recruiting and training volunteers for Sunday morning learning, Vacation Bible School and other children’s ministries. Position is full time and includes benefits. See www.trinitylutheranmoline.org for job description, position qualifications and application information. Or contact the Rev. Laura Koppenhoefer at (309) 762-3624. DIRECTOR OF YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY: St John’s Lutheran Church, Oregon, seeks full-time Director of Youth and Family Ministry. This is a congregation of approximately 1500 baptized members, seven miles south of Madison. Salary commensurate on degree and experience. Start date Sept. 5, 2006. Submit letter of interest with a resume to Chair of Personnel at kreulr@aol.com SEEKING HYMNALS: Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Walworth, is looking for about 50 hymnals, both LBW and With One Voice. If you can help, e-mail the church at felc@charterinternet.com or call (262) 275-3445. |
|
August 3 Stewardship Task Force, Synod Office, 10 a.m. August 15
Interims meet at Synod Office, 1:15 p.m. August 17 Youth Workers meet at Synod Office, 10 a.m. to noon August 21 Youth Workers meet, 6 p.m. (location TBA) August 22 Stewardship Task Force, Synod Office, 10 a.m. August 23 Executive Committee, Synod Office, 10 a.m. August 25 Candidacy Committee, Synod Office August 27 Stewardship Networking, Luther Memorial, Delavan August 31 Deans & Conveners meet, Synod Office, 9 a.m. September 9 Synod Council, St. John, Prairie du Sac, 8:30 a.m. September 12 All Day Staff meeting, office closed September 15-16 Lay School of Ministry September 19
First Call Book Discussion September 25-27 Professional Leadership Conference (Bishop’s Convocation) September 30
“Open Your Gifts of Leadership” with David Mayer, Midvale Community Lutheran
Church, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. |
|
The South-Central is published electronically 10 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 10th 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. |
