DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007
The South-Central Newsletter
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DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 |
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The South-Central Newsletter
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IN THIS EDITION PROCESS FOR THE ELECTION OF THE BISHOP Make Your Bishop Carbon neutral ELW workshops--did you miss them? synod assembly planning update resolution process for synod assembly presentation on middle east available synod resource center: check it out! center for congregational leadership news region 5 lay ministers gathering think fair trade for holiday gifts--and beyond workshop for Christian educators taking applications for India trip 2007 prayer petitions for our walking partner, NELC st. Olaf choir to perform in Madison Inserts |
From Pastor George Carlson, Bishop
I also wish you, “Happy New Year…New CHURCH Year, that is!” December 3 marks the beginning of Advent, the season brimming with expectancy and anticipation of the coming of the Christ. Some look only toward the coming of the Christ child the entire Advent season; others yearn for the fulfillment of the hope we express in the Apostles’ Creed, “he will come to judge the living and the dead.” In the middle of the Christmas season many will say, “Happy New Year.” That day has no special significance on the church’s calendar, yet for many that day brings a yearning for newness, a deep hope that the new year will bring new opportunities, new or reconciled relationships, new joys, new peace…that the troubles and trials and turmoil and brokenness of the old year will be no longer. Many of our congregations will hold annual meetings in January during the Epiphany season. Epiphany marks and celebrates the presence of the Light of the World, the life and ministry of Jesus among us. Preparing and planning for annual meetings provide an opportune time for members and leaders of congregations to look prayerfully and carefully at our mission and ministry, at how the light of Christ shines in all we say and do. What does God have in mind for us in 2007? What needs do we see in our congregation and community? How do we seek to serve and tend to the needs of others as well as our own? How are our ministries accomplishing God’s purposes to make God’s presence known? How does our spending plan reflect the priorities God gives us? How do we invite and challenge members to greater commitment? How do we involve and integrate new leaders? As individuals and as a synod we also contemplate those and similar questions. The coming year, 2007, gives us in the synod a once-in-six-years opportunity to look at synod ministries and synod leadership needs as we prepare for the synod assembly in May when we will elect a new bishop. I trust God will lead us together in setting directions, making decisions, and selecting leaders that will strengthen our ministry together. This new church year, this new calendar year gives a gracious window for new listening, new thinking, new dreaming, new daring. As God’s Spirit joins us to each other to openly and honestly share evaluations and expectations, we can experience surprises together. A new resolution to trust God’s presence can emerge that gives boldness to face new opportunities, to try new ways of doing ministry, and to welcome the future into which God’s Spirit leads us. |
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The South-Central Synod of Wisconsin will elect a bishop to serve a six-year term beginning July 1, 2007 at the 2007 Synod Assembly to be held May 3-5 at the Marriott Hotel in Madison. Our current Bishop, Rev. George Carlson, accepted the office in 2001 with the understanding that he would serve one term. In response to Resolution SA01.06.21, “Procedure to elect a bishop,” which was adopted at the 2001 Synod Assembly, a pre-assembly process has been created to: 3 Provide time for information sharing, reflection and prayer on the part of all people of our synod; 3 Identify candidates and provide for interactive communication between candidates and the people of our synod through information sharing and forums; 3 Promote a spirit of collaboration and support among participants in the process; 3 Increase opportunities for networking and communicating among the people of our synod; 3 Identify further vision and mission opportunities for our synod, and; 3 Elect a new bishop in a way that provides for gratitude for all candidates, and a spirit of unity and celebration at the Synod Assembly. The process for nominating a candidate for bishop has begun. Nominations can be made throughout the entire process until the first ecclesiastical ballot at the Synod Assembly closes. However, for a candidate to be included in the full pre-assembly process, nominations need to be made by Jan. 31, 2007. Anyone who is a member of an ELCA congregation in the South Central Synod of Wisconsin can nominate. All ordained clergy in good standing in the ELCA are eligible. Please see the website at http://www.bishop-election-scsw-elca.org for details about the process and forms for nominating candidates. In addition, if you have questions that you would like the candidates to address at the forums, please e-mail them to info@bishop-election-scsw-elca.org. Voting members of the SCSW Synod Assembly in May will be the people to elect a new bishop. As you go about annual congregational meetings and elect voting members from your congregation, please keep in mind that the first ballot will be held immediately following opening worship on Thursday, May 3. So, it will be important for all voting members to be present and fully registered by that time. If you have any questions about the process, contact Rev. Karen Locken, Chair of the Task Force for Bishop’s Election 2007, or Constance Kilmark, Synod Vice-President. |
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In October, Bishop George Carlson logged 1,279 miles of driving. This means his car emitted 1,900 pounds of carbon dioxide. For $5.20 through CarbonFund.org, we have offset his emissions. This donation will reduce the climate impact of our synod by providing money for renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation. 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
Michael Rehak Conflict! Conflict! Conflict! I hear many people talking about conflict all too frequently. Could there really be that much conflict in our congregations? Or, do we have a problem with perception? Many people have learned that an issue leads to discomfort, discomfort produces anxiety, anxiety suggests a problem, and addressing problems result in conflict. It seems rather Pavlovian. The perception of conflict has become a conditioned reflex to any situation that is other than SOP (Standard Operating Procedure). A pastor’s invitation for the congregation to sing a new hymn or different liturgy setting, a request from an outside group for facilities use, a suggestion to talk about a change in Sunday schedule, or shared ministry, or dropping the Lutefisk dinner for lack of helpers… Each can be a pull on the chain that rings the bell, and we immediately respond with the conditioned reflex--the cry, “Conflict!” So, an issue leads to discomfort, discomfort produces anxiety. When anxiety is perceived to be a negative thing, then the path leads to fearing anxiety and trying to avoid conflict. This tends to only produce greater anxiety and to create even more conflict. The operating perception that anxiety is negative is the beginning of the problem. Anxiety is not negative or positive; it is the emotional system of our being simply telling us to pay attention. Learning is a primary producer of anxiety. When we learn something new, a certain amount of anxiety is produced because that which is new needs to somehow be assimilated into what already is known. Herein may lie the challenge for adult education and Bible study in our congregations; a congregation’s aversion to conflict (potential anxiety-producing situations) will equal their avoidance of adult education. This conditioned reflex has been reinforced and empowered as we live by such rules as: “We don’t share feelings openly here!” “We don’t talk about problems... You’ll make things worse if you bring up all that;” and “Don’t rock the boat!” Therefore the pastor’s invitation, or the request, or the suggestion to talk, are met with fear of conflict. But if we don’t talk...and we don’t share...and we don’t rock the boat, how can we ever build relationships with new people? How will we be able to welcome in visitors and allow them to become new members? How will we be able to love our neighbor? Hear the words of Jesus, “For nation will rise against nation...there will be earthquakes...famines. This is but the beginnings of the birth pangs.” Mk 13:8 Wars, earthquakes, famines--Jesus does not see these as conflicts. He sees them as birth pangs, as the signs of new life, new opportunities, new hope. He has a different perception. What if we change the perception and begin to see that when there is discomfort and anxiety, it means that we need to pay attention to a new opportunity. Leaders in our congregations should be encouraging a path that looks more like: an issue leads to discomfort, discomfort produces anxiety, anxiety suggests possibilities, embracing possibilities leads to mission, to faithfully following Jesus’ call to love our neighbor. Yet, before we can change the perception, we need to dismantle the rules that support and protect the perception and keep us unhealthy. The challenge of healthier congregations in 2007 is for leaders, lay and rostered, to start talking openly about problems, sharing feelings about situations, opportunities, and disappointments, and to Rock On!
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By Lori Richardson
Mission Support: October
2006 $163,316 Thank you to all of the congregations for their mission support in the month of October. You have helped to make up a bit of the difference over last year. We are still a little behind, but we hope that the next few months will continue the positive trends. Those of you who attended the stewardship consultations received copies of the 2007 Statement of Intent for your congregations. Please fill those out and send them back in to the Synod Office. For those congregations that did not attend a meeting, a folder of information has been mailed to your congregation. Copies of the Statement of Intent will be mailed to treasurers in the next month, also. These numbers help you and the synod to set a budget for next year. |
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Fear not, there is still one more workshop introducing the new worship book, Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW). The last one will be held Saturday, Jan. 13 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sun Prairie. Times are 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost for the introductory event is only $20.00 and includes a light meal and a copy of ELW. A real deal for the price, congregations will want to send a number of persons to attend in order to have a core group that can help answer questions regarding ELW in your congregation. ELW is a result of many years of research and testing of various renewing worship efforts in congregations throughout the ELCA. The excellent resource will aid our worship and serve Lutherans well for many years to come. Containing ten settings of the Holy Communion service, (several that are already familiar) and 700 hymns, ELW includes the service orders for many of the special days not included in earlier service books. Registration forms are available online through the Synod Web site (www.scsw-elca.org). Please register with application and payment through the Synod Office by Jan. 9. If you registered for a previous event and were not able to attend, please contact the Synod Office at lorir@scsw-elca.org or (608) 270-0201. |
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ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Mount Horeb Evangelical Lutheran Church seeks administrative assistant for 30 hours per week, Monday through Friday; flex hours possible. Prior church experience preferred; minimum of two years administrative support/secretarial experience with strong computer and organizational skills. Send resume to Randy Thompson at elc@mhtc.net or 315 E Main St, Mt. Horeb, 53572. Call (608) 437-5012 with questions. YOUTH AND FAMILY PASTOR: St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Middleton, seeks a youth and family pastor to work with its multi-person staff and willing and able ministry volunteers. If interested or can suggest a candidate, e-mail rriemer@stlukes-elca.org, mail St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 7337 Hubbard Avenue, Middleton, WI 53562, or call (608) 831-6084. |
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Because our synod will elect a bishop at our 2007 Synod Assembly, we must begin mid-afternoon on Thursday, May 3, so we have adequate time for all potential ballots. Please be aware that all Synod Assembly voting members need to be available from Thursday afternoon through Saturday noon, May 3 through May 5. Congregations will need to plan for two nights lodging costs if their voting members will stay at the Marriott. Registration costs also will increase because of the extra day needed for the assembly; that figure will be determined soon. The assembly will begin with worship at Luther Memorial (busses will transport assembly-goers from the Marriott West to the church), followed by opening of the assembly and the first ballot for bishop. Before and after the opening session, an open house will be hosted by Lutheran Campus Ministry, next door to Luther Memorial, in celebration of their 100th year of ministry. It’s the pioneer and oldest Lutheran Campus Ministry in the country. Rev. Lowell Almen, secretary of the ELCA, will represent the churchwide expression at the assembly and preside during the election of our next bishop. Rev. Dr. Duane Larson, president of Wartburg Seminary, will be the keynoter and Bible study leader as he helps the assembly focus on leadership in the church. Guests from our companion synod will also attend the assembly. In early November, Bishop Carlson e-mailed Moderator Bishop Soren of our companion synod, Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church: “Our synod assembly will be held in Madison, Wisconsin, next May 3-5, 2007. I invite NELC to send up to four (4) representatives as our guests to bring greetings and help our people get to know more about NELC in a workshop….We trust your nominations of best candidates for the visit here to southern Wisconsin. Due to the long journey, we would like for them to spend up to two weeks with us after the assembly if that would be feasible. We would arrange visits to health care ministries/facilities and schools during their time here.” The following response was received on Nov. 16: “Thanks for your mail. We confirm you that NELC will send their representative to attend your General Synod Assembly. Their names will be sent to you soon.” |
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The resolution process of our synod invites you to present issues for the assembly to consider. In order for resolutions to be included in the printed assembly book, they need to be received by the Resolutions Committee by Jan. 15, 2007. Resolutions submitted between Jan. 15 and the beginning of Synod Assembly will be considered after the start of the assembly. You are encouraged to submit your resolutions as early as possible to allow for greater preparation and deliberation. Resolutions may be submitted by: *A congregation,
or Feel free to contact the Synod Office if you have questions. |
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By Rolfe Nervig The Holy Spirit is moving in our midst, and we often aren’t aware of it! A question was posed by Kelly Fryer at the 2006 Synod Assembly: What is God up to? Some of us are seeing God’s spirit moving amongst us in sharing the good news with Spanish-speaking people. Three recent experiences have crossed my radar screen: On Oct. 6 there was a celebration of four years of ministry through the Parroquia Luterana Bethel (Latino ministry led by Pastor Pedro and Aura Suarez at Bethel Lutheran in Madison). The celebration, held at the Palace Latin Club, was a lively party led by the energetic salsa band, Grupo Candela--with Pastor Pedro contributing vocals and base guitar. Parroquia Luterana Bethel now includes over 200 Spanish-speaking people in the faith community of Bethel Lutheran. On Nov. 7 Bishop Carlson hosted a synod Latino Ministry brainstorming session with 10 interested people who have had experience in developing companionship relationships with congregations and communities in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. Preliminary goals for a task force that will emerge from this process include: 3 Facilitating development of ministries with Latino people in the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin 3 Developing respectful, supportive relationships between Latinos and Anglos in ELCA churches 3 Encouraging mutual support between synod congregations and churches in Latin American countries 3 Promoting advocacy on behalf of Latino people by members of synod congregations 3 Raising awareness of racism and social justice issues for Latino people Also on Nov. 7, a meeting was held in Beloit to discuss opportunities for broader partnership among ELCA churches in the Beloit area with Espiritu de Esperanza, a Latino ministry in Beloit led by Pastor Neddy Astudillo and supported for five years by the ELCA, South-Central Synod, Calvary Lutheran and the Presbyterian church. Representatives of Our Savior’s, St. Paul’s, Calvary, Pella, Atonement, First Presbyterian, Faith, and Jefferson Prairie gathered to learn more about the opportunities for ministry with Spanish-speaking people in Beloit. There was enthusiastic response and plans for working together in partnership in the future. God’s spirit is moving in our midst! If you are interested in joining these efforts to reach out to people in new ways, give me a call or e-mail me. You might be surprised by how your faith can grow in this process!! |
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Bonnie Block, head of the synod’s Peace Team, and her husband, Bob, traveled with Pastor Bruce Burnside of St. Stephens Lutheran Church, Monona, to Israel and occupied Palestine in October. They have slides from the trip and are willing to talk to adult or youth groups about the situation there and what’s happening to Palestinian Christians. The group met with leaders of the Lutheran church there, visited Lutheran schools in the West Bank and worshipped with members of Redeemer Lutheran in Jerusalem and Christmas Lutheran in Bethlehem. To learn more, contact the Blocks at bblock@charter.net or (608) 256-5088. |
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We have received some new items in the Synod Resource Center: “How do Lutherans Interpret the Bible?” A DVD Series by Mark Allan Powell. This four-session DVD is intended primarily for the lay person—adult forums, youth groups and retreats. The four sessions are: 1. We are more interested in understanding it than defending it; 2. We acknowledge how we receive it; 3. We use it to shape our morality; and 4. We recognize it has multiple meanings. “Mission Support: Where Your Money Goes.” A DVD from the ELCA Mosaic series. Generosity is an important part of being Christian. The money, time, talent and energy we give back to God through our offerings are used in a variety of important ways. This video answers three questions: Why do we give? What do we give? And, how is our money spent? The video also takes us to St. Paul Lutheran Church on the island of Puerto Rico. This small congregation is making a big impact in their community and around the world through cheerful giving. Use this Mosaic resource as a great way to support stewardship initiatives in your congregation. “Great Bible Reef: Dive Deep into God’s Word!” The 2007 Vacation Bible School Starter Kit. Check it out to decide if you may want to purchase it for your congregation. Did you know we have copies of daily devotionals that you are welcome to pick up? We have “The Word in Season,” “Christ in Our Home: Light for Today,” “Portals of Prayer” and “Davey and Goliath’s Devotions for families on the Go.” Remember that other people may want to use these resources, so if you check them out, please return them in a timely manner. If you need them for longer than one month, please let us know. Watch the Synod Web site (www.scsw-elca.org) for a current list of resources. |
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Beginning Process and/or in interims: Peace, Cobb/Bethlehem, Edmund—Interim Kathy Jacobson; Grace, Darlington—Interim Steve Hanson; Spring Prairie, DeForest—Interim Craig Jan-McMahon (http://www.springprairie.org); Luther Memorial, Madison (http://www.luthermem.org); Grace, Monroe; United in Christ, Morrisonville—Interim Twink Jan-McMahon (http://www.springprairie.org); Bonnet Prairie, Rio—Interim Dean Phillips (http://www.lutheransonline.com/bonnetprairie); Immanuel, Watertown—Interim David Keesey-Berg (http://www.immanuellutheran.tv); First English, Whitewater—Interim Rich Collier Study Process: Trinity, Arkdale—Interim Jim Steinbrecher (http://www.arkdaletlc.org); Primrose, Belleville—Interim Ted Kalkwarf; Redeemer, Rio—Interim Ken Schaub (http://rioredeemerlutheran.com) Awaiting Name/Interviewing candidates: Brooklyn, Brooklyn—Interim Rebecca Ninke (http://www.brooklyn-lutheran.us); Faith, Columbus (Associate) (http://www.faithcolumbuswi.org); First, Janesville (Associate) (http://www.flcj.org); Trinity, Lake Mills—Interim John Tabaka (http://www.trinitylm.com); Bethel, Madison (Associate—Care Ministries) (http://www.bethel-madison.org); St. Luke, Middleton (Associate) (http://www.stlukes-elca.org) Recommended a Candidate: Bethlehem, Brodhead—Interim Richard Thickpenny; Trinity, Pell Lake (Associate) (http://www.trinitypelllake.org); St. John’s, Reedsburg (Associate) (http://www.stjohnreedsburg.com); Covenant, Stoughton (Associate) (http://www.geocities.com/covluth) In Transition:
Cynthia Durst
from Grace, Dodgeville to On Leave from Call |
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Over 50 youth attended the first LYO Senior High Youth Gathering, Nov. 10-12, at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells. "Images of God” was the theme of the weekend. Workshops, large group celebrations, sundae bar, pizza party, making new friends, and the water park made the weekend a great success. Also, a new LYO board was elected. The following youth are the new board members: Ryan Guetschow, president, member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Beloit; and Amy Wenzel and Marielle Brenner, co-presidents, both members of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Sun Prairie. Also elected to the board: committee members Courtney Laufenberg, Kristina Stevens and Stefano Miller. Conrad Nelson and Jean Lincoln were elected to serve on the board as adult leaders. They join the current board of advisors: Brett Christensen, Erin Kuehl, Adam Erickson and synod staff advisor, Kay Enslin. Congratulations to all! The first board meeting will be held in December. More information about LYO and pictures from the weekend can be found on the synod web site: www.scsw-elca.org. |
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Leadership Development Project Five churches are prepared to participate in an 18-month process designed to assist congregations in developing and strengthening lay leaders in their ministry and mission. This collaborative process is being planned and guided by a CCL team. These congregations are: Cooksville
Lutheran Church, Cooksville (Pastor Margo Martens) During November and early December, planning team members will conduct initial conversations with the participating congregational teams. Then, on Saturday, March 3 (2007), the first plenary learning gathering for the five congregational teams—together with resource persons—will occur and focus on ways of identifying and developing lay leadership. Thereafter in March, each congregational team will visit a selected host congregation that has demonstrated an effective lay ministry. These on-site visits are designed to allow learning from the experience of other congregations. The second plenary learning gathering, scheduled for April 21, will focus more directly on effective outreach and inreach ministry. During the summer of 2007 each congregational team will meet occasionally to develop and refine its strategy and action plans for pursuing its stated goals. After this, during the fall of 2007, an additional on-site visit and plenary learning session will take place. |
| REGION 5 LAY MINISTERS GATHERING |
| Region 5 will hold its biannual Lay Ministers Gathering at Sinsinawa Retreat Center, April 22-24, for all Associates in Ministry, Diaconal Ministers and Deaconesses in Region 5. Mark your calendar for this event. Those retired from the lay roster and students preparing for lay roster ministry also are invited. Contact Cheryl Hollich at chollich@machling.com or Carl Richard Evenson at carl.evenson@ecunet.org to learn more. |
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Mt. Meru Coffee At the 2005 South Central Synod Assembly we passed a resolution urging purchase of Mt. Meru coffee from Tanzania (Greater Milwaukee Synod’s companion synod is the Diocese of Meru, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania). To become a “coffee ambassador,” contact Jerry Schmidt at (262) 335-3815. Both regular and decaf coffee are available for $8.00 for a 12-ounce package. You also can purchase regular and decaf coffee in four-pound bulk packages. For more information, see www.mtmerucoffee.org. Lutheran World Relief Projects (www.lwr.org) “A Greater Gift” provides fair trade handcrafted gifts and food through SERRV International. Our purchases promote living wages, women’s rights and eco-friendly production through partnerships with small-scale artisan and farmer groups. No child exploitation is used to make these products. See the online catalog at www.agreatergift.org/, call 1-800-423-0071 or visit “A Greater Gift” shop at 2701 Monroe Street in Madison. Equal Exchange sells fair trade coffee, tea, cocoa, three kinds of chocolate bars and coffee brewing equipment and supplies, and provides educational materials. Coffee and tea are both decaf and regular. Many congregations bulk order for use at congregational events. See the online catalog at http://equalexchange.stores.yahoo.net/ or call 774-776-7366 “Equal Exchange is like drinking a cup of justice... And justice can taste outstanding.” Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice A Fair Trade Directory lists hundreds of fair-trade, organic and family-farm products available for sale all over Wisconsin. You can see a PDF version at www.wnpj.org or obtain a printed copy for $5 (plus $2 for postage) by calling (608) 250-9240 or e-mailing info@wnpj.org. Save the postage and pick it up at the WNPJ office, 122 State Street, Room 402, Madison. Family Farm Defenders (www.familyfarmdefenders.org/) A national grassroots organization based in Madison offers a wide array of products, all direct from family farmers and artisan producers who support fair trade, sustainable agriculture, and local food. FFD has cheese, pancake mix, honey, olive oil, popcorn, angus summer sausage, granola, bison cranberry summer sausage, mustard, coffee, chocolate, maple syrup, crackers, and wild rice. You can order customized boxes by e-mail to jepeck@wisc.edu, phone/fax at (608) 260-0900 or go to their Madison office located in the basement of Nature’s Bakery, 1019 Williamson St. Palestine Fair Trade Association Sells olive oil from small family farms in occupied Palestine. For ordering information see www.canaanfairtrade.com. |
| workshop for Christian educators |
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The Lutheran Association of Christian Educators (LACE) is presenting a one-day workshop held on Saturday, March 24, 2007, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church, Madison. This workshop will feature the Rev. Eric H. F. Law, an Episcopal/Anglican priest who is an internationally-known consultant on issues related to diversity. He has developed many inter-racial and inter-religious dialogue programs, including a program set up after the 1992 Los Angeles riots that involved nine religions. He is the author of five books as well as a playwright and composer of church music and serves as adjunct faculty to five theological schools. Having grown up in Hong Kong and emigrated to the United States at age 14, he experienced a sense of powerlessness when he entered the educational system. He has drawn upon that early experience to develop ways to help individuals and organizations extend their boundaries to include the "outsider," assisting the "humble" to experience "empowerment" and the "powerful" to experience "humility." The cost for this day, which includes lunch and refreshments, is $30 per person or $25 for LACE members. Churches with four or more in attendance pay $25/person. For more information about this workshop or to receive a brochure and registration materials, please contact either Jacqui Shanda at blceducation@bethel-madison.org or (608) 257-3577or Kim Eighmy at keighmy@stjamesverona.org or (608) 845-6922. For more information regarding LACE or membership, go to www.elca.org/lace. This workshop is made possible through a grant from the Brookwood Foundation. |
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A visit to our companions, Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church-India (NELC), has been scheduled for fall, 2007. PURPOSE: To observe; to dialogue with staff; to discern ways to be in partnership for mutual benefit. It is the desire of the SCSW Companion Synod team that our delegation will also have opportunity to interact with patients or students for hands-on patient care or teaching. Each trip participant is expected to share their discoveries in this synod upon their return. TEAM COMPOSITION: 5-6 healthcare professionals to focus on NELC medical ministries at Parkijuli and Mohulpahari Hospitals AND 5-6 professional educators to focus on educational ministries, especially that of the NELC Don Bosco School, a pre-K through grade 10 English-medium school at Dumka. LENGTH OF TRIP: 12-15 days (TBD) DATE OF DEPARTURE: Oct. 22, 2007 TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS through Group Travel Directors, Inc., Minneapolis (agency commonly used for international travel by ELCA-Global Mission). Itinerary includes some cultural sites. Cost (approx. $2500) includes airfare, in-country travel and lodging and pre-arranged tour guides. Subsidies available from SCSW Companion Exchange Fund. Application form available from Synod office: (608) 270-0201 or lorir@scsw-elca.org. Application deadline: Jan. 15, 2007 For further information or clarification, you may contact Solveig Carlson, Companion Synod team co-chair: (608) 437-5702 or by e-mail solcarlson@charter.net Prayerfully consider this life-changing venture! |
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Dec. 1 Candidacy Committee, Synod Office Dec. 5 All Day Staff meeting/Office Closed Dec. 8-9 Lay School of Ministry Dec. 9 Synod Council, Synod Office, 8:30 a.m. Dec. 15 CCL Steering Committee, Synod Office, 9:30- 12:30 Dec. 19 Outreach Committee, Synod Office, 4 p.m. Dec. 25 & 26 Office Closed/Christmas Holiday Dec. 29 Office Closed/New Year’s Eve Holiday Jan. 1 Office Closed/New Year’s Day Holiday Jan. 9 Interims meet, Synod Office, 1:15 p.m. Jan. 12 Candidacy meets, Synod Office Jan. 13 ELW Workshop, Our Savior’s Lutheran, Sun Prairie Jan. 15 Office Closed/Martin Luther King Holiday Jan. 16 First Call group meets, Our Savior’s Lutheran, Black Earth Jan. 18 Assembly Planning Committee, Synod Office, 10 a.m. Feb. 3 Churchwide Voting Members meet, Synod Office, 10 a.m. Feb. 10 Synod Council Feb. 22 Endowment Committee, Synod Office, 3:30 p.m. Feb. 24 LEAD 2007 at a new location--St. Luke's Lutheran, Middleton |
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By Pastor Jerry Pribbenow Continuing our covenant of companionship with the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church in India, we offer these petitions to be used weekly in prayer for our companions: Dec. 3—Father, as we enter the season of high expectations, stir up within us a longing for greater fellowship with our partners in the NELC. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Dec. 10—Gracious God, our partners in the NELC face challenges every day because of their minority status. May your ever-present Spirit protect and inspire them in their ministry. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. Dec. 17—Lord, the season of joy is coming close. May hearts be yoked with our partners in the NELC as we prepare to celebrate the in-breaking of God’s Holy Son. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. Dec. 24—The time has arrived, Father, fill our hearts and the hearts of our partners in Northern India with the joy as together we sing “Joy to the World.” Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. Dec. 31—You O God, who are timeless, help us to mark our time carefully. As we enter a new year, may the relationship we have with our partners in Northern India be strengthened and become more real in every way. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. |
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“Next door neighbors or miles apart, Friends share seasons of the heart.” Such will be the case when guests from India come to visit our synod in May, 2007. Four people from our Companion Synod in India, the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church, have been invited to spend two to three weeks here for mutual interaction with congregations and individuals of this synod. New friendships will be forged for greater understanding of mutual ministry in our contrasting contexts. Yet “seasons of the heart” are similar: joy and sadness, success and failure, strengths and weakness. Friendships are built through mutual support, encouragement and collaboration. As details become known as to who will be coming and the length of their stay, an itinerary for their visits around the synod will be published. The hospitality-planning team intends that individuals from the NELC delegation will try to cover as many ministry sites in our synod as they desire to see and is feasible. The SCSW Companion Exchange Fund will provide round-trip airfare travel for these guests. Other costs of hospitality will be borne by those who host them during their time here. A reciprocal visit to the NELC that was planned for October 2006, but delayed, has been re-scheduled for late October, 2007. See more details on the previous page. |
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Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Madison, will host a concert by the internationally-acclaimed St. Olaf Choir on Saturday, Jan. 27. Featuring beloved sacred choral music, the concert will be conducted by Dr. Anton Armstrong. Founded in 1912, the St. Olaf Choir is the premier choral ensemble of Minnesota’s St. Olaf College, a four-year liberal arts college of the ELCA. Ticket information is available online at www.stolaftickets.com. |
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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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