FEBRUARY 2007
The South-Central Newsletter
|
FEBRUARY 2007 |
|
|
|
The South-Central Newsletter
|
|
IN THIS
EDITION Inserts ASSEMBLY 2007 REGISTRATION FORM WOMEN OF THE ELCA CONVENTION INFORMATION
|
From Pastor George Carlson, Bishop
We followers of Jesus are the church. We are the church in congregations, in the synod, in the ELCA. During the three Sundays after the Baptism of our Lord we heard excerpts from Paul’s letter to God’s people at Corinth; Paul shares insights about the church in 1 Corinthians 12-13 that we need today. “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good…For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many…If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it…And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 12:7, 12-14, 26-27; 13:13) In my term as bishop, I have seen first hand the great variety of contexts and ministries of congregations in our synod. Each one has experienced changes in their congregation, their community, their culture. We often struggle with the changes, thinking we can keep doing as we’ve done in the past or that we need to go back to the way things once were. I believe that today we need to listen imaginatively to the One who leads us into a new future. We can think creatively about how we can use the gifts of the Spirit for the common good, not just my good nor the congregation’s good nor the community’s good. The realities of communication and travel in today’s world give an opportune time to conceive how to work together. The isolation of distance and different languages no longer holds, but we still often seek to minister as if those realities still exist. We expend energy, money and personnel to maintain facilities and duplicate programs for our good while needs of others go unmet. God’s Spirit can lead us to give up our wants while our needs continue to be met and newly freed resources will meet unmet needs of others. God’s Spirit can lead us to receive the gifts of congregations in our neighborhood or cluster for the common good while sharing our gifts for the common good. God’s Spirit can lead us to collaborate and cooperate as gifted members of the body of Christ. Jesus gave up all his status and privilege for the sake of making known God’s amazing grace expressed in self-giving love. He calls us to count all else as less than love, to give up all so we may love as Jesus loves. Now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. |
| PAGE 2 |
FEBRUARY 2007 |
LEAD 2007 coming up Feb. 24 |
|
The synod will hold its fifth annual LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) event on Saturday, Feb. 24, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Middleton. Congregation council members and rostered leaders are encouraged to attend this day of training and enrichment; other interested lay leaders are also welcome. The day begins with worship with Bishop George Carlson. Then Connie Kilmark, the synod’s vice president, will deliver the keynote address, “Why Lutherans Don’t Talk About Money.” During three workshop sessions, 30 workshops will be offered touching on various leadership issues and learnings. A number of workshops cover the topic of stewardship, including care of creation and energy collaboratives. Workshops on such practical topics as conducting a meeting and reviewing your constitution are also available. One workshop is a Q&A session with the bishop; others cover developing leadership skills and honoring and supporting volunteers. A full listing of workshop times and their descriptions are attached to this newsletter as an “insert.” The full day of learning is only $15 per person and includes lunch. To register, contact the Synod Office. |
|
We held our first LYO board meeting and we are up and running. The LYO is looking at hosting events that are for high school youth and middle school youth. We are in the early planning stages for our first event—watch for details in the mail and newsletter. If you have any ideas or would like to sit on a committee, or know a youth in your congregation who may be interested, please contact Kay Enslin at the Synod Office or at enslink@charter.net. |
|
Youth workers meet monthly at the Synod Office. Upcoming meeting dates are: 3 February 8 3 March 15 3 April 19 3 May 10 Starting with the February meeting, the group will have a book study at 10:00 a.m. The book is “A Mary Heart in a Martha World.” If you would like to order the book, they are $12.00 each. Contact Kay Enslin for more details. All are welcome to these meetings. Call Kay at the Synod Office or contact her at enslink@charter.net with any questions. |
| Top of Page Top of Newsletter |
| PAGE 3 |
FEBRUARY 2007 |
|
By
Michael Rehak John loves his congregation. He always takes a turn ushering, and, now that he is retired, helps with some of the light maintenance. John has served so frequently on the council that he can’t recall how many years that was. John has done, as he would say, “Three tours of duty” as president. So, no one was surprised when, at the annual meeting, after the nominating committee announced that they were short a council nominee, and after a few more people declined, that a member turned and said, “John, would you serve again?” and he replied in his dry, slow voice, “Well, if no one else wants to, I know the way things work here.” “John’s Church” is a struggling congregation. But will John’s serving, “if no one else wants to,” be helpful? Attendance is decreasing, offerings are flat, there are almost no children in worship, and they haven’t given the pastor a raise in two years, but, “Ya know, we would if we could.” The congregation continues to get by for the same three reasons it has in the past; the pastor has not defended the appropriateness of compensation guidelines, the congregation has drastically cut all benevolence giving, and there is a family in the congregation that always comes through with the extra in December to make sure the basic bills get paid. Oh, and the fourth reason, “we all get along here as long as we don’t talk about money.” What do you think? In which ways is John’s knowledge of “the way things work here” going to be an asset; in which ways a liability? Albert Einstein observed, “It is impossible to get out of a problem by using the same kind of thinking that it took to get into the problem.” I witness many congregations that are in trouble. Their existence is threatened, primarily because of the stubborn refusal to admit that what they have been doing is not working. This admission is avoided at all cost because it would, perhaps, be an admission of failure, thereby displeasing God. Even more, it would suggest that some new thinking is required. We all know the consequence of new thinking: change! What if what really displeases God is not our trying and failing, but rather, our failing to try, especially of something new? It has been said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results. We pray for new members, but we only talk to those who are our friends. We worry about the financial situation, but we don’t want a stewardship committee and we refuse to pledge. We are concerned that there are no younger people in worship, but we have faithfully only used Setting One and sing “Beautiful Savior,” “How Great Thou Art” or “Amazing Grace” practically every Sunday. We welcome new members to serve on council, as long as they know “the way things work here.” Our congregations are in the midst of a problem; a crisis. The only way out is some new thinking; some ideas, behaviors and practices different than the ones we have been using. Our councils need “new” members who are valued by the congregation for new ideas and approaches. And, the “old” council members (old having more to do with attitudes and expectations than age) have to develop some new thinking and a willingness to take risks. I recommend that councils read and discuss books on leadership. Authors such as Easum, Bandy and Callahan, as well as many books published by Alban Institute, would be helpful. Second, I suggest that the council partner with counterparts from another congregation and meet twice a year to share challenges and ideas. And, of course, do take advantage of LEAD 2007, Feb. 24 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Middleton.
New thinking New ideas
|
| PAGE 4 | FEBRUARY 2007 |
|
Assembly registration materials have been sent to all rostered leaders and congregational presidents. Because we will be electing a bishop at the 2007 Synod Assembly, registration will begin on Thursday, May 3, at 2:15 p.m. Buses will take voting members to Luther Memorial in Madison for the opening worship. The first assembly session will begin following worship and will include the first ballot for bishop. You must be registered in order to vote on this first ballot. Rev. Lowell Almen, ELCA secretary, will be our churchwide representative. Rev. Dr. Duane Larson, president of Wartburg Seminary, will be keynote speaker and Bible study leader. A variety of workshops will be offered Friday afternoon. We will honor rostered leaders celebrating anniversaries of their ordinations on Friday as well. The assembly will close on Saturday with worship and installation of newly elected persons. There are various positions open on Synod Council. Each congregation should have received a nomination form along with the registration materials. We ask congregation members to prayerfully consider nominating persons who might be a positive addition to our Synod Council. The Synod Council meets four times a year. We also will be electing six members of a Nominating Committee for a three-year term. Persons for the Nominating Committee should have a knowledge of the synod, think positively about the synod and be willing to spend time in conversation with prospective nominees. We would also like to offer childcare at the 2007 assembly. If you are aware of someone who might be willing to do this all day Friday and Saturday morning, please have them contact the Synod Office. We would provide meals on both days for this person(s). In the past we have asked voting members to serve on the Elections Committees. This has meant that members counting ballots have missed a large portion of the assembly. We would like to suggest that non-voting members be selected to serve on the Elections Committee. If you have a desire to attend Synod Assembly but do not want to be a voting member, we would love to have you serve counting ballots. Call the Synod Office for more information. |
|
The process for electing a new synod bishop is ongoing and all synod members are encouraged to participate: Nominate a candidate or suggest questions for the bishop’s election forums. Learn more at www.scsw-elca.org by clicking on “Bishop’s Election Process.” |
|
Do you have stories of your middle school-aged youth learning through service projects? Augsburg is looking for submissions for its Jr. High Akaloo student site to highlight examples of service-based discipleship for this age group. Write a paragraph or two on what the kids did, what they learned, how they interacted, cool moments, and so on. Send your submission to Rebecca Ninke at Rebecca.M.Ninke@gmail.com. Photos may be included, but contact information for any youth pictured must be included in order to obtain permission to post. |
| Top of Page Top of Newsletter |
| PAGE 5 | FEBRUARY 2007 |
|
By
Pastor Richard Dowling, It is that time of the year to begin putting together midwife and hospice kits for Global Health Ministries. Once again we will be collecting the kits at the Synod Assembly, May 3-5. We also will be collecting any bandages that you might have, both the rolled or the ones that you make yourself by crocheting or knitting. You can find information for the midwife and hospice kits as well as the bandages on the Global Health Ministries web site: www.ghm.org or as an “insert” to this newsletter. If you have a problem with the Global Health Ministries web site, drop me a line and I will send you the information by mail. I hope those who are crocheting or knitting bandages have been hard at it. I slumped off a bit but am recommitting myself to a new bandage goal before the assembly. Last year I, along with a couple of members from our church, got a chance to see the Global Health Ministries warehouse in Minneapolis. It’s incredible and I would encourage anyone who gets up to that area to give them a call and ask if you can see the warehouse. I’ll close with a note about the bandages that I received from Bea Haagenson of Global Health Ministries: We regularly ship to Tanzania, Liberia, Cameroon, Papua New Guinea, Madagascar, Central African Republic and Bangladesh...We heard from Tanzania, “the bandages are wonderful—send as many as you can.” The people are poor, they often have many miles to walk to a hospital, so being given a bandage that is durable and can be washed over and over again is a real blessing. |
|
The Lutheran Association of Christian Educators (LACE) is presenting a one-day workshop on Saturday, March 24, 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 being 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, see the brochure attached as an “insert” to this newsletter, or 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, go to www.elca.org/lace. This workshop is made possible through a grant from the Brookwood Foundation. |
| Top of Page Top of Newsletter |
| PAGE 6 | FEBRUARY 2007 |
|
By Lori
Richardson Mission Support:
November 2006 $ 128,854 Money for 2006 continues to come in, so we hope our numbers will be up for January. Please be sure to get in your Statement of Intent for 2007. |
|
Congregations that want to do meaningful ministry with people from a blue collar background need to use different practices to be relevant to working class folks. An outreach/evangelism workshop on “Doing Ministry with Working Class Folks” will be led by Tex Sample on Saturday, April 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The workshop takes place at Bethel Horizons Camp in Dodgeville. This workshop
will focus on: The workshop will be particularly helpful to outreach/evangelism people in congregations and to pastors ministering in rural or urban working class communities. Tex Sample is a lecturer, workshop leader, former seminary professor and Methodist preacher who comes from a working class background and continues to embrace aspects of the blue collar lifestyle. He brings a message that helps mainline churches reach out with the good news of the gospel to people from a blue collar perspective. The SCSW Outreach Committee will be co-sponsoring this evangelism workshop with Bethel Lutheran Church. The workshop should have primary appeal to outreach/evangelism members and pastors of rural and urban congregations with working class populations in their communities. Men’s ministry groups may also find the message particularly relevant. Early registration fee for the workshop is $15.00/person, which includes the workshop and lunch. After April 16 the fee will be $20.00/person. Make checks out to SCSW for the “Tex Sample workshop” and mail to: Lori Richardson For more information, contact: Rolfe Nervig at rolfen@scsw-elca.org or (608) 270-0201, ext. 106; or Rev. Rick Lund of Bethel Lutheran Church at ricklund@bethel-madison.org or (608) 257-3577. |
|
CHOIR ACCOMPANIST: Grace Lutheran Church, Cambridge, is recruiting a choir accompanist for the sanctuary choir on the piano and/or electric keyboard during weekly rehearsals and service times. Rehearsals and performances are primarily on Sunday mornings, with some special services throughout the year. Position is for September through May. If interested contact Grace Lutheran Church at (608) 423-3135. |
| Top of Page Top of Newsletter |
| PAGE 7 | FEBRUARY 2007 |
|
NOOMA—We can get anything we want, from anywhere in the world, whenever we want it. That’s how it is and that’s how we want it to be. Still, our lives aren’t any different than other generations before us. Our time is. We want spiritual direction, but it has to be real for us and available when we need it. We want a new format for getting Christian perspectives. NOOMA is the new format. It’s short films with communicators that really speak to us. Compact, portable and concise. Each NOOMA touches on issues that we care about, that we want to talk about, and it comes in a way that fits our world. It’s a format that’s there for us when we need it, as we need it, how we need it. (from the back cover of the NOOMA DVD) The Synod Resource Center currently has 14 of the NOOMA DVDs by Rob Bell. They can be checked out individually (which would be best) or as the whole set. For more information on NOOMA, check out www.nooma.com. |
|
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. |
|
Beginning Process and/or in interims: Barneveld, Barneveld--Interim Brad Pohlman; Grace, Darlington—Interim Steve Hanson; Spring Prairie, DeForest—Interim Craig Jan-McMahon; Luther Memorial, Madison; Grace, Monroe; United in Christ, Morrisonville—Interim Twink Jan-McMahon; Bonnet Prairie, Rio—Interim Dean Phillips; Christ, Sharon; Immanuel, Watertown—Interim Terry Larson; First English, Whitewater—Interim Rich Collier Study Process: Primrose, Belleville—Interim Ted Kalkwarf; Peace, Cobb/Bethlehem, Edmund—Interim Kathy Jacobson; Redeemer, Rio—Interim Ken Schaub Awaiting Name/Interviewing candidates: Trinity, Arkdale—Interim Jim Steinbrecher; Faith, Columbus (Associate); Bethel, Madison (Associate—Care Ministries); St. Luke, Middleton (Associate) Recommended a Candidate: Brooklyn, Brooklyn—Interim Rebecca Ninke
In Transition: |
| PAGE 8 | FEBRUARY 2007 |
|
In 2007, the Synod LMM Task Force will be visiting synod congregations to share men’s ministry resources and ideas. We will focus on materials and events from Lutheran Men in Mission, including the latest on ministering to young men. Regional information also will be discussed. Visits/presentations can be set up to best fit the congregation’s schedule and/or situation. The task force also is seeking congregations to co-host cluster events that will include men from their neighboring churches. Our first visit will be in Janesville on March 3. The Synod LMM Task Force and the men of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church are inviting men from Rock County and surrounding areas to an Area Men’s Ministry Meeting and Breakfast. It starts at 7:45. Please RSVP by leaving Bill Boersta a message at (608) 754-2891. We also are collecting men’s ministry ideas from our congregations. We need information about successful programs, projects or events that involve the men of your church, young and old. If your congregation has ministry ideas to share, or would like to discuss a visit, please contact Lon Buss, task force leader, via e-mail at londebbuss@charter.net. For more information about Lutheran Men in Mission, please go to www.elca.org/lmm or www.scsw-elca.org.
Bible project LMM’s vision is “that every man grow in his relationship with Jesus Christ through an effective men’s ministry in every congregation.” Use of the LMM Master Builders Bible for Men in men’s ministries helps see this vision in action. The leadership supplement is a 32-page, step-by-step guide to help leaders build an effective men’s ministry. Additional information is available at www.elca.org/lmm in the online Spring 2006 foundations newsletter. You also can contact Lon Buss via e-mail at londebbuss@charter.net to find out more about this initiative, and how to get bibles for your congregation’s men’s ministry. |
|
The Madison Christian Community (MCC) will host a “Nurturing Faith in Home Retreat” on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon. This retreat is for the whole family and will include learning opportunities for adults and for children age three and older. Childcare for younger children will be provided. While adults listen to a presentation by Pastor Deborah Payden, children will visit learning stations on prayers. Together, as a family, participants will decorate a Christ candle for spiritual time at home. Payden is the Associate Pastor for Faith Formation at First Congregational UCC in South Milwaukee. She also has a ministry of consulting entitled “Grains of Wheat” where she consults with churches concerning their faith formation ministry, and provides leadership for presentations, workshops and retreats locally and regionally. With Laura Loving, Payden co-authored the book “Celebrating At Home: Prayers and Liturgies for Families,” which is available through The Pilgrim Press.
Cost is $20 per family. Please write
the check to MCC and mail it by Jan. 26 to: Questions can be directed to Wuest at (608) 836-1455. |
| PAGE 9 | FEBRUARY 2007 |
|
The South Central Wisconsin Synodical Women’s Organization meets in convention every two years. The next convention will be held July 13 and 14 at the Voyageur Inn in Reedsburg. Why is this important for you to know? As a leader in your congregation, you are asked to share this information with the women of your congregation, even if there is no group that calls itself “The Women of the ELCA.” Every congregation in the synod can send a delegate to the convention. Those delegates representing an active Women-of-the-ELCA unit will have a seat with voice and vote. However, delegates from congregations with inactive units will still have a chair with voice! The convention delegates will concern themselves with election of officers, approval of the biennial budget, election of delegates to the churchwide convention in 2008, and other matters that come up. However, ALL WOMEN (men, too, if they’d like) are invited to attend the interesting workshops, worship services and banquet. Attached to this newsletter are the official “Call to Convention” document and the “Registration” form for this convention. Coming soon, to a mailbox near you, will be a packet of convention forms for nominations, scholarships, balloting procedures and resolutions. Please, be sure to route these important documents to the appropriate women in leadership in your congregation. Thank you for your attention, Suzanne Bartells,
President |
|
By Pastor Clint
Schnekloth, Ako Hasegawa of LIRS in Milwaukee partners with me, the LIRS Ambassador in our synod, to find ways for our congregations to be involved in the ministry of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS). Frequently, we invite congregations to provide direct financial support to newly arriving refugees. Some LIRS affiliates across the country have developed a program to help newly arriving refugees in another way. Those of you who have ever rented an apartment are familiar with the phenomenon of the “security deposit.” It’s a lot of money to pay out up front when you’ve arrived in the U.S. with very little. What LIRS in Milwaukee is inviting our congregations to do is to help fund a rolling security deposit account for refugees. Each time a new family arrives, this account could be used to cover their security deposit. Then, when they move on to other housing (which they usually do), the security deposit would revert back to the rolling account to cover future security deposits. Ako writes, “Considering the number of the families that LSS sponsored this year and the average rent, we are thinking to collect about $6,000 for the security deposit account. Any amount that the churches in the Madison area can provide will be greatly appreciated…” So, here’s my challenge. I’d like to see the congregations of our synod contribute $6000 to this security deposit account. Would you please consider making a gift to the account? Maybe you have funds in a good Samaritan fund, or a memorial account that could be used for this purpose, or maybe your church council would like to designate an amount towards this cause. Please send me your pledge of support by e-mail or phone. I promise to follow up with information on the families these security deposits help resettle. When you ask for this money, you could also do some education and interpretation of the ministry of LIRS in your congregation. Please visit www.lirs.org for lots of good information. Also, I am happy to visit your congregation to provide more information regarding LIRS and its work. |
| Top of Page Top of Newsletter |
| PAGE 10 | FEBRUARY 2007 |
|
Lakeview Lutheran Church, Madison, offers a monthly senior forum with lunch and a speaker. Upcoming programs, which are free and open to the public, include: “The Great Story We Find Ourselves In”—Exploring the connections between the Biblical story and the stories of our lives. Special guest presenter: Pastor David Keesey-Berg, ELCA, professional storyteller Tuesday, Feb. 13 “North side history”—An historical slide show down Sherman Avenue, Northport Drive and Troy Drive, plus an interactive discussion about the north side. Bring your stories and photos! Special guest presenter: Ann Waidelich, retired Madison Public Library librarian Tuesday, March 13 For more information contact Anne Tigan at (608) 244-6181. |
|
February 1
Cluster Conveners, Synod Office, 1 p.m. |
| Top of Page Top of Newsletter |
|
PAGE 11 FEBRUARY 2007 |
|
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: Feb. 3/4—God of beginnings, bless the new ministries of the NELC Recording Studio in India. We praise you for your Spirit’s work in bringing people to newness of faith through this radio ministry. Empower and uphold the staff to encourage the “young in faith” in their continuing walk and commitment. Feb. 10/11—Dear God, you seek unity and peace in all the world. We pray for those NELC leaders who will direct the work of the SHALOM Recording Studio in Assam, India, as they begin new programming to the Boroni tribal peoples this month. Feb. 17/18—God of infinite patience, you call each of us to “wait patiently” on you. You give us your gifts in due season. Grant patience and hope to the staff at the NELC Don Bosco School as they wait for the official documentation of the government’s affiliation for their school. Feb. 24/25—Dear God, you have endured the cross to intersect our lives with grace and forgiveness. Grant vision to the congregation at Parkijuli to “lift high the cross” in reaching people in Assam and in neighboring Bhutan with the Good News. Prayers composed by Naomi Torkelson based on her return visit to the NELC, September through November of last year. The Companion Synod Team for SCSW Global Connections Ministry provides monthly petitions. |
|
Labyrinth walks
at the Madison Christian Community, 7118 Old Sauk Road, are open to the
public. Upcoming walks include: |
|
The Wisconsin Council of
Churches announces two upcoming events: “Exploring the Mystery of Breaking Bread,” presented by Dr. John K. Leonard, professor of religious studies at Edgewood College, Madison, will be held Feb. 7 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Madison. For more information on these and other events, visit www.wichurches.org. |
|
Make your bishop carbon neutral! While we were experiencing a non-white Christmas, and perhaps the effects of global warming, we were also fighting to reverse the trend by continuing to offset Bishop Carlson’s driving for the synod. In November and December, he logged 1,016 miles of driving, which means his car emitted about 1,500 pounds of carbon dioxide. For a donation of $4.13 through CarbonFund.org we have reduced 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 Those old LBWs: Not for the landfill As we begin receiving and using new ELW hymnals, the question arises of what to do with those LBWs that have served faithfully for the last 28 years. The ELCA Worship office has a few suggestions: The best suggestion for their continued life is to offer them to members of the congregation, perhaps especially those who donated them or in whose honor they were given. At St. Stephen’s in Monona, we are suggesting that people who wish to take an LBW home make a donation in any amount that will help the ELCA develop new congregations. The question comes up whether other congregations may be able to use the old books. So far little has been found in that way, neither in places like New Orleans nor overseas through Global Missions. Even with the arrival of new ELWs, you may want to keep at least some of your LBWs for occasional use. If you still have LBWs left after that, recycle those old books to give new life to something that has served so faithfully. |
|
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. |
| Top of Page Top of Newsletter |
