Volume 18, Issue 1
FEBRUARY 2006
The South-Central Newsletter
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Volume 18, Issue 1 |
FEBRUARY 2006 |
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The South-Central Newsletter
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NEWS |
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IN THIS EDITION Good News about the Fund for Leaders Meeting for Youth and Family Ministry Synod Council Endorses NELC School Synod Response to Stoughton Disasters Inserts |
From Pastor George Carlson, Bishop
Jesus did not hide his light. He publicly dealt with illness and isolation, hunger and hatred, oppression and injustice. He challenged people’s priorities and motivations. He exposed the hurts and longings of rich and poor, male and female, Jew and non-Jew alike. In early January I participated in the annual Bishops’ Academy, a continuing education event to strengthen us bishops in fulfilling our call. The theme centered on “Leadership Development for a Public Church.” I realize that my leadership style seldom moves me into the public arena beyond the church. That event made me examine my role, the role of pastors and other rostered leaders, the role of congregational leaders, indeed, the role of all Christians in speaking and taking action in the public arena. I sense I need to step forward more boldly. In the service for Affirmation of Baptism, the pastor asks, “Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in Holy Baptism…to strive for peace and justice in all the earth?” When we answer, “I do, and I ask God to help and guide me,” we declare our intention and state that we need help in fulfilling that awesome responsibility of being peace-makers and justice-seekers as God’s light-bearers in this world [it was Jesus who said to his followers, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14a)]. I need your counsel and encouragement to speak and act. Our society faces many issues that call for justice. Health care, poverty, quality education, treatment of immigrants, political corruption, war and peace, discrimination for any reason, priorities in use of tax dollars, care for creation…you could add to the list. We may be immobilized to find our voices or to take action because the issues seem so large. We may fear personal or professional repercussions. We realize other followers of Jesus see alternative ways of working for justice. We can share our concerns and our interest, our hopes and our fears with each other. We can read ELCA social statements adopted at Churchwide assemblies at http://www.elca.org/churchinsociety/; they address several important issues. Jesus, the Light of the world, spoke clearly about justice informed by love, aware that others disagreed, aware that he faced repercussions. He faced his fears and forged ahead, for he trusted God was with him no matter what. May God’s Spirit give us wisdom and boldness to work as public leaders for the good of all! “…send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light!” (With One Voice, #651)
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FEBRUARY 2006 |
Workshops set for LEAD 2006 |
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LEAD 2006 will be held Feb. 25 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Madison. This year’s workshops include: “Seven Responses to Conflict” by Norma Cook Everist A complete listing of workshops, times and descriptions will be sent to congregations—keep an eye out for that! Several workshops will be offered more than once during the three workshop times. Please register for LEAD and pay ahead of time, if possible. A registration form is on the Synod Web site (www.scsw-elca.org) and is included with the packet to the congregations. Call the Synod Office with any questions. See you February 25! |
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The South-Central Synod of Wisconsin Fund for Leaders in Mission was established in 2004. As of Sept. 30, 2005, the ELCA has received $21,163 for the synod fund. When the total reaches $25,000, scholarships for seminary students from our synod can be granted. Scholarships will begin when we receive $3,837 more! Gifts can be sent to the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, designated “Fund for Leaders in Mission,” or to the ELCA Foundation, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631, designated “South-Central Synod of Wisconsin Fund for Leaders in Mission.” Thanks to all who have given to help support future leaders in mission. |
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By
Michael Rehak People in our culture live in a time of high anxiety. Much of our anxiety is self-induced. We work hard at making our lives full and busy. And when family and job are not enough we allow politicians to control us with fear. When we go to church we want to be comforted and soothed. We do not want more anxiety. We don’t want to be confronted with variations to the liturgy, unfamiliar hymns, or the Lord’s Prayer in any form other than the one Jesus used; King James English. Jesus is teaching his disciples about the reality of receiving him in what we call Holy Communion. It is a new concept for them; one that will be life-changing as they participate and experience the spiritual realities. But how do the disciples respond to these new thoughts? They complain, “These are hard words, who can listen to them?” (John 6:60.) I was talking with a pastor about why she did not help the congregation engage in stewardship education in a more direct way. She responded that a number of the families in the congregation were overextended financially and discussion about giving would make them uncomfortable. She is not alone. If we leave worship and don’t have some anxiety, have we really allowed ourselves to be embraced by the love of Jesus Christ? If we seek only reassurance of God’s love through consistency and don’t hear God challenging the unhealthy nature of our lifestyles, have we really allowed ourselves to be embraced by the love of Jesus Christ? Dr. Bill Streng, a professor of mine at Wartburg Seminary, would frequently say, “Learning produces anxiety.” Jesus was a teacher. Jesus would create a healthy level of anxiety in people. For us to be embraced by Jesus means that our unhealthy behaviors, habits and practices are put on a balance and weighed against who and what we are called to be as new creations in Christ. In worship, Bible study and Christian fellowship we learn new options and expectations for the way we live our lives. Jesus was not about making people feel comfortable with where they were in life. Jesus is about confronting us with new teaching, which causes anxiety for the sake of healthier, balanced lives. Our lives are in continual need for amendment. None of us has fully arrived as a Christian. We are still learning. Luther said that Baptism is a daily renewal. Anxiety is necessary for survival. Life is constantly changing. Anxiety is the warning system that has been built into us. It tells us that we have been confronted with something to which we must pay attention. To try to create a life free from anxiety is a recipe for death. To try to create a community that gathers with no anxiety is impossible. When we experience something at church that makes us uncomfortable, our tendency is to be judgmental and critical. The better part of wisdom would rather have us say, “I am not sure about that. It makes me feel uncomfortable. What would God have me learn?” At his ascension, Jesus commanded his disciples to go and make disciples by teaching them. In the name of Jesus Christ we are to be about creating life-giving anxiety in others. Bishop Krister Stendhal would remind seminarians that in following Jesus’ example, they are being called to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable. Allow yourself to be confronted with a new thought.... enjoy the anxiety; it’s life!
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Free training: Send a youth leader from your congregation to be trained in core principles and practices of youth and family ministry at Wartburg Seminary’s Center for Youth Ministries. We are now accepting applications for the 2005-2006 team. Shaping Future Leaders Day: Mark your calendars now for our “Shaping Future Leaders Day” on March 9. This year we will have Dr. David Anderson as our speaker. Anderson serves as the director for Home and Congregational Renewal at The Youth and Family Institute in Bloomington, Minn., and is co-author of “Frogs without Legs Can’t Hear.” This event will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Sun Prairie. Pastors are expected and youth leaders and congregation presidents are highly encouraged to attend. Watch for more details and your invitation. Congregation presentations: A team of certified youth and family ministry presenters will come to your congregation. We will excite and educate your congregational leaders in a vision for youth and family ministry. Information: For more information contact Kay Enslin, Assistant to the Bishop for Raising Up the Next Generation of the ELCA at the Synod Office. The “Raising Up Leaders” initiative is sponsored by the generous grant from the Siebert Lutheran Foundation. Certification school for youth workers Certification schools will be held May 22-June 9, and Sept. 11-29, 2006, on the Wartburg Seminary campus in Dubuque, Iowa. Wartburg Seminary’s Center for Youth Ministries, in an expanded partnership with the Youth and Family Institute, will conduct the schools. A third certification school will take place at Rainbow Trail Camp in Colorado. The dates are Oct. 31-Nov. 17, 2006. Preparing lay volunteers and youth workers is the focus of the 16-day training for those doing youth and family ministry. The class offers solid Biblical and Lutheran theological foundations along with practical ideas for application for connecting with children, youth and parents and caring adults. To learn more, visit www.wartburgseminary.edu or call (563) 589-0220. Sabbath Day for rostered leaders The pre-Lenten Sabbath Day for rostered leaders will be held Feb. 12-13 at the Bishop O’Connor Pastoral Center in Madison. Retreatants may come either Sunday evening or Monday
morning and stay as long as they like on Monday. There will be time for
shared prayer and conversation, but most of the day will be devoted to
individual time. Seibert money is still available so costs are minimal—only
$20 for those who stay overnight and $10 for those who come only on Monday.
Send your payment to the Synod Office. If you have questions, contact Pastor
Chris Lee-Thompson at (608) 222-0422 or |
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By Lisa Nelson This may be a radical thought, but how about teaching some new prayer practices during Lenten worship this year? Here are three, ancient prayer practices that may be new to people in your congregation. 1. Lectio Divina: Read a passage of the Bible out loud and invite those gathered to sit with that passage for a moment. Then read it again and invite them to share a word or phrase that comes to them. (They could all speak at once or take turns.) Read the passage again and invite them to reflect on how this word or phrase connects to their lives or their day. Then invite them to share what they have discovered with one or two people near by. 2. The Jesus Prayer: Repeat this sentence over and over while breathing from your diaphragm: “Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Perhaps you could incorporate this prayer into a Lenten litany, as well as have people pray it silently at a particular time during worship. 3. Awareness Examen: Look over your day and reflect on the moments when you were most grateful and least grateful. Or reflect on the high points and low points of the day. Or ask yourself when did I feel most alive today and when did I feel least alive today. End your prayer time by thanking God for God’s presence and for the day’s blessings. So what does this have to do with youth and family ministry? Back in 1997, the late Mike Yaconelli founded The Youth Ministry Spirituality Project. Their mission: to nurture Christian communities “that are attentive to God’s presence, discerning of the Spirit, and that accompany young people on the way to Jesus.” Learn more at www.ymsp.org/resources/practices They believe that the crucial task of youth ministry is to nurture the capacity for experiencing God’s presence. Through this experience, young people can deepen their relationship with God and others. This project encourages adults who work with youth to move from projects and activities to a process of discerning God’s presence within them and within others. Ultimately, the goal of youth ministry is not contemplation but leading young people in following Jesus. The Youth Ministry Spirituality Project believes that contemplative spirituality is the best way to do this. Contemplative spirituality is a response to the yearning of young people to connect with what matters: the God of Jesus Christ. |
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Youth and family ministry workers—part time, full time, or volunteer—are invited to a quarterly meeting on Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon. We will hear about the Youth Ministry Extravaganza, which will have just taken place. We also will share resources and ideas, as well as support one another in our work. We will meet at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 5701 Raymond Road on the west side of Madison. From the beltline, take the Whitney Way exit. Go south on Whitney Way. The church is at the corner of Whitney Way and Raymond Road. Call (608) 271-6633. Call or e-mail Pastor Lisa Nelson, Assistant to the Bishop for Youth and Family Ministry, with any questions at (608) 834-8412 or nelsonkosky@aol.com |
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By Lori Richardson Mission Support: Nov.
2005 $133,652 I trust you all had a safe and happy holiday season. Money for the end of the year is still coming in at the beginning of January, so I hope our numbers will be up in my next report. Many congregations choose to send their benevolence at the end of the year, so that will cause our numbers to be a bit lower than expected. However, we have been behind for most of the year. Please make sure your congregation has sent in its benevolence for 2005 and its Statement of Intent for 2006. |
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2006 is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Christian martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer’s witness against the death-oriented culture of Nazi Germany has much to teach us about faithful discipleship in today’s world. The Synod Peace Through Nonviolent Action Committee would like to encourage congregations to use the Bonhoeffer centennial year to become more familiar with Bonhoeffer. The recently released video, “Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Pacifist and Nazi Resister,” is an excellent way to begin. It weaves conversations with Bonhoeffer’s friends and students together with fascinating footage of historical events in a way that mesmerizes the viewer while demonstrating the remarkable unity of Bonhoeffer’s life and theology. The video will be shown on public television in the spring. It is also available for purchase through Augsburg/Fortress Publishing Company for $19.95 and from the Synod Resource Center for use in congregations. Another resource that would be good to use with the video is the article “The Steep Price of Grace” by ELCA theologian and Union Theological Professor, Larry Rasmussen. This article appeared in the February issue of Sojourners Magazine. |
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Beginning Process and/or in interims: Norway Grove, DeForest; St. Paul/St. John, Mazomanie—Supply James Schwarz; Bonnet Prairie, Rio—Interim Dean Phillips; Wisconsin Heights Parish—Interims Ted Kalkwarf and John Shep Study Process: Faith, Columbus (Associate); ELC, Mt. Horeb—Interim David Keesey-Berg; Immanuel, Mount Horeb—Interim Timothy Vadis; St. John’s, Oregon—Interim Kari Vadis; First English, Platteville—Interim Terry Larson; Bristol, Sun Prairie—Interim Larry Pinnow Interviewing candidates: St. John’s, Beaver Dam—Interim Rich Collier; St. John, Evansville—Interim Brad Pohlman; Hope, Milton—Interim Jerald Wendt; Immanuel, Watertown; Trinity, Pell Lake (Associate) In Transition:
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The Rev. Mary Kay Baum, a pastor in our synod and recently retired director of the Madison-area Urban Ministry, received a City of Madison Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award for 2006. The annual award is given to individuals who have made outstanding and significant contributions in the spirit of brotherhood, sisterhood and harmony toward making Madison an ideal place to live. Baum was citied for her outstanding leadership of Madison-area Urban Ministry. She also has served on the City of Madison’s Housing Committee, the Board of Public Welfare, HOMES (Housing Means Sheltered) for low-income housing advocacy, the Rainbow Coalition, the Dane Fund and the Human and Spiritual Concerns Committee of the Downtown Kiwanis Club. “Mary Kay Baum has been a community leader on a remarkable range of social justice issues for decades,” said Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz. Dr. Rosemary Lehman, a member of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Monona, received the 2005 UW-Extension Award for Excellence. The honor highlighted her accomplishments in the areas of leadership and distance education. During the award presentation, Lehman was described as “an exceptional, dedicated educator who has helped thousands of higher education, K-12, government and business professionals effectively incorporate technology into their teaching, learning and training environments.” Lehman is currently manager of the Instructional Design Team for Instructional Communications Systems, University of Wisconsin-Extension at The Pyle Center. |
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Grace Lutheran Church, Monroe, includes a calendar for the month in its newsletter listing baptism anniversaries of members. In November, First Lutheran Church, Stoughton, recognized 75-, 50- and 25-year confirmation anniversaries. A photo of the group appeared in its newsletter and they went out to a restaurant for brunch after the service. For Christmas, members of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pell Lake, prepared “Care Baskets” to deliver to families in the area. Two dozen students collected quilts, turkeys and food, which were wrapped up in baskets and then delivered to families before Christmas Day. Members of Trinity also collected more than 200 Christmas presents for children in the community, sent 130 hand-made cross necklaces with prayer books to soldiers in Iraq, gave hundreds of dollars in gift certificates to the needy and presented a Christmas musical to over 900 spectators. The cross necklaces were created by the men of Trinity. If you would like your loved one to receive a free cross/booklet from Trinity, please contact the church and they will make a set available for your serviceman or woman. Call the church office at (262) 279-3052. Kathy Ulrich, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Waupun, will cut her hair “for the right price” in order to benefit the congregation’s youth going to the ELCA Youth Gathering in July. The hair will go to “Locks of Love,” which makes wigs for children who lose their hair during cancer treatment. Members of the congregation have been encouraged to make pledges and Ulrich will let donors know when “the price is right.” |
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First English Lutheran Church, Platteville, will host a “'Walk Through the Bible” (New Testament) on Feb. 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The cost is $15/person ($50 max/family). Contact the church office at felcoffice@centurytel.net or (608) 348-3022 for more information. |
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Synod Council endorses NELC school |
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By Solveig Carlson At their December meeting, the Synod Council responded unanimously to an appeal by members of the Companion Synod team by making a grant of $9,000 to the Don Bosco School in Dumka, Jharkhand (state), India. The appeal came from the leadership of the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church (NELC) in India in a post-consultation discussion of SCSW and NELC representatives in Chennai (Madras) in early October. Moderator Shiblal Soren and NELC Executive Secretary Saroj Jha shared that two priorities of their ministry are the Don Bosco School and the Rural Development program. The Don Bosco School is an English-medium school owned and operated by our companions, the NELC. The school has been operating under a three-year provisional affiliation with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi. In March, they will apply for permanent affiliation, at which time they must fulfill a list of pre-requisites. The last, and final pre-requisite on their list, is to have paid in full the deficit owed ($9,000) for the pension/retirement benefit for their staff. Principal Rosemary Hembrom stated that permanent affiliation is essential for the future growth of this school. Just as in the United States, school certification is highly-regarded. The NELC Don Bosco School is situated on the campus of the NELC. The foundation was laid in 1989 by Mrs. Paulina Beck, the wife of Mr. Julius Beck, Commissioner of Dumka. Her desire was to have a school with “good Christian background.” She named the school Don Bosco, after a Catholic priest who single-handedly battled to save the children of the streets. This project inspired the formation of “salesians,” one of the largest childcare networks of the world. The school was started in an old hostel with permission of Moderator, the Most Rev. Sagenen Kisku. When Commissioner Beck was transferred to another location, it became difficult to manage the school and it was “handed over” to the NELC. During Hembrom’s tenure as principal (since June 20, 2000), the school has made great strides to bring the school into compliance with governmental expectations. Each day begins and ends with prayer. Hembrom has brought discipline, good order and rapport among students and staff. “It hasn’t been without difficulty and resistance at times,” she confided to two synod members who took the trip to Chennai. “But with God’s help, we are succeeding!” The goal is to build a hostel to house 75 boys and 75 girls from villages who now live in temporary quarters in the classrooms during the school week. “This is an outreach ministry of the NELC,” stated Bishop Soren. Currently, the enrollment stands at 436, an increase of 85 over the previous year. Grade levels cover ages 6-15, and last March the school started a kindergarten for ages 3-5. Assembly offerings (as designated) and other donations will be returned to the synod treasury to “replenish” the reserve fund from which the funds were advanced. |
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Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc., invites you to attend an informational meeting about their Guatemala Adoption program on Monday, Feb. 13, at 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the LSS offices, 5 Odana Court, Madison. Please call (608) 270-6653 if you plan to attend. |
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At the Joint-Synod Consultation in Chennai, India, Oct. 11-12, 2005, eight persons drafted a covenant to declare vision, mission and objectives for partnership in ministry between the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin-ELCA and the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church in India. After sessions of asset-mapping, Mr. Jha, Executive Secretary of the NELC, stated, “We came to this conference thinking we were poor. We now know that we are rich!” Thus, it was, as gifts, both personal and corporate, were uncovered, the “delegates” from half-way around the world discovered in themselves and in each other ways to “build bridges” for mutual ministry. As the word “companion” for our Indian friends denotes a mistress, we agreed to define our relationship as “walking partners.” As “walking partners” we will 3 be a part of the vision, life and mission goals of one another; 3 be renewed and empowered in faith and commitment to mission by one another’s witness to Christ; 3 be educated and challenged by encounters with one another’s joys and sorrows; 3 encourage one another to participate in each other’s ministries through prayer, communication, and exchange of resources and people. For a complete text of the covenant, see the insert in this issue of The South-Central. |
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Are you longing for something that gives meaning to your existence? Do you yearn for new challenges and horizons? The ELCA Division for Global Mission invites you to imagine yourself in the world. If you are retired, nearing retirement, or you are a young person looking for your calling in life, you may want to consider becoming an ELCA Global Mission volunteer. Opportunities range from two to three months to two years in length. There are openings for nurses, physical therapists and doctors, ESL instructors, English teachers, librarians, math and science teachers, religion teachers and music instructors, communication assistants, computer science/trainers, counselors, mechanic/electricians, supply managers and more. Terms of service begin during the summer of 2006. Positions are available in Germany, Lithuania, Tanzania, India, Liberia, Singapore, Slovakia, Ethiopia, China, El Salvador, Hong Kong, Russia, Peru, and many, many other countries around the world. As a mission volunteer you receive housing, medical insurance, an orientation and a visa. Volunteers are responsible for their own airfare and local living costs; some sites may provide a local stipend. Start dates vary according to assignment, but many assignments begin in the summer of 2006. To find out more about these opportunities to use your gifts to serve God and others around the globe, visit www.elca.org/globalserve or globalserve@elca.org. |
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On Sunday, March 12, Faith Lutheran Church, Walworth, will open its doors from 1 to 4 p.m. to celebrate and share with the community their new sanctuary and gathering space. A brief service of dedication will begin at 2:30 p.m. |
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By Pastor Bill Lehman With a sense of gratitude I report to you as the bishop’s appointee to serve as the synod’s coordinator of immediate relief efforts for the Stoughton community. The fire that destroyed Christ Lutheran Church and the tornados that ravaged the area took place within days of each other last August. Despite the devastation of both events, I am pleased to report that our local ELCA congregations as well as Lutherans from the South-Central synod of Wisconsin responded in a phenomenal way. To date, we have received almost $30,000 that was designated for tornado victims, Christ Lutheran Church or the Martin Luther Christian School (MLCS) that was housed at Christ Lutheran. Over 100 households from First Lutheran made disaster relief contributions. They were joined by more than 125 households from various churches throughout our synod in making donations. The following table illustrates how the gifts were designated. Tornado Victims: $16,056 It is also helpful to note that… *44 families from Christ, Covenant, First and West Koshkonong Lutheran churches received financial assistance in the form of gift certificates from the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce. *All of the money for Christ Lutheran and MLCS was forwarded to those organizations. *Around $3,000 is still available in the Tornado Victim fund. Since victims no longer need assistance, it is likely that these funds will be given to the Red Cross, Salvation Army and/or Stoughton Area Resource Team (START). Note from Bishop Carlson: Thanks to Pastor Lehman for coordinating this response effort. In addition to the distribution of funds that Pastor Lehman managed, the synod received and forwarded $15,779.75 directly to Christ Lutheran and $1,000.00 to MLCS in response to the fire that destroyed their building. Thanks to all who shared so generously!
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Justice, that is! When you consider buying candy for your loved ones this Valentine’s Day, think about making it a bar or basket of fairly traded chocolate. Fairly traded Equal Exchange chocolate bars come in a variety of flavors: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate with hazelnuts and white chocolate. Bars come in either 1.5 ounce or 3.5 ounce packages. Purchasing fairly traded items ensures that those who produce these products receive a fair price for their labors. It’s a great way of doing justice in the world. Cocoa is one of the world’s most traded and speculated commodities, but the vast majority of the money that cocoa earns goes to the middlemen, not to the growers. Often farmers are forced to sell their harvest for less than the cost of production, or for just slightly more, leaving little money for their families. Low prices can mean poverty and even child slavery for many families in West Africa, tainting chocolate with the bitterness of social injustice. So, when you’re thinking about that rich, creamy taste that chocolate brings to young and old, remember to shop for fairly traded chocolate. Include some Fair Trade organic cocoa in your Valentine basket so you can brew a cup of hot, sweet cocoa that’s perfect for our cold winter nights. And, while you’re at it, why not add a box of Equal Exchange tea: green, Earl Grey, or English Breakfast. All these items can be purchased online from www.equalexchange.com or lwr.org/handcraft and go to LWR Chocolate Project. |
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Scott Austin, Associate with the Bishop for Mission Support and Outreach, resigned from the synod staff effective Jan. 31. Commenting on Austin’s departure, Bishop George Carlson said, “I am saddened by Scott’s departure from our staff. He brought deep commitment to broaden the outreach of our congregations in our synod, a strong desire to begin new ministries, and a passion to help congregations and members see stewardship as a lifestyle of giving that grows out of God’s grace active in our lives.” “I thank God for the work he did among us,” Carlson continued. “I trust that Scott will discern the Spirit’s leading as he discerns future service as a follower of Jesus.” |
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The Center for Congregational Leadership (CCL) offers the following learning opportunities for lay and rostered leaders throughout the synod. These events focus on topics and practices relevant to congregational life and mission. The center encourages pastors to contact Director Jim Bailey or the presenters themselves to arrange for hosting one of the workshops or the mini-course described below. The date and location for the event (plus an appropriate honorarium) needs to be arranged with presenter. Workshop: “Conflict
Transformation Skills for Churches” This workshop was designed by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Institute and includes four basic components: discussion of the nature and role of conflict (including biblical materials), understanding one’s own response to conflict, developing interpersonal peacemaking skills, and understanding congregational conflict. This workshop is suitable for council retreats, a Saturday workshop, or as part of an ongoing educational series. Buchan has participated in the “conflict transformation” program since 1999, and has engaged in additional training at the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center. For a detailed schedule, contact Bailey or Buchan. Workshop:
“Congregational Visioning Process” This workshop explains the approach and provides the materials necessary to lead a congregation through a 10-week visioning process, which includes a vision statement retreat and ways of implementing the vision into the life of the congregation. Inglett, who has developed and led this process effectively in his current congregation, also teaches in the Lay School of Ministry. To learn more, contact Bailey or Inglett. 5-Week Course: “The
Power of Nonviolence: From Jesus to Gandhi and Beyond” This five-week course begins by focusing on the role of nonviolence in Jesus’ ministry and the early church before considering nonviolence as a political strategy in the 19th and 20th centuries (e.g., Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.). Resources include the ELCA Social Statement For Peace in God’s World and the Wisconsin Council of Churches’ Statement on Nonviolence. The course includes the viewing of several inspiring documentaries on the subject. Folk served as Director of Church in Society, ELCA, pastored at St. John’s in Madison, and led the Wisconsin Council of Churches. Now retired, he teaches in the Lay School of Ministry and coordinates adult education at Luther Memorial Church in Madison. For more information, contact Bailey or Folk. Dr. Jim Bailey, Director of CCL, can be reached at (563) 557-1793 or jimjudybailey@mwci.net |
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The Lay School of Ministry held a Service of Completion for seven students who completed the two-year course of classes. They were recognized Dec. 10 at St. James Lutheran Church, Verona, with Bishop Carlson presiding. The following people were supported by their noted congregations and completed courses for personal enrichment or to pursue further work in ministry: David Nelsestuen, considering ordained ministry and the possibility of entering seminary sometime in 2006. Gudie Huston, personal enrichment at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Oregon. Karen Tribbey, working toward Congregationally Recognized Partner in Ministry designation at Burke Lutheran Church, Madison, where she is currently working as the Ministries Coordinator. Sandra Schieble, working as a Congregationally Recognized Partner in Ministry with an emphasis on the older adult at Faith Lutheran Church, Columbus. David Netz, working toward the pursuit of the Great Commission at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Madison. Beth Smith, working with unchurched children in partnership with St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Cassville. Linda O’Leary, working toward Associate in Ministry with a youth and family emphasis. Member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Evansville. |
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Feb. 3 Candidacy Committee at Synod Office Upcoming events: |
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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. |
