JULY 2007
The South-Central
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JULY 2007 |
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The South-Central
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IN THIS
EDITION
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From the Bishop St. Augustine
said it first: You will read this “after the fact,” but I am writing it “before the fact.” The fact is New Bishops’ Orientation and Formation during the last week of June. It’s the “crash course” before I take office July 1. Agendas and revised agendas have been coming my way in paper envelopes and through the waves of cyber space for weeks. I’ve been paying attention to each revision and update. Here are some of my observations about what I imagine awaits me: four very intense and long days infusing heaps of information with parades of people whose names, titles, job descriptions, locations and expectations I must learn quickly, and policies, manuals, constitutions, strategies, initiatives and handbooks to be digested along with boxed sandwiches at working lunches. Somewhere in my instructions I have been told to bring along an empty suitcase to pack up all the reading materials I will have to take home. Well, we’ll see. Together many of us in this synod are wondering—pastors, synod staff, congregations, partner ministries, councils and committees—what exactly is in store, what’s coming, where are we going? What vision? What mission? What agenda? I have some ideas—you’ll be hearing about them. I am very excited about our calling to be the Church together and I will be doing my best to share that excitement with you. But first let me tell you one more thing that I observed printed on the agenda I received: days packed full but starting and ending, always, with Scripture, worship and prayer. What we will be doing, not only for four days of orientation in June but in all of our days ahead, together, here as Christ’s own, called to be the Church, will be centered and focused from the beginning to the ending with what matters the most. When Augustine found out that he had been elected bishop he said: “I have to read the Bible before I do this.” It was a wise decision. So now as we begin this time together, I make a commitment to you and will ask for the same from you, that as we set out, together, we begin and end with the source of inspiration: scripture, worship and prayer. And then just see what we can do! For Christ’s sake, Your Bishop, Bruce Burnside
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On behalf of the synod council, executive committee and synod treasurer, thanks to all congregations who submitted “mission support intents” (pledges for congregational benevolence giving to the synod and churchwide ELCA) for 2007-2008. To date, we have received approximately 110 “intents” from congregations (out of 149 congregations). Several congregations have annual meetings in the summer, so will have their pledge amount after that. Receipt of these commitment amounts is important to realistic financial planning by the synod executive committee and council. So, thanks to each congregation that has assisted in the fiscal management of the synod and the churchwide ELCA. |
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Are you interested in a singles small group? Then check out “Spiritual Solos” at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Madison. The group is open to all, men and women, whether you are divorced, widowed or just plain unattached. The group meets twice a month, usually on Friday evenings. The first meeting of the month includes viewing a DVD from the Spiritual Nooma series, followed by discussion and a meal. The second gathering of the month is a social event. For more information, including a schedule of upcoming events, please either call or e-mail Sue Launder at (608) 274-1812 or sue.launder@spectrumbrands.com. |
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The Global Connections Ministry Peace Team will meet Saturday, July 21, at San Damiano’s Friary in Monona. The business meeting starts at 9 a.m. At 10:30, meeting participants will view the film “Ghosts of Abu Grahib” and a discussion will follow. This is as a follow up to the Resolution Against Torture adopted by the Synod Assembly in May. (Text of the synod resolution is at http://www.scsw-elca.org/2007%20Assembly%20Resolutions.htm). Discussion at the meeting will include consideration of joining the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, which states: “Torture violates the basic dignity of the human person that all religions, in their highest ideals, hold dear. It degrades everyone involved—policy-makers, perpetrators and victims. It contradicts our nation’s most cherished ideals. Any policies that permit torture and inhumane treatment are shocking and morally intolerable. Nothing less is at stake in the torture abuse crisis than the soul of our nation.” (See http://www.nrcat.org/statement.aspx) For more information about the meeting, contact Bonnie Block at (608) 256-5088 or bblock@charter.net. |
| The information and articles in this newsletter may be reproduced in congregational newsletters unless otherwise indicated. Electronic copy can be downloaded from www.scsw-elca.org. |
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By Rolfe Nervig It may be the
middle of summer, but please mark the congregation calendar and inform
congregation leaders about the “In Mission Together” gatherings scheduled in
September for five locations throughout the synod: · Saturday, Sept. 29, 10 a.m., Deerfield Lutheran · Saturday, Sept. 29, 2 p.m. (location TBA) · Saturday, Oct. 13, 10 a.m., Faith Lutheran, Columbus · Saturday, Oct. 13, 2 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran, Janesville These gatherings will be opportunities to raise awareness of the ministries that we carry out together through the synod and the churchwide ELCA. There will be small group discussions for congregational leaders, including members of stewardship teams. Leaders who should plan on attending include: pastors, other rostered leaders, congregational presidents, vice presidents, treasurers and stewardship committee people. |
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As we have promised, we continue to uphold our global family and companions in faith of the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church-India. Please include these in your personal prayers and in the corporate prayers of your congregation. July 1—We thank you for making possible the visit of Rosemary Hembrom and the Rev. Lucia Tudu, which helped bind us ever closer to our Christian family in the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church in India. July 8—Guide and protect the students of the Don Bosco School in the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church in India as they resume studies after a month’s vacation. May they and their teachers be refreshed and ready to study again. July 15—Give energy and vision to those of the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church in India who are planning for visitors from our South Central Synod of Wisconsin this October. July 22—Open our hearts to ways of connecting with our family of believers in the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church in India. You know our gifts and theirs. Help us find ways to share. July 29—Be with Sanchita Kisku as she arrives from the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church of India for two years of study at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. Give us generous hearts as we support her financially in her endeavors to become a better leader for her church. |
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Mission Support:
May 2007
$ 139,730 |
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The Outreach committee of the synod has begun planning the fall outreach event around the theme “Growing Life-giving Communities of Faith.” It will be held Saturday, Nov. 3, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The keynote presentation will be offered by Pastor Greg Meyer and some folks from Jacob’s Well church in Minneapolis. Jacob’s Well describes itself as “… under construction and always will be … re-inventing church for people who don’t like church” in order to “lead our neighbors into life changing relationships with Jesus Christ”. The event will be held at a popular recreational destination—the Kalahari Resort and Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells. Those people who wish to have a relaxing get-away can add an overnight stay at the Kalahari if they wish. Breakout sessions
will include the following topics:
· Spiritual Leadership with a Governing Board · Java, Jazz, and Jesus · Reaching Men with the Good News · Contemporary Worship in a Traditional Setting More information and registration details will follow in upcoming months, but this is a preliminary notice so congregational leaders can begin planning for it and put it on the schedule. |
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Beginning process
and/or in interims:
Study process:
Awaiting
name/interviewing candidates:
Recommended a
candidate:
In transition: |
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To find out, join Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Madison, on Wednesday, July 18, 5:45 p.m. at the West Campus (corner of Hwy PD and Nine Mound Road, Verona). Invite your friends to help fill the multi-purpose room with both men and women to welcome guest speaker Karl Mulle, a psychotherapist in private practice with over 17 years of experience as an adult educator. Mulle, a Minnesotan, will share his often humorous insight about relationships. He speaks on a number of topics dealing with communication, performance, leadership, vision, creativity, teamwork and change management. Why Are Women So Strange and Men So Weird? will show how “men and women speak a different language; how they make decisions differently; how they think differently.” Mulle will also touch on how to “reduce misunderstandings and increase interpersonal effectiveness, as well as how to develop strategies to increase communication performance in the office.” The evening will include dinner, music, drama and discussion. Although this is a Women’s Ministry Event, all men are invited to attend. You need NOT be in a relationship or attend with your partner to benefit from Karl Mulle’s sharing. There is no cost for this event, but a free will offering will be taken. Please RSVP by contacting Diane Cali at dcali@gslcwi.com or (608) 271-6633 x 105 no later than July 13. |
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The next Synod Youth Workers Meeting is Thursday, August 14, at 10:00 a.m. at the Synod Office. All people who work with youth are invited and encouraged to attend. Then, mark your calendar for the First Annual Youth Workers Retreat. The gathering will take place September 13-15 at Sugar Creek Bible Camp. Thanks to the Siebert Foundation/Bishop's Initiative, this retreat is being offered at no charge. Come and meet people who do just what you do. If you are paid staff or not, pastor or not, come and learn. The retreat will focus on Dependable Strengths Training. Registration forms can be found on the Synod web site or contact Kay Enslin at the Synod Office at (608) 270-0201. Make sure your youth know about the next LYO-Lutheran Youth Organization High School Gathering. It will be held Nov. 16 to 18 at the Comfort Inn and Suites in DeForest. Cost is $125.00 per person (Chaperones $75.00, one free chaperone with every 10 youth). Watch for more details in the mail and on the Synod web site. |
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FULL TIME MUSIC DIRECTOR: St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Middleton, seeks an energetic and inspirational director of music ministries. This position requires strong leadership and administrative skills for both contemporary and traditional worship services. This is an exciting opportunity to continue to grow and develop a strong music program during a time of pastoral transition. Music education and church music ministry experience preferred. Contact Sally Erck at (608) 233-3877 or at sjerck@sbcglobal.net. WALLS FOR SALE: Hufcor series 3500C movable walls are available. Four sections, 9-feet-high by 12-feet-long. Two sections, 82'' high by 85'' wide. Will split. Call (608) 356-2541 or (608) 477-1541 cell. |
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A teacher (or teaching team) is needed to lead the course on Faith Formation in the Synod’s Lay School of Ministry (LSM). The Lay School meets monthly (except for summer months) at St. James Lutheran Church, Verona, and offers a four-semester curriculum of 12 courses for lay persons in the South Central Synod of Wisconsin. Faith Formation is the initial course taken by LSM participants and meets on Friday evenings (6:45-9:45) during the first semester (in 2008, Jan. 18, Feb. 15, March 14, April 18 and May 16). Hence, there are 15 contact hours. This course may be designed in various ways, but needs to assist the participants in their reflecting upon the character and development of Christian faithfulness (living as a Christian disciple) as well as learning and practicing spiritual disciplines (e.g., habits of dwelling in the Word, praying and listening to others). Anyone applying for this teaching position should have at least a seminary level degree or an accredited certification in spiritual direction. A year’s contract will be offered, with a stipend of $1,500 for the course. Teaching beyond the first year is possible after an evaluation. Interested persons should contact Jim Bailey at (563) 557-1793 or jimjudybailey@mwci.net to receive an application form. A completed application is due to Jim Bailey by e-mail (preferably) or by mailing it to Dr. James L. Bailey, 1710 Churchill Dr., Dubuque, IA 52001. Deadline for the completed application is Sept. 10, 2007. |
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July 1 Bishop Bruce Burnside begins six- year term July 4 Synod Office closed July 10 Interims, Synod Office, 1:15 p.m. July 11-14 PRISM 2007, Lutherdale July 21 Peace Team, San Damiano’s Friary, Monona, 9 a.m. to noon August 6-11 Churchwide Assembly, Chicago August 14 Youth workers, Synod Office, 10 a.m. September 3 Labor Day/Synod Office closed September 11 Interims, Synod Office, 1:15 p.m. September 13-15 Youth workers retreat, Sugar Creek Bible Camp September 16 Installation of Bishop Burnside, Bethel Lutheran, Madison, 3 p.m. September 21 CCL Steering Committee, Synod Office, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. September 21-22 Lay School of Ministry, St. James Lutheran, Verona September 27
“Our Mission Together” Mission Support (Benevolence) Gathering, September 29
“Our Mission Together” gathering, Deerfield Lutheran, 10 a.m.; October 13 “Our
Mission Together” gathering, Faith Lutheran, Columbus, 10 a.m.; October 13 Lay School Discernment Day October 19-20 Lay School of Ministry, St. James Lutheran, Verona November 3 Outreach event, Kalahari, Wisconsin Dells, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. November 9-10 Lay School of Ministry, St. James Lutheran, Verona November 16-18 LYO Gathering, Deforest December 14-15 Lay School of Ministry, St. James Lutheran, Verona |
| 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. |
