MAY 2007
The South-Central
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MAY 2007 |
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The South-Central
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IN THIS
EDITION Page 3: Page 5: Page 7: Page 8:
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From Pastor George Carlson, Bishop
On May 3-5, voting members of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin will assemble to conduct the business of our synod. We will begin and end with worship—gathered, nourished and sent by Word and sacrament. Reports, resolutions, compensation guidelines, a spending plan and elections—including electing the next bishop—fill the agenda. Since the beginning of the church, God’s Spirit has worked to raise up leaders among God’s people. We depend on God’s Spirit to lead us to identify, nurture and encourage members to serve as leaders in mission and ministry. Amazingly, God provides people with the gifts needed in every situation. During the past three years, our synod has focused on developing rostered leaders. Thanks to a generous grant from the Siebert Lutheran Foundation, 16 members of our synod have completed the Youth and Family Certification Course of Wartburg Seminary, over 80 percent of our pastors have participated in days of encouragement, around 250 young adult staff members at Bethel Horizons and Lutherdale Bible Camp have learned about other ways to serve as leaders in the church, and youth have gathered to hear about the prospect of serving as leaders beyond their local congregation. This initiative will continue, thanks to Siebert for another grant, for three more years! Our synod touches young adults already engaged in leadership through Lutheran campus ministry at Madison, Platteville and Whitewater; they seek to make a difference in our world. God’s Spirit works in and through campus ministry to engage them in discerning God’s leading. Because funding for this vital ministry has shifted entirely to our synod, we need about $50,000.00 more each year to continue at the present level. The Bishop’s Appeal for Lutheran Campus Ministry has a goal of $100,000.00 to meet the need; so far, we have received over $10,000.00. Our synod accompanies Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church in north-east India as a companion synod. Like us, they seek to raise up leaders for their church. A young woman, Sanchita Kisku, has been identified by NELC and endorsed by the World Council of Churches to pursue study at Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. Our Synod Council has embraced this opportunity, and now seeks generous people to provide $32,000.00 for the two years of study. Our synod also seeks to provide financial support for members of our synod who are full-time students at seminary. The annual Seminarian Assistance Fund receives and disburses gifts each year. The synod’s endowed Fund for Leaders in Mission has grown to over $25,000.00 and can begin making disbursements soon. Financial support of seminarians has become an increasingly important ministry so debt burden is reduced. Soon our synod will elect a bishop. Several pastors have already been identified as gifted leaders who could serve our synod as bishop. I invite and encourage all of us to pray that God’s Spirit will lead us in raising up future leaders, including our next bishop! |
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MAY 2007 |
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By
Pastor Richard Dowling, Help! Is anyone interested in helping me when the bandages, midwife and hospice kits arrive at the Synod Assembly? Please contact me so I know how much help I will have. It’s not a difficult job. We need to make sure the kits and bandages are packed efficiently and tightly and get an accurate count on who gave what and how much was given to report to the assembly. Then we move the boxes into the main meeting room to be loaded on the truck on Saturday. We will be receiving, checking and recording the kits and bandages during registration on Thursday afternoon at the Marriott and perhaps need a little more help on Friday and Saturday morning. (Usually we have lots of helping hands to load the truck on Saturday morning from the main meeting room). Please contact me at wkpastor@merr.com or leave a message at (608) 873-9456. When you contact me leave your name, address, a phone number and your home church. Thank you for thinking of Global Health Ministries and keep praying for the work that they do around the world. P.S. I hope you are collecting midwife and hospice kits and that you are gathering and making bandages for Global Health Ministries. You can get more information on the kits and bandages as well as on Global Health Ministries at www.ghm.org. Boxes are fine and welcome when packaging up the kits and bandages for the Synod Assembly (it’s easier to load the truck when they are in boxes). Just don’t seal them as we like to make sure that all the air is squeezed out of the kits and that everything is packed tightly for the trip. |
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NELC-India Moderator Bishop Shiblal Soren notified Bishop Carlson April 18 that airline tickets have been purchased for two people to visit our synod beginning April 30. Soren reported that “practical matters prevented the other two named representatives” from coming at this time. Those coming are Ms. Rosemary Hembrom, principal of the Don Bosco School, and Rev. Mrs. Lucia Tudu, director of the Radio Ministry in Dumka. “Though final word is still contingent on their visa interview on April 24, we are trusting that these guests from our companion synod will be with us for the assembly and for about 10 days thereafter,” said Solveig Carlson, co-chair of the synod’s Companion Synod team. |
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As he tooled about the synod in his little Chevy, Bishop Carlson emitted 1,060 pounds of carbon dioxide into our air in March. Lest this driving for the sake of Christ’s church have a negative effect on our world, we have offset these carbon emissions. For a mere $2.92 this month, we have negated the bishop’s 719 miles of driving. In fact, we kicked in a bit extra for some of the air travel he has to do occasionally. If you’d like to calculate your own emissions and make a contribution, visit http://CarbonFund.org or contact Pastor Nick Utphall at St. Stephen’s in Monona for more information. |
| 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 Mission Support (a.k.a. “Benevolence”) is the sharing of our financial gifts with the synod and churchwide ELCA, to support ministries that serve God’s world in a wide range of ways. Mission support is the way that each church member and each congregation participates in the life of the wider church, in south central Wisconsin, nationwide and worldwide. There is reason to celebrate for the generosity demonstrated by congregations throughout the ELCA: Ed Kruse, ELCA
Stewardship Director, has noted, “In 2006,
mission support
increased by $180,000 over
2005. It is the first increase in annual mission support since 2001. Please
spread this good news far and wide. Let’s
celebrate God’s
grace and pass it on as often
and as broadly as possible to all congregations. Make a special “thank you
announcement” in person to all congregations with whom you come into contact
for the rest of this year. They made it happen, with God’s help. In some
cases their giving may have been a major challenge. We want to acknowledge
that genuinely and with understanding.” Here in the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, we have experienced many challenges financially. But we have been able to maintain our mission support commitment at the level of 59.6% of contributions received; that means that 59.6% of congregational contributions are sent on to the churchwide ELCA for ministry. Thanks to clergy, congregational leaders and congregation members who have provided the leadership in this sharing of our abundance! This fall we will have cluster meetings again to lift up our mutual partnership ministry through mission support; please put these meetings on your congregational calendar:
Saturday, Sept. 8,
9 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 15,
2 p.m. |
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By James L.
Bailey The Center is collaborating with five congregations in the synod in an 18-month process designed to assist them in developing and supporting more lay persons for leadership and ministry. The first learning gathering, held on March 3, featured engagement with Dr. Craig Nessan of Wartburg Seminary around the topic of “Transforming Leadership.” Since then, the five leadership teams from the participating congregations have met with five host congregations within the synod to foster mutual learning. The second learning gathering took place at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson on Saturday, April 21. The learning teams debriefed about their visits, were introduced to the Augsburg Fortress resource Discovering Our Gifts for Abundant Living written by Jean Morris Trumbauer, engaged a panel of three pastoral leaders (Rob Carlson, Mary Froiland and Mike Lee) to learn from their experiences in leading their congregations in an intentional journey of becoming more life-giving and missional communities of faith, and began formulating plans for translating their learning into their home congregations. The planning group for this 18-month process for developing and mobilizing lay leadership includes Jim Bailey, Stephanie Beran, Craig Collins, Bryan Engfer, Tom Loftus, Doris Cook Schumacher and Ken Smith. |
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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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By Lori Richardson As you read this, Synod Assembly will be only a week away. Some things will change, but many things will stay the same. We pray that support for synod and churchwide ministries will grow so we can continue to be proud of all of the work that is being done by the ELCA. Please keep all voting members, pastors, synod staff, bishop nominees and visitors in your prayers as we meet May 3-5. If your congregation has not registered yet, please contact the Synod Office immediately. |
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Learn more about some of the new items in our Synod Resource Center... 3 “Holy Communion”—A Mosaic Television production from the ELCA. Holy Communion is central to the Christian faith. Martin Luther saw Jesus present in, with and under the sacrament. Featuring the insights of Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago scholars Craig A. Satterlee and Kurt K. Hendel, this DVD explores the biblical foundations for Holy Communion and reviews the Reformation history that defines modern Christian understanding of Holy Communion. Spotlighting stories from Milwaukee and Ander, Texas, we also discover ways in which Christians practice Holy Communion in a variety of congregational settings. 3 “The Holy Spirit”—Another Mosaic Television production from the ELCA. From creation to Pentecost to our world today, the third person of the Trinity blows into our lives like a divine wind, inspiring, prompting and leading us to Jesus Christ. Discover what the Bible, Martin Luther and ordinary Christians have to say about the Holy Spirit. Learn how the Holy Spirit moves throughout the church in homeless shelters, revival services and a creative, emerging ministry in the most un-churched part of North America. Use this resource and the enclosed guide in adult education, Bible study or small group settings. This DVD is a useful way to introduce a foundation of the Christian faith. 3 “Reducing the Risk II”—Many congregations have used the “Reducing the Risk: Making Your Church Safe from Child Sexual Abuse.” This resource has been updated. It is now in DVD form and comes with a training manual and other materials. Since first published in 1993, tens of thousands of churches have used the “Reducing the Risk” resources to combat the problem of child sexual abuse. Yet the problem continues and more needs to be done. The new “Reducing the Risk II” resource kits provide enhanced training materials to help churches and ministries address this need. The combined use of the book, the training manual, the DVD with six video presentations, and online support at www.reducingtherisk.com enable you to develop and implement a comprehensive risk reduction program. Feel free to stop in at the Synod Office and check out these and other resources that are available. Our office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to noon on Friday. There is no time limit for items to be checked out, but we do ask to let us know if you plan to keep the materials for longer than a month. |
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By Julie Pophal,
Deaconess Intern, I like to walk, especially during this time of the year as we experience the renewal of God’s creation in spring. I had always thought of my walking partner as my black Labrador, Pepper. Over the past nine months, I’ve been introduced to a different type of walking partner. I’d like to ask you to go along on this walk with me. It’s an exciting journey! We have a Companion Synod, the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church (NELC) in India. We call this synod our “walking partner” because we walk beside them, gaining insight from them, listening to their stories, and supporting each other in mutual ministry. I’ve been given the unbelievable opportunity to walk side-by-side with our partners in India as I travel there with our synod’s delegation this fall. My congregation, All Saints Lutheran Church in Fitchburg, is supporting me by learning about our walking partner in India. Our Sunday School gave a presentation to the congregation about India during a program in which we discussed topics such as culture, geography, religion, language and food. This presentation encouraged our congregation to “Buzz Off, Mosquitoes” by collecting money for bed nets. Our Sunday School classes are collecting coins towards this mission to fight off malaria. We will hold a cross-generational artwork project this month and will use different art mediums to depict our lives to the children of India in pictures. Our VBS will make bookmarks and our youth will make friendship bracelets later this summer to be taken to India. Together, we are learning and growing…. When in India, I will be visiting the Don Bosco school, pre-school through grade 10, and some nearby villages and ministries of our companions in the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church. We’d like to take pictures drawn by kids in Wisconsin and help them fight off malaria with money for mosquito bed nets. See what your congregation can do to help me fill my suitcase with tangible expressions of friendship and caring! Editor’s note: For descriptions of the projects to send with the visiting team to the Companion Synod in India, visit the Global Connections Ministry section of the synod web site. |
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A nine-day Advent tour of Berlin, Eastern Germany and Poland, lead by Rev. Jerry Folk, is set for Nov. 26-Dec. 5. The magic of European Christmas markets, special seasonal concerts and German and Polish family Advent traditions make this an ideal time of year to experience and explore this area of Europe, according to Folk. He will guide Dietrich Bonhoeffer programming in Berlin. Also on the itinerary are the Sorbian Spreewald at the Polish border, Dresden’s Frauenkirche and Cloister Marienthal near Bautzen, the woodworking Erzgebirge region and Chemnitz, former Karl Marx Stadt. A special South-Central Synod Early Bird package of $2,997 is in effect if sign-up and deposit of $500 per person is received at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 322 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53713, by June 1. After June 1 the $3,397 price will apply. Included are many meals, deluxe four-star accommodations, concert and program fees, private coach transport, round trip air transportation on Lufthansa, airport transfers, local guides for historical tours and many extras. Air taxes and fuel surcharges are additional. More details are available from Folk at (608) 258-3160 or at www.stjohnsmadison.org. |
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By Solveig Carlson,
As we have promised, we continue to
uphold our global family and companions in faith of the
May 5/6—Ever-living
God, we give you thanks for life and health these days among us and with
our
May 12/13—God
of tender care and mercy, we give you thanks for mothers, grandmothers,
May 19/20—God
of all wisdom, give perseverance, courage and commitment to students,
teachers
May 26/27—Benevolent
God, you have blessed us with gracious gifts. We thank you for those |
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To enhance the funds in
the Companion Synod Exchange Fund, we are offering for sale packets of
Each packet contains
eight cards (two each of four designs) for $7.50. The profits will go to
hosting
An order form for the
greeting cards is “attached” to this newsletter. Please print the order form
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Be part of the 2007 ELCA Global Mission Event, which is coming to The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, July 19 to 22. If you’ve never been to a Global Mission Event, you’re in for a treat. At a GME, Lutherans of all ages from all over the world meet to celebrate God’s mission, equip themselves for better ministry, and connect with one another through global music, story telling and dance. The event’s many speakers include Immaculée Ilibagiza, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide and author of the best selling book Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust. For information, visit www.elca.org/gme . |
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ALOA—the Association of Lutheran Older Adults—sponsors Lutherhostels. These four- or five-day spiritual retreats for senior adults are held all over the country for those who want to continue to learn and to grow through daily Bible Study, devotions and speakers. The following
ALOA Lutherhostels are coming soon to the upper Midwest: For more information, contact Lutherhostel directors, Walt and Lois Schmidt, at waltlois@cox.net or (623) 937-8835. Or visit www.ALOAserves.org. |
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Men will gather
Aug. 3-5, just prior to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Chicago, to learn
more about what it means to enhance their relationship to Jesus Christ, and
build families, men’s ministries and congregations. Music and worship for the weekend will be provided by Dakota Road, plus Peter Mayer, lead guitarist for Jimmy Buffett. Register before June 1 to receive a discount at www.elca.org/lmm. For more information contact Kim Moseley at Kimberley.Moseley@elca.org or (773) 380-2595. |
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May 3-5 Synod
Assembly, Madison Marriot West |
| 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. |
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