Volume 17, Issue 9
NOVEMBER 2005
The South-Central Newsletter
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Volume 17, Issue 9 |
NOVEMBER 2005 |
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The South-Central Newsletter
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NEWS |
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IN THIS SPECIAL EDITION Youth and Family Ministry meeting Multiple Staff Team Ministry event Interactive presentations available Oakwood Village “grateful Plateful” Inserts |
From Pastor George Carlson, Bishop
Welcoming smiles and extended arms greeted Solveig Carlson, Rev. Jerry Folk, Rev. Kathy Ulrich and me when we arrived in Chenaii (Madras), India, on Oct. 10. Staff members of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (UELCI) accompanied us to our hotel in the city. The delegation from our synod, along with delegations from the Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Minnesota synods, journeyed to India for two purposes: to see tangible responses by Lutheran Disaster Response to the December 2004 tsunami and to discover how we might strengthen our journey together with our companion synods in India. At the seaside of a small fishing village we stood among many new, colorful fishing boats, equipped with small motors and nets—five families share one boat in an attempt to provide subsistence living. Five of the boats had “UELCI” and “Lutheran Disaster Response” painted in bright colors. At another fishing village we met in a new “community hall” and learned of plans to rebuild a village. A village elder addressed me directly before the entire group: “When will you send more rice?” And, “We need more fishing boats. What can you do to help us?” Another day a visit to a village highlighted efforts to provide emotional, psychological healing for those who lost so much. A small boy carrying his little brother, racing away from the oncoming wave, could not run fast enough; his brother was torn from his arms and has not been seen again. The little boy became mute, encased in his grief and guilt. Through listening and loving and therapy, smiles and laughter have returned. Nearly 1,500 people from 50 villages have received training in healing listening skills to help others deal with their losses. At another village the foundation stone for a community hall was laid. That afternoon great joy came to seven families as they took occupancy of their new homes built to replace those destroyed. In the formal consultation, we looked at our assets as synods and churches using a process led by an ELCA churchwide staff member. Folks from our companion synod, Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church, commented at the end, “We came thinking we are poor; we leave realizing we are rich in many ways.” Prayer, education, health care and leadership development present specific opportunities to strengthen our journey together. We are rich in many ways. Far too often we look at what we lack rather than at what we have. My visit to India opened me again to see the overwhelming material riches we have in this nation and as people in this synod. I say “overwhelming material riches” intentionally, for they often overwhelm us, moving us from thanksgiving and generosity to hoarding and further acquisition. We are rich in many ways. God in Christ keeps overwhelming us with grace, freeing us to trust God’s providing and to share our riches to bring life and newness as instruments of God’s love. |
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NOVEMBER 2005 |
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A Clergy Leadership Group is getting started this fall with the goal of improving leadership skills for today’s ministry. Clergy will present case studies of difficult situations in their churches that require their leadership. Participants then will receive peer feedback for fresh perspectives. Some readings, specifically focused on pastoral leadership, will be discussed. The agenda for the group will be determined by the participants. The leadership group will meet monthly starting in November for nine months around a working lunch. Some possible topics might include: *How do I deal with difficult members? *What are some effective ways of resolving conflict without being victimized? *How do I continue to pastor when I am running out of energy or becoming discouraged? *How can I better accept my limitations as a person? *How do I deal with my emotions when ministering in tragic situations? *How do I develop cooperative leadership strategies with my co-pastor? *What do I do when I am leading but few are following? *How do I survive in a system that is consuming me? For more information, contact Dan Feaster at (608) 663-0763, ext. 20, or e-mail dfeaster@aol.com. |
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Youth and Family Ministry workers will have their quarterly meeting on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 10 a.m. to noon at All Saints Lutheran Church in Fitchburg. Join the group for networking, support and sharing of ideas and resources! Also, if there is another day or time you'd like to meet, contact Pastor Lisa Nelson, Assistant to the Bishop for Youth and Family Ministry. Please keep in mind that the Saturday meeting is for youth and family ministry workers who work other jobs during the weekdays. To contact Nelson, e-mail her at nelsonkosky@aol.com. To get to All Saints Lutheran Church, Fitchburg, take the beltline to Fish Hatchery South. Take Fish Hatchery South to PD/McKee. Turn right on PD. The church is on the left. The phone number there is (608) 276-7729. |
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Alice Mann, senior consultant for the Alban Institute, will lead a multiple staff team conference Jan. 10-11. Topics will include expectations and the framework for building healthy and effective staffs. The target is for small and mid-size congregations. Save the date; more information will follow. |
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NOVEMBER 2005 |
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By
Michael Rehak Many have wondered, “How can so many intelligent, competent people leave their brains in the parking lot when they come into church?” This observation comes from watching people, who in daily life display competence and leadership, but seem helpless and dependent when attending church. They need guidance and direction, and avoid taking leadership or showing initiative. They are displaying “extra-dependency.” One might illustrate extra-dependency as a child on a playground running and climbing. Suddenly the elbow is hurt. Running back to the parent, crying, they need some loving attention. After a few hugs, kisses and a dose of reassurance the child goes off, independent and free to master the world. The return to the parent’s lap for some extra reassuring love is this mode of “extra-dependency.” People of our culture are bruised by manipulation and fear, battered by gossip and intolerance, and hurt by judgmental people’s attitudes. We are wounded people who need a good hug; who have a need to crawl into the secure lap of a loving parent (God) and be quieted and soothed. We have been extremely effective in helping people know they are loved by God. In worship they experience God’s healing grace. People return every Sunday, in part, and some exclusively, for their reassuring hug from God. This posture is subtly reinforced with language such as “children of God.” Promoting this posture of extra-dependency can bring a sense of healing and reassurance to people in need. It also may result in resentment or disengagement. A focus on healing without the balance of being able to function in and with the renewed life one receives in Baptism creates dependency. Dependency keeps people from owning responsibility. They will leave their brains in the parking lot and will under-function. It feels safer to be hugged than risk being wounded. However, St. Paul recognized there is a time to grow-up; to risk for the sake of others. The antithesis to extra-dependency is over-functioning; the need to make up for what others are not doing by doing more and more. The over-functioning is experienced by others as unhealthy controlling. The irony is that while on the surface over-functioning people are celebrated for being the glue that holds the congregation together, their behavior and attitudes are causing many to leave their brains in the parking lot. Occasionally, a congregation will continue to be controlled by an over-functioning leader who has been dead for 30 years. The more one over-functions, the more they exude a sense of controlling ownership. They work with an attitude of duty and martyrdom. Out of this sense of loyalty, and fearful of doing something wrong, they promote “the way things are done around here.” Those who challenge by showing initiative and creativity, doing something new or in a unique way, are frequently punished through ostracism or criticism. If they come back, guess where their brains will be parked? People will change their behavior. The key is in the operative questions. Inquiring questions have the power to move brains (accusatory, clarifying or directing questions are not as successful). We often function with “what do we have to get done?” That tends to be an unimaginative question that leads to disengagement. Try asking, “What is our purpose in being a congregation?” “What are my most meaningful experiences here?” “If a miracle happened tonight in our congregation, what would be different?” “What can I do for others outside our congregation as a thank response to God’s love?” Such questions will be an invitation for the brains to come in from the parking lot.
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By Huldah Ellestad Do you drink fair trade coffee at home? Does your congregation serve fair trade coffee? Most coffee drinkers, whether at the congregational level or as an individual, have a comfortable, established purchasing routine. So why change our habits? During the 2005 Synod Assembly a resolution was passed to encourage and support the use of fair trade coffee on an individual and a congregational level. Why use fair trade coffee? There are coffee farms all over the world, and there are farm families who are struggling to survive. We in the U.S. import and consume more coffee than any other country in the world. We are comfortable with the economic principle of providing a service to make a profit. For most of us, if we received market payments lower than the costs of production; it would be time to start looking around for a different job, quickly! But what if we lived in a country where there were no other job opportunities? What if we found our families and ourselves at the mercy of a world market concerned more with the bottom line than with human well-being? Now you may be thinking “that’s just the way it is.” But hopefully, as Christians, we are more concerned with Jesus’ bottom line. Following in Jesus’ footstepsJesus gives us numerous examples of how to live out our faith from day to day. There are words to live by in the book of Matthew 25:35-40 – “For I was hungry, and you fed me…and you gave me clothing…And the King will tell them, ‘I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” Yes, fair trade coffee may be slightly more expensive than what you are currently purchasing, but if we follow Jesus’ example by valuing our global brothers’ and sisters’ well-being ahead of our wallets, in the long run, we all come out ahead! Where can you buy it?You can easily order coffee for home or congregation use online. ELCA World Hunger has established a relationship through the Lutheran World Relief Fair Trade Coffee Project with Equal Exchange, which offers 39 coffees including shade-grown and certified organic, bulk, packaged and pillow pack options. You can get to Equal Exchange through the ELCA website or at http://store.yahoo.com/equalexchange/ Some congregations in our synod also have strong ties with Mt. Meru Coffee from Tanzania. You can learn about this project and about ordering by going to http://mtmerucoffee.org/ There are many other excellent fair trade coffee products, which you can find at http://www.fairtradefederation.org/memcof.html Many grocery stores also are starting to carry fair trade products. If your grocer does not carry any fair trade coffee, please ask for it. |
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Fall Sabbath Day |
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The fall Sabbath Day for rostered leaders is scheduled for Nov. 13-14 at the Bishop O’Connor Pastoral Center in Madison. The theme for the retreat is “The Waiting Heart,” and will center on Psalm 62. Participants may come either Sunday night at 7 p.m. or Monday morning at 9 a.m. Overnight cost is only $20 and those coming on Monday pay just $10. Checks may be made out and sent to the Synod Office. For additional information, contact Chris Lee-Thompson at (608) 222-0422 or pastor@hope-in-action.org. |
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By Lisa
Nelson One of the most enjoyable parts of my job is leading interactive presentations. Here are some things I have done in congregations around the synod. I am available to train or present on other topics as well. Simply call me at (608) 834-8412 or send an e-mail to nelsonkosky@aol.com. Getting the Generations Together: 1-2 hours of fun for the whole congregation! The congregation is one of the few institutions where so many of the generations meet. Combine that with the belief that cross+generational activity is crucial to passing on the faith and you’ll have a reason to invite me to lead this interactive presentation. You’ll want to invite as many people from your congregation to this event as possible. During this hour, we will discover the value of each generation. We will also join in a circle of blessing, starting with the oldest generation and inviting each subsequent generation to join us in a circle. Finally, we will get into small groups for a time of conversation and prayer. Four Keys for Families: 1-2 hours with parents, grandparents and others who care for children and teens Discover ways to make the four keys—Caring Conversation, Devotions, Service, Ritual and Tradition—part of your everyday life. Make time to talk with your child every day. Actually pray with them! Volunteer together in your community. Create rituals for meal or bedtime, baptismal anniversaries and holidays. During this hour, we will share lots of ideas about practicing these four keys with our families. We’ll learn that by investing this time in our children while they’re young, we can reap the rewards as they grow older. Yet, it’s never too late to start; we’ll talk about how to reach out to teenagers as well. Four Key Your Ministry: 1 hour with congregational leaders The four keys aren’t just for kids; any group can use them. Councils and committees, Sunday School teachers and choirs—you name it! Learn new ways to pray, share Bible stories, serve in big and small ways, and create rituals for your time together. Think this would take too much time? You can do this in 5 to 10 minutes or take the whole hour. Confirmation Mentor or Small Group Leader Training: 1 hour with mentors This training event is for mentors of small groups or mentors in a one on one situation. Confirmation mentors need confidence and training. This is a time for mentors to develop both, as well as to discover that God has given them both the gifts and the calling for this ministry. Together we will learn about group dynamics, building trust, facilitating a conversation, helping youth talk more or talk less, learning while moving around, and new ways to pray and read the Bible with youth. Asset Mapping for Congregations and for Groups within Congregations: People are much more willing to do something they enjoy and are good at. This positive approach to doing ministry helps people discover what they like to do and what they do well, and then see how they might lead others, and especially youth, in these activities. The goal: to build relationships that lead to caring conversation and mentoring. The result: people sharing their gifts with one another and building up the body of Christ. |
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By
Lori Richardson Mission Support,
Sept. 2005 $121,065 Our Mission Support was down in September, but overall we are only 6.9 percent off from last year. Many congregations and individuals have been busy helping with all of the tragedies that have been taking place in the U.S. and around the world. The earthquake in Pakistan also will draw dollars from many of us. According to the ELCA, Lutherans raised over $20 million to help with Hurricane Katrina and Rita relief efforts. Also, here at home, the synod sent a check on Oct. 6 to the folks at Christ Lutheran in Stoughton for $10,274.75! Many dollars also were sent to the ELCA for Domestic Disaster relief in the Stoughton area following the August tornados. We are a very generous and caring group of people. Keep up the great work! |
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Are you or someone you know being called to ministry? “Considering Your Call: Conference on Ministry” will be held Nov. 12-14, at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. This event is for individuals and their spouses, or significant others, who are considering vocational choices and a possible call to ordained or lay ministry. College students are welcome, as well as those who are contemplating a career change. It offers the opportunity to examine preparation for ministry, review curriculum, get a feel for seminary life, and to meet with students, faculty and staff. Tours of the Dubuque community and its schools are also available to conference attendees. For the agenda and registration information, visit http://www.wartburgseminary.edu/template_FutureStudents.asp?id=256
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Beginning Process and/or in interims: ELC, Mt. Horeb—Interim David Keesey-Berg; Immanuel, Mount Horeb—Interim Timothy Vadis; St. John’s, Oregon; First English, Platteville—Interim Terry Larson; Bonnet Prairie, Rio; Bristol, Sun Prairie—Interim Larry Pinnow; Wisconsin Heights Parish—Interims Ted Kalkwarf and John Shep Study Process: Faith, Columbus (Associate); St. John, Evansville—Interim Brad Pohlman Interviewing candidates: Zion, Bagley/St. Peter, Cassville—Interim Burton Everist; St. John’s, Beaver Dam—Interim Rich Collier; Christ, Lancaster/St. Paul’s, Potosi—Interim Margaret Ley; Good Shepherd, Madison (Associate); Hope, Milton—Interim Jerald Wendt; Immanuel, Watertown In Transition: Ken Halstead to St. John’s, Richland Center from Interim Ministry, Minneapolis Area Synod Fred Rilling to Senior Pastor, St. John’s, Prairie du Sac from Associate Brian Rossow from St. John, Janesville to Northeastern Ohio Synod, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Rebecca Rossow from Bonnet Prairie, Rio to Northeastern Ohio Synod, Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church Don Wendt from St. John’s, Prairie du Sac to retirement, Arizona Clyde Carleton—deceased |
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Last month, the Synod Peace Team offered suggestions for studying ELCA statements on peace and terrorism. This month, the team shares a few other resources with you. Books: “Jesus and Nonviolence: A Third Way,” Walter Wink and the Sermon on the Mount “Strength to Love,” sermons by Martin Luther King Jr. “Violence of Love,” quotations from assassinated archbishop Oscar Romero “Peace is Every Step,” a Buddhist perspective by Thich Nhat Hanh Web sites: www.elca.org/advocacy Issues and action items of our church members.tripod.com/~lutheran_peace/ Lutheran Peace Fellowship
www.wichurches.org/
Wisconsin Council of Churches, with links to Iraq resources and statement of
nonviolence Hymns: “O God of Every Nation,” LBW 416 “God of Grace and God of Glory,” LBW 415 “Dona Nobis Pacem,” WOV 774 “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace (Prayer of St. Francis),” RWS 279 |
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Two synod congregations will host concerts this month by the Unkalung Choir, the public relations tool for the Bethel Series. All are invited to share the music and inspiration provided by this group of musicians. 3 Nov. 6, 4:00 p.m. – St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Fennimore 3 Nov. 13, 1:00 p.m. – Norway Grove Lutheran Church, DeForest For more information, call the Bethel Series at (608) 241-9220. |
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The Lutheran Volunteer Corps has been doing critical, life-changing work for 26 years. The Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) is a domestic service program. Volunteers (many right out of college) spend one year in full-time service working for social justice. They staff shelters for homeless women, teach in inner-city after-school programs, advocate for the rights of marginalized people, work to protect the environment, and more. Positions vary from providing direct social services to working on the root causes of social problems. Because of LVC, over 90 nonprofit agencies receive talented and committed full-time staff that they could otherwise not afford. Since 1979, more than 1,500 men and women have committed a year of their lives to working for justice, living in intentional communities, simplifying their lifestyles, and exploring spirituality through the Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC). Volunteers live and serve in 10 cities from coast to coast, including Milwaukee. In addition, many Lutheran volunteers come from Wisconsin schools and families. The volunteer experience impacts the nonprofit agencies and the clients of those agencies, but it also impacts the volunteers themselves. Alumni become leaders in their churches and communities. Ten to 20 percent of LVC volunteers go on to seminary. To learn more about LVC, request a free video from the synod resource center (608-270-0201); or schedule a visit to your congregation by calling (202) 387-3222; or visit www.lutheranvolunteercorps.org. |
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Oakwood Village East will hold a Craft and Bake Sale on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Items crafted by Oakwood residents, as well as items from the community, will be featured at the sale and proceeds go for Oakwood Service League projects, which benefit the residents of Oakwood Village. While at the sale, make a day of it by attending the “Grateful Plateful” Spaghetti Luncheon from 10:30 to 1:30. Guests will enjoy a spaghetti lunch served on ceramic and glass plates hand-decorated by Oakwood residents. Guests get to take their unique plates home with them. |
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“Girl Talk: Talkin’ You, Talkin’ Body, Talkin’ Spirit” at the Lutheran Campus Center in Madison is the place to be for girls in seventh and eight grade, Jan. 21-22. This is the seventh year of the overnight hosted by the women of the Lutheran Campus Center. The evening is filled with interesting speakers, small groups discussions, art and service projects and a P.J. dance. The cost is $20 and the 20-plus college women involved serve as organizers, chaperones, small group leaders and big sisters. Call Laurie at the Lutheran Campus Center at (608) 257-7178 for more information. |
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CHOIR DIRECTOR: St. John’s Lutheran Church, Elkhorn, seeks an experienced, part-time choir director familiar with Lutheran liturgies and able to direct the musical activities and tasks normal to a small church. Please send resume to St. John’s, 104 S. Broad St., Elkhorn, WI 53121, or call Pastor Doug at (262) 723-2901 for more information or Jeanne at the same number for an interview appointment. DIRECTOR OF MUSIC: St. John’s Lutheran Church, Oregon, seeks a part-time Director of Music. This position is responsible for selection of music, scheduling, rehearsing and directing several choirs, and recruiting and coordinating musicians for special services and events. For information write St. John’s Lutheran Church, Attn: Chair Personnel Team, 625 E. Netherwood St., Oregon, WI 53575; e-mail kreulr@aol.com or call K. Kreul at (608) 835-7325 or the church at (608) 835-3154. FREE CARILLON CARTRIDGES: Seven endless loop cartridges for a Schulmerich carillon. Selections include songs for Easter and Christmas. Free for the cost of shipping. Call (608) 643-2439, e-mail mebeich2@hotmail.com, or write Mary Ellen Beich, St. John’s Lutheran Church, 100 Oak Street,Prairie du Sac, WI 53578. MARKETING AND DEVELOPMENT: The Samaritan Counseling Center of Southern Wisconsin seeks a person or persons to assist the center with the following tasks: Coordinate overall fundraising and marketing plan; grant writing; coordinate annual fundraising event; annual fund drive; provide marketing to clergy and to the greater community. For more information on this part-time position, or to send resume, contact: Dan Feaster, Executive Director, Samaritan Counseling Center, 2165 Linden Ave., Madison, WI 53704. Or call (608) 663-0763. SECRETARY TO THE MADISON AREA LUTHERAN COUNCIL: The MALC seeks a part-time secretary to be supportive of the mission and work of the Jail Ministry in Dane County carried out by over 60 Lutheran congregations within Dane County. Submit your resume to Pastor Thomas Petersen, 817 N. Johnson St., Stoughton, 53589, or call (608) 873-5924. Resumes will be received through Nov. 10. |
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Nov. 5 Fall Area Ministry Event at Our Savior’s, Sun Prairie Nov. 6-9 FCTE (First Call Theological Education) Fall Event at St. Anthony Retreat Center, Marathon, Wis., and ENCORE Event Nov. 10 Outreach Committee meets, 4 p.m. Nov. 11 Leader Dinner at Monona Gardens, Madi- son Nov. 11-12 Lay School of Ministry Nov. 15 Interims meeting, 11 a.m. Nov. 17 New to Synod meeting, 9 a.m. Nov. 18-20 Certification School Nov. 24-25 Office Closed/Thanksgiving Nov. 29 Executive Committee meets, 3:30 p.m. Dec. 1 Deans meeting Dec. 6 Office Closed/All Day Staff meeting Dec. 9-11 Certification School Dec. 9-10 Lay School of Ministry and Graduation Dec. 10 Synod Council meeting Dec. 23 Office Closed/Christmas Upcoming events in 2006: Feb. 25 LEAD March 9 Shaping Future Leaders Day May 5-6 Synod Assembly |
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The Center For Theology and Land offers the following online courses for winter/spring 2006: “Beyond Maintenance to Mission: A Theology of the
Congregation” Course Description: Congregations often become established in patterns of maintenance rather than directed toward mission. This course will provide foundations for constructing a missional theology of the congregation. Special attention is given to the articulation of a congregation’s identity and mission. Components of a proposed model include worship, education, fellowship, stewardship, evangelism, global connections, ecumenism, and social ministry. Practical implications for congregational implementation are examined.
“The Church as Learning Community” Course Description: This course builds on the premise that we are all gifted by God to be a community of teachers and learners. We shall consider how to set and maintain effective learning environments, discover the theological base for a variety of teaching methods, and strengthen leadership skills to empower others in their teaching. This course will build on the skills and experiences of the participants, connecting them more deeply to their own faith communities and to one another. For more information or to register for an online course visit the CTL website at www.ruralministry.com or contact Julie Phillips at jphillips@wartburgseminary.edu or (563) 589-0273. |
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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 www.scsw-elca.org. |
