NOVEMBER 2006
The South-Central Newsletter
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NOVEMBER 2006 |
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The South-Central Newsletter
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IN THIS EDITION JOHN RUTTER REQUIEM ON ALL SAINTS SUNDAY INTRODUCING THE NEW WORSHIP BOOK: ELW NATURAL CHURCH DEVELOPMENT TRAINING NO EASY ANSWERS-LSTC CONFERENCE PRAYER PETITIONS FOR WALKING PARTNER, NELC SABBATH DAY FOR ROSTERED LEADERS Inserts |
From Pastor George Carlson, Bishop
In the past five weeks I have gathered with rostered leaders in our synod, with members within our synod, and with colleague bishops from across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. My joy in belonging and my appreciation of our ministry together continues to grow. Worship lies at the heart of our life together. I received and used a copy of Evangelical Lutheran Worship at the recent Conference of Bishops meeting. This new resource, filled with a variety of prayers, liturgies and songs, will serve congregations of every size in planning and doing vital, life-giving worship. I encourage every congregation to participate in one of the introductory workshops in our synod; see our Web site, www.scsw-elca.org, and click on “ELW Workshops.” Paul’s letter to the Galatians drew our attention for the most Bible study at any meeting of the Conference of Bishops during my tenure. Professors from three seminaries led us in our probe. The 2005 Churchwide Assembly responded to an initiative from the North Carolina Synod to engage in intensive study of how Lutherans read and understand the Bible. A plan for a five-year initiative will be presented at the 2007 Churchwide Assembly for action. We bishops discussed strategy for new missions. This work must involve every expression of the ELCA—churchwide, synods and congregations. We need to plan and work as full partners, trusting God’s Spirit to provide the needed wisdom and resources in each particular context. The Outreach Committee of our synod continues to strategize for our territory. Development of a synod Latino strategy to serve people in this rapidly growing population is underway. Leadership recruitment and development also made us bishops think and strategize about alternative ways to equip leaders. Our synod has great blessings in our Lay School of Ministry, a record number of people in the candidacy process, the Bishops’ Initiative for Developing Future Leaders (I spent October 13-15 with 42 people from the six synods in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan; I taught a six-hour overview of the Old Testament and preached at closing worship), and our growing Bishop’s Convocation (Professor Powell engaged us in lively thinking about our preaching to bring scripture alive for all who worship). Like all synods, we want missional leaders for all congregations, including Latino ministries. The Blue Ribbon Panel on Mission Support updated us bishops. Financial giving to congregations has steadily increased during our life as the ELCA, yet the percentage given by congregations to synod and churchwide has decreased. This presents great challenges to synods and churchwide to maintain and expand ministries. On October 30 we will complete a series of mission support consultations in our synod, seeking to listen to one another and to explore how we can support one another in ministry most effectively. The Conference of Bishops also heard updates regarding work on proposed social statements on education for the 2007 Churchwide Assembly and on human sexuality for 2009. The process in the ELCA invites all members to help develop these social statements; see the ELCA website, www.elca.org, to learn more and become involved. I thank God for the ELCA, a church engaged in mission. I pray that Jesus the Christ and his cross inspire and lead us as a servant church for the sake of the world God so loves. |
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OFFICIAL ASSEMBLY NOTICE: The 2007 Synod Assembly will be held at Madison Marriott West in Middleton, May 3-5. The assembly will begin on Thursday and end by noon on Saturday. One of the items of business is to elect a new bishop. Dr. Duane Larson, president of Wartburg Theological Seminary, will be the Bible study leader. Registration materials will be mailed out to congregations by the end of the year. |
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Find out about synod events and announcements between newsletters! Go to the synod Web site (www.scsw-elca.org) and click on the link that says “Join the Synod List Serve” and follow the instructions. You just need to enter your e-mail address and then a confirmation e-mail will be sent to your e-mail address. Follow the instructions and soon you will be in the know! When you register you can choose to receive each individual message or one “daily digest” sent at the end of the day. Questions? Not sure if you may already be on the list? Please contact Lori at the Synod Office: lorir@scsw-elca.org. |
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Subscribing to the South-Central newsletter is easy and free! Encourage members of your congregation to keep current on synod news by subscribing at www.scsw-elca.org and clicking on “Subscribe to newsletter.” Members of congregation councils are especially encouraged to subscribe. Those who don’t want to receive the newsletter via e-mail each month can always go to the synod Web site and read it there or have a hard copy mailed to them or to their church. To receive hard copies of the newsletter, contact Lori Richardson at the Synod Office at (608) 270-0201. Pastors and church administrators also can print hard copies for distribution to members. |
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NOVEMBER 2006 |
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Michael Rehak As I returned to Wisconsin in 1998 after living in Germany, I was met with people adorning themselves with bracelets initialized with WWJD? I learned that it stood for “What Would Jesus Do?” At first I thought, “How hokie.” But now I often find I ask that question of myself. The purpose of the question is such that I apply the answer, not to anyone else’s behavior, but only to my own. One thing that Jesus is very clear about is that following him is not about judging others. We can not see the speck in their eye clearly enough to help because of the log in our own eye. St. Paul, in the beginning of the second chapter of his letter to the Romans, says, in effect, that the person who wants to judge the behavior of another probably has an issue with such behavior in their own life. Psychologists would tend to agree. Consider James Dobson, Focus on the Family. He has some real issues with his family of origin, as well as raising his own children, and yet he is quite judgmental and claims authority on the right way to raise children and be family. The problem is not having issues; we all have them. It is that when we fail to understand the dynamics of our issue and own our problem that we tend to project our guilt and self loathing onto others. It is often easier to judge them than it is to live with an honest estimation of one’s self. Wasn’t it Jimmy Swaggart, the television preacher back in the ‘70s, who railed again prostitution and then was found to be a solicitor of such services? Look at the politicians who are outspokenly anti-gay and later we learn that they have a homosexual orientation. It is no coincidence that the so-called Religious Evangelicals are pushing the marriage amendment when one realizes that they have the highest divorce rate among Christian religious groups or denominations. The Marriage Amendment is not about saving marriage. Marriage as we understand it is already defined and protected by law. So then, why the amendment? It appears to be about power and perhaps money. (Aren’t most things in politics?) It is a so-called “wedge issue.” As a Christian I have a fundamental problem with politicians creating issues that are designed not to bring us together to address issues in society, but to cause division; a wedge between. One way that people in power keep power is to cause division in the populous. This is especially useful when their control is threatened. Add to it that deference is often given to the one who can claim God is on their side or the side of the issue they support. For Christians to be sucked into supporting wedge issues is to allow oneself to be used and the heart of Christianity abused. Christian morality can not be legislated and to try is harmful to what Jesus was about. Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” As we daily die to the brokenness in our lives and rise to newness of life through our baptism we become living witnesses to the love of God. We ask of ourselves WWJD? In living out those answers in relationship with friends, family members and strangers (our neighbors) we have a more powerful and positive effect on their relationships--including marriages--than any law or amendment can provide. WWJD? Would Jesus advocate for laws and amendments that have the potential of harming many people while trying to protect an ideal? Or, would he advocate social change through lives of followers lived in love and forgiveness? Voting members of each congregation gathering at the 2005 Synod Assembly considered the marriage amendment, saw how harmful it could be to people, and voted not to support it. On Nov. 7 I intend to stand with the collective wisdom of our assembly. WWYD (What Will You Do)?
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By Lori Richardson
Mission Support: September 2006 $
99,219 September was not a good month for Mission Support. We were down over $20,000 from this month last year. This is not the direction we want to be heading. Many congregations will begin meeting soon, if they haven’t already, to set up their budgets for next year. Please remember that it is through your support that your synod continues to function. It is also through your support that we are able to send money on to the churchwide organization and to support other needs in Wisconsin and around the world. |
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On Sunday, Nov. 5--All Saints Sunday--the choir at Bethel Lutheran Church, Madison, will sing the beautiful REQUIEM of John Rutter in worship with orchestra at the 9:15 and 10:45 morning worship services. We will celebrate anew the Resurrection brought to us in a most personal way as we give our loved ones into the arms of our Savior and cling to that blessed hope, both for them, our families and for ourselves. As we live, we struggle with difficult feelings, whether it is over the death of a loved one or over the tragedy of many in our world. “Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord” gives voice to our struggle, but it does not leave us there. The message is hope in the promises of Jesus Christ. As we come to Holy Communion, the Sanctus literally sparkles with joy and excitement. In the “Lamb of God” we can hear the agony of the cross so that we might know the joy of the Resurrection. Finally, as “Lux aeterna” (Light eternal shine upon them) is sung, the pastors will light candles from the Paschal candle and pass the light out to the congregation as we lift them in memory of our loved ones. You are invited to join us on that day. The All Saints REQUIEM worship will be the same at both 9:15 and at 10:45 a.m. services on Nov. 5. For more information call Bethel at (608) 257-3577. |
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Beginning Process and/or in interims: Trinity, Arkdale—Interim Jim Steinbrecher; Rockdale, Cambridge—Interim Melissa Markquart; Peace, Cobb/Bethlehem, Edmund—Interim Kathy Jacobson; Grace, Darlington—Interim Steve Hanson; Spring Prairie, DeForest—Interim Craig Jan-McMahon; Grace, Monroe; United in Christ, Morrisonville—Interim Twink Jan-McMahon; Bonnet Prairie, Rio—Interim Dean Phillips; Redeemer, Rio—Interim Ken Schaub; Immanuel, Watertown—Interim David Keesey-Berg; First English, Whitewater—Interim Rich Collier Study Process: Primrose, Belleville—Interim Ted Kalkwarf; Brooklyn, Brooklyn--Interim Rebecca Ninke; First, Janesville (Associate) Awaiting Name/Interviewing candidates: Bethlehem, Brodhead—Interim Richard Thickpenny; Faith, Columbus (Associate); Norway Grove, DeForest—Interim Brad Pohlman; Trinity, Lake Mills—Interim John Tabaka; Bethel, Madison (Associate—Care Ministries); St. Luke, Middleton (Associate); Trinity, Pell Lake (Associate); St. John’s, Reedsburg (Associate); Covenant, Stoughton (Associate) |
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By Rolfe Nervig
Observation:
Observation:
Observation: How do we reconcile these realities and accomplish an intersection of message with hearers? How do we touch lives with the Good News for new people in new contexts? This represents the threat and the opportunity for Lutheran Christians today. Practical responses to these issues will be explored at the upcoming Outreach/Evangelism event:
“There Must Be a
Better Way … Reaching Out to a New World” Rev. Ruben Duran, ELCA Director for New Congregation Development, will discuss new ways of reaching out in his keynote address. One workshop will explore “asset-based planning as a way to incorporate the strengths and capabilities of a congregation in actions that reach out to those who really want to fly by God’s Spirit” (Bob Sitze on “A Better Way to Fly”). In another workshop, “Welcoming New Guests,” Lynne Kroger shows practical ways of demonstrating hospitality and a welcoming environment. In a third workshop on “Natural Church Development,” Gene Talley will outline a systematic approach to accomplishing a healthy, growing congregation. Other workshops include “Small Group Ministries,” “Video Outreach,” “Pray, Listen, Act,” and “Men’s Ministries.” Congregations are encouraged to register a team of three people for $50, with additional team members at $10 each; single registrations are $20. Register with Lori Richardson at the Synod Office at lorir@scsw-elca.org or (608) 270-0201. |
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Make Your Bishop
Carbon Neutral!
Care of Creation
E-Network |
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Evangelical Lutheran Worship, our new worship book, is an exciting resource that will help Lutherans to see our worship with renewed understanding. Pre-orders for Evangelical Lutheran Worship are currently being made and congregations are eagerly awaiting the arrival of this new resource. Containing ten settings of the Holy Communion service, (several which are already familiar) and 700 hymns, ELW will contain the service orders for many of the special days not included in earlier service books. Our synod ELW introduction team has been busily preparing for the events that will help congregational members, worship teams, musicians and pastors become familiar with the new worship resource. The attendance goal is for a minimum of 10-15 participants from each congregation. The events, locations and dates listed below will help present some of the unique characteristics of ELW and will allow for an opportunity to sing through some of the liturgical music and hymns both familiar and new. The cost for the introduction event is only $20.00 and will include a light meal and a copy of ELW. A real deal for the price, congregations will want to send a number of persons to attend in order to have a core group that can help answer questions regarding ELW in the local parish setting. ELW is the result of many years of research and testing of various renewing worship efforts in congregations throughout the ELCA. This excellent resource will aid our worship and serve Lutherans well for many years to come. The dates and locations of introductory events, listed below, will help as each congregation builds a team of people to attend. Please register with application and payment through the Synod Office by the Tuesday preceding the particular event. Saturday, Oct. 28, Faith Lutheran, Janesville, 8:00 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, Immanuel Lutheran, Watertown, 8:00 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, St. Luke’s Lutheran, Middleton, 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, St. Stephen’s Lutheran, Monona, 8:00 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, Grace Lutheran, Dodgeville, 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, Our Savior’s Lutheran, Sun Prairie, 8:00 a.m. Registration forms are available online through the synod Web site and as an “insert” with this newsletter. Consider sending a significant number of persons from your congregation to participate in an informative experience with Evangelical Lutheran Worship, our new worship resource. |
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Midvale Community Lutheran Church, Madison, will host a Health Fair--Wellness and Fun For All Ages on Nov. 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Open to the public, the fair will feature keynote speaker Dr. Maki on the topic of “Personal Protection Against Influenza.” A flu vaccination clinic will be part of the fair, along with 28 participants offering presentations and information booths. Lunch will be available and there will be entertainment, a yoga demonstration and chair massages. Just for the kids, three clowns will offer face painting and teaching about cardiac health. Zoo animals, cats and kittens, the fire department and the police department will also keep things interesting for children of all ages. Call Peggy Bezruki, Midvale’s Parish Nurse, at (608) 238-7119 for more information. |
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Natural Church Development (NCD) is a systematic approach to healthy church growth that is spreading around the world, and the ELCA has become very involved. It is a process that takes a developmental approach to building healthy, growing churches over a period of several years. The Outreach Committee of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin is actively promoting NCD as a way for churches to be strong in spreading the good news of new life through Jesus Christ. A key element in NCD is matching a congregational leadership group (“church health team”) with a Natural Church Development coach who assists in providing direction to the team. There is an upcoming opportunity for people to receive training to be a part of this ministry of NCD coaching. The Outreach Committee is providing the second workshop at a discounted rate for people from the synod who are willing to become NCD coaches ($125 instead of the usual $150). The training schedule is as follows: Friday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday, Nov. 18, 8:30 a.m. to noon “Coaching Basics” Friday, Feb. 2, 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday, Feb. 3, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both training workshops are required for NCD coaches. To register contact Lori Richardson in the Synod Office: lorir@scsw-elca.org or (608) 270-0201. For more information on NCD or the training contact Rolfe Nervig: rolfen@scsw-elca.org or (608) 270-0201, ext 106. |
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Grace Lutheran Church in East Dubuque will hold their last service Nov. 19. The following items are available to any congregation that can use them: 3 Matching wood altar/communion table, pulpit and baptismal font 3 Altar ware—matching cross, candleholders and 2 vases 3 Communion ware 3 Large wooden wall cross 3 62 copies Lutheran Book of Worship These can be picked up at the church anytime after Nov. 19 and before Dec. 3. Please contact Bev Goodno at (815) 747-3601 or Mark Cueno at (815) 747-6137 if interested. If you cannot use these but know of any congregations of any denomination in your community that can, please spread the word. Members of Grace would like to see the items go to a good home. |
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How do we provide a Biblical context for life in a changing world? What insights into challenging texts are provided by a Lutheran hermeneutic? Are there riches in the Lutheran theological tradition that can lead to a more compelling Biblical interpretation for today? How do we deal with the tough texts, the ones that we sometimes want to avoid? “No Easy Answers: Engaging Challenging Texts,” the 2007 leadership conference at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, will explore these questions through lectures, workshops and dialog Feb. 12-13 at the Lutheran School of Theology. For more information e-mail leadershipconference@lstc.edu or call (773) 256-0684. |
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We offer these petitions for use in the general prayers during worship or as items in your bulletins or newsletters. Our partner synod has asked that we pray regularly for them. November 5—We pray with our partner synod, the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church of India, that their agricultural ministries will bear fruit for the bodies and souls of its members. November 12—We thank you, God, for our partnership with the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church of India, especially for their inspirational Christian example for us as they stand firm in their faith in a non-Christian environment. November 19—We thank you, God, for showing us your “global love” as we partner with the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church of India. Bless them and us with the knowledge that we have Christian family throughout the world. November 26—Omniscient God, you know our every need and the needs of our partners in India’s Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church. Help both our synods to recognize our gifts so that they can be shared. Amen. |
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The next Sabbath Day for rostered leaders will be held Nov. 12-13 at the Bishop O’Connor Pastoral Center in Madison. To register, contact the Synod Office. For information, contact Chris Lee-Thompson at (608) 222-0422 or pastor@hope-in-action.org. |
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November 3
Candidacy Committee, Synod Office ***Coming February 24, 2007—LEAD at a new location—St. Luke’s Lutheran, Middleton*** |
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By Jerry Folk Why do we care about the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church of India and its people? They are half a world away from us. They live in a culture that we find strange and exotic and hard to understand. Why do we care? We care because God cares. We hear often in church about God’s love and care for us. But that “us” is not just the people who sit in ELCA parishes and hear ELCA pastors preach about God’s love. God’s love is not parochial or exclusive. God loves and cares about the whole human species of which we are a part. And God wants us to care as well. Indeed, one of the things the Bible means when it says that God created us in the divine image is that God made us so that we are able to love and to care about one another. But we are connected with fellow Christians around the world in even closer and more intimate way. We are not only part of the same human species with them. We are also members of the same family. St. Paul describes this connection graphically when he says that we are members of Christ’s Body in the world. When one member suffers, he says, all suffer. When one rejoices all rejoice. As members of one body, we share one another’s gifts and strengths and minister to one another’s needs for the good of the whole body. This biblical theology of oneness is not just something to be studied or preached. It’s something to be lived in concrete and measurable ways. But the world is a big place. We can’t relate concretely to everyone or every place. So to help us translate theology into action, the ELCA has linked each synod to a particular partner church somewhere in the developing world. These partnerships provide the synods opportunities to put this theology of Christian unity and shared life into practice. Our synod is linked with the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church of India. I had an opportunity last year to visit India, meet several people from the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church of India and begin translating my theology into action. We spoke heart-to-heart with one another. We shared our love for and faith in Jesus Christ with one another. We learned to love one another not in the abstract but concretely, as we shared our hopes and dreams and fears with one another, exchanged gifts, prayed and sang together, and embraced one another in the love of Christ. Through this sharing, we discovered one another’s strengths and weaknesses. We Americans learned that though we may be the richest people in the world, in many ways we are very poor. We also learned that our Indian brothers and sisters, though poor in material goods, are richer than we in others. One of those ways seemed to be generosity. Out of our love and our knowledge of one another’s poverty and wealth, we laid plans for how we could strengthen and support one another’s mission and ministry. At the end of our time together Paul’s image of the Body of Christ of which we are all members was no longer merely a theological concept for us. It was an experienced reality. Why do we care? We care because God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son into the world to save the world. With the help and support of the synod, we will be able to turn our love and care into concrete actions that will enhance the witness and mission of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin and the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church of India as we accompany one another on the road of discipleship. |
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Marking the centenary year of the birth of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Luther Memorial Church, Madison, hosts a conference, “Bonhoeffer’s Witness: Challenge for Today” on Nov. 10 and 11. Featured speakers included Larry L. Rasmussen, Reinhold Neibuhr Professor Emeritus of Social Ethics, Union Theological Seminary, New York City. For more information on the conference, visit www.BonhoefferMadison.org or call (608) 258-3160. |
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The South-Central is published electronically 10-12 times per year by the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, ELCA, 2909 Landmark Place, Suite 202, Madison, WI 53713. Submit all articles and inserts by the 15th of the month preceding publication to address above, or send via e-mail to the editor at debra_greene@sbcglobal.net. For more information about inserts, call the Synod Office at (608) 270-0201. Visit the synod’s Web site at http://www.scsw-elca.org. |
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