I will long remember the week of August 14. Returning on the 15th from the Ninth Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA in Orlando, Fla., I knew I would have some “catching up” to do in the office…debriefing the assembly, briefings with staff, mail, e-mail, phone messages, individual appointments…meeting with our recently appointed Campus Ministry Coordinating Committee to finalize our synod’s request to help fund Lutheran Campus Ministry in our synod…meeting with some members of our synod asked to share concrete ideas for implementing our synod assembly resolution “To Support Our Troops.”

The early morning news on the 17th stunned me as I saw images of a fire ravaging the facilities of Christ Lutheran Church in Stoughton. The wing housing Martin Luther Christian School, a ministry jointly sponsored by Christ, First, Covenant and West Koshkonong Lutheran Churches (all of Stoughton), the gymnasium/fellowship hall, the kitchen, the offices were all destroyed. The sanctuary was very heavily damaged. Lay leadership met at 9:00 a.m. and welcomed me when I walked in on their meeting (their pastors, Paula and Scott Geister-Jones, had left the day before on family vacation with their three children—they all returned that night). Great sadness did not overcome thanks that no lives were lost. Planning for Sunday worship and hopeful resolution to move into a new future marked their meeting.

The next evening tornadoes danced across southern Wisconsin, going especially wild in Dane County just north of Stoughton. All of us have heard the news and seen the images…death of a husband/father…injuries…houses, trees, crops destroyed or damaged. So, on the 19th I journeyed again to Stoughton to offer support and comfort on behalf of our synod. I arrived in time for a “walk through” of the facilities of Christ Lutheran, seeing and smelling the destruction. Above the altar the long-loved, carved-from-wood Christ figure hung totally blackened though not burned. On the book stand below laid charred-around-the-edges sheets of paper open to the words “Now the Feast and Celebration.”

On the 22st I returned to Christ Lutheran, joining God’s people for worship in the parking lot facing the burnt-out shell of their building. The lessons for the 14th Sunday of Pentecost (Isaiah 51:1-6, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20) gifted us with three C’s…Comfort, Community, Christ. In the midst of deep loss and many tears, God’s Spirit gathered us together, assuring us that God never leaves us, that God surrounds us with others to help meet our needs, and that God sends Jesus the Christ to embrace us with God’s love no matter who we are or what comes our way. On the makeshift altar stood a blackened cross—a sign of destruction and death—alongside the bread and wine—gifts to strengthen us and assure us of life. We heard the good news. We ate the holy meal. “Now the Feast and Celebration.”

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SEPTEMBER 2005

Churchwide Assembly Reflections
By: Bishop George Carlson

The Churchwide Assembly ended just three days ago. I want to share my own observations while they remain lively in my memory.

Genuine gratitude

I thank God for the privilege and responsibility of serving as a voting member of the Ninth Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA, held in Orlando, Fla., Aug. 8-14. Nineteen others from the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin served alongside me with faithfulness, commitment and concern for the mission and ministry of the ELCA for the sake of the world; I thank them on behalf of our synod and the entire ELCA:

Jay Becklin, Primrose Lutheran Church, Belleville; Pastor Dick Blomker, Lake Edge Lutheran Church, Madison; Pastor Elisa Brandt, Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Delavan; Carolyn Butts, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Evansville; Todd Fossum, First Lutheran Church, Stoughton; Pastor Mary Froiland, Luther Valley Lutheran Church, Beloit; Pastor Kurt Handrich, Calvary Lutheran Church, Beloit; Pastor Linda Kersten, First Lutheran Church, Janesville; Connie Kilmark, St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Monona; Pastor Steve Kottke, Grace Lutheran Church, Dodgeville; Bonnie Lee, Bristol Lutheran Church, Sun Prairie; Anna Lindquist, Midvale Community Lutheran Church, Madison; Tim Mumm, Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Delavan; Glenn Nielsen, McFarland Lutheran Church, McFarland; LaMay Nybroten, St. John Lutheran Church, Oregon; Pastor Jeff Pedersen, Lutheran Church of Peace, Platteville; Ted Spencer, Luther Valley Lutheran Church, Beloit; George Swamp, Lake Edge Lutheran Church, Madison and Beth Teggatz, Grace Lutheran Church, Dodgeville.

All the voting members from our synod are open to and welcome invitations from pastors and/or congregation councils to share their personal perspectives and interpretations of the Churchwide Assembly. Contact Marilon at our Synod Office for phone numbers or addresses so you can issue an invitation.

Special highlights

Daily worship continually reminded us of the center who binds us together—the Christ of the cross who calls, gathers and sends us as disciples for the sake of the world. We participated in a rich diversity of worship styles with great music, varied liturgies and outstanding preaching, yet always united at the Lord’s table. Enrichment, nourishment, inspiration and connection with God and God’s people describe my personal experience. Bible studies led by three different people opened the Word to us and us to the Word with new insights that led us into conversations and personal sharing with other voting members. Youth voting members expressed their deep concerns and convictions by their presence and their voice in debate; only 13 of the 65 synods had youth voting members present, including our own Anna Lindquist, who served with distinction.

Significant actions

Thoughtful, respectful deliberation preceded each major decision the assembly faced. We heard markedly different opinions from a variety of people. Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson at times had a daunting challenge in navigating through parliamentary procedure, yet he did his best to make sure the assembly understood the issues before us as we proceeded to vote. Prayer preceded most votes on major issues. As I see it, the decisions made by the assembly will advance the strategic directions that grew out of the vision and goals adopted at the 2003 Churchwide Assembly.

? We adopted (82% yes) the recommendations from the ELCA Church Council for Churchwide Restructuring which aim to make the churchwide office more efficient and collaborative and to make the Church Council more in touch with synods and with program units.

? We adopted (74% yes) a recommendation to proceed with Renewing Worship so congregations have access to a new common worship book and other resources to help meet the varied worship

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SEPTEMBER 2005

Personal reflections

This assembly, like those in which I participated in 2001 and 2003, brought a deep appreciation for the clarity of the ELCA regarding our center—to worship the One who creates, sustains and claims us as God’s beloved through Jesus the Christ, and then to live as followers of Jesus, empowered by God’s Spirit to share God’s reconciling love, which brings healing, wholeness, faith, hope and peace as God’s gifts for all people. I also deeply appreciate the compassion of the ELCA

for all in need, as shown so concretely through our hunger program, disaster response, immigration and refugee ministries, advocacy efforts and social services of many kinds. I further appreciate the complexity of the ELCA in facing ministry issues, aware of and supportive of differing responses within our own church because of specific cultural contexts—rural or urban, mono-cultural or multi-cultural, persons of wealth or persons in poverty, south or west or east or north. Finally, I appreciate the commitment of the ELCA to extend our reach to all people and all creation, for the God we know in Jesus embraced this world and everyone in it with God’s amazing grace, a grace that envelopes every person with life-creating forgiveness so radical that each turns to God with repentance that brings joy in becoming a new creation beyond all human expectations.

Coming away from the assembly, I realize anew that the ELCA seeks to journey faithfully into God’s future, a future that we will continue to discern by the Spirit’s leading through prayer, Bible study and lively, imaginative conversation with our sisters and brothers in this church so generously gifted by God. So I invite you to join me in praying,

With the healing of division,
with the ceaseless voice of prayer,
with the power to love and witness,
with the peace beyond compare:
come, Holy Spirit, come.

(“Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song”

With One Voice, 685)

For more detailed news and information, check out the ELCA website, www.elca.org

WCC day of study and reflection

The Wisconsin Council of Churches is sponsoring a day of study and reflection for clergy and lay leaders on the lectionary Gospel for the coming year called “Preaching and Teaching the Gospel of Mark.”

Locations and dates of the study day, which runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., follow:

Monday, Oct. 10, Lake Edge United Church of

Christ, Madison; Tuesday, Oct. 11, Wesley United Methodist Church, Wausau; Wednesday, Oct. 12, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, West Allis; Thursday, Oct. 13, First Presbyterian Church, La Crosse.

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SEPTEMBER 2005

The Complaint Department is closed

By Michael Rehak
Associate with the Bishop
for Congregational Health
michaelr@scsw-elca.org

As one reads through the Gospels, one can’t help but notice how many times Jesus is in the presence of both disciples and enemies when he confronts them on what they are thinking or talking about amongst themselves. Jesus doesn’t let this negativism just slide. He confronts it. He would rather have his antagonists talking to him than about him. It is the only healthy option.

But we think and act differently. In part, it’s our political system. We are encouraged to contact our elected representatives with complaints and concerns. We have elected them; it is their job to address our complaints.

Many view the congregation council the same way; they are elected and since they represent us, we need to give them our complaints and complain about them when the issue is not addressed to our satisfaction.

TIME OUT! The Complaint Department is closed. Nowhere in the constitution of any congregation does it: 1) call the elected members “representatives,” and 2) describe one of their duties as having to listen to complaints.

Fellow members are elected to the council to make decisions on behalf of all; decisions that will further the mission of Jesus Christ in and through the congregation. It is not a representational form of government. To the contrary, we elect men and women we trust will be followers of Christ who devote themselves to prayer and reflection in order that they might know and understand how it is that Jesus would have them address the business of His Church. Being on council is not about making decisions. It’s about trying to understand how the decisions of Jesus Christ now shape our response to the needs and challenges of the world before us.

When council members receive the complaints, when they accept them (and some council members go out of their way to elicit them) they

take on a responsibility that inhibits their ability to perform the functions of the office to which they were elected. Any time we take on responsibility for another, it impinges on our ability to respond to them. Accepting the complaints of another as though one has power to do something about the subject of their concern actually subjugates that one to the complainer. The receiver is in the no-win situation of having to address the complaint only to the satisfaction of the one who raised the complaint. There is a reason why in many congregations no one readily wants to serve on council; the expectation of having to satisfy complaints is disempowering and frustrating.

The role and function of each council member is to help the congregation respond to the love of God as it was demonstrated for us in Jesus Christ. The role of the council member is to respond to the person with the concern, and not take responsibility for the complaint. The prepositions are critical. The council member will respond to them by helping them find the satisfaction they need. This is accomplished by encouraging them to personally address their concern to the one who has caused it. When they are afraid and unwilling to talk to the other, the council member is empowered to go with them. Jesus has laid out the expectations for such behavior in Matt. 18:15-18.

“But this is a free country and I will complain to whom I want when I want,” I have been told with raised voice, “and you can’t stop me.” Okay, but we are not talking about the country, we are talking about the Church. Jesus lays out his expectations for His Church and the constitution of the congregation provides for discipline for those who choose to be contrary and whose behaviors are disruptive to the ministry of the church.

The Complaint Department is closed! Now be empowered to respond to one another in love and care, finding healing and greater well-being for self and the congregation.

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SEPTEMBER 2005

Financial report

By Lori Richardson
Administrative Assistant
lorir@scsw-elca.org

Mission support, July 2005 $116,738
   Year-to-date, 2005/2006 $116,738
   Year-to-date, 2004/2005 $144,194
                                            (-27,456) -19.04%

Unfortunately, this new fiscal year has not started out as well as we had hoped. The summer is always a difficult time for our congregations, so we pray that as the fall continues the giving will increase.

The Churchwide Assembly took place Aug. 8-14 in Orlando, Fla. Many of us watched the proceedings online or followed the actions by e-mail. When giving to the synod is down, giving to the churchwide organization goes down. Many worthwhile activities take place through our congregations; however, any number of worthwhile activities through our synod and the ELCA are affected when giving to these organizations decreases.

Remember that “we are all one in mission.” Thank you for your work and support.

Responding to disaster

For Christ Lutheran Church: The South-Central Synod of Wisconsin has established a Christ Lutheran Disaster Fund to help defray losses caused by the fire of August 17. Gifts received will benefit Christ Lutheran and Martin Luther Christian School and their staffs for losses not covered by insurance. Checks can be sent to “South-Central Synod of Wisconsin” designated for “Christ Lutheran Disaster Fund.”

For Individuals Hit by Tornado: Lutheran Disaster Domestic Response provides help to

individuals hit by disasters in our country. Bishop Carlson has asked Pastor Bill Lehman, First Lutheran, Stoughton, to be the contact person in our synod in dealing with Lutheran Disaster Domestic Response. Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan directs efforts in our synod. Gifts can be given to “Lutheran Disaster Domestic Response—ELCA” and sent to either the Synod Office in Madison or to the Churchwide offices:

ELCA, 8765 West Higgins Road
Chicago, IL 60631-4184

Congregations in transition

Beginning Process and/or in interims: St. John, Evansville—Interim Brad Pohlman; Good Shepherd, Madison (Associate); ELC, Mt. Horeb—Interim David Keesey-Berg; Immanuel, Mount Horeb—Interim Timothy Vadis; St. John’s, Oregon; First English, Platteville—Interim Terry Larson; Bristol, Sun Prairie—Interim Larry Pinnow.

Study Process: Hope, Milton—Interim Jerald Wendt.

Interviewing candidates: Zion, Bagley/St. Peter, Cassville—Interim Burton Everist; St. John’s, Beaver Dam – Interim Rich Collier; Faith, Columbus (Associate); Christ,

Lancaster/St. Paul’s, Potosi—Interim Margaret Ley; St John’s, Prairie du Sac; St. John’s, Richland Center—Interim James Steinbrecher; Immanuel, Watertown.

In Transition:

Karla Scholmeyer Brekke to Trinity, Edgerton from On Leave from Call (NE Iowa Synod)

Michael Lee to First, Lodi from On Leave from Call (Minneapolis Area Synod)

Connie Matye to Peace, Belmont from Wartburg Seminary

Timothy Vadis from Wisconsin Heights Parish to Interim, Immanuel, Mount Horeb

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SEPTEMBER 2005

Rituals for families of young children

By Lisa Nelson
Assistant to the Bishop
for Youth and Family Ministry

In “Blessings and Rituals: For the Journey of Life” (Abingdon Press, 2000), author and pastor Susan Langhauser suggests that family and friends create a “Blessing Box” for a young child. Similar to a time capsule, this box would contain an item from each friend or family member, along with a note explaining why that item was chosen and the name of the giver(s). The box would then be given to the child at a significant birthday or perhaps at graduation.

Friends and family could gather with their chosen item at a certain time and place or the parents could travel to friends and family throughout the year in order to gather these items. Items could include photos, letters, seashells, tools or something homemade. It shouldn’t be difficult for people to come up with an item of significance for them and the child. As each person puts their item in the box, they can explain why they chose it. This gathering could even be videotaped.

Remember to include a prayer for the child and the friends and family gathered, as well as those absent. Pastor Langhauser includes a prayer in her above-mentioned book. When it comes time to give the box to the young person, the guests could be invited to the grand opening.

My husband, Robb Kosky, and I are reading several NRSV Student Bibles these days. And we are writing in them—marking them up with

comments and underlining. Our plan is to give a Bible to each of our children at a suitable time.

We also plan to have the grandparents highlight and make comments about their favorite scripture passages in these Bibles. Each grandparent will get a different colored highlighter with which to mark up the Bibles.

Who knows where our sons will be on their faith journeys when we give them these Bibles, but we do know that there will come a time in their lives when they will want to turn to God for strength and help. We want them to have a Bible in their hands when that happens.

Perhaps your congregation may want to gather a group of people together, who can meet and support one another as they read their Bibles for their children. Reading the Bible takes self-discipline. How much easier this is when others join you on this adventure!

Birthday memories

Each year, on the day of their birth, tell your child the story of his or her birth. Where were you when you realized this was it? Where was the child born? How long did labor and delivery

take? What do you remember about it? When was he or she born? Children love stories about themselves, and these rituals can be very important to them.

Calling all Christian educators

Calling all Christian educators! You are invited to a gathering for all those who work as volunteers, leaders or helpers in the ministry of Christian Education (children, youth and adults).

We are hoping to form a chapter of the “Lutheran Association of Christian Educators,” (LACE) a newly forming organization within the ELCA. The vision of LACE is to “create a community for energizing and inspiring ELCA Christian educators for their work through: facilitating communication, offering venues for idea-sharing and support, providing resources

and educational opportunities, nurturing spiritual growth.”

Please join Jacqui Shanda and Kim Eighmy at St. James Lutheran Church, Verona, on Tuesday, Oct. 18, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. RSVP by Monday, Oct. 10, by contacting Kim Eighmy at St. James, (608) 845-6922 or keighmy@stjamesverona.org or Jacqui Shanda at Bethel Lutheran Church, (608) 257-3577 or blceducation@bethel-madison.org.

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SEPTEMBER 2005

Learning events for congregations

The Center for Congregational Leadership (CCL) is developing several 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 and lay leaders of congregations within a given geographical area (both Lutheran and other denominations) to contact Director Jim Bailey to arrange for hosting one of the workshops or the mini-course described below. These host congregations will designate a location for the event, guarantee a minimal enrollment of 15-20, and select a local coordinator to facilitate publicity and registration. A planning guide for coordinating such an event is available from Bailey.

The following are the current offerings for the fall of 2005 and during 2006:

One-Day Workshops

The one-day workshop would normally be scheduled on a Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., although an alternative format is possible if agreed upon by the presenter(s) and hosting group. The registration fee will be $25 per person (plus cost for lunch), with a minimal enrollment of 15-20 required.

Workshop: “Conflict Transformation Skills For Churches”

Leader/Facilitator: Pastor Mark Buchan, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Rio

This workshop is 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. In addition to the cost of the workshop, each participant or congregational team will be invited to purchase the manual “Conflict Transformation Skills for Congregations” for $12.

Pastor 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 at (920) 992-3553; mbuchan@centurytel.net.

Workshop: “Congregational Visioning Process”

Leader: Pastor Dick Inglett, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Portage

This workshop explains an approach and provides 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. The morning of the workshop involves an overview of the process, materials used, publicizing and choosing participants, introduction of resources, step-by-step review of the visioning process, and development of the visioning statement. During the afternoon, there will be practical applications of the visioning process and statement as well as group work to lay out timeline and use of materials for the participants’ own congregational visioning process.

Pastor Inglett, who has developed and led this process effectively in his current congregation, also teaches in the Lay School of Ministry. For more information, contact Bailey, or Inglett at (608) 742-8502; ringlet@jvlnet.com.

Workshop: “Reading Resources For Congregations”

Leaders: Pastors Dick Inglett and Jim Bailey

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SEPTEMBER 2005

More on learning events

“The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith” (HarperSanFrancisco, 2003, pb., 226 pages) by Marcus Borg, a NT scholar, who writes for those seeking a fresh way of understanding and living their Christian faith in a society dominated by fundamentalists. The leader is Pastor Inglett.

“Beyond Maintenance to Mission: A Theology of the Congregation” (Fortress Press, 1999, pb., 127 pages) by Craig Nessan, a professor at Wartburg Seminary, who makes a persuasive case for the centrality of mission in the life of the church and provides congregational leaders ways to move beyond “maintenance thinking.” The leader is Dr. Bailey.

Mini-Courses

Mini-courses are normally scheduled on a weekday evening (6:30-9:30 p.m.) or Sunday

afternoon for four or five consecutive weeks at a location determined by the host group of congregations. The registration fee for the mini-course is $50 per person, with a minimal enrollment of 15-20 required.

Five-Week Course: “The Power Of Nonviolence: From Jesus To Gandhi & Beyond”

Instructor: Dr. Jerry Folk

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 World Council of Churches’ “Statement on Nonviolence.” The course includes the viewing of several inspiring documentaries on the subject.

Dakota Road workshop and concert

Join First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Beaver Dam, as they enjoy an evening of song and praise, Saturday, Sept. 10. Dakota Road, a nationally known band, will be sharing powerful stories of life and faith in an entertaining performance style.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Make a day of it and explore the possibilities of incorporating music into your church service by registering for afternoon seminars with this worship and music publishing company. Seminars will feature Song

Leading, Writing and Technique, Instrumental Instruction for bass/Guitar, Drums and Keyboard and Introducing Music into your Service. Admission is $8 or a maximum family cost of $30 (families of four or more). The three-hour seminar is $10 per person or you can pick up an all-access ticket for $15 per person. Registration can be made when ordering Individual or Family Tickets by calling First Evangelical Lutheran Church at (920) 885-4497.

Conference on aging

The Luther Institute will host “A Conference on the Implications of Aging for Lutheran Congregations” Nov. 4-6 in Rosslyn, Va. (across the Potomac from Washington, D.C.) This conference will offer plenary sessions led by leaders in the field of senior ministry, workshops to examine successful case histories, workshops on creating ministry opportunities for seniors and opportunities for networking and sharing.

Confirmed speakers include Rich Bimler of Wheat Ridge Ministries, Mary Nelson of Bethel New Life Ministries, Jill Schumann of Lutheran Services in America and Walt Schoedel of Lutheran Senior Services. For additional information contact The Luther Institute at (202) 547-5504 or visit the web site at www.lutherinst.org/Aging

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SEPTEMBER 2005

Lakeview Lutheran Health Fair

Lakeview Lutheran Church, Madison, will sponsor its third annual Health Fair on Sunday, Oct. 2, 9:00 a.m. to noon. The Health Fair is free and open to the public.

Some of the participants include: Blue Sky School of Massage Therapy; Windermere Institute for the Healing Arts; Kripalu Yoga instruction; blood pressure monitoring; Healing With Hands Massage; and UW-Preventative Cardiology with women’s heart health assessment.

Interactive events for children will include UW’s “Think First” program for safety and head injury prevention; UW Hospital Poison Prevention & Education Center; and Girl Neighborhood Power-Kennedy Heights teaching and showcasing double-dutch jump roping.

There will be a 5-mile run and 3-mile walk in the Warner Park area and plenty of good refreshments. For more information on the health fair, call the church at (608) 244-6181.

Forum for seniors offered at Lakeview

A monthly forum directed towards seniors will begin this fall at Lakeview Lutheran Church in Madison.

On Tuesday, Oct. 4, Dr. Clive Svendsen of the Stem Cell Research Program at UW will present a talk on “Stem Cell Research and Parkinson’s Disease,” followed by Jessica Hahn, coordinator, American Parkinson Disease, on Parkinson’s in general and support groups. Tuesday, Nov. 8, Sue Lux, R.N.,

Associate in Ministry, ELCA, will discuss “Spirituality and Aging.”

A light lunch will be served from 11:30-12:15 p.m. with programs beginning at 12:15. Anne Tigan, parish nurse, will be available for blood pressure monitoring. These talks are free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not necessary, but is welcome, by calling Nancy Anderson, Office Administrator, or Anne Tigan, Parish Nurse at (608) 244-6181.

Synod classifieds

COORDINATOR OF MUSIC MINISTRIES: St. Luke Lutheran Church, Slinger, Wis., seeks a part-time coordinator of music ministries to oversee music programs for all ages, accompany the choir and Sunday worship. Must possess broad keyboard and vocal music skills. Call (262) 644-6003 or e-mail secretary@stluke-slinger.org for an application.

FREE FOLDING CHAIRS: Bethel Lutheran Church, Madison, has about 200 metal folding chairs to give away to another congregation. Also available: stage curtains and the track to hang them from a very large motorized (electric) movie screen. Any group or congregation that could use this equipment should contact Ed Young at Bethel Lutheran Church, (608) 257-3577 or edyoung@bethel-madison.org.

ORGANIST/CHOIR DIRECTOR: Deerfield Lutheran Church seeks to fill the recently vacated position of Organist/Choir Director. Direct your inquiries to Deerfield Lutheran

Church, 206 S. Main St, P.O. Box 45, Deerfield, WI 53531, (608) 764-5566 or pastorlarry@deerfieldelca.org.

ORGANIST-PIANIST: St. John’s Lutheran Church, Evansville, seeks a musician to play for one service weekly—8:00 a.m. during the school year; 9:00 a.m. during the summer. Salary is negotiable based on the level of experience. Contact the Music Staff Search Committee at (608) 882-4044.

PRESCHOOL TEACHER: Angels of the Prairie, a Christian faith-based preschool, seeks a part-time teacher. The preschool is located in Bristol Lutheran Church, Sun Prairie. The ideal applicant would hold a teacher’s license for preschool ages in the State of Wisconsin and be available to teach mornings. Please direct inquiries to: Angels of the Prairie, 6835 Hwy N, Sun Prairie WI 53590-9431 or to blee1973@iGlide.net.

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SEPTEMBER 2005

Focus on peacemaking resolution

By Jerry Folk
Co-chair, Synod Peace through Nonviolent Action Team

Remember the “Focus on Peacemaking” resolution discussed and passed at the 2005 Synod Assembly? The Synod Peace through Nonviolent Action Team doesn’t want this to be one of those resolutions that gets filed and forgotten, so at our last meeting we developed some suggestions to congregations on ways to implement it. For the next several months, we will be sharing these suggestions through the synod newsletter.

This resolution reminds us that “God calls us to be peacemakers” and encourages congregations throughout the synod to discuss this peacemaking call of God and to consider how to respond to it. It suggests that congregations use as resources for these discussions two ELCA documents—the social statement “For Peace in God’s World” and the message “Living in a Time of Terror,” both of which are available online at www.elca.org/socialstatements/. Here are some suggestions about how to get a discussion of peacemaking ministry going in your congregation.

1. Make the peacemaking ministry of the church a special theme of the Advent Season, as we prepare for the birth of the Prince of Peace. Announce and promote this theme in the Advent bulletins and the congregation’s newsletter.

2. Encourage the artists of the congregation, especially any artists among the youth, to create posters or banners hailing Jesus as Prince of Peace or featuring teachings of Jesus related to peace such as “Blessed are the Peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9), “Love and pray for your enemies” (Matthew 5:44) or “Father, forgive them,” Jesus’ own prayer for his enemies from the cross (Luke 23:34).

3. Go to the above Internet sites and print out a few copies of the ELCA Social Statement “For Peace in God’s World” and the ELCA Message “Living in a Time of Terror.” Make these available in the parish library or in some other way and use the bulletin and congregational newsletter to encourage members to read them. Include the Internet address in the bulletin and newsletter and encourage members who are online to print their own copies.

4. Use “For Peace in God’s World” as a study document for the church council. The statement is too long to discuss in one session. It would be best to devote half an hour to the discussion of this statement at four successive council meetings according to the following schedule:

Session I: Parts 1 (Introduction) and 2

Discussion questions:

1) In what ways does our congregation publicly proclaim God’s Gospel of Peace?

2) How does our congregation contribute or fail to contribute to earthly peace by living or failing to live in unity?

3) How does our congregation equip its members to act for peace?

4) Has our congregation ever been a disturbing, reconciling, serving or deliberating presence in society? If so, how and when? If not, why not?

Session II: Part 3

Discussion questions:

1) How do you see the tension between integration and particularity playing out in your community? Does Christian faith provide any guidance as to where to stand on the spectrum between these poles? If so, what is that guidance? How might the church model a healthy balance?

Session III: Part 4

Discussion questions:

1) According to “For Peace in God’s World,” page 7, “the United States should not withdraw or isolate itself from the rest of the world” or “seek to control or police the world.” The statement also asserts that “Global challenges cannot be addressed by the United States alone.” Do you agree or disagree with these statements? What are your reasons for agreeing or disagreeing?

2) Paragraph 3, page 8, of “For Peace in God’s World” describes the criteria for a Just War. Do you agree with these criteria for evaluating whether or not a war is just? Do you think they are helpful to Christians? Why or why not? Do you think a Christian who concludes that a war is not just should refuse to participate in it? Why or why not?

3) The ELCA rejects nuclear war unequivocally as failing to meet Just War criteria. Do you agree with this? Why or why not?

4) According to “For Peace in God’s World,” the church today needs the witness of (those) who in the name of Jesus Christ refuse all participation in war and “support(s) members who conscientiously object to bearing arms in military service.” Do you agree with this position? Why or why not?