Welcome to the synod e-news! Reminder: The last section of the synod newsletter is always the buttons to resources on the synod website. If your email ends before that, it may have been "clipped." If you see that message, just click on the "View entire message" link next to it to view the newsletter in its entirety.

Happy Easter!

As we journey through this Eastertide, I want to share this beautiful prayer from the Daily Lectionary for Easter day offered at Vanderbilt University:

Mighty God, in whom we know the power of redemption, you stand among us in the shadows of our time. As we move through every sorrow and trial of this life, uphold us with knowledge of the final morning when, in the glorious presence of your risen Son, we will share in his resurrection, redeemed and restored to the fullness of life and forever freed to be your people. Amen.

That line "you stand among us in the shadows of our time" feels especially poignant to me. We encounter no shortage of shadows in daily life: churches in conflict, communities in grief, budgets under strain, pews that hold fewer people than they once did, and a country and world at war. I know these things keep me up at night. I suspect they keep many of you up as well.

But Easter will not give us the last word on any of that.

This prayer articulates a deep truth of our faith: Christ stands among us in the shadows. The risen Christ is right alongside us. And we know that this risen Christ will walk into locked rooms, into graveyards, into the middle of our uncertainty. This is Easter.

The resurrection is the centerpiece of everything we do as the church. Every worship service, every meeting, every difficult phone call is framed by resurrection. Our story of faith does not end in defeat, in despair, or in diminishment. The Easter story is a story of glory and of the fullness of God, who restores us and all of creation to Godself.

The church is always moving. We are called to proclaim this Good News: You are not alone. God is with you in the shadows and in the sunshine.

May God continue to bless and uphold you through the Holy Spirit and give you good courage to serve.

With Gratitude,

Bishop Joy Mortensen-Wiebe

The Church doesn’t move forward by accident. It moves forward with intention, shaped by those who came before us, and guided by the Spirit toward what’s next.

This year’s South-Central Synod of Wisconsin Assembly gathers under the theme Forward, an invitation to honor the faithful witness that has brought us to this moment while doing the real, grounded work of discerning where God is calling us next.

The Synod Assembly is the highest legislative body of our synod, the place where the Church, in its fullest local expression, gathers to act. We discuss and pass resolutions. We elect leadership that will carry this synod’s mission. We share stories from our missional partners across the Church. We have the conversations that shape who we are and what we prioritize. 

Lay voting members from each of our 133 congregations, all called Rostered Ministers, campus ministry representatives, synodically authorized worshiping communities, and retired Rostered Ministers all have a seat at the table. That’s not a small thing.

Some of the most important moments happen outside the business sessions. In the hallway conversations. Over a meal. In the connection between two congregations who rarely get to be in the same room. The relationships built here, and the resources discovered through them, are just as much a part of how the Church moves forward as any resolution we pass.

Come to do the work. Come to build the connections. Come curious, come ready, and come as you are.

Early Registration ends TOMORROW NIGHT, March 8

Register now to avoid price increase!

Register today and take your place in the ongoing story of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin.

All registration, lodging, nomination, voting, resolutions, schedule information and more can be found on the 2026 Assembly Website linked below.

Our 2026 Synod Assembly is PACKED with critical business for our Synod. We will elect leaders, celebrate successes, and plan for our future together. To get the most out of this experience, please join us in person or on Zoom to prepare for the 2026 Synod Assembly! Hosted by your Synod Council, Be In The Know sessions will educate attendees on what to expect at Assembly, including what elections will take place, what the roles/expectations are of elected positions, etc. 

Sessions are scheduled for the following dates and locations:

Thursday, April 23 from 6 - 7:30 PM - via Zoom

Tuesday, April 28 from 6 – 7:30 PM @ St. John's Lutheran Church in Prairie du Sac

Thursday, April 30 from 6 - 7:30 PM. @ Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Watertown

Volunteer at Assembly

If you are planning to attend assembly as a voting member or a guest please prayerfully consider volunteering. It requires many hands and collective work to make events like this successful. We are incredibly grateful for all who have already given their time and energy to make this gathering possible!

We are seeking volunteers to assist with various aspects of the Assembly. Whether you have an hour to spare or can commit to a full day, your help is invaluable in creating a welcoming and engaging experience for all attendees.

Areas we are planning for the need for volunteers:



• AV & Tech Support – Assist with microphones, presentations, and digital needs. Volunteers should be comfortable with basic audio-visual equipment and willing to troubleshoot minor tech issues. Training will be provided if necessary.
• Registration & Credentials – Greet attendees, provide name tags, verify credentials, and assist with check-in. Volunteers should be organized, comfortable with using a computer and comfortable interacting with people.
• Worship Set Up Team – Assist in setting up worship spaces, arranging materials, and ensuring all elements are in place for worship services. Volunteers should be attentive to detail and able to follow setup instructions.
• Event Set Up – Help arrange tables, chairs, and displays before the event begins. Volunteers should be able to lift and move materials as needed.
• Event Take Down – Assist with cleaning up and packing away materials after the event concludes. Volunteers should be able to lift and move materials and follow cleanup instructions.
• Hospitality/Greeter – Welcome attendees, provide directions, and create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Volunteers should be friendly, approachable, and ready to assist with general inquiries.
• Kids Corner – Supervise and engage children in age-appropriate activities during the event. Volunteers should enjoy working with children and be able to create a fun and safe environment.
• Elections Committee – Assist with the business portion of the meeting, including tallying votes, distributing ballots, and ensuring a smooth election process. Volunteers should be detail-oriented and comfortable handling confidential information.
• Decorating Team – Help design and set up decorations, including table centerpieces, the stage, and registration tables. Volunteers should have a creative eye and be willing to assist with arranging and enhancing the space to reflect the event’s theme.

Crossways Camping Ministries has called a Special Meeting of Delegates to discuss the future of Waypost Camp.

Date: Sunday, April 12, 2025

Time: 2:00 PM

Location: St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Neenah

Virtual Option: Zoom

Delegates will vote on options for the transfer of ownership of the Waypost Camp property, including the possible private sale of the residence and options related to the conservation easement parcel. Voting will be conducted by ranked-choice.

Congregations eligible to send voting delegates are those who have participated in Crossways programming within the last two years and/or financially supported Crossways within the last year. Each congregation may send up to two voting delegates.

Please RSVP your delegates as soon as possible. For more information, contact Crossways Camping Ministries at info@crosswayscamps.org 

Often, when natural disasters strike or war drives families from their homes, our hearts ache with compassion but we don’t know how to help. Making Lutheran World Relief Mission Quilts is a tangible way to express love to our neighbors in need. Quilts can be used as warm bedding, simple tents or floor coverings. Each one reflects God's loving presence in a world rife with suffering.

Below are the Ingathering/Drop off Sites for this fall:

Saturday, September 12, 2026

7 - 11 AM

New Location for 2026:

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

5710 Raymond Rd. Madison, WI 53711

Organizers:

Pastor Dara Schuller, Site Coordinator

Phone: 608.271.6633 | Email: dschuller@gslcwi.com

Leo Verrochi, Operations & Engagement Manager, Quilt & Kit Ministry

Phone: 410.230.2829 | Email: lverrochi@lwr.org

There will no longer be an Ingathering/Drop-Off site at the WI-SO Railroad Yards.

Saturday, September 12, 2026

11 AM - 1 PM

First English Lutheran Church

215 W Pine St, Platteville, WI 53818

Organizers:

Pastor Brenda Crossfield, Site Coordinator | Phone: 608.348.3022

Leo Verrochi, Operations & Engagement Manager, Quilt & Kit Ministry

Phone: 410.230.2829 | Email: lverrochi@lwr.org

We would love to hear from you! If you have questions specific to LWR or the Quilt & Kit Ministry, please see our website at LWR.org, or contact Leo Verrochi, Operations and Engagement Manager, Quilts & Kits Ministry Thank you so much for all you do!

Beginning in May there will be a discussion offering monthly. It will be the third Thursday of each month at the same time each month. This offering is open to all women. The discussion will center around the gather magazine Bible study, which can be accessed online here.

Thursday, May 21, 2026

7 - 8 PM via Zoom

Gather, the magazine of Women of the ELCA, offers a mix of articles, theological reflections, devotions and stories of comfort and challenge that help readers grow in faith and engage in ministry and action. Gather is published 6 times a year. A print subscription is $19.95 a year. Digital access (computer, iPad, Android) is free to print subscribers. For more information, or to subscribe by phone, call 1-844-409-0576

Mark Your Calendar for Wild Church – All Nature Sings! 

Saturday, April 25, 10:30 am – noon, New Life Church, 7564 Cottage Grove Road

Liz Rog, song leader and founder of the Center for Belonging Folk School in Decorah, IA, will lift our spirits as we lift our voices to God with praise and thanks for all creation at the SCSW’s Wild Church event. We gather outside and raise up songs together in praise of all life from 10:30 to 11 am, wander and wonder in New Life’s prairie or walk the labyrinth from 11 to 11:30 am, and conclude with songs, sharing and communion at the fire pit from 11:30 to noon. Bring your own lunch to share at noon. Beverages and snacks will be provided. The Center for Belonging nurtures grassroots community connection in spacious time through celebration, ritual, play, song, story, art, food, craft, and learning together with nature.

Please RSVP to synod C4C Ministry Team chair, Meg Nielsen. Free will offerings in support of this event are appreciated on the day of the event or by sending checks payable to South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, Memo: Wild Church, South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, 4001 Mandrake Rd 1st Floor, Madison, WI 53704.

April 2025 Newsletter from ELCA Missionary, Rev. Dr. Carolyn Schneider

Rev. Dr. Carolyn Schneider is currently serving in Guyana, South America, whose present work centers primarily in helping the church to strengthen its program of training and preparation of leaders for lay, diaconal, and pastoral ministries. The South-Central Synod of Wisconsin is Rev. Dr. Schneider's home synod. Click below to read updates from her most recent newsletter.

Mental Health Support During Disruptive Times

When chaos and worry seem overwhelming, you don’t have to face it alone. Portico members with ELCA-Primary health benefits, your EAP can help you navigate anxiety, uncertainty, and emotional strain tied to current events. Want a quick visual reminder? Print this Spring Health resource for practical ways to stay grounded and supported.

Notify Portico of Any Compensation Changes

To administer benefits accurately, Portico needs to know each member’s current compensation amount. If your congregation’s annual meeting included a salary or benefit adjustment, be sure your EmployerLink user notifies Portico within 60 days of the effective date of that change. Late notifications of compensation changes can impact your sponsored members’ retirement account contributions as well as disability and life insurance benefits. This year, note that EmployerLink users will be asked to verify FICA (for lay employees) or SECA (for most clergy) status as part of the SECURE 2.0 Roth catch-up provision.

Online Retirement Readiness Series

Winter weather got you homebound? Take a break from your Netflix queue to bolster your financial knowledge. Portico has worked with Fidelity to offer a virtual Retirement Readiness workshop series designed to help individuals think confidently about their financial future. Topics include Social Security, retirement savings strategies, health care costs in retirement, and protecting personal information online. Find videos on the Retirement Readiness series page on myPortico.

The March 2026 Mission Support memo takes us into a two-day training on Facilitation Fundamentals by our ELCA innovation team. It’s a room full of ELCA staff from across the country, across churchwide units, in all levels of positions. A few people know each other, but everyone will leave knowing each other. They wonder what the pile of Post-it notes is all about but quickly realize it’s to collect each person’s imaginings and ideas that then help the group surface insights quickly, ensure everyone is heard, and allow people across roles and hierarchy to contribute equally. Read to hear how valuable folks are finding this approach.

We are so excited to be planning events to foster education and community. Join our Facebook group to connect with women who share your convictions!

Here is a newsletter to share our planned events, goals, and some educational resources from fellow Lutheran organizations working towards racial justice. We hope you will join us as we pursue racial justice together!

Sign up to receive the Racial Justice Advocacy Network newsletter.

Each year, every congregation, synod-authorized worshiping community (SAWC) and new start is asked to provide information about its people, finances, and resources through the Annual Congregation Report. This provides the churchwide organization and synods with a record of the congregations and worshiping communities that make up the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

In mid-January 2026, all ELCA congregations, SAWCs and new starts will receive the 2025 Annual Congregation Report letter through the mail. If your congregation or worshiping community would like to begin compiling information for the report before receiving the packet, electronic versions of Form A and several supporting documents are available online. A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) is also available to help you navigate the process.