September 15 is the first day to apply for the annual Labor of Love grant to reduce professional church worker debt. Application deadline is December 10, and awards will be made in January.

Eligibility requirements have changed for 2024. School debt over $10,000 now qualifies, as well as no limit on the years out of school.

Surveys in 2023 showed that most applicants found the application process simple and worth the effort. Learn more on the nwdlcms.org website under the Financial Resources tab or HERE.

The annual Team Ministry Workshop will be a bit different this year. The event will be held on January 30, 2025 at St. Marks-Wausau and feature the outstanding mental health and wellness presenter Dr. Bev Yahnke. She will be presenting on worker wellness, with specific talking points coming this fall. This event is for teams AND individuals, since both can benefit from the topic. Consider sending one or two people from your staff to attend or use it as a day for staff professional development.

Watch for registration in November.

Congregations that are considering applying for a seminary graduate or a Vicar should contact the President's Office for additional information. The deadline for all applications is February 28, 2025. Please add this to your congregational voter's meetings for consideration for November/December so that you can complete the necessary documents in a timely manner. If your congregation is considering an Associate Pastor and would like to request interviews at either seminary, your requests need to be made by January 1, 2025. For more information, please contact Lori - lori@nwdlcms.org or 715-845-8241, ext. 103.

Planning is underway for the LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans next summer. Specifics about the event for all NWD attendees will be communicated as soon as plans are finalized. Use the hype video with your group, review the theological paper explaining the theme, or click the link leading to more helpful LCMS youth ministry resources at https://www.lcmsgathering.com/.

Thank you to the North Wisconsin District and donors for supporting my education at Concordia Seminary-St. Louis for the pastoral ministry. I would not be here without your support in this process. My family is also thankful for your support as we know that without support from the district and other donors, this journey to the pastoral ministry would be extremely difficult. Lori, my wife, and David and Timmy, our two sons, are with me on this adventure at the seminary. Thank you again for all your support. “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,” - Philippians 1:3

God’s Peace be with you all, Steven

We want every staff person in every congregation and school in the NWD to commit to helping protect the children and ministries entrusted to their care. The NWD Board of Directors feel this training is extremely valuable and strongly encourage the participation of all our NWD ministries. To learn more about MinistrySafe, watch a short video at ministrysafe.com/the-risk/. To start the training or ask questions, contact DJ at the District Office at 715-845-8241.

We are excited to announce Unknown Nations as the 2024-25 Hearts for Jesus ministry. Unknown Nations is on a mission to spread the Gospel to the most remote and spiritually dark corners of the world. Unknown Nations is changing lives and bringing hope. Website links with resources for your ministry will be available for review and planning by October 1.

It is time to nominate your outstanding principal and teachers for the Herb Kohl Awards. The private school principal and teacher awards are given annually. Nominations are only accepted online at the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation website HERE.

Nomination deadline for Principal Awards is Thursday, October 3, 2024, and nomination deadline for Teacher Awards is Tuesday November 12, 2024.

The first NWD Campus Ministry Summit was held on August 7 in Wausau. Pastor Andy Weden leads Peace Campus Center at UW-Stevens Point and organized the discussion. Leaders from Eau Claire, Appleton, Green Bay, and Houghton were able to attend. The day long agenda included best practices for creating and sustaining a meaningful campus ministry. Pray for the efforts of our campus ministry leaders and congregations.

Tracie Douglas from the NID and our very own Dian Schlichtmann from St. Paul Stevens Point presented at the August all-day Early Childhood Gathering at Trinity Wausau. Held every three years, this event for the teachers and directors of the NWD better equips staff to teach the faith in all aspects of their ministry. Tracie and Dian were part of a team of authors that developed the Spiritual Nurture in the EC Classroom materials produced by the Lutheran Education Association. They led the group of nearly 100 NWD EC educators on topics involving integrating the faith into classroom culture and climate, curriculum planning, and teaching methods. Attendees were gifted free access to the Spiritual Nurture video sessions, activities, and resources. We give thanks for all those serving in our NWD EC centers!

The North Wisconsin District and Concordia Plan Services are offering you the opportunity to learn more about planning for your future through a Pre-Retirement Workshop! This workshop will be conducted by Financial Wellness Educators Paul Snyder & Leslie Rudzinski at the NWD Office on Saturday, October 12, 2024. Registration is required by September 20. Click HERE for all the details.

Register now for the NWD Adult Gathering on Tuesday, October 15 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Weston. Keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing, will share a message based on his book "Overcoming Life's Sorrows: Learning from Jeremiah". Morning devotions will be led by District President, Rev. Dr. Dwayne Lueck. The registration fee includes 9:30 morning refreshments, 10:00 program, noon lunch, and Dr. Lessing's book. A freewill offering will be collected to support Peru missions. Registration and details are available at www.nwdlcms.org under Events and Info - HERE. Registration deadline is October 2nd.

Register now for the joint North-South WI Fall Pastors' Conference being held October 21-23 at the Central WI Convention + Expo Center in Rothschild. Registration and details are available under Events and Info at www.nwdlcms.org. Registration closes October 6.

Retired Pastors, Wives & Widows are encouraged to join President Lueck at the annual retreat being held on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Sun Prairie. The featured speaker is missionary Tim Hetzner of Lutheran Church Charities. Registration deadline is September 21 so register now! Details & registration are available - HERE.

Register now for the 2024 North and South WI LLL District Convention being held on October 12 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau. The day will focus on spiritual growth with inspirational presentations to encourage and equip you as partners in His mission. Highlights include: guest speaker, Dr. Kari Vo, theological editor & author of LHM daily devotions; Dick Gast, So Cal LLL District President, with a presentation on the 2025 LHM float & Tournament of Roses Parade; and Cathy Robinson from Orphan Grain Train, with a WI Division presentation. Registration and details along with promotional links are provided on the https://www.nw-sw-lll-lhm.org/ website.

You’re invited to the upcoming CSP Advent/Christmas sermon series workshop. Details - HERE

Everyone who registers will also receive a bonus six-week Epiphany series on the Epistle of James. All resources come with full sermons, orders of worship, pp slides, and accompanying Bible Studies.

The current pastoral vacancy list & supply pastor list are available on the District Resources website under Congregations - Vacancies HERE.