E-Voice: Bishop Arends Retirement, Year-End Giving

E-Voice: weekly news & updates

Note: anything that is underlined is a link you can click on!

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Entering the Church Building

We have new procedures in place to enter the church building. The parking lot doors are open from 9am-12pm Monday through Friday. If you need to drop off or pick up an item, there is a table in the entry. Alert us to what you need. We will leave it for you to find and you may come and go in the entry as you please. You may pick up devotional books, The Lutheran magazine, and communion kits.

We ask that you stay in the entry if you need to enter into the building. Call us at 608-784-9335. A staff member is happy to come out and assist you with signing in and sanitizing procedures.

We know this is not an ideal situation and it's not the warm welcome you're used to. However, in order to keep our church family and staff safe, we ask that you do not come into the church unless it is absolutely needed. We want you to stay home and stay healthy so we can get back to worshipping together as a church family once again.

Please wait in the parking lot entry

and call the office

for assistance! :)

Your Estimate of Giving

is appreciated!

You may submit your 2021 Estimate of Giving online - click here! We know it's hard to keep up with things when our world is turned upside-down. Please remember to take a moment to turn in your 2021 Estimate of Giving.

Your gifts, no matter what size, are important to the ministry we continue. We pray that in 2021 we can begin to be together as a church family. Your Estimate of Giving for next year helps our Vision Board and Finance Committee plan for the momentous day when we're together again!

ELC's Giving Tree

This year, 94 "gifts" have been purchased for a total of $2,625 going to ELCA Good Gifts! Thank you!!

Many in our world live in poverty and face acute hunger every day. Your purchase of Good Gifts makes a difference! We purchased:

Please click here for the list of honorariums.

Year End Loose Ends

2020 offering must be in hand at the church office by December 30th. Our office hours today are from 9am-12pm.

If you can't make it during that time, contact Jennifer to make an appointment. She is happy to meet you in the afternoon! If it is received after December 30th, it will be recorded as 2021 offering.

Thank you for your generous support of English's mission. In a time where many churches, nonprofits, and small businesses are struggling, we realize how important your gifts to the church are. We have been surprised and humbled by your continued support. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

From Bishop Eaton

"I remember one young woman in particular. She was pregnant when she tried to migrate to the United States. She had the baby somewhere along the way. She was far from home, mostly alone and desperately wanted her mother to be with her. None of this is what she had hoped for when she was growing up. Circumstances beyond her control had forced her into this new and strange existence."

Click here to read the rest of Bishop Eaton's 2020 Christmas message.

Bishop Arends Retiring

Dear Siblings in Christ,

My time of serving as Bishop of the La Crosse Area Synod has come to an end. So, I am taking this opportunity to thank you. It has been an honor to serve as your bishop, to represent you throughout the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and beyond. It has been a pleasure to serve with you in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ through word and deed. And, while it has been challenging at times to lead us through difficult times, changes in our church, and a pandemic, I have always been aware of your prayers for my work, for our work, for Christ’s work. Thank you for your efforts, your gifts, and your prayers.

Click here to read Bishop Arends' full letter to our synod.