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.

Dear friends in Christ,

As winter’s grip settles in, the days are short, the air sharp, and many of us feel the weight of gray skies and heavy headlines. This season, with its stillness and silence, can bring both a holy hush and a hint of heaviness. It’s easy to long for what comes next...longer days, new energy, a glimpse of green. Yet, God is already here, right in the quiet middle.

“For you, O Lord, are my lamp; the Lord lightens my darkness.” (2 Samuel 22:29)

There’s comfort in knowing that even when the path ahead is dim, Christ’s presence is a steady flame, never demanding we rush, but simply inviting us to rest in grace. Winter is not wasted time. It is sacred space for roots to deepen, for hearts to rest, for hope to grow quietly beneath the surface.

Let us be gentle with ourselves and one another. Let us check in on neighbors, pick up the phone, share a prayer, or simply listen. Every small kindness is a lantern lit against the chill.

Hold fast. Spring is not here yet, but God is.

Peace to you in the pause, and hope for every tomorrow.

Get ready! Registration for the 2026 LEAD Conference will open on Monday, January 5, 2026 and will CLOSE January 26th, 2026!

The 2026 LEAD Conference for rostered and lay leaders is:

Saturday, February 7, 2026, 9:00am to 3:30pm

Messiah Lutheran Church in Madison

(5202 Cottage Grove Rd., Madison)

Our keynote speaker is Grace Pomroy, Director of the Stewardship Leaders Program at Luther Seminary and author of the excellent book, Funding Forward: A Pathway to More Sustainable Models for Ministry.

LEAD Workshops are being finalized but will include: Grace Pomroy, a chance to dive in deeper with her and her book. Former Governor, Marty Schrieber, will be helping guide congregations and caregivers forward when it comes to the rising rates of dementia. Racial Equity Ministry Team, Queer Justice Ministry Team, Guns to Garden Tools, Constitutional Updates, and others will be present with us as well. Look for more information in the coming weeks. Register now!

LEAD is the SCSW's annual conference for both rostered and lay leaders, offering an opportunity to come together for learning, worship, fellowship, and more. Many more details are yet to come, including the line-up of workshop opportunities. Stay tuned!

Mark your calendars!

The 2026 SCSW Synod Assembly is May 15 and 16, 2026 at the Woodmans Center in Janesville, WI.

The Assembly will open on the evening of Friday, May 15 and will continue through the day on Saturday, May 16.

Planning is underway and more details, including registration information, will be shared soon.

The 2026 Synod Assembly includes a Bishop election. The Bishop Election Committee is being formed. If you are interested in being a part of the Bishop Election Committee, please contact synod council member Noel Miller at themillers0519@gmail.com. More ways to connect and learn about the upcoming assembly will be shared in future communications.

We give thanks for our Companion Synod in Puerto Rico and the visit that Bishop Joy Mortensen-Wiebe & Rev. Walter Baires, alongside of folks from Bethel Lutheran. Pictured here at Epiphany worship on January 4. Front row rom left: Pr. Lauren Pr. Yvette, Bishop Joy Mortensen Wiebe, Pr. Dave, and Pr. Walter Bieres of the Synod; back from left: Leen Zaher, Bethel Horizons, Phil Ingwall Jr., Trip Coordinator, and Casey, Kelli and Eric Knueve of Bethel Horizons.

Introducing Pastor Ben Weger,

Communication & Program Assistant



We are so excited to introduce you to Pastor Ben Weger!! He brings nearly two decades of full-time ministry experience across music, youth, communications, and operations. He has served in churches ranging from 25 to 2,500 in weekly worship attendance and is known for his ability to navigate the unique dynamics of congregations of all sizes.

Weger earned his undergraduate degree in Practical Theology from Southeastern University and his Master of Divinity from the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, where he studied theology with a focus on social justice and organizational and leadership development.

He and his wife Leigh are the proud parents of their three children, ages 12, 11, and 8, as well as Theo the Goldendoodle, Doug the Bernedoodle, Hop the Red Eyed Tree Frog, and Crabby Larry the Halloween Moon Crab. In addition to local church ministry, he has helped lead music and worship at district, conference, and jurisdictional levels across The United Methodist Church, including co-leading the music for the 2014 Florida Annual Conference.

Weger enjoys writing curriculum for age level ministries, original music for congregational singing, serves on the Board of Directors for Reconciling Ministries Network (rmnetwork.org) as Chair of Board Development Committee, and is passionate about building a more inclusive Church for the next generation. 

Ben will be with us on a part time basis through June 2026!!! More information on how to connect with Ben in the coming weeks :)

As 2025 comes to a close, rostered ministers are reminded to complete and submit the annual Rostered Minister Report. These reports provide a valuable connection point for Bishop Joy and aid in her understanding of the joys and concerns of our synod rostered ministers.

Rostered Minister Report forms are available on the ELCA website.

Click here to access the list of reports and choose the one that best fits your current situation.

Please return completed forms to Jill Sim, SCSW Administrative Assistant, by February 15, 2026.

Nominate Young Musicians for Lutheran Summer Music

Now is the time to nominate students for LSM 2026. Enrollment for next summer is filling quickly, and we expect most remaining spots to be filled by the March 1 Standard Enrollment deadline. At LSM, students connect advanced musical study with worship and the joy of Lutheran church music traditions. We welcome musicians on all instruments—brass, woodwinds, strings, percussion, piano, organ, voice, and harp—to study with nationally recognized faculty in a welcoming and supportive community.

LSM 2026 takes place at St. Olaf College from June 21 to July 19. Know a young musician (grades 8–12) who would thrive at LSM? Click here to nominate them today. Questions? Email admissions@lutheransummermusic.org.

Here is the link to the Annual Report Cover and Letter from Presiding Bishop.

Annual Report

The Rev. Yehiel Curry, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, will offer the keynote address at Luther College's Martin Luther King, Jr. event on January 19, 2026. The theme of the day is "Courage for the Common Good."

The day will inclue Bishop Curry's keynote address, an optional community lunch, and an afternoon session for both youth and adults.

Click here to learn more about this free event being held at Luther College.

2026 National Day of Racial Healing

The ELCA, in partnership with Augsburg Fortress, will observe the 2026 National Day of Racial Healing (NDORH) with a free evening program on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 6-8 p.m. Central time

“Just Us Narratives: A Night of Centering Multiracial Voices Across the ELCA”

Online and in person at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church's Celebration Campus

919 S. Washington St., Naperville, Ill.

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 6-8 p.m. Central time

Online attendees: No registration is required. A link to join virtually will be available on this page.

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This program will be recorded, and the video recording will be available on the ELCA YouTube channel at a later date.

Click Here for More Information!

The SCSW Care for Creation team's 2026 online winter Zoom book study begins January 8, 2026. We will meet every Thursday from 6:30pm to 7:45pm, from January 8 through February 5.

Together we’ll explore the book, Stewards of Eden: What Scripture Says About the Environment and Why It Matters by Sandra Richter, in which the author provides insights into ancient Israelite society that allow us to connect with their wisdom today.

Contact Jill Sim for the Zoom Link at jills@scsw-elca.org

Questions? Contact Deacon Meg Nielsen, Care for Creation Committee Chair.

We are excited to introduce a new section of the SCSW Synod newsletter dedicated to uplifting and supporting our Children, Youth, and Family Ministry leaders. Here we will share ideas, resources, and highlights that encourage faithful creativity, connection, and hope in CYF ministry across our synod.

Is using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Okay for Children, Youth, and Family Ministry? The Answer Will Surprise You

Artificial intelligence is showing up everywhere, from lesson planning to communication tools, and many Children, Youth, and Family Ministry leaders are wondering what role, if any, it has in faithful ministry. The ELCA YM Network’s 3rd Tuesday Conversation podcast tackles this timely question in their episode titled “Is A.I. okay for Ministry” and the answer will surprise you. Rather than offering quick conclusions, this conversation invites listeners into thoughtful reflection shaped by our care for young people and families. We encourage CYF leaders across the synod to seek out this episode and also explore the full library of 3rd Tuesday Conversation podcasts. This free resource is rich with honest dialogue, creative ideas, and practical wisdom to help leaders engage today’s ministry.

Link to Episode!

Link to Youth Network Episode

On Sunday, January 18, we invite every congregation in the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin to celebrate Campus Ministry Sunday, a day to lift up, pray for, and invest in the ministries that walk alongside students in a season full of big questions, big transitions, and, yes, big cafeteria feelings. Our synod is grateful to partner with three UW campus ministry sites, UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, and UW-Whitewater, and we give thanks for the leaders, students, volunteers, and supporters whose gifts make these ministries possible.

To support your congregation’s participation, Pastor Preston Fields (UW-Madison) has prepared a sermon resource that you are welcome to use in whatever way fits your context. Use it as the sermon, pull themes into prayers and announcements, or shape a forum conversation around student life, vocation, and Christian community in academic settings.

Simple ways to participate on January 18:

• Pray for students, campus ministers, and the ministries across our synod.
• Receive a special offering for campus ministry, your support helps sustain worship, meals, mentoring, and care.
• Share the word, include a short announcement about our three UW campus ministries and how students can connect.
• Refer a student, if someone from your community is heading to UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, or UW-Whitewater, our synod can help connect them.

The Voices of Color book group is continuing in 2026! Voices of Color is a joint event supported by the Synodical Women of the WELCA and the Synod Racial Equity Ministry Team.

You are invited to join the first synod-wide zoom discussion on Tuesday, February 10 from 7pm to 8pm. The group will discuss the book The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.

You might also consider inviting members of your congregation to read and discuss one or more of the the books chosen for 2026.

Click here for a full description of each book and to register.

The Rev. Kjell Edward Bakken

Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 11:00am

Service at West Koshkonong Lutheran Church

Stoughton, WI

Congratulations!



The Rev. Sarah Schilcher

Saturday, January 24th, 2026 at 5pm

St James Lutheran Church

Verona, WI

Below are learning opportunities that the Office of the Bishop has been made aware of that may be of interest to our rostered and lay leaders.

Church Treasurers and Administrators Benefits Training

As the benefits administrator for your organization, your pastors, deacons, and lay employees rely on you to help them navigate their ELCA benefits. In this session, discover the resources available to help you effectively sponsor and understand the fullness of the benefits and retirement through Portico Benefit Services. 

Join Regional Representative, Jennifer Prinz, as she leads this interactive session on February 10th at 6:30 pm via Zoom. 

Topics include: 

• Our Partnership in Ministry 
• EmployerLink Overview 
• Billing
• Employment Events 
• Annual Action Items 
• Time for Q & A 

Who can attend:  If you’re the EmployerLink user, Pastor, Deacon and/or Council member who has an interest in knowing more about Portico, please plan on attending.   

Register to receive the zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/i4jzl8TjRna564HXRDG5sA

Applications are open for the next cohort of Contemplative Renewal Immersions at Holy Wisdom Monastery. This is an opportunity to journey as part of a cohort of pastors from across the country and multiple Christian traditions for two years of contemplative practice and renewal. The journey begins with two immersions at Holy Wisdom Monastery, an ecumenical Benedictine monastery nestled in 130 acres of restored prairie on the north edge of Madison, Wisconsin.

This program offers early and mid-career clergy the opportunity to nourish their spiritual center by developing life-long practices of contemplative prayer and covenantal relationships with clergy peers. 

Click here for more information and to apply.