As the new year begins, filled with promise and potential, may you continue to sense God's presence in many and varied ways: from the beauty of the winter sunrise, to the wonderings of learners of all ages, to the quiet moments away from the bustle of ministry and everyday life.

God bless you and keep you this day and throughout the coming year.

LEAD 2024 will be held on Saturday, February 17, at St. John's Lutheran Church (100 Oak St., Prairie du Sac, WI) from 9:30am to 3:30pm.

LEAD is an annual event presented by the synod for rostered and lay leaders to gather for worship, learning, and fellowship.

Click the button below to view the LEAD page on the synod website, and to register.

At the Fall Summit last October, Rhonda Hill, founder of Race and Faith, led us through an anti-racism conversation inviting us to move from "actor" to "accomplice."

Our work will continue this spring with four additional sessions, under the theme of "Imago Dei and Racial Identity Development." The sessions are intended for rostered leaders, CL students, and interns, and will be offered via Zoom. The dates are listed below.

Mark your calendars now! More information and registration details will be sent out in future communications.

Imago Dei and Racial Identity Development Sessions - all sessions are 10:00am to noon.

Tuesday, April 16

Thursday, April 25

Tuesday, April 30

Tuesday, May 7

The Winter SCSW Alive night will be Sunday, February 4, 5:30pm to 7:30pm, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Watertown. This event is open to middle and high school youth.

All congregations are invited to gather under the theme of "Alive in Disruption" for an evening of a light dinner, games, icebreakers, fun, worship, and music.

The cost of the event is just a suggested donation of $5.00 to cover the cost of food (paid via cash/check onsite).

We ask for an RSVP with an estimate of attendance prior to each event for planning purposes but know that everyone is welcome. Please RSVP by no later than January 25.

Click the button below for more information and to RSVP.

2024 Faithful Innovation Learning Communities are forming now!

Participating congregations will discern their unique answer to this question: “As we listen to God, one another, and our neighbors, what future do we imagine God is bringing forth in our midst?” The answer needs to come from Christ and our willingness to ask hard questions and listen for answers, as well as our ability to take risks, secure in our standing in Christ.

Click here to view an email sent on December 20 with all of the details, or click the button below to download an informational flyer.

If your congregation would like to participate, or if you have any questions about Faithful Innovation Learning Communities, contact the Rev. Walter Baires, Associate to the Bishop and Director of Evangelical Mission at walterb@scsw-elca.org.

Good news!

Construction has begun at Lakeview Lutheran in Madison, where the new SCSW synod office will be located.

We anticipate that we will be able to move in early in 2024. Stay tuned for more photos and updates!

The South-Central Synod of Wisconsin sponsors three campus ministries, at UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, and UW-Whitewater.

Campus Ministry Sunday provides an occasion to highlight campus ministry in prayer, spread the news about campus ministry to your members, and encourage financial support for these programs.

To participate, simply complete the form on the Campus Ministry page on the synod website and indicate which day you plan on organizing Campus Ministry Sunday at your congregation/ministry. Once you submit the form, the Synod Campus Ministry Oversight Team will contact you to provide liturgical resources and ask if you would like a member of the Synod Campus Ministry Oversight Team to join you on your selected Campus Ministry Sunday.

Click the button below for more information and to sign up!

The SCSW Care for God's Creation Team is offering a Zoom book study in January, February, and March.

We will discuss the book "Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul" by John Philip Newell, Angus King, et. al.

The group will meet the 2nd and 4th Thursday in January (January 11 and 25) and will continue through February and early March. The meetings will go from 6:30pm to 7:30pm each time.

If you are interested in being a part of the Care for God's Creation book study, please contact Deacon Meg Nielsen, team chair, at churchladymeg@hotmail.com.

Voices of Color will continue in 2024! 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 6 from 7pm to 8pm. Or, consider inviting members of your congregation to read and discuss one or more of the the books chosen for 2024.

Click the button below for a full description of each book and to register!

Want to Go Solar in 2024?

The synod Care for God's Creation team will host a zoom meeting on Thursday, January 18, from 6:30pm to 8pm for congregations interested in installing solar panels at their church.

People from congregations who have recently installed solar systems will lead the Zoom meeting and will provide helpful information and resources.

Recently submitted Care for Creation one-page plans from a number of congregations indicate high interest in learning more about installing solar panels. To register for the Zoom, please send your name and the congregation you serve to Care for God's Creation team chair Deacon Meg Nielsen at churchladymeg@hotmail.com. A link for the Zoom meeting will be emailed to you. The meeting may be recorded for future use.

Do you see a need for men to walk more closely with Jesus?

The Synod Task Force for Lutheran Men in Mission is looking for a few more men to help us reach out to any man willing to step into an apprenticeship under Christ.

Our small team is meeting at the Mount Horeb Culver’s (1700 Springdale St, Mt Horeb, WI 53572) at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 13, 2024, to plan for the year. If you are interested in joining us or tapping into LMM resources, please email Jim Schieble at faithbassed@outlook.com or text Jim at 920 763 3433.

The ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program is ready for you! If you’re a young adult aged 21 to 35, you can apply for an international service year that will shape your faith, career, identity and understanding of how you fit into God’s work in the world. YAGM volunteers who apply by Feb. 1, 2024, will begin their service in August 2024.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, year-round. Those who apply by Feb. 1 will be considered for the service year beginning the following August. Priority will be given to those who apply by Jan. 15.

Click the button below for more information and to apply.

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

Lutherdale is providing an opportunity for ministry professionals to get away and take a breath with the Unconferenced Conference on January 22-24, 2024.

This retreat is an opportunity for you to take what you need. We will provide great food, a beautiful space and opportunities for you to join in worship and conversation or take time for yourself!

Click the button below for more information and to register.

Registration is now upon for Madison Learning Community’s spring course, Introduction to the New Testament.

Madison Learning Community is a dynamic and diverse cohort of Madison-area Christians eager to deepen their ministry skills and knowledge of the Bible. This seminary-level course will be offered in a hybrid format with class gatherings on Tuesdays 6-7:40pm (January 23 – April 16, 2024) and video lectures available to watch between gatherings. 

Click here for an informational flyer. Click the button below to register.