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.

The Bridge for Early Career Preachers is getting ready to receive applications for the 2026 cohort!

They are seeking 30 individuals who:

• …come from diverse denominations, social and geographic locations, and congregational settings
• …have completed their formal theological education
• …are in their first 7 years of preaching
• …are preaching at least 17 times a year (that’s 1/3 of the year)
• …will be committed to learning and growing with others

Click here to learn more and to apply. Applications are due by November 3.

The 2026 Compensation Guidelines for rostered ministers, which were approved at this year's synod assembly in May, have now been posted on the synod website. The compensation calculator is also available and has been updated to reflect the 2026 minimum salary guidelines.

Click here to view the guidelines and salary calculator.

Experience the magic of the Gathering at your local camp this fall!

The Faith in Motion Gathering Expedition will be at our own Lutherdale Camp in Elkhorn October 31 through November 2!

We’re packing our bags for Gathering Expeditions – regional weekend getaways where 8-12th grade youth and their adult leaders explore how God might be working in their lives. Throughout the weekend, your group will worship, wrestle with big questions, and connect more deeply with those in your community.

Click here for more information and to register! Please note, the registration deadline is TODAY, October 15.

Enrollment is now open for Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) 2026 at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN!

LSM is a faith-based residential music academy for high school students who come together to immerse themselves in musical excellence and build a supportive and fun community. Musical experiences include large ensembles (band, choir, orchestra), chamber music, private lessons, and electives like handbells, jazz, musical theatre, composition, conducting, church music, and more.

Priority enrollment deadline: December 1

Standard enrollment deadline: March 1

Click here to learn more.

The Voices of Color book group continues this month! You are invited to join a synod-wide zoom discussion on Tuesday, November 4, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. The group will discuss Becoming Kin: An Indigenous Call to Unforgetting the Past and Reimagining Our Future by Patty Krawec.

Click here for a complete description of each book in the 2025 series and to register.

Rev. Erich Hartenberger

Sunday, October 5

Adams Lutheran, Argyle

Shepherd of the Hills, New Glarus

Rev. Tom Kreis

Sunday, October 12

St. John's Lutheran Church, Prairie du Sac

Rev. Charlotte Eversoll and Chuck Voight, Synod Authorized Minister (SAM)

Sunday, October 12

Faith Lutheran Church, Cuba City

Wade Crevier

Saturday, November 8, 2025, 3:00pm

Lutherdale Camp (N7891 US-12, Elkhorn, WI)

Wade has been called to serve Jefferson Prairie Lutheran Church in Poplar Grove, IL.

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.

The CaSTLE Project is offering a webinar series, "Equipping for Baptismal Vocation in Daily LIfe." The CaSTLE Project (Country and Small Town Lived Ecclesiolgy) is Wartburg Theological Seminary's new initiative to support rural and small town ministries. The SCSW is a 2025 grant recipient in partnership with the three ELCA synods in Iowa.

The next webinar serssion, "From Gathering (attraction) to Scattering (equipping)" is on Monday, October 20, at 7:00pm (Central).

The webinars are free to attend, but advance registration is required. Click here to register.

Click here for a full list of dates and topics in the series and click here to view the video recording of the September 15 session titled, "Our Baptismal Calling."

In our increasingly polarized world, how can we continue to faithfully love our neighbors as Jesus has loved us?

Join the Rev. Dr. Craig Nessan on Saturday, October 25 at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Monona for "Loving Neighbors in a Polarized World." The schedule is as follows:

4:00pm - Presentation - "The Problem of the Kingdom Metaphor"

5:30pm - Light Supper

6:30pm - Presentation - "Freedom From and Freedom For"

The Rev. Dr. Craig Nessan is William D. Streng Professor for the Education and Renewal of the Church and Professor of Contextual Theology and Ethics at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa.

The event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required so the host site can plan properly for the light supper. Click here to register.

You are invited to join the Voyagers, a group of clergy who have been studying Bowen theory and Rabbi Friedman’s application of it to congregations for over twenty years.

The Voyagers are offering a one-day conference considering “Differentiation of Self and Preaching in Times Such as These.”

The conference is Wednesday, November 5, from 9:00am to 3:30pm at St. Michael's Episcopal Church (4701 Erie St., Racine, WI).

In addition to a “Bowen Theory Brush-Up” we will have discussions on the church in society right now, the role of the pastor in the church, and what does differentiation of self look like in the midst of these challenges. 

Click here to learn more and to register. Registration closes on November 1.

Youth Ministry Consultants is offering a webinar on Thursday, November 6 at 11:00am titled, "The Next Right Thing: Creating and Leading with Intentional Vision."

No matter the size of your group, your role matters deeply- and so does your next step. In this encouraging and practical session, instead of overwhelming plans or lofty goals, we’ll focuses on helping leaders discern the next right thing- simple, faithful steps rooted in vision and intention.

Click here for more information and to register.