"Celebrating Our Diversity 

As God's Children"

Each year, the synod‘s Reconciling in Christ Ministry Team organizes a special worship service that highlights the gifts, struggles, and joys of LGBTQ+ people. This year, under the theme “Celebrating Our Diversity as God’s Children,” the service will take place at Ascension Lutheran Church (1236 S Layton Blvd, Milwaukee WI 53215) at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 8. If you are interested in singing with the choir or contributing food/water for the reception afterwards, email Chuck Ellingson for more details. 

Thrivent Members

More Ways to Give 

Do you own any products through Thrivent Financial? If so, then you may be able to increase your impact on MPLC’s mission. All Thrivent members may apply for two Thrivent Action Team grants each year for up to $250 each to support service projects and special events of the congregation. Such grants have helped to fund Easter Breakfasts, shut-in gift bags, food for our Little Free Food Pantry, and more. Church leaders would be eager to help match you with projects you could help to support through such a grant! 

Some Thrivent members are also eligible to direct Thrivent Choice Dollars to MPLC each year. (Amounts vary with products.) To see explore your opportunities, log into your Thrivent account and click on the “Generosity” tab.

Community Meal - Nov. 1

MPLC will next provide the Community Meal at Living Faith Lutheran Church on Sunday, November 1. Living Faith is the distribution site for the Community Meal each Sunday evening, with a different local church providing food and volunteers week to week. Food will be prepared at MPLC, and packed for pick up in "to go" containers. We will be preparing 120 meals this time.

Sign up through the link below to donate items or volunteer to serve.

Quick Application, Big Impact

Have a Great Idea? Apply by November 1! Submitting a request for an MPLC Mission Endowment grant is straightforward and takes less than 30 minutes to complete. Whether your project benefits our congregation directly or reaches neighbors throughout Southeastern Wisconsin and beyond, your request could be the spark for our next great ministry. Don't let a good idea pass by—submit your grant application by November 1. 

Pick up an application in the church office or apply online today at the link below.

“Conscience and Conversation” 

Next Session, This Sunday

Pastor Beth Ann is leading an adult education series prompted by the ELCA’s discernment process in reconsidering aspects of the 2009 social statement, Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust. 

Over the series, you will learn what a social statement is, its origins, and its impact, and how the ELCA has been in discernment around issues of sexuality throughout its history. We’ll also explore the challenging task of discernment as siblings in Christ living in a polarized age. How might we faithfully discuss topics of conscience from a place of deep love and trust, even with those with whom we may disagree? 

The series will continue on Sundays, Oct. 11 through October 28.

For detailed information about the Human Sexuality - Gift and Trust Reconsideration Process, please click on the button below. 

Open Table

Sunday, Oct. 18

MPLC will serve the next Open Table Community Meal on Sunday, Oct. 18. Fifty volunteers are needed each month. Still needed for October are volunteers for set-up, food servers, dining room wait staff, hosts, youth volunteers, and clean up crew.

Specific ingredients needed are posted on a pillar in the entranceway. Take a card home this weekend, and bring back the needed item(s) the following weekend.

Click the link below to volunteer your time or provide cakes and other items.

Caregivers Workshop

Oct. 19 through Nov. 23

Are you a caregiver who would like some support? MPLC is hosting a workshop, "Powerful Tools for Caregivers", presented by the Aging and Disabilities Resource Center of Racine County. This 6-week workshop will be held on Mondays from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Oct. 19 through Nov. 23.

You'll learn valuable tools to help you deal with stress, make decisions, and communicate with family and doctors.

To register call Ruth Stauersbol at 262-833-8764 or send an email to: ruth.stauerbol@racinecounty.gov

For more information, click here.

GriefShare Meeting

2nd and 4th Mondays 

You don’t have to grieve alone. It’s not too late to join this fall’s GriefShare small group for people carrying a burden of loss. Meeting next on Monday, October 12, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m., this group views a short video each session, followed by conversation with leaders Sharon Mantey and Lori Storm. For more information or to sign up, click the link below.

Book Club

Sunday, Oct. 25

The next meeting of MPLC's Book Club is Sunday, Oct. 25 at 10:30 a.m. in the Conference Room.

The title of the book selection is, "Sisters of the Southern Cross" by Jean Grainger.

Seeking Volunteer To Tie Ribbon Bows

For years, MPLC has recognized All Saints Sunday with ribbons draped on the altar railing, with the names of our loved ones written on them. Afterward, a volunteer ties each ribbon into a bow, which is used to decorate a tree in the narthex for the holidays. Our longtime volunteer, Cindy Lester, has moved to Washington state, so we’re seeking a new tie-er of bows for this early November project. If you can help, please let Becky Litwin know! 

Worship Leaders for This Week:

• Sun. Greeter: The Steenrod Family
• Welcome Desk Host: Ann Harmann
• Sat. Reader: One Needed
• Sun. Reader: Harold Solberg
• Sun. Communion Assistants: Amy Obernberger, Jamie Rauth
• Video Producer: Fritz Obernberger
• Coffee Hour Treats: Jayne Armbruster, Jan Fuller

Worship Leaders for 10/17 and 10/18:

• Sun. Greeter: The Meader Family
• Welcome Desk Host: Bob Peck
• Sat. Reader: One Needed
• Sun. Reader: Karen Magee
• Sun. Communion Assistants: Elaine Klandrud, Carol Wiechers
• Video Producer: Chris Ryshkus
• Coffee Hour Treats: Chris Pearson, Kathy Peck

If you can help, please call the church office or email Becky Litwin.

October Food Pantry Needs

In October, the Holy Communion Lutheran Church Food Pantry is beginning to prepare for Thanksgiving and could use donations of:

• Chicken/Turkey stuffing mix
• Jiffy cornbread mix
• Evaporated milk (12 oz.)
• Canned pumpkin (15 oz.)
• Gravy mixes
• Mashed potatoes
• Jello
• Bar soap.

The pantry also appreciates monetary donations for turkeys and is grateful for new or gently used children’s books.