A Message from Bishop Joy
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This weekend we pause as a nation to celebrate the 4th of July. It’s a holiday we now largely associate with food, fireworks, and maybe an extra day off. The history leading up to Independence Day was however not about any of that. It was in the simplest of terms an articulation of what the colonists felt was unfair. They articulated 27 grievances that then lead to the signing the Declaration of Independence, separation from Great Britain and the king. Throughout history people have engaged actively in government.
Did you know that we as ELCA Lutherans also have guidance about how we engage and think about government? In fact, the Church Council of the ELCA adopted a social message on government and civic engagement just last year. The introductory paragraph reads as follows: “Lutherans care about government because it is a gift from God intended for the safety and flourishing of human life. Yet too often and in too many ways, this gift has been abused.” The message asserts what we know and challenges us to be held accountable as members of the ELCA to be responsible to make government function well.
I commend this social message of our church to you for your reading this weekend. It would make for great conversation around your family campfire as well!
Join me in prayer from Luther’s Works:
I pray you, dear Father, grant us your grace that we and all others may treat each other in kindly, gentle and charitable ways, forgiving one another from the heart, bearing each other’s faults and shortcomings in a Christian and loving manner, and thus living together in true peace and concord, as the commandment teaches and requires us to do. Amen.
LW 43, 205-6
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July 6 at 2:00 p.m.
Dwelling in the Word
We will be sharing our common wisdom and a time of worship.
All are invited!
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July 20 at 2:00 p.m.
Living in the new "Normal" Now What?
A conversation with colleagues about what congregations are doing, how they are feeling and what we can do.
All are invited!
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Internal Controls Webinar
Is your church practicing good financial internal controls?
Is your church above reproach?
Whether you are unsure or confident in your church’s internal controls, it is always wise to learn how to strengthen your church’s financial internal controls. Join Converge Great Lakes for this in-depth series on Internal Controls, presented by Melodi Bunting of Wegner CPA’s.
Date: Every Wednesday beginning July 21 to August 18, 2021
Time: 6:00 p.m. CST
Cost: Free to CGL district churches
$10 for out of district churches
Who Should Attend: Pastors, Treasurers, Financial Secretaries, Elders/Trustees, Church Leaders
Topics discussed will be: Above Reproach (7/21), Assessing Potential Risks (7/28), Internal Control Framework (8/4), Policies & Procedures (8/11), Application Examples (8/18).
Questions?
Contact Sarah Motiff
608.244.5000 (ext. 705)
Click on the link below to register for this event.
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Dignity, Details and In the Heights
“We had to assert our dignity in small ways,” she explains. “Little details to tell the world we are not invisible.”
Read more of this article from Living Lutheran by Joe George below.
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Spiritual Direction Certification Program
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) at Lenoir-Rhyne University
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The Spiritual Direction Certification Program at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University continues to flourish and grow. We will begin our sixth year of participants in January 2022. Each new cohort, which we call a cycle, has 16 participants and two mentors to support them. So far, our participants represent nine different denominations and 17 different states.
Spiritual direction is a centuries-old Christian tradition of listening to how God is moving toward healing and wholeness in people’s lives. Christians are increasingly hungry for authentic connection with God in the company of another, and seek the gift of spiritual direction in church leaders. Candidacy committees have responded to this spiritual hunger by suggesting that our seminary candidates participate in spiritual direction. Seasoned clergy are also yearning for this depth of spiritual connection in their own lives and practice of ministry, and are seeking out programs for spiritual direction.
We would like to begin to raise up new generations of spiritual directors through our two-year certification (non-degree) program. Our next cycle of participation begins with an intensive on January 5-8, 2022. Applications for this cycle are due on November 15, 2021.
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Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program - Social Media Boost Campaign
You’re invited to participate in the statewide campaign to raise awareness of the Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance program through paid social media boosts. Through a partnership with United Way of Wisconsin, WISCAP and DECHR, members of Wisconsin Council of Churches are eligible to receive up to $500 reimbursement for boosting social posts promoting the WERA program. (Note: Dane, Brown, Milwaukee & Waukesha Counties are NOT included in the program)
To get started, fill out the interest form. Please note – for question 2, WCC members are participating in the WERA promotion only.
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- Nancy Fulton Young, Bethel (Madison, WI)
- Contract Pastor David Froemming and Members of St. Paul (Potosi, WI)
- Interim Pastor Bob Moberg and Interim Pastor T. Brent Walsworth and Members of St. Paul (Waterloo, WI)
- Bishop Ann M. Svennungsen, the Staff, and the congregations of the Minneapolis Area Synod
Churchwide Partners:
- Mr. Dennis Frado, Director, Lutheran Office for World Community, Global Mission
- Ms. Christine K. Mangale, Program Director, Lutheran Office for World Community,
Global Mission
We give thanks at this time for the ministry of those who celebrate their anniversary of ordination during this coming week:
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Robert Nelson, July 2, 2006, Pastor at New Heights Lutheran in Black Earth, WI pastorrob@newheightslc.org
- Eldor Fruehling, July 5, 1953, Retired Pastor living in Prairie du Sac, WI
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Jeffrey Nicla, July 6, 2009, Pastor at Immanuel Lutheran in Waupun, WI pastor.jeff.nicla@gmail.com
- Maggie Andersen Peterson, July 1, 2019, Pastor at St. Martin’s Lutheran in Cross Plains, WI mandersen259@gmail.com
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Thomas Smrcka, July 7, 1957, Retired Pastor living in Cambridge, WI thomas_Judy2002@yahoo.com
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Jerry Tews, July 7,1968, Interim Pastor at St. Luke’s Lutheran in Middleton, WI jtews1206@gmail.com
- James Melvin, July 8, 1990, Retired Pastor living in Janesville, WI
Corrections
May these leaders continue to be blessed for service!
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Congregations In Transition
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As always we would love for you to continue to share your news. If you have something you would like considered for publication in What Matters, send it to us via email to Stephanie Bill, Communications Manager at stephanieb@scsw-elca.org. The deadline for consideration of inclusion in the current weeks e-newsletter is 12:00 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday.
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