A Message From Marie Leafblad - Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership Support
I am notorious for unpacking quickly, throwing things on the wall, living in the new place, and then redoing all the décor because it just doesn’t fit. I have a large decorative plaque “Be Still and Know that I am God” surrounded by family photos at the entry of my new apartment. I’ve had this sign for years and it has lost its luster on me. It no longer was there for daily encouragement, it was there to cover up some ugly bumps in the wall. I recently moved to Madison, and it took me a few weeks to get a couch delivered that I had ordered about 2 months ago.
Finally, a couple weeks ago, my doorbell rings and 3 young men have my couch which to my surprise came in 3 different pieces. It had been so long since the purchase I had forgotten what I ordered. The gentlemen cautiously bring my couch up the stairs, reach the top and one of the young men looks at my plaque and says, "Huh, I don’t even believe in God, but I really needed to read that today." I hesitated to say anything as it’s just not in my nature to stay quiet. I asked him what struck him about it, he looked at me and said, “I just had my first child, I’m 21 years old. I am exhausted all the time. Nothing is quiet. Nothing is still anymore. Nothing will ever be the same. I’m not sure I can keep going like this.” We made a little bit more small talk and they left.
As I sat on my new couch, I stared at this particular plaque for quite some time and read those 8 words over and over. Be Still. And Know. That I am God.
It turned into a breathing prayer.
(inhale) Be Still. (exhale) And Know. (inhale) That I am God. (exhale)
Amidst me reading this, I kept hearing this young man say “Nothing will ever be the same. I’m not sure I can keep going like this.” I get it. I feel that and I know you do too. It may not be a new child in your home but what we’ve been enduring these last 18 months have been nothing but difficult. We’ve been going and going, not being able to take a breath.
I urge you brothers and sisters, to take a piece of paper near you. Write down ‘Be still and know that I am God’ (unless you have a decorative plaque like me near by). Read it. Really read it.
Let it be your prayer today. Let it be on your heart.
You are doing everything you can, and it is enough. Be still and know that God is near, present, and available for you.
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Equipping the Saints will be on vacation for the month of August.
It will be back in September. Watch this newsletter for more information!
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We are excited to announce a new Facebook page in addition to our South-Central Synod of Wisconsin ELCA page.
The new page is SCSW - Care, Connect, Equip. This page will be for churches within the synod to share their events, ask questions and communicate with other churches. Please use the link below to join! If your church does not have a Facebook page and you would like your event to be posted please contact me at stephanieb@scsw-elca.org and I would be happy to post it for you!
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Lifelines - A NEW Online Bible Study for Small Men's Groups
Inspired by the Men’s Courses in the Master Builders Bible for Men
A resource for your men's group!
Find the just released Lifelines series, Faithful Man
Future Lifelines Series Release Dates:
Challenged Man September 4
Working Man October 16
Growing Man November 27
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Remember the Children
Please click below to read the letter from the American Indian Alaska Native Association about the horrific discoveries of mass graves for indigenous children at Canadian
Residential Schools.
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Congregations Lead Initiative
The world continues to change and grow more complex. What does this mean for ministry, today and into the future? The Congregations Lead Initiative is a new, two-year program that will gather a cohort of 50 congregations from across the ELCA to unleash and harness their collective genius and discover new and useful ministry innovations. If you’re excited about more new, young, diverse people knowing a life in Christ, then your congregation might be a great candidate to apply for this initiative. The cohort application is open until August 15.
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Church Anew a ministry of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie, MN is hosting a virtual theological conference August 26th called Enfleshing Witness and may be of interest for those ministering to diverse communities.
The event is free to attend virtually and we invite support from congregations and institutions to form in-person viewing gatherings for conversation and creative response. Institutional supporters will receive bonus material and a discussion guide for facilitating conversation following the gathering.
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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 November 15, 2021.
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ALOA is grateful that restrictions have been lifted and we are once again able to gather older adult Lutherans for study, worship, music and fellowship.
Ironwood Springs Lutherhostel
October 4 - 8, 2021
Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch, Stewartville, Minnesota
We are looking forward to having Ben & Jennifer Freudenburg of Concordia Center for the Family in Ann Arbor help us build our capacity to impart God’s love and grace to future generations. Pastor Frank & Deaconess Jan Janzow will lead devotions on Kingdom Living: A Fresh Look at the Lord’s Prayer. The Janzows served for 37 years in Waukesha, WI.
Ironwood Spring Christian Ranch's Lodge and Conference Center has instituted appropriate measures to safely host us, and there will be plenty of opportunity to take advantage of the beautiful surroundings and outdoor activities.
- Newly remodeled, accessible motel-style Lodge sleeping rooms - $575 to $635 per person
- Camping accommodations available - $525 per person
- Commuter attendees - $350 per person
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Consultation Committee
- Jane Cahill Wolfgram, Synod Vice President Christ (DeForest, WI)
- Gary Dahlgaard, Our Saviors (Sun Prairie, WI)
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Pastor Elisa Brandt and Members of St. Stephen’s (Monona, WI)
- Pastor Richard Inglett and Members of Sugar Creek (Elkhorn, WI)
- Bishop Ginny Aebischer, the Staff and the congregation of the South Carolina Synod
Churchwide Partners:
- Mr. Rob Thoma, Director of Risk Management, Legal Division, Office of the Secretary
We give thanks at this time for the ministry of those who celebrate their anniversary of ordination during this coming week:
- Lawrence Engel, July 30, 2006, Pastor at Five Points in Blue River, WI engel.larry1@gmail.com
- Donald Tubesing, August 1, 1968, Retired Pastor living in Middleton, WI tubesingda@aol.com
- Joel Diemer, August 1, 1965, Retired Pastor living in Madison, WI jadiemer@att.net
- Darin Wiebe, August 2, 1992, Interim Pastor at Holy Trinity in Marshall, WI drnwiebe@gmail.com
- Blake Rohrer, August 3, 1997, Pastor at Midvale Community in Madison, WI blakerohrer@gmail.com
- Dan Bohlman, August 3, 1986, Pastor at Argyle and Apple Grove in Argyle, WI adbohlman@hotmail.com
- James Koza, August 5, 1979, Retired Pastor living in Madison, WI
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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