June 10, 2021
Welcome to Summer!
"Good and gracious God, we pray for individuals, families, community members who may be traveling this summer - many for the first time in over a year. We humbly ask for your presence and protection; that they will be immersed in the wonders of creation and be renewed; that they will meet people who enrich their faith and worldview; and that they will bear the good news of Jesus Christ wherever they go. We pray this in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen."

Adapted from ELCA Prayer Ventures, July 2021
How to Build A Congregational Anti-Racism Team
Online - Tuesday, June 22, 2021
The European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice is offering an online training for congregations on June 22, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.

Faithful Steps: A Step-by Step Guide for Congregations Starting to Engage in Racial Justice. A presentation by Brenda Blackhawk, Congregational Organizer for Racial Justice for the Minneapolis, Synod of a resource she compiled to help congregations get started on doing racial justice work. Click here to register and receive the zoom link: https://bit.ly/2SnNteu
Synod-Wide Worship Online Now
Our synod-wide collaborative worship is now online via our Facebook and YouTube channels. You can click on the link below to learn more about this worship project and find links to the service once it is released.

Rostered Leaders should have received a link on June 3, 2021 with information and links to download the worship service materials and videos for use in their congregations.
Begin Planning for the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering
Save the Date!

Are you ready to begin planning for the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering next summer? Every three years, 30,000 high school youth (those in 8th-12th grades in the 2021-22 school year) and their adult leaders from across the ELCA gather for a week of faith formation known as the ELCA Youth Gathering. Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are challenged and inspired to live their faith in their daily lives.

Registration will open in September and we want you to be ready! We will be holding two informational meetings for congregational leaders introducing them to the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering and providing insights to begin preparing their congregations. These trainings will be held in a hybrid format both in-person AND via Zoom:

Thursday, June 24, 2021 @ 6pm at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Beloit
Wednesday, July 14, 2021 @ 6pm at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Middleton

To RSVP for either meeting please click below:
If you have questions please reach out to our Gathering Synod Coordinator:

Pastor Jason Poole-Xiong
(608) 362-0716, ext. 104
Lutheran-Divinity Education Scholarships
Attention Students!
 
Apply Now for our Lutheran/Divinity Educational Student Scholarships
 
The synodical Women's Organization will award two ($500) scholarships to students who are pursuing education in Called Ministry (Pastor or Deacon), Youth Ministry in an ELCA congregation or an ELCA Bible Camp Ministry.
 
Application deadline is August 16, 2021
Final Call: Boundaries Training for Rostered Leaders
You are invited to take part in one of the three Online Boundaries Training, these trainings are required to be done every three years. With different options the goal is to get all rostered in the synod through training. The first two are being provided by Rev. Ramie Bakken, Region 5 ELCA Candidacy and Leadership Manager, dates, times and links to register are below. We will be closing registration at 30 attendees for each day. You only need to sign up for one of the days not both. You can read more about the training by clicking HERE.
 
When: Jun 15, 2021 9:00 AM Central Time
Register in advance for this meeting by clicking below:
When: Jun 16, 2021 09:00 AM Central Time
Register in advance for this meeting by clicking below:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
 
The third option is a fully only self guided training. The cost for this is $22.00 and you can do this at your convenience. Please see the link below for more information:
Prayers
Sometimes the unexpected happens, and as always: there's grace for that! The prayer list is unable to be published this week but will be back next week with our continued prayers for synod ministries, partners, and Churchwide ministries. The ordination anniversary list will include both weeks of commemorations. Thank you for your understanding.
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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 at scswoffice@scsw-elca.org. The deadline for consideration of inclusion in the current weeks e-newsletter is 12:00 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday.
Care - Connect - Equip