Presiding Bishop Issues Pastoral Message on
Fulton v. City of Philadelphia
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As children of God, we give thanks for all of the LGBTQIA+ people who experience God’s calling to the holy work of parenting. In particular response to the June 17 Supreme Court ruling on Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, the ELCA stands with our LGBTQIA+ siblings in Christ and reaffirms our commitment to equal protection, opportunities and responsibilities under the law (Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust, p. 33).
Children and youth in the child welfare system are among the most vulnerable members of our society, and a disproportionate number of young people in the child welfare system are LGBTQIA+ and in need of compassionate and supportive homes. Our concern as disciples of Christ is for their best interests. This includes recognizing and affirming the vocation of LGBTQIA+ people as parents and foster parents.
Each of us can respond through ongoing education and action in support of LGBTQIA+ people, including those who are called to provide loving care for children, and through compassionate care for our most vulnerable children and youth.
Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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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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Join us TODAY June 24th at 7 p.m. with David Schultz leading the homily, Paula Hirschboeck making a presentation, and John Leonard providing music. Prajnatara Paula Hirschboeck is a Soto Zen priest and teacher. She guides Sophia Zen sangha in Madison and SE Wisconsin. Paula was also a Sinsinawa Dominican sister for 25 years and was a member of the Philosophy Department of Edgewood College from 1994-2010. During those years she and Sr. Maureen McDonnell founded “Wisdom’s Well” to offer support for interfaith contemplation and action.
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~ Portico’s New Podcast
Being Here is a podcast that explores real world issues and topics important to professionals in the faith community. Hosted by the Rev. Melissa Pohlman, Being Here invites us to learn together, listen to each other, grow together, and move forward together — stronger, more resilient as a unique community. Check out the three new episodes here.
~ Lead Well Employer Webinars
Our Learn to Live mental health benefit partner has created these quick half-hour sessions for employers. Learn to recognize the signs of mental distress in others, and how to talk about mental health, create a culture of well-being, and lift the stigma about mental health in the workplace.
Register and attend together as a leadership group
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Recognizing Potential Behavioral Health Challenges on our Teams webinar: 6/24
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Access code: PORTICO
~ NEW Retirement Readiness Series
Fidelity has partnered with Portico to offer a virtual webinar series – exclusively for ELCA Retirement Plan members – that addresses the question “What does it take to be retirement ready?”. These workshops, hosted by a Fidelity Virtual Education Consultant, will be attended by a Portico Financial Planner who can answer member questions related to clergy housing allowance exclusion, the ELCA Participating Annuity, and other ELCA Retirement Plan benefit-specific topics. These workshops are kept to an hour long and will be available for viewing (or re-viewing) on myPortico following each live virtual event.
~ 2022 Annual Enrollment
With summer blooming and the country beginning to open up, we understand that benefits may not be top of mind. To help you and other decision-makers get oriented and then prepare to make your benefit selection this fall, we’re offering a few shareable resources this summer – with a focus on the Silver+ A health benefit option. Reminder: Starting last year, the ELCA recommends both the Silver+ A and Gold+ health benefit options.
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Holden Village Staffing & Volunteer Opportunities
Holden Village operates through the efforts of more than 500 volunteers each year and the leadership of skilled core employees who offer guidance in the carrying out of Holden's mission and core values.
Whether serving for a week or a year, volunteers and staff are provided room and board and have the opportunity to take part in Holden's vibrant wilderness community. If you would like more information about working and/or volunteering at Holden Village follow this link or see the resources below.
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- Rev. Jack Way, Redeemer Lutheran (Rio)
- Man Hel Yip, Wartburg Seminary
- Rev. Lucy Wynard, Pastor and members of St. Paul (Beloit)
- Rev. Ken Schaub, Interim Pastor and Members of St. Paul (Mayville)
- Bishop Pedro M. Suarez, the Staff, and the congregations of Florida-Bahamas Synod
Churchwide Partners:
- Mr. Gustavo Driau, Regional Rep, Latin America/Caribbean Area, Global Mission
- Rev. Jaime A. Dubon, Program Director, Latin America and Caribbean Area, Global Mission
We give thanks at this time for the ministry of those who celebrate their anniversary of ordination during this coming week:
Corrections:
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Gary Stangland, June 25, 1972, Retired Pastor living in Sturgeon Bay, WI gjstangland@charter.net
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Susan Lux, June 25, 2003, Retired Deacon living in Sun Prairie, WI luxsue21@gmail.com
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John Mix, June 27, 1976, Retired Pastor living in Madison, WI jmix4peace@hotmail.com
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Paula Geister-Jones, June 27, 1982, Pastor at Christ Lutheran in Stoughton, WI pastorpaula@clcstoughton.org
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Thomas Dowling, June 27, 2010, Contract Pastor at Rockdale Lutheran in Rockdale, WI thomasdowling98@yahoo.com
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Julie Krahn, June 27, 1993, Interim Pastor at in St. John in Leland, WI jakrahn.1230@gmail.com
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Kalen Barkholtz, June 27, 2010, Pastor at Christ Evangelical in Sharon, WI kbarkholtz@yahoo.com
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Gary Hein, June 27, 1971, Retired Pastor living in Verona, WI gar224@aol.com
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Ronald Massen, June 28, 1959, Retired Pastor living in Brodhead, WI ryvon60@icloud.com
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Robert Kosky Jr., June 28, 1997, Pastor at Lakeview Lutheran in Madison, WI PastorRKosky@gmail.com
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Jeffrey VandenHeuvel, June 28, 1986, Pastor at Messiah Lutheran in Madison, WI jeffvandenheuvel@gmail.com
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Michael Rahlf, June 28, 2014, Pastor at Good Shepherd in Janesville, WI mjrahlf@aol.com
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Shelley Nelson, June 29, 2017, Contract Pastor at Adams Lutheran in Argyle, WI duelingpreachers@gmail.com
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Jerald Wendt, June 30, 1963, Retired Pastor living in Whitewater, Wi viconmain@sbcglobal.net
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Mark Renner, July 1, 1973, Retired Pastor living in New Glarus, WI mjrenner@tds.net
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Karen Hofstad, July 1, 2006, Pastor at St. Paul’s Evangelical in Baraboo, WI pr.khofstad@gmail.com
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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