Each year the ELCA "Churchwide" office in Chicago produces several video messages that are normally shared during synod assembly. In the absence of our regular assembly this year we commend the video library to you here and invite you to watch and share it within your communities: |
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Resources for Congregations in Supporting Peace in Palestine and Israel
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Our South-Central Synod of Wisconsin Holy Land Advocacy Team works to promote justice and peace in the Holy Land for Palestinians and Israelis through education, advocacy, and accompaniment. With the escalation of the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine over these past few weeks we have curated several timely resources for your personal use and for use in your congregations. These resources can be found on the Holy Land Advocacy page on our website here: https://scsw-elca.org/holylandadvocacy/. In addition, below is a video from Presiding Bishop Eaton calling for support of peace in Palestine and Israel.
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Mission Moment
On Feb. 23, Mike Rahlf, Pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Janesville, WI, sure felt blessed. Despite having to wait in a long line of people at Blackhawk Technical College, he was about to receive his second COVID-19 vaccination...
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Boundaries Training for Rostered Leaders |
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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:
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When: Jun 16, 2021 09:00 AM Central Time
Register in advance for this meeting by clicking below:
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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:
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We Need Your Feedback for our Next Equipping The Saints Webinar on June 1
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We would like to spend the hour together in discussion and need your help:
- Are there some topics that you would like to hear more about?
- Are you enjoying the present format of our synod webinars?
- Is there anything you would like to see added or changed?
- Would you like to see more presenters? Less?
- Anyone want an ongoing topic or even a book study? Let’s get together and think about ALL the possibilities.
Please take some time to jot down a few suggestions and email them to Robyn Zimmerman at robynz@scsw-elca.org. This will give us a jumping off point but don’t feel like you can’t bring questions or suggestion to us during the webinar.
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Three Opportunities to Engage on Immigration |
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Join LIRS on May 23 at 4 p.m. ET for our first annual Stand Up, Speak Up Spring Vigil. Together with hundreds of interfaith communities across the country, we will examine our roles as compassionate friends and justice-seekers through prayer, reflection, and stories from migrant and refugee families.
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Join us to remember and celebrate the ministry of Brent Christianson, Campus Pastor and Director of Lutheran Campus Ministry in Madison, 1993 to 2014. Alumni and colleagues will share stories, music, poetry, and images that convey the impact of Pastor Brent’s 21 years of service at LCM.
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A reminder that we continue to update our synod COVID-19 Health Resources page on our website. We try to stay on top of all the changes to local mandates and restrictions as they happen.
We also have links to information on how to engage your congregation in helping to provide access to COVID-19 vaccines.
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- Janet Lord, Coordinator, St. Luke's (Middleton)
- Rev. Ramie Bakken, Region 5 Coordinator, West Koshkonong (Stoughton)
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Rev. Naomi Garber, Interim Pastor & Members of St. John's (Oregon)
- Rev. Fred Rilling & Rev. Sally Williams, Pastors & Members of St. John's (Prairie du Sac)
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Bishop Craig A. Schweitzer, the Staff, and Congregations of the Western North Dakota Synod
Churchwide Partners:
- Ms. Marie Anne Sliwinski, Program Director, Disaster Response & Sustainable Development - Global Mission
- Rev. Said R. Ailabouni, Europe/Middle East/North Africa Desk Director - Global Mission
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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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Rev. Steven Ristau Hanson, May 21, 1982, Retired Pastor living in Fitchburg, pastorsteveww@gmail.com
- Rev. Roy Poltrock, May 24, 1970, Retired Pastor living in Janesville
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Rev. James Kannenberg, May 26, 1963, Retired Pastor living in Waterloo, IA, ritakberg@yahoo.com
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Rev. Karla Brekke, May 26, 1991, Retired Pastor living in Edgerton, karlabrekke@charter.net
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Rev. Jerry Olson, May 26, 1975, Retired Pastor living in Des Moines, IA, noslo48@gmail.com
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Rev. Lee Bohnhoff, May 27, 1962, Retired Pastor living in Orfordville, baayagdii@yahoo.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 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.
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