The CDC has updated their guidance on masking and other risk mitigation strategies. Under the new guidance from CDC face masks are now considered optional and universal masking is no longer recommended during times of low COVID risk. The CDC is currently designating La Crosse County as medium COVID risk. Continue reading the Re-Opening Team update.

For over two decades the ELCA has maintained a presence in Haiti through support for agricultural and sustainable development work. In addition, Lutheran Disaster Response has been collaborating with partner organizations in Haiti to provide relief needs due to devastating earthquakes. LDR's work has included provision of food, water, medical supplies, and temporary shelter. LDR continues to be a strong presence in Haiti and appreciates the support and prayers of our larger church in meeting the pressing humanitarian needs of our neighbor to the south.

Interested in becoming a member at English Lutheran? We'd love for you to join our church family! Our next New Member Orientation is Wednesday, May 11, from 5:30-8:30, dinner included, and childcare is available.

If you'd like to attend, please call or email Carol at 784-9335 for more information and to RSVP.

On May 7th, Sugar Creek is hosting a Spring Work Weekend. Work will begin at 9:00AM on Saturday. Our youth group will be helping the ELC Ministry Council clean and prepare the Seeker Cabins for the season. ELC adopted the Seeker Cabin Village about 5 years ago. We take great pride in keeping these cabins user-friendly and are excited to have our youth be part of our project this year! If you are interested in joining in, contact Bob or Kathy Weeks, or Kristen Arends, Director of Youth & Family.

To close our 2021-2022 study year, Seekers has a power-packed trifecta of presenters who will present a 3-part series called The Church Universal. They are our very own Pastor Mark Kvale, Assisant to the Bishop Dione Stepanek, and Bishop Felix Malpica.

On May 12, Pastor Stepanek joins us and will address "Where We Are and How We’re Doing: how are we doing when it comes to helping the church grow, gathering people into it, nurturing them in faith and helping them put that faith into action following the example of Jesus?" Click here for the schedule through May.

We meet on Thursday mornings, 9:30-11am. We begin with devotions, followed by Caring & Sharing, and then launch into our study topic. We hope you will join us!

Vacation Bible School registration is open! VBS for ages 2yo-6th Grade will be the week of June 20. Registration forms are available at the Welcome Center or online. Join us for a fun week learning about God, and invite your friends and family to come along!

There are opportunities coming up in our community in conjunction with Older Americans Month. You can register for any of these events via email or by calling 785-5700. Visit the ADRC website for more info as well.

The Aging & Disability Resource Center, along with Causeway Caregivers, is hosting "Before the After" on May 23 from 10am-12pm at Black River Beach Neighborhood Center. Click here for more information.

"Being Mortal" is a free film screening and discussion on May 11 from 6:30-8:00pm at the La Crosse Public Library (Main Street campus). This event is also hosted by the ADRC, along with Gundersen Health System, Mayo Clinic Health System, and St. Croix Hospice. Click here for more information.

"Powerful Tools for Caregivers" classes help caregivers take better care of themselves while caring for a friend or relative. This class will be held on Tuesdays this summer at 1:00pm at Community Connections Center, 1407 St. Andrews St. Click here for more information.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Join us for an "Anxiety in our COVID World" presentation on Wednesday, May 18 at 7:00pm in our Fellowship Hall. This is a free and open to the public discussion by Pastor Mark Shaw, LCSW. Pastor Shaw will discuss anxiety signs/symptoms, how COVID has impacted us, and methods of coping. Educational and self-help materials, refreshments, and a Q & A session are all included. No RSVP necessary.

Boxes are needed for quilts! If you have boxes at home that are large enough to hold 3-4 quilts for packing and sending to LWR, our Quilters could use them. Drop off at church anytime the building is open.

Synod Assembly is June 11 & 12! ELC's voting members are: Bob Weeks, Pam Strittmater, Becky Strittmater, Joan Allen, and Maddie Sweeney.

There are opportunities for you to be involved too!

To register for the Saturday workshops, or to volunteer, contact Melanie at the synod office, 788-5000.

More information: La Crosse Area Synod's website.