COVID conditions have improved significantly in our community and across the country. 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 low COVID risk. Continue reading the Re-Opening Team update.

As we continue to highlight the work of Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), this week we focus on the assistance given when tornadoes or severe storms have struck in the U.S. LDR brings God’s hope, healing and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters in the U. S. and around the world. When the dust settles and the headlines change, LDR stays on to provide ongoing assistance to those in need. On the night of Dec. 10, 2021 a devastating outbreak of more than 30 tornadoes swept through six states. Kentucky was impacted the most, with more than 70 people reported dead. Homes and businesses were destroyed.

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.

Every Tuesday, volunteers from ELC carpool to Sugar Creek Bible Camp to help with projects that support this special ministry which reaches out to strengthen the faith our youth and so many others. Sugar Creek Volunteers help with painting and staining, building maintenance, making firewood, caring for the flowers and the grounds, and many other projects!  If you are interested in being a part of the Tuesday Volunteers or want information, contact Bob Weeks or John Cleveland.

On May 7th, Sugar Creek is hosting a Spring Work Weekend. Work will begin at 9:00AM on Saturday, but you are welcome to come on Friday to get an early start. Friday night housing is free for those that choose to come early, and free and yummy meals will be available 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.

Lutheran World Relief responds to need throughout the world. In the past few months, quilts that were lovingly made by our Quilters were sent to Peru and Tanzania. Our backpacks went to eager and needy students in Honduras, Bolivia, and Tanzania. Thank You to all who contribute in someway to these ministries!

Join Pastor Becky and the Fellowship Council for a walk around Myrick Park to watch and learn about the migrating birds in our area. Bring water, binoculars (if you have them), good shoes and dress for the weather! We will meet at 1:00pm on Sunday, May 1st, to gather and pray at the Wisconsin Conservation Corp Building (789 Myrick Park Dr., La Crosse).

As we celebrated Earth Day last week, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares some examples of how Lutherans are caring for creation and addressing climate justice. God call us to be stewards of the earth, and to fully integrate creation care into our love of God, neighbor and everything in our environment. Learn more at https://elca.org/environment.

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!