INSURANCE NUMBERS COMING EARLIER THIS YEAR
Be watching! In the next few weeks Portico Benefit Services will be sharing the 2016 coverage rates and plan details with all participating pastors and congregations. This info is coming earlier to assist your congregational leaders in budget conversations.
PASTORS - PLEASE CONSIDER THESE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
All held at Luther Seminary, St. Paul
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PRAYERS for MINISTRIES of Pastors, Congregations and Synods
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~North Beaver Creek Lutheran & Pr Liz Albertson
~Brush Creek Lutheran & Pr John Stennes-Spidahl
~St Stephen's Lutheran & Pr Jeff Ruetten
~Journey Lutheran & Pr Steve A Meyer
SYNODS:
~ St. Paul Area Synod
~ Northeastern Ohio Synod
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See Synod Website Job Opps page for current listings: Nursing Home Chaplain or Pastoral Care Coordinator, Dir. of Youth & Family, Church Secretary and Custodian.
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ELCA MISSIONARIES GATHER FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Many of the 240 ELCA global mission personnel and their families will be attending the five-day Summer Missionary Conference this month near Chicago. Have you considered global service? Opportunities range from teaching English in Indonesia to developing leadership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cameroon to coordinating the Young Adults in Global Mission programs in Central Europe and a new country program in Senegal. Visit the Global Service web page and click on View Opportunities.
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CHURCH & PARTNERSHIP MINISTRY EVENTS
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BURGERS IN THE PARK
Thu, July 30, 5-7PM
Davidson Park, Westby
Come for Good Food, Silent Auction and Entertainment - all proceeds benefiting food pantry at Bethel Butikk! See Burgers in the Park FLYER for details! LUNCH & ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Sun, Aug 2, 10:30AM - 1:30PM, Wilmington Lutheran Church, rural Spring Grove, Minn.
Menu: pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, Coney dogs, potato salad, beans, ice, ice cream, Spring Grove pop and other beverages. Church located at the intersection of Church Road and County Highway 17 in rural Spring Grove.
CONCERT
Sun, Aug. 2, 3:30PM
Our Savior's Lutheran, Westby
Featuring Hans Peterson of Dakota Road and Hannah Kalisch, fiddle layer extraordinaire!
ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT GROUP
Mon, Aug. 3, 4PM
Kirkeeng Rm, Bethel Home
614 S Rock Ave, Viroqua
This month's discussion, "Dealing with the Challenges of Alzheimer's and Other Dementia."
COWBOY BREAKFAST
Sun, Aug. 16, 7 - 11AM
Community Arena, Viroqua - Served during "Wild West Days." Come for full pancake breakfast w/ eggs, sausage and beverages. Adults $6, Children 5-12 $3. See Cowboy Breakfast FLYER for details. |
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CHECK OUT THIS MOBILE FRIENDLY UPDATE!
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SYNOD UPDATE
from our Synod and Ministry Partners
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July 29, 2015
Prayers
- For Bryant Bakkum on his ordination into the ministry of Word and Sacrament, Sat., Aug. 1, Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church. Bryant has accepted his first call to a two-point parish - First Lutheran, West Allis and Nativity Lutheran, in Wauwatosa.
- For the family of Pr. Joel and Maran Bacon (St. John, Alma) and family on the death of Maran's father, Dr. Robert Mandsager, July 27. Pr. Joel shared that Dr. Bob was an ALC Medical Missionary to Cameroon from 1955-1964 and later served on the ALC Mission Board.
- For Bishop Arends and family on the death of his mother's last sibling and his 2nd "mother", Pauline Westlund; service will be Saturday in the Twin Cities
- For Patricia Ness and family on the death of Rev. Lyle Ness (retired) on July 22; services held Mon., July 27 in Mondovi
- For Pr. Vern Skarstad (retired) and Elaine as they celebrated Vern's 50th Anniversary of Ordination Sun., July 27 and his last day at Bells Coulee Lutheran; the Skarstad's are now making their home in Manor, Texas.
- For Pr. Dan Henderson (Assoc. Pastor, Holmen Lutheran) on his retirement from active ministry after 38 years; his last service will be this Sun., Aug. 2
- Prayers of thanksgiving on the 125th Anniversary of Immanuel Lutheran, Cashton, celebrated this past Sunday, July 26
- For Pr. Dale Ruosch as he completes his first round of chemotherapy for acute leukemia
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SYNOD EVENTS
2015 FALL THEOLOGICAL CONFERENCE
Sun-Wed, Oct. 18-21
Theme: A Church Transformed by Freedom
Speaker: Dr. Mary J. Streufert, Dir. for Justice for Women,
Church in Society Program Unit of the ELCA
Conference Site: Heartwood Conference Center & Resort, Trego, Wis.
(Registration info available August 1)
June 10-12, 2016 - Synod Assembly (Luther College)
June 9-11, 2017 - Synod Assembly (La Crosse area)
June 8-10, 2018 - Synod Assembly (Luther College)
Oct. 16-19, 2016 - Fall Theological Conference
Oct. 15-18, 2017 - Fall Theological Conference
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NEWS/RESOURCES
2015-16 SYNOD DIRECTORY - We need to hear from you !
Pastors, church staff, synod committee members -- PLEASE review your 2014-15 Synod Directory (white cover w/ blue lettering), looking for any corrections, additions or updated info! THEN respond to this email or call 608.788.5000 with those changes so they can be incorporated into our 2015-16 directory. Sept. 1, 2015, is the deadline for submitting changes. THANK YOU!
CONFRONTING RACISM - Live Webcast August 6th
In a recent letter Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton says, "God's intention for all humanity is that we see the intrinsic worth, dignity and value of all people. Racism undermines the promise of community and fractures authentic relationships with one another. As Christians, though, we live in the conviction that the church has been gathered together in the joyful freedom of the reign of God announced by and embodied in Jesus . . . the message of God's 'yes' to the world breaks down all dividing walls as we live into that promise."
Addressing this issue, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton is sharing a live conversation on the complexity and implications of racism with William B. Horne II, ELCA lay leader and member of the ELCA Church Council, on Thu, Aug. 6 at 8 PM.
You may join this webcast in a variety of ways:
FROM the PRESIDING BISHOP
No Secrets Here. In her August column for The Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton says rumors and politics on three issues before the ELCA are at odds with true discernment. Here are no schemes, she says, just time and space for a process of talking together, praying together and listening together as a church-time for discernment. Read more HERE. --Also in your August edition of The Lutheran see a synopsis of our 2015 La Crosse Area Synod assembly (p. 39) and a photo included of a portion of the over 600 pairs of shoes (p. 40) that were collected at assembly for clothing closets around the synod.
NEW MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES EXPLORED for people of Latino heritage
Here's what we're up to this summer exploring ministry opportunities with Latino folks in the area.
- "Community of Hope" Events Celebrate Hispanic Culture through Pr. Melinda Pupillo and members of English Lutheran Church
- Soul Fiesta, Sat. Aug. 15, 4-7PM, Christ Lutheran Church in Arcadia Event sponsored by Christ Lutheran Church and Mt. Sinai Pentecostal Church See Soul Fiesta Flyer and don't forget your lawn chair!
RISE UP TOGETHER - More from the ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit
2015 LUTHERAN COLLEGE FAIRS ANNOUNCED
Check out the Lutheran College website for general information, then specific links to each Lutheran College across the country AND a listing of the 2015 College Fairs. TEACHING HEALTHY BOUNDARIES
Mon-Tue, Oct. 26-27 at Luther Seminary, St. Paul
2013 ELCA CHURCHWIDE
ASSEMBLY MINUTES
Minutes from the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly are now available to you on line HERE. FROM THE CENTER FOR STEWARDSHIP LEADERS (CSL) - Luther Seminary
From Adam J. Copeland, Dir. of the Center for Stewardship Leaders, "Last week the Center for Stewardship Leaders hosted a conference on the topic: Creating Congregational Cultures of Generosity. . . I could write 20 articles on the material presented, and the conversations convened, but I'll keep this article focused on the question: What is Generosity?" WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES (WCC)
Read and share current topics/events from WCC, including how children fare in the federal budget, how does payday lending impact your community, Stand Up! - event for mentoring and empowering young women for the ministry, Reviving Justice - A Day of Inspiration, Education and Action for Change, interim ministry training, 2016 Winter Forum w/ Sister Simone Campbell and more.
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