Do you know the mission of Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF)? Did you know LCEF is all about ministry? What I mean by that is LCEF investments are used to support our local churches and church workers.

Currently two of the more popular investment tools are the Young Investors (Y.I.) Club and the Family Emergency Fund. Y.I. club started back in the Fall of 2013 with a rate of 3.5%. This rate has stayed consistent and remains 3.5% during April 2014. The Family Emergency Fund does just what it sounds like. It is meant to be a fund for those emergencies of life, such as the need for car repairs, the roof has a leak, etc. Both the Y.I. Club and Family Emergency fund promote and reinforce Biblical stewardship practices.

I ask that if you don't already have an investment within LCEF that you would prayerfully consider it. If you have an investment(s) and want to do more for your local South Wisconsin District congregations and church workers please visit lcef.org or give me a call or send an email note.

God's blessings to you and your family as you worship these last few weeks in Lent and as you celebrate Easter morning.

Yours in Christ,

Diana Raasch, M.B.A, CGP

Vice President

414-464-8100, ext 25, raasch@swd.lcms.org

Easter and Confirmation Bulletin Inserts
Order these FREE double-sided Easter and Confirmation bulletin inserts for your congregation and/or school. Click on the pictures to place your order today!

2014 Summer Internship Program

As LCEF National did for the first time in 2013, they will once again offer the same internship program. Along with the same job opportunities that were offered last year in Information Technology, Lending and Real Estate Management, and Marketing, they will be offering another internship in Ministry Support. We are excited to offer a place for college students to learn more about their potential career endeavors and gain experience in a professional environment.

Click here for more information

Mercy Ministry Grants
Thanks to a generous gift from LCEF, SWD is making "Mercy Ministry Grants" available for congregations. These grants, for up to $1,000, are intended to encourage congregations to take a leap of faith in engaging in some kind of new mercy ministry venture. Click here for more grant information, invitation letter and application form. *The deadline is May 1, 2014*

Grace Place
Click here to register or for Retreat Information

Hearts for Jesus
It's not too late to support the Hearts for Jesus program: Lutherans For Life Thank you to all the schools who have supported the program this year If you are still raising/collecting chapel offerings, please send the check to the District office by June 30, 2014 Goal for this year: $15,000 Total so far this year: $1,870.79

Eight Concordias' Participating in LCEF Competition

Strengthening schools through a partnership with LCEF is this year's National Student Marketing Competition assignment. Eight Concordia University System schools, including our district's Concordia University Wisconsin, are sending teams to compete in the third annual LCEF - sponsored competition on April 4. For months, the students have conducted research, designed marketing plans and rehearsed presentations in preparation for the trip to St. Louis. Read more...

Too many of us put off planning our wills and trusts for "another day." Host a workshop at your church, or schedule a personal visit by contacting Diana Raasch at (414) 464-8100, ext. 25, or email.

LCEF is a nonprofit religious organization; therefore, LCEF investments are not FDIC-insured bank deposit accounts. This is not an offer to sell investments, nor a solicitation to buy. LCEF will offer and sell its securities only in states where authorized. The offer is made solely by LCEF's Offering Circular. Investors should carefully read the Offering Circular, which more fully describes associated risks. LCEF StewardAccount access features provided through UMB Bank n.a. The StewardAccount is not available to investors living in South Carolina.