LCEF south wisconsin district
In This Issue
Happy New Year
Gift of Encouragement
Passionate Believers Conference
Lutheran Federal Credit Union
Scholarships Available
Rostered Church Worker Loans
2015 National Lutheran Schools Week
2015 Teacher of the year
LCMS Missionary of the Month
LCEF Pocket Calendars
Recipe of the Month
Quick Links
CALENDAR

-2015-
January 31
Passionate Believers Conference
Divine Redeemer, Hartland
 
January 25-31
National Lutheran Schools Week

April 20-23
Spring Pastors' Conference
Manitowoc, Wisconsin
 
June 7-9
District Convention
Concordia University Wisconsin

October 12-14
Fall Pastors' Conference
Onalaska, Wisconsin
Happy New Year!

I pray you were able to celebrate with family and friends the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I also hope that after the hustle and bustle of the season you were able to get a little "R&R" in before the business of 2015 began.

By reading this eNewsletter and others you receive from the South Wisconsin District, along with the news and resources on our website, you can see that 2015 is going to be another busy, but great year. If there is anything we at the SWD can do to help your mission and ministry, please contact us. We are here to support your ministry efforts within your congregation and/or schools. 

Serving Him together!
Barb
You Are Never Too Important
Rev. Randy Raasch has served as pastor of First Immanuel Lutheran Church, Cedarburg, Wisconsin for 26 years. Here he shares about leadership within the church: 

A number of years ago, as I finished teaching
a Bible class I ventured back toward my office. I was passing the work room where our worship folders, newsletters and other communication tools are printed and assembled. I noticed one of our administrative assistants assembling the weekend's worship folder. I put down the Bible and began to help. About 10 minutes into my working alongside this lady, another staff member walked in and said, "Is this how the senior pastor spends his time? Shouldn't you be doing something more important?" The administrative assistant looked at me and said, "You probably do have more important things to do." My answer was simple: "Right now, this is more important - you are important."


Saturday, January 31, 2015 - 8am to 3pm

Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church & School, Hartland

                                               

         

The Passionate Believers Conference is only THREE weeks away. Hurry register today! 
Encourage a group from your congregation to attend this beneficial--and fun--event!
Lutheran Federal Credit Union
Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) is pleased to announce that the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has granted a charter for the launch of a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - focused credit union to be named Lutheran Federal Credit Union (LFCU).

Check out the article from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch from Sunday, January 4, 2015 regarding the Credit Union. Stay tuned for more details.
TWO Scholarships Available

Hurry!  Application deadlines are coming soon!

 

Six LCEF scholarships, each in the amount of $1,000, will be awarded to six graduating high school seniors or current full-time post-secondary students at an accredited institution with at least one year of courses remaining. Application deadline is February 28, 2015. Click here to learn more and to apply online 

 

>   >   >   >   >   >

 

The Take Heart Scholarship was developed for you, our Y.I. Club World Changers, who are high school seniors and will soon be advancing to your next level of higher education. Three awards available of $3,000, $1,000 and $500 through the Take Heart Scholarship Program. Application deadline is March 15, 2015. Click here for more scholarship details and to apply.

Rostered Church Worker Loans
2015 National Lutheran Schools Week - January 25-31

2015 Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to the following educators who will be recognized at a dinner on Sunday, January 25.

Administrator:  Rose Meier, St. Paul-Grafton

Secondary:  John Ellenberger, Milwaukee Lutheran High School

Early Childhood:  Jennifer Comfort, St. John's-Glendale

Elementary:  Kathy Oldenburg, Divine Redeemer-Hartland
                     Michelle Pingel, Bethlehem-Sheboygan
LCMS Missionary of the Month
James and Christel Neuendorf serve as missionaries in the Dominican Republic. James is the communication specialist for Latin America and Christel is the business manager for the same region. Please pray for them as they serve in a place called Pueblo Nuevo in Santiago locally in the Dominican Republic.
More information about James and Christel Neuendorf.
2015 LCEF Pocket Calendars
First Come, First Serve! 
We have a few pocket calendars available. If you would like one or two, please contact Barb Slak either by phone 414-464-8100, ext. 13 or by email slak@swd.lcms.org. Hurry! There is a limited quantity.
Recipe of the Month 
"Mini Chili Calzones"
"Wrapped in crescent dough, these easy mini calzones are filled with chili, bell pepper, bacon, and Cheddar Cheese. Feel free to use your own "chili" recipe or use the one here. Either way, an easy, but fun meal.