Mission Update

Rev. Peter Kelm, Missions Executive

South Wisconsin District

8100 W. Capitol Dr. Milwaukee, WI 53222

414-464-8101 Kelm@swd.lcms.org

Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
praise his holy name.

For his anger lasts only a moment,

but his favor lasts a lifetime;

weeping may stay for the night,

but rejoicing comes in the morning.

(Psalm 30:4-5)

A Mission Convocation by Center for U.S. Missions

Sept. 10 - Wausau
Sept. 11 - Appleton
Sept. 12 - SWD office, Milwaukee

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"I have other sheep that are not of this

sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice..."
(John 10:16)

June 2015

Identity

You've likely heard the stories in the media over the last several weeks about two individuals who have gone to drastic measures to alter their identities. Bruce Jenner, former Olympic champion and recent reality-TV star, has announced to the world that he identifies as a woman. His new name is Caitlyn, and after a few high-profile interviews, he's comfortable presenting himself to the world as a woman.

Identity.

Just recently, a woman who was the head of her Spokane, Washington NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) chapter admitted - after her parents outed her - that she isn't African American at all. Rather, she's a white woman who identifies with being African American. The reality of her deception and the controversy it caused led her to step down from her position.

Identity.

As I'm writing this, news is coming out about a young white man who entered an historically black church in South Carolina and killed 9 people, wounding many others. Reportedly, it was a hate crime against African Americans. Finding his identify in his own skin color, he lashed out in violence at those different from him.

Identity.

Where does your identity come from? We live in a culture where so many people are drastically searching for their own identity. Who am I? Why am I here? What's my purpose? How do I fit in? The above examples are frightening, frankly, not just because of how drastic they are, but because of how many Americans not only accept this kind of identity change, but celebrate it and encourage it.

But should we be surprised?

The capacity of any human being's sinful nature to grasp for an identity that is not rooted in God's creation, Christ's redemption, and the Spirit's indwelling is limitless. If I don't know who I am, then the sky's the limit - or hell is the depth - of where I can search for an identity.

Read more

Center for U.S. Missions
1-day convocations

Mobilizing the Mission of God--A Mission Convocation

This is a joint effort of SWD and NWD to mobilize pastors and people for mission! The convocations will be held in three locations...

Thursday, Sept. 10, at St. Mark, 600 Stevens Dr., Wausau
Friday, Sept. 11, at Shepherd of the Hills, N1615 Meadowview Dr., Greenville Appleton area
Saturday, Sept. 12, at the South Wisconsin District office, 8100 W. Capitol Dr., Milwaukee

Easy to register--just call the District office and ask for Peg, 414-464-8101. Sessions are from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the cost is only $30, including your lunch!

Here's the link to all the details.

A word about my health

Many of you know that I was recently diagnosed with gall bladder cancer. Surgery in late April successfully took out the gall bladder tumor, as well as a part of my liver and some cancerous lymph nodes. While successful, surgery didn't eliminate all the cancer cells. Currently, I'm going through chemotherapy treatments every other week. Those treatments include a half-day in the Froedtert Cancer Clinic (a wonderful place!), and then two days with a portable pump that continues the chemo. I'm so grateful to God for all the support, encouragement, and especially prayers that God's people have offered on my behalf. The people of the two congregations I formerly served as pastor, Immanuel in Brookfield, and Trinity-Freistadt in Mequon, have been particularly generous and caring. Please continue to keep me in your prayers...especially that the chemo would effectively kill the cancer.

As I continue to recover, my energy level is not yet what it was, but the good Lord is helping me to get stronger each day. I look forward to continuing to serve SWD as mission executive as long as He wills it.

Welcoming Publications

Amy Gerdts, project coordinator for LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission (RSTM), wrote a great article about the use of bulletins, newsletters, fliers, websites, Facebook pages and changeable signage in a congregation's ministry. In it she shares some ideas to help you use your publications to engage those who may not be "in the know"--a.k.a. "Visitors!"'

It's not just for "rural and small town" congregations. Here's a link. Enjoy the read.

LCMS Missionary of the Month

Deaconess Rachel Powell

Deaconess Rachel Powell serves the Lord as a career missionary through The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in the Dominican Republic. In this role, she teaches and mentors Dominican deaconess students. She also identifies mercy project opportunities and supports existing ones. In addition, Rachel coordinates and participates in community outreach activities sponsored by congregations and mercy houses in this country.

More information about Deaconess Powell .