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Mission Update
Rev. Peter Kelm, Missions Executive 
South Wisconsin District
 
414-464-8101 [email protected]
Passionate believers... confessing Christ for the next generation
"After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb."
                            (Rev. 7:9)
Every One His Witness
  • Nov. 14,
    9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the District Office

November 2015
Freedom
The Lutheran Reformation was about freedom. Freedom from sin. Freedom from the fear of death. Freedom from the power of the devil. Freedom to serve my neighbor as God gives me gifts and opportunities. Freedom that only Jesus Christ can give, won by Him through cross and empty tomb. Freedom that I can only understand through the faith that has been given me.

And freedom from a tyrannical church that burdens consciences with rules and regulations that are neither Scriptural nor godly. Freedom from the need to save myself. Freedom from the need to please man.

And that message of freedom continues to have a profound effect upon those whose earthly freedoms have been taken away.

I'm constantly amazed at the opportunities that God has provided for us in the South Wisconsin District to preach and teach the Gospel of freedom to the incarcerated. Pastor Afam Ikanih continues to do amazing work in the House of Correction in Franklin. He regularly gets an audience with men and women who have not only had their personal freedoms taken away, but men and women who struggle with their slavery to the sinfulness that dwells in them. Hopelessness is a common thing in prison. The weight of crimes committed is a serious thing. And only Jesus can take that weight away. But when that message is shared; Wow! Lives are changed. Hopelessness turns to hope. Death to life. Slavery to freedom. "If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed!"

Recently, Pastor Ikanih and I met with a representative of Concordia University to talk about ways for students to get involved with and support this prison ministry. Praise God!

Every One His Witness  
 
Equipping individual believers to be more effective witnesses 
of Jesus in their everyday lives.

Rev. Mark Wood, Director of Witness & Outreach Ministry/Revitalization Office of National Mission-LCMS, presents this brand-new workshop for the South Wisconsin District on Saturday, November 14, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the District Office, 8100 W. Capitol Dr., Milwaukee, WI 5322.

The "Every One His Witness" workshop is designed to equip individual believers to be more effective witnesses of Jesus in their everyday lives. It draws on God's Word and the Lutheran Confessions to build a solid foundation for bearing witness of Jesus and provides practical resources for sharing the simple Gospel in today's complex world.

There are 5 sessions to this workshop... 
1. Witnessing: What's It All About?
2. You Are a Witness - What Does This Mean?
3. Vocation and Witness
4. LASSIE: Listen, Ask, Seek, Share, Invite, Encourage
5. Going, Planting, Watering ... and Waiting Expectantly

Registration is $20/person (includes lunch). Please bring a check made out to South Wisconsin District with you when you come. To register, please call Peg Raabe, 414-464-8101; or [email protected].
We have extended the registration deadline Nov. 9, 2015, space permitting.

Feel free to use the following to promote this in your congregation.
Bulletin insert/flyer
Letter-size poster 
Finding our place in God's creation - Wednesday, Nov., 4 

You are invited to the campus at Concordia University Wisconsin, Wednesday, November 4th, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. for an exploration of the Christian's role in issues impacting our environment. "In Awesome Wonder-Finding Our Place within God's Creation" will be an evening forum led by Rev. Dr. Charles Arand, professor and Dean of Theological Research and the Director of the Center for the Care of Creation at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Dr. Arand has published multiple books and over fifty articles on topics related to the Lutheran Confessions and the theology of creation.
 
Please join CUW's faculty, students, and the local community at Concordia's Center for Environmental Stewardship (12800 N Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, WI 53097) for an evening that promises rich reflection and discussion. For a printable flyer, please click here .

Can't make it to campus? The event will be live-streamed! Find out more at www.cuw.edu/roundtable.

Thanks "giving" mission

Last year, many individuals and congregations in the South Wisconsin District provided funds for Thanksgiving meals to families living in the central city of Milwaukee. The meal consists of a turkey and all the fixings for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. The goal every year is to fulfill the requests for the Thanksgiving baskets we receive from central city Lutheran pantries in Milwaukee. Last year 1,043 baskets were delivered to the pantries, and we have the same goal for this year. Again this year we will partner with Brookfield Lutheran who has purchased, assembled and delivered Thanksgiving baskets in the central city for many years. Please let me know if you or your congregation would like to help, or would consider being a host site in the future.

This is where we need your help. You can help by praying for the mission, the individuals who are preparing, assembling and delivering, and for those who receive them. You can volunteer to help pack and deliver the food. We also ask for financial help. Your generosity not only provides nourishment, it also shows the love you have for your neighbor. Come and help me share your joy and love to others this Thanksgiving!

Click here to get more information or make an online donation. Or send a check made out to South Wisconsin District with a notation that it is a Thanksgiving donation. Thank YOU! 
Winter clothing for prison ministry 

Our office recently received a plea from our prison ministry chaplain, Rev. Afam Ikanih, for any help we can give to the House of Correction in Franklin, Wis. They are in desperate need of winter coats, jeans, sweatpants, shirts and sweaters. They have depleted their stock.

If you'd be able to help, please call me and I will get you in touch with Pastor Ikanih. 
Stand With Your Community, LCMS Mission Grants  

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is offering a special grant opportunity, "Stand With Your Community" Grant Program, in recognition of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. $1 million is available for this grant opportunity.

 

A primary focus of the projects funded by these grants is to inspire and empower laity to actively engage in local witness and mercy outreach events and opportunities as a reflection of Martin Luther's unrelenting passion for all to know the true Gospel.

 

These are one-time grants of $1,000 to $25,000 for anything from a single outreach event to a two-year outreach program. The request may be for a new project, the revision of a previous effort or to strengthen an on-going effort of an outreach program or activity. Applications will be received Aug. 1 through Nov. 16.


Here is a link to the website with all of the information and access of the form. 

LCMS Missionary of the Month 
Rev. Rev. Dr. Edward and Monica Naumann and their children
 
Rev. Dr. Edward and Monica Naumann serve the Lord through The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) as career missionaries in South Asia. In his role as a theological educator, Edward works with local church leaders to train and form new pastors. He also provides ongoing education for those pastors already serving the Church. Through the relationships formed, Edward and Monica share the Gospel with the people in the communities in which they serve and live.

Edward was born in Bellshill, Scotland and grew up in Middlesex, England. Monica is a native of Milwaukee, Wis.

Read more information about the Naumanns