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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
Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." ...This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. 
             (John 21: 12 & 14) 
  • Saturday, April 16, Trinity-Freistadt, 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 16, Berea Lutheran Church, 9 a.m. to
    1 p.m.
  • April 24 at Klemmer's from 12:30 to 3 p.m.
  • April 30, Prince of Peace, Menomonee Falls, 9 a.m. to 12 noon
  • May 7, Brookfield Lutheran, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • May 13, District office, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • May 20-21, District office
April 2016
Help!

Our Synod is sending more and more missionaries to serve overseas. That's the good news. The challenging news is that these missionaries have to raise their own support for their ministry. It's challenging, because many of our LCMS congregations and members assume that Synod "takes care of that." The reality is that as money to Districts and Synod has declined, financial support for missionaries has declined. Thank God for those congregations and individuals who fill in the gaps!

I ask you to prayerfully consider supporting an LCMS missionary ... or getting your church to do it! From a one-time door offering, a brat fry or chili cook-off, or a line item in your church's annual budget--there are many ways to support these servants of God. Below is a list of some missionaries with ties to our South Wisconsin District, with the link to their LCMS profile.
Structured for Mission--Friday, May 13
 
One of the greatest challenges that I've found in congregational ministry is helping a congregation to be both motivated for outreach, and structured for outreach. It takes both the heart and the mind of a congregation to effectively engage its community with the Gospel. In other words, both solid theology for mission, and solid organization for mission are needed.
 
Rev. Dr. Peter Meier
Have I got a resource for you! Rev. Dr. Peter Meier of the Center for US Missions will be presenting a one-day conference at the District office on Friday, May 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This seminar, entitled "Structured for Mission" will help congregational leaders (both pastors and laity) to dig deep into the theology for mission as well as the nuts-and-bolts of organizing for mission in your unique congregational setting.
 
Join us! E-mail my assistant Peg Raabe at [email protected] to register. A nominal fee of $15 per person will cover materials, a continental breakfast and lunch. Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions, [email protected].
Spring Luncheon & Silent Auction to support SOS Center-- Sunday, April 24 
  
This fundraiser for SOS ministry will be held at Klemmer's Banquet Center, 10401 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee 53227 from 12:30 to 3 p.m.

To order tickets or for more   information, contact Sheila at [email protected] or 414-449-9964. Deadline is April 10.

Tickets are $40 each, or $300 for a table of 8.

Come
to support one of our most vital ministries to our children--our future--in urban Milwaukee!

Come to enjoy fellowship and lunch with friends supporting a common cause.

Come for the fun of finding an interesting theme basket or items to take home. (Contact Johnnie Fields, [email protected] if you'd like to donate to the auction.) 

See you there! 
Trinity-Freistadt Mission Auction
--April 16 

Enjoy a night of great food and fellowship for a great cause! Trinity's 7th Annual African Mission Auction has raised more than a quarter million dollars for mission work both here in our community and overseas. Join us a 6 p.m. on Saturday evening, April 16.

Click here for more information
A Common Sense Approach to Evangelism: a Witness Workshop--Saturday, April 30, 9 a.m. to 12 noon
 
Here's a "sneak peak" at our LCMS "L.A.S.S.I.E" approach to evangelism, written by Rev. Dr. Mark Wood, adapted and presented by Rev. Dr. Thomas Feiertag, Concordia University Wisconsin. It will take place at The Lutheran Church of the Prince of Peace, Menomonee Falls, at the crossroads of Pilgrim and Good Hope Roads.

This workshop will help you to be able to develop your own Gospel conversation in a natural way. Refreshments will be served to help keep your energy level up and running.

Click here for complete information and registration form.
Please RSVP by April 25. 
Cross Cultural Event

Brookfield Lutheran Church, 18500 W. Burleigh Rd., Brookfield, is hosting this Cross Cultural Event on Saturday, May 7, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Come and hear how our ethnic friends learn about American culture from their own experiences. Learn from them how to intentionally build relationships with our immigrant neighbors, leading them to God's love. Discover how we can assimilate our ethnic friends into our church community.

This is a free event and includes lunch! To register, please call Brookfield Lutheran Church, 262-783-4270.

Contact Duane Tweeten ([email protected]) or Praveen Manuel ([email protected]) if you have any questions.
Rebecca's Garden of Hope, Inc. RGOH) tutoring and mentoring program (an LCMS RSO) "stands on a platform of love with a Vision focused on addressing the immediate needs of 'at risk' youth for the purpose of making impactful changes in their lives and the lives of others around them." 
 
RGOH is sponsoring a Regional Outreach Conference at the SWD office May 20-21. Click on the following links for conference schedule and registration information. For more info, visit their website: rebeccasgardenofhope.org.

Celebrating our Diversity

On April 16, 2016 the ladies of Hmong Hope Lutheran Church are hosting a Heart to Heart Sisters Multicultural event, "Celebrating our Diversity!" for the Lutheran Women's Missionary League of the South Wisconsin District (LWML-SWD). The event will be held at Berea Lutheran Church located at 4873 N. 107th Street in Milwaukee.

Registration and cultural exhibits begin at 9:00 a.m., the multicultural worship service begins at 10:00 a.m., followed by a lunch of ethnic foods and a program of singing, dancing, and fellowship until 1:00 p.m.

Plan to attend this family friendly event and RSVP by calling (414) 218-9478, or email [email protected] by April 11th.
Volunteers--MANY volunteers--are needed for the LCMS National Convention July 9-14!  

Online Volunteer Signup is now available for those wishing to become involved with this summer's LCMS National Convention, July 9-14. Our South Wisconsin District is excited to be the hub of all the activity this year as this 66th triennial convention will be held at the Wisconsin Center in downtown Milwaukee. Choose from a variety of volunteer opportunities, pick your available days and times, and become a part of this exciting event!

A form that you can print and mail in is also available at
swd.lcms.org. Just follow the link to "LCMS National Convention" on the home page. Please call the District office, 414-464-8100, if you have any questions.