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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
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
(John 14:26)
 
  • 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
May 2016
Bad News, Good News!
As I'm writing this, it's been a year since my cancer diagnosis. The wild swings from bad news to good news have been, well, crazy. You have cancer, but we can operate! We took out some of the cancer, but it's already spreading. The chemo is working. The chemo is not working. Radiation won't work. Radiation might work! The tumor is growing. The tumor is shrinking! The cancer is back!

Lord, Have Mercy.

And He has!

Most of life is filled with an ongoing onslaught of bad news and good news. Sometimes the swings are worse than others. But you can't avoid it. In a sinful world, there will be bad news. And with a gracious God, there will be good news.

Theologically, of course, this is the core of our Lutheran teaching. The bad news is that we are sinners: conceived in it, born with it, actively pursuing it. The good news is that Jesus took that sin upon Himself and paid for it on the cross. We are free from sin's curse and control!
Structured for Mission--Friday, May 13
 
Silos. They're great for storing grain, but not so good when they appear in the ministry of your congregation. Individuals, groups, boards and committees sometimes get lost in the details of their own area of ministry, while losing the bigger picture of mission. Healthy congregations do what they can to align all the different areas of ministry so that they're focused on reaching out with the love of Jesus.

Dr. Peter Meier
It's not too late to register for our Structured for Mission seminar at the District office on Friday, May 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. as Rev. Dr. Peter Meier of the Center for US Mission helps us to work toward alignment in ministry: Outreach, Assimilation, Worship, Spiritual Growth (Discipleship), Pastoral Care, Volunteers, and Finances.
 
 
Just e-mail my assistant Peg Raabe at [email protected] to register no later than Monday, May 9. A nominal fee of $15 per person (which you can bring along with you) will cover materials, a continental breakfast and lunch. Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions, [email protected]  
SOS Center's Spring Luncheon & Silent Auction

On Sunday, April 24, friends of the SOS Center in Milwaukee gathered at Klemmer's banquet hall to celebrate the ministry and support its programs designed to help inner city youth and families. A diverse group from urban and suburban churches and supporting businesses and community groups raised more than $9,000! The money will be used for the after-school and summer programs, as well as for urban youth to attend the LCMS National Youth Gathering in New Orleans in July. Thanks to all who support this ministry!
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.

Volunteers are still needed for the 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.

We still have need of ushers for the opening worship service on Saturday, July 9, and also pages for July 10-14. Please go to our Online Volunteer Signup to see the open time slots remaining and sign up there.

Please call the District office, 414-464-8100, if you have any questions.
Missionary of the month 
Rev. David and Jennifer Preus with their family. 

Rev. David and Jennifer Preus serve the Lord as career missionaries through The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) in the Dominican Republic. In this role, David plants new churches in this country. He forms and develops groups of believers into mature, self-sustaining and self-replicating congregations through Word and Sacrament ministry. He also helps with theological education as needed and works with local deaconesses in their mercy care ministries throughout the country.

Read their family's latest newsletter here.