Prayers

We invite you to join the synod staff in prayer:

Gracious God, cycles of violence seem never-ending. Lead us from prejudice to truth; deliver us from hatred to love. (from ELCA Prayer Ventures)

 

We also pray for the following leaders and the congregations they serve:

Rev. Paul Peterson, Bethany Lutheran, Siren, and Pilgrim Lutheran, Frederic

Rev. Amy Hessel, Bethany Lutheran, Star Prairie

Rev. Robert Bipes, Bethel Lutheran, Hudson

Rev. Alicia Hilding, Bethel Lutheran, Hudson

Rev. Ben Hilding, Bethel Lutheran, Hudson

Rev. John Lestock, Bethel Lutheran, Hudson

 

Installation News

 Rev. Dean Lundgren will be installed January 18 at Svea Lutheran, Hager City; Rev. John Sutherland officiating. All are welcome to attend the 10:30 am service followed by a reception.

Rev. Robert Castro will be installed at the 9 a.m. service January 25 at Eleva Lutheran, Eleva; Rev. Greg Kaufmann officiating.

Rev. Erin Nelson will be installed at the 9 a.m. service January 25 at Mt. Zion Lutheran, Hudson; Rev. John Sutherland officiating.

Barronett Lutheran is located in the small town of Barronett, just north of Cumberland, Wisconsin. While it may not be the largest congregation in the area, members didn't let that stop them from raising nearly $950 to benefit the local food pantry. Well done, good and faithful servants!

 Thanks to Todd Ahneman, Synodically Authorized Minister, for sharing this photo and story.

On February 7, 2015, Cherish All Children and the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW) are hosting a conference to begin their jointly-sponsored "Safe Harbor Campaign."

 

The "Safe Harbor Campaign" is focused on raising awareness of child sex trafficking in Wisconsin and how people of faith may advocate on behalf of vulnerable and trafficked children.

 

The three-hour conference will include a discussion with local law enforcement and representatives from Cherish All Children and LOPPW, with local resources provided.

The conference will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 1306 Wilcox Street, Menomonie, WI. Check-in begins at 9:30, with the event lasting from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Lunch is provided.

 

The event is open to the public. Pre-registration by February 3 is required. Go to www.cherishallchildren.org/safeharborkickoff to register or call 612.280.1259.

Cost to attend this event is $10.00 per person. You may pay online when you register or by cash/check at the door.

 

The fee for this event covers the lunch and a donation to the Menomonie Police Department to create a "soft room" for abused children and their families who come to the Police Department.

 

Additional support for this event is being provided by Thrivent Financial and Jimmy John's of Menomonie.

 

For more information about Cherish All Children, visit www.cherishallchildren.org

Cherish All Children, based in Minneapolis, is a national Lutheran ministry of prayer, education, relationship-building, and action to prevent child sexual exploitation.

For more information about LOPPW, visit www.loppw.org

LOPPW is based in Madison and is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In faithful response to God's love, LOPPW engages people of faith in the ministry of advocacy for policies that support peace, justice and care for all of God's creation.

All are welcome to remember the life, ministry and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the church, our country and the world at Bethel Lutheran Church, Sunday, January 18, at the Highlands campus, 504 Frontage Road, Hudson, WI. 

 

Two combined services at 9:30 and 11 am. will feature Jearlyn Steele (of the Steele Family Singers). (Note-NO 8 am Downtown service and NO Saturday Gathering worship service at Highlands that weekend). Questions? Please call 715.386.8821.

Getting Settled in Japan

by Zach Corbin

 

It's been close to three months now and it's almost time for me to make a second move. For the last three months I've been living in Tokyo. In early January, I will be moving to Kumamoto, which is in the southernmost province of Japan. Provinces are similar to our states. I will have three more months of orientation and training. In April the new school year begins and so I will begin to teach.

During my time in Tokyo I've tried to do a bit of sightseeing. I've gone to a couple local Shinto temples near my apartment - very, very cool. I've walked around some of the more populated areas like Shinjuku and Shibuya, comparable to Times Square in New York. Continue reading . . . .
 

There's Still Much to Overcome

By Ken Wheeler

I love the anthem of the civil rights movement, "We Shall Overcome." The song presupposes that overcoming requires struggle. And as we approach another anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther King Jr., some of us will gather in multi-racial settings, hold hands and join in singing that song. But when the song is ended, we will go back to our respective lives believing that we have done something grand or significant, but neither will be the case if all we do is to recall some words and join hands and sing. Continue reading . . . 

Clergy Women's Retreat at Christine Center, Willard. 

January 26-30

EQ Human Relations workshop in Chicago. Only a few spots remain! 

January 30-31

Candidacy Retreat at Luther Point, Grantsburg. 

February 8-9

Winter Theological Event, "Experimentation in Ministry: Lessons from what went wrong in the laboratory. Metropolis resort, Eau Claire.

February 12

March 1-3 

Rural Ministry Conferenceat Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa.

March 26

Endowments and Foundations 101 at Luther Park, Chetek. 

 Visit our website:  www.nwswi.org

Contact Information: Merry Soyck-Doring, Synod Communicator, 715-859-6810