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This week in the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin-ELCA

Week of July 20, 2014

Correction

Pastor Van Bredeson's installation was reported in error. He is currently serving as interim at Christ Lutheran in Somerset.

We are a church that is energized by lively engagement in our faith and life.

"Our faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing," said Martin Luther. We continually strive for a deeper understanding of what the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ means for the world. Doing so puts us right where God wants us to be: in the thick of life.

We Walk Together

The synod staff will pray for these congregations and rostered leaders during their next weekly staff meeting. We invite you to include them in your prayers this week as well.

St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Medford, Pastor Nancy Amacher and Pastor Kelly Taylor-Schaus

Central Lutheran Church, Mondovi, Pastor Rolf Morck

Hope Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, Pastor Rick Lund and Jamie Brieske

First and Zion Lutheran Churches, Prentice, Pastor Richard Hall

Ordination and Installation News

Ann Fenlason will be ordained August 10 at Normandale Lutheran, Edina, MN. She has been called to serve Bone Lake Lutheran, Luck.

Jamie Brieske will be ordained August 17 at Hope Lutheran, Eau Claire, where she has been called to serve.

Pastor Andy Schuttlekorb will be installed at Our Savior's, Cornell, August 3 at 8:30 a.m. He comes to us from the New Jersey Synod.

Pastor Lucy Schuttlekorb will be installed at Big Drywood, Cadott, August 3 at 10 a.m. She comes to us from the New Jersey Synod.

Pastor Denise Anderson will be installed at Little Norway and Squaw Creek Lutheran Churches, Black River Falls, Saturday, August 9 at 1:00 p.m.

Are you interested in leading well?

Then Leading Well: Equipping for Leadership in God's World may just be the learning event you're looking for! Leading Well is a three-year curriculum for leaders of vital, healthy communities of faith who wish to:

Explore their gifts, strengths and values and their implications for how they lead
Refine their capacity to work effectively with staff and volunteers
Practice what it means to live and lead well
Understand their ministry contexts
Take time for worship, prayer, rest and fellowship

Leading Well Is being offered November 18-21, 2014 at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, Carefree, AZ (www.spiritinthedesert.org) and January 27-30 at the Duncan Conference Center, Delray Beach, FL (www.duncancenter.org). More details about the curriculum and schedule are available at www.LeadingWellInstitute.org.

The events are sponsored by Augsburg College, Portico Benefit Services, the Duncan Center and Spirit in the Desert.

Daylily Dig for Malawi

The 4th annual Daylily Dig at Kaufmann's farm was a big success. Beautiful weather, beautiful flowers and lots of fellowship. The event raised about $1500 which will be used to support bringing people from the Zomba Parish in Malawi to Immanuel in Eau Claire, and to send people from Immanuel to Malawi. Hundreds of plants were dug and taken home to be transplanted in individual's gardens.

A special guest, Mabel Madinga, the General Secretary of the Lutheran Church in Malawi, was thrilled to see how generous people were when they loaded daylilies into their vehicles and then sat on the deck to enjoy conversation with her. In honor of Mabel and her visit, Tim Fehr is registering a hybrid daylily under her name. She is currently attending the Women's Triennial Gathering in Charlotte, NC.

There will be a 5th annual Daylily Dig in July 2015. That will be your chance to get unique flowers for your own gardens!

Greg Kaufmann (left), synod staff, and Tim Fehr (right) grow beautiful daylilies at Kaufmann's farm in rural Chippewa Falls. This ministry of sharing supports their congregation's relationship with their companion congregation in Malawi, Africa.

Synod Women Travel to Gathering

These delegates from our Synod Women's Organization are attending the ninth triennial gathering of women from the ELCA in Charlotte, North Carolina, this week.

Learn more about the gathering.

Past and current WELCA presidents (Sue Saarem, left, and Marcia Lindseth, right) hold two of many prayer shawls they are taking to the WELCA triennial in North Carolina.

Book of Faith Update

The June 2014 issue of Currents in Theology and Mission centers on the ELCA's Book of Faith Initiative. The issue is comprised of articles that reflect upon, learn from, celebrate, and further the initiative from authors Diane Jacobson, Mark Wilhelm, David V�squez-Levy, Greg Kaufmann, Michelle Angalet, Bob Lewis, Jana Howson, Emily Shipman, and Zachariah Shipman.

View Currents.

Global Relationships

A Warm Welcome from the Warm Heart of Africa

The following note is from the Rev. John Sutherland, assistant to the bishop:

Malawi remains an amazing place that defies words or explanation. I do have a soft spot for this place, but I contend for good reason. So far we have enjoyed gracious hospitality, warm friendships and genuine appreciation of our presence.

We are staying in the new guest house that was completed last year. While the stove does not work to heat water for morning coffee, it does have hot water, and that is really appreciated.

I am happy to report that the Pastors' Academy is a huge success thus far. I have witnessed a great exchange of information and collegiality. All the participants are having a great time, and I feel blessed to be part of it. View more photos and follow the travelers on the synod Facebook page (www.facebook.com/nwswi) and Walking Together ELCM-NWSWI Community (www.facebook.com/elcmnwswi).

ELCA News

"Being There" for Farmers

By Charity Springer

Farming, for many, is a passion. It not only provides jobs for some people, but also provides food for many others. Without farmers, we would not be able to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables year-round.

Unfortunately, life for a farmer has its hardships. Continue reading.

Got Spark?

Central Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls is looking for "Year Orange" Spark Curriculum leaflets. If you have any that you are no longer using and would like to see get used, please contact Whitney Falkenberg at 715-723-9336 or whitney@central-lutheran.org.

St. John's Lutheran, Spencer, Seeking Worship Music Leader

View job description and application.

Outreach Grants Available

In an effort to spark and encourage "evangelical imagination and experimentation," the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin RAFT, Renewing and Future Mission Table, aka Evangelical Mission Commission, has established an Evangelical Outreach Grant Funding process. This grant process is open to all our synod's congregations or multipoint parishes which include full communion partners.

View application.

Our Mission Statement

Walking together for the sake of mission in God's world

You can learn more about the events listed in this section by clicking on the underlined event title.

Send your information about upcoming events to msoyck-doring@nwswi.org.

July 27

Asante Children's Choir: dancing and singing from children of east Africa, 9 a.m. at St. James Trinity in Fall Creek. Call 715-877-2160 for more information.

July 27

Annual Car/ Motorcycle Show following worship at Our Savior's Lutheran, Campia (Rice Lake) with food, prizes and fun for the whole family!

July 30

Outdoor concert - "King's Countrymen" Bluegrass group at 6 p.m. St. James Trinity, Fall Creek. Call 715-877-2160 for more information.

August 9

HOPE Lutheran Church will host HOPE's Market at Sterling Ponds off Highway 35 in River Falls, WI. This outdoor market will provide an opportunity for local artists, collectors and gardeners to sell their wares. Come "to market" and find art, antiques, collectibles, crafts, produce, flowers and more. VENDORS are needed. Please call 715-425-9750 for more information or email secretary@hopelutheran-riverfalls.org.

August 11-12

"Of Many Generations," the 50th Annual Heart of the North Women's Retreat at Luther Park, Chetek. Download poster View registration form.

August 13-14

Chippewa Valley Conference Women's Summer Retreat at Luther Park, Chetek. Gary Olson will be the featured speaker ("What do we believe . . . and what difference does it make?). Contact Angie Riemer 715-456-5150 or angiecolfax@aol.com for registration forms/more information.

August 14-15

Dairyland Conference Women's Retreat at Luther Park, Chetek.

August 16

Apple River Conference W/ELCA Fall Retreat at Luther Point. Ann Knutson will be our speaker.

Call Geraldine Becker at 1-175-268-7923 for more information and registration.

August 27

Outdoor concert - Klezmer band playing old favorites at 6 p.m. St. James Trinity, Fall Creek. Call 715-877-2160 for more information.

September 5-6

Synod Council Retreat at Luther Park, Chetek.

September 6

Growing Grateful Generous Givers at Central Lutheran, Chippewa Falls, 9 a.m. - noon.

September 7

"God's work. Our hands." Sunday. is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. On Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, ELCA congregations will gather once again to serve communities in ways that share the love of God with all of God's people.

September 10

Singer/speaker Rachel Kurtz (2012 ELCA National Youth Gather Musician will perform at

Central Lutheran in Chippewa Falls, 6:30 p.m. This concert is free and open to everyone. A freewill offering will be taken.

Quick Links

Looking for something that appeared in a previous issue of Eclipse? You can access the last four issues on our website: www.nwswi.org/news_and_events.

Visit our website: www.nwswi.org

Synod Resource Center Lay School of Ministry ELCA Living Lutheran Lutheran Men in Mission

Portico Benefits

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