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 | It's not just for kids!
This week the Bulletin Board is filled with educational opportunities for YOU. |
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This week in the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin-ELCA
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Week of August 24, 2014
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 | The Conference Deans are actively working to support rostered leaders throughout our synod. They met recently at the synod office. From left to right: Sandy Johnson, St. Croix Valley; Loren Barker, Heart of the North; Christine Emerson, Chippewa Valley; Diane House, St. Croix Valley; Keith Ruehlow, Apple River; Chris Bjerke-Ulliman, Chequamegon; Paul Simmons, Lake Superior; Bishop Rick Hoyme and Laurie Skow-Anderson, assistant to the bishop/director for evangelical mission.
(Absent: Ben Ahles-Iverson, Dairyland.) |
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Global Relationships
Ebola Outbreak Response
The Situation:The deadly Ebola virus appeared in the West African country of Guinea early in 2014 and has now spread to Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. The disease had been unknown in that region until then. On Aug. 4, the World Health Organization reported at least 1,700 cases with more than 900 deaths, making it the deadliest outbreak of the disease in recorded history. Continue reading . . .
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ELCA News
ELCA Good Gifts Fair for your congregation
It's never too early to start planning for Advent and Christmas. This year, rethink the traditional Christmas gift-giving in your congregation by hosting an ELCA Good Gifts fair.
Get creative, set fundraising goals and "shop" the ELCA Good Gifts catalog together. The Sunday school children at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church in Urbana, Ohio, set a goal to raise $715 - enough to provide a family farm to a family in need. When they tallied up gifts, they not only met their goal but exceeded it by $528 - adding water jugs, mosquito nets and more to their list.
"Our church family grew closer by coming together as a community to work toward this worthwhile goal. The outreach using ELCA Good Gifts has changed many hearts and lives at Messiah, and we will never be the same," said Vicki Henderson, a member of Messiah. "We would like to encourage any congregation to walk this worthwhile, life-changing path."
Get started by ordering your free ELCA Good Gifts Fair Planning Guide and find additional free resources to help support your efforts.
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LSTC Offers Online Classes
If you are interested in taking online classes at LSTC for the upcoming fall semester they have the following classes available:
Pentateuch and Wisdom Literature
http://www.lstc.edu/media/pdf/profiles/2014-fall/RHS-402-Online-F14-Chalmers.pdf
Greek
http://www.lstc.edu/media/pdf/profiles/2014-fall/RHS-405C-F14-P-Perry.pdf
The Life and Letters of Paul
For more information, please contact Scott Chalmers at [email protected]. These classes can be taken for credit or they can be audited. The fall semester begins September 2.
Wisconsin Council of Churches Offers "Habits of the Heart"
Pastors and lay leaders throughout Wisconsin are invited to join together this fall to explore Parker Palmer's "Habits of the Heart"-tools and methods for building bridges across our differences and building up the body of Christ. Continue reading . . .
4G: Growing Grateful Generous Givers - Part 2 Get the tools you need to begin conversations about stewardship in your congregation. Whether or not you attended a 4G workshop last spring, you are invited to attend any of the sessions being offered this fall. View brochure.
Lay School begins September 12. Will you be there? If you are thinking of attending, now is the time to go to www.layschoolofministry.org, print out the registration form (and other information), send your form in and you're set to take part in a life-changing experience. If you have completed the two-year course, you are eligible to enroll in the continuing ed class. This year's study is on the Torah with various instructors during the nine-month class time. Tuition is the same for all classes: $475. If you have any questions call the Synod Resource Center: 715-833-1153 or Howard Weber: 715-568-5790. We hope to see YOU at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls. September 12.
Sparkhouse is looking for congregations willing to field test Sunday School materials in September. Can you help? Learn more about it.
Thrifty Theology: Continuing Education Without Crushing Costs  Pastor Diane Norstad from Faith Lutheran, Balsam Lake, has volunteered to write short book reviews that will be published weekly in eclipse. This is her first recommendation.
The Lord is My Shepherd - Healing Wisdom of the Twenty-third Psalm by Rabbi Harold Kushner. This is a very detailed look at the 23rd Psalm that brought to light many aspects that I had yet to notice. Too often I think we look at scripture we know in a set manner and need a fresh set of eyes. Kushner is definitely that for the 23rd Psalm. My favorite insight was how the operative word in the phrase "through the valley of the shadow of death" is "through." Kushner talks about how God intends us to go through the valley and not for us to get stuck, despair or dwell in the darkness. I think it's a book many would get new insight from. This book is available through the MORE consortium libraries as regular print, large print or book on CD. As of this writing, it is available on Amazon for $12.30 new, $7.99 Kindle or one cent plus shipping used. 
 You're Invited
Join the people of St. Paul's Lutheran in Medford as they celebrate the ministry of Pastor Nancy Amacher. Her last day will be Sunday, August 31. On that day they will celebrate Pastor Nancy's service with worship at 10:15 a.m. and a potluck following worship starting at 11:15 a.m. St. Paul's is located at 321 N. Park Ave., Medford, WI. If you are planning to attend worship and the potluck, please RSVP to 715-748-4909 or email [email protected].
Bethany Lutheran, Rice Lake, is seeking an Interim Visitation Team Leader
View details.
Part-time Music Ministries Assistant wanted. St. John's Lutheran in Eau Claire is seeking a joyful, collaborative person to provide accompanist services at choir rehearsals and Sunday worship, serve as piano and organ accompanist for worship during the music director's vacation, etc. Appreciation/ability to perform a wide range of music for worship is preferred. Find job description at [email protected] or Call Roxanne Litchfield at 715-864-1983. |
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Our Mission Statement
Walking together for the sake of mission in God's world
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You can learn more about the events listed in this section by clicking on the underlined event title.
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.
September 12-13
Lay School of Ministry at Our Saviour's, Chippewa Falls, featuring "Torah Intro and Genesis 1-11 with Chip Bouzard from Wartburg College.
September 13
Growing Grateful Generous Givers at Calvary Lutheran, Neillsville 9 a.m. - noon.
September 13
The Faithful Men Quartet will perform at Bethany Lutheran, Grantsburg, at 3 pm. Light refreshments will be served following the concert. Bethany Lutheran Church, 22384 Hwy 48/87, Grantsburg,(715) 463-5746.
September 20
Growing Grateful Generous Givers at St. Paul's Lutheran, Curtiss OR Our Savior's Lutheran, Superior OR Trinity Lutheran, Spooner, 9 a.m. - noon.
September 21-23
'A Time Away' Fall Ministry Retreat for Rostered Leaders at Heartwood Conference Center, Trego.
September 26
Poverty Summit: Combating Poverty by Widening and Deepening the Conversation. First Presbyterian Church, 2112 Rudolph, Eau Claire, 12:15 - 3:30 p.m.
September 27 Synod Women's Organization Leadership Training Workshop, Bethany Lutheran Church, Rice Lake, 8:30 AM (Coffee), 9:00 (Workshop Begins). September 27Growing Grateful Generous Givers at Gethsemane Lutheran, Baldwin, 9 a.m. - noon.
September 27
Second Annual Run Down Hunger at Luther Point Bible Camp, Grantsburg, 9 a.m. Goal is to raise money to fight hunger in Burnett County. October 27-31 Intentional Interim Ministry at Luther Seminary, St. Paul. The National Association of Lutheran Interim Pastors' basic education curriculum is designed for clergy and lay professionals to introduce the practice of intentional interim ministry. Although focusing on Lutheran theology and polity, the event is open to all lay leaders and clergy desiring and/or called to this special ministry. |
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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.
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Contact Information: Merry Soyck-Doring, Synod Communicator, 715-859-6810
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