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 | | Blessings to the Rev. Barbara Koch on her retirement from New Hope, Sand Creek. |
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This week in the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin-ELCA
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Week of August 17, 2014
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"A living, busy, active mighty thing"
Doing God's work changes our lives and those we help and meet along the way
Nineteen kids and adults recently participated in a 10-day mission trip to Butte and Bozeman, Montana. The trip included working on six Habitat for Humanity homes in addition to dedicating a home. backpacking, whitewater rafting, visiting the Soldiers Chapel at Big Sky, and staying in a convent. Most of all, they shared God's love everywhere they went. The last day at a rest stop they shared food with a homeless couple who was living in their car--God moments for everyone.
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First Lutheran and Our Saviors in Eau Claire joined together for VBS this year. The children enjoyed a "bug safari" and learning about God's love.Thanks to Carole DeJardin for sharing this photo and story.
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Eau Claire Congregations Join Together to do God's Work
A sea of bright yellow T shirts... A praise band representing three faith communities... A Sunday of mission/ministry engagement in Eau Claire for everyone!
Special things happen when faith communities worship and break bread together. But when you add our hands doing God's work, things become really exciting. We are bound together as we work in service to our world, our country, and local systems that support our community.
On July 27, First Lutheran and Our Savior's, Eau Claire, took action to give joy, attention and practical assistance to missions that are in relationship with our faith communities. Continue reading . . .
What will you be doing September 7?
We're familiar with the ELCA tagline: "God's work. Our hands." Now we have an opportunity to join with Lutherans all over the nation to put those words into action. September 7 has been designated "God's work. Our hands." Sunday throughout the ELCA. How can you get involved? Here's a toolkit that is full of ideas and plans. If you want to order the yellow t-shirts for your group, act now. They are $6.00 each. Remember, this is a churchwide event, so even though you and your congregation already reach out to serve those in your community, we hope that you will make an extra effort to join in on this special day of service. We'd love to hear what you'll be doing. To find out what Bishop Eaton be doing September 7, watch this short video. |
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Global Relationships
 Please pray for our ELCA missionaries! Almost 100 new long-term missionaries and Young Adults in Global Mission will begin their service this fall. Please remember them in your daily prayers. For a free packet with a photo and daily prayer sign-up to post on a bulletin board, along with a short article suitable for a newsletter or temple talk, call 800-638-3522 or contact [email protected].
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ELCA News
Mosquitoes on a roll!
Allison Beebe
The ELCA Malaria Campaign has been a part of many Vacation Bible School programs throughout the ELCA this summer. Children have been learning about how the ELCA is working against this preventable and treatable disease in creative and engaging ways.
Participants in the Vacation Bible School ministry at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joined together in raising money to contribute to the efforts of the ELCA Malaria Campaign. They learned about how mosquitoes transmit the parasite that carries malaria, and how their church is responding. As a reminder of this, participants built mosquitoes out of pipe cleaners and quarter rolls. Continue reading . . .
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 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].
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. 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.
Place Your Bible Orders Soon
It's time to order more Bibles. Bonnie will be ordering Spark Storybook Bibles and the NRSV Spark Study Bibles. Is there any interest in getting others from Augsburg, such as Here I Stand or some of the other new ones: Connect or Whirl? Please call the Resource Center: 715-833-1153 (you can leave a message) or email: [email protected] to let us know your preferences. I need to know by August 22 to get the order placed.
High, Deep & Wide Men's Retreat Sugar Creek Bible Camp - October 3-4, 2014 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center (LOMC) - October 10-11, 2014 Sugar Creek Bible Camp and LOMC are partnering with Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM) for this special get-away for men. This retreat is LMM's new High, Deep and Wide Retreat (HDW) format piloted last summer in Lake Tahoe. HDW is a combination of Information, Inspiration, and Fun with team oriented events to let guys be guys. For flyers and more info, go to http://www.lutheranmeninmission.org/events/hdw.html There is a $25 discount for young men ages18-24 or seminarians.
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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 23
Free clothing giveaway at Faith Lutheran, Balsam Lake, 9 a.m. - noon.
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
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 21-23
'A Time Away' Fall Ministry Retreat for Rostered Leaders at Heartwood Conference Center, Trego.
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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