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East Central Synod of Wisconsin
Weekly Newsletter
1/31/2020
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"Here I Am" Discernment Retreat

Are you feeling the nudge of the Spirit to explore a vocation as a leader in the church? Are others telling you that you should think about ministry as a pastor or deacon? Consider attending the East Central Synod of Wisconsin Discernment retreat Feb. 28 - 29 at the St. Anthony Retreat Center in Marathon. Hear about others call to ministry and engage in conversation about your own discernment.
Equipping People in Congregations
(EPIC) Registration

 Mark your calendars! The annual EPIC event will be held March 14th at Zion Lutheran Church in Shawano. This event features several different kind of workshops built around building new skills and developing church leaders. From developing new communication skills, to enhancing your finances, this one day workshop has something for everyone!
Bishop Eaton Issues Response to President Trump's "Peace to Prosperity" document

ELCA Presiding Bishop  Elizabeth Eaton  has issued a issued a response to President Trump’s announced “Peace to Prosperity” document. The plan would “bring greater insecurity for Israelis and Palestinians instead of peace,” the statement read, in part.
“Rather than drawing together Israelis and Palestinians to reach a peace accord, the effect of this plan will be further alienation and, I am afraid, more tension, with the possibility of new, violent responses. This path will not lead to peace with justice. It will not promote reconciliation. But it will reinforce extremists in Israel, in Palestine and throughout the region, decreasing security for everyone.”

Sign Up For Stewardship for All Seasons
“I’ve grown to see how generous our congregation can be and how hungry they are to see the church grow with our goals. I don’t know how normal this is, but many members of the congregation have approached me to say how much they liked our Generosity campaign! Who knew stewardship could be so fun?! J
               -Wayne Ludkey, Lord of the Lakes Lutheran Church, Winneconne


Stewardship for All Seasons (SAS) helps pastors and congregation leaders to learn tried and true basic principles and effective methodologies to carry out productive stewardship programs. Learn how to do year-round, on-going stewardship resulting in more money for ministry, more energized stewards, and a culture of generosity.
Want more information? Check out the SAS testimonial from Pastor Jeff Tengesdal of First English Lutheran Church in Appleton ( insert link). There will be an informational webinar on Monday, March 2 at 6:30 p.m. Please contact Pastor Amy Engebose at amy.engebose@ecsw.org to receive a link to that webinar.
Registrations for both first and second year congregation teams are now being accepted! see attached Registration will close on March 30.



2020 Statement of Intent and Remittance Forms Available
Statement of Intent Forms are now available! Please Return to the forms to the Synod office. To access the forms and learn more about Mission Support in the East Central Synod and the ELCA use the following link. https://ecsw.org/financial/


Rostered Ministers Annual Report Reminder
Reminder to all rostered ministers to please return your annual rostered minister reports. These reports are to be returned to the Bishop Mansholt. To access these reports please visit https://elca.org/About/Churchwide/Office-of-the-Secretary/Rostered-Ministers to dowlnload the report and learn more.

WELCA Announces Synod Conference Events
Mark you calendars for the annual WELCA Conference gatherings! Use the link below to find your specific conference gathering and get registered for these exciting upcoming events!



JYG Feb 15-16
The Junior High Youth Gathering will be held Feb. 15-16 at the Holiday Inn in Manitowoc. This event features an exciting guest speaker and musical talents! Registration information can be found by visiting https://ecsw.org/events/?et_fb=1&PageSpeed=off



Bold Women of the ELCA
(Sponsored by ECSW WELCA)

  As a confirmed female member of an ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) you are a member of the Women of the ELCA (WELCA). February is Bold Women Month with the forth Sunday of February being Bold Women’s Day. What are you doing to celebrate the BOLD WOMEN in your life?                                       
Some churches are using special liturgy. Some women send notes to other women they consider as bold women in their life, thanking them for all they do and what they represent to other women. I sent out many cards last year to acknowledge these women. Here is a link to the ELCA website so you can look for ideas and read more about being a BOLD WOMAN: https://www.womenoftheelca.org/bold-womens-day Each month in 2020 we will be addressing topics that the Women of the ELCA are lifting up. Please watch for these snippets of information and let me know what you have done as well. We will share ideas.

Paula Vander Grinten, Secretary of the ECSW SWO(Synodical Women’s Organization) board and member of Good Shepherd Lutheran, Howard/Green Bay WI                                          

Mileage Reimbursement Change
Reminder that the IRS Mileage reimbursement rate has changed from last year. The 2020 Reimbursement rate is 57.5 cents per mile.
Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network (LEVN)
LEVN, the Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network, is looking for young adults (age 21-30) for an 11-month program of non-profit volunteer service and learning about social justice. From the end of August 2020 to the end of July 2021, our corps members will be provided housing, utilities, health coverage, spiritual direction, and a $535/month living stipend. We also offer a $1000 re-entry grant at the completion of the program.The placement sites for the upcoming program year include faith-based non-profits, secular non-profits, congregations, outdoor ministry, and our campus ministry at UC Davis. These service sites address issues of homelessness, food insecurity, unemployment, children and youth ministries, and other important social justice issues facing our communities.

We gather each week for evening prayer, dinner, and formation. The corps members live in intentional community in an apartment attached to our campus ministry center in Davis, CA. We're an ecumenical program in the Episcopal Service Corps network; applicants needn't be either Lutheran or Episcopal to apply—interest in Christian spirituality is the only expectation. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until July 31, 2020.

Visit levn.org or contact Program Director Casey Dunsworth at 530-756-1550 or pastor@thebelfry.org for more information!

In Prayer We Lift Up.
The ministries of all of our 123 Congregations. Especially those congregations currently in Transition.

All Pastor's currently seeking call throughout the ELCA.

Andy Behrendt as he begins his call as lead Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca.

Donna VanRamhorst as she is Ordained a Minister of Word and Service.
Jobs Across the Synod
View Job opening from our ministry partners from across the East Central Synod. If your Congregation or organization has a job posting that it would like lifted up on the Synod job board please send a job description and application information to Ben Stepanek at ben.stepanek@ecsw.org
Synod Office Hours



Monday - Friday 8AM - 4:30PM
Learn About ARISE!
Arise Campaign
The Arise Campaign is a capital campaign for the East Central Synod of Wisconsin. This campaign will fund many exciting new ministry initiatives. Learn more about the campaign and consider a monetary gift. Learn More