May 27, 2021
Welcome!
As we continue to make transitions during this time of ongoing pandemic there are new resources being released all the time that can help congregations, leaders, and members engage in their faith in new ways both in-person and at home. Some of these resources are highlighted below:
This rite may be used at a time when it is possible and safe for many people to gather for in-person worship around word and sacrament after a time of no or limited in-person gatherings and is fully adaptable to each setting and context.
This guide adapts the new “River of Life” ELCA World Hunger VBS program for use during times of physical distancing. This year’s VBS highlights how ELCA World Hunger partners with our neighbors around the world in clean water projects.
This resource from SCSW leader Ryan Panzer explores the question: How does a hybrid ministry involve online worshippers as many return to in-person services? This is a crucial question for today's church leader. Failing to involve online attendees creates a second-tier virtual worship experience.

If you're looking for a resource to encourage, inspire, and challenge your members and get them in the right frame of mind for the COVID transition journey ahead, consider this resource developed by an ELCA pastor and recently featured in the ELCA's 'Seeds Monthly' publication.
We Need Your Feedback for Next Week's Equipping The Saints Webinar on June 1
We would like to spend the hour together in discussion and need your help:

  • Are there some topics that you would like to hear more about?
  • Are you enjoying the present format of our synod webinars?
  • Is there anything you would like to see added or changed?
  • Would you like to see more presenters? Less?
  • Anyone want an ongoing topic or even a book study? Let’s get together and think about ALL the possibilities.

Please take some time to jot down a few suggestions and email them to Robyn Zimmerman at robynz@scsw-elca.org. This will give us a jumping off point but don’t feel like you can’t bring questions or suggestion to us during the webinar.
Don't forget to make plans to join us for this webinar on Tuesday, June 1 at 2:00 p.m. All Rostered Leaders will receive the link via email Tuesday morning. Lay leaders may request to receive the links automatically by signing up at: http://scsw-elca.org/webinars.
Do You Know of a Graduating Senior or Current College Student? Connect them with ELCA Campus Ministry!
It's high school graduation season! If you know of a young adult who is heading off to college (or currently enrolled) looking for a community of friends and a way to express faith, consider campus ministry. Young adults experience unique spiritual, intellectual and emotional challenges. Campus Ministry seeks to strengthen and support them as they learn and grow.

ELCA campus ministry is a Lutheran ministry for students, faculty, staff and others on campus, not just a ministry for Lutherans. It provides an ELCA presence at more than 180 state and private colleges and universities with cooperating congregations in campus ministry at an additional 400 campuses nationwide.

2022 ELCA Youth Gathering Adult Leader Meetings
Save the Date!

Are you ready to begin planning for the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering next summer? Every three years, 30,000 high school youth (those in 8th-12th grades in the 2021-22 school year) and their adult leaders from across the ELCA gather for a week of faith formation known as the ELCA Youth Gathering. Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are challenged and inspired to live their faith in their daily lives.

Registration will open in September and we want you to be ready! We will be holding two informational meetings for congregational leaders introducing them to the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering and providing insights to begin preparing their congregations. These trainings will be held in a hybrid format both in-person AND via Zoom:

Thursday, June 24, 2021 @ 6pm in Rock County
Wednesday, July 14, 2021 @ 6pm in Dane County

More details including exact locations and links to RSVP will be coming after Memorial Day. In the meantime, if you have questions please reach out to our Gathering Synod Coordinator:

Pastor Jason Poole-Xiong
(608) 362-0716, ext. 104
Boundaries Training for Rostered Leaders
You are invited to take part in one of the three Online Boundaries Training, these trainings are required to be done every three years. With different options the goal is to get all rostered in the synod through training. The first two are being provided by Rev. Ramie Bakken, Region 5 ELCA Candidacy and Leadership Manager, dates, times and links to register are below. We will be closing registration at 30 attendees for each day. You only need to sign up for one of the days not both. You can read more about the training by clicking HERE.
 
When: Jun 15, 2021 9:00 AM Central Time
Register in advance for this meeting by clicking below:
When: Jun 16, 2021 09:00 AM Central Time
Register in advance for this meeting by clicking below:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
 
The third option is a fully only self guided training. The cost for this is $22.00 and you can do this at your convenience. Please see the link below for more information:
Opportunities to Engage on Immigration
Webinar Recording from our 'Standing With Our Neighbors' Conversation on May 25, 2021
The ELCA's South Central Synod Team for Immigration Reform and Refugee Support was thrilled to continue our conversations on immigration by hosting Mary Campbell, Program Director of the ELCA's Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities (AMMPARO) network.

You can view the recording of the webinar on YouTube by clicking the video link.
Coming Up on Sunday, June 6
ELCA 2021-22 World Hunger Fellowships
Do you (or someone you know) have the drive to help build ELCA World Hunger capacity to end hunger by deepening and expanding Lutheran advocacy efforts in synods, coalitions and networks? ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellowships are a great opportunity! Apply yourself and/or share widely. Start date for the 12-month position is September 2021. Placements available with state public policy offices in Arizona (bit.ly/ELCAHAF-AZ), Minnesota (bit.ly/ELCAHAF-MN) and Texas (bit.ly/ELCAHAF-TX); and with a communications focus in Washington, D.C. (bit.ly/ELCAHAF-DC).
Prayers
  • Pat Brogan, Our Savior's (Beloit)
  • Rev. Kirsten Curtis, Christ (Spring Green)
  • Bishop Laurie Skow-Anderson, the Staff, and Congregations of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin
Churchwide Partners:
  • Ms. Mary Rothenbach, Senior Administrative Assistant for Asia Pacific; Europe/Middle East North Africa - Global Mission
  • Mr. Bishal R. Maskey, Director for Finance and Administration - Global Mission
We give thanks at this time for the ministry of those who celebrate their anniversary of ordination during this coming week:

May these leaders continue to be blessed for service!
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As always we would love for you to continue to share your news. If you have something you would like considered for publication in What Matters, send it to us via email at scswoffice@scsw-elca.org. The deadline for consideration of inclusion in the current weeks e-newsletter is 12:00 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday.
Care - Connect - Equip