‌
East Central Synod of Wisconsin
Weekly Newsletter
1/10/2020
‌
Bishop's Blog 1/10/2020
Two Poles of the Christian Life or What Child is this?

I think it was the late theologian Karl Barth who said a Christian should start each day with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. I took that to mean that our lives are to be centered in Christ, the living Word, but focused outward toward the neighbor in the world. Another way of saying it is we are called to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind, and our neighbor as ourselves... Read More

Farewell Open House for Pastor Jean Devoll Donaldson!

‌
2020 Statement of Intent 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/


Lutheran School of Theology Chicago $300 Courses
You're ready to go deeper into scripture, go further in your ministry, go beyond your comfort zone into new ways to engage your community? Join the diverse community of learners at LSTC. You'll gain new insights, new energy, and maybe even a new direction for your ministry. As a non-degree student, you qualify for a special tuition rate of $300 per course. Course may be audited or taken for credit. This includes pastors and other professional church leaders. Learn More.


Ignite The Church Conference Feb. 11-13, 2020


Get inspired, encouraged, challenged and warmed up at the Ignite the Church Conference in Orlando, Florida, February 11-13. In addition to large group gatherings on Congregational Vitality, there will be electives on Reaching Younger Generations, Expanding Kingdom Impact, Church Renewal and Discipleship, Renewing Music, Vitality through Mission, Engaging Your Neighborhood, Evangelism, Social Justice, and Raising Up Leaders along with a visit to Orlando’s Castle Church Brewing Community.
A $99 discounted rate, including 2 meals and snacks, is available until November 30th.
All proceeds benefit the ELCA Fund for Leaders. For more information go to www.IgniteTheChurch.net . We hope to see you there! #ignitethechurch



Donna VanRamhorst Ordination
Donna VanRamshorst will be ordained into the ministry of Word and Service on Sunday, January 12 at 10:30 a.m. at BayView Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay. She will also be installed that morning as BayView’s Director of Faith Formation. Please hold Donna in prayer as she is ordained a deacon in the ELCA! Congratulations, Donna!
Innovation, Faithfully Learning to Soar
Rev. Jean Devoll Donaldson
Analogy: innovative imagination & kite flying
Homemade kite—can follow a pattern with basics of principles, but each kite is unique; potential to fail in the translation
·         Takes trial and error to get the principles right and successfully get a kite to soar
·         Cross beams—cross of Jesus reminder for the faithful
·         Material of the kite—our intentions//hoped for outcomes? Ourselves/lives? Both/and! READ MORE
World Hunger Team - Top Ten Things You Can Do In Your Congregation To Fight Hunger
The Top Ten Things You Can Do In Your Congregation To Fight Hunger

1. Learn!  Learn about world hunger. Learn about the Bible verses related to hunger. Learn about current hunger situations in the world. Learn by reading magazines and books on hunger.
 
  2.   See!  See the hungry in your community. See the hungry at your local food pantry. See the hungry of the world on TV, newspapers, and magazine. See yourself in the place of the hungry (empathize).
 
  3.   Pray!  Pray for the hungry people in the world. Pray for those involved with distributing food in relief efforts. Pray for church members to be generous in giving to hunger causes. Encourage your
pastor to pray often for the work of feeding the hungry.

4. Give!  Encourage your congregation to give generously to the ELCA World Hunger program. Have World Hunger in your church budget. Have special collections for hunger (such as the “Souper Bowl”) throughout the year. Have envelopes available in the pew or on a table so members can give when they choose.

Thank you for all that you are doing!
In Prayer We Lift Up.
The ministries of all of our 123 Congregations. Especially those congregations currently in Transition. A complete list of the congregations in transition can be found by clicking here.

All Pastor's currently seeking call throughout the ELCA.

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


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