Synod Newsletter for May 15, 2023

SCSW Care for Creation Team Devotional

"The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good." Gen. 1:12 

Healing Leaves 

 

Five years ago, my husband Glenn and I decided we wanted to combat the climate crisis by changing the way we use the land on our farm in southern MN. But what did a retired instrumental music teacher and an ELCA deacon, both in their early 70s, know about farming? The answer is: not much. 

 

However, we acknowledged the urgency of the climate crisis and recognized our deep love for God’s good creation and there was no turning back.


During the pandemic we found the opportunity to study and learn and to join an amazing new non-profit called Climate Land Leaders. There we learned that one of the best things a farmer can do is plant trees, put roots in the ground. 

 

So, in 2021 with the help of our family, we planted 300 trees. It was so dry we could scarcely get a shovel in the ground. Last year after six inches of rain we waded into the puddles and planted 200 more. This year we kicked it up a notch and planted 565 trees in two Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) windbreaks. 

 

Tree roots hold soil in place and draw water deep into the earth. Trees slow and soften rain as it falls. Trees provide shade to cool the air. Trees break the force of the wind as it blows across the fields. Blossoming trees support pollinators. And their spreading branches feed and shelter birds, animals and people. The good trees God created in Genesis sustain and support us. Trees are truly healing. 

 

But, growing trees takes time. A fruit tree usually will not bear fruit for three to five years. The life of a spruce tree or an oak can be measured in decades. We likely will not rest in the shade of the trees we have planted. But someone will. In planting them, we provide a visible act of hope for the future. We join the millions of others who care for the Earth, who are concerned about our warming climate. We hold fast to Paul’s promise that “Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” Romans 5:4 

 

Deacon Meg Nielsen

SCSW Care for Creation Team

2023 Synod Assembly News

Only FIVE Days Until Synod Assembly!

We are so excited to gather on May 20 at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mount Horeb.


An email with helpful tips about parking and more was sent to those registered for the assembly on May 10. Click here to view that email.


Click the button below for the latest news and updates about this year's assembly.

Visit the Synod Assembly Page

Synod News

Reminder: Synod Office Mailing Address

The Synod Office is still receiving mail addressed to the old Odana Road address. The forwarding order will expire next month.

Please update your address books to the following:


South-Central Synod of Wisconsin

PO Box 14496

Madison, WI 53708


If sending a PACKAGE, use the following:


South-Central Synod of Wisconsin

3902 Milwaukee St., #14496

Madison, WI 53708

WELCA Just Love Gathering - September 2023

Registration is now open for the Women of the ELCA (WELCA) Just Love gathering this September 21-24 in Phoenix, AZ.


Join with other bold women of faith as we gather in-person for the first time since 2017.


Click the button below for more information and to register.


Click here to sign up for the Bold Connections newsletter to stay up to date on this and other news and events through WELCA.

Register for the 2023 WELCA Just Love Gathering

Meet Your Synod Council!

The SCSW Synod Council is a faithful, dedicated group of rostered and lay leaders who are tasked with setting policy, coordinating with the bishop and her staff, providing a strategic plan for the synod and stewarding our programs and resources. After our retreat last fall, we asked our council members to complete a short questionnaire to help the synod get to know them a little better.


Visit the Synod Council page on the synod website to view the full roster of council members.

Claire Johnson

Central/West Madison Conference

Name of your congregation/ministry: St. John's Lutheran Church (Oregon)


What excites you about serving on Synod Council?: Something that excites me is getting to share my voice and lifting up the voices of other young people with the rest of the council and wider church.


What gifts do you feel you bring as a Synod Council member?: I feel like I can bring my communication skills and my ability to create community.


Favorite Bible verse/passage: My favorite bible verse is Proverbs 31:26, "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."


Where have you seen God at work in your life, your church, your community, or the world this past week?: I help teach Sunday school and seeing the kids so excited to come back makes me happy! 


What do you like to do to have fun?: I really enjoy reading, hanging out with my friends and playing guitar.


Waffles or Pancakes?: Both

Churchwide Updates

ELCA Truth & Healing Movement

In April, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton announced the launch of the ELCA's Truth & Healing Movement, an opportunity for this church to increase our understanding of our colonizing impacts on Indigenous people in the past and present." Click on the image below to view the video introduction from Bishop Eaton.

Click the button below for more information about the Truth & Healing Movement and how you and your congregation can participate.

Learn About the ELCA's Truth & Healing Movement

ELCA Mission Support Memo

The ELCA Mission Support Team has resumed its monthly update, the "Mission Support Memo."


The memo will include each month a story about mission support in action. The intent is to share the stories of God at work in the world, and to show where and how our mission support is being used through the churchwide organization.


This month's edition shares about children's ministry resources available from ELCA Children's Faith Formation. Click the button below to view and download the April 2023 Mission Support Memo to read and share!

View the ELCA Mission Support Memo

Continuing Education Opportunities

Below are a few Continuing Education and other learning opportunities that the Synod Office has been made aware of, which may be of interest to our rostered and lay leaders.

Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation

Going Deeper: Clergy Spiritual Life and Leadership, offered through Shalem Institute, is a 14-month program designed to address ministry challenges and provide clergy of all denominations the chance to focus intentionally on inner work. Contemplative practices shape the program and foster a transformation of heart. The program seeks two focal points: the nurture of a transformation of the spiritual heart and the opportunity to embody Spirit-led practice in ministry.


For more information on the program, click the button below.


The cohort that begins this summer is led by ELCA pastors Kathie and Peter Nycklemoe. You can e-mail Kathie for more information at pknyck@gmail.com or Peter at pnycklemoe@centralmpls.org.

More Information on the Clergy Spiritual Life and Leadership Cohort

The Shape of Leadership

"Deep, Experiential Leadership Development for Ministers"

 

The Shape of Leadership is designed for clergy who want to renew their leadership so they can make a significant impact on the future of the church.


A year-long process consisting of four retreats and monthly small cohort gatherings, Shape profoundly integrates theological and biblical commitments with innovative practices in leadership from a variety of disciplines, especially the adaptive leadership framework.


Here is what one SCSW rostered leader has to say about his experience:


"The Shape of Leadership was profoundly important for me during a difficult time. I met trusted peers and colleagues, had time away from the busyness of ministry to reflect on myself and my leadership style, and appreciated the compassion, wisdom, and humor shared by the facilitators. This is a must go to for anyone wanting a pause and reset as they reflect on ministry in their next chapter." – Rev. Peter Beeson

 

The next cohort, gathering at Mt. Morris Camp in Wautoma, will kick off in October. Click the button below for more information and to register.

Learn More and Register for The Shape of Leadership

Synod Celebrations

Upcoming Services of Installation


Sunday, May 21, 10:00am

The Rev. Jacob Greeneway

Christ Lutheran Church in Spring Green


Sunday, June 4, 9:00am

The Rev. John Swanson

Hope Lutheran Church in Milton


Thursday, June 29, 6:00pm

The Rev. Jason Poole-Xiong

United in Christ Lutheran Church in Morrisonville


Helpful Links