"If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:26-27
|
|
|
A Message from the Synod Prayer Team |
|
|
|
Would you like to spend time in prayer with Synod colleagues for an hour, once a month? If so we invite you to join the Synod Prayer Team. We meet virtually, have a devotion, check-in time, and prayer. We pray for personal needs, for the congregations and leaders of the Synod and ELCA, and for whatever issues are touching our hearts. We would love for you to join us. The next meeting is Thursday, November 4, at 1 p.m. via Zoom. For more information use the emails below.
Co-Facilitators - Synod Prayer Team
The Synod Prayer Team has also put together a monthly devotional booklet for the leaders of your church please use the link below to check it out.
If you or someone you know need prayer or you have Thanksgivings please click here for the prayer request form.
|
|
2022 South-Central Synod Compensation Guidelines
The SCSW Compensation Guidelines and Recommendations are downloadable and available for your use as you do your budget planning for the coming year.
These are suggested minimum guidelines.
|
|
Click here to read, download and share the latest Trumpeter newsletter from
Women of the ELCA.
|
|
Applications Open in October for the 2022 Contemplative Renewal Cohort
Increased demands and stress have marked the work of pastors over the last 18 months. Clergy who completed “Contemplative Renewal” had resources and companions that helped them maintain resilience and health.
Are you looking for ways to be renewed in your sense of call and more ready for the next set of challenges that the future holds? Would you benefit from time away to deepen your spirit?
If you are an ordained pastor currently serving half-time or more in a congregational setting, you are invited to apply for the next cohort, to begin in July of 2022. Funded by a Thriving in Ministry Grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., this unique experience is available at no cost. Online applications may be completed at www.holywisdommonastery.org/eccsr starting October 1, 2021.
|
|
LSTC commissions Antiracism Transformation Team
to combat internal racial disparity
Wednesday, Oct. 13, from 2-4 p.m.
The program will include an explanation of the four core values of the team: repentance, reparation, reconciliation and transformation; an affirmation of the ATT charter; a sharing of stories by those harmed at LSTC and a public confession of the harm perpetrated historically against persons of color. The event concludes with the commissioning and sending of the team. Marvin Wickware Jr., assistant professor of church and society and ethics, will prepare a presentation, “Theologians of the Cross and Antiracism,” followed by a panel discussion on race and racism.
Register here for the commissioning event.
|
|
 |
Inspired to Thrive: Growing the Body of Christ in a Post-pandemic World
Siebert Lutheran Foundation's annual conference is back, with a new name and format!
Join Siebert along with Lutheran pastors and ministry leaders for this complimentary two-day, virtual event! Registration is required.
Wednesday, October 13, 12:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, October 14, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
|
|
|
|
A People of Hope: Until All Are Fed
You’re invited to celebrate World Food Day with “A People of Hope: Until All Are Fed,” featuring Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and guidebook author and travel TV host Rick Steves. This online benefit for ELCA World Hunger will take place on Thursday, Oct. 14, at 7:30 p.m. Central time.
As a church, we remain focused on supporting our neighbors near and far as the pandemic continues disrupting and impacting lives. At this event, you will learn about the ways ELCA World Hunger is responding. Register here today.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss of Dreams, Ambiguity, a Pandemic, and Resiliency Virtual Continuing Education Event
Thursday, October 14, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Central Time
Participate from the comfort of your home or office.
Prior to October 14, you will receive an email with a link to attend the virtual event.
Fee: $20 per person
In this practical session, participants will be presented with perspectives and tools useful at times like these. Stress overload, daily worries, and grief will be addressed along with honest hope and resiliency practices.
All Are Welcome!
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, October 19 @ 2:00pm
Topic: Connecting Congregations - Bridging the Gap Between Urban and Rural Churches with Dick Inglett
|
|
|
Stephen Ministries
Stephen Ministries St. Louis is now training caring ministry leaders through a live, interactive online training experience called the Bridge Leader’s Training Course (BLTC). This event fully trains Stephen Leaders—the pastors, church staff, and lay leaders who begin and lead Stephen Ministry in their congregation. Click here for more information.
|
|
|
|
Two Community "Systems” Days
On October 27 & 28
Anyone who is interested in how groups of people work is welcome!
An Introduction to Family Systems Thinking is the topic on Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Unpacking Pete: The Teaching Legacy of Peter Steinke is the topic on Thursday, again, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Spiritual Direction Certification Program
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) at Lenoir-Rhyne University
We will begin our sixth year of participants in January 2022. Each new cohort, which we call a cycle, has 16 participants and two mentors to support them. So far, our participants represent nine different denominations and 17 different states.
We would like to begin to raise up new generations of spiritual directors through our two-year certification (non-degree) program. Our next cycle of participation begins with an intensive on January 5-8, 2022. Applications for this cycle are due on November 15, 2021.
|
|
|
|
Do You Have an Intern at Your Church?
We would love to know their names, contact information and a bit about what they do so we can spotlight them on the Synod's Facebook page. Please email the information to our communications manager Stephanie at stephanieb@scsw-elca.org
|
|
Keep up with the latest news from the ELCA!
-
Resource for congregations about the Boy Scouts of America. Find here.
|
|
Discipline Committee
- Rev. David Neisestuen, Trinity (Edgerton, WI)
- Rev. Beth Schultz-Byrnes, Hope Lutheran (McFarland, WI)
Pastors and Congregations in our Synod
- Pastor Nicholas Utphall and Members of Advent Lutheran in Madison, WI
- Pastor Kristin Woelk and members of All Saints Lutheran in Fitchburg, WI
Neighboring Synods
-
Bishop Barb Collins, Upper Susquehanna Synod
Members Elected to Churchwide Council
-
Rev. Daniel W. Gerrietts, Northeastern Iowa Synod
- Rev. Emily C. Hartner, North Carolina Synod
We give thanks at this time for the ministry of those who celebrate their anniversary of Ordination during this coming week:
- Suzanne Burke, October 8, 2000 - Synod Call at Augsburg Fortress in Minneapolis, MN burkes@augsburgfortress.org
- Magi Wehner, October 10, 2018 - Deacon at St. Croix Hospice in Platteville, WI magiwehner@hotmail.com
- Karen Kiener, October 11, 1981 - Retired Pastor living in Madison, WI karenkeiner@yahoo.com
May these leaders continue to be blessed for service!
|
|
|
|
|
Congregations In Transition |
|
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 to Stephanie Bill, Communications Manager at
stephanieb@scsw-elca.org. The deadline for consideration of inclusion in the current weeks e-newsletter is 12:00 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
