Hello Nancy,

From the Pastor!

Joshua Abraham Heschel was a Jewish rabbi who died in 1972. He had the ability to understand the Old Testament deeply and at the same time to express its truths simply. He made it clear that God created us and the world and still does, through us. Here are some of Heschel’s words.

A Divine Dream

A Divine Dream

There is a divine dream which the prophets and rabbis have cherished. It fills our prayers, and permeates our acts of true piety. It is the dream of a world rid of evil by the grace of God as well as by the efforts of people, and by people’s dedication to the task of establishing the kinship of God in the world. God is waiting for us to redeem the world. Why spend our life hunting trivial satisfactions while God is waiting?

God’s Time

Living is not a private affair of the individual.

Living is what we do with God’s time,

what we do with God’s time.

How?

How should I live the life that I am?

To Stand For

To be

Is                                                                                                                        To stand for.

Sacred

The road to the sacred leads through the secular.

Not Beyond Our Will

We live by the conviction that acts of goodness

reflect the hidden light of His holiness.

His light is above our minds

but not beyond our will.

It is within our power to mirror His unending love

in deeds of kindness

like brooks that reflect the sky.

From Pastor Will Mowchan 

This earring was found in the kitchen last Sunday. Please come to the office to claim it.

There has been a change in our office hours. We are now open every weekday from 9:00 to 12:00.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi

Partnership Update

January 6, 2023

Muli bwanji, friends.

Warm greetings on behalf of our partners and friends in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi. Here are a few updates for you!



HEALTH

Since experiencing significant flooding in early 2022, the people of Malawi have been impacted by cholera.This disease, most commonly spread through contaminated water, has become widespread - nearly 20,000 confirmed cases and 661 deaths have been reported throughout the country.  An oral vaccine effort is underway in the areas most severely impacted.

There is also a growing concern about mental health.  As people/households experienced difficulties during the pandemic, and are now try to cope with severe economic crises, deaths by suicide have become more frequent and there are few resources for assessment or prevention.

Pastors' Academy

In May of 2022 we helped host the first hybrid Pastors' Academy with the ELCM. Although we could not teach lessons "live" during the academy due to the 8 hour time difference, we prepared pre-recorded lessons on video that they were able to view as a part of their on-site classes. Synod staff, the conference deans, and the participants of the academy in Malawi shared an opening ceremony together via Zoom and we are so thankful for the gift of technology that allowed us to see and hear each other in real time.

Wells

Malawi's current cholera outbreak reminds us of how important it is for all people to have access to clean water sources.  I am so thankful to the individuals and congregations of this synod who continue to share gifts for the purpose of building wells in Malawi. In 2022 two new wells were completed, one in Lower Shire and one in Mangochi, and there is a 3rd well site currently being prepared.  Well projects like these can change a community in several ways: physical health, access to education, safety, and equity are often positive outcomes.

ELCM STRUCTURAL CHANGES

For the last few years the ELCM has been making plans to split into three dioceses in Malawi due to the growth of membership and subsequent leadership needed to support the congregations. In July of 2022 the ELCM announced the creation of a northern diocese, the ELCM Diocese of Karonga, and the election of its first bishop, Rev. Alick Msuku.  Previously serving as a regional dean in the ELCM, he will now oversee the congregations in this new diocese, having been installed in November as the Rt. Rev. Alick Msuku.

Read full article HERE.

40th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

40 years ago, in 1982, the first worship service in the ELCM was hosted in the home of Gilbert Steven Msuku - there were 11 in attendance. Present at this first worship servce was a small child, the son of G.S. Msuku, named Alick, now serving as the bishop of the Karonga Diocese in the ELCM.  In November 2022 the ELCM formally celebrated 40 years together as a church.  Hosted in tandem with the installation of Bishop Msuku, this celebration was attended by leaders and participants from Lutheran churches in Namabia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Germany, and the ELCA/NWSWI.  The Northwest Synod of Wisconsin has been blessed to be partnered with the ELCM for over half of this time and we pray for all the ways that God will continue to strengthen our ministry together.

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE ELCM

All partners in ministry received a Christmas/New Year letter from Mphatso Thole, the companion coordinator in the ELCM.  You can read his full letter HERE.

TRAVEL IN 2023!!

After three years of travel difficulties, we will be returning to Malawi August 4 -18, 2023 for a companion visit!! This opportunity is open to the entire synod, however space is limited. If you are interested in traveling with us, please let Companion Coordinator, Laura Ramlow, know before February 1st.  (lramlow@nwswi.org).

I am so thankful for your ongoing and faithful response to this partnership.  Your continued generosity, prayers, support – ALL the ways you show up for our partners in Malawi – is greatly appreciated.

Together in Christ,



Laura Ramlow

Companion Coordinator - Malawi

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22. Use the link below to access ELCA's Lenten resources.

Bethesda will hold an ecumenical service on Ash Wednesday at noon at Bayfield Presbyterian Church. Immanuel will hold its service at 2:00.



Our free community pancake breakfasts have resumed on the last Sunday of the month, following worship. We need volunteers. Please sign up on the bulletin board.

Calling All Thrivent Members!

We hope you all know what “Choice Dollars” means. It means that you can help Bethesda with the extra dollars you earn with your Thrivent accounts. It only takes a moment. Log in to your Thrivent account. Pay particular attention to clicking on My Thrivent, membership overview. Choose: Thrivent Choice; direct choice dollars; then follow the directions on the screen. It will tell you how many dollars you can direct. Then, just a few more clicks and you are done. It’s a good feeling to know that Thrivent values what choices we make for the money earned. If you have questions, please call Paul or Paula. We’ll try to answer your questions, or we will find the answers. You have until March 31, 2023 to direct 2022 dollars, but why wait???

CORE Friday Friends will meet on February 10 at 11:30 here at Bethesda.

CORE Community Center Open Hours

Our Community Center on Manypenny Avenue is open from 9 AM to 2 PM Mondays and Fridays! We have all sorts of fun games and puzzles, as well as free coffee and tea!

We Make the Road by Walking - Wednesday Bible Study at Bayfield Presbyterian Church



“We Make the Road by Walking” is a journey through the Bible focusing on "spiritual formation, reorientation, and activation” written by Brian D. McLaren. We will be using this as the focus for our weekly Bible study starting on Wednesday, September 7, at 1 p.m. You can join us in person at the church or by Zoom (see link below). While it’s recommended each participant have a copy of the book, “We Make the Road by Walking,” you don’t actually need it to participate in the study. The books will be available to participants free of charge from the church.

One of the great things about this study is that each week’s devotion can stand alone, so you can come and go as you need to. You can also catch up on your own. The book acts as a 52-week devotional, guiding you through themes of the Bible corresponding with the church seasons. The book is intended to start in the fall, with the beginning of the school year, so we are right on track to begin.

This study is open to anyone so invite your friends. You can pick up a book from our church or the Bayfield Pres office during normal office hours, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or Sunday morning. They are free for the taking, but we ask you only take what you need. If you want to make a donation, you are welcome to do so. The books cost us about $15 each.

(Zoom link)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81683016685?pwd=TUNrbytnZzVtaEJQU3lGV242bEZsdz09

Council Meetings

Immanuel Council 6:00

January Draft Immanuel Council Minutes

Joint Council 6:30

November Draft Joint Council Minutes (No January meeting)

Bethesda Council 7:00

January Draft Bethesda Council Minutes

Cribbage has started for the winter months on Tuesdays from 1:00 - 3:00 at Bethesda.

Monday Book Club

Join us for a Book Study on Zoom

Mondays at 1:00 PM

See our website for the Zoom link

Meeting ID: 851 3905 2851

Passcode: 467574

Dial by your location

    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

Braiding Sweetgrass

by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Questions? Call Leanne 715.742.3553