As people of God, we are story people. We believe that in Christ we are caught up in a narrative of grace, mercy, justice, compassion, love, and so much more. We believe that the story of God and God’s people is one worth sharing and passing along to the generations to come.
Truly, we tell that story in so many ways, perhaps more ways than we might expect! We tell the story of God’s compassion through worship services that show concern for the vulnerable through COVID-safe practices. We tell the story of God’s concern for the poor through ministries that address hunger, poverty, and the unjust systems that perpetuate these issues. We tell the story of God’s welcome through our work with refugees and others who are often pushed to the margins and overlooked.
As I begin my ministry alongside the congregations and leaders of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, I am looking forward to learning and sharing the stories about Jesus’ life-giving love that our congregations are already telling. We are living in a time where so many people feel overwhelmed, even hopeless. The problems seem so great, the problem-solvers so few. By sharing the good and holy work that the people of God are up to, we can send out an alternative narrative, one that reminds this weary world that God is still present, active, and working to bring transformation and renewal. We can invite others to not only hear the story of faith, but to see themselves as part of it too.
Siblings in Christ, we all have stories to tell. I can’t wait to hear, tell, and share the story of what Jesus is up to in, and beyond, our synod.
In Christ,
Pastor Jen Christenson
Associate to the Bishop for Communication and Relationships
|
|
ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza |
|
|
|
This weekend children, youth, family, and outdoor ministry leaders from across our synod and the ELCA will gather in Minneapolis and online for the annual ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza under the theme "boundless". Please keep all of these leaders and their congregations and ministry settings in your prayers as they network together, learn, and discern what ministry looks like in the life of the church now and into the future.
|
|
Registration Ends Tomorrow! |
|
2022 LEAD Conference
Saturday, February 26, 2022
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
St. Luke's Lutheran Church (Middleton)
|
Welcome to the return of our annual Leadership, Education and Development Day, “LEAD,” event to take place on February 26, 2022 from 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. We are grateful to our host location this year, St Luke’s Church in Middleton! Registration is now open through February 11, 2022. The cost is $30.00 per person and includes lunch. Click below to find out more and register today!
|
|
Friday, May 6 - Saturday, May 7
Kalahari Resort
Wisconsin Dells, WI
|
|
Assembly Resolutions & Memorials
As we near this year's synod assembly, please note that all resolutions and memorials need to be submitted no later than March 1, 2022. Email resolution & memorial submissions to knitt1957@netscape.net, chair of the Reference and the Counsel Committee. Information on how to submit a resolution or memorial can be found by clicking below:
|
|
Assembly Voting Members Information
Congregations
All congregations use the following formula to determine the number of lay (non-rostered) voting members they are allowed to register for the assembly. The formula has been created to meet the constitutional expectation that 60% of the voting membership of the assembly be composed of lay persons, and to achieve the goal of an equal balance of men and women.
- Up to 1000 baptized members = 2 voting members (one male/one female)
- 1001 - 2000 baptized members = 3 voting members (one male/one female/one either)
- 2001 - 3000 baptized members = 4 voting members (two male/two female)
- 3001 - 4000 baptized members = 5 voting members (two male/two female/one either)
- 4001 - 5000 baptized members = 6 voting members (three male/three female)
- 5001 - 6000 baptized members = 7 voting members (three male/three female/one either)
- 6001 - 7000 baptized members = 8 voting members (four male/four female)
Youth and Young Adult Voting Members
In addition to the aforementioned allotment of voting members, in June of 2010 the Synod Council passed a continuing resolution allowing congregations to register additional Youth and Young Adult Lay Voting Members. To be eligible for a youth or young adult voting member registration, the individual shall not have obtained the age of 30 years old at the time of registration.
- Up to 175 baptized members = 1 youth or young adult voting member of either gender
- 176 or more baptized members = 2 youth or young adult voting members (one male/one female)
Synodically Authorized Worshiping Communities
A Synodically Authorized Worshiping Community may register one lay voting member of either gender.
Rostered Ministers
Ministers of Word & Sacrament – All Ministers of Word & Sacrament (pastors) under call in this synod are voting members of the synod assembly. This includes those under call to specialized ministry and under synod call. All pastors under call in the synod are expected to register for and attend the assembly. Each registered pastor has one vote at the assembly, even if they are serving more than one congregation or ministry site.
Ministers of Word & Service – All Ministers of Word & Service (deacons) under call in this synod are voting members of the synod assembly and are expected to register for and attend the assembly. This includes those under call to specialized ministry and under synod call. Each deacon has one vote at the assembly even if they are serving more than one congregation or ministry site.
Retired Rostered Ministers – Retired Rostered Ministers may elect up to 10% of their number to be registered as voting members of the assembly.
|
|
LUAD
- Pat Nicholson, Council, N-NE Dane/N. Madison
- Wayne Valley, Alternate, Sauk/Columbia
Pastors and Congregations in our Synod
- Pastor Lily Brellenthin and Members of Faith Evangelical, Walworth, WI
- Pastor Jim Wendt and Members of First, Beaver Dam, WI
Neighboring Synod
- Bishop Jim Gonia, and the Staff of the Rocky Mountain Synod
Members Elected by Churchwide Assembly
- Merritt G Zesinger, Southeastern Synod
We give thanks at this time for the ministry of those who celebrate the anniversary of Ordination during this coming week:
- Rev. Mark Moller-Gunderson, February 13, 1977, Retired Pastor living in Lake Geneva, WI, mollergunderson@gmail.com
|
|
|
|
|
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 Rev. Jason Poole-Xiong, Webmaster & Interim Synod Communications at jasonx@scsw-elca.org. The deadline for consideration of inclusion in the current weeks e-newsletter is 12:00 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
