*Please note: They are no longer collecting loose soap or fleece tied blankets.

Click below for the

What is diakonia®?

·       The diakonia® program consists of 12 different, five week courses. Classes are held via distance learning technology from the convenience of your home with an instructor and other students using your computer and internet connection. Classes meet once a week for three hours.

·       Students may participate in 1 to 6 courses a year. Upon successful completion of all 12 courses, students are invited to participate in a graduation ceremony.

·       Courses are taught by pastors and/or lay professionals particularly skilled in that area of instruction or ministry.

·       Classes combine theological knowledge with practical skills. Assignments and readings aim to be relevant while also developing a solid background on the topic.

·       Are you looking for a deeper faith life?

·       Have you been wondering what God has in mind for you?

·       Do you want to be better equipped for Christian service?

If you answered, “Yes” to any of these questions, diakonia^® may be just what you’re looking for!

If you are interested in teaching a diakonia course(s) or are a returning instructor please click HERE to indicate your interest and availability for our courses.

Join us for the 1st Annual Madison Summit for Homeless Support: New Strategies for Mental Health Support! This Summit will allow us to gather in one place to learn from our talented keynote and breakout session presenters!

For more information and to register: www.bethel-madison.org/summit

Shane is the visionary behind the world’s largest millennial-led movement Count ME In. He has been recognized by The White House, United Nations, and The Prime Minister of Canada for his achievements in community leadership. He has worked with some of the world’s most dynamic companies, including Google, Microsoft, and The Walt Disney Co.

Get Free Tickets Here:

“In Genesis, God rests on the seventh day and blesses it as holy. As people created in God’s image, we, too, need rest. Yet rest often evades us.” In Living Lutheran’s August lead feature, Erin Strybis speaks with experts on how the spiritual discipline of rest allows us to live healthy, balanced lives, and examines why making space for rest can be a challenge for so many of us. Read more and download the study guide.

On Sunday, September 12, ELCA congregations will come together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, a dedicated day of service. As church, we are guided by our life in Christ to share the love of Jesus and serve our neighbors — even if these acts of service take place from our homes, outdoors or from a safe distance because of ongoing pandemic concerns. As you explore opportunities to participate, visit ELCA.org/DayOfService for planning resources including a tool kit, videos, posters, social media graphics and a special hymn for the day. Plan your day of service.

On October 27 & 28, you are invited to learn a little more about looking at congregations and leadership through the family systems lens on human behavior developed by Dr. Murray Bowen and applied to congregations by Rabbi Edwin Friedman. The Voyagers, a group of clergy and faith leaders that has been meeting for over 20 years to study systems thinking, is gathering this fall at the DeKoven Center in Racine. 

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.

Their website has been updated with the most current needs and information. 

https://www.lsswis.org/service/refugee-resettlement/refugee-resettlement/

The greatest need is for monetary donations.  

They are incredibly grateful your time, your interest, and your passion for helping our friends in Afghanistan.  If you missed their webinar or would like to share it with friends, family, or community, please check out the recording!  The Afghan Crisis: How to Help Our Neighbors - YouTube More information and resources on their website: Help Our Afghan Allies | LIRS

A 3% ELCA-Primary health contribution baseline rate increase* — the lowest in eight years! No change to current ELCA-Primary health deductibles, out-of-pocket limits, prescription drug cost-share, and coinsurance. A significant decrease in the contribution cost of ELCA Medicare-Primary health coverage for plan members, and a rate decrease for nearly all organizations sponsoring members with this coverage. You can find 2022 rate and benefit details in our just-published news article here.  * The 2022 ELCA-Primary health plan baseline 3% increase doesn’t yet reflect adjustments related to changes in compensation, age, and health coverage level (that is, whether members enroll their spouse and/or children).

With 2022 Annual Enrollment beginning soon, a few reminders: The window for employers to make their selection this year will be earlier and shorter, Oct. 4 – 15, 2021. Be sure to schedule any benefit discussions ahead of this window. Custom Comparison Reports are available now for all EmployerLink users. A reminder: Starting last year, the ELCA recommends both the Silver+ A and Gold+ health benefit options. If your congregational council is looking for a virtual presentation on the differences of this recommendation, please reach out to Jennifer Prinz, Regional Representative from Portico. She can be reach at JPrinz@porticobenefits.org

Help manage the cost of prescription frames and contact lenses. While ELCA-Primary health benefits already cover an annual eye exam, Portico will now offer in 2022 a new 100% member-paid vision care services coverage gives sponsored members an affordable way to prepare for additional vision care needs, including prescription eyewear. To learn more click here.

NEW Administration Matters

We would like to introduce you to Administration Matters, a bimonthly electronic newsletter for ELCA church leaders. It addresses common, practical issues including finance, governance, risk management, and tax and legal concerns, as well as other topics of interest about day-to-day operations and management in church settings.

If you wish to subscribe to the Administration Matters e-newsletter, go to https://blogs.elca.org/adminmatters/ (see left side of page).

If you haven't already I encourage you to join our new Facebook page SCSW - Care, Connect, Equip. This page will be for churches within the synod to share their events, ask questions and communicate with other churches. Please click here to join! If your church does not have a Facebook page and you would like your event to be posted please contact me at stephanieb@scsw-elca.org and I would be happy to post it for you!

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.