A MESSAGE FROM WALTER BAIRES
Assistant to the Bishop, Director for Evangelical Mission
A mission moment with Parroquia Santa Maria.
Santa Maria is a New Start. In 2016 it began to serve the growing Latino population in Fitchburg, a suburb of Madison. All Saints LC in Fitchburg hosted Santa Maria until August 2020. Santa Maria’s leadership went through a discernment process from December 2019 to July 2020 and after prayerful consideration decided to relocate its ministry to downtown Madison. Santa Maria found a new partner congregation willing to develop a more organic partnership. The new home for Santa Maria is at Luther Memorial in Madison. This is a strategic location with more accessibility to public transportation. Luther Memorial also has a more welcoming worship space. Santa Maria is a thriving and resilient community that has been able to overcome the challenges of being without a pastor developer for over a year as well as the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Their most significant accomplishment has been the strengthening of the congregation's lay leadership. The congregation continues to be involved in their decision making process and currently is participating in the Synod’s Faithful Innovation cohort. In Spring 2020 Santa Maria's worship services were moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The online worship services kept the congregation engaged and actively involved in the limited ministry opportunities the leadership could offer. The congregation organized online educational events to provide information regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In partnership with local organizations Santa Maria provided food to families in need due to the pandemic.
On September 15, 2020 the Synod appointed a pastor mission developer to provide leadership to Santa Maria on quarter time basis. The hope is to expand the Pastoral contract to part time. The pastor developer was installed on the third week of December. Santa Maria’s ministry has been severely affected by the pandemic, however, they feel hopeful and excited as they now work in partnership with their new pastor developer. Santa Maria will continue its ministry as an ethnic specific congregation reaching out to the first generation of Latinos and with the support of its new partner congregation, it plans to expand their outreach ministry toward the second and third generation of Latinos with a multicultural approach.
I invite you to prayerfully consider supporting the Latino ministries in our Synod. Please consider inviting your congregation to become a mission partner.
God's spirit is alive and inspiring the people of Santa Maria to continue serving as God's hands and feet in this corner of the world.
In Christ,
Rev. Walter Baires
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Voting member information is due from congregations by August 15th.
Please email donnam@scsw-elca.org at the Synod office listing the names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses for each 2020 lay voting member from your congregation. We do not need any voting member information from 2021 since we did not hold a Synod Assembly in 2021.
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Attention Students!
Apply Now for the Lutheran/Divinity Educational Student Scholarships
The synodical Women's Organization will award two ($500) scholarships to students who are pursuing education in Called Ministry (Pastor or Deacon), Youth Ministry in an ELCA congregation or an ELCA Bible Camp Ministry.
Application deadline is August 16, 2021
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South Central WI Synodical Women’s Organization (SWO)
15th BIENNIAL CONVENTION/FALL RETREAT
September 24-25, 2021
At Lutherdale Bible Camp
Elkhorn, WI - Hope Conference Center
Stay OVERNIGHT or come for either day!
SPEAKER: Vicar Lily Zeich Brellenthin
Served in South Africa (2015-2016) with Young Adults in Global Mission
DEADLINES
Due by Monday, August 16, 2021
• Biennial Voting Member registrations
• Women’s Synodical Board (SWO) nominations
• Triennial Convention Voting Member nominations
• Resolutions
• Lutheran/Divinity Scholarship applications
Due by Wednesday, September 1, 2021
• Registrations with babysitting requests
• Registrations with special dietary requests
Due by midnight, Thursday, September 9, 2021
• All other Biennial Convention/Fall Retreat registrations
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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.
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ELCA Youth Leadership Summit Nominations
The ELCA Youth Leadership Summit is November 4-7, 2021 in Minneapolis, MN. The South-Central Synod of Wisconsin will be sending along two young adults (9-12th grade) who will be challenged to take home what they learn, inspire others to action and teach others what they learned in their own synods and youth groups.
The Youth Leadership Summit is a ministry of the ELCA and partners with the Christian Community and Leadership Home Area, the SYMBOL network, the ELCA Youth Gathering, 65 Synods across the United States, ELCA Disability Ministries and ELCA Ethnic Specific Ministries. All lodging, most meals, and programming are provided by a gracious grant from the ELCA. Your synod’s responsibility is to provide the flights/transportation for the two youth and one adult attending from your synod, one meal while youth and their adults explore the city, and any incidentals they might incur during their travels.
Is there a student in your congregation that comes to mind? Nominate them today with the form below. Submissions are due no later than August 29th, 2021.
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LUAD - Lutherans United Assisting After Disaster
With the recent storms that have come through our counties, please let LUAD know if there are any needs in your communities that they could assist in.
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Rostered leaders are invited to join us as we celebrate being together once again!
September 26th & 27th, 2021
White Oak Savanna
4352 State Road 23, Dodgeville, WI 53533
Cost $175 per person.
Register below! Deadline for registration is August 29th.
**Please Note: We are keeping a close eye on Covid-19. We are going forward with the event but might need to make adjustments to protocol as we near the event. We want to keep everyone safe and healthy.
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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.
Is diakonia® Right for You? Ask yourself:
- 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!
Registration is now open with classes starting in September.
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.
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One Year to Live Retreat for Men
Not Your Typical Men’s Retreat
Sponsored by Lutheran Men in Mission
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE NEXT RETREAT
September 10-12, 2021 at the MacKenzie Center, Poynette, WI
Space is limited, early bird discounts and scholarships are available.
Register by September 1st.
This retreat has been life changing for many attendees! Join with men of all ages seeking to follow the guidance of Proverbs 27:17.
For more information and to view participant testimonial videos click here.
Call or text LMM synod leader, Jim Schieble: (920) 763-3433 with questions.
Listen to Pastor Matt Poock of St. John’s, Evansville, WI on the impact of this retreat for the men of his church - https://youtu.be/xVosynJX2xU
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Lifelines - A NEW Online Bible Study for Small Men's Groups
Inspired by the Men’s Courses in the Master Builders Bible for Men
A resource for your men's group!
Find the just released Lifelines series, Faithful Man
Future Lifelines Series Release Dates:
Challenged Man September 4
Working Man October 16
Growing Man November 27
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Bishop Eaton Invites you to “God’s work. Our hands." Sunday
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On Sunday, September 12, congregations will join together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday.
This annual day of service is an opportunity for us to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to love and serve our neighbor.
We rejoice that many in-person church activities have resumed, and we encourage you to plan your day of service in compliance with local health guidelines. Consider offering options that are outdoors, drive-through or virtual.
To help you plan for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, we invite you to visit ELCA.org/DayofService for resources.
Old Lutheran has T-shirts and other items available for purchase. The deadline for ordering your congregation’s personalized T-shirts is August 19.
Don’t forget to share your participation with us. Send your stories and photos to LivingLutheran@elca.org so that together we can celebrate what God accomplishes through you. Participate on social media using #GodsWorkOurHands.
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You are invited to check our and share our synod specific “Find A Congregation” map tool. The main map and listings can be found at: https://scsw-elca.org/findacongregation/ All of the congregations in our Synod are on this map along with contact and website information!
Thank you Jason for working so hard on this!
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Rostered leaders in your first 3 years of call: MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!
The 2021 First Call Fall Conference will be held November 7-9 beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday and ending at 4 p.m. Tuesday. at St. Anthony Spirituality Center in Marathon Wisconsin. We are hoping that this will be an in-person event. The registration fee will be announced later. For now, please get these dates on your calendars and watch for more detailed information to arrive in September.
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Thrivent - Career Opportunity Available in Madison area
As you may be aware – many people (likely many of your members) are looking to transition to a new career after the ups-and-downs of a year dealing with Covid. I wanted to take a minute to share that we have opportunities for Madison-area people to engage in careers as Financial Advisors.
Who are we looking for?
- We have most recently hired people who were former clergy, retail/hospitality industry workers, educators, non-profit leaders, people who are mid-career looking for a change, and college graduates looking to come back home to begin their career.
- People who are entrepreneurial and results driven.
- People who are naturally a coach or guide.
- People who are motivated by helping others.
- And, people who want to build relationships with their clients. We’re about holistic planning, not transactional sales.
If you know of someone who would like to learn more. Please contact Venita Wilkes at 608-440-1253.
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Consultation Committee
- Richard Larson Our Savior’s (Beloit, WI)
- Steve Timm All Saints (Fitchburg, WI)
- Pastor Mark Dressel and Members of Trinity (Lake Mills, WI)
- Pastor Andy Twiton and Members of Trinity (Madison, WI)
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Bishop Laura L. Barbins, the staff and the congregation of the Northeastern Ohio Synod
Churchwide Officers:
- Vice President: Bill Horne, USAF, Ret.
- Secretary: Deacon Sue E. Rothmeyer
We give thanks at this time for the ministry of those who celebrate their anniversary of ordination during this coming week:
- James Schwarz, August 16.1964, Retired Pastor living in Madison, WI jbschwarz@gmail.com
- Kirsten Mueller, August 16, 2014
- Charles Larson, August 17, 1969, Retired Pastor living in Minneapolis, MN clarson.chuck@gmail.com
- Steve Ekblad, August 19, 1979, Retired Pastor living in Janesville, WI steven.ekblad@gmail.com
- Erica Becker, August 19, 2007, On Leave from Call Pastor living in Madison, WI ericamadams@gmail.com
May these leaders continue to be blessed for service!
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Congregations In Transition
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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.
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