On February 17 nearly 170 rostered and lay leaders representing just under 50 congregations in our synod gathered for this year’s LEAD event, held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Prairie du Sac.

Our day opened with worship led by Bishop Joy Mortensen-Wiebe and Pastor Jason Hill, interim senior pastor at St. John’s Lutheran.

Bishop Joy’s sermon focused on Psalm 25 and reminded us that our trust in the Lord is never misplaced – God can and will see us through all of the ups and downs of life and ministry.

The Rev. Dr. Ulrich Rosenhagen then shared the keynote address, “The Church For and With Others: Reflections on the Church in a Time of Transition.” Through Dr. Rosenhagen's address, participants were reminded again of the significant changes in the culture at large as well as the church itself. To respond to the changes, we are called to reconsider our purpose, while remaining firmly grounded in our Lutheran theology. It is no longer enough to be the church FOR others, we must learn also to be the church WITH others – meeting people where they are, and where God already is as well.

Leading into lunch, Bishop Joy provided updates from around our synod, including the news that the synod office would soon have a new physical home at Lakeview Lutheran in Madison. Bishop Joy reminded all present that the “synod is us” – meaning ALL of us – and we are working together to carry out God’s mission in our congregations and communities. The synod staff also provided brief updates regarding the work we are doing alongside our congregations and rostered and lay leaders.

Lunch was a delicious homemade meal provided by volunteers from St. John’s Lutheran Church. During this time participants were able to build relationships with each other and learn about synod ministry teams and other opportunities through the many display tables around the room.

During the afternoon, participants split off into affinity groups and enjoyed a time of networking and conversation with others engaging in similar ministries, collecting resources and ideas, and growing their sense of connectedness with partners in ministry from around the synod. We truly had a sense of carrying out this work together! It was a joy to simply be in the same space as others who are facing similar challenges and who are embracing similar opportunities. It helps so much to know that we are not alone in this important gospel work.

At the end of the final session, groups were invited to share and pray with one another, concluding the day firmly rooted in the presence of Christ.

We are so grateful to the countless people who helped make this year’s LEAD a success, especially the many volunteers from St. John’s who worked tirelessly to create a warm and welcoming space for all. We are truly in this together – the synod is us!

Rev. Jen Christenson

Associate to the Bishop for Candidacy and Community

p.s. – if you attended this year’s LEAD make sure to complete the feedback form emailed to you on Wednesday, February 28. If you didn’t receive that email, please email jenc@scsw-elca.org and she will send you the link!

The 2024 SCSW Synod Assembly is Saturday, May 18 at First Lutheran Church in Janesville, WI.

On February 27 an email was sent with a reminder about how to submit resolutions and memorials for consideration by the assembly. Click here to view that email, which includes the submission form and instructions. You may also view the information on the 2024 Synod Assembly page on the synod website.

All resolutions and memorials must be submitted to Trevor Thom, the SCSW Assembly Manager, by March 4, 2024.

Trevor's email address is trevort@scsw-elca.org.

We have many synod leadership positions to elect at this year's assembly, including our voting members for the 2025 Churchwide Assembly.

Click here to view the list of open positions. Please review and prayerfully consider if you or someone you know may be called to one of the roles listed in the document.

To nominate someone (or yourself), click the button below to go to the 2024 Synod Assembly Page on the synod website. From there, click on the "Nominations and Elections" menu, where you will find the nomination form and instructions for how to fill it out. If you have any questions, please contact the SCSW Synod Assembly Manager, Trevor Thom, at trevort@scsw-elca.org.

Mark your calendars!

Registration for this year's Synod Assembly will open at 10:00am Tuesday, April 2. Registration will close on Monday, April 22.

Information and updates about this year's assembly can be found on the Synod Assembly page on the synod website.

2024 Faithful Innovation Learning Communities are forming now!

Participating congregations will discern their unique answer to this question: “As we listen to God, one another, and our neighbors, what future do we imagine God is bringing forth in our midst?” The answer needs to come from Christ and our willingness to ask hard questions and listen for answers, as well as our ability to take risks, secure in our standing in Christ.

Click the button below to view and download an informational flyer with all of the details about this opportunity and how it can benefit your ministry.

If your congregation would like to participate, or if you have any questions about Faithful Innovation Learning Communities, contact the Rev. Walter Baires, Associate to the Bishop and Director of Evangelical Mission, at walterb@scsw-elca.org.

Great news!

The SCSW Synod Office has officially moved in to our space at Lakeview Lutheran in Madison. Thank you to everyone who came out on February 20 and 21 to unload the trucks, sort through furniture and boxes, and help the synod staff as we settle in to our new space.

We look forward to hosting an open house and official dedication of the space in late spring/early summer.

PLEASE NOTE: The synod mailing address will remain the same going forward:

PO Box 14496, Madison, WI 53708

Save the date!

The SCSW Care for Creation Team invites you to a "Church in the Wild" gathering at Bethel Horizons camp on Saturday, May 4 at 10:00am.

The day will include opportunities to wander and worship on the Bethel Horizons grounds, a communion service, and an earth-friendly and (free!) lunch. More information, including how to register, will be shared soon!

The Rostered Retired Leaders and Spouses Spring Gathering will be:

Thursday, March 21

10:00am - 1:00pm

St. John's Lutheran Church, Oregon

(625 East Netherwood St., Oregon, WI)

The presenter will be Maryclaire Torinus, hospice chaplain and author of Surviving Hospice: An Expose.

Click the button below for more information and to RSVP for the March 21 Gathering.

Note: Information about this gathering was sent in a separate email to Rostered Retired Leaders. If you are a rostered retired leader and would like to be added to the email list, click here.

Each year, every congregation, synod-authorized worshiping community (SAWC), and new start in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is asked to provide information about its people, finances, and resources through the Annual Congregation Report.

If you have already submitted your Annual Congregation Report Form A, thank you! If you have yet to submit your Form A, please do so as soon as possible. Reports were due March 1, but the portal will remain open for a few days beyond that date.

Instructions for submitting the reports were sent directly to congregations by the churchwide office. Click here for more information.

Rostered leaders in first 3 years of call: MARK YOUR CALENDARS! 

The spring virtual event with bishops will take place Tuesday, April 9, 1:00-3:00pm (Central Time). The first half of this time slot will be spent with many of our bishops with a chance to interact with the topic. The 2nd half will be a chance for individual synods to meet outside of the larger group.

Considering Your Call (CYC) Discernment Weekend

March 15, 5pm - March 17, 12pm

CYC is open to all people who are wondering if public ministry or seminary could be where they are called to next, as well as those who want to get to know Wartburg! Attendees will connect with Wartburg faculty, staff, and students through community events and fellowship, along with learning more about our degree programs and pathways. Click here to learn more!

Individual Campus Visit (Zoom or Dubuque, IA)

Can't make one of the scheduled events? Ask about an individual campus visit on-campus or online! Email admissions@wartburgseminary.edu or register here to arrange a visit that works for you.

Unsure you can make it because of the cost? Wartburg will provide housing and meals while you are here and can help with the cost of travel to get here as well! 

The Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC) wants to hear from you!

The CRLC listening survey is gathering responses across the ELCA on the expressions, structure, and purpose of our church. All survey responses are anonymous.

Click the button below to take the survey. The survey will close on March 15, 2024. The CRLC also encourages you to share the survey with your network.

Click here to learn more about the CRLC.

Have you ever considered seminary? Have you ever felt like God might be calling you into ministry, but you’re not sure how or where to start?

Join others in discernment at Signs Along the Way, a visit weekend at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) in Berkeley, April 5 - April 7.

The weekend is a great opportunity to connect with current seminarians and other people in discernment, spend some time exploring your sense of call, and learn more about what seminary at PLTS might be like for you. People at all stages of discernment are welcome. PLTS covers two nights of lodging in a hotel, most meals throughout the weekend, and can provide some travel assistance for those who need it.

Click the button below to learn more and to register.

Jennifer Prinz, our regional representative from Portico, has shared some resources available through Portico, including clergy tax resources and creative ways to engage in self-care.

Click the button below to view the updates.

If you have any questions regarding Portico, please contact Jennifer Prinz at JPrinz@porticorbenefits.org.