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News from Your Synod and Ministry Partners
What Matters March 2, 2021
South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, ELCA / 6401 Odana Rd./ Suite 20/ Madison, WI 53719/ (608) 270-0201/ www.scsw-elca.org
I thirst
“I Thirst” A PROMPT TO ANSWER THE QUESTION, “WHO IS JESUS?”
by Deacon Vicki Hanrahan
Assistant to the Bishop for Synodical Life
When we evangelize, share the “good news” of God’s love and
redemption, we often fall into “churchy language,” and I think the
longer we are in ministry, the more “churchy” and possibly less
accessible our language becomes. If someone you are in relationship
with asked you, “Who is Jesus?” What would you say? Is your answer
understandable by the unchurched? The “nones?” Do you have an
answer? Could you change a life with your answer? I have been
practicing and refining and praying about my answer so that I am ready
when asked. This Lenten season, I invite you into this meditation exercise that will bear fruit.
Think about each of these questions and practice your answers. I encourage pastors to invite
church members into this exercise.
Find your prompt words. I am choosing “I thirst.” These were among the last “seven” words that
Jesus spoke before his death. I dwell in these two words often because they are at the vortex of
our faith that Jesus was both divine and human. This means something to us who have grown in
our faith, but I wonder, could these two words help us engage in a conversation with someone
who does not yet know Jesus? Could we use these two words to introduce others to the Jesus that
saved us from a life barren of God’s magnificent, redeeming love? Could we grab the attention of
the people who are saying about the church, “Who cares?” “Why would I want to have anything
to do with a bunch of hypocrites?” “I don’t need to join some archaic institution.” “What are they
offering that I want?”
I’ll be brave and share my work in progress (emphasis on in progress) to three likely questions:
Who is Jesus?
“Jesus was a man who lived over 2,000 years ago in the region of Galilee. He was so
amazingly different in character than the people around him that people were drawn to
him. He spent his childhood learning what he needed to know to become a messenger sent
by the God of all creation. Then in his adult life, when he was ready, he began his 3-year
walkabout journey of teaching and preaching and healing. The people were so enthralled
with his liberating teachings of hope and love that word of mouth spread, and more and
more people wanted to know him. He brought to these people who were oppressed and
controlled by the Roman Empire a message they desperately needed to hear. He told
them there was a God, a higher power, who created the world and loved the world so
much that God sent Jesus, God’s Son, to bring peace and to prove that they were loved in a
magnificent, generous way. This love had no strings attached, no expectations, no
requirements; a love that liberated them and their children and their children’s
children…people like you and me.
Why does that matter?
To know and trust down to the deepest core of our hearts that we are loved for who we are
frees us from everything that holds us down from feeling worthy of love. When we
completely believe that we are beautifully and wonderfully made by God, we are at our
best to bring our authentic selves to our relationships with others. Jesus taught us to love
our neighbor as ourselves and to make a better world through love and that is what we as
Christians try very hard to do. He was holy, but he was also human so he understood our
sufferings and our shortcomings and was able to understand how difficult it would be for
us. So, he taught us many great lessons about how to treat one another and how we can live
through adversity and become stronger, better, and even more in love with our God-made
selves and each other. Following those teachings is what makes us Christians.
As you can imagine, this man was loved by so many that the local rulers became jealous
and frightened that Jesus would end up being more powerful than them. They were so
threatened by his unwillingness to submit to their power, so they had him crucified, nailed
to a cross until his death.
As he hung on that cross in excruciating pain, he said something that would remind the
people standing close enough to hear and who would spread the news that he was indeed
the Savior they had been waiting for. They thought of course that he would come as a
strong, powerful ruler, but instead, he came as a man who invited us to make a new and
better world through loving acts and compassion. He was a man who would endure the
excruciating suffering on a cross because he was sent to prove that God has not given up
on them. A human who like any other person in those inhumane circumstances would
thirst. Jesus said, “I thirst.” Jesus understands me and what I thirst for and through his
teachings gives me life-saving water.
What are you offering that I would want?
What do you thirst for? Comfort? Forgiveness? Belonging? Understanding? Love?
Companionship? Freedom? Purpose? When you cry out from places of loneliness, isolation,
frustration, sadness, or heartbreak, you can know that Jesus died to rescue us from our our
brokenness and our vulnerabilities. Jesus thirsts for your love and to know his purpose will
be fulfilled through you.
Jesus then was miraculously raised from the dead and some of his followers saw him again
and reported that Jesus promised we would never walk alone; that he would always be with
us in Spirit. That is why you are invited to join us…because like me, you are invited to
follow the teachings of Jesus. You are invited to be the heart and hands of Jesus. Through
your belonging to this Christian community, we are continuously learning through each
other that even with our shortcomings, we are loved by God. It is through this community
that we can learn from each other. It’s one of the ways that Jesus promised us we would
never walk alone. You will always be loved by God and Jesus will always thirst for you.”
Perhaps during this Lenten season, you can practice answering Who is Jesus? You will bless God.
Jesus said: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will
have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
God will Transform This Church
by Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. That’s our
name. At least two parts of our name, “Evangelical and
“Church,” are either misunderstood or an outright stumbling
block for a significant percentage of the American
population.
Pew Research reports that over one-fifth of the U.S. public—
and a third under 30—are religiously unaffiliated. These are
the “nones.” The religiously unaffiliated, whether never
churched or dechurched, don’t have a favorable impression of
church. They see it as extremist, full of hypocrites, judgmental,
anti-science, anti-intellectual, dogmatic, overly concerned about other people’s morality, naïve
and out of touch. Ouch.
In the eyes of the nones, the ELCA gets lumped in with everyone else. Though we aren’t perfect,
and some of the characteristics of church apply to us at various times, we have a theology based
on a liberating gospel of Jesus Christ that is the evangelion—the good news. The “Evangelical” in
our name points to the transforming love of Jesus, to reconciliation, to freedom, to grace. It’s
expansive, for everyone and all creation. It doesn’t require our effort or merit, only our trust in
God’s promise.
It’s not naïve. Scripture, Martin Luther, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and others were clear-eyed about the
reality of human sin and brokenness and the devastating consequences for individuals, groups of
people and creation that result. There is judgment, but it is God’s not ours. Our evangelical
understanding of God’s word is that it is both law and gospel, judgment and promise. We aren’t
an everything goes, antinomian church.
I remember the light bulbs going off in my catechism students’ heads when learning about grace.
Does it give us license to do anything we want? Paul had to address the same line of thinking in
the letter to the Romans. No. Grace makes it possible to be honest with ourselves and face our
sin because the Spirit grants us the space, time and desire to turn from our sin to the source of life.
Our evangelical witness is full of paradox—we are simultaneously saint and sinner. Yes, there is
hypocrisy in the church—welcome to humanity! But there is also beauty and love poured by the
Spirit into sometimes stubborn and broken hearts. There is law and gospel. We are at once
perfectly free and lord of all and bound and servant of all (Luther’s The Freedom of a Christian).
Our evangelical witness is that God called the creation good; that we have been given the gift of
curiosity that compels us to study the natural world, to engage in scientific research. The more
we know about creation, the closer we draw to the Creator. We aren’t anti-intellectual—Luther
was a college professor after all.
I happen to know some millennials who had conversations with their none neighbors. These
conversations were open and engaged. The none neighbors carried the above-mentioned
perceptions of the church, but they also knew their millennial friends served as Young Adults in
Global Mission and were active in their congregations. The nones were trying to reconcile their
perception of church with their experience of actual Lutherans—one of whom is a scientist.
Without that relationship, the nones would never have known a true evangelical witness to the
liberating good news of Jesus.
In (the March issue of Living Lutheran), you can read about Future Church (page 20). God is
calling us into this exciting mission, and the Spirit will activate each of us to invite people to know
the way of Jesus and discover community, justice and love. The ELCA can hold up our
evangelical witness, which is an alternative face of Christianity—not for institutional survival, but
so that more people will experience the deep love of Jesus, be transformed and liberated by that
love and “work for justice and peace” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Holy Baptism).
This mission will take all of us, and it means actual relationships with real people lead by an
incarnational God. I believe that God will transform this church.
A monthly message from the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Reprinted with permission from Living Lutheran magazine. Her email address is:
GOD’S WORK. OUR HANDS
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 12,
2021: What Will Yours Look
Like This Year?
Mark your calendar for
Sunday, Sept. 12, when
congregations of the ELCA
will come together for “God’s
work. Our hands.” Sunday.
Our church continues to live
through the COVID-19
pandemic. Physical distancing
has changed the way we
worship and serve. But the
need is great, and God’s
church is at work.
We’re not sure what the impact of this crisis will look like in September, but we continue to be church
together. We are witnessing the outpouring of love and concern that God’s people have for one another.
Our congregations continue to maintain feeding ministries, serve communities disproportionately affected
by COVID-19 infection and assist people who are financially burdened by the economic downturn.
“Service in the Time of COVID-19” was developed to offer service project ideas and considerations for
safely supporting your community in this time of pandemic.
As we gather together in service to our neighbors, we are reminded of one of our most basic convictions
as Lutherans: All of life in Jesus Christ — every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life
— flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. Be sure to save the date and
visit ELCA.org/DayofService for updates to our resources.
You work every day to make your community a better place. We look forward to working together with
you on “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday.
THE CEPHAS JOHNSON SEMINARY SCHOLARSHIP
Cephas Johnson was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church and a Charter Member of the Bethel Lutheran Church Endowment Foundation. In the bequest of his estate to the Foundation, Cephas requested that the needs of students attending seminaries of the ELCA be considered in the Foundation's program. The CEPHAS JOHNSON SEMINARY SCHOLARSHIP has been established through Bethel Lutheran Church by the Bethel Endowment Foundation to honor the memory of this dedicated and caring individual. Purpose: The program is to provide financial support for seminary students tuition when attending a seminary of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Criteria: The student shall be enrolled, half-time minimum, in an ordination track degree program of the seminary. Preparation for ordination in the ministry is criteria for receiving the grant. The student is eligible for the grant during the years in residence at the seminary, up to a maximum of three years, or six semesters. The student shall be a resident of Dane County and a member of an ELCA congregation in Dane County when enrolling in the seminary. The student shall be recommended by a pastor and the governing body of his home congregation. The grant is given on an annual basis and must be requested each year. - Financial need may be a consideration when awarding this tuition only scholarship. Grant: Grants shall be awarded annually, at the spring quarterly meeting of the Bethel Endowment Foundation for the following academic year. Grants for summer school, J-term or additional clinic work will not be considered. The amount of the grant will be determined annually by a committee of Bethel Lutheran Church and the Bethel Endowment Foundation trustees. Students enrolled less than full-time shall receive a proportional grant. The grant shall be paid by check directly to the seminary in the account of the student when tuition is due at the beginning of each semester. Procedure:
Letters of Application shall be made to: Attn: Cephas Johnson Seminary Scholarship
Bethel Lutheran Church
312 Wisconsin Avenue Madison, WI 53703 or [email protected] or Faxed to 608-257-4044
Included in the application shall be: -Student's name -Home Address -Home Congregation -Seminary where enrolled A statement giving the student's inspiration in attending the seminary, (must be on ordination track). -Recommendation from a pastor of home congregation. -Recommendation from governing body of home congregation.
Applications must be received by April 15 to be considered for the academic year beginning the following September. Sponsored by: Bethel Lutheran Church Endowment Foundation 312 Wisconsin Avenue Madison, WI 53703
Conversations with
the Bishop
March 16, 2021
2:00 – 3:00 pm Webinar
Note: Going forward, these webinars will always be held on the first
and third Tuesdays of the month, instead of every other Tuesday.
Topic: The Hybrid Church
The online world has been a significant place for some time, but the church really had to immerse itself in it due
to the pandemic. Now we have both an online and on-the-ground ministry and this hybrid ministry will be the
new norm for the next season in most congregation’s work. As vaccines roll out and we begin more on-the-
ground things over the next several months, many decisions will be before us. What to keep online? What do
we keep from the way things were pre-pandemic? What to modify and do in new ways when we resume? This
webinar will look at some of the key questions and opportunities that lie before the church in this next
challenging chapter of our work.
Special Guest: Dave Daubert, Author, “Becoming a
Hybrid Church”
Dave Daubert is a second career pastor (previously an engineer) who has
served in congregational, synodical and churchwide ministry positions.
Today he leads Day 8 Strategies, which works with congregations,
judicatories and other organizations throughout the United States and
Canada. He is recognized as a leader in the fields of church renewal,
leadership, strategy and stewardship. You can find more about Day 8
Strategies by visiting the web site at www.Day8Strategies.com for more
information and for access to books and resources from Dave.
He is a frequent keynote speaker, trainer and workshop presenter. His
books include Becoming a Hybrid Church, Discipleship Guides for
Lutherans, The Invitational Christian, Lutheran Trump Cards, Living
Lutheran, and several others. He has been interviewed on NPR.
In addition, he is pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL where he lives and shares work with his wife
Marlene (a social worker and rostered deacon at Zion Lutheran Church). They have a dog (Elsa) and two grown
children (Erin and Nathan).
All rostered ministers will receive the link the morning of the event
from our office.
Laity, please email Robyn Zimmerman for the link: [email protected]
If you miss it, our webinars are recorded and accessible on the synod website:
www.scsw-elca.org/webinars
AWAKEN DANE DISCERNMENT EVENTS BEGIN – March 9 or March 15
The Wisconsin Council of Churches, Collaboration Project, University of
Dubuque Theological Seminary, and Upper House have received grant funding
from Lily Foundation, Inc. to launch Awaken Dane here in our community. We
are excited to be in the early stages of launching this initiative, that will officially
begin Summer 2021.
Some of you may have already heard of this directly from one of the program
partners or your judicatory leader. Awaken Dane is a 2-year program for pastors
and 8-10 of their congregation members to journey with us and with each other to answer questions such
as, How is God at work in my community? and How can we get in sync with what God is doing in
neighborhoods around us?
If you are intrigued, we invite you to read through our program information here and consider joining a
book discussion on either March 9 or March 15. We will be opening the Awaken Dane application shortly,
but if you are interested in this program then we encourage you to fill out our interest form here. And don't
forget to like and follow us on Facebook!
Awaken Dane – Wisconsin Council of Churches (wichurches.org)
We collectively pray for blessings on your ministries and hope you will discern if this is a good time for
you and your congregation to join Awaken Dane.
Christ's Peace,
Johnna Georgia
Awaken Dane Program Director
608-837-3108 x 29
We welcome Marie Leafblad to the Office of the
Bishop!
Marie Leafblad joins the Synod Staff as Assistant to the
Bishop for Leadership Support with primary responsibilities in
mobility, relational networking, care of congregations, and
youth and family ministries. She is now “in the office.” Like
synod staff, she will work virtually from home for the time
being.
The bishop will, for a while, continue to handle mobility work
that was previously served by Rev. Kottke prior to his retirement.
Please call Bishop Joy at (608) 270-0201 with mobility/call
process/interim questions until further notice. Thank you.
2 More Days to Register!
Learn more and register no later than March 4 at:
https://scsw-elca.org/diakonia
Christian Visitation:
it’s not just about pastors and shut-ins
I feel bad for ______ but
• I don’t know what to say,
• what can I do?
• What if I make it worse!!!
We are all called by Christ to serve the sick, the homebound, the grieving, the lonely,
the struggling,
yet many of us, are uncomfortable about reaching out to those in need.
and so we do nothing.,
Sing up for the diakonia course Practical Ministry: Visitation: the sick, the homebound,
the grieving,
Learn what you can do to share Christ’s love with those who need it the most.
This Thursday evening class offered on zoom as part of the diakonia program. 6-9 pm, March 4, 11, 18, 25, Apr 8.
Learn more at https://scsw-elca.org/diakonia/and register no later than March 2. Instructor is Rev Gus Barnes
The Questions:
What are the origins of Christian Worship?
What are the roots in Jewish tradition?
What was the religious environment of the early Church?
What are the biblical roots of Christian worship?
What constitutes Christian worship?
What has remained constant in Christian worship?
What has changed over time?
Sign up for Christian Worship and discuss the answers and
examine the wide diversity of Christian worship. This diakonia class offered via zoom on
Saturday mornings, 9 a.m. to noon, March 6, 20,27, April 10, 17, 24 Learn more at https://scsw-elca.org/diakonia/and register no later than March 4.
Instructor is Rev. Dr. Charlene Rachuy Cox who serves on the faculty of Wartburg Seminary
Faith Advocacy for Climate Justice:
March 18, 2021, 10:00 AM - Noon
Find more info and register Here
As Wisconsin lawmakers examine and revise
the Governor’s Wisconsin State Budget, we
have an opportunity to lift our voices. Join us
on March 18 to focus on budgetary items
related to climate change. We will especially focus on renewable energy, agriculture, and green jobs.
Keynote Speaker: Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes
Panelists: WKOW-TV Senior Chief Meteorologist Bob Lindmeier, Lutherans Restoring Creation Executive
Director Phoebe Morad, and Renew Wisconsin Renewable Energy Program Director Sam Dunaiski
Testimonies from Various Faith Perspectives: Rabbi Bonnie Margulis of Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice,
and other speakers to be announced.
Action: After a presentation on how to speak to our legislators and a discussion in breakout groups, we’ll
have an opportunity to contact our legislators.
Post Advocacy Event beginning at Noon (Zoom link sent to registered participants can be used for both
events):
Fasting for Climate Justice – Fast, Pray, Act
At noon, join the Kenosha 4: Rev. Jonathan Barker, County Supervisor Andy Berg, Justin Blake, Joe
Cardinali. How are they progressing on their 22-day fast for climate justice from Friday, March 5 to March
27? Get ideas of how you can participate in a partial fast and prayers for God’s creation. The goal of this
prayerful fast is to focus public attention and badly needed action on the climate emergencies’ harm to
lives, jobs, and health of Wisconsin citizens, and to our sacred, life-sustaining natural environment. The
Kenosha 4 ask that you consider joining this statewide climate justice fast in any way that you are able: a
daily meditative prayer, fasting, and prayer for a single meal, or fasting for one or more of the 22 days.
Your thoughts, your prayers, and your participation are gratefully welcomed. You choose the way. And
then stay tuned for action opportunities.
National Lutheran Choir
Hope Lives
Winter Virtual Program
Sunday, March 14 at 4:00 pm
Online at NLCA.com
A free program blending songs, images,
hymns and poetry featuring guest artists:
The Keith Hampton Singers & Friends
40th Annual Ecumenical Rural Ministry Conference
“Engaging and Ministry with Cultural Traditionalists” March 8, 2021 THIS EVENT IS CO-SPONSORED BY WARTBURG THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
We live in a deeply divided society with divisions along political, social, cultural, urban/rural lines. This conference
will be helpful for pastors who see these divisions in their communities and congregations and are looking for ways
to minister to all people.
Our keynote Speaker Tex Sample will explore this division by looking at a key demographic, cultural
traditionalists. Cultural traditionalists are the largest demographic in rural America and one of the largest in the
country. This demographic is not limited by age, gender, or denomination.
The presentations of Tex Sample will provide a description of this important group and offer suggestions for working
with cultural traditionalists. These presentations are valuable not only for small town and rural congregations but will
provide a greater understanding of this demographic found in many, if not most, congregations.
The Rev. Dr. Tex Sample brings years of ministry experience, teaching and research to this topic. His most recent
books include A Christian Justice for the Common Good, and Working Class Rage: A Field Guide to White Anger and
Pain. Tex Sample has participated throughout his career in both the church and the community, with a focus on
social, racial, gender, and economic justice issues, community organizing, and interfaith movements.
The 40th Rural Ministry Conference will be held via Zoom on Monday, March 8, 2021. For further
information: http://www.wartburgseminary.edu/rural-conference/#1512404387364-1ded38c8-233a.
BEING CHURCH
Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders
Wednesdays, 1PM Central
"We must couple grief and gratitude in a way that encourages us to stay open to life.... Life is hard, filled
with loss and suffering. Life is glorious, stunning, and incomparable. To deny either truth is to live in some
fantasy of the ideal or to be crushed by the weight of pain. Instead, both are true, and it requires a
familiarity with both sorrow and joy to fully encompass the full range of being human." -- Francis Weller,
The Wide Edge of Sorrow
As we approach the year anniversary of the first shelter-in-place orders, and as we look back on a
year that altered most of our lives in ways we could never have imagined, many of us are wondering
how to mark this strange, unbidden anniversary. How do we make space to honor not only our grief
over the suffering and losses, big and small, but also the gifts that have emerged from this painful
year, for which we may even feel deep gratitude? In this session, Rev. Solveig Nilsen-Goodin will invite
us into a simple ritual that can be shared with others, to honor both the grief and the gratitude that may
arise as we look back on this year.
To watch the previous sessions:
The Sacred Work of Grief, Part 1: Rituals of Renewal
The Sacred Work of Grief, Part 2: Everything We Love, We Will Lose
The Sacred Work of Grief, Part 3: Finding the Courage to Do the Thing You Think You Cannot Do
The Sacred Work of Grief, Part 4: Sharing Grief in Community
The Sacred Work of Grief, Part 5: What We Expected and Did Not Receive
The Sacred Work of Grief, Part 6: The Places That Have Not Known Love
You are invited to join this weekly online gathering designed to provide encouragement and support for
ELCA leaders across the church. Participants will hear topical presentations related to how we are called
to be Church, as well as have an opportunity to be in small group discussions with other ELCA
leaders. This is where the magic happens. All of this is designed to help us process our emotions and thus
create a space where we can each name our next most faithful step forward in our unique context. You are
welcome to share this invitation with any other ELCA leader, rostered or lay. #ELCAChurchTogether
Change Makers Anti-Racism Camp
Sunday, July 25, 2021 to Friday, July 30, 2021 at Bethel Horizons
A Week Long Camp For High Schoolers to build capacity to fight against racism and other forms of
oppression. Workshops on Trust & Community, Racism, Sexism, LGBTQ+ and Strategies. Outdoor
recreation activities including, ropes course, environment education, canoeing, campfires and more. This
is a partnership between Bethel Horizons, UBUNTU Research & Evaluation, and the South-Central Synod of
Wisconsin.
REGISTER NOW at http://www.bethelhorizons.org/ what-we-do/summer-camps/ or call 608-257-3577 and
ask for Linda!
The cost of Horizons week long experience is $500. This cost includes items such as staffing, activities,
equipment use, meals, lodging and facilities. Bethel Horizons is blessed to have generous donors who
make this price possible. Without these donations, a week of summer camp would actually cost $705. All
children at Horizons receive the same outstanding program; regardless of what you are able to pay for
summer camp.
Bethel Horizons is committed to providing children a fun, spirit-filled camp experience! It is our mission
that no camper be denied the experience of camp due to financial reasons. Our “Campership” fund was
established to help those families who need financial assistance. If you want to send your child to camp but
are concerned about cost, please fill out our campership form or contact our office! Campership requests
for our 2021 Summer Camp season will be accepted February 1-June 14, 2021. Camperships are available
to any child or family in need of financial assistance regardless of their church affiliation. If you are
interested in a campership, find out more at http:// www.bethelhorizons.org/what-we-do/summer-camps/.
New Visit the Synod Website for regular
updates on Covid-19 related information:
www.scsw-elca.org/healthresources
Keep Everyone Connected to Synod-Wide Happenings & News!
In the past two years, we have added nearly 500 new subscribers to
What Matters. Thank you for your partnership in keeping your
members connected. There are many more we know that would
benefit from the synod’s e-newsletter. As a reminder to others that
have not yet held your annual meetings, as you elect new council
members, remember to sign them up for What Matters to help them
stay connected to their synod and larger ELCA church!
Send me their email addresses and do let them know you are doing
that or you can direct them to the synod website to sign up: South-
Central Synod of Wisconsin | What Matters / News (scsw-elca.org)
Deacon Vicki Hanrahan (Editor, What Matters)
Crafting Calm: Art and Activities for Mindful Kids
Do you know an elementary-age child who would enjoy some moments
of calm and creativity? Whether they consider themselves crafty or
not, Crafting Calm—written by Megan Borgert-Spaniol and Lauren Kukla
and illustrated by Aruna Rangarajan—offers a range of fun, creative
ways to engage kids’ bodies and brains. (And who couldn’t use the
emotional support plant on page 32?) With chapters such as “Catch Your
Calm,” “Examining Emotions” and “Capturing Joy and Growing
Gratitude,” kids can choose from activities that are designed to try solo
or with a caring adult (Beaming Books, 2020).
Synod staff continue to work from home and are available via all the normal digital technologies. Call the
synod office and staff will direct your call to the appropriate person who will call you back. We do try to
be prompt in our return calls. (608) 270-0201 Emails are as follows:
Bishop Joy: [email protected]
Deacon Vicki Hanrahan: [email protected] Feel free to use my cell #: (608) 469-8073
Rev. Walter Baires: [email protected]
Marie Leafblad: (608) 270-0201
Robyn Zimmerman: [email protected]
Positions in the Synod
We are happy to help promote your positions. Please submit 100 words or less to Deacon Vicki Hanrahan,
Assistant to the Bishop for Synodical Life and Synod Communicator, email: [email protected]
Please notify Deacon Vicki when the position has been filled so that we can keep this list current.
Thanks!
New! Director of Youth Ministry – St. James, Verona
Part-time, salaried position (40%). We are seeking a person who has both relational and organizational gifts to
minister to and with our wonderful 7th – 12th graders. Programming responsibilities include regular youth group
gatherings and summer mission trips. The Director will work alongside our Children, Youth & Family Ministry
Committee, and our Children’s Ministry Director, and will be supported by a committed group of adult volunteers.
The ideal candidate is a person of mature Christian faith and a passion to listen well and help youth grow in love
toward God, self, and neighbor. A college degree is preferred. If interested, please contact Pastor Peter Narum:
[email protected]. (03/02/21)
New! Organist - Grace Lutheran Church, Cambridge
Grace Lutheran Church is seeking an organist to play weekly at our 9:00 a.m. Sunday worship service. Candidates
may also be considered for a Choir Director position when choral singing is safe again. For more information, or to
submit a resume, e-mail Pastor Jennifer Jelinek at [email protected] .
Business and HR Manager, Crossways Lutheran Camping Ministries Crossways Camping Ministries
Seeking dedicated and detail-oriented person to support the financial tasks of camp and retreat ministry. Full time-
salaried position at Appleton business office and supports operations at three camp locations in Wisconsin.
Requirements include minimum of Associate’s Degree with certification or equivalent experience in accounting. A
minimum three years experience in office management with demonstrated financial, HR, and administrative
skills. Additional information may be found at www.crosswayscamps.org/employment. Applications received
through February 26, with anticipated start date as early in March as possible. To apply, please send a cover letter
and resume to: Crossways Camping Ministries/912 N. Oneida St./Appleton, WI 54911 or via email to
[email protected] (02/18/21)
Outreach Development Coordinator – Triangle Community Ministry (Madison)
The Board of the Triangle Community Ministry is seeking a self-motivated, creative and organized individual to fill a
part-time (approximately 25-28 hours per week) Outreach Development Coordinator position. The annual salary for
this position is $30,000.This position requires a person with a desire to serve people who is self-motivated and has a
strong work ethic. Strong written and oral communications skills are needed. An awareness of faith-based practice is
beneficial. For more information about the position and how to apply, please send an email to:
On-Call Technology Coordinator – St. John in Reedsburg, WI
Coordinators needed to operate the camera, slides & sound system in the sanctuary for worship when the
Technology Coordinator is unavailable. A full position description is available on the church website:
www.sjrdb.com. To apply, please send a resume, cover letter and references to [email protected] A background
check is required. (02/12/21)
Custodian: Midvale Community Lutheran Church in Madison, WI
Immediate opening for a custodian - 35 hours per week with health and pension benefits. Maintaining a clean, safe
and welcoming building is the highest priority of the position. Occasional weekend work for weddings and funerals,
room set-up and snow removal will be required. The ability to maintain and repair equipment and machines involved
in performing the job duties is preferred. For a job description, visit our website:
https://www.midvalelutheran.org/welcome-midvale/work-midvale or contact church office (608) 238-7119. Please
send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] or Midvale Community Lutheran Church, 4329 Tokay
Blvd., Madison, WI 53711. (02/09/21)
Choir Director – Bethlehem (Portage)
Bethlehem Lutheran Church is looking to fill our part-time Choir Director position. The ideal candidate would be able
to lead the choir, as well as play the organ for worship services, funerals and weddings, and lead the Praise Band.
Previous experience preferred to include the ability to motivate choir members, read music and conduct; knowledge
of liturgical flow and connection to worship; piano experience strongly preferred. Part-time September through May.
Please send resume to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, W8267 Hwy 33 E, Portage. (03/11/20)
Future Synod Gatherings/Meetings/Events:
March 13 Synod Council Meeting – 8:00 am - online
March 16 Equipping the Saints Webinar with Bishop Joy – 2:00 – 3:00 pm online
March 25 Women of the ELCA Book Study – 7:00 pm - online
April 6 Equipping the Saints Webinar with Bishop Joy – 2:00 – 3:00 pm online
April 13 Synod Teams & Partners Lunch ‘n Learn – Noon – 1:00 pm – online
April 20 Equipping the Saints Webinar with Bishop Joy – 2:00 – 3:00 pm online
April 22 Rostered Women’s Gathering – 9:00 am online
May 4 Equipping the Saints Webinar with Bishop Joy – 2:00 – 3:00 pm online
May 18 Equipping the Saints Webinar with Bishop Joy – 2:00 – 3:00 pm online
PRAYERS (Note: If you have edits to your information, please email them to Robyn Zimmerman at
[email protected] as she manages the prayers for What Matters). Thank you.
Youth and Family Network Ministry Team
• Rev. Jason Poole-Xiong, Our Savior’s, Beloit, WI
• Amy Floan, St. John, Evansville, WI
Pastors and Congregations in our Synod:
• Pastor Kelli Fisher, Pastor & Members of Perry, Mount Horeb, WI
• Pastor Nicole Espe, Pastor & Members of Primrose, Belleville, WI
Neighboring Synods:
• Bishop Brian D Maas, the Staff, and the congregations of Nebraska Synod
Churchwide Partners:
• The Rev. Paul A Baglyos, Region 8 Candidacy and Leadership Manager
• The Rev. Ruth E Hamilton, Region 9 Candidacy and Leadership Manager
We give thanks at this time for the ministry of those who celebrate their anniversary of Ordination during this coming
week:
• Pastor Paulette Creswell, March 08, 1997, Retired Pastor living in Madison, WI
• Pastor Timothy Hansen, March 09,1987, Pastor of Our Savior’s, Sun Prairie, WI
• Pastor “Inky” Oradell Nordness, March 09,1958, Retired Pastor living in Madison, WI
May these leaders continue to be blessed for service.
Updates on Congregations in the Call Process and Rostered Leader Updates
Call process and roster changes are updated on the synod website monthly. Please keep
these congregations and rostered leaders in your prayers.
Link: https://scsw-elca.org/transitions/
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South-Central Synod of Wisconsin
Remember, when you see this symbol, this is a news item that should be put in your congregational
newsletters! Thanks for your partnership.
Congregations can feel free to reprint these pages for your congregational use. Reprint permission
provided by: South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, ELCA – 6401 Odana Road, Suite 20, Madison, 53719. Please
reference as seen in Synod e-news, “What Matters” in your reprint. Questions can be directed to Deacon Hanrahan
at the synod office: (608) 270-0201 or [email protected]
Share your news. If you have something you would like considered for publication in What Matters, send it to
Assistant to the Bishop for Synodical Life, Deacon Vicki Hanrahan, at [email protected].
Visit our website: www.scsw-elca.org
Following Jesus, who commanded his followers, ‘Just as I have loved you, you also should love one
another,’ and believing that all persons are created in the image of God, the South-Central Synod
of Wisconsin, ELCA, strives to be fully inclusive for all. This synod welcomes people of every race,
background, age, political affiliation, economic and social status, sexual orientation, gender identity
and expression, and mental and physical ability, while striving to enable all people to participate fully
in the life and work of the church and its expressions.
