WHAT MATTERS . . . . . March 27, 2018 . . . News from Your Synod and Ministry Partners

The synod office will be closed on Good Friday and Holy Monday. If you have a pastoral emergency, please call the synod office at 608-270-0201 for pastor-on-call information.

Download Bishop Eaton’s written message here: http://bit.ly/EatonEasterMessage

View Bishop Eaton’s recorded message here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoVtNJFL3-c&feature=youtu.be

South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, ELCA/ 6401 Odana Road / Suite 20 / Madison, WI 53719 / (608)270-0201 / www.scsw-elca.org

Dear Friends, we appreciate that it’s Holy Week, but PLEASE do pay attention to Assembly timelines. If your folks need a hotel room, the deadline is next Wednesday! HERE COME THE REGISTRATION TIPS! Each year, we provide a tip each week as you are registering for synod assembly based on the calls that we are receiving in the synod office. TIP #1: Not sure if one of your congregational members are registered? Click on the registration link below and when the window opens, click on the ATTENDEES tab. You will find attendees listed in alphabetical order by last name. It’s also a great way to see who is attending and make plans in advance to connect with each other! TIP#2: You cannot use the same email address for two different attendees. If you try to do that, it will tell you that you are already registered. You can try using the church’s main email address if that is okay with your church (for one attendee only) or you can call the synod office and Vicki Hanrahan will assist with your registration. (608) 270-0201 On-line Registration is Open: https://bit.ly/SCSWAssembly2018 Important Timelines: March 16 - Publication of Responses from Pre-identified to Bishop Election Website - https://scswbishopelection.org. March 30 - Early Bird Synod Assembly Registration Closes March 31 - Million Dollar Mission Jar Challenge Offerings to Synod Office in order to be included in celebration at Synod Assembly April 4 - Deadline for hotel reservations - after the 4th, we can’t guarantee rooms will still be available at the Kalahari April 5 - The Assembly Agenda and book will be available on line. April 6 - Deadline for sending photos of your Baptismal Font for loop. April 10 - Pre-Assembly Forum - 7:00 pm at First Congregational UCC Janesville April 15 - Pre-Assembly Forum - 2:00 pm at Holy Wisdom Monastery April 16 - Registration closes for Synod Assembly

Send us Your Baptism/Font Photos by April 6! Walking in our Baptism is the synod’s theme this year for our events. To that end, we are asking all congregations to send us one picture of your baptismal font. It will be interesting to see the variety of fonts that we use in our congregations! Please email .jpgs to robynz@scsw-elca.org at the synod office by April 6 to be included in media presentations at Synod Assembly.

Sharing Makes Us Stronger: Multi-Staff Church Event for South-Central Synod of Wisconsin Pastors, Deacons and Lay Staff Tuesday, April 10, 2018 Time: 8:45 am - Noon Register by Apr. 3 Host: Luther Memorial Church - 1021 University Ave - Madison     If you liked LEAD, you’ll love this 1/2 day event! This is the ultimate networking opportunity!

Have you ever wished you could talk to people in other congregations that have similar roles to yours? If so, we hope you are paying attention because this ½ day event is designed for YOU!

For several years now, ELCA churches in our synod that have multi-staff pastoral leadership have met annually to bring together their staff members for fellowship and to learn from each other. The event focuses primarily on time for each staff role to meet with others in similar roles as a group and share ideas and best practices. Past groups included: administrative assistants/secretaries; music; children, youth and family; custodian; bookkeeper; visitation/home bound/care; lead pastors; associate pastors; etc. Your church staff is invited!

The Day’s Schedule 8:45 am Coffee and Refreshments

9:15 am Morning Prayer with Bishop Mary Froiland 10:00 am Breakout session with each staff role

11:30 am Reconvene for Large Group Reflection and Closing

Please RSVP at office@luthermem.org - or call 608-258-3160 by Tuesday, April 3 with your congregation name and staff member names and roles, so they can plan for space accordingly. ( Their office hours are 9:00 am - 3:00 pm M-R and 9 am - 1 pm Fridays)

Come and Be Part of the Synod Choir at Synod Assembly!

You are invited to sing with the Synod Assembly Choir for Saturday evening worship at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday morning worship at 8:15 a.m. Rehearsal will take place on Saturday from 4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. There will be a brief warm-up Sunday morning at 7:45 a.m.

Links to sheet music : http://www.scsw-elca.org/synod_assembly2018.aspx

Baptized and Set Free, arr. by John Helgen (Sunday)

Benediction, arr. by Ben Johnston-Urey (Saturday) (a setting of Bp. Mary's favorite benediction)

There will be music available at rehearsal, but please bring your own copy if you are able. Thank you!

Please RSVP to Ondra Williams, by phone: 608.291.4311, or by e-mail: ondra.williams@sjlserve.org.

Your Synod Worship Planning Team ~

Bp. Mary Froiland, Rev. Nancy Raabe, Ben Johnston-Urey, Ondra Williams

An important action of the 2018 Synod Assembly will be the election of our next bishop. The Bishop Election Task Force was appointed by your Synod Council to oversee this election. The task force maintains its own website at http://www.scswbishopelection.org/. To foster a fair, impartial process, please do not contact the synod office with anything regarding the election of our next bishop. Please contact the co-chairs (Rev. Nancy Raabe & Jason Xiong) at scswbishopelection2018@gmail.com or Synod Vice President Robin Cherwinka at cherwinka@tds.net (608-832-6388).  

Profiles of Pre-Identified Persons - NOW AVAILABLE Now that the pre-identification process is complete, we move into a time of “Pre-Assembly Discernment.” The biographical information of the ten pre-identified ELCA ministers of Word and Sacrament who desire to continue in this process were posted on Friday, March 16, 2018. It’s important to note that these are NOT nominations. Voting members of the synod assembly will be asked to nominate any ELCA minister of Word and Sacrament on the first ballot of the election. The profiles are available here: https://scswbishopelection.org/profiles. Sign up for Email Updates from the Bishop Election Task Force Communications about the election will be sent from the task force directly. If you wish to receive these messages, sign up at: https://mailchi.mp/c53d3ca6ef4f/scswbishopelection2018. Farewell & Gratitude Reception for Bishop Mary Froiland - Watch for the Invitation This Week! An invitation to all rostered, committee leaders, and congregations will be emailed out this week for the farewell reception for Bishop Froiland. Please watch for it. Those registered for synod assembly are automatically registered for the banquet, so this invitation is especially important for people who will not be attending synod assembly either as a voting member or visitor and wish to attend the farewell reception. This is the only reception the synod will be holding for Bishop Froiland, so if you want to attend the banquet, call the synod office by April 14 to register. There is a $35 cost to attend the banquet. (608) 270-0201. We ask congregations to publish the invitation in your newsletters or share within your settings in a way that will reach your non-assembly members.

LINK TO REV. RUBEN DURAN’S PRESENTATION The presentation of our Keynote speaker at LEAD, Rev. Ruban Duran, can now be found on the synod website. You can download both his keynote and his workshop from the LEAD page on the EVENTS tab at www.scsw-elca.org. Provided below is a quick link to that page: http://www.scsw-elca.org/lead.aspx

“The Daily Life of a Christian” - Next Diakonia Class Starts April 21 - All Are Welcome! A Message from Instructor Rev. JoAnn Fabie About the Class: The Daily Life of a Christian is as varied as the person who lives it. This class will explore the ways Christians find helpful to the ordinary interaction of every day life. We all have people we like as well as those we don't. What skills can we learn in order to see the face of Christ in others and the ways we can reflect the face of Christ in a world where the Christian faith is hardly considered. You have heard the words, "You shall know the truth and The truth will make you free.” Someone wisely said, "You shall know the truth and the truth will make you odd." I teach this class to celebrate the oddness as well as the most precious value of being Christian, the goal of this class is to impart courage in the fact that to be a disciple means discipline. As Christians we sign on to a life we willingly relinquish to God's molding and mining. This is the task of our lifetime. As a good friend once said, "Our baptism is only completed at our death.” To be exact, I would have to say that my ministry began the day I was baptized. However, the full effect was not felt until I was twelve and having the most wonderful time at church camp in the Sawtooth mountains. That was when I knew I wanted to follow Jesus. I thought everyone there would want to follow Jesus, and the fact that not everyone was so inclined - Well, I found that odd, the first of many oddities. As a retired pastor and quite out of the mainstream, I am so encouraged and inspired by the capable pastors of our synod. I am truly happy to relax in the calm backwaters. However, my baptism is not yet complete and I rest on no past glories. I am vitally interested in God's Word for us today. It is as important as it has ever been. We are not a peaceful people. The Kingdom of God may be purposely hidden, but it must never be ignored. For the message of the Gospel is simply a message lived for the sake of life or ignored at the price of death. I look forward with eager anticipation for our time together. Pastor JoAnn Fabie. ______________________________________________________ Class schedule: Saturday mornings, 9:00 am - Noon

Dates: April 21, 28, May 12, 19 and June 2

Location: Trinity Lutheran Church, 1904 Winnebago Street, Madison

First time students: To sign up for a class, fill out a registration form, have your pastor sign it and send it with a check for $85. (Registration fee is $25 and Class Fee is $60) Future classes taken will require just the class fee.

Mail to: South-Central Synod of WI, 6401 Odana Road, Suite 20, Madison, WI 53719

Forms and course descriptions are available at: http://www.scsw-elca.org/diakonia.aspx

Or they are available by contacting Barb Zimmerman at 608-535-0264, or email: scswdiakonia@gmail.com

Here  I  am  Lord,  Send  Me!  

Recovery and Hope: A Town Hall Meeting - Saturday, April 28 - Hosted by New Life Church (Madison) Lately we cannot go long without hearing about the opioid epidemic/mental health crisis. The number one killer of all people under 50 is now death due to addiction. It has been the number one killer of our youth since 2013. As we are bombarded with these startling statistics, many of us are trying to understand our role in the problem. We are in a position to see what is happening but not understanding what we should be doing. On April 28, 2018 at New Life Church, Safe Communities, in conjunction with Parent Addiction Network, will be giving you concrete ways to get involved and help stem the tide of this epidemic. Why You should Make Time for This Event - You Will Receive:

• An Explanation of strategic intervention techniques,

• An Understanding of integrated services and the importance of them

• Networking opportunities and

• A viewing of a documentary targeting high school youth with a corresponding curriculum, and providing insights and suggestions for helping families affected by this disease. The documentary, Straightforward: The Truth About Addiction, was created by WisconsinEye and Skye Tikkanen for the important purpose of reaching our high school youth. As addiction numbers skyrocket it is imperative we understand the disease, the stigma attached and what our responsibilities are within the community to help.

Please join us!

Recovery and Hope: A Town Hall Meeting

Saturday, April 28, 2018

8:30 AM - Noon Program

Noon - 1:30 PM Viewing of Straightforward: The Truth About Addiction

New Life Church

7564 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, WI 53718

Free and open to the public. Lunch provided.

Please RSVP by Thursday, April 26th to 608-441-4060 or info@safercommunity.net.

All Collaborative Partners, Friends, Pastors and Members of the Supporting Congregations Of Triangle Community Ministry Are Invited to the Triangle Community Ministry Annual Meeting Saturday, April 7, 2018 8:45 to 11 a.m. At Lake Edge Lutheran Church 4032 Monona Drive., Monona, WI 53716 Coffee and Refreshments Included ~ Please come! To R.S.V.P. or for more information, please contact Meg Nielsen, Outreach Development Manager, at TriangleMinistry@sbcglobal.net. View the Annual Report at www.TriangleMinistry.com after April 7. Why Attend this Meeting? Read their story in a past issue of Walking Together to learn more about this church without walls and wonderful ministry supported in part by congregations in our synod. Together with two wo of our rostered ministers of Word and Service, Deacons Judy Nolde and Meg Nielsen, we are the heart and hands of Jesus for this unique community. Find out how your congregation can get involved in this important work! http://www.triangleministry.com/PDF/SCSW_WalkingTogether_June2015.pdf

The next High School Rise-up Night is Sunday, April 8, 2018 - 5pm-8pm at St. John's Lutheran Church - 625 E. Netherwood St., Oregon, WI For this Rise-up Night we are EXTENDING OUR TIME together to include conversation with Molly Beck Dean, Director of the ELCA Youth Gathering who will be joining us from the ELCA Churchwide Office in Chicago. By adding an hour we will still be able to delve into the “Gathering for Advocacy” curriculum that is assigned for April. High School Rise Up Nights are an opportunity for youth to gather from across our

synod. Each evening is from 5pm-8pm and includes dinner, ($3/person donation is suggested). Come as often as you are able. These events are open to EVERYONE in our Synod who is in high school and/or going to the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas. April Theme: “Gathering For Advocacy” (For more information on the themes, visit: https://tinyurl.com/elcagatheringgrm) Please RSVP via Facebook or to Jen Kooistra at jenk@sjlserve.org.

Registration is still open and you can find that information and SO MUCH MORE online at www.elca.org/gathering. Need help? Have questions? Wondering what to do now that you are registered? Contact Synod Coordinator, Jason Xiong, at scsw.elcayg@gmail.com or (608) 257-3577, ext. 339 or (608) 381-2861. All the information you need such as timelines, forms, meetings, and more can be found on the synod website.

Visit: http://scsw-elca.org/ELCA_Youth_Gathering.aspx

Important timelines to watch: April 28, 2018 - SCSW Synod Pre-Gathering Event @ Lutherdale May 15, 2018 - Final Registration Deadline & Synod Bus Final Payments Due

Seminary Sampler Night at The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

Wednesday, April 18th from 4:00 to 8:30 p.m.

God’s world is in need of strong leaders for an ever-changing church. Perhaps you are considering a call to public ministry. Perhaps someone is urging you to consider a call to public ministry. Perhaps you are simply wondering how you might continue to serve this world in need but are uncertain of the next steps. If you find yourself wondering any of the above or beyond, consider coming to this event!

You will get a taste for life as a seminary student and as a member of the LSTC community. Dinner will be provided! Housing, travel stipends, and childcare are available.

Visit www.lstc.edu/admissions/visit to register. Or if none of the Seminary Sampler dates works for you, contact us to schedule an individual visit! We look forward to seeing you here this Spring!

Volunteer Opportunity With Oakwood Lutheran Senior Ministries If you have musical talent, please consider volunteering for Hymn Sing on Saturday morning 9:45 am – 10:45 am or Monday afternoon 3:40 pm – 4:40 pm at Oakwood Village memory care. In addition, Aviary volunteer assistants are needed to help with caretaking of birds in the assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing aviaries twice a week in the morning or afternoon. Training is provided and scheduling is negotiable. For more information, contact Volunteer Services Coordinator Kim Viney at (608)230-4238 or kim.viney@oakwoodvillage.net

Join Us for Worship In the Synod Office Chapel Every Thursday at Noon – All Are Welcome! We gather for worship and holy communion on Thursdays. Please join us! Each week a different preacher from our synod leads worship. Come and be fed in body and spirit. Brown bag lunch and fellowship immediately following if you are able at 12:30. Our address is: 6401 Odana Road, Suite 20, Madison, WI 53719

For schedule, information on Pre-Gathering Celebration and to register: https://tinyurl.com/SCSWYG All groups heading to the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering are invited to join us for a day (or overnight) of fellowship, learning, and worship as we prepare for our Gathering experience.

We will also have intentional breakout sessions where adult leaders can learn more about the Gathering and ask questions to prepare groups for the best possible experience in Houston.  

Featuring Special Guests! We are excited to be welcoming AGAPE* and Joe Davis to join us.

AGAPE* (Dave Scherer) has inspired hundreds of thousands of people from Brooklyn to Bosnia with his relational ministry "Hip Hop Outreach." Learn more at:

www.hiphopoutreach.com.

Joe Davis is a nationally touring writer, speaker, and performer based in Minneapolis, MN. He is the frontman of emerging soul, funk, and spoken word ensemble, The Poetic Diaspora, and the co-founder and Artistic Director of H-Cubed: Harrison, Healing, and Harmony, a monthly event series centered on healing through the arts.. Learn more at: www.joedavispoetry.com

2018 ELCA Youth Gathering "Blast off for Books" Book Drive

The Gathering has recognized the need to lift up literacy in Houston. In joining the Gathering's Blast Off for Books campaign, you will help ensure bright futures for Houston’s students. The books you donate will be distributed at community book fairs, camps and other events around the city as part of the Gathering’s Service Learning experience. By putting books in the hand’s of Houston’s economically disadvantaged students, you can help change lives.

The list of books can be found on the ELCA’s website: http://bit.ly/BlastOffForBooks

We will be collecting books as a synod and will transport them to Houston with the synod buses. So, please begin collecting books and you may bring them to the April 28 Pre-Gathering event at Lutherdale OR you may drop them off at Bethel Lutheran in Madison on June 23, 2018 from 10am-12pm and we will load them into vans and will drive them down. If your group is traveling on the synod bus, flying to Houston OR even if your congregation is not attending the Gathering you are welcome to collect books and drop them off in order to be included in this important in-kind offering.

SYNOD SPEAKER’S BUREAU WELCOMES HOME REV. KIRSTEN FRYER! Rostered and deployed Minister of our synod, Rev. Kirsten Fryer, serving at St. Andrews United Church of Cairo, will be returning to Wisconsin once again and will be available to tell her story in congregations in July of her life-giving ministry in Cairo, Egypt. Her schedule fills up fast, so if you would like to arrange

a visit in your church or in your community, please contact her at kirsten.fryer@elca.org In the meantime, Kirsten writes: Peace Lutheran Church in Waunakee, Wisconsin is pondering questions about radical kinship during Lent. They asked me “How might the concept of “radical kinship” effect how we view the world..ie what we focus on? How we act and move in the world?” Here’s what I said: Click on the link to read Kirsten’s newsletter that includes the response to this question and more updates!: http://www.scsw-elca.org/special_messages.aspx

Steensland House Announcement Now Renting the Steensland House: A Service-Learning Community located adjacent to Bethel Lutheran Church in the heart of downtown Madison, just blocks from the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Luxury living at a discounted price for service minded individuals. 3 and 4 bedroom apartments available starting August 2018. For more information, check out our website at steenslandhouse.org

Speaker’s  Bureau  

South  Central  Wisconsin  Synodical  Women’s  Organization   Women of the ELCA 2018 April Conference Spring Gatherings

Barneveld Conference - 4/7 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Richland Center, 479 South Park St. Registration beginning at 8:30, program at 9 am about Tutapona Ministry, followed by lunch. Cost $5 for lunch. Beloit Conference – 4/7 at Central Lutheran Church, 100 W. Rollin Street, Edgerton, 8:30 to 12:30. Theme is “Women of God Walk in Light to Love and Serve”. Offering will go to medical supplies in Cameroon in western Africa. Coordinator is Marge Johnson, 608-884-3603. East/West Conference – 4/14 at Lake Edge Lutheran Church, 4032 Monona Drive, Madison. Registration beginning at 8:30, lunch after morning program. Elkhorn Conference – 4/14 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Rome, W1956 Main St., Sullivan. Registration beginning at 8:30 am, program about UPVIM (United for a Better Life), followed by a salad luncheon at noon. Southwest Conference – 4/14 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Boscobel. Registration & brunch at 9 am, program follows of “History of Aprons” & “Fill Your Cup” presented by Suzanne Bartels. Bring your favorite apron. In-kind gifts will be collected for Family Advocates, a Grant County women’s shelter. Baraboo Conference – 4/21 at Zion Lutheran in Rock Springs. Registration beginning at 8:30, lunch after morning program. Monroe Conference - 4/21 at Wiota Lutheran Church in South Wayne. Registration beginning at 9:30, Meeting at 10 am, Lunch at noon with entertainment by The Junction Jammers. Cost $5 Women, You are Invited to Attend the 2018 Elkhorn Conference Spring Gathering “Serving God and ALL Around Us” “But be doers of the Word, and not merely hearers.” James 1:22 Saturday, April 14, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. through noon Luncheon (Registration/Refreshments beginning 8:30 a.m.)

Host church: St. Luke’s Lutheran Church (Village of Rome, Highway F) 1956 Main Street, Sullivan, WI Morning agenda Fellowship • Synodical women’s update • Jane Harrison from “UPAVIM” • Worship & Song • Raising awareness on the problem of Human Trafficking • Election of Officers

For lunch, bring a salad to pass (one for every two attendees). A free-will offering will be collected for “UPAVIM” and the Synodical board - HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! Please RSVP the number attending from your church group by April 6th to Lois Bente 920-674-4769 or email: vnlbente@sbcglobal.net

WHAT MATTERS - Keep Your Leaders Connected to Synod News, Learning Events and Resources! As you elect new council members at your annual meetings, please send us their email addresses so that we can add them to the What Matters distribution! Of course, ask them first! Send them to Synod Communicator, Deacon Vicki Hanrahan at vickih@scsw-elca.org and she will add them before the next issue of What Matters is emailed. Thank you!

PASTOR LEADERSHIP SEMINAR FOR ALL AREA CLERGY – April – November For more information or to register contact: Rev. Dan Feaster, Samaritan Counseling Center Phone: 608-663-0763 ext. 200 E-mail: dfeaster@samaritancounselingcenterwi.org The Samaritan Center of Southern Wisconsin, announces a Pastor Leadership Seminar for all area clergy. The Seminar's goal is to improve leadership skills for today's ministry. Clergy present case studies of challenging situations in their churches, which require their leadership. Participants then receive peer feedback for fresh perspectives. Some readings, specifically focused on pastoral leadership will be discussed. A Family Systems Theory Model will also be utilized. The agenda for the group includes case leadership presentation and book discussion along with other topics determined by the participants. The leadership seminar will be led by Dan Feaster, executive director and pastoral counselor of the Samaritan Counseling Center. Sessions will be held on Wednesdays once a month, from 11 AM -2 PM (working lunch) April through November for a total of eight sessions. Fee for the leadership group is $300. Some possible topics might include: • How do I deal with difficult members? • What are some effective ways of resolving

conflict without being victimized? • How do I continue to pastor when I am running

out of energy or becoming discouraged? • How can I better accept my limitations as a

person?

• How do I deal with my emotions when ministering in tragic situations?

• How do I develop cooperative leadership strategies with my co-pastor?

• How do I survive in a system, which is consuming me?

• How do I retire from a vocation?

HOLD THE DATE! JUNE 9, 2018 SOUTH-CENTRAL SYNOD OF WISCONSIN STEEPLE TO STEEPLE RIDE FOR HUNGER RIDE STARTS AND STOPS AT ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN CHURCH (FITCHBURG) Registration is Open! http://www.scsw-elca.org/hunger_ride.aspx Last year, the ride raised over $4,000 for ELCA World Hunger. We hope to continue the success of this ride so that all who are hungry are fed! When you support ELCA World Hunger, you are supporting

life-giving work of providing microloans to start businesses, animal husbandry, clean water through the building of water wells and so much more. Put this date on your calendar and let’s all ride together to end hunger! Promotional kits will be available at Synod Assembly for Congregations and we will be posting links to posters and bulletin inserts to help you communicate this ministry opportunity in your congregations…keep an eye on What Matters for these tools!

Holy Land Travel - Join Pastor Nick Utphall of Advent Lutheran Church for This Outstanding Trip! Explore the locations of Jesus’ last week, learn how Lutherans are working for the healing of Jerusalem, and more. Pastor Nick Utphall of Advent Lutheran in Madison is leading a trip to the Holy Land, open to members of the synod and others, November 2-12 with a cost of $3189 (including

flights, accommodations, tours, and most meals). You can find the itinerary and information through this link, https://gtd.org/postpdfbrochure/181104.pdf and registration is now open at that website also. Please contact Nick at mccnick@tds.net if you’re interested or with questions. An informational meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 29 at the church, 7118 Old Sauk Rd near West Towne Mall. Editor’s note: Pastor Nick Utphall serves on the synod’s Holy Land Advocacy Team and has made several trips to the Holy Land. This is an opportunity of a lifetime! Campaign for the ELCA and the Million Dollar Mission Jar Challenge. How is Your Congregation Doing? Pastor Sara Gillespie shares how St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mayville met the challenge! She writes:

“Tom Kempf attended Synod Assembly last year as a voting member, where he heard Bishop Mary challenge the synod to collect money for the ELCA-wide Million Dollar Challenge. He was interested in taking it back to our congregation, and encouraged to do so by then interim pastor, Joy Mortenson-Wiebe, and additional encouragement from Bishop Mary Froiland.”

Three of our younger members helped collect the money each week after worship. Tom led the congregational effort to raise over $1,000!” Well done people of St. Paul Lutheran Church! You are an Inspiration! Thank you to our congregations that have already sent in their offerings. We will accept offerings throughout the year; however, if you want your offering to be included in the total that we will celebrate at our Synod Assembly this year, please send your offering to the synod office by March 31. Send it to: South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, ELCA/6401 Odana Road, Suite 20/Madison, WI 53719. At our 2017 Synod Assembly, our synod launched the Million Dollar Mission Jar Challenge to raise money in support of the Campaign for the ELCA so that together, we as the ELCA can continue God’s good work in ways that we could simply not do alone. Target Date: March 31 Remember to be included in the celebration at Synod Assembly, please send your Million Dollar Mission Jar Challenge offerings to the synod office by March 31. Make payable to SCSW and put MISSION JAR CHALLENGE in the memo!

Cris Plata With Extra Hot to perform Benefit Concert for Victims of Hurricane Maria Cris Plata With Extra Hot will perform a benefit concert to assist victims of Hurricane Maria, on Sunday, April 15 at 2:00pm at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 7337 Hubbard Avenue, Middleton. Advance sale tickets are $15.00 and available now at brownpapertickets.com. Tickets will also be sold at the door. For more information, please contact Randy Riemer, rriemer@stlukes-elca.org

Positions in Our Synod We are happy to help promote your positions. Please submit 100 words or less to Deacon Vicki Hanrahan, Synod Communicator, email: vickih@scsw-elca.org Please notify Vicki when the position has been filled so that we can keep this list current. Thanks! Full-Time Director of Music - Luther Memorial (Madison) Luther Memorial, Madison is seeking a full-time dire(ctor of music. Applications are due May 1, 2018. For a position description and application information, please go to their website at www.luthermem.org or call Pastor Brad Pohlman 608-258-3160 for more information. (03/20/18)

Lutherdale – Elkhorn WI, Seeks Full-time Operations/Facilities Manager If you like working in a fast paced and growing ministry and have the skills to care for our 52 acre campus with 25 buildings, consider joining our dedicated ministry team. There is never a dull day around here. Last year 13,000 people participated in one of our many programs. Visit our website at www.lutherdale.org to learn more about the ministry of Lutherdale. Click on the EMPLOYMENT page for a link to a full job description. Qualified candidates can apply by emailing/sending a cover letter and resume to:Jeff Bluhm, Executive Director jeff@lutherdale.org N7891 US Hwy 12, Elkhorn, WI 53121 (03/07/18)

Bethel Horizons Camp and Retreat Center, Seeks Full-time Property Manager This 49 year old ELCA camp is seeking a full-time Property Manager to help care for and maintain the 548 acres and facilities of Bethel Horizons. Join a staff of 8-10 full time staff that provide the support and programming for Bethel Horizons. Compensation will be commensurate with education and experience. Respond with a cover letter, resume and 3 references by February 15, 2018 to Eric Knueve, Bethel Horizons, Dodgeville, Wisconsin, 53593 at ericknueve@bethelhorizons.org. Link to the job description is at http://www.bethelhorizons.org/who-we-are/employment/. (01/16/18) Lutheran Social Services Seeking Help - Do YOU have a Gift for Helping Others? Part-time work available helping children and adolescents with special needs in Green County learn independence and social skills. Must be 18 years old or better. Requires previous experience, paid or unpaid, and a Caregiver’s Background Check. Would be interviewed by the family as family is employer; paid by CLTS waiver via direct deposit. Please contact: Emily Klunick, service coordination with Lutheran Social Services to indicate your interest, experience, availability and best time to contact. Thank you! Emily’s phone: 608-328-9496; Email: eklunick@lsswis.org. (12/12/17)

Lutheran Church of Peace (Platteville) Youth and Family Ministry Coordinator Needed To develop and strengthen the youth of the church in their faith, relationship with God and knowledge of the Bible through fellowship, milestones of faith and service/mission work. Responsibilities include; coordinating youth activities, Sunday school curriculum, Organize planned activities such as youth group, Christmas program, milestones of faith (including confirmation assistant), mission trip and fundraisers. Develop and monitor the Youth and Family Ministry Budget. Previous experience working with youth preferred. Position is 10-20 hours per week. Please send a letter of interest with a resume to 1345 N. Water Street Platteville, WI 53818 (11/29/17)

Part-Time Youth and Family Ministry Director – New Hope Lutheran Church (Blanchardville / Hollandale) Seeking an individual gifted in working with youth and who values cross-generational learning and social opportunities to coordinate faith formation for youth and families. We are looking for an individual who has a heart for sharing God's love with all people. The desired candidate will work with the pastor, staff, and volunteers to plan and carry out faith formation experiences for youth and their families. Experience working in a church setting or in education is helpful. This position is 15 hours/week and while hours are mostly flexible, work on Wednesday evenings and Sundays is required. A full job description is available at newhopelutheran.info (10/12/17) Wisconsin Council of Churches Employment Opportunities https://www.wichurches.org/resources/employment-opportunities/

Pre-Retirement Seminar - Monday, May 7 - ELCA Lutheran Center (Chicago)- Register by April 7! If you're over age 50 and within 15 years of retirement, our pre-retirement seminars and webinars are a great way to get planning off to a strong start or keep the momentum going. The seminar answers the important questions you may have about retirement, including: • How much money will I need when I retire? • What health care options will I have in retirement? • As I approach retirement, how can I manage my investment risks? • How can money be distributed from my ELCA retirement account to create a steady stream of income in retirement? Date: Monday, May 7th, 2018 (additional dates and locations are listed at: https://porticobenefits.org/NewsEvents/Events/Pre-RetirementSeminars) Location: Churchwide, ELCA Lutheran Center, 8765 W. Higgins Road, Chicago, IL Time: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Cost: $35/person or $70/couple. Breakfast and lunch are included. Register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chicago-pre-retirement-seminar-tickets-39087301170 Last Day to Register: April 7, 2018

HYMN Sing at East Koshkonong Lutheran Church - April 22 - 2:30 pm Celebrating the Music of Martin Luther, East Koshkonong Lutheran Church invites you to join them for Congregational Hymns, Soloists, Duets, Church Choirs and Pastoral Meditations with a Reception Following. East Koshkonong Lutheran Church 454 East Church Road Cambridge, WI 53523 (608) 423-3017 eklc@bminet.com www.eastkoshkonong.org

Reconciled in Christ Synod One of the resolutions that we passed at synod assembly re-affirms us as a Reconciling in Christ Synod. If your congregation would like to acknowledge this in your communications, you will find this to be the official logo. If you would like assistance with the process of becoming a Reconciled in Christ congregation, please contact Bishop Mary at the synod

office. maryf@scsw-elca.org or call 608-270-0201.

At-A-Glance Future Synod Events: Please see the Congregational Events page on the Synod’s EVENTS page of the website for more events that will be hosted by congregations of our synod. Thanks! http://www.scsw-elca.org/congregational_events.aspx April 7 - Diakonia Practical Ministry Class - Trinity (Madison) April 10 - Sharing Makes Us Stronger: Multi-Staff Church Event - Luther Memorial (Madison) April 14 - Diakonia Practical Ministry Class - Trinity (Madison) April 21 - Diakonia “The Daily Life of a Christian” - Trinity (Madison) April 22 - Racial Equity Ministry Event - “Immigration & Citizenship” - New Life (Madison) April 27 - Optional Retreat for ELCA Youth Gathering Pre-Gathering Celebration - Lutherdale (Elkhorn) April 28- ELCA Youth Gathering SCSW Pre-Gathering Celebration - Lutherdale Camp (Elkhorn) April 28 - Diakonia “The Daily Life of a Christian” - Trinity (Madison) May 5 & 6 – Synod Assembly 2018 – Kalahari, Wisconsin Dells May 12 - Diakonia “The Daily Life of a Christian” - Trinity (Madison) May 19 - Diakonia “The Daily Life of a Christian” - Trinity (Madison) June 2 - Diakonia “The Daily Life of a Christian” - Trinity (Madison) Saturday, June 9 - Steeple to Steeple Ride for Hunger! For a listing of more synod-wide events, visit: http://www.scsw-elca.org/events_synod_wide.aspx

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: http://www.scsw-elca.org/congregations_in_transition.aspx

PRAYERS Ministry Partners:

• Jennifer Prinz, Representative of Portico Benefit Services in Minneapolis, MN • Rev. Michael Short, Director, UW-Platteville Campus Ministry in Platteville • Rev. Kerri Parker, Executive Director of Wisconsin Council of Churches in Sun Prairie, WI  

Pastors and Congregations in our Synod:

§ Rev. Jeff Tomberlin, Interim Pastor, and members of St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Cross Plains

§ Rev. Jasmine Tesdahl and members of Faith Lutheran Church in Cuba City

Neighboring Synods: • Bishop B. Kirby Unti and the congregations of the Northwest Washington Synod, ELCA

Churchwide Partners:

• Ms. Prairie Rose Seminole, Program Director, American Indian Alaska Native, Domestic Mission at the ELCA Lutheran Center, Chicago, IL

• Ms. Annette Shoemaker, Director, ELCA Foundation, Mission Advancement at the ELCA Lutheran Center, Chicago, IL

We give thanks at this time for the ministry of those who celebrate their anniversary of Ordination during this coming week:

• Mary Pharmer, March 29, 1987, Retired in Madison, mompharm@yahoo.com

We give thanks at this time for the ministry of those who celebrate their anniversary of Commissioning: None this week. May these ministry leaders continue to be blessed for service!

Receive exciting stories of our ministry together, timely news updates and invitations to learning and ministry opportunities in the synod. The synod staff’s hope is to reach everyone in the pews with What Matters and Walking Together: Faith for Our Journey. Sign up online for synod e-news today! http://bit.ly/SynodNews

Like Us on Facebook and you’ll share in awesome ministry by congregations in your synod, share great ideas and be inspired with selected scripture from your synod staff. 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. Share your news. If you have something you would like considered for publication in What Matters,

send it to Communications & Event Manager, Deacon Vicki Hanrahan, at vickih@scsw-elca.org. 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.