"Seasons of Growth" 🌱

Assembly season has come to a close, and I am truly grateful for your unwavering care and compassion as we work together in faith and service. This year we reflected on the theme ‘Building, Learning, Growing’ and I am looking forward to the continual work we will do together.

June is a month of growth—flowers bloom, gardens thrive, and the world seems to come alive with vibrant colors. Although my family ran a landscaping company for over a century, my teenage and early adult years were marked by a distinct lack of a green thumb. Friends would chuckle as I tried, and often failed, to nurture even the hardiest of plants. Despite my love and care (and perhaps a little too much water), my poor plants would meet their demise within weeks, sometimes even days.

Over the last year, however, I've been focusing on personal growth and self-care. I've embraced new hobbies, played more disc golf, and to my surprise, my plant collection (pictured here) has flourished. Some might call it an obsession, but I prefer to think of it as a beautiful hobby that fills my days with joy (and perhaps a bit of dirt under my fingernails). 😊

Just as the natural world grows and flourishes in June, God calls us to grow in our faith and love for Him. In 2 Peter 3:18, we are encouraged to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Just as plants need water, sunlight, and pruning to thrive, we need to nourish our relationship with God through prayer, studying the word, and connecting with one another.

As you tend to your gardens or admire the beauty of nature this June, remember that you, too, are on a journey of continual growth. Embrace the process, learn from your experiences, and let the love of Christ guide your path. And if you stumble along the way, just remember that it’s all part of the journey!

Alongside you,

Marie Leafblad, Associate to the Bishop for Leadership Support

You are invited!! We are so excited to share the synod office space and to celebrate our partnership with Lakeview Lutheran Church!

Synod Office Open House

Saturday, June 15, 12:00pm to 2:00pm

Lakeview Lutheran Church

(4001 Mandrake Rd., Madison, WI 53704)

We'll have a cookout lunch, opportunities to tour and explore the synod office space, and other games and activities.

We will conclude our time together with a blessing and dedication of the new synod office.

Just for fun - the "Best Dish" contest! Bring your very best potluck dish and see who will win the "Best of the SCSW"! A fabulous prize from the synod office archive awaits the winner.

Click the button below for a PDF flyer to print and share with your congregation.

We hope to see you there!

The 2024 South-Central Synod of Wisconsin Synod Assembly was held on May 18 at First Lutheran in Janesville.

Thank you to all who attended, all who volunteered time, talent, and energy to help make the assembly a meaningful experience, and all who prayed for us before, during, and after the assembly.

Click here to view a brief recap video of the assembly. Thank you to Taylor Ramsey from Bethlehem Lutheran in Brodhead for the video and photos from the assembly!

Click here to view or review the assembly recap email that was sent out on May 22.

Click the button below for a printable recap bulletin insert.

The Office of the Bishop is compiling a "Synod Resource List" made for congregations, by congregations. The resource list will be made up of vendors your congregation has used before and wants to recommend to others. The hope is to provide a list of trusted vendors for synod congregations to consider when such services are needed. Please make sure to only recommend a vendor or resource that you have used with your congregation and would recommend to others.

Click the button below to submit your recommendation.

Questions? Contact Rev. Peter Beeson, Associate to the Bishop for Generosity.

Thank you to all who have submitted recommendations thus far!

A reminder that the even though we have moved into our new physical space, the synod office mailing address has NOT changed. Please continue to address all mail to:

P.O. Box 14496

Madison, WI 53708

Please do not use the Mandrake Road address for mail for the synod office. Thank you!

Join high school youth and young adults from around Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to explore your interests in social justice.

October 4-6, 2024

Pine Lake Camp

(W5631 Akron Ave, Waupaca, WI)

How is our faith connected to our seeking justice? Develop concrete ways to use your voice for positive change with faith and hope, and build relationships with other youth interested in advocacy in Wisconsin and the U.P.

Some of what we will focus on includes Environmental Justice, Gun Violence, Women’s Rights, and LGBTQ+ Rights. Let’s hear more about what you’re interested in!

This event is being hosted by LOPPW and all six ELCA synods with congregations in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan: East Central Synod of Wisconsin, Greater Milwaukee Synod, La Crosse Area Synod, Northern Great Lakes Synod, Northwest Synod of Wisconsin, and South-Central Synod of Wisconsin.

Click the button below to download a flyer with more information, or click here to view the event on the LOPPW website.

LUAD (Lutherans United Assisting after Disasters), a ministry team of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, has shared their June newsletter.

Click the button below to read the the June 2024 LUAD newsletter.

In additional LUAD news, at this year's Synod Assembly the Rev. Steve Kottke was presented with the Founders Award, given to those who have made significant and lasting contributions to the work and ministry of LUAD (pictured right).

The next LUAD council meeting is June 9, held via Zoom. All members of congregations and ministries in our synod are welcome to attend. See the newsletter for details about how you and your congregation can connect!

ELCA Region 5 (the synods of Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and the Nothern Great Lakes Synod) will gather in satellite locations for a combined boundaries education day for rostered ministers on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 9:00am to 3:00pm (lunch will be provided).

Participation in boundaries education defines expectations for professional ethics and conduct. The desired outcome is that these annual region-wide professional development offerings will allow for higher-quality events and adherence to best practices.

Satellite locations for the SCSW will be announced and registration will open in early August 2024. The cost for registration will be $100.

Below is a learning opportunity that the Office of the Bishop has been made aware of, that may be of interest to our rostered or lay leaders.

The Madison Learning Community, in partnership with the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, is offering "Leading Thriving Churches," a course that explores faithful and effective practices for leading Christian churches toward thriving.

The course includes online and in-person training.

The course will be co-taught by Scott Carlson (WI UMC Director of Congregational Development) and the Rev. Dr. Marcus Allen (pastor of the largest historically Black church in Madison - Mt. Zion). The Rev. Dr. Allen is an up-and-coming leader who recently preached at the state's MLK day event at the Capitol, and is President of the African American Council of Churches in Madison. 

Click the button below to learn more and to register.