September 16, 2021 - Registration Opens Next Week! - South-Central Synod of Wisconsin
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September 16, 2021
Registration Opens Next Week!
Every three years, 30,000 high school youth and their adult leaders from across the ELCA
gather for a week of faith formation known as the ELCA Youth Gathering. Through days
spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow
in faith and are challenged and inspired to live their faith in their daily lives. The 2022 ELCA
Youth Gathering will take place July 24-28 in Minneapolis, MN.
Registration opens next Wednesday, September 22 and runs through May 22, 2022
(although the registration costs are dependent upon when you register).
Here are (we hope) all the links to information you will need to learn more about the
Gathering and get your group registered and ready:
• Gathering Handbook: A handy downloadable PDF guidebook for helping
congregations prepare for the Gathering. This resource has been updated for the 2022
Gathering.• Gathering FAQ's: If you have a question - start here. This page has an organized list
of detailed information and answers to the most frequently asked Gathering questions.
• Congregational Registration Page: All ELCA congregations are eligible to register for
the Gathering. Congregations should select one adult to serve as the primary adult
leader. The primary leader will coordinate registration, payments, transportation and
rooming lists for the group. Youth who are in 8th to 12th grade at the time of
registration (Fall 2021) are eligible to attend. Adult leaders must be at least 21 at the
time of the Gathering. The recommended ratio is one adult for every seven youth.
• COVID-19 Related Gathering Information: This page is updated periodically with
updates from Gathering leadership as to the Gathering's response to the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic. *Note that the most recent update (September 15) includes
information on vaccine and testing requirements for attending the 2022 ELCA Youth
Gathering.
• Gathering Webinars: The leadership of the Gathering hosts monthly webinars with a
specific topic related to the Gathering. Here you can find recordings of all past
webinars and the dates and registration links for upcoming webinars and topics.
• SCSW Synod Gathering Page: Our synod website has some great resources
available including the recording of the Adult Leader Webinar we hosted earlier this
summer along with some helpful information sheets and an important dates list.
• New Heights Lutheran church in Black Earth, WI is so excited to be hosting this
season's first SCSW High School Youth Gathering on October 24 from
12:30-3:30pm! A portion of this event will be a worship time including 3-4 songs and a
short message from Bishop Joy. We are looking to put together a Synod HS Praise
Band to help facilitate this worship time. Rehearsals for this group will happen from
11:15am-12:15pm the morning of October 24 (before congregations arrive for the
12:30 event). Please fill out this form to be contacted with more information on the
synod band! Registration Form: https://forms.gle/SM2X4eg7QXBXChMA9"
Synod Bus Transportation
We are excited to again be offering
congregations one less thing to have to
worry about: travel to & from Minneapolis
for the Gathering. The synod will be
offering motor coach transportation for
groups who want to enjoy the ride while
meeting others from our synod also
attending the Gathering. Reservations
for the buses will start being accepted
NEXT Friday, September 24. The cost
per person is only $90.00 round-trip.
You can find full details and the link to
reserve your group's space on the synod
website at:
https://scsw-elca.org/elcayg2022/
Have Questions? Need Help?
Feeling Lost?
If you need help with anything, literally
anything Gathering related, contact us.Seriously...no question is off limits! We
are ready to help you find the information
you need to make sure you have a
successful Gathering experience from
now until we return (and beyond)!
Jason Poole-Xiong Marie Leafblad
Synod Coordinator Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership
2022 ELCA Youth Gathering Support
Email: jasonx@scsw-elca.org Email: mariel@scsw-elca.org
Phone (Call/Text): 847-893-9226 Phone: 608-270-0201
Retired Rostered Leaders and
Spouses
Our next gathering via zoom is
Thursday, Sept.16
10:30am - 12:00pm
Click here for more information.
Lutheran World Relief Ingathering - Boxcar Loading
THIS SATURDAY!
The date of this years Ingathering boxcar loading will be:
Saturday, September 18th from 7-11am
Madison WI SO Railyard
1890 East Johnson St.
Madison, WI
If you have any questions please contact site coordinator
Bob Topel 608-831-4556
*Please note: They are no longer collecting loose soap or fleece tied blankets.
Bring one form with to the train station and keep one form for your church.
Form & Packing Instructions Directions & Additional Information
Synod Office Needs Assessment
The lease at the synod office is up in July 2022. We need to decide whether to renew the
lease by the end of 2021. We would appreciate your input as our task force evaluates this
decision. Please fill out the form below and respond by September 21st. Thank you!
Needs Assessment Form
Join us at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday,
September 21st for a very specialEquipping the Saints Webinar where we will
welcome ELCA Youth Gathering staff who
will share insights and details on preparing
your congregation for the Gathering. There
will also be time to ask questions and learn
from others!
Keep up with the latest news from the ELCA, such as the Torrison Medical Scholarship
awards, by clicking here!
Resource for congregations about the Boy Scouts of America. Find here.
Stories of Faith in Action 2021 - 2022
Click here to see this year's issue.
Congratulations to Reverend Dr. Megan Rohrer
Who was installed as the Fifth Bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America this past Saturday, September 11.
Click here to watch the installation.
Click here to read the article.
The 2nd annual “10 for 10”, a program where local youth are leading conversations around
mental health, is taking place October 1-10. The program is based in talking about our own
mental health; and how we can be more open, honest, and vulnerable. In addition to the
conversations, community members are making 10 commitments over these 10 days to raise
awareness.
Jay Kiel (Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries at St. Luke’s Church in Middleton)
started the program last year by committing to run 10 miles a day for 10 days. His
commitment was an effort to raise awareness of these conversations, and fight the stigma of
mental health. Jay and the 10 for 10 team are encouraging the community to take up their
own 10 day commitment, and join in talking about our own mental health.
This year’s theme and conversation topics are “breaking down the lies we believe”.
Throughout the 10 days, videos will be released on the 10 for 10 page, www.stlukes-
elca.org/10for10, with local youth talking about lies we tell ourselves; such as “I’m not
enough” or “I must be perfect”. The goal of 10 for 10 is to have open and honest
conversations around these topics as a community, while working to break the silence and
stigma around mental health.
The program is intended as a free resource. All are welcomed and encouraged to use these
topics and tools to start your own conversations in your own communities. If you would like tolearn more; you can go to www.stlukes-elca.org/10for10, or contact Jay Kiel at jkiel@stlukes-
elca.org
Helping Refuges From Afghanistan
“What can I do?” “How can I help?” Members of the Immigration Reform and Refugee
Support Task Team of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin hear these questions often
since the evacuation of people from Afghanistan. Those who ask want to help welcome those
who worked alongside our military and non-government organizations these past 20 years
who fled because their lives were in danger. The team held a special meeting Tuesday,
September 7, 2021, to discuss our response.
The U.S. government makes sure the refugees meet strict criteria to qualify for resettlement.
The government does no resettlement as such but sub-contracts that work to nine agencies,
including Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS). Because the influx of Afghanis
has happened so quickly and in such large numbers, the work has just begun. Resettlement
agencies await word regarding how many and when they can begin resettling these new
refugees.
In the meantime, people of compassion ask, “What can I do?” “How can I help?”
• As of now, the greatest need is for financial support. Our synod team fully
supports monetary donations to LIRS. You can do that online as well as read the latest
response from LIRS at https://www.lirs.org/refugee-resettlement/.
• Lutheran Social Services of WI and Upper MI (LSS) partners with LIRS to do the
hands-on work of resettlement. LSS anticipates resettling several hundred in
Milwaukee in the days ahead. LSS welcomes gifts of money to support their work and
provides the latest news on efforts in WI at https://www.lsswis.org/service/refugee-
resettlement/.
• Our synod team very likely will not do any hands-on resettlement in our synod. We
hear that Jewish Social Services (JSS) will do some in Madison. We know they do
solid work in this area and we support their efforts. JSS provides helpful information on
their work and how you can help at https://jssmadison.org/services/immigration
/refugee/.
• Finally, the Afghanis at Fort McCoy right now receive support and help through
Catholic Charities of LaCrosse. They have need of various specific donations to give to
the refugees who came with nothing or very little. You can find very helpful information
at https://cclse.org/afghanistan-refugee-assistance to learn how you can help.
Since changes happen rapidly, our synod task team will make every effort to share new
information as it becomes available in an attempt to answer your questions, “What can I do?”
“How can I help?” We thank God for your compassionate hearts seeking to share the love of
God with people in need.
Rite of Installation for Rev. Felix Malpica
The Installation of Rev. Felix J. Malpica as the 4th Bishop of the La Crosse Area Synod will
be Sunday, September 26, at 4 pm at English Lutheran Church in La Crosse.
Out of love and care for our neighbor, in person attendance is limited to invitation only. You
are invited l to share in the celebration digitally through a livestream link which will be shared
on the La Crosse Area Synod's webpage. Please be in prayer for the La Crosse Area Synod
and Bishop Malpica.
Livestream link will be posted when available.
La Crosse Area SynodLutheran Disaster Response is developing plans to accompany on-the-ground partners,
including social ministry organizations and synods, in the areas impacted. Immediate needs
are expected to include food and shelter, while long-term recovery could include helping
people repair or rebuild their damaged homes.
With your support, hurricane survivors will know they’re not alone. This is an important part of
Christ’s call on our church.
Donate to Hurricane Ida Relief
If you haven't already I encourage you to join our new
Facebook page SCSW - Care, Connect, Equip. This
page will be for churches within the synod to share
their events, ask questions and communicate with
other churches. Please click here to join! If your church
does not have a Facebook page and you would like
your event to be posted please contact me at
stephanieb@scsw-elca.org and I would be happy to
post it for you!
And don't forget about out South-Central Synod of
Wisconsin ELCA Facebook page!
Prayers
Discipline Committee
• Carolyn Butts, St. John Evansville (Evansville)
• Tim Ewing, Luther Memorial (Madison)
Pastors and Congregations in our Synod
• Pastor Dan Bohlman and Members of Yellowstone Lutheran (Argyle)
• Members of York Memorial (Blanchardville)
Neighboring Synods
• Bishop Shelley M. Bryan Wee, Northwest Washington Synod
Members Elected by Churchwide Assembly
• Ismael Castillo-Danforth, Synod 4F
• Cheryl Chatman, Synod 3G
We give thanks at this time for the ministry of those who celebrate their anniversary of
Ordination during this coming week:
• Connie Matye, September 18, 2005 - Pastor at West Middleton in Verona, WI
cbmatye@gmail.com
• Nancy McClurg, September 18, 1983 - Retired Pastor living in Madison, WI
• Craig Wolfgram, September 21, 1986 - Pastor at Bethany Lutheran in Wisconsin Dells,
WI revcw2009@yahoo.com
May these leaders continue to be blessed for service!Synod Quick Links
View Upcoming Events View Job Postings Congregations In Transition
Contact Synod Staff Ministries & Partners View Resources
As always we would love for you to continue to share your news. If you have
something you would like considered for publication in What Matters, send it to
us via email to Stephanie Bill, Communications Manager at
stephanieb@scsw-elca.org. The deadline for consideration of inclusion in the
current weeks e-newsletter is 12:00 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday.
Care - Connect - Equip
South-Central Synod of Wisconsin ELCA | 6401 Odana Road, Suite 20, Madison, WI 53719
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