You can also Learn more about the CELC at this Web Site.

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1 OF PEACE NOVEMBER 2017 Volume: 34 Issue: 11 The Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) which is made up of 32 Church Bodies from around the world - including the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod - gathers at triennial meetings for encouragement, fellowship, study, cooperation in projects, and an internationally united voice. The group met in Grimma, Germany, for the ninth triennial convention in As part of the Reformation 500" celebration, the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) prepared a new set of Ninety-Five Theses, put together by a committee of fifteen pastors from around the world. These Theses were approved on June 29, The CELC s Ninety-Five Theses for the 21st Century, unlike Luther s, present all the basic teachings of the Bible as confessed in the Lutheran Church. They are organized according to the outline of Luther s Catechism, which to this day is treasured as a teaching tool in the churches of the CELC. With these new Theses, the members of the CELC joyfully give united expression to what they have received as heirs of the Lutheran Reformation. They are thankful to God to be part of an international church fellowship that holds to the teachings of the Bible, focusing on salvation through Jesus Christ. Since they are eager to share their heritage with the world, they have printed a new booklet entitled, Ninety-five Theses for the 21st Century. This new booklet seeks to affirm our Lutheran beliefs and address today s religious and spiritual issues with a consistently Lutheran outlook. Because Ninety-five Theses for the 21st Century confesses Lutheran truths as held and treasured by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), I am passing along a few ways for you to enjoy it. You can Buy the Booklet for $ 1.99 from Northwestern Publishing House. SI D=U OR, You can View a Really Great Video of the Ninety-five Theses for the 21st Century presented by CELC church representatives from all over the world at this Web Site: You can also Learn more about the CELC at this Web Site. You already Enjoy the Blessings of the Reformation from the 16 th Century. Now you should do yourself a favor and Enjoy these Ninety-five Theses for the 21st Century.

2 Opening Prayer by Pastor Radtke Reading of Minutes - Tabled October 8, 2017 Treasurer s Report: Balance in general checking - $9,966.92; Outreach: $1,972.50, $ for Kids Club. Balance in general fund(checking) as of 10/08/17 = $14, Line of credit owed = $17, and received $4, for debt reduction campaign. Motion made to approve minutes by John Wentzel and 2 nd by Ken Schultz. Motion was carried. Membership Changes: None Unfinished Business: None Reports of Officers and Committees: In Reach: New option for Video system. High definition camera with lap top computer system. DVD copy from computer. Multiple copier can still be used as intended. Laptop can be a backup for copying of DVD s. Service can also be streamlined to those who have internet capability. It will be easier to edit the Sermon on church website; better overall quality. This will be discussed and voted on in upcoming voter s meeting. Out Reach: None Education: 2 more kids entering program; kids excited about Fun Night. Property: Received Donation for Woodchips for playground. Pastor s Report: Mission Festival paid for by special offerings - $ Reformation Sunday, Oct. 29 th. Also need to discuss a Pot Luck dinner for new members. President s Report: None Other: None Motion made to accept Reports by George McKay and 2 nd by Kim Manthei. Motion approved. New Business and Recommendations of Church Council: Recommend two Christmas Eve Services - the regular Sunday Service and a 7:00 pm service. Recommend just one New Year s Eve Service - the regular Sunday Service. New Year s Eve and Christmas Eve is on a Sunday. Needs to be approved by voters. Voter s meeting agenda also includes voting on alternate video system, Potluck dinner for new members and special funds. Motion made to adjourn by John Wentzel and 2 nd by George McKay. Meeting adjourned with a prayer by Pastor Radtke. Minutes submitted by Kim Manthei. 2

3 Prayer: Pastor Radtke opened with prayer. October 29, 2017 Reading of the Minutes: Minutes from the last meeting (July 30, 2017) were read and accepted (motion to accept by Leon R., 2 nd by Steve B). Treasurer s Report: As of October 29, 2017 balance $15, (with $3, designated to accounts); Loan - $118,425.59; Line of Credit - $17,216.67; Outreach - $1, As previously voted on, Outreach checking will be brought back into the general budget with no separate account (motion to accept by Kim M., 2 nd by Steve B.) Membership Changes: Transfer in from WELS - Robert and Lois Mueller (motion to accept by George M., 2 nd by Leon R.) Unfinished Business: None Reports of Officers and Committees: In-reach: The website was recently updated by Pastor and looks great; Mission Sunday guest preacher and Bible Class went well in October; In-reach is willing to help with a new member potluck this winter (Jonathan). Outreach: Needs members on the committee (John W.) Education: Wednesday school going well: Christmas program will be the Wednesday before Christmas (Pastor/John W.) Property: No report; playground looks great (Ken). Pastor s Report: Two students continue to attend Confirmation class. President s Report: Snow-plowing is all set ($2 increase from last year). Other: Some members expressed interest in increasing the number of Lent/Advent services in the future; this topic will be revisited (Kim). Motion to accept reports made by Jonathan B., 2 nd by Leon R. All in favor. New Business and Recommendations of the Church Council: 1) Church Service Schedule Thanksgiving service at 7pm; December 24 th will be 10am and 7pm; December 25 th will be 10am; December 31 st will be 10am (motion to accept by Leon R., 2 nd by George M.) 2) Outreach: Video Ministry Equipment Camera and Computer Pastor explained a recommendation from his nephew; $709 camera and $360 laptop with options for more memory/hardware (motion to accept by Leon R., 2 nd by Jasen K.) Accepted motion was amended to include the purchase of an external hard-drive for saving video (motion by Jonathan B., 2 nd by Kim M.) (Continued on Page 4) 3

4 (Continued from Page 3) 3) New membership welcome dinner Scheduled for January 21, 2018; ladies will create sign-up. In-reach Committee will work on bowling alley outing following the meal (motion by John W., 2 nd by George M. 4) LWMS Steve presented the option to volunteer for hosting the Fall 2018 Rally at Peace ( people at a cost of about $200-$300); will be 10/13/2018 for one day. If more people attend than we can hold, there is an option to rent another venue in Hayward (motion to accept by Leon R., 2 nd by Jonathan B.) Election of Church Council Members: Nominees Steve Bilitz, Matt McKay, Jason Keske (motion to accept by Leon R., 2 nd by Kim M.) Adjournment with Prayer: (Motion by Leon R., 2 nd by Kim M.) Prayer by Pastor Radtke. Minutes submitted by Jonathan Bakken. Ladies, please make every effort to attend our next meeting, scheduled for Sunday, November 12 in the Fellowship Hall after church. We will be planning for the Christmas Cookie Walk, Craft and Bake Sale, which will be held after church on Sunday, December 3 already less than a month away!! We will also be selecting a date for our annual Ladies Christmas Luncheon. We also have a new and exciting item for our agenda: hosting of a future LWMS District Rally here at Peace! Paula Bilitz, our LWMS Reporter, will have the details for us. Paula also has a lot of news from LWMS, so be sure to check out the next page of this newsletter for the latest scoop of things happening in the Lutheran Women s Missionary Society! 4

5 LWMS News The 2017 Fall Rally of the NW Wisconsin Circuit of LWMS was held at Cornell WI October 14. The 78 women and men who attended, including four members of Peace Lutheran, heard guest speaker Betty Hockmuth provide firsthand insights into Jesus of the Latter Day Saints (Mormon) religion. Betty grew up Mormon, then married a WELS member and was baptized into the Lutheran faith. When witnessing to Mormons, Betty advises, Stress your confidence in salvation through Jesus Christ by grace, not works. Mormons may be looking for relief from the enormous stress they feel of having to be perfect to earn salvation. The Spring Rally will be held at Immanuel, Woodville WI April 21, Good news for the Ladies of Peace who have been saving pill bottles for the Cameroon Medical Mission or pillowcase dresses and shorts for the Southeast Asia mission. We will be receiving word early in 2018 when these donations will again be accepted. Crosses, bookmarks or small cloth Bible books with just pictures, no words also are welcome items. Note: pill bottles must be 3 inches or less in height and have screw-on caps. Through the LWMS program kids c.a.r.e. (care about reaching everyone with the gospel) children learn that they, too, have an important role in sharing the good news about Jesus. Kids c.a.r.e. offerings given between June 2017 and May 2018 will provide Christian literature and supplies for Sunday School children in Nepal. The country of Nepal is the poorest country in Asia. More than half of the children are malnourished. Christians are a tiny minority in the country and often experience persecution. Yet, the Lord is spreading his Word there. Please check the kids c.a.r.e. display in the hallway by the church office. The 2018 LWMS calendar, now available, highlights the 12 years of kids c.a.r.e. ministry. At $10 each, the calendar makes an inexpensive Christmas gift. Contact Paula Bilitz by November 23 if you would like one (or several). She will place a consolidated order to save postage costs. It s not too early to begin thinking about your attendance at the LWMS National Convention, June in Green Bay, WI. It is truly one of the most uplifting events you will ever experience! The NW WI circuit is offering a stipend of $300 toward convention registration to TWO women in the circuit. To be eligible, complete the Send One Sister application (copies are in the LWMS box in the narthex) and return to Paula Bilitz. Convention details will be posted on LWMS.org in January. If your child were attending school far away from family, wouldn t you appreciate having someone from our church reach out to them with words of encouragement and faith? You can do just that for children of our foreign missionaries who are attending school in the U.S. See the list of students in the LWMS box in the narthex. If you decide to write to one or more of them, please put a checkmark and your initials next to their names. On behalf of the students and their families, thank you for this simple yet meaningful outreach. Paula Bilitz, LWMS Reporter 5

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7 SYNOD NEWS Conference of Presidents Holds Its Fall Meeting The Conference of Presidents (COP) met Oct at the Center for Mission and Ministry, Waukesha, Wis., for its regular fall meeting. Included in the discussions and decisions: The COP noted with thanks to God that Congregation Mission Offerings are up 1.6% over last year ($231,000). As congregations begin planning for next year, a video communication from each district president will encourage and guide congregations in that process. Last year the COP determined that pastors teaching at Lutheran high schools and prep schools fall under the same calling guidelines that restrict the calling of teachers (Nov. 1 through the first week of June, with two calls possible during that time). The COP clarified this policy by determining that pastors serving in primarily administrative roles (presidents/principals, deans, etc.) at the schools can be called at any time. The COP extended divine calls to Rev. Jerry Ewings to serve as a Christian giving counselor and to Rev. Mark Gabb to serve as the director of the Commission on Evangelism. The COP appointed Rev. Doug Tomhave to serve as the chairman of the Commission on Evangelism. Earlier this year the COP established a standing committee to work with WELS parasynodical organizations. This committee is in the process of determining its specific role and establishing the procedures it will follow. The purpose of the committee is to foster good communication and cooperation between the synod and WELS parasynodical organizations. The committee reported that it had begun its work and will continue to develop its goals and policies. The COP concurred with the request of Northwestern Publishing House to conduct a review of the Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV) as soon as the complete translation is available. This review will be similar to reviews of the New International Version, the English Standard Version, and the Christian Standard Bible, which have already been done. The COP continues to monitor closely the pastoral vacancy rate and how the calling process can best serve the needs of congregations and workers in a time of a shortage of pastors. The COP discussed the workload of district presidents who serve in the large districts. The COP asked the synod president to investigate various options to provide needed assistance. The COP discussed how the certification process for teachers can be improved and, if possible, streamlined. The COP asked Martin Luther College to review certification requirements for all teachers and to bring its proposals to the January meeting of the COP. The COP will ask the Synodical Council to establish an ad hoc committee to study future options for the WELS Pension Plan. No change in the plan is anticipated in the near future, but the COP agreed that such a study would be beneficial for future decisions. The COP is encouraging all congregations to designate one Sunday in November as a Mission and Ministry Sunday to encourage greater awareness of, and support for, the work we do together as a synod. In the future, congregations will be encouraged to plan a Mission and Ministry Sunday for October. (Continued on Page 8) 7

8 (Continued from Page 7) The COP asked for the appointment of a special committee to discuss possible alternative models for congregational constitutions and bylaws. The COP approved a request from Martin Luther College (MLC) for permission to conduct an appeal for MLC s Congregational Partner Grant Program (CPGP). The CPGP gives congregations the opportunity to provide direct financial support for students at MLC preparing for the public ministry of WELS. Serving in Christ, President Mark Schroeder Filled with the Gospel The Organization of WELS Lutheran Seniors (OWLS) met in Pewaukee, Wis., Oct , under the theme Filled with the gospel. About 175 members from around the United States attended. The convention was hosted by the Dodge-Washington OWLS. This was the first convention directed by new convention chairman Mr. Werner Lemke. For a decade, the OWLS have used their offerings to support the WELS European Civilian chaplaincy, which serves military personnel and WELS civilians in Europe. This year, the OWLS presented Military Services with a check for $50,000 for work in Europe. The convention offering and proceeds from a silent auction were directed for next year s gift to the work of the chaplain in Europe as well. For four years, the OWLS have provided scholarships to Martin Luther College students. This year, Lailah Thabatah, Heidi Moldenhauer, Tristan Pankow, and Hannah Rundgren received scholarships. With the convention in Pewaukee this year, attendees were given the opportunity to tour the WELS visitors center at the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry (CMM), along with a tour of the CMM to learn more about WELS ministry. They were also treated to several presentations about Lutheran traditions and WELS ministry. Rev. Jim Behringer, director of the WELS Commission on Special Ministries, says, All the presenters were excellent. Rev. Aaron Christie s presentation on Luther s principles that led to the Lutheran fine arts tradition today was full of interesting examples. The OWLS were moved to hear a presentation by former European Civilian Chaplain Josh Martin and his wife, who received OWLS support during their nine years overseas. Seminary Professor Brad Wordell amazed the audience with the opportunities the Lord is giving us to train pastors around the world through the Pastoral Studies Institute, and Rev. Tony Schultz had the OWLS chuckling with recognition as he talked about opportunities to talk about Jesus. This year, the convention elected a new OWLS president, Pastor Em. Norman Schell from Omaha, Neb. Schell has been involved with the convention for years helping with the technology needs. Next year s convention will be at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart, Wis., under the theme Finish Your Race. All WELS members are invited, even those who aren t part of an OWLS chapter. Learn more about the OWLS and all the ministries under the WELS Commission on Special Ministries at wels.net/special-ministries. 8