PassionateBelievers. Spring A publication of the South Wisconsin District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

Transcription

1 PassionateBelievers A publication of the South Wisconsin District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Spring 2018 Why have a convention? pg. 3 Sing His praise, His love declare! pg. 5 God's love surpasses the language barrier pg. 7 SWD International Partnership: The Dominican Republic pg. 8 Outstanding teachers! pg. 10

2 Winter 2018 / South Wisconsin District LCMS Passionate Believers Volume 8, Issue 2 Spring 2018 In this issue: 3 Why have a convention? 5 Sing His praise, His love declare! 7 God's love surpasses the language barrier 8 SWD International Partnership: The Dominican Republic 10 Outstanding teachers 11 District News 12 Around the District 14 Around the District & Upcoming events 16 Celebrations On the cover: This pre-convention issue highlights some of the ways that God is using us to "Sing His praise, His love declare!" in our South Wisconsin District. As you page through Passionate Believers, give God the glory for His marvelous deeds, and pray that He will continue His blessings through all that will be accomplished at our 55th triennial convention June at Concordia University Wisconsin. Our Mission/Vision Confessing Christ for the Next Generation 1. This is our time to be distinctly Lutheran. 2. This is our time to plant new congregations. 3. This is our time to honor our vocation. 4. This is our time to embrace our communities. Our core values Discipleship Community Excellence Integrity Passionate Believers is a quarterly publication of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod congregations within the South Wisconsin District. It shares stories about our partnership in the Gospel and how we work towards maximizing, magnifying, and multiplying the ministry that is done with and through local congregations. If you would like to submit ideas, stories or news for the next publication, please send them to editor@swd.lcms.org by June 1, Congregations receive specified quantities at no cost. An individual subscription sent to your address is $5 per year. To subscribe, call the District Office at ext. 744, or mail check to South Wisconsin District LCMS 8100 W. Capitol Drive Milwaukee, WI (Wisconsin only) Web site: swd.lcms.org. Spring Retreat for 55 & Up May 9, 2018 Cedar Valley Retreat Center West Bend, Wisconsin Dr. Patrick Ferry will help us reflect on how God keeps His promises from one generation to the next, and Dr. Lois Mueller will show us ways to keep living and MOVING in Him! From One Generation to the Next You may also register separately for Tuesday night, May 8, for dinner and history of presentation of The Endurance the epic voyage of 1914 with Rochelle Pennington. 2 Passionate believers... confessing Christ for the next generation

3 From the President South Wisconsin District LCMS / Spring 2018 Why have a convention? Rev. Dr. John C. Wille, District President For many the mere mention of the word convention raises a variety of responses among LCMS members. A convention is a necessary exercise which takes place every three years; for both our Synod and districts. For some a convention is drudgery; a necessary event to elect a president, vice-presidents, a governing board, as well as to adopt various resolutions to define our walk together as Synod. You may have heard some grumbling about having to attend a convention. Personally I enjoy conventions. It matters not whether it is a national convention like the one we hosted nearly two years back in Milwaukee or a district convention like the one which we are planning for June at Concordia University Wisconsin. Our Convention theme is Sing His praise, His love declare! from LSB, hymn 646. A convention, whether it is a district or synod convention, provides opportunities for learning as well as opportunities for connecting with others who believe and confess as we do. As you know we have a unique set of beliefs based upon Holy Scripture and a unique Confession as members of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Theology and doctrine are more than mere words. Theology and practice have been the heart and soul of the Lutheran church for 500 years, since the early days of the Lutheran Reformation. From the beginning of the LCMS, theology and practice have been part of who we are and what we do. Theology and doctrine are part of every convention district or synod. C.F.W. Walther makes these two comments in an 1879 convention paper entitled Duties of an Evangelical Lutheran Synod at the First Iowa District Convention at St. Paul s Church, Fort Dodge, Iowa. God forbid that we ever get to the point where we merely put on a big show and then have a convention in which we discuss all sorts of peripheral piffle about ceremonies, rules, and insignificant trifles (armselige Lappalien). Instead of that, may we always concentrate on the study of doctrine. [Harrison, Matthew C., At Home in the House of My Father (Kindle Locations ). Concordia Publishing House. Kindle Edition.] If the study of doctrine is not the number one priority at synodical conventions, then one of two things will happen: Either the convention will be manufacturing laws, or even worse, it will degenerate into an affair of mutual praise, love, assurance, and life insurance. [Harrison, Matthew C., At Home in the House of My Father (Kindle Locations ). Concordia Publishing House. Kindle Edition.] Our current Synod President, Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, has this to say about the importance of God s Word and our Lutheran Confessions: Every Lutheran is to be familiar with Luther s Small Catechism. Every person who holds a congregational, district, or national office or who is chosen to be a delegate at a gathering of an auxiliary organization or at a district or synodical convention must familiarize himself or herself with the content of the Book of Concord (especially the Large Catechism, the Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald Articles, and the Epitome of the Formula of Concord). In addition, we should regularly study the Scriptures. For we have a sacred vocation each of us, whether lay or clergy to hold one another to fidelity to the Word of God and to the Lutheran Confessions, that the Gospel may continue to prosper also for our children and our children s children! It is vital at the very risk of eternal life for us to know what God commands and forbids, and what we are to believe and receive for eternal life. M.H. [Walther, C.F.W., The Church and The Office of The Ministry (Kindle Locations ). Concordia Publishing House. Kindle Edition.] Continued on page 4 maximizing, magnifying, multiplying ministries 3

4 South Wisconsin District LCMS / Spring 2018 Sing His Praise... Why have a convention? Continued from page 3 In accord with these words, our South Wisconsin District convention will feature at least two significant presentations on the theology of mission by two of our distinguished missionaries: Rev. Ted Krey who is regional director of Central American Missions, and Rev. Joel Fritsche who is an integral part of seminary and deaconess education in the Dominican Republic. Their presentations will demonstrate how the inspired Word of God and our Lutheran Confessions are the foundation of a proper theology of mission. Together, they will demonstrate that justification by grace through faith in Christ is materially still the article on which a church stands or falls, the essential confession of what a church believes. But then there is also the business side of the conventions. Overtures are currently being drafted by congregations, circuit winkels and boards and commissions of the SWD. Those overtures will be forged into resolutions to be presented to the convention delegates for adoption or rejection. There will be debates; some vigorous, others not. Those decisions will be made by the delegates; a group of pastors and lay members. You see, for us the balance between laity and pastors is an essential element in a convention. Again, C.F.W. Walther has these words from the essay mentioned above. A synodical convention, you know, consists not only of pastors but also of delegates authorized by the congregations therefore also of the laypeople. A synodical convention is therefore a representative of the Church. Should it not therefore be empowered 4 Passionate believers... confessing Christ for the next generation to make demands of a congregation, make rules for it that it must obey for the Lord s sake? No. Just as little as a pastor can make rules and regulations for a congregation, so little can a whole assembly of pastors together with as many laypeople do that. For also the Church has no power to make a rule that would bind the conscience of individual Christians or even of whole congregations. For in the kingdom of God, we are all equal. [Harrison, Matthew C. At Home in the House of My Father (Kindle Locations ). Concordia Publishing House. Kindle Edition.] Then, there are the elections. The delegates to the SWD convention will elect a district president who serves as the ecclesiastical supervisor of the congregations and church workers within the district. Other elections will include four vice-presidents, at least half the members of our SWD Board of Directors, and several other offices. The delegates will also ratify the election of circuit visitors for each of our 26 circuits. These elections are to select pastors and lay members who will be integral parts of what we do together in our South Wisconsin District. When all is said and done, the resolutions which are drafted by the floor committees and adopted by the delegates are always tempered by our Lutheran conviction that the church is the Bride of Christ. Once again C.F.W. Walther says in 1850 words that still ring true for every LCMS convention today: Though a synodical convention can say, in a certain sense, We are the representatives of our congregations, therefore the representatives of our Church within our territory, it does not at all follow from this that we can therefore make rules that bind consciences. We can indeed draft rules, but if they do not please the congregations, then they will not accept them. The right to prescribe rules for others belongs to Christ alone. No synod, no state church, in fact, no church in the whole world has this right. It can make rules only for itself; but no one else, no creature, and no angel or archangel, let alone a pastor or a synodical convention [can make such rules] The Synod is only an advisory body. [Harrison, Matthew C., At Home in the House of My Father (Kindle Locations ). Concordia Publishing House. Kindle Edition.] Photos accompanying this artice were taken by Ron Kamrath at the 2015 SWD Convention.

5 His Love Declare! South Wisconsin District LCMS / Spring 2018 I have to tell you an extraordinary true story about a student named Erin. One morning before school started, Erin went up to the teacher's desk and said, Teacher, last night my dad went to heaven. Teacher, he has been sick for so long and mom and I have been asking God to please take the pain away. Last night mom and I were in the hospital room with him and Pastor came to visit us. He brought his hymnal and we sang some hymns together. Hymns that I have learned by heart at school: On my heart imprint Your image, Blessed Jesus, King of grace, That life s riches, cares, and pleasures Never may Your work erase: Let the clear inscription be: Jesus, crucified for me, Is my life, my hope s foundation, And my glory and salvation! (LSB 422) My Savior, be Thou near me When death is at my door; Then let Thy presence cheer me, Forsake me nevermore! When soul and body languish, O leave me not alone, But take away mine anguish By virtue of Thine own! Be Thou my consolation, My shield when I must die, Remind me of Thy passion When my last hour draws nigh. Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, Upon Thy cross shall dwell, My heart by faith enfold Thee, Who dieth thus dies well. (LSB 450 stanza 6 & 7) While Pastor was singing some words by a man named Simeon, my dad closed his eyes and finally he looked like the pain went away. By Rev. John Berg, Trinity Lutheran Church, Sheboygan Sing His praise, His love declare! Erin continued speaking. Pastor stayed with us a long time last night. It seemed like my mom was on the phone for hours, so Pastor talked just to me; that part was great. He told me what was happening when he was singing those words by Simeon. He said that the angels were in the room waiting to carry my dad to a new home where there is no pain but instead a happiness that we cannot even begin to imagine. Teacher, I believe it and I am okay. But I miss my dad. The teacher gave Erin a big hug, comforted her and tried not to show how astounded she was by what she had just heard from this little girl. That day Erin was not very attentive in school. It became apparent that she was in her own world working on a drawing. Her teachers left her alone. At the end of the day Erin came to the teacher s desk to give her the drawing. It was a page filled with clouds. A mansion was nestled high in the clouds. There was a path leading to the mansion and on the path two angels were carrying a man. Across the bottom were the words, LAST NIGHT MY DADDY WENT TO HEAVEN. This extraordinary work of Erin's did not appear on her report card but everybody is talking about it. Everybody is talking about a young child s faith in Jesus Christ. Something that she received as a gift in Holy Baptism. Something that was taught and sung to her by her parents, pastors and teachers. These are the words and music that she is now clinging confidently to for all to see and hear. She is singing His praises and declaring His love in the most incredible way! This is a child full of hope and peace. It causes us to marvel, not at the little girl, but at the faith! Our faith life is never dull! Erin knows that. You know that. Faith in Jesus Christ is going to be tried and tested as gold is by fire. Faith in Jesus Christ is going to be surrounded by adversaries. You can count on it. Your faith in Jesus Christ is a precious jewel, your dearest gift, and the prince of darkness will not leave it alone. You have been called to live by faith in Jesus Christ no matter what. But you are never alone! This is what our Lord says to you, to me and to the whole Church. You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own Continued on page 6 maximizing, magnifying, multiplying ministries 5

6 South Wisconsin District LCMS / Spring 2018 Sing His Praise... Continued from page 5 possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you receive mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10) We need endurance, steadfastness, courage, and patience and hope as we live out this life as God s chosen people. Do you know what endurance, steadfastness, courage, patience and hope mean for those who are still living in darkness and the shadows of death? It means to dig down deeper within yourself. But, digging there uncovers just the opposite. Digging down deeper we find sin and death. We need Jesus and His good gifts. We need faith. What can the faithful do without faith? Nothing! The world is baffled when it sees a faith like Erin's. But what the world doesn t know is that this faith is a pure gift! But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God! (Ephesians 2:4-5,8) Erin is God s special, chosen child. You are God s special, chosen child! Erin s gift of faith was given to her at her Baptism. Your gift of faith was given to you at Baptism. What does the gift of faith enable you to do? Confess who God is and what God has done. Where is this confession done regularly? In the Divine Service. In God s Service He showers gifts of grace upon the faithful. What are the gifts? Word and Sacrament the two parts of the liturgy. What is our part in the activity? The highest act of worship is simply to sing His Praise, His love declare! The opening words of Matins and Vespers say it so simply: O Lord, open my lips; and my mouth declare Your praise. (Psalm 51:15) We cannot speak until God puts the words into our mouth. The liturgy and the hymns of the Church are our gentle teacher, and they help us get the message straight. Like the angels singing Holy, holy, holy in Isaiah s vision, people and angels do not sing about themselves, but about the Lord who has saved them. The church always learns its lessons slowly, usually through repetition. A child is never too young to begin the comforting rhythm week after week, year after year, hearing and rehearsing the liturgy and hymnody of the church. It is a rhythm that is blessed and good for the saints of all ages. The very prayers that need to be on our lips are found in our hymnals: Create in me a clean heart O God. Help, save, comfort and defend us, gracious Lord. Grant us Your peace in mercy Lord. At the same time, the promises of God are heard again and again: God, who is faithful and just, will forgive us our sins. This is the true body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, given into death for your sins. This is the true blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, shed for the forgiveness of your sins. He will come again in glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end. It should not surprise us then that these words, rehearsed for a lifetime, are teachers of our God-given faith. These are the words that brought Erin comfort when her daddy died, and these are the words that will bring you hope and comfort when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death. These are the words that we have been given to sing and declare as a church. From baptism to the last moments of this life, these are the words we are given to confess. The rehearsal is painless, and the gifts are extraordinary! 2018 South Wisconsin District Convention On June 10, 11 & 12, 2018, the 55th triennial convention of the South Wisconsin District LCMS will be held at the Concordia University Wisconsin campus in Mequon under the theme Sing His praise, His love declare! The Rev. John Berg, who wrote the article above based on the Convention's focus Bible text below, is also the Chairman of the Convention Committee. As God Himself tells us in 1 Peter 2:9-10, But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. When completed, the Convention Agenda will be posted at swd.lcms.org which you can find by clicking on the Convention Logo (pictured left) that appears on the home page. A link to the live streaming of the proceedings will also be available there. 6 Passionate believers... confessing Christ for the next generation

7 His Love Declare! South Wisconsin District LCMS / Spring 2018 With thanks to Rev. William Kilps, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Two Rivers, and Mr. Samuel Lee of Elm Grove Lutheran's Chinese Fellowship for contributing to this article. God's love surpasses the language barrier Li Feng is baptized by Pastor Kilps as Samuel Lee interprets and his sponsors, Gerry and Linda Rieck, witness faith's miracle. Last year, Li Feng attended a worship service with his niece, Jenny, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Two Rivers. He had recently arrived from China to help his sister and brother-in-law with their business. He speaks no English but had heard the Gospel in his own native language in China. He continued to attend Sunday services at Good Shepherd with Jenny, who is bilingual and helped him to follow along. Even though he could not understand most of what he heard, it gave him peace, and he just kept coming. Pastor Kilps, Good Shepherd's pastor, was gone one Sunday last summer and asked Pastor Doug Peters of Elm Grove Lutheran Church to fill in for him. After meeting Li Feng at the service he thought of Mr. Samuel Lee, one of his own Chinese members in Elm Grove who conducts Chinese outreach for their church. He would need to put them in touch with each other! As a result, Samuel Lee and his family came to church one Sunday at Good Shepherd to meet with Li Feng. After a lengthy conversation in which Lee served as interpreter, Pastor Kilps and Lee were able to determine that Feng understood that he was a sinner, confessed salvation through Christ, and desired to be baptized! That was accomplished on August 20, 2017, as Samuel and his family made a trip back up to Two Rivers so that he could stand at Li Feng s side as friend and interpreter. Two members of Good Shepherd, Gerry and Linda Rieck, served as Li Feng s sponsors. They gave Li Feng a Chinese hymnal as a baptismal gift, and it was used to help him follow along. Samuel Lee also served as interpreter for the sermon which highlighted that Sunday's Old Testament text that declared, God s house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples (Isaiah 56:7b). It is the Holy Spirit working in him! says Lee. No one can understand how this can happen. But God's love is surpassing the language barrier! After Li Feng's baptism, Lee gave Feng a Chinese Li Feng on the day of his confirmation with his sponsors, Gerry and Linda Rieck. copy of Luther's Small Catechism. They stayed in regular communication with each other over the miles between them by using WeChat, a popular Chinese multi-purpose app, much like FaceTime, used world-wide. Using this platform Lee was able to thoroughly instruct Feng in the biblical teachings of the LCMS. They were even joined by other Chinese from other states. In time, Feng became convinced that he wanted to become a confirmed member of the LCMS. Lee gave Feng all of the questions that would be asked him at his confirmation, and Feng was in total agreement with everything. He was confirmed at Good Shepherd on March 18, and Samuel Lee was by his side once again, translating his confirmation vows. Li Feng continues to find peace in God's house. His sponsors and the entire congregation have been very warm and welcoming to him and his niece, Jenny, who comes with him regularly. Soon Li Feng and his relatives will be moving to Milwaukee, and Samuel Lee is looking forward to them being geographically closer. We are like brothers, Lee says. I thank God for giving me this opportunity to see the Holy Spirit at work in Li. It is astounding to me! My faith is strengthening through this! maximizing, magnifying, multiplying ministries 7

8 South Wisconsin District LCMS / Spring 2018 Sing His Praise... SWD International Partnership: The Dominican Republic By Rev. Jonah P. Burakowski, SWD Mission Executive In February Rev. Jonah Burakowski (South Wisconsin District Mission Executive), Rev. Lance O Donnell (Senior Pastor, St. Paul s Oconomowoc) and Mr. Adam Tanney (Teacher, St. Paul s Oconomowoc) traveled to the Dominican Republic for the bi-annual partnership meeting and dedication of a new church and school facility in Licey (lee-say). During the four-day event other partners from the Mill Neck School of the Deaf; the English District; St. Michael s Lutheran Church in Florida; and Ascension of Christ Lutheran Church in Michigan met with the missionary team and seminarians from Concordia Reformer Seminary and Mercy Center. We discussed the strategic plan, annual budget, listened to reports from each of the mission team members, and heard two excellent presentations by Rev. Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. Overall the state of the mission center is healthy and robust. In ten years a lot has been accomplished by a dedicated group of missionaries who serve the Lord and His Church in the Dominican Republic. The team is made up of individuals with a variety of gifts and abilities to support both the local church and the Latin American Region which includes 20 countries. Led by Regional Director Rev. Ted Krey, an assortment of new initiatives, churches, schools and preaching stations have been established to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a long-term plan is being developed to increase their reach. Locally, in the Dominican Republic, a significant contribution has been the establishment of the Concordia Reformer Seminary and Mercy Center the first new seminary to be opened in the Latin American Region in 70 years! Work continues to improve the campus and 10 students are now enrolled in the residential program while numerous others are served by the virtual program offered. The team focuses on establishing relationships, catechesis and evangelism and the seminarians are sent into the communities with the mercy and love of Christ. During his report, Rev. Krey indicated that he plans to expand the reach of the mission team, but with this expansion comes a greater need to fund the missionaries faithfully serving there. SWD Churches are invited to send teams of 15 people to the Dominican Republic to engage in all manner of Seminarian Elvis Carrera at the Concordia Reformer Lutheran Seminary and Mercy Center in Palmar Arriba, Dominican Republic. mission and mercy work. Building maintenance, medical work, teaching, cultivating, construction and evangelism are areas of express need. If international travel is not an option, please consider supporting their efforts to purchase additional property and solar panels for the seminary, stock the library with Spanish language theological books, provide tuition support for seminary students ($9,800 per student a year), give to the group home for special needs children or support one of the following missionaries: Vicar Paul Flo Rev. Joel & Clarion Fritsche Natalie Howard Jana Inglehart James Krey Rev. Ted & Rebecca Krey Bill & Nicole Lohmeyer Erin Mackenzie Rev. Dr. Jonathan & Deaconess Cheryl Naumann Rev. David & Jennifer Preus Deaconess Danelle Putnam Jamielynn Tinkey Blake & Elizabeth Warren Please pray for and consider supporting one of these locations: Iglesia Luterana de Pueblo Nuevo - a congregation in Pueblo Nuevo Rev. Sergio Maita Iglesia Luterana la Concordia - a congregation and primary school in Palmar Arriba Rev. David Preus and Rev. Idjon Fritz Iglesia Luterana Amigos de Cristo - a congregation in Santo Domingo Rev. Joel Fritsche and Vicar Paul Flo Iglesia Luterana de Licey - a congregation and preschool in Licey Rev. Sergio Frizler Through your support the SWD has been able fund major portions of the new facility in Licey including the concrete for the driveway, parking area and playground; provide furniture and classroom equipment for the 8 Passionate believers... confessing Christ for the next generation

9 His Love Declare! South Wisconsin District LCMS / Spring 2018 The kilometerlong procession from the old school in Licey to the new church and school facility. primary school and seminary; and provide financial assistance to the local churches. Future projects for the SWD include funding solar panels, air conditioner units, and purchasing additional land for the seminary campus. To further increase communication and awareness, Rev. Ted Krey will be attending our District Convention as the keynote speaker at Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon. He will present more information on their work in the Dominican Republic and Latin America and be available to answer specific questions. To support their Rev. Krey addresses the congregation in the Sanctuary during the dedication of the new facility at Iglesia Luterana de Licey. ongoing work, during our opening worship service, the gathering of gifts and offerings will be given to support one of their future projects and a booth will be set up in the exhibitor area. If you are interested in more information, please contact Rev. Jonah Burakowski by at burakowski@swd.lcms. org or by phone at Additional information and regular pictorial updates can be found on their Facebook page LCMS Missions in Latin America & the Caribbean. The LCMS 2018 National Rural & Small Town Mission Conference will address the blessings and challenges facing rural and small-town congregations today as well as encourage those congregations and their leaders in cultivating healthy churches that are eager to bear witness to Christ, show mercy to those in need in their communities and develop a robust life together with their fellow members. When: Nov. 8 10, 2018 Where: Hilton Kansas City Airport, Kansas City, Mo. Who: LCMS congregational leaders in rural and small-town settings Cost: The conference rate of $215 includes all plenary, breakout and Bible study sessions; Thursday dinner, Friday lunch and Friday dinner; and all conference materials. Some registration subsidy is available for congregations with limited travel budgets contact Rev. Jonah Burakowski at (414) or at Burakowski@swd.lcms.org. Online registration is available; the deadline is September 15, maximizing, magnifying, multiplying ministries 9

10 South Wisconsin District LCMS / Spring 2018 Sing His Praise... Outstanding teachers! By Dr. Chris Cody, SWD Schools, Youth and Family Executive We are certainly blessed to have outstanding teachers and principals in our South Wisconsin District. In the last issue of this magazine, we shared that Michael Yurk (St. Paul, Grafton) was named a 2018 National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). In this issue it is a privilege to honor the vocations of a few more servants in the South Wisconsin District. At our annual South Wisconsin District Teachers and Administrator of the Year Awards Dinner, held on January 21 at Florian Park in Germantown, the following outstanding educators were honored: Early Childhood Teacher of the Year Dauna Werner (St. Paul, Grafton) From L to R: Dr. Chris Cody, Dauna Werner, Abby Johnson, Dawn Walker and Robert Cody. Elementary Teacher of the Year Abby Johnson (St. John's, West Bend) High School Teacher of the Year Robert Cody (Living Word Lutheran High School, Jackson) Administrator of the Year Dawn Walker (First Immanuel, Cedarburg) Each of these honorees exemplify what it means to be an outstanding Lutheran educator. Not only are they recognized for their instructional and leadership skills, but also for their commitment to sharing the Gospel with each child and family they encounter. Mrs. Rachel Duchac (St. John's, Racine) has been named the 2018 Distinguished Lutheran Middle School Teacher of the Year by the Lutheran Education Association (LEA). The prestigious award provides national recognition to an exemplary Lutheran middle school teacher as selected by LEA. In announcing this award, her principal, Kevin Charpentier wrote this: The plate of Mrs. Duchac is a full one. She has done outstanding work as our 6th Grade Homeroom Teacher. Her primary areas of academic focus include science and technology (5th-8th grade). Mrs. Duchac is skilled in designing and leading 'hands on' and engaging science labs for our students. She has been an invaluable resource in strengthening and furthering how we integrate technology as a tool to assist and better prepare our students in their learning. She has brought us to the forefront of STEM education, an interdisciplinary approach to integrating science, technology, engineering, and math. Beyond her teaching responsibilities, Mrs. Duchac has faithfully served as both our Athletic Director and Technology Coordinator. Rachel s service extends beyond the ministry of our school. Rachel has served on the Service Auction Committee here at St. John s. Furthermore, her witness and talents have impacted our own community in Racine as well. For example, Rachel continues to serve as a Board Member at Lutheran High here in Racine along with leading our 'Project Magi' here at St. John s. Mrs. Duchac has also been active in working with the HALO organization, which provides for the needs of the homeless. 10 Passionate believers... confessing Christ for the next generation

11 His Love Declare! South Wisconsin District LCMS / Spring 2018 Little Hats, Big Hearts! The third-grade classes of St. Paul's Lutheran School of Janesville, Wis. did a special project on January 24 their school's visiting day. With the help of parents, grandparents and adopted grandparents, the classes were taught how to knit on a loom. The children and their adult helpers completed red baby hats for infants with congenital heart defects. The hats will be sent to the American Heart Association which will distribute them to local hospitals. Hello from Uganda! Please join me in praising and thanking God for all of His blessings! I have made it safely to Uganda! Rachel Meyer, member of Mt. Olive, Milwaukee, is an LCMS missionary to Uganda, Africa. She goes on to say, "I am excited to be getting to know the people in this place where God has called me to serve. Fellow LCMS missionaries in Uganda Mark and Megan Mantey, as well as LCMS missionary Britt Odemba from our East Africa Field Office in Nairobi have been very helpful in providing field orientation for me. I have also had opportunity to meet our partners in ministry from the Lutheran Church in Uganda, as well as congregation members, staff and students at Hope Lutheran Church and School in the village of Bufuula where I will be serving." Rachel (pictured in red dress above) is currently living with a host family in a village so she can learn more about the culture. Please continue to keep her in your prayers as she begins to learn the language, acclimate to the culture, and transition to life and service in Uganda as an effective witness of the Gospel that God may be glorified in all things. You can also follow her Facebook page, "Missionary Meyer in Uganda", to see photos, videos, and updates. Racine Lutheran High School (RLHS) inducted Gene Schneider, faculty and coach ( ), Cheryl Lynn Babel Wilkinson 81, and Randy Lowe 65, faculty and coach ( ) into its Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Jan. 13. Schneider was recognized for his faithful service to RLHS and for his life s accomplishments. Wilkinson s achievements as an athlete and her commitment to the school s mission remain noteworthy. Lowe s exceptional career in Lutheran school administration was acknowledged. Racine Lutheran High School inducts three into Hall of Fame (L-R) Dave Burgess, RLHS executive director, Gene Schneider, Cheryl Lynn Babel Wilkinson 81, Lynette Curran (representing Randy Lowe 65) and Jason Block, RLHS athletic director. maximizing, magnifying, multiplying ministries 11

12 South Wisconsin District LCMS / Spring 2018 Rev. Niermann installed at Risen Savior, Franklin Around the District Rev. Backhaus installed at St. Paul, Sheboygan Falls The Niermann Family (L-R): Madison, Henry, Kathy, Pastor, Quincy, Debby, Roger (his parents) and Lillian Niermann. Rev. Scott A. Niermann was installed at Risen Savior, Franklin, on Sunday afternoon, December 3, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. Rev. Dr. John Wille preached the sermon and officiated the Rite of Installation; Rev. Bryan O Connor and Rev. Harald Tomesch were the liturgists. Under the direction of Music Director Suzanne Hibbard, Risen Savior's Celebration Ringers, Sanctuary, New Creation and Cherub Choirs rang and sang praises to God for the gift of their new Pastor and his family. In addition, Pavel Kostuch played Pastor Niermann's favorite hymn, "The Church's One Foundation" during distribution of the Lord s Supper. Following the service, a reception catered by Matty's was provided. Rev. DeMuth installed at Immanuel, Brookfield Pastor Greg DeMuth, his wife Debra and daughter Eleora. Pastor Greg DeMuth was installed as Senior Pastor on February 25 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brookfield. Prior to this Call, Pastor DeMuth served First Grand Rapids Lutheran in Grand Rapids, MN. (L-R) Pastors Christian Gugel, Bryan Osladil, Tom Gudmundson, R. J. Matthies, Peter Peitsch, Kyle Backhaus, Donald Hasse, Mark Janzen, George Schaetzle, Donald Johnson. St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sheboygan Falls, installed Rev. Kyle Backhaus as the Associate Pastor of Spiritual Formation on Saturday, February 17, Following the installation service, a dinner and reception was held in his honor. Rev. Backhaus comes to St. Paul after serving three and a half years at Abiding Word Lutheran Church in Gonzales, Texas, and Vineyard of Christ Lutheran Church in Rosanky, Texas. As the sole pastor he led worship, preached, started mid-week Bible studies at both churches and helped them to reach out in the community through new activities. Kyle enjoyed his time in Texas and is looking forward to continuing to serve God s people in a new exciting position as Spiritual Formation Director. Pastor Backhaus met his wife Tessa at St. Paul, as both were members of the church growing up. He graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin in 2009 with degrees in Theological Languages and Christian Thought. After graduating from CUW, he enrolled at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind., where he earned his Master of Divinity. While at CTSFW he served as a field worker at Southwest Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. His vicarage was served at Luther Memorial Chapel in Shorewood, Wis. He now has returned home to the church that he had been a member of since the age of 13 and that had officiated his Ordination Service! 12 Passionate believers... confessing Christ for the next generation

13 Around the District South Wisconsin District LCMS / Spring 2018 Camp LuWiSoMo News Exciting things are happening at Camp LuWiSoMo, your SWD camp and outdoor ministry and retreat center! We re looking forward to an exciting summer camp season under the theme No Other Name (Acts 4:12). Registration is open (details are on the website: Congregations, schools and families consider LuWiSoMo for retreats (leadership, youth, crafting, outdoor education, recharge, etc.), as well as family gatherings, reunions, or just time away to enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of God s creation at LuWiSoMo! The Retreat Center is open year-round and the campground from mid-may to mid-october. Our annual Spring Work Weekend is April Enjoy God s wonderful creation, the fellowship of working side by side with your brothers and sisters in Christ, and satisfaction of a job well done. Lodging and meals are free! Register on the website or contact camp at We ve also made some changes in our leadership team. Carl Brakebush is Chairman of our Board of Directors. Other board members include Dan Freiburger, Brian Getchius, Ryan Hanson, Tom MacDonald and Sam Seefeld. Dan Freiburger is serving as our Business Manager and Interim Executive Director, and Ryan Hanson is Program Director. Heather Gartzke continues as our wonderful Joyful Hearts Coordinator and we re in the search process for a new Youth & Family Program Coordinator. We re also seeking some summer staff and volunteers. See our website or contact Dan, dfreiburger@luwisomo.org. Thank you to all who remember camp with your gifts! Our financial health continues to improve thanks to you! Visit our website to see the many ways you can help. Consider becoming a ministry partner by including LuWiSoMo in your family or congregation giving. This is your camp! We re excited to serve you and help meet your needs! We welcome your questions, input, talents and gifts. maximizing, magnifying, multiplying ministries 13

14 South Wisconsin District LCMS / Spring 2018 Getting Ready to Celebrate 100 Years at Gospel Lutheran Church, Milwaukee The members of Gospel Lutheran Church, 1535 W. Capitol Dr., are thankful to God for His grace and the privilege in allowing them to continue to carry out His mission for 100 years. On Saturday, May 19, they will have an all-you-can-eat Salad-Fest meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., followed by fellowship and service of praise from 1:45 to 4:00 p.m. to raise funds for their 100th Anniversary that will take place on September 23. Various groups from around the city will come to sing their praises. Tickets for this event are $8 for adults and $5 for children under 12. (Children under 3 are free.) Please call the church office, , for information on purchasing tickets. More information about the 100th Anniversary Service and Dinner, September 23, will be shared as plans are finalized. Pastor Donald Stein to retire Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Onalaska, Wis., will hold a retirement celebration for Rev. Dr. Donald M. Stein on April 14 where he has served as pastor for 16 years. He attended Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne and served at four congregations since his graduation in May Upcoming events... Youth and Family Day at Noah's Ark Friday, June 15 - Join us for a fun day at the waterpark. Invite your family, friends and neighbors. The cost per person is $16, which includes a hot dog, chips and soda lunch. Watch the District website, swd.lcms.org for complete registration information. April Pastors Spring Conference, Holiday Inn-Manitowoc 21 Lutheran Schools Night at Miller Park May 4-5 Pastors' Wives Retreat, Comfort Suites-Johnson Creek 9 Spring Retreat for 55 & Up, Cedar Valley-West Bend Around the District St. Paul, Grafton welcomes Pastor and Sharon Maschke On Saturday, March 3, Pastor Timothy Maschke was installed as Part-Time Associate Care Pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Grafton, Wis. Dr. Maschke received his M Div from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and went on to earn a Doctor of Ministry from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and his PhD in Historical Theology at Marquette University. Dr. Maschke also served two congregations in Illinois prior to accepting a Call to Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW), where he was Campus Pastor, Pre- Seminary Director, and Professor of Theology. He also wrote two books, Gathered Guests: A guide to Worship in the Lutheran Church, and Called to Be Holy in the World: An Introduction to Christian History, besides many book reviews and articles for professional journals. His wife, Sharon, retired after teaching at St. Paul, Grafton, for 15 years, and student-teacher supervisor at CUW. The Maschke's have three children and five grandchildren. Pastor Maschke looks forward to serving the members of Christ's Body at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School for many years. WFLAG's Annual Meeting The Wisconsin Federation of Lutheran Altar Guilds (WFLAG) will hold their annual meeting on Saturday, April 21, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2220 E. College Avenue, Appleton, Wis., All LCMS Altar Guilds and pastors are invited to attend a day of worship, fellowship and sharing. For more information, please go to wflag.org. June SWD District Convention, CUW 15 Youth and Family Day at Noah's Ark, Wis. Dells LWML-SWD Convention, Marriott West-Waukesha August 17 Firm Foundations, Martin Luther HS, Greendale September School Administrators' Conference, Kalahari, Wis. Dells 14 Passionate believers... confessing Christ for the next generation

15 DOES YOUR LUTHERAN SCHOOL NEED UPGRADES? BE SMART. Our SMART Loan for educational institutions is designed to meet the short-term financial needs of LCMS elementary, middle and high schools as well as school associations and Recognized Service Organizations (RSOs). Benefits & Features 0% interest for the first 12 months. Borrow up to $150,000. Loan payments structured up to 10 years, depending on needs. Payments for second 12 months determined using LCEF s Cost of Funds. Payments for remaining term of loan determined using LCEF s Cost of Funds plus up to 2.5%, adjusted annually. Low closing fees. No prepayment penalties. Learn more at lcef.org or call Our Fathers Lutheran School, located in Greenfield, WI, built their new playground with funding help from a SMART Loan. S M A R T Security upgrades and system enhancements, including energy efficiency projects. Maintenance and other facility upgrades, including playground equipment.* Academic resources for classroom use. Repairs for both the building and fleet (can also be used for vehicle purchases). Technology needs and equipment leases, purchases and upgrades. * Need help completing these types of projects? See whether a Laborers For Christ team can help! Contact LCEF to learn more. Lutheran Church Extension Fund National Office: Sunset Office Drive, Suite 300 St. Louis, MO Phone number: Website: lcef.org. LCEF is a nonprofit religious organization; therefore, LCEF investments are not FDIC-insured bank deposit accounts. This is not an offer to sell investments, nor a solicitation to buy. LCEF will offer and sell its securities only in states where authorized. The offer is made solely by LCEF s Offering Circular. Investors should carefully read the Offering Circular, which more fully describes associated risks. Lutheran Church Extension Fund-Missouri Synod (NMLS# 3444).

16 SOUTH WISCONSIN DISTRICT LCMS 8100 W CAPITOL DRIVE MILWAUKEE, WI Nonprofit Org. US Postage PAID Milwaukee, WI Permit No Celebrating... Send us names of people who will observe a noteworthy July, August or September birthday (90, 95, 100 or over 100) or wedding anniversary (50, 55, 60, 65 or over 65). Deadline is June 1, them to editor@swd.lcms.org, or mail to Passionate Believers, 8100 W. Capitol Dr., Milwaukee, WI Birthdays April 1 Norma Schoenbeck, 90, Our Redeemer, Delavan 3 Edward Bernthal, 95, Pella, Waupun 10 Jane Behrens, 95, St. John, Plymouth 12 Gladys Kroenig, 90, Bethlehem, Sheboygan 20 Frederick Fibiger, 95, Bethlehem, Sheboygan 21 Phil Gohlke, 90, Calvary, Princeton 24 Arno Korth, 101, Brookfield Lutheran, Brookfield Wedding Anniversaries April 2 Dick & Betty DeYoung, 69, Bethlehem, Sheboygan 10 James & Elaine Vogeler, 70, Immanuel, Brookfield 20 Wayne & Lois Vukosich, 50, St. Paul's, West Allis May 3 Carl & Dorothy Twardokus, 66, St. Stephen, Horicon 4 James & Jeanne Hoffman, 55, St. Paul's, West Allis 4 John & Judith Jochem, 55, St. Paul's, West Allis 11 Roger & Jean Schmidt, 55, St. John's, West Bend 11 Roger & Janice Siemers, 55, St. John's West Bend 18 Erwin & Martha Hahn, 50, St. John's, West Bend 18 Willi & Susanne Radke, 50, Elm Grove Luth., Elm Grove 19 Larry & Eleanor Beckman, 67, Covenant, Milwaukee 25 Henry & Judy Weiss, 55, Covenant, Milwaukee 25 Wayne & Minerva Nokes, 50, St. John's, West Bend 25 Norman & Joanne Seeger, 50, Elm Grove Luth., Elm Grove May 11 Gladys Smith, 95, Elm Grove Luth., Elm Grove 24 Theresa Handlos, 95, Covenant, Milwaukee June 2 Colleen Brickner, 90, St. John, Plymouth 15 Jack Sorcic, 90, St. Paul's, West Allis 18 Angie Bartz, 95, Bethlehem, Sheboygan 21 Grace Winkler, 95, Bethlehem, Sheboygan 24 June Kewley, 95, Covenant, Milwaukee June 1 John & Judith Brunner, 55, St. Paul's, West Allis 1 Myron & Bea Buss, 50, Good Shepherd, Sheboygan 1 Jerry & Judy Hogan, 50, Elm Grove Luth., Elm Grove 3 David & Evelyn Grebel, 68, St. Stephen, Horicon 7 Bob & Ruby Klupper, 60, Zion, New Holstein 8 Gerald & Alice Rahn, 60, Pella, Waupun 8 Robert & Ruth Meyer 55, Bethlehem, Sheboygan 10 Clifford & Dorothy Gunderson, 68, St. Paul's, West Allis 14 Wendell & Lorraine Storm, 60, Good Shepherd, Sheboygan 15 Nevin & Mary Lou Farley, 55, St. John's, West Bend 15 Wayne & Barbara Larsen, 55, St. Stephen, Horicon 15 Gene & Renee Weinberger, 50, Berea, Milwaukee 21 Davis & Jacqueline Hohn, 60, Elm Grove Luth., Elm Grove 21 Ronald & Judith Homan, 60, Pella, Waupun 22 Floyd, Jr. & Carol Wondisford, 50, Blessed Savior, New Berlin 25 LeRoy & Pauline Biscobing, 69, St. Paul, Brown Deer 29 Alfred & Hermine Couturier, 55, St. Paul's, West Allis