Progressive and vibrant future envisioned for South Wisconsin District

Transcription

1 Mar./Apr IN THIS ISSUE Life Sunday event addresses abortion, stem cell research page 2 Mission focus: Madison international outreach, Milwaukee homeless, Thailand Hmong & Ghana deaf mission trips page 3 Around the District page 4 Volunteers move quickly for medical supply donation windfall page 5 Hartford scout awards page 12 South Wisconsin District LCMS 8100 West Capitol Drive Milwaukee, WI ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Progressive and vibrant future envisioned for South Wisconsin District Progressive and vibrant will be the fresh direction of the South Wisconsin District, according to staff engaged in the beginning stages of overhauling the strategic plan for the South Wisconsin District. Executive staff, led by President John Wille, have entered into an intensive process of reworking the mission, vision, and critical targets of the District (see sidebar). Alan Meyer, senior vice president for planning and research at Concordia University Chicago, is assisting with the evaluation. John Ericsen, who was hired as business manager earlier this year, stated that the success of the potential plan all comes down to communication. It s more than revamping some documents. It s revamping the way we serve the churches and schools. We are change agents. We want to make a difference in the way we communicate, and transparency will be a big part of that. Patricia Stalker, member of St. John, Glendale, since 1982, believes the changes in communication are positive. The District is having an identity crisis. They need to explain the mission and goals for the future. Ministry approach The strategic planning process was initiated soon after President Wille was installed. According to Ericsen, the motivation behind the latest strategic planning was ushered in with Wille s new administration in order to look at what the mission is and how to achieve it. The working mission, vision, and critical targets are grounded in Scripture and aligned with Synod s, according to Tim Dittloff, Lutheran Church Extension Fund vice president. Outreach [at the Synod level] is a passion and that is a goal for us. We are looking at how some of the objectives will reach that and how does it compare to what we believe in our church body, Dittloff stated. Working Mission Statement The South Wisconsin District connects and resources leaders to equip God s people for bold witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Working Vision Statement In a constantly changing world, the South Wisconsin District is the leader in advancing and facilitating progressive and vibrant models for mission and ministry and leadership development and wellness. Working Critical Targets Technology Finances Missions Congregations Congregations will be directly impacted through completion of the critical targets established. Ericsen continued, The goal is to have congregations look to us as a value-added resource. We hope it will positively affect the congregations and schools. Our Core Values Discipleship Relationships Integrity Diversity Excellence BUSINESS NEWS BRIEFS! SWD welcomes new business manager John Ericsen. It is with great excitement and joy that we announce that South Wisconsin has a new business manager, John Ericsen. He comes to us from a diversified background, working with financial services, public relations and information technology. Prior work experience includes serving as controller for a major Milwaukee public relations firm as well as operations manager at Compuware. A graduate of UW Oshkosh and UW Milwaukee with a BS in psychology and a BA in finance and accounting, Ericsen s personality and his skills promise to be a great asset as our District moves ahead in bold witness of our Lord Jesus. Ericsen lives in Brookfield with his wife Andrea and sons Adam and Joel. Dittloff added, Congregations will hopefully become even more passionate about sharing the Good News. As they become more connected, they may become better witnesses and stewards in their own personal lives. Financial goals A financial objective of the committee is to raise congregational offerings by 15 percent within two years. Another objective is for twenty percent of total congregational offerings to be sent to Synod within two years, building toward the fiscal year level, which was thirty-eight percent, one of the highest nationally. Much of the congregational dollars sent to Synod fund mission projects. Ericsen is hopeful that the critical targets can be met, specifically the financial objective of raising congregational offerings by 15 percent. We ve seen the evidence of what other districts are doing to make this funding happen, he said. As [churches] begin to catch the vision we are working toward, it will hopefully be in the spirit of partnership, Dittloff added. Stalker said, What does the District do? How does it relate to the Synod? It s a mystery in our churches. It s great that [the strategic planning] is addressing this. It s time for some changes definitely! The group began the strategic planning process in fall 2006 and is currently continuing to modify necessary elements of the plan. A tentative schedule for this spring includes creation of an action plan for the District. The committee is using the SWOT analysis model, which evaluates the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the District and its ministries. SWOT analysis is a tool for helping staff plan and focus on key issues. Strategic planning refers to the decision-making process of how to apply the District s limited resources. The planning process aims to identify a focus for the District, establish specific goals and objectives to achieve that direction, and lend structure for budgetary decisions. Communication review Several print and electronic avenues are used to share information, including the swd.lcms.org website, the South Wisconsin News, and monthly and bimonthly newsletter mailings to professional church workers and lay leaders. These methods and their cost effectiveness are being investigated by the District communications committee. To improve access to and timeliness of information, a much greater emphasis on e- mail, electronic newsletter subscriptions, web updates and other technologies is expected.! The 2007 percentage of District receipts to be forwarded for national ministry has been raised to a full ten percent, with possible further boosts pending finance committee and board review in case of property sales.! Ralph Klevenow, former SWD business manager and LCEF vice president who has been assisting with the business office transition, has been appointed assistant treasurer.! A 2006 District convention DVD is being mailed to churches and schools. Segments include District and Synod president and staff reports, question and answer session, and the God and Country military salute. The official proceedings book is also on the DVD in PDF format and is available on the District website at swd.lcms.org/resources.

2 2 South Wisconsin News March/April 2007 Bricks symbolize hope in Lake THE PRESIDENT S CORNER The cross puts our lives back together Reading through the various family histories in Holy Scripture, it s not difficult to see that there is trouble in every family. But it s not just families, every person and every relationship suffers in some way. Rev. John C. Wille Joseph and his brothers are an example. They fought incessantly. It was more than sibling rivalry. There was a genuine hatred between them. And it wasn t just the sons of Jacob. The same emotions characterized the relationship that their father Jacob had with his brother Esau. Look at the intrigue that David brings into his family because of his lies, because of his adultery, and his murder of Uriah. Absalom sees what his father has done; and he himself goes beyond the boundaries, leading a rebellion against his father David. There is the betrayal of our Lord at the hands of one of his trusted disciples. Another denies him. Everyone remembers what Cain did to his brother Abel and for what reason? It happens because every person is tragically broken, fatally flawed. We see it in the family stories of Holy Scripture. We know why. Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit. Sin and death enter the world; and all humanity is cursed with sin. We know the words from Romans 3:12: All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. That brokenness is part of who we are as sinners. We experience that brokenness in our own friendships and in our own families. That curse and that brokenness is why God the Father sends his Son to the cross. What God has done for us sending his Son to the cross is similar to what happened one day as a father returned home after a hard day at work. He was exhausted. His nerves were frayed. His patience was gone. But his young son wanted attention, wanted it now, and he wouldn t grant the poor man a moment s peace. All he wanted was for his father to color a picture with him in his Sunday School book. It was a picture of the world. But in total frustration the father ripped the picture out of the book and tore it to shreds. Here, he said, now go and put the world back together again. To his amazement, within a few minutes the boy was back with the picture all taped together. The father was astonished. That s incredible! How did you do that so quickly? The boy said, It was easy. On the backside is a picture of the cross. I used the cross to put the world back together. Our Lord has done the same. Our God has taken this world, as well as our lives which were shredded and destroyed by sin, and he has put this world and our lives back together with his Son who died on that cross. It s the message of Lent. It s the message of Easter. God s Son dies to earn forgiveness for us. God s Son rises to give us life. Through the cross and the tomb our Lord Jesus puts our world back together again. Anniversary Corner Birthdays (90, 95, 100 & above) MARCH 19 Robert Mehne, 90, Trinity, Oshkosh APRIL 2 Lillian Genrich, 90, Grace, Omro 24 Bernelda Husman, 101, Faith, Sturtevant 26 Norbert Qualmann, 90, St. John, Horicon 27 Ella Hell, 100, St. Paul, Westfield Anniversaries (50, 55, 60, 65 & above) APRIL 7 Robert and Rose Mehne, 66, Trinity, Oshkosh 8 Norman and Eleanor Kindschuh, 68, Pella, Waupun 20 Gus and Valois Ponto, 50, Zion, Neshkoro 26 Don and Lois Dummer, 60, Berea, Milwaukee 27 Fred and Hannah Arreins, 50, Pella, Waupun Ron and Barbara DePriest, 50, Our Redeemer, Delavan Don and Audrey Richter, 50, St. Paul, Brown Deer Send us the names of people who will observe a May or June 2007 birthday (90, 95, 100, or above) or anniversary (50, 55, 60, 65, or above). Deadline is March 30, Mail to: South Wisconsin News, 8100 W. Capitol Dr., Milwaukee, WI editor@swd.lcms.org. Country awareness program: starring Lake Country residents delivers the message What s your brick? This question is the foundation of a new communications program to build public awareness of the capital campaign for the permanent home of Lake Country Lutheran High School (LCLHS). The main component of the What s Your Brick? outreach is a video message from students, parents, the school principal, and others in the community about their hopes and dreams for the new school campus. The marketing campaign, conducted by The Lutheran High School Association of Greater Milwaukee (LHSAGM), was unveiled in January. The What s Your Brick? video, starring students and parents from the school and members of the Lake Country community, is embedded in an that was sent to approximately 450 recipients on Jan. 29. As a viral , the message will spread and multiply as the first round of recipients forward the to friends, family, and others, who may in turn send it to additional people. We will effectively multiply the reach, frequency, and effectiveness of our message, said Tom Buck, LHSAGM superintendent of schools. Getting more people engaged in the vision of the high school will create the excitement and word-of-mouth support we need for a robust grassroots fundraising campaign. The includes a link to whatsyourbrick.com, where the video and testimonials from students and community members are available. Visitors can also enter their own thought. The site also includes information about LCLHS, the construction time line, capital campaign progress, volunteer activity, and many ways people can contribute. Additional materials such as posters, flyers, brochures, and other visuals of the What s Your Brick? theme will be placed around the community. Creating a vibrant climate of giving all centered around making this dream a reality will encourage other major gift donors to come forward, said Buck. At the end of 2006, approximately $9 million was raised toward the $15 million needed to start construction in late spring. To make a gift or for more information, call the LHSAGM development department, (414) CALLS & V A C A N C I E S CONGREGATIONS CALLING PASTORS: Cedarburg, First Immanuel Mequon Trinity-Freistadt (associate) Milwaukee Bethany Grafton St. Paul (associate) Omro Grace Hartland Divine Redeemer Portage St. John (eval.) Potter Trinity La Crosse Faith (eval.) Reedsburg St. Peter Lebanon St. Peter Sheboygan Christ Mayville St. John (eval.) Sheboygan Trinity Menomonee Falls Zion PASTORS WHO ARE CONSIDERING CALLS: Erik Cloeter Bethlehem, Wales to Messiah, Clio, MI and Our Redeemer, Cohasset, MN David Gehne Trinity, Racine to executive director, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO Byrene Haney Gospel, Milwaukee to Pilgrim, Baltimore, MD Christopher Navurskis Christ, Weyauwega to Gethsemane, Lakewood, OH Jeffrey Teeple Pella, Waupun to St. John, Portage PASTORS WHO HAVE ACCEPTED CALLS: Mark Benning Holy Cross, Spokane, WA to Good Shepherd, Tomah Ronald Breight St. Luke, Lyndon Station to Christ, Forest Hills, PA Andrew Lemley Bethany, Milwaukee to Zion, Wellington, CO Ronald Meyer SWD president emeritus to senior Fan Into Flame development officer, LCMS Foundation Roy Peterson Grace, Menomonee Falls to Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon PASTORS WHO HAVE DECLINED CALLS: David Paape Immanuel, Sheboygan to St. Paul, Stevens Point, WI Paul Jay Pfotenhauer Bethel, Westmont, IL to St. John, Portage and Trinity-Freistadt, Mequon PASTORS RETIRING: Wilmer Reichmann 12/31/06 Calvin Seban 12/31/06 PASTORS TRANSFERRED OUT OF THE DISTRICT: William Lewis (emeritus) to North Wisconsin District PASTORS RESIGING THEIR CONGREGATION: Harold Austermann St. John, Neshkoro; St. Paul, Westfield; Trinity, Montello PASTORS RESIGING FROM THE ROSTER: Allan Jahneke 1/30/07 Peter Marth 12/30/06 PASTORS CALLED TO GLORY: Carl Selle 12/10/06 West Bend Life Sunday event addresses abortion, embryonic stem cell research Defending the defenseless was the topic presented by Dr. Keven Voss at St. Andrew, West Bend, on Life Sunday, Jan. 21. His message conveyed a reminder that God is the creator of all human life and that he has a plan for everyone before they are born. Voss is director of Concordia University s Bioethics Institute in Mequon. On what was the 34th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision which legalized abortion in America, Voss pointed out that the total number of abortions performed since 1973 is greater than the current population of California. Discussing stem cell research, Voss emphasized that research on embryonic stem cells kills babies and that adult stem cells have been more successful in treating diseases. After services, members enjoyed a birthday party, followed by lunch and games. This event was a great opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation for the gift of life, said member Esther Oehme. Published bimonthly by the South Wisconsin District The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Volume 31, Number West Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, WI (414) " In Wisconsin, (800) Fax: (414) " swd@swd.lcms.org Visit our Web site at swd.lcms.org Production Manager... Barbara Balwinski The purpose of the South Wisconsin District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is to enhance the congregational ministry of bringing Christ to people and helping them grow in their Christian faith and life. NEXT ISSUE: MAY/JUNE 2007 SUBMISSION DEADLINE MARCH 30 Send your news to: editor@swd.lcms.org

3 March/April 2007 South Wisconsin News 3 Madison chapel s international outreach creates ripple effect by Wayne Weiss, Living Christ, Madison I have the privilege of participating in a weekly Bible study at the International Friendship Center (IFC) in Madison. When it was established, we had four main goals: to be multicultural, to provide an opportunity to strengthen the faith of attending internationals and Americans, to use the study as an outreach vehicle, and to train internationals to be group leaders so they can lead small groups here and in their home country when they return. As we were training a group of leaders, we discussed Rev. Via Vang baptizes Vangfong Lor, a non-christian from Laos, who after four days of hearing the Gospel in Thailand, received baptism. Pastor Vang prays that Vangfong will stay in the faith and share it with his family members. Lutheran Counseling & Family Services (LCFS) of Wisconsin, 3800 N. Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa, recently received a $50,000 grant designed to generate thousands more in financial gifts to advance their social ministry. The grant will be used to reach out to and the responsibility of the leaders (and group members) to regularly invite new people to the Bible study. One person, Thomas (not his real name), said that in his culture it was not appropriate to ask people to do this. But after the training sessions, Thomas started inviting classmates to join us. He brought a new guest for the next four weeks. One of those was Paul. After his initial visit, Paul was a regular each week until his return home. Paul brought his friend Peter to an IFC social event. That s where I met Peter, who is not a Christian. During my conversation with him, he expressed from Rev. Christian Ikanih Over the recent cold months, we have done outreach to the homeless in the inner city of Milwaukee. The inner city streets of Milwaukee are home to many, and there are not enough shelters for this population, especially in frigid weather. When the shelters are filled up for the night, the unfortunate individuals go right back into the streets, under bridges, boarded up May 21 Lutheran Special School golf outing Play-a-round for special kids Make plans to attend the 18th annual play-a-round for special kids golf outing, Monday, May 21 at North Hills Country Club in Menomonee Falls. The outing benefits the students and families of Lutheran Special School & Education Services (LSSES). This is our main fundraiser of the year, according to Michelle Wagner, fund development director. Each year, we have to raise $400,000 above fees and tuition we receive. Without the golf outing, many students would not benefit from our services. The competitive format is a scramble with a shotgun start. Foursomes are invited in three flights: men, women and mixed couples. There are advertising, hole sponsorship and volunteer opportunities. Non-golfers can enjoy a delicious meal and a silent/voice auction of many special items, including seats in the right field picnic area at Miller Park, items from the Milwaukee Bucks, and vacation accommodations. Registration forms are available at lsses.org. LSSES is an independent tax-exempt organization, and relies solely on donations, grants and fees to fund their programs. For more information, call (414) in interest in learning more about Jesus. Now Peter and I are meeting weekly. He has scores of Wayne Weiss (at right), his wife Suzanne (left), and International Friendship Center Bible study students Tsung, Jihye, Darren, Jiyun and Uni. questions. The first one he asked concerned his wife, who is Christian. He asked if God would punish her for something she had done. (Someone in their native country placed the fear of God on her.) I assured him that through repentance and seeking forgiveness, God would forgive her and grant her his peace. The following week, Peter said that he told his wife about our conversation. She was very happy, and now wants to start going to church again. She had not gone in a long time. With the assistance of LCMS World Mission, I supplied her with the name of a church close to where she Lutheran Counseling & Family Services receives $50,000 grant to spur charitable gifting lives in her native country. In the meantime, Peter attends our weekly meeting asking questions and growing in knowledge. A ripple started when Thomas invited Paul. Paul s faith was strengthened. Paul invited Peter. Peter is learning more about the Lord, and his wife wants to reconnect to her faith. One somewhat reluctant action has touched three other people. Is there a person in your life you could invite to a Bible study, a church social event, or a worship service? Don t put it off! Your action will touch the hearts and souls of more people than you can imagine. All Nations mission start braves the cold with street ministry Thai trip trains Hmong leaders Rev. Jeff Prewitt (New Hope, Neenah), Rev. Yia Vang (Hmong Hope, Milwaukee) and Dr. Fungchatou Lo had the opportunity to travel to Thailand Jan , 2007, for more mission work among the Hmong people. Two men came from Laos to be trained as leaders. There were also seven other men from different villages in Thailand who participated in the leadership training sessions. The group witnessed the changing of names for an infant and adult member. The naming ceremony is part of Hmong culture marking passage through different stages of life. A Hmong village they had been praying for was visited, and two Gospel films were shown to the villagers. The group also visited many families and prayed for the sick. houses, the bus station or 24-hour coffee shops in search of their own shelters. Within the local homeless population is a group that lives in the street regardless of weather conditions, refusing to go to shelters at all. This is the group we have been reaching out to and ministering to recently, providing bedding, warm clothing, backpacks, food and water and the Gospel. We are planning to offer haircuts and shaves to those that need them. A crew of four volunteers in van roam the streets of the inner city of Milwaukee on Wednesday and Saturday nights from 9:00 p.m. to midnight, searching for the homeless. We are grateful to Rev. Dan McMiller (South Wisconsin District missions executive) and Rev. Andrew Lemley (Bethany, Milwaukee) who have accompanied us on these drives. We are indebted to the churches who support this ministry: St. Paul, West Allis; Immanuel, Mayville; Good Shepherd, Watertown; and Prince of Peace, Menomonee Falls. Ghana deaf ministry gains 4 vicars; Lutheran high school begun From Jan. 9-Feb. 1, Rev. John Reinke and a team of four volunteers Linda Zoiss, Betty Jo Lucero, Karen Hale and Sandy Pittaro taught the Gospel to deaf children and adults in Ghana, West Africa. You can read about the team s successes (four new vicars, leader training, outreach, school construction progress) and tribulations (Law and Gospel instruction, communication struggles, lost luggage, travel challenges), in their detailed updates available online. Visit deafjesus.org and click on mission society. Additional mission trips are planned for May and August this year, as well as in January, meet with nearly 1,000 potential new LCFS donors. Educational and motivational meetings are scheduled to involve 25 Wisconsin communities with LCFS offices including eighteen locations and four thrift stores in the South Wisconsin District. These meetings will share and illustrate the mental health and adoption service mission of LCFS, and encourage participants to help LCFS help others through charitable gifting. The grant is one of 75 awarded by the Thrivent foundation as part of its $4.8 million charitable gifting initiative program. Dr. Chuck Meseck, CEO of LCFS stated, We are grateful for the partnership with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation, and the resources needed to meet with new and renewed supporters of LCFS. Generous gifts from those with a heart for LCFS are essential to helping us help others by providing mental health counseling, drug and alcohol programs and adoption services for children, individuals, couples and families in need.

4 4 South Wisconsin News March/April 2007 AROUND THE DISTRICT AROUND THE DISTRICT AROUND 25 years in teaching ministry for Paulette Stecker The Mt. Olive, Milwaukee, family will celebrate Paulette Stecker s 25 years of teaching in the LCMS on March 11. Just as Stecker teaches her students to appreciate the history of the great state of Wisconsin, she ll be recognized in true Wisconsin fashion: with fun, food and fellowship. Call (414) Paulette Stecker teaches at Mt. Olive, Milwaukee. MLHS ladies guild annual shrimp buffet dinner On March 23, 2007, the Milwaukee Lutheran High School ladies guild will host their annual shrimp buffet dinner from 4:00-6:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria, 9700 W. Grantosa Dr., Milwaukee. The dinner features all-you-can-eat boiled shrimp together with homemade salads, bread, desserts and beverages. Ticket prices are $13 for adults and $5 for children 11 years and under. Advanced tickets are required call (262) Proceeds from this annual event will be used to purchase non-budgeted items for the school. Matching funds are anticipated from Thrivent Financial s Milwaukee North Chapter. St. Peter, Reedsburg seeks crafters for November sale This November, St. Peter Lutheran Church and School in Reedsburg will be 140 years old. A yearlong celebration is planned, starting with a large craft and bake sale on Nov. 10, 2007, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They are looking for crafters to fill 90 booths. Congregations are welcome to join all its crafters together in a shared spot also. For more information or a signup form, call the craft cordinator at (608) or write St. Peter s Craft Fair, c/o Caroline Brandt, 1203 Wellington Dr., Apt B, Reedsburg, WI Forms will be mailed in early April. Emmaus, Poy Sippi, 100th anniversary Three separate celebrations are planned in 2007 by Emmaus, Poy Sippi, under the theme, Standing firm forever, based on I Cor. 15:58 and Psalm 33:11. The congregation was organized on April 1, 1907, so the first anniversary service will be held April 22, with son of the congregation, Rev. Gary Nehring as guest speaker. A potluck dinner and program will follow the 10:15 a.m. worship service.the second service will be July 22, to coincide with the week-long dedication services held in 1963 for the present church building. Guests will be sons of the congregation, Pastors John and Robert Selle. A potluck dinner and program will follow the 9:30 a.m. service. The finale will be Oct. 21, featuring another son of the congregation, Rev. James Pape. A catered dinner and program will follow. Tickets will be available through the church office later this year. Call (920) or (920) for details. Emmaus is located in Waushara County, in Poy Sippi at N4494 Highway 49. Lutheran a Cappella choir spring concert, Wauwatosa The Lutheran a Cappella choir of Milwaukee will present its spring concert, Make a Joyful Noise, April 29, 3:00 p.m., at St. Matthew s Lutheran Church, 1615 Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa. All the music in the concert is based on words from the book of Psalms. Tickets are $12, seniors and students $10 in advance. Call the choir s information line at (262) , or visit lutheranacappella.org and click on ticket orders. Radio Service plans annual meeting The Lutheran Radio Church Service will hold its annual meeting starting at 7:00 p.m. on May 1, The group will meet in the fine arts building at Wisconsin Lutheran College, 8800 W. Bluemound Rd., Wauwatosa. For more information, call (262) Mt. Olive, Milwaukee senior choir secular program The Mt. Olive senior choir will present its thirty-fourth annual secular program on Friday, May 11, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 13 at 3:00 p.m. in the Christian activities center gymnasium, 54th Street and Washington Boulevard, Milwaukee. Note there is no Saturday performance. The program will feature the senior choir, adult handbell choir, stage band and soloists. For tickets or other information, call the church office at (414) or Ralph Kohrs at (262) Tickets are also available at the door. Northwest Lutheran School celebrates 50 years Northwest Lutheran School Association, owned and operated by Beautiful Savior, Berea, and Covenant Lutheran Churches of Milwaukee, and a partner with LUMIN, will celebrate fifty years of partnership in the Christian education of young children. Celebration events with the theme From generation to generation will be held June 9-10, Saturday, June 9 includes an afternoon of fellowship and fun on the Northwest grounds followed by a picnic supper and concluding with an informal worship service. Rev. Thomas Eggebrecht, a Northwest graduate who presently serves at Mt. Calvary, Milwaukee, will be the guest speaker. On June 10, each association congregation will recognize their ministry partnership with Northwest during their regular worship services. A banquet will be held at Silver Spring Country Club beginning at noon. Northwest graduate, Rev. Jeffery Schubert, executive director of LCMS district and congregational services in St. Louis, Mo., will serve as the master of ceremonies. For more information or to reserve your place, please contact the Northwest school office at (414) or visit northwestlutheran.org. Marlys Taege Moberg honored for Lutheran history contribution Marlys Taege Moberg of Milwaukee received the Award of Commendation for her work, Treasured Lives: The Story of Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc., from Concordia Historical Institute, the LCMS department of archives and history. Moberg was among seventeen individuals and organizations honored at the 32nd annual awards banquet hosted at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo. Her work won the commendation in the major publications category. Feastings from Pilgrim The ladies guild at Pilgrim, West Bend, compiled a special cookbook when celebrating their church s 50th anniversary in The cookbook contains a unique collection of nearly 600 recipes including breads, desserts, salads, soups, vegetable and main dishes, plus hints, helps and guides for planning meals and get togethers. To order, send a check for $12 per book to Pilgrim Ladies Guild, 462 Meadowbrook Dr., West Bend, WI For more information, call (262) Mt. Zion, Greenfield, celebrates 75th anniversary Under the theme, On Christ the solid rock, Mt. Zion Lutheran in Greenfield, observed its 75th anniversary on Dec. 3, 2006 with a special service and banquet. Guest preacher was Rev. Edward Balfour, a convert from Judaism who offered interesting insights into the faith. Dr. John Saleska brought smiles and laughter as banquet speaker, and Concordia University s Alleluia Ringers performed. Mt. Zion s first church service was held in 1931 on the first Sunday in Advent. Back then it was known as Howard Avenue Lutheran Church. Not only was the name later changed, but the location of the church changed as well to its current location on Layton Avenue. Rev. Aaron Koch dressed in clergy casual at Mt. Zion s banquet.

5 March/April 2007 South Wisconsin News 5 Volunteers move quickly for $200,000 medical supply windfall When the F. Dohmen Company in Germantown the fifth largest pharmaceutical distributor in the U.S. was bought out by an Ohio company last year, a member from Shepherd of the Hills, Pewaukee, shared the information with fellow member Bob Wittkopf, who is active with the food, furniture and clothing pantry of Mission of Christ, Milwaukee, and its coordinator, Eric Bell. In the Dohmen warehouse was a $24 million inventory of medical supplies, an assortment of over-the-counter items such as pregnancy tests, vitamins, lotions, body cleansers, mouthwash, catheters, bandages, diabetic meters and supplies and much more. As part of the company s purchase agreement 25 percent of the inventory had to be donated or discarded. Wittkopf arranged for some of these supplies to be distributed through the outreach pantry from Mission of Christ. Bell delivered $30-35,000 Back row: Volunteers Eric Bell, Bob Wittkopf, Jim Flynn (driver), Sam Gall, front row: Tony Townes, Melvin Hortman, Quincy Price, Kent Loehrke and John Haumschild loaded medical supplies destined for Africa. Parish nurse Kathy Saltzmann recently received a grant from Lutheran World Relief and Human Care to expand resources for Good Shepherd s divorce support group in East Troy. The divorce support group has been meeting for three and a half years now and we wanted to increase access for clients and purchase divorce care materials, said Saltzmann. Good Shepherd s divorce ministry reaches out to individuals who are hurting because of divorce or separation. With the grant funds, two healing opportunities will be offered. A thirteen-session Diin medical supplies to several free clinics in Milwaukee, including the Vets Place Center, Dr. Suson and the Free Clinic Collaborative, a group of ten clinics serving the poor and indigent. Wittkopf also delivered supplies to First Methodist Church, Waukesha. From this location, diabetic items went to an Episcopal church in New Orleans and to Milwaukee s Hispanic Resource Center. In November, Bell learned the warehouse had to be completely emptied by mid-month or dumpsters would be placed at the loading dock doors. Brookfield businessman Gordon Veseley donated a truck to Good Shepherd, East Troy receives grant to share divorce resources vorce Care group will meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Wesley House (2931 Main St., East Troy), which is also home to the East Troy Family Community Resource Center. Good Shepherd is also starting a pilot program called Changing Families Kids Club. This is an after school program meeting twice a month between January and May for children ages 5-12 who are affected by separation or divorce. This program will be offered again in the fall. If you would like information on Divorce Care or Changing Families Kids Club please call (262) or visit transfer the supplies to Shepherd of the Hills member Kent Loehrke s garage in Sussex. Twenty-five skids, 4 by 4 by 5 feet high were shrink wrapped for pickup. An itemized list of the supplies totaled over $170,000 in value. After discussion with Jim Farrelly, human care director at the District office, and contacts in Louisiana, Wittkopf got in touch with Erin Walters at Orphan Grain Train ( a volunteer network that shares personal and material resources with needy people in America and around the world. It was determined that the remainder of supplies would be sent to Africa. The Brakebush Chicken Co. donates trucks to help Orphan Grain Train pickup materials nationwide. Volunteers loaded a provided 54-foot semitrailer for transport of the supplies to Nebraska and then on to Africa. Through communication, initiative and coordination, human hearts were moved to act. Needy souls were helped in the central city of Milwaukee, throughout the Midwest, and all the way to the shores of Africa.

6 6 South Wisconsin News March/April 2007 Mission Lamp Lutheran Women s Missionary League News Here is what Lutheran Women in Mission are doing! See You there! June National LWML convention in Sioux Falls, SD Oct Fall Retreat at Wintergreen Resort, Wisconsin Dells From our President Dashing... through the snow! This definition of the word dash brings to mind winter fun. (We also could say we ll be dashing along the freeway to attend our Spring workshops on March 17 or 24!) Another meaning of the word dash is the little line you see between two words, like March June; this dash represents the period of time between those dates. Years ago I received an which spoke of the writing on tombstones, an example being , where the dash represents the lifetime of the person between their birth and death dates. It went on to say that while we mark those milestone dates in a person s life, we often may not pay attention to the period of time the dash indicates, the time they spend here on earth. DISTRICT OFFICERS President Carolyn Blum cjblum@bicyclerider.us VP, Servant Resources Judy Paulson ; judykay1@ix.netcom.com VP, Gospel Outreach/ Christian Life Florence Harms ; fharmslwml@triwest.net VP, Human Care, Grants Ruth Krueger hrkrueger11@peoplepc.com VP, Communications Mari Ann Colburn ; clc@chorus.net Recording Secretary Linda Ault (M-F a.m); copi1kitty@aol.com Corres. Secretary Verna Jordan vmjordan@nconnect.net Financial Secretary (Receives all funds) Janis Mattson 3557 S. 43rd St. Greenfield, WI jmm11098@aol.com Treasurer (Pays all bills) Lorraine M. Koch lorko@centurytel.net Senior Counselor Rev. Robert Busse revbusse@yahoo.com Junior Counselor Rev. David Totsky tots_brkfld@yahoo.com Carolyn Blum, President We have all experienced the death of close family members, neighbors, co-workers, cherished friends and even our beloved sisters in the LWML. We ask Why, Lord? While we may never know the answer in our lifetime, perhaps we need, instead, to ask this question: What do you want of me, Lord? My loved one is gone and I m still here. What would you have me do? We may find the Lord leads us to examine our loved one s dash and seek to use the positive aspects of their life to find new meaning in ours. Each person makes a unique contribution to God s Kingdom, and we may consider, as a way to honor their memory, to model ourselves after the most God-pleasing portions of their lives. Jesus, being our supreme role model, used the dash in His life to spread God s love, to care for others and to give the ultimate sacrifice so we can join Him in heaven. As we celebrate His death and His glorious resurrection at Easter time, we can dedicate ourselves to patterning our life on His and prayerfully ask for guidance to be more like Him every day of our lives. A blessed Easter to all! Looking Ahead to... Fall Retreat Gary Thies, Mission Development Counselor for the LCMS, will be the keynote speaker for the LWML Fall Retreat Oct at the Wintergreen Resort, Wisconsin Dells. Based on Matt. 9:37-38, the emphasis will be on The Master Calls for You. An LWML Birthday Party is planned for Friday evening, featuring 60 years of memories and missions. Mark your calendars now, and plan to invite your friends. Retreats are great getaways! Save This Date, Too! Plan now to attend the 2008 SWD LWML Convention Friday and Saturday, June 27-28, 2008, at the Olympia Resort in Oconomowoc. Pastor Dan McMiller will speak on the convention theme, Go Gather Glorify, based on Isaiah 6:8. RIGHT, YWR Co-chairman Margie Hua kept the 2007 Retreat on time and on target with her threemonth-old son, Toby, in her arms. Our Mites: Sharing Christ s Love Around the World Goal: $190,000 Needed by end of January $55, Received: $55, Grant #4 Paid $7,500 Given to Place of Refuge A Place of Refuge (APOR), the fourth mission grant chosen by SWD LWML convention delegates, has received a check for $7,500. It will provide $4,250 for printed educational and promotional materials, $550 for outdoor signs for churches, $1,500 for a notebook computer and $1,200 for a projector. All are intended to help more people learn about this ministry, which began in As A Place of Refuge for Pregnant Women and Preborn Children, APOR in Milwaukee provides counseling, food, clothing, furniture, and, if needed, a temporary home for women who choose not to abort their unborn child. Present for the SWD LWML check presentation at Concordia Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, were the South Wisconsin students who will benefit from the grant: (left to right, front row) Paul Spira, Sun Prairie; Dr. Dean Wenthe, CTS President; Mrs. Joyce Buehrens, Kevin Spaeth, Sheboygan Falls. (Middle row) Deaconess student Rachel Thompson, Brodhead; Seth Mierow, Beloit; Rev. George Lange, CTS Director of Financial Aid. (Back row) Jason Zirbel, Milwaukee; David Abuya, Pewaukee; Donald Krause, Berlin, and Peter Grana, Grafton. Milwaukee-area Hmong Lutheran women wore their national dress when they attended a December gathering sponsored by the LWML Heart-to-Heart Sisters Task Force at Hmong Hope Lutheran Church. Subsequently they voted to form an LWML society. Enjoyed by men, women and children, the event included a lunch of Hmong, African Immigrant, French, African American and American Caucasian foods. Heard at YW Retreat Karen Lippert, keynote speaker: God chose us and appointed us to go and bear fruit that will last...and that includes loving the people who drive you nuts!...happiness depends on happenings, but joy is found only in Jesus. Rev. Robert Busse, Bible Study leader: How does YOU being rooted, grounded, and growing in Christ define YOUR ministry in missions? When a prototype sign was placed at an LCMS church, it was noticed by a young woman, too frightened to reveal to anyone, including her parents, that she was pregnant. After she gave birth all alone, she walked into the pastor s office, with her baby in her arms and asked for help because of the sign. New mite gifts now will fund an $8,500 grant to Alaska Mission for Christ. This mission serves the Copper Valley of the huge state of Alaska, where only 19% of the people claim membership in a Christian Church. Seminarian s Challenge led to Ft. Wayne Grant Mission Grants Chairman Joyce Buehrens had the joy of visiting her Fort Wayne seminarian grandson Dec. 14 and also presenting a $5,000 LWML check for student aid. The balance of the $10,000 grant will be given this year to benefit the students. The grant, which received the second highest total votes at the district convention last June, came about because Joyce s grandson, Jason Zirbel, (a third-year student at the sem) challenged her. He said that several other district LWMLs were represented at the annual Fort Wayne donation day, but never South Wisconsin. Adding that many SWD students need help, he asked, What are you prepared to do about it? With the help of Rev. George Lange, Financial Aid Director, a grant proposal was written by Joyce, and it was approved for the ballot. This year eight SWD students are studying at Fort Wayne. One is Rachael Thompson, who is part of the first deaconess class started on the seminary campus three years ago. The other seven are in the pastoral program. Each will receive $625 from this grant toward their expenses of $30,000 to $50,000. These men range from recent college grads to middle-aged second career pastoral students. You Can Do It, Too! All LWML members may submit suggestions for mission grants, just as Joyce Buehrens did in the story above. New grant proposal forms are available on the SWD LWML website. They have been revised to make them more understandable and easy to complete. Although the next convention is over a year away, it s not too early to begin identifying worthy mission needs. To be considered, completed forms must be postmarked by Oct. 31.

7 March/April 2007 South Wisconsin News Theme: Faithfully Leading All to Christ, the Rock From the ends of the earth, I call to you. I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61: 2 Welcome to Two New Societies! The South Wisconsin LWML is pleased to welcome two new ethnic societies. They are: --Nkauj Seev Yees (Women Are Singing, Longing for Their Lord), based at Hmong Hope Lutheran Church, Milwaukee. --Mujeres Trabajando para el Senor (Women Working for the Lord), a Hispanic society at Primera Iglesia in Racine. Mission Lamp Vol. 56, No. 4 March/April 2007 Open to Everyone! Spring Rallies: A Great Opportunity to Hear Some Great Speakers Self Esteem Angels Mission Trips World Views Place of Refuge Bio-Tech 101 Holy Land Visit A Pastor s Wife s Experiences These are just a few of the interesting and inspiring subjects that will be featured at the Spring zone rallies planned during April and early May. Everyone, whether an LWML member of not, is welcome. Rallies are great opportunities to share good Christian fellowship, to grow spiritually, and to enjoy some delicious refreshments. All you have to do is just come - no pre-registration. Zone 1 (Metro-South Shore) Monday, April 30, at Our Father s Church, 6025 S. 27th St., Greenfield. Dr. Grace Peterson of Concordia University will speak on Self Esteem in the Christian Woman. Zone 2 (Metro-South) - Sunday, April 29, at Oklahoma Ave. Church, 5335 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee. Registration: 2 p.m. Zone 3 (Metro Southwest) - Monday, April 23, at Blessed Savior Church, W. Cleveland Ave., New Berlin. Speaker Ruth Krueger will discuss Biblical Angels. Time: 6:30 p.m. Zone 4 (Metro-West) - Saturday, April 28, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at Lamb of God Church, N19W25050 Bluemound Rd., Pewaukee. Rev. Harvey Lange will speak on Mission in Mongolia and lead a Bible study. Zones 5 and 6 (Metro- Northwest and North) - Tuesday, April 24, at Berea Church, 4873 N. 107th St., Milwaukee. Speaker Sandy Berres will describe Missionary Work in Togo and Ghana. Registration: 6 p.m. Zone 7 (Metro-North Shore) - Rev. Glenn Meyer will discuss Mission Trips to Hong Kong, Taiwan and China, Saturday, April 21, at 8:30 a.m. at Gospel Church, 1535 W. Capitol Dr., Milwaukee. Zone 8 (Ozaukee/ Washington) - Monday, April 30, at Trinity, Mequon. Following a 6 p.m. salad supper, the 7 p.m. program will feature Lou Ann Meyer sharing Experiences of a Pastor s Wife. Zone 9 (Horicon) - Saturday, April 21, at Immanuel, North Burnett. The rally opens at 9 a.m. and closes with a noon lunch. Speaker Marlys Taege- Moberg will give a slide presentation on the Holy Land, entitled Walking in the Footsteps of our Lord. Rev. James Mallmann will lead a Bible study. Zone 10 (West Bend/ Random Lake) - Wednesday, April 25, at 6 p.m. at St. Andrew s Church, Hwy. 144, West Bend. World Views: How Can They Believe That? will be the subject of Concordia University Prof. Gary Locklair. Zone 11 (Sheboygan South) - Tuesday, April 24, at Trinity Church, Town Wilson. Registration and lunch at 6 p.m. will be followed by the program at 6:45 p.m. The speaker, Trish Kagerbauer, will share the latest news about A Place of Refuge in Milwaukee. Zone 12 (Sheboygan Central) - Thursday, April 19, at Immanuel, Sheboygan. After dinner at 5:30 p.m., the program at 6:30 p.m. will feature a speaker from MOST Ministries. Zone 13 (Sheboygan North) - Wednesday, April 25, at 6:25 p.m. at St. Paul s, Sheboygan. Rev. Ronald Pederson will lead a Bible study. Zone 14 (Plymouth) - Tuesday, April 24, at St. Peter Church, Hilbert. Rev. John Schenck will lead a Bible Study on Psalm 61. Registration opens at 6:30 p.m., with the program at 7 p.m. Zone 15 (Winnebago) - Tuesday, April 17, at Trinity, Menasha. Registration and dinner at 6 p.m. will be followed by the program at 7 p.m. A Bible study, Give It a Rest, will be led by Rev. Tim Kinne. Zone 16 (Berlin) - Tuesday, April 17, beginning at 3:30 p.m., at St. John, Berlin. Rev. Tom Fleischmann will speak on Chaplaincy Mission and Ministry in Nursing Homes. Rev. Bryan Fritsch will lead a Bible Study. Zone 17 (Marquette) - Saturday, April 14, at 9:30 a.m., at Calvary Church, 202 S. Farmer St., Princeton. Program Theme: Jesus, the Rock for All Ages. Rev. Franklin Biebel will lead the Bible study. Zone 18 (LaCrosse) - Saturday, May 5, at United in Christ Church, Dellwood. An ingathering will benefit the women s and children s shelter. Judy LeMoine will describe her Mission Trip to Haiti. The Bible study will be led by Rev. T. Christian Nelson. Registration and coffee at 8:30 a.m.; rally: 9 a.m. to noon. Zone 19 (Southwest) - Thursday, April 26, at Trinity, Wisconsin Dells. Registration opens at 5:30 p.m. with supper at 6:30 p.m. An ingathering Baby Shower is planned. A Bible study will be led by Rev. Mark Meier. Zones 20 and 21 (Madison North/South) - To be announced. Zone 22 (Oconomowoc) - Tuesday, April 17, at St. Paul s Church, 210 Pleasant St., Oconomowoc. Bio-Tech 101 will be the subject of Diane Chadwick of Lutherans for Life. Registration: 6:30 p.m.; Program: 7 p.m. Zone 23 (Watertown) - Saturday, April 21, at Peace, Beaver Dam. A 9 a.m. fellowship period will precede the 9:45 a.m. rally. Rev. Donald Steinberg will lead the Bible study. Zone 24 (Janesville) - Monday, May 7, at Zion, Town of Center. Speaker Judy Henke of the International Friendship Center, Madison, will talk about Bridging the Gap: Connecting the International Student to Life in the U.S. and Life in Jesus Christ. Dinner at 6 p.m.; program at 6:45 p.m. Zone 25 (Beloit) - Wednesday, April 25, at Our Redeemer, Delavan. Ruth Krueger will speak on Biblical Angels. Time: 9:30 a.m. Zone 26 (Kenosha) - Saturday, April 14, at 9:30 a.m. at Our Savior, Burlington. The speaker will be from A Place of Refuge in Milwaukee. Zone 27 (Racine) - Saturday, April 28, at 8:15 a.m. at Trinity church, 2065 Geneva St., Racine. An ingathering is planned for the Attic Workshop. Speaker Tim Hasko will tell about his Mission Trip to India. Rev. David Gehne will lead the Bible study. Space Still Available On Mission Trip Ever wished you could be a missionary? Now you can by participating in an Eyeglass Mission trip planned by the SWD LWML, going to Puerto Rico Nov The deadline for signing up is April 20. A typical team consists of people who test eyes, hand out glasses, and share their faith. There are still a few spaces left. Participants will be trained beforehand. For info, contact Heather Weiss, Team Administrator, MOST Ministries, PO Box , Ann Arbor, MI Phone: , Ext. 16, or FAX No one is too old. Worried about the language? English is spoken widely in Puerto Rico. Don t like to travel in winter? It s summer there year-round. Scholarship Application Deadline: April 30 Utilizing the proceeds from its Female Churchworker Scholarship Fund, the SWD LWML each year gives several scholarships to women who are enrolled at LCMS colleges and universities and studying to become full-time churchworkers (teachers, DCEs, deaconesses or lay ministers - any position available through the LCMS Board of Assignments). Applications for grants for the school year must be postmarked by April 30 Meet Our Missionaries... and MORE at Spring Workshops Remember how exciting it was as a child when a missionary spoke on your congregation s annual Mission Sunday? You can have that same pleasure now by attending either of the LWML Spring Workshops. Their theme: Meet the Missionaries...and MORE! For the program, Rev. Daniel McMiller, SWD LCMS Mission Executive, will bring along two missionaries who are spreading God s Word to ethnic and other special populations in the district. Other speakers will include Susan Vang, who is involved in the SWD Hmong ministry; Jeff Kelm of MOST Ministries, sharing info on the SWD LWML s upcoming eyeglass mission trip to Puerto Rico Nov. 2-10; Jana Hoffmann, of Thrivent Financial, offering tips on working with volunteers, and Jan Wendorf (a nominee for the national LWML presidency) leading a mission-oriented Bible study. and must include all required documents and references. All application materials have been revised. Do not use an old form. See the LWML website ( for the new guidelines and forms. Copies are also available from zone presidents or by contacting Chairman Elizabeth Pierog, 220 Hawthorn Dr., West Bend, WI (Phone: ; ejpierog@ yahoo.com). There will also be a breakout session where attendees will share their society s successful activities and events - a great help for all who care about LWML and missions. Use the form below to register, or register on-line at the district LWML website: There is no fee, but a freewill offering will be taken to cover materials. Bring a bag lunch. Host churches will provide beverages. Dates: March 17 at Blessed Savior, New Berlin, and March 24, at Bethlehem, Sun Prairie. Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. BUT a fellowship period with check-in, coffee and rolls begins at 8:15 a.m. Send news for May/June Mission Lamp by March 15 to: Marlys Taege, Editor 7120 W. Dove Ct. Milwaukee, WI marlyst@sbcglobal.net Spring Workshop Registration Form Name Address City/State/Zip Telephone Zone Congregation/City I will attend: Saturday, March 17, 2007 Blessed Savior Lutheran Church, New Berlin Saturday, March 24, 2007 Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Sun Prairie There is no registration fee. However, we do need to have pre-registration by as soon as possible to make sure that we have sufficient handouts. Freewill offerings will be taken for the coffee and rolls that will be provided during the registration and fellowship time and for workshop expenses. Please bring a bag lunch. Beverages will be available. Mail to: Mary Lou Thur, 204 McKinley St., Beaver Dam, WI Questions? Call or LWML@thur.org Save postage! Register on line at

8 8 South Wisconsin News March/April President s Report South Wisconsin Lutheran Laymen s League Greetings in the name of our Risen Savior! New Lutheran Hour initiatives The staff at Lutheran Hour Ministries has been busy looking for ways to develop resources to better equip us to reach out to the unchurched. One of the initiatives is the New Neighbor Outreach. Welcoming new neighbors to your community is routinely done but how do you welcome new neighbors to your church? Welcoming new members to your church is an effective evangelism effort, yet few churches do it consistently and in an organized manner. Do you want to find out how to set up a program for your church? There are two easy ways to find the information to develop a step by step course for you to use. If you have access to the internet, go to When their home page opens up, on the left side, click on resources for your church. A list will appear listing several choices. Click on the Outreach Development Training tab. The page will open up giving you two choices. The first item on the Serving you in South Wisconsin President Edward Bieno Vice-President Elmer Payne Treasurer Mark Ramel Secretary Roger Fischer Education Rep. Peggy Kraase Pastoral Advisor Rev. Duane Daeke Information Services David Jording Member-at-Large Dean Oetzman Orphan Grain Train Elmer Payne District Manager David Martin Region 6 Governor Eugene Fiedler list is New Neighbor Outreach. Open the page and view the promotional video. For more information download a New Neighbors Outreach Information Sheet on that page and follow the systematic instructions given there. It will take you through the steps necessary to begin your own evangelism outreach plan. Go back to the Outreach Development page and click on Practicing Hospitality. This page will take you through a series of short videos to learn what it takes to be more warm and welcoming; what it feels like to be a visitor and how to make simple changes that will make a big difference. Practicing Hospitality complements the New Neighbor Outreach Program. Both plans are easy to use and you receive a Program Planning Guide, learning material, facilitator script and a DVD to use in worship. LHM staff has spent a great deal of time refining these very effective programs for your church s use. Don t delay! Fire up your computer and start on your outreach program today. If you don t have access to the internet call LHM at ext and find out how to get your plan started. LHM has designed a fun children s website for younger children 2 to 6 years old at Children will find games, crafts, recipes and other fun activities in a safe Christian environment. Parents can find helpful parenting articles and find answers to their spiritual questions. You can feel comfortable letting your child or grandchild entertain themselves on LHM s new web site for children. I find the daily devotions delivered directly to my computer a great way to start the day. There is a wealth of information to be found on the LHM website that will benefit both you and your church. If you haven t experienced the LHM website yet, why wait any longer? While you re surfing the web, check out our South Wisconsin District LLL website at If your church or organization wants to post an activity on our calendar of events, me at ejb2211@tds.net. Update items Lutheran Hour Ministries LHM Announces Its First Congregational Partner Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, Indiana, is Lutheran Hour Ministries' first Congregational Partner in LHM's plans to partner with 1,000 churches during the next five years. LHM's Congregational Partnerships program helps partner churches develop, implement, and evaluate an outreach plan tailored to their congregation and community. LHM's On-line Devotions Reach Around the World Tens of thousands of churches and individuals accessed Lutheran Hour Ministries' 2006 Advent devotions, entitled "Love Was Born at Christmas", which were available entirely on-line for the first time ever. On-line Lenten devotions are expected to be very popular as well. LHM's New Interactive Web Site a Hit with Kids and Parents Searching for a safe place for your child to play on the Internet? Discover JCPlayZone.com where you will find crafts, games, E- cards, and so much more. Parents will find articles, blogs, and spiritual Q&A s and other parenting resources from a Christian perspective. Safe on-line fun for children ages 2 to 6. LHM's Bulletin Inserts Now Available in Spanish LHM's quarterly bulletin inserts are now available on-line in Spanish as well as English. Each issue promotes U.S. and International Ministries' programs that church members can use to share Christ's message of hope with people in their community and around the world. They can be given out any time during the season they are issued. Sharing the Gospel - A Unique Gift Idea The family members of Tom and Lori Yahr of West Bend, Wisconsin, gave them a Christmas gift that impacts their whole community. The family is sponsoring the weekly airing of The Lutheran Hour on WBKV Radio in the West Bend/Milwaukee area for four weeks, from Dec. 24 to Jan. 14. Not sure when or where to hear The Lutheran Hour? Check at Also listen to the program on XM s Family Talk Radio 170 every Sunday at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Let the Project Connect display racks work for you Calendar items South Wisconsin District-LLL April Spring Pastors Conference, Chula Vista, at Wisconsin Dells April 14 South Wisconsin District-LLL Board of Directors Meeting, St. John Lutheran Church, 207 E. High St., Edgerton, WI April 22 East Central Zone Rally, Living Word, Jackson, WI. 4:30 potluck, LuWiSoMo presentation, and business. April Int l Board of Governors, St. Louis, MO May 20 Fox River Zone at Camp LuWiSoMo. Future LuWiSoMo plans presentation, and Creationism presenter, Eugene Sattler June 2 South Wisconsin District-LLL Board of Directors Meeting, LCMS District Office, 8100 West Capitol Dr. Milwaukee, WI July LCMS Convention, Houston, Texas July 22 St. John Lutheran Church Loganville, 150th Anniversary with Speaker, Rev. Ken Klaus July Int l LLL International Convention, Duluth, MN August 18 South Wisconsin District-LLL Board of Directors Meeting, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Sun Prairie September South Wisconsin District-LLL District Conference, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 300 Broadway Dr., Sun Prairie, WI October Int l Board of Governors, St. Louis, MO Duluth to host 2007 convention Let Your Light Shine with over 1,000 other Christians at the 90th International Convention of the International Lutheran Laymen s League (Lutheran Hour Ministries). The 2007 convention will be Do you know of a relative, friend, neighbor or acquaintance that is suffering or hurting from health issues, marital problems, alcoholism or loss of a loved one? Do they perhaps not know of the saving grace of Jesus Christ? All these concerns, and more, can be answered by picking one of the Christ Centered booklets from a Project Connect. Your congregation can reach out in an easyto-use evangelism tool from Lutheran Hour Ministries with Project Connect, an indispensable on-site and outreach booklet ministry resource. Each full-sized display holds 24 pocket-sized booklets. Engage visitors with it in your church narthex. Place a Project Connect display in your community center, doctor's office, funeral home, or barber shop. Imprint your church's information on the back - complete with worship times and directions. Filled with a variety of booklets, both the Project Connect display and the PC Junior offer an accessible way to reach out to visitors, members, and other friends in your community. Each Christ-centered booklet covers real-life issues such as improving family communication or coping with anxiety and health. held in Duluth, Minnesota, July 26-29, and it promises a little something for everyone. Duluth is a city of 87,000 people, nestled in the hills overlooking the largest lake in the world--lake Superior. It is a perfectly preserved city of historical splendor and cultural grandeur. From the cobbled streets and mansions built by timber barons and mining tycoons to the internationally known technology village thriving in the heart of the bustling waterfront district, Duluth is sure to intrigue visitors with a variety of interests.

9 March/April 2007 South Wisconsin News 9 The word is out in South Wisconsin District congregations. The excitement about our Campaign is being shared with many of you already. The message about our need to build a new dining hall and additional family lodging is spreading into congregations including Grace, Deerfield; Our Savior, Sheboygan; Bethany, Kohler; Pilgrim, West Bend; Faith, LaCrosse; Grace, Racine; St. Peter s, Reedsburg; and Risen Savior, Franklin. Will your congregation be next? We have already received 130 pledges to support the Campaign with a cumulative total of $530, in pledges. Some congregations are making annual By Joan Voigt First time stampers and scrappers along with many returning crafters were welcomed by Elizabeth Miller to the second joint Crafting Retreat in the midst of the first snowfall of the season. Hearts were warmed with renewed friendships and fond memories as ladies sorted Camp LuWiSoMo W5421 Aspen Rd Wild Rose WI Phone: (920) Fax: (920) camp@luwisomo.org Web: The Word is Spreading about Feeding His Flock By Joan Voigt, Campaign Coordinator The theme for the Spring pledges toward this Campaign. Please prayerfully consider how you can serve the Lord in this Campaign to continue growth in this year-round outdoor ministry with the gifts He has granted you. The success of this project depends on the cooperation and effort of volunteers to work toward the long-term vision for Camp LuWiSoMo to build a new dining hall to meet the growing needs of our campers and those generations yet to come. We will be able to Would You Like Cheese with that Wine? By Elizabeth Miller 2007 Luther Hostel, formerly known as the Seniors Retreat, is Would You Like Cheese With That Wine? For the retreat, Reverend Mark Meier from St. Peter, Muscoda and Christ, Highland will be leading our Bible studies, relevant Women s Scrapbooking and Stamping through the volumes of photographs to incorporate into new scrapbook pages. Sharon Herried of Tomah led the ladies with devotions for spiritual enrichment and renewal over the weekend. Lori Vertel, Close to My Heart Consultant from Sussex, led the stampers in the Krueger serve more campers in a more comfortable dining hall and family style accommodations, while we continue to provide spiritual enrichment through the outdoor ministry programs offered at Camp LuWiSoMo. If you would like to schedule a visit by LuWiSoMo staff to meet your congregation and share the word about Feeding His Flock with a presentation to your congregation, please call the camp office (920) or Carl Brakebush (800) ext to the theme. We have a wide variety of new events and activities planned including visiting the Kerrigan Brothers Winery in Appleton, WI. We will also be holding a card tournament with prizes for the winners, so bring your partner along. That s not all, so be sure not to miss it!!! God bless you, and we will see you there! Retreat Center with some clever, new stamping ideas. In the Chapel, Joan Voigt, also a Close to My Heart Consultant from Wautoma, demonstrated basic scrapbook pages for beginners, as well as tips and techniques to incorporate into advanced page layouts. There were make-and-take projects for both stampers and scrapbookers to complete under the direction of the consultants and then take home to enjoy. The third joint Crafting Retreat is scheduled for March with a Mother s Day theme. Jenn Torkelson of Clyman, spiritual leader will lead women in devotions. Creative Memories Consultant, Carol Raczek Be sure to schedule your outdoor ministry experience today with a week-long or weekend get-away in LuWiSoMo s scenic retreat setting to relax and refresh your spiritual life so you can return prepared to serve the Lord as He calls you on your daily journey. Camp LuWiSoMo is dedicated to providing faith-growing opportunities in a Christ-centered outdoor ministry setting for all ages to refresh the whole person through the blessings of people, facilities, and God s word. GoodSearch Raises Pennies You can help make contributions to Camp LuWiSoMo while searching the web. Goodsearch.com donates one cent to a designated non-profit for each search made from their site. Simply go to and designate Camp LuWiSoMo as your charity, and do your online searching. It is powered by Yahoo! You can make goodsearch.com your home page too. The more people who use it, the more those pennies will add up! from Wausau, will lead scrapbook make-and take-projects in the Chapel. Stamping projects will be led by Stampin Up! Demonstrator, Marj Colby from Adams County, in the Krueger Retreat Center. Be sure to call the camp office at (920) to reserve your room and personal table space to join in the crafting fun, fellowship and making memories, along with the special surprises that Elizabeth loves to do to pamper her scrappers and stampers. Upcoming Events at LuWiSoMo Spring Youth Confirmation Retreats Mar. 2-4, 2007 Mar. 9-11, 2007 Mar , 2007 Women s Scrapbooking & Stamping Retreat Mar , 2007 Men s Spiritual Enrichment Retreat Apr , 2007 Spring Work Weekend Apr , 2007 Pancake Brunch Apr. 22, 2007 Spring Luther Hostel Apr , 2007 Joyful Hearts Jun. 3-8, 2007 Jun , 2007 Jun , 2007 Jul. 1-6, 2007 Jul.15-20, 2007 Jul , 2007 Jul. 29-Aug. 3, 2007 Aug. 5-10, 2007 Family Camp Jul. 1-6, 2007 Family Weekend Celebration Aug , 2007 For a full calendar of events, visit luwisomo.org

10 10 South Wisconsin News March/April 2007 An incredible year of accomplishments What an incredible year! The Academic Year theme, One Blessing After Another, inspired from the Apostle John s words in John 1:16, was prophetic in many ways but no more so than the blessings revealed through the generous gifts provided from our benefactors. So much was accomplished as a result of this record breaking fiscal year in gift income. The Renewed by the Waters Phase 1 goal of $8 million dollars was met and exceeded with gifts from this effort given and pledged one full year ahead of schedule. These gifts provided the fiscal resources to transform our campus, now taking full advantage of the breathtaking beauty of Lake Michigan - one of God s created natural wonders. This physical transformation now makes Concordia University Wisconsin a destination, not only for our students, who desire an excellent faith based educational experience but also for our friends, neighbors and visitors. When speaking with our students, they consistently and respectfully speak of the University s outstanding faculty, who place the emphasis on teaching and learning while devoting their efforts to help each student reach their potential academically, as well as spiritually. The outpouring of support also provided the opportunity to dramatically improve the physical environment for the faculty to prepare for their classes, as well as space to advise and mentor students. Upper Luther was beautifully remodeled and redesigned to assist the faculty in their vocational and professional growth. These completed projects, made possible because of your gifts, created an attitude of hope as we look toward the future. The improvements made to the physical campus are a visual reminder that this University is blessed with generous benefactors that help Lutherhostel set at Concordia this June ALOA, Association of Lutheran Older Adults, and the Concordia Bible Institute have joined together to present Lutherhostel on the beautiful, Lake Michigan campus of Concordia University Wisconsin. Running Saturday, June 2- Tuesday, June 5, it will feature presentations by Dr. John Saleska on Christ in the Old Testament and The Bible and Psychology, Dr. Nathan Jastram on The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible, Dr. Steven Montreal on Political Beliefs and Activities of Lutheran Clergy, Rev. Dr. Kevin Voss on Stem Cell Research and the Bible, Rev. Timothy Maschke on Tradition: Blessing or Blight in Lutheran Worship? and Dr. Philip Arnholt on Ecology of Concordia s Lake Michigan Bluff. Attendees will also participate in a make-and-take craft project directed by Prof. Cynthia Hoffman Mellendorf. Devotions will be conducted by Rev. Dr. Dan Paavola. Additionally, tours will be conducted of historic Trinity Lutheran Church and the Romanesque Basilica of St. Josephat, both in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Brewers Miller Park will be the backdrop of lunch at T.G.I. Fridays. Our bus will bring us back to campus along beautiful Lake Drive. Campus meals and lodging will be provided, but participants may choose to stay at a variety of wonderful local hotels. For more information, contact Dr. John Saleska (262) , Bonnie Treloar (262) , or Walter Schmidt of ALOA at (623) , or 2nd Annual CUW at Miller Stadium Save Sunday, June 24, 2007; this is the date of the WAICU (Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities) night at Miller Park. The game is a Brewers vs. Kansas City game, with a 6:05 p.m. start time. This year the WAICU schools have reserved the entire Dew Deck. The cost: $55.00 per person. The Dew Deck area includes a buffet line and tickets for two beverages. Any proceeds from our group will go toward Concordia's Alumni Endowment Fund. The University has a limited number of tickets, contact the Alumni and Parent Relations Office (262) to reserve tickets or for more information. For more information about Concordia University Wisconsin visit us on the Web at: make it an incredibly beautiful campus. For this we are thankful as we move forward. However, the essence of Concordia University Wisconsin is contained in these words of our Vision Statement: Concordia University will be well known nationally and internationally as a premier Lutheran university, widely recognized for meaningful integration of faith and learning. Concordia University Wisconsin alumni will assume significant servant leadership responsibilities in the Church and communities across the nation and the world. Looking back on the past year provides abundant reasons Concordia will be hosting receptions at the LCMS Synodical Convention and Youth Gathering, July 2007 July 14-19, 2007 are the dates for the LCMS Synodical Convention and the Youth Gathering. Dr. Ferry, President of Concordia University Wisconsin, will be hosting receptions both in Houston, TX during the Synodical Convention and in Orlando, FL for the Youth Gathering. The University would like to send invitations to those attending the Synodical events. If you are planning to be at the Convention contact Amy Poulsen in the Church Relations Office at or amy.poulsen@cuw.edu for an invitation for the Houston reception. Likewise, Concordia will be hosting a few receptions on Sunday, July 29th, during the Youth Gathering. If you will be in Orlando, call Diana Raasch in the Alumni and Parent Relations Office at (262) or diana.raasch@cuw.edu. Alumni! Bring your family for some great times and catch up with old friends at the Wilderness Hotel and Golf Resor esort t located in the Wisconsin Dells! Stay with us April 27 th & 28 th 2007 Rooms for a family of four are $109 per night and you receive unlimited access to the three indoor water parks and four-story dry foam playhouse. Secure rooms with a credit card by calling the resort at Tell them you are part of the Concordia Wisconsin Alumni room block. Mark your calendars now Check the CUW website and watch your mail for further details SPONSORED BY THE ANNUAL FUND to give thanks. Looking ahead gives us reason for hope. Our Academic Year theme for is Overflowing with Hope, which comes from Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is through this unyielding faith in God s plan for His people that ultimately provide the hope for our students to become future servant leaders. Our generous donors also remind us that their gifts are given because of their faith and their belief in this special education that prepares our students. SAVE THE DATE! 25th Annual Friends of Concordia Falcon Day Golf Classic Monday, Sept. 17, 2007 Mequon Country Club Mequon, WI Call or friends@cuw.edu for more information!

11 March/April 2007 South Wisconsin News 11

12 12 South Wisconsin News March/April 2007 Divine Savior, Hartford scouts earn God and Me awards Little ones at St. Andrew, West Bend, learn about caring and sharing The families and children at St. Andrew Lutheran Early Childhood Campus in West Bend, along with church members, collected nonperishable food items, clothes and toys for Walther Memorial, Milwaukee, located at 4040 W. Fond du Lac Ave. Many needy families will have food, warm clothing ad toys because of the generosity of the campus and church s outpouring of love, caring and sharing. It was a wonderful lesson for the children: no matter how small you may be, you can be a helper for Jesus. Divine Savior, Hartford scouts pictured received the God and Me award on Jan. 7 and are pictured with their scout leaders. Front row, left to right: Jake B., Asher W., Austin N., Zach K., Emmet W., Tannor P., Ben M. and Kevin H. Back row, left to right: leaders Sheila Bauer, Jamie Wolman, Breanna Newlun, Shelly Klein Schmidt, Robert Klein Schmidt, Dan Williams, Rev. Ricky Schroeder, Karen Parr, Sue Maxwell, Don Maxwell and Gary Hartwig. Early childhood students at St. Andrew, West Bend, are shown with some of the donations collected for Walther Memorial, Milwaukee. Front row, left to right are Nick B., Alex. R., Cory M. and Brice P. Second row, left to right are leaders Sheila Bauer, Kyle Richards, Jamie Patin, Don Maxwell and Sue Maxwell. Back row is counselor, Joe Elshaug. CLASSIFIED Experienced Missouri Synod organist-choir director available. Call (262) Morning Meditations is a one-minute radio program that has been on the air for 58 years. Twenty-seven Sheboygan County pastors participate and the program is sponsored by the American Luther Association, a Sheboygan-based group of lay people dedicated to spread the Gospel message and enjoy fellowship. You can hear Morning Meditations at 6:45 and 10:45 a.m. on 1330 AM WHBL and at 7:28 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on 1420 AM WJUB Monday through Friday. A Grace Minute is a one minute radio program that just celebrated its first year of existence. Pastors Alan Kretschmar and David Stevens of St. Paul, Sheboygan, share the Gospel message in a relevant and timely manner. Members and listeners support this ministry. You can hear A Grace Minute at 7:28 a.m. and 12:40 p.m. on 1330 AM WHBL. Lake Country Lutheran meets $1 million challenge Funds raised to match anonymous gift The Lutheran High School Association of Greater Milwaukee (LHSAGM) announced it has successfully raised $1 million to meet an anonymous donor s million dollar challenge. The $1 million challenge gift, earmarked for the permanent building for Lake Country Lutheran High School, was contingent on the association itself raising an equal amount by Dec. 31, The fundraising effort for this challenge, which began Oct. 1, 2006, was led by LHSAGM superintendent Tom Buck and the association s development department, consisting of director Jim Greenfield and Phil Meinzen, a development professional who has joined the staff to assist in raising additional major gifts. The successful match secures the original pledge and adds an additional $1 million toward the $15.1 million phase one goal for breaking ground this spring, when construction is scheduled to begin. For more information, call (414) Sunday y Mornings 5:30 a.m. WKTI 94.5FM Lutheran Schools Week set for March 4-10 LCMS schools are gearing up for National Lutheran Schools Week 2007 March Lutheran Schools A Great Place to Grow is the theme, with a special emphasis this year on Transforming Lives, based on 2 Cor. 3:18. A worship and activity booklet for this year s Lutheran Schools Week observance is available free at pages/default.asp?navid=1694. Click here, walk there: Two ways to support A Place of Refuge Ministries Forget Google When you search the web, try using prolifesearch.com. ProLifeSearch is a search engine that donates money from sponsors directly to pro-life charities. Users search for free, and the company donates advertising revenue. How does it work? Whenever you need to search for something online, simply point your web browser to prolifesearch.com first. That s Young Lutherans Sing music camp The Association of Lutheran Church Musicians presents a oneweek choral and worship program July 1-6, 2007 at Carthage College in Kenosha for grades 4-8 with a variety of hands-on experiences and opportunities to develop musical skills and gain knowledge and appreciation of the church's songs for future spiritual growth and worship leadership as members of their own congregations. Visit alcm.org/news/yls.asp. it! You may optionally register at the site, which allows ProLifeSearch to contact you with opportunities to designate a special gift directly to A Place of Refuge Ministries. Looking up items through prolifesearch.com costs the visitor nothing, but generates needed funds for A Place of Refuge and other pro-life agencies. One extra click can make a big difference. Join LifeWalk on June 9 Another important way you can support this vital ministry to women and children is to mark your calendars now for the annual LifeWalk. This year s walk will be Saturday, June 9, 2007 at Immanuel, Brookfield. LifeWalk is the largest fundraiser of the year for A Place of Refuge, so watch your church bulletin and newsletter in the coming months for information on this event. If you have any questions about these programs or want to learn more about the ministry, please contact Trish Kagerbauer at (414)