Join our partners at the Healing Network for an interactive virtual workshop to equip clergy and pastoral care workers with the needed knowledge and skills to develop an informed, compassionate response to addiction and related mental health issues; and initiate congregational prevention and recovery support ministries.
At our November GMS Mission Table gathering, members of Our Savior's Lutheran Church will share how they've transformed congregational gatherings to be more hospitable, intentional, and meaningful with the guidance of "The Art of Gathering: How we Gather and Why it Matters" by Priya Parker. (NOTE: The session will include a summary of the book's key principles for those who haven't read it previously!)
Come to hear inspiring stories of how God is touching the lives of people in this synod, and leave with practical tools you can use in your congregation to ignite the practice of spiritual storytelling. (This event is hosted by our Central Conference as part of a synod-wide storytelling event series. We welcome and encourage you to attend even if your home congregation is located in a different conference!)
Celebrate the Advent season with a fun and festive night of carols, stories and good cheer! (This event is hosted by our North Conference as part of a synod-wide storytelling event series. We welcome and encourage you to attend even if your home congregation is located in a different conference!)
Bishop Erickson will be leading a trip to visit our partners in the Lutheran Synod of El Salvador, January 16-24, 2024. This visit will include opportunities to learn about the history and current dynamics in the country and in the church, as well as a chance to visit local congregations and leaders.
At our January GMS Mission Table gathering, Pr. Afi Dobbins-Mays (Assistant to the Bishop for Authentic Diversity) will host a conversation with members from All Saints Lutheran Church in Wales, WI as they share about what God is doing in their hearts as they read together, and wrestle together, around the work of anti-racism and authentic diversity.
Join us for Together in Mission, our synod’s annual learning gathering for lay and rostered leaders! This year, we return to our popular workshop format. Together we’ll worship, celebrate our partnership in the Gospel, and learn together on a variety of ministry topics.
From our partners at the Healing Network: This workshop for clergy, congregational staff and members provides an overview of the congregational team ministry model and tools and strategies to build congregational support to initiate a prevention and recovery support ministry.
A fundraiser benefiting Lutheran Campus Ministry with hymns, classic Wisconsin food, and craft beverages! If you can't attend but would like to support Campus Ministry, give online at www.lcm-in-mke.org/donate.
What does a mutual partnership grounded in accompaniment look like? Hear stories about the partnership shared between Cross Lutheran in Milwaukee and Unity Lutheran in Brookfield. We'll also learn how to develop a partnership from Pastor Chris Manke of Outreach for Hope. Together we'll be inspired to strengthen existing partnerships between congregations and build new ones.
All adult leaders attending the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering are encouraged to attend this spring leader training with our Greater Milwaukee Synod Champion, Pastor Jennifer Rose. The training will take place via Google Meet; a recorded version will also be available. Please email pastorjenniferrose@gmail.com for the link!
NOTE: Our March event will take place on 3/19, which is different from our usual timing of the 4th Tuesday of the month. Pr. Matthew Short (Assistant to the Bishop for Evangelical Mission) will host a conversation about the “Fresh Expressions” movement of mission renewal. Some leaders and congregations in our synod are experimenting with these resources, and we are going to talk about what they are learning, and what it looks like to create forms of Christian community out in daily life that primarily hold space for people who are not connected to our traditional church structures. Please share this with others who you know who might be wondering how to begin or continue this work in their own congregations!
If you have noticed changes in worship attendance and church participation, you are not alone! This month's conversation is an opportunity to set aside blame and shame, to learn how the changes we are experiencing are part of a broader societal shift, and to listen for the Spirit calling us into new adventures in spiritual renewal.
From our partners at the Healing Network: This workshop is a vital aspect of team formation, vision casting, mission development, connection to community resources, and initial understanding and planning in the ministry areas of prevention, early intervention, referral assistance, recovery support, and advocacy.
This event is for all who are engaged in, or curious about, mission renewal, mission coaching, and innovation! Join us as we gather to share stories of how God is renewing our sense of mission, learn from those who have been experiencing renewal, and be energized together for our next steps. (This event will take the place of our previous Faithful Innovation training days.)
Synod Assembly takes place each spring and brings together voting members from congregations to worship, engage in conversation, to vote on resolutions, elect synod council and committee representatives, consider finances, and other business.
We will be discussing a recent article from The Atlantic entitled, “The True Cost of the Churchgoing Bust.” This article, written by a self-professed “agnostic,” will open up a rich conversation and remind us again why God has planted our churches where we are: to make sure more people have access to the life-changing love of Christ, in community.
Come, just as you are, to the annual LGBTQIA+ Pride Worship Service hosted by the GMS Reconciling in Christ Ministry Team! Following worship, there will be family-friendly activities and snacks.
