Capital needs . . . stewardship needs . . . Equipping the Saints mission appeal. . . .Is your congregation wondering and asking, “How can we meet our congregation capital needs? With those needs, how can we participate in the Equipping the Saints mission appeal? Is there a way to do it all?”Capital needs of […]
At our September GMS Mission Table gathering, hear from one congregation about how an innovation coach helped them listen to God and one other, try small experiments, and engage their neighbors in new ways. You’ll also learn about a grant that might help your congregation bring on an innovation coach.
Join us for a time of learning and renewal for GMS faith leaders, including lay members and staff, council presidents, and rostered ministers. Our presenter will be Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy, a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation and the first Native Woman Theologian with a PhD in the ELCA.
Are you interested in attending the ELCA Youth Gathering in July 2024? Does your congregation have three or fewer youth that want to attend? Are you an adult who is interested in being an adult leader? We want to hear from you!
At our October GMS Mission Table gathering, learn from a new ministry in our synod about the ways they are encountering God by gathering for coffee, calm, and communion - not in a church building but in a coffee shop. We'll hear the story and try a brief spiritual practice together.
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!)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Join us for a night of learning, practice, and…food trucks! This event will be focused on the practices of community mapping and prayer walks. Each person will be given some money to spend that night while “listening” (being present & noticing) in the neighborhood. We’ll end the night with a debrief and some thoughts about how these practices can be a source of mission renewal in your congregation.
Join our synod's Mission Table for "Inspired for Mission," a monthly virtual gatherings centered around inspiring stories of where God is leading our Church! Our topic for September is “Navigating Partisan Waters – Resources for the Journey.”
This workshop is designed for congregation teams, rostered ministers, and individuals who are striving toward authentic diversity in deepening understanding of racism and heterosexism and the intersections of oppression.
