Presenters: Sarah Wehmeier Aparicio and Rev. Chris Marien

Join us for a conversation on the ways your congregation can revitalized by learning about our companion synods in the Diocese of Meru and the Salvadoran Lutheran Church.

Presenter: Tia Richardson

PLEASE NOTE: This morning session has reached its maximum of 24 registrants. Please register for the afternoon session of "Community Design Workshop" instead. This is a fun, engaging hands-on collaborative workshop where participants will have a chance to make a difference by sharing their ideas for a mural that expresses the heart of the synod community. No art experience required! Tia Richardson is a community artist whose work is seen around the Milwaukee area. The workshops offer people a chance to freely express their feelings, acknowledging what they believe the challenges are with race relations in the synod community, think of choices they believe can help make that better, and imagine a brighter future as a result of those choices. People may choose one workshop to attend. *In-person film screening and discussion of Rockford Taking Flight is a pre-requisite to attend a session. This film will be shared during our opening presentation at Together in Mission. To learn more about Tia’s work, visit www.cosmic-butterfly.com

Please note: This workshop is limited to 24 people.

Presenter: Rev. Becky Erb Strang

Even with the best of intentions, congregations often find themselves navigating through conflict, bullying, and gaslighting. Pastor Becky Erb Strang will lead a workshop on how to identify conflict situations before they get messy, how to address sticky situations, and how to create a healthy congregational life.

Presenter: Rev. John Norquist

Come and learn how one congregation experienced renewal as they partnered with neighbors to restore natural habitats to the land surrounding their building, including planting a two acre prairie in 2019.  Participants will be equipped with tools to lead similar projects in their own congregations and in their homes.

Presenters: Rev. Char Giuliani and members of Lutheran Church of the Great Spirit

We will share who LCGS is and how we incorporate Lutheran liturgy and Indigenous culture (Smudging, Four Directions Prayer)into our Worship, sharing meaning behind each and definitions. Participants will also be able to make a dreamcatcher to take home.

Presenter: Rev. Larry Harpster

This workshop will share the birth story of the new Greater Milwaukee Synod mission community, Milwaukee Wild Church.
It will focus on:

• Learning about the Wild Church and Forest Church movement happening across the world.

• What is Nature Spirituality?

• What is Celtic Spirituality?

• How can I incorporate nature spirituality into my existing community?

• What techniques can I try to lift up spirituality in my own personal life?

You will also get a chance to learn how you can partner with Milwaukee Wild Church as it grows and develops.

Presenters: Rev. Jenny Nettesheim and Rev. Myron Crawford

Join us as we discuss best practices around working with children. Topics will include:

• Child and vulnerable adult safety policies

• Mandated reporting

• Setting boundaries

• Risk Prevention

• Awareness

• Response Actions

You will leave this session feeling more confident in your and your church’s ability to protect our young people.

“And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” -- Mark 10:16

Presenter: Rev. Kristin Nielsen

In 2018, a short video was created by the North Carolina Synod - ELCA, to raise awareness about the sexism that women in ministry regularly faced from colleagues and parishioners. In this workshop, we will watch the video, and participate in facilitated discussion in small and large groups.

Presenter: Deacon David Behling

As we seek to deepen and expand the holy work of welcome, inclusion, and celebration of LGBTQIA+ people in the church and in society, we often find ourselves asking questions like “How can we be better allies for people we care about who are LGBTQIA+?” or “Are there things we say or do that unintentionally hurt LGBTQIA+ people?” or even “What does LGBTQIA+ mean?”

This workshop is for people who ask those types of questions, and others. It will help those hoping to guide their faith community in ongoing education, as well as individuals with an open heart and mind who want to learn more about God’s expansive diversity of creation. Participants will gain practical insight into recognizing, interrupting, and preventing microaggressions—ensuring our communities embody authentic welcome in both words and actions.

Together, we can co-create safer and braver spaces as we learn the skills and tools that support a fully inclusive and welcoming ministry.

Presenters - Rev. Marilyn Miller and Mrs. Donna Yourell

We will Dwell in the Word using Esther 4: 1-17 and discuss, what it means to be 21st Century disciples who follow Jesus “for such a time as this.” We will plan how we want to organize and operate as the Greater Milwaukee Synod’s - Synodical Women’s Organization (SWO). Finally, we will share registration information about the upcoming Triennial Gathering, “I Am Worthy” July 16 – 19, in Des Moines, Iowa. You will want to be there because you are worthy! Membership is open to congregation groups and individuals!