Use the resources below to schedule and share feedback from the congregational visits you will be doing between September-December 2024. You can either read the scripts from this page, or print it off in hard copy (linked here).
Our goal is to have one person visit the council or leadership team of each congregation and ministry in our synod. In those visits, you are invited to share words of gratitude and update, as well as ask a few open-ended questions that will help us all stay connected in mission together.
Below, you will see we have provided a sample script for the initial phone calls made to set up these visits, as well as a sample script for your time with the leaders. If you are comfortable making the words your own, please do so. If you are more comfortable sharing some of the words we have prepared, feel free to do that.
In order to help those who answer the phones understand who you are and why you are calling, we offer the scripts below as a tool for the calls you will make to schedule these visits.
Hello! My name is _________ and I am a [member/pastor/deacon] of ____________ Lutheran Church.
I am calling because I volunteered to be part of a synod-wide listening process in which we will visit every congregation in our synod to share words of gratitude and ask a few questions about what’s exciting or challenging for your congregation.
The point of these visits is to more deeply connect us as the whole Greater Milwaukee Synod, and make sure that our synod leadership is hearing the joys and challenges of each congregation.
I am hoping that your council or leadership team would be willing to give me no more than 30 minutes at a meeting between now and the end of the year. Which month would work best for this? Is there someone else I should speak to about this?
Important Notes:
- The visits will start with you showing a 5-minute video. Once you agree on a time to come and visit, discuss with the leader how this will happen best in their building. While you can download the video beforehand (see below), you will need their Wi-Fi password on the night of the event so you can access this page, and show them the milwaukeesynod.org/stories page (included in the “Sample Script for Visits” below).
Video Option 1
You send them this link, and they have someone prepared to play the video on whatever technology they have set up already.
Video Option 2
If they have a screen, but need you to provide the laptop or video, you can pre-download the video (in case their Wi-Fi is iffy when you visit) using this link. Make sure you discuss what cords or adapters may be needed for your laptop to plug into their technology.
If you do not have a laptop, but find that you need one for one of the visits, please contact our office at 414-671-1212.
- Once you speak to either the pastor or other ministry leader to schedule the visit, you may want to discuss with them whether you would be invited to stay for the whole meeting, or if you would prefer (or they would prefer) you only stay for your part.
Important Notes:
- Before you visit, make sure you know a few things about them that you would be able to affirm in them. If you are not familiar with their ministry, please take a little time before the visit to seek out the congregation’s website and peruse it for things to affirm or celebrate.
- Before you begin a visit, make sure you have the congregation’s Wi-Fi password and are successfully connected to the internet. Open up a browser window and go to milwaukeesynod.org/stories so you have the website pulled up and ready.
- Your introductory comments, including the 5-minute video, should take roughly 8-10 minutes. Make sure to have the video loaded up and ready on a laptop or screen beforehand.
After your visit, please send a thank you card to the pastor or council president for allowing you to speak at their congregation.
Words of Gratitude
Good evening! My name is _____ and I am a [member/pastor/deacon] of _________ Lutheran Church.
I am grateful for the opportunity to be with you tonight!
I am here as a part of a synod-wide listening process. We want to make sure every ministry knows they make a difference, are appreciated, and are connected to each other… because there is a world out there that needs the grace and mercy and love that we celebrate here. (Right? Amen?)
So the first thing I want to say to you is THANK YOU.
Thank you for… [Here, please name in just 2-3 sentences a few things you know about the life of that congregation; programs they offer, or things that are beautiful about that community of faith.]
We also want to thank you for the larger impact we are able to make together because you are a part of this collective group we call a synod. To that end, we did prepare a short video that gives you a glimpse of the ways this congregation makes an impact far and wide through what we do together as a synod.
We also want to thank you for the larger impact we are able to make together because you are a part of this collective group we call a synod. To that end, we did prepare a short video that gives you a glimpse of the ways this congregation makes an impact far and wide through what we do together as a synod.
[Show video. See “Video Options” above for YouTube link and download options.]
Even a handful of stories like that help us remember that there are quite literally thousands and thousands of people whose lives are touched by our combined strength as a synod.
Beyond everything else, we want you to hear a deep word of thanks. It’s a powerful thing to see how God uses us all together in the world.
We actually have a page on our synod website dedicated to these kinds of stories, both in print and video. The website is easy to remember. Just milwaukeesynod.org/stories. I want to show you briefly what’s there, so you know how you can use those resources. This can help the members of the congregation feel inspired by the impact we make together as well.
[At this point, please show them milwaukeesynod.org/stories. Please highlight these items briefly.]
- The video we just watched is right at the top, so you can show it to your congregation, share It on social media, etc.
- You’ll see there are a bunch of other print and video stories you can use as well! The green box takes you to a kit of resources that includes bulletin inserts, fliers, powerpoint slides, and even pre-written newsletter articles you and copy and paste into your newsletter.
- The ELCA also provides videos and print stories of what’s happening on a national and international level because of our work together, and you can access those by clicking here.
- Last, all of this is only possible because of how we band together as a synod, so I just want to show you what’s available so you can help your congregation understand how that works. [Click on “Learn More” under “Funding our Shared Impact”.] I just want to point out these top two links. The first one is a one-page document that summarizes how the funding makes all this happen. The second one is a great (and short!) video that explains where our offerings go.
Now, we are going to turn to the main reason I came, which is to listen to you. I have a couple of questions for you, and I’d love it if we could just chat for a bit about what you are seeing and experiencing in this congregation.
So here’s my first question:
Final Words
Thank you so much for sharing part of your time with me today! I will be sharing your responses with our synod leadership, who will then share back with the whole synod what our common joys and challenges are as a church. It has been a joy to be with you!
Thank you for being a part of this synod-wide listening process!
