News

Governor Announces Budget Priorities
Posted by Amy on Friday, 27 June 2008

Governor Doyle outlined his budget priorities for the upcoming biennium on Thursday. Overall state agencies have been informed that there will be zero growth in state programs for the upcoming biennium. Many of the state agencies may experience a ten percent reduction in funding.

The Governor identified his funding priorities as health care reform, education, caring for children, energy efficiency initiatives, and making Wisconsin economically competitive. Furthermore, agencies are encouraged to seek and capture federal funding to support critical entitlement programs.

The Lutheran Office for Public Policy will be intensely engaged in the budget process in the months ahead and will advocate for critically needed funding to support and strengthen food security programs.

State agencies are required to submit their budget plans to the Governor by September 15, 2008. The Legislature will reconvene in January 2009 and begin consideration of the Governor’s budget in February. The next two-year budget starts July 1, 2009.

Congregation in the Spotlight - St. Luke's
Posted by Amy on Monday, 23 June 2008

Summer weekends in Wisconsin can be a gift from God. However, many congregations around the state scale back their educational programs during the summer months. The members of the St. Luke’s Adult Education Visioning Team in Middleton, WI chose instead to spend their Sundays this summer studying and discerning the ELCA social statements.

Amy was invited to kick off the summer series with a discussion on the statement “The Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective.” The Church in Society statement provides the foundation for the ELCA’s statement process, and calls on Lutheran Christians to study and respond as the Church to important social issues. The conversation that morning evolved into a larger discussion on Lutheran ethics and the work of advocacy in the ELCA. The St. Luke’s summer series on the Social Statements runs 9 weeks and features an impressive list of guest speakers including theologians, pastors, educators, and health care professionals.

The Church in Society Social Statement calls on the ELCA to foster congregations to respond to the needs of their communities. The people of St. Luke’s have lived out their discipleship for the past 20 years in their ministry as the founding congregation of Middleton Outreach Ministries (MOM). Today MOM, with the support of affiliated churches and community partners, provides food, clothing, and emergency financial assistance to families in the Middleton area.

To learn more about St. Luke’s in Middleton, visit their website at www.stlukes-elca.org.

Bishop Stumme-Diers on Flooding in SE WI
Posted by Amy on Friday, 20 June 2008

"The rains fell, the floods came, the winds blew...and beat on that house." -Matthew 7:24

This was a text on which I preached at the 2008 Congregational Leaders Event, when in February I asked, "And so, how was your winter, with ice dams, record snowfall, low temperatures, high heating bills, cancelled worship..." This was the text used by Pastor Sherman Hicks at the closing worship of our 2008 Synod Assembly, who spoke of the challenges before the church in these days, but moreover of the great foundation on which we build.

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ELCA Responds to Flooding in Wisconsin
Posted by Amy on Friday, 20 June 2008

Communities across Wisconsin have been devastated by the recent storms and flooding in our state. Governor Doyle and the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation are working together to bring badly needed relief and assistance to these communities. To date, 19 counties in Wisconsin have been declared disaster areas by the Federal government. A total of 30 counties in Wisconsin are currently under the Governor’s state of emergency. It is estimated that the damage done to homes, businesses and agriculture as a result of the storms will total $470 million.

The prayers of the LOPPW community are with the people affected by these storms and for the relief workers responding to these disasters. For more information about the work of the ELCA during this time, please read the following letter from Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson.

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Into the Blogosphere and Facebook
Posted by Amy on Thursday, 19 June 2008

Want to learn more about the ELCA World Hunger Program and LOPPW? There are plenty of great resources on the web for you to be involved with the work of these two ministries.

The ELCA World Hunger Program now has a blog called “Hunger Rumblings”. The staff of World Hunger blog about hunger, its causes and solutions, and anything else they find relevant. Check out their blog at http://blogs.elca.org/hungerrumblings/

The World Hunger program and LOPPW also have their own pages on Facebook. Visit these pages to get updated information on the ministries and learn how you can help to make a difference! While searching around on Facebook, check out sites for causes such as The One Campaign, Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Services in America, and Bread for the World.

East Central Synod of Wisconsin Assembly
Posted by Amy on Tuesday, 10 June 2008

The East Central Synod of Wisconsin gathered for their annual Synod Assembly June 6-7 in Appleton, WI. The theme of this year’s assembly was “Shaped by Scripture” and featured Bible study sessions with the Rev. Molwane “Job” Ubane of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa Western Diocese, and the Rev. Dr. Robert Driver-Bishop of Redeemer Lutheran Church in McLean, VA.

The East Central Synod is home to an excellent Resource Center for pastors, laity, and congregations. This year the staff of the Resource Center developed a terrific display featuring the eight Millennium Development Goals. Each of the eight stations included an activity, prayers, and Bible verses.

One of Amy’s favorites was Prayer Station 4 at which we were asked to take a figure of a baby made out of clay and shape it into a grown person as a prayer to reduce the mortality rate among children under five.

We prayed for necessary provisions of simple rehydration solutions to treat children with diarrhea; for the success of the World Food Program’s activities to prevent under-nutrition; and for the provision of mosquito nets in Africa, where 94 percent of all child deaths are attributed to malaria.

Finally, we read a passage from Mark 9:36-37 – “He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

To learn more about the 8 Millennium Development Goals, visit the ONE LUTHERAN website at www.elca.org/advocacy/one/.

La Crosse Area Synod Assembly
Posted by Amy on Monday, 9 June 2008

The La Crosse Area Synod held their annual Assembly this year in Decorah, IA June 5th – 7th. This year’s Assembly was a celebration of the leadership by Bishop April Ulring Larson, as well as a celebration of the emerging and vibrant ministries in the Synod.

First elected Bishop in 1992, Bishop Larson was the first woman to serve as Bishop in the ELCA and this year marked her final Synod Assembly after 16 years in office. Under her direction, the Synod is the second fastest growing synod in the ELCA and now comprises 26% of Christians in the region. Assembly participants witnessed first hand the fruits of the Synod’s ministries during the service of ordination for the Rev. Houa Moua into Ministry of Word and Sacrament.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson was present to oversee the process of election for the next Bishop. In his address to the five candidates, Bishop Hanson stressed the role of a Bishop to be active in the public church. It is the Bishop’s role, Hanson said, to be working for justice in Madison and in Washington, DC. After five ballots, the Rev. James Arends, lead pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran in La Crescent, MN, was elected Bishop for the La Crosse Area Synod. Rev. Arends will be installed on October 1st.

In addition to the Bishop election, the Assembly adopted a resolution that renews the Synod’s commitment to support local hunger related ministries, and sets a Synod goal to exceed the ELCA average of $50 per giving unit. The Synod’s Church in Society Committee also presented three Green Leaf Awards as recognition of leadership in the Synod in green initiatives, energy conservation, environmental creativity and stewardship. The awards were given to Luther College for its numerous sustainability initiatives; Bishop Larson, Rev. Judd Larson, Dick Mannstedt, and Todd Trutmann of Thrivant for their efforts to make the new synod office greener; and St. John Lutheran Church in Alma, WI for installing a geo-thermal heating and cooling system.

Northwest Synod of Wisconsin Assembly
Posted by Amy on Monday, 2 June 2008

The people of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin gathered in Eau Claire May 30 and 31 for their annual Synod Assembly. Dr. Diane Jacobson keynoted the Assembly and led a Biblical discussion on the new ELCA initiative “Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible”. This year’s Assembly also featured an address by David Swartling, Secretary of the ELCA.

The Northwest Synod of Wisconsin is a strong partner with the ELCA World Hunger program and this year’s Assembly raised awareness of global hunger, and hunger here in Wisconsin. Assembly participants were asked to give their change for the World Hunger program and for Malawi food sustainability efforts. Overall, $38,605.63 was raised through the quarter offering from congregations and loose change donations at each of the meals.

Time after time a pastor of a small congregation would stop by the LOPPW table and proudly share how much their congregation had raised for the World Hunger program. Each one told of the amount raised and each one concluded by saying that the amount “was pretty impressive for a small little church”.

The Synod also took time to recognize congregations and individuals who have made a difference in the effort to eradicate hunger. This year’s Big Cheese award was given to Hope Lutheran Church in River Falls for their commitment to World Hunger by giving an average of $29.29 per baptized member. The Extra Mile award was given to Bone Lake Lutheran Church, Bone Lake, Wisconsin, and to Larry Everson, St. John's Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, for going the extra mile to support work that addresses local hunger needs. Congratulations to these hunger leaders in the Synod!

Northern Great Lakes Synod Assembly
Posted by Amy on Tuesday, 20 May 2008

The Northern Great Lakes Synod held their annual Assembly May 18 and 19 in Marquette, MI. This year’s assembly was a wonderful gathering of Lutheran Christians in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Northeastern Wisconsin. Amy led a workshop on advocacy and Christian citizenship in Wisconsin for pastors and lay leaders.

Each year the Northern Great Lake Synod recognizes congregations and individuals who work to end hunger. The 2008 Big Bear Award was given to First Lutheran Church of Gladstone with Pastor Jon Schmidt’s confirmation class. The students raised $10,987 through their Lenten Soup Suppers, which they were responsible for cooking, serving, and cleaning up after each Lenten supper.

The Bread Basket Award was given to Pastor John Kuziej for his generosity in helping to alleviate World Hunger at home and around the world.

Collectively, the Synod raised $16,092.99 through their quarter offering from congregations. The quarter offering has grown over the years and this year’s collection was the largest ever!

Lutheran Flood Relief
Posted by Amy on Friday, 16 May 2008

Flood Appeal raises interest as waters recede

“Stay the Course!” is not just a phrase describing military resilience—these words have become the call to action for Lutherans responding to natural disasters. And now Lutherans are being asked to financially assist those families impacted by last summer’s widespread flooding across southern Wisconsin.

Click here to listen to Bishop April Ulring Larson’s powerful appeal on behalf of the flood victims in the La Crosse Area Synod www.lacrosseareasynod.org/upcoming/FloodAppeal.mp3

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ELCA World Hunger Responds
Posted by Amy on Thursday, 8 May 2008

World Food Emergency Prompts Special ELCA Assistance

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- With the price of food rising, especially in the world's poorest regions, members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will send an initial $100,000 to companion churches and partner relief agencies to provide food to vulnerable people and to strengthen development work in rural communities. ELCA International Disaster Response allocated $50,000 and the other half of the amount will come from money the ELCA World Hunger Appeal received in addition to reaching its goal for 2007.

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Fast Facts
Posted by Amy on Tuesday, 6 May 2008

Policy proposals for a gas tax holiday are being widely debated both on the federal and state levels. On the federal level a gas tax holiday would shave off 18 cents of every gallon of gas. This would generate an estimated total savings of $30 for most families.

If Wisconsin were to suspend its 32.9 cents per gallon tax for the months of June, July and August the average household would see a total savings of $57.79.

Here’s how a state gas tax holiday would stack up in our neighboring states: Iowa - $38.22; Illinois - $64.67; Michigan - $55.92; and Minnesota - $48.19.

SCSW Assembly
Posted by Amy on Sunday, 4 May 2008

The South-Central Synod of Wisconsin held their annual Synod Assembly May 2-3 in Madison. Along with the important business for the Synod, participants were treated to fascinating, inspiring and thoughtful sermons. The Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb of the International Center of Bethlehem delivered the keynote address on Palestine and our role as Lutheran Christians. Bishop Burnside and the Rev. Dr. Stephen Bouman challenged the people and churches of the synod to live out our faith, embrace social justice, and become a sent church.

In between the worship services and the business of the synod, participants attended global formation workshops. Amy and Christopher Carpenter of the ELCA World Hunger Program led two of these workshops during the assembly. Our first workshop focused on the global HIV/AIDS pandemic and the role of the ELCA World Hunger program to fight the disease. The second workshop was a discussion on the book "Sustaining Simplicity: A Journal" by Anne Basye.

Synod in the Spotlight
Posted by Amy on Tuesday, 22 April 2008

NGLS Spring World Hunger Event

Pastor Jennie Johnson Wrege, Assistant to the Bishop for the Northern Great Lakes Synod, and Lutherans from the Upper Peninsula and Northeast Wisconsin gathered in Escanaba, MI to raise awareness on hunger around the world and locally. The annual event was kicked off with a walk to end hunger. Nearly $1,000 was raised to support the ministry of ELCA World Hunger.

The afternoon also included a wonderful worship service focused on hunger, and an engaging presentation by Rene Johnson and Kendra of Finlandia University on their experiences traveling in Tanzania as part of the NGLS companion synod relationship. Amy gave a presentation on advocacy and hunger in Wisconsin and the UP. To learn more about the Northern Great Lakes Synod and their ministries visit their website at www.nglsynod.org.

Earth Day 2008
Posted by Amy on Sunday, 20 April 2008

Lutheran Earth Day Resources

Tuesday is Earth Day and Lutheran Christians are marking this day to celebrate God’s creation. There are a number of resources available for those interested in the environment from a Lutheran perspective.

Visit the Social Statement page of the ELCA’s website at www.elca.org/socialstatements/ to read “Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice”. This statement on the environment was adopted by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in 1993.

While visiting the ELCA website, check out the Advocacy page and their Caring for Creation resources at www.elca.org/advocacy/environment/education.

Finally, another excellent resource is Web of Creation at www.webofcreation.org. This site was developed to “foster the movement for personal and social transformation to a just and sustainable world from religious perspectives”.

Have a wonderful Earth Day!