12/08/11

PRAYERS  Bishop Emeritus Stefan Guttormsson (bishop of our synod from 1988 to 1992) who is currently in hospice care at Bethany St. Joe's

3 UPCOMING SYNOD EVENTS

• MSG - Middle School Gathering - Sat/Sun, Jan. 28-29, Sugar Creek Bible Camp  SEE FLYER / Click to REGISTER 
• Living Well Day - Thu, Jan. 12, Trinity, Sparta
• Boundaries Workshop - Thu, Jan. 26, synod office

ALL pastors are encouraged to attend both Living Well Day and the Boundaries Workshop! Fee for each event is only $10, to cover meal and expenses. SEE FLYER  for both events!

A JOURNEY OF RENEWAL  

We are pleased to announce that 27 pastors in our synod have committed to A Journey of Renewal, starting in January 2012. 

FOR PASTORS involved, the opening retreat will be held Jan. 15-17, beginning at 4pm on Sun. to noon on Tue., at the Three Bears Lodge 10 miles north of Tomah off I-94 in Warren's, Wis.  Pastors who signed up will receive info soon about registration and fees. 

SEE PRESIDING BISHOP HANSON'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE   

See and read the message HERE (from our synod website; will be on ELCA website Dec. 15 at www.elca.org)

CONSIDER ETHIOPIA . . .

In this season of endless ads for trendy toys and the latest gadgets, here's a plug for the most basic of gifts - health and knowledge. If you make charitable donations a part of your Christmas giving, consider directing your money where there's a great need: Ethiopia. Here's how you can put the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) under your Christmas tree.

Your Synod has several funds that target needs in Ethiopia: the Scholarship fund - which helps send students (especially female students) to Nekemte's Bible College, the Ethiopian Clinics fund supports the EECMY's medical presence in Nekemte and Bako, where a gift of fifty dollars can fund one clinic's operations for an entire day, plus more.  The need is great, the return on your money is tremendous, and the impact is life-changing. CLICK HERE for a giving form to include with your check (made out to the La Crosse Area Synod), or write specific fund on memo line.

Thank you and Merry Christmas from your Ethiopian Subcommittee!

2012 ONE YEAR TO LIVE EVENT, Lutheran Men in Mission

Jan. 13-15 Luther Park Bible Camp, Chetek, Wis.

"One Year to Live is an opportunity for men to explore the difference their Christian faith can make in their lives as they relate to families, people at work and others in the Christian community." See brochure HERE.

RURAL MINISTRY CONFERENCE - Save the Date!

March 4-6, 2012, Wartburg Theological Seminary

This year's theme is "Care, Share, Dare: Courage in a Caring Community." Speakers include Rev. Dwight DuBois and Rev. Dr. Craig Nessan. Watch for more info to come or connect with ruralmin@wartburgseminary.edu!

A BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE - Note Date and Location Correction!

Sun, Dec. 18, 7 pm, English Lutheran, 1509 King St, La Crosse - in sanctuary

The Christmas Season can be a challenging time for people experiencing trials and loss. Open to the community, this Healing Service will include an invite for anointing and candle lighting.  All are welcome. See FLYER for more details.

CHRISTIAN MUSIC: A Global History  This new book from Fortress Press travels beneath the plurality of forms and styles to pose questions about the meaning of diverse traditions, combining insights from specialists for a truly global history of Christianity's musical culture. Read more HERE.

Check this link  http://www.lacrosseareasynod.org/resources/publications/synod-update-weekly-e-letter/ for documents shared in all recent Synod Updates.