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Synod Learning | Narrative Budgets 101
Narrative Budgets 101 with Pastor Tim Brown
Your congregation’s annual budget is a vital document that helps the whole congregation consider the ways generosity and stewardship will support the mission and ministry of the church. For many, presenting the spending plan as a narrative budget connects our ministry and resources to where the rubber hits the road. In a one hour online workshop, Pastor Tim Bown will share 10 essential things to know about Narrative Budgets and engage attendees in questions.
Pastor Tim Brown currently serves in the Office of the Presiding Bishop as Director for Congregational Stewardship Support where he creates and curates relationships and resources to help Synods and Congregations fuel their ministries.
Synod Youth | Feeding America Appleton
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is the largest hunger-relief organization in the state, operating food banks out of Milwaukee and Appleton to serve 35 counties in Wisconsin.
Who can attend: 12 years and older
Project Details: You will be participating in a sorting, packaging, labeling, or cleaning project. This could range from packaging shelf-stable food boxes to be shipped to food pantries, labeling canned goods, sorting meat products to provide meal programs with real protein, boxing fresh produce to send to homeless shelters, or packing bulk product into family friendly sized portions.
Location: The facility address is 2911 W Evergreen Drive, Appleton, WI 54913
Feel free to cut/paste/edit the above info to advertise to your group/church about this event.
Date & Time: October 4, 2025 9am-Noon
To register your group to attend this Synod event, please follow this link. More info will be emailed after signing up your group. Register no later than September 30th.
Fall Conference for Rostered Ministers
Think of us in this way: as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.
1 Corinthians 4:1
Pastors, Deacons, and SAMs are encouraged to attend Fall Conference, October 13–15, at the Landmark, Egg Harbor. Our keynote speaker is Rev. Tim Brown, ELCA Director for Congregational Stewardship who will help us to reflect on Fostering Generosity as Disciples, Creating Generous Congregational Culture, and Stewarding our Call(s). In addition to learning, we’ll share time together in worship and connection as colleagues while being surrounded by the beauty of Door County in the fall.
Register by September 15th: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/10441846
Synod Youth | Corn Maze Palooza
Join other youth for a fun time at Porter's Patch in Bonduel.
Corn maze, pumpkins and a ton of activities. $13.00 will get you into the corn maze, give you access to all activities, including building your own scarecrow and making a fall bouquet.
Interested in attending, email Patty Koplitz.
WELCA Biennial Convention | Love without Limits
The Saturday, November 8th event at St. Mark’s in Neenah will include breakfast, fellowship, a business meeting, worship service, lunch, and featured speaker, Jacqueline Bussie, author of Love Without Limits: Jesus’ Radical Vision of Love with No Exceptions.
Registration: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/10132671
Synod Golf Tournament
East Central Synod of Wisconsin – Synod Golf Tournament
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 | Glacier Wood Golf Club, Iola, WI
Shotgun Start: 8:30 a.m.
All pastors, deacons, church leaders, and members of the East Central Synod of Wisconsin are invited to join us for a fun and meaningful day on the green! Invite friends and form your own church foursome for a great day of fellowship, fresh air, and friendly competition.
This year’s tournament will support those impacted by natural disasters across the U.S. through Lutheran World Relief. Donations of cash or checks (payable to Lutheran World Relief) are welcome and will be collected at the event. Thank you for your generosity!
Details:
Cost: $70 (includes 18 holes, cart, lunch, and prizes)
Format: 18-Hole Team Scramble
Schedule:
8:00 a.m. – Check-in
8:15 a.m. – Brief instructions
8:30 a.m. – Shotgun start
Location: Glacier Wood Golf Club, 604 Water Street, Iola (just north of Hwy 161 off Hwy J)
Registration Deadline: August 4
Please register by this date to ensure an accurate headcount.
Make checks payable to Sue Schultz.
Weather Concerns: If inclement weather is forecasted, call the course at 715-445-3831. A make-up date will be communicated as needed.
Questions? Contact Sue Schultz at 920-419-5581 or revcat09@gmail.com.
ELCA Churchwide Assembly
The 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly will be held July 28–Aug. 2, 2025, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Ariz.
The ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the primary decision-making body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is a process of communal spiritual discernment. When the ELCA Churchwide Assembly convenes, its voting members meet with confidence in God’s grace around word and water, wine and bread, to carry on their work on behalf of the entire church. Over the course of the assembly, voting members:
Hear reports and review the work of churchwide officers, leaders and units.
Receive and consider proposals from synod assemblies.
Elect officers, board members and other leaders as specified by the constitution or bylaws.
Establish ELCA churchwide policy.
Worship together.
Adopt a budget.
Conduct other business related to the ELCA churchwide organization.
Road to Retirement Workshops
Are you a Rostered Minister 50+ years of age and wanting to start preparing now for when you decide to retire?
Join a Portico Regional Representative, a Portico Financial Planner, and an ELCA Bishop for a free half-day workship to walk through some of the important things to know as you prepare for that next chapter of ministry—retirement. The workshop will focus on getting ready emotionally, health care in retirement, retirement income, social security, tax considerations, boundaries in retirement and more!
This free half-day workshop will be held in Wisconsin at two different locations. Pick the one that best suits your location and schedule:
August 19 - Saint Andrew Lutheran Church, Wausau - 10:00am - 2:00pm (lunch is included!)
August 20 - Bethel Lutheran Church, Madison - 10:00am - 2:00pm (lunch is included!)
Click here to register for the August 19 workshop in Wausau.
Click here to register for the August 20 workshop in Madison
Click here to view a flyer with more information.
Questions? Contact Jennifer Prinz, Portico Regional Representative.
Gather by the Bay
Blizzards Game
Who: Ministry run by young adults for all young adults 18-35
What: Meetup in-person around the greater Green Bay region at the Blizzards football game at the Resch Center.
Let’s catch a game, form some friendly spiritual connections with other adults in the area.
Please RSVP with our survey monkey to attend: https://surveymars.com/q/3s95k0nZl to reserve a ticket for you and your friends to attend. The tickets are going to be free for you when you rsvp through our link. On Friday, May 30th @7pm meet Sam Keel the person wearing red (so you can find me) next to the will call area in the front entrance 5-10 mins before 3pm to grab your ticket for the blizzards game
Text 920-716-7978 if you have any questions that day.
When: Friday, May 30th @7pm.
Where: Resch Center
820 Armed forces drive
Green Bay, WI. 54304
Why: Form a deeper connection with other young adults 18-35—without any other exception—to be themselves and provide support no matter where you are along life's journey.
Premier of Land Acknowledgment Video
The East Central Synod Racial Equity Team recently sponsored a panel of Native American leaders, our bishop, and others involved in Land Acknowledgment activities, research and publications to learn about the importance and authentic use of Land Acknowledgements. What followed was the creation of a resource based on the video panel that engages learners with the help of a seven part study through an accompanying guide. This study will be available after May 18th through www.ecsw.org. This event allows participants to preview several of the segments. Copies of the guide and a light lunch will be provided.
RSVP to hwkress@gmail.com or fill out this google form.
Lay School
Equip people to share Christ’s mission and to live more deeply into what it means to be a follower of Jesus through core program courses and continuing education classes.
Youth Event - Bowling
Gutter balls and strikes. Bring what you have to the Synod youth bowling event on Saturday, April 26th at Revs Bowl Bar & Grill in Oshkosh. Cost is $15 per person and includes two games, shoes and lunch. Voted best bowling alley in Winnebago County, Revs will serve up a pitcher of soda and a 16” pizza for every four people. The fun will start “rolling” at 12:00 pm and wind down at 3:00 pm. This event is open to all youth with adequate adult supervision. Let us know you are coming by signing up here.
Any questions, contact Christine Loppnow at christusyouth@christuschurch.org.
Lay School
Equip people to share Christ’s mission and to live more deeply into what it means to be a follower of Jesus through core program courses and continuing education classes.
Racial Justice Conference
Racial Justice Conference
Saturday, April 5, 2025 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Ascension Lutheran Church
2911 Libal St., Green Bay 54301
Registration Fee: $20 - includes lunch and morning refreshments
50% Discount for Students (email ecsw@ecsw.org for discount code)
This conference features Rev. Angela !Khabeb and Vance Blackfox, two nationally known speakers plus others to help participants learn more about the history of harm and ongoing effects caused by racism and what we can do to act for racial justice.
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Vance Blackfox, Vance Blackfox, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, is the founder and director of Other+Wise, a multi-site cultural education and cultural immersion program for youth from across the country. Vance previously served as the Director of Communications at the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, as the Director of Communications for Native Americans in Philanthropy, and has held executive director positions at the Haskell Foundation, which supports Haskell Indian Nations University, and the Oaks Indian Mission. Vance has served as the Guest Curator of the Indian Museum at the University of Texas at San Antonio Institute of Texan Cultures, and as the Indigenous Theologian for the Faith-Based Initiative for the City of San Antonio.
An alumnus of Texas Lutheran University and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), Vance has served the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in multiple capacities, from taking a post as National President of the Lutheran Youth Organization as a teenager, to later working as a diversity and cultural education professional for the Women of the ELCA, Augsburg Fortress Publishers, California Lutheran University, ELCA Youth Gathering, and LSTC’s Youth in Mission. In addition to serving numerous ELCA and ecumenical teams and committees throughout the years, he is at present the Indigenous Theologian and Coordinating Team Member for the ELCA’s Theological Round Table, ELCA’s Director of Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations, as well as creator and producer of the Vine Deloria Jr. Theological Symposium hosted at LSTC.
The Rev. Angela !Khabeb is a distinguished alumna of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, where she earned her Master of Divinity degree, was named a Bridges Scholar, and won the James Kenneth Echols Prize for Excellence in Preaching. She is an in-demand writer, speaker, and preacher who has appeared several times on the “Faith Friday” segment on ABC’s Good Morning America. She is the editor of Call to Allyship: Preparing Your Congregations for Leaders of Color. She lives with her husband, Benhi, and their three beautiful children in MInneapolis, MN. -
Session 1 Keynote - Vance Blackfox
Indian 101
The general population knows very little about the Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island (North America) - even the most basic topics are often grand mysteries. This is, of course, by design as the colonial project has prioritized the complete erasure of Native people for centuries. This session will provide a foundation for standing in solidarity with Indian people across the US as we work together to dismantle longstanding systems of oppression.
(Note: Sessions 2 and 3 will offer a choice of breakout sessions.)
Session 2A Breakout - Vance Blackfox
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)
Indigenous women are 2.5 times more likely to experience violent crimes, and in 2020, there were 5,293 reports of missing American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls; only 690 cases were logged in the federal missing person database. In this session, Vance will discuss this problem that has hit very close to home for him.
Session 2B Breakout - Rev. Angela !Khabeb
Living Out Justice in a Purple Context
How do we build the Beloved Community across political party affiliations in our congregations, workplaces, and even our families? Rev. Angela will discuss how to remain true to the gospel while acknowledging the systemic ills of our society - mainly racism and anti-blackness.
Session 2C Breakout -
LA? We All Rise? St. Mark’s?
Session 3A Breakout - Vance Blackfox
Indigenous Thought and Theology
Indian People have unique and beautiful ways of understanding the world. Indigenous wisdom - as it relates to living things in relation to the Creator, Mother Earth, and other created beings - should be centered if we want to provide better care for our home and all of our relatives. Indigenous Thought and Theology introduces this wisdom and examines ways of understanding, respecting, and interacting with this wondrous world we inhabit.
Session 3B Breakout - Rev. Angela !Khabeb
What We Can Do: Call to Allyship
This session will feature discussion of specific and concrete things we can do, some from Call to Allyship: Preparing Your Congregation for Leaders of Color. It will also provide time for Q and O (Rev. Angela says she has more opinions than answers) for ideas to take back to your congregation.Session 3C: Coming Soon!
Session 4 Closing Worship
Closing worship will include beautiful music, prayers, and Rev. Angela’s sermon which promises to convict us but also inspire and give us hope as we go out to do justice for all God’s people.
(Note: worship offering will support other Racial Justice events in ECSW.) -
Schedule:
8:15 Registration & Coffee
9:00 Gather Welcome Devotions
9:15 Session 1 - Indian 101
10:30 Break
10:45 Session 2
11:45 Lunch
12:30 Session 3
1:30 Break
1:45 Session 4 - Worship
3:00 Sending
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Lay School
Equip people to share Christ’s mission and to live more deeply into what it means to be a follower of Jesus through core program courses and continuing education classes.
Rostered Retiree Gathering
Retired Rostered Leaders throughout the synod are invited to join together in conversation, community, and fellowship.
Youth | Journey with Jesus | Inescapable L(o)ve
Theme Verse
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 (NRSVUE)
Inescapable Love
God’s love is as much a part of us as the air that we breathe and cells that make up our bodies. The Bible says that NOTHING has the power to separate us from God’s love. This year, the synod youth gathering will explore ways we can know, share, and experience the love God has for us in Christ Jesus.
Keynote Speaker
Pastor Jenn Pockat, Associate to the Bishop in our synod, will share her faith story with us and lead us in interactive bible study, play, and prayer as we explore the theme. Pastor Jenn grew up going to Sunday School every week with her family - in fact, there’s a sticker chart somewhere that proves it. It wasn’t until finding the Lutheran Church in middle school that she started to experience God’s love in a different way - through other people who taught her about grace for the first time and a worship experience that involved her. Pastor Jenn lives on a little farm in Caroline, Wisconsin with her husband Don and their cats. When she’s not working, she’s playing Nintendo or working in her garden.
ELCA Young Adults: Gather by the Bay
Welcome to Gather by the Bay!
What is it?
It's a ministry run by young adults, for young adults, that tend to meetup in-person around the greater Green Bay region. It's one instance of the nationwide Gather Network, coordinated and funded by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, but operated and led at the local level. (TL;DR: We get to do what we want, hehehe! :)
What DO you do?
We relax and enjoy fellowship (eating food and chatting) with each other, explore complex questions about vocation or difficult life events, maybe help those in communities near or far, and sometimes even play a game or two. (But really, it's more fellowship than anything)
Alright then, what's the catch?
Uhhhh, there really isn't!
Other than the intended age range of 18-35, there are NO long-term commitments, membership dues, restrictions, questionnaires, homework, income requirements, or identity expectations. It's a network of people that welcomes anyone 18-35—without any other exception—to be themselves and provide support no matter where you are along life's whacky journey (and God's often really whacky part in it!).
Cool. How do I join?
Just drop by our next Gather time!
Ready to Join Us?
Come to our next gathering:
Olive's Pizza and Sandwiches
516 Greene Ave, Green Bay, WI 54301
Look for Robbie and the “Gather by the Bay”
Have a question or can't come to the next one but want to stay connected?
Email Robbie!
Church Council Academy
A clear understanding about the role of church council brings alignment and renewal to leaders and congregations. Save the date for Church Council Academy on February 15, 2025. This one day retreat will provide council members a sense of the function, role, and work of church council leaders and will strengthen your network of support for the leadership role and ministry to which you have been called. The cost is $30/person. Registration Deadline: February 3rd, 2025
About Our Keynote Speaker: Nancy Heykes
Our Keynote Speaker for the Church Council Academy is Nancy Heykes, who retired in 2018 as Vice President of Development for Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin. Prior to this, she served as an executive director, capital campaign counsel, and senior executive at the Aid Association for Lutherans.
Now residing in Oneida County, Nancy founded On Point Consulting, where she continues her pro bono law practice and provides consulting, planning, and facilitation services for nonprofits. She also enjoys a teaching role as the coordinator of the Nonprofit Leadership Institute in Appleton. Nancy serves as Secretary of the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the ELCA and frequently works with congregation councils in her role as chair of the synod's Constitution Committee.
Lay School
Equip people to share Christ’s mission and to live more deeply into what it means to be a follower of Jesus through core program courses and continuing education classes. https://ecswlayschool.org/
ad+minister Gathering
ad+Minister gathering
Parish administrators, secretaries, and office professionals are invited to three gatherings at Imago Dei village to connect for mutual support, networking, and professional development. Learn more from the letter below!
ELCA Young Adults: Gather by the Bay
Welcome to Gather by the Bay!
What is it?
It's a ministry run by young adults, for young adults, that tend to meetup in-person around the greater Green Bay region. It's one instance of the nationwide Gather Network, coordinated and funded by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, but operated and led at the local level. (TL;DR: We get to do what we want, hehehe! :)
What DO you do?
We relax and enjoy fellowship (eating food and chatting) with each other, explore complex questions about vocation or difficult life events, maybe help those in communities near or far, and sometimes even play a game or two. (But really, it's more fellowship than anything)
Alright then, what's the catch?
Uhhhh, there really isn't!
Other than the intended age range of 18-35, there are NO long-term commitments, membership dues, restrictions, questionnaires, homework, income requirements, or identity expectations. It's a network of people that welcomes anyone 18-35—without any other exception—to be themselves and provide support no matter where you are along life's whacky journey (and God's often really whacky part in it!).
Cool. How do I join?
Just drop by our next Gather time:
Ready to Join Us?
Come to our next gathering:
Saturday, February 1st, 6:00 PM
The Depot Restaurant
200 Dousman St, Green Bay, WI 54303
Look for Robbie and the “Gather by the Bay” group on the “ticket booth” area of the restaurant just beyond the door and watch for the sign.
Have a question or can't come to the next one but want to stay connected?
Email Robbie!
Lay School
Equip people to share Christ’s mission and to live more deeply into what it means to be a follower of Jesus through core program courses and continuing education classes. https://ecswlayschool.org/
Youth Worker Dinner
Connecting Youth Worker Dinners
A chance to get together to talk, share and support each other Watch for details by subscribing to The Weekly Wave www.ecsw.org.
Youth Event - Snow Tubing
Kewaunee Winter Park
Contact Christine Loppnow for details christusyouth@chrituschurch.org
ELCA Young Adults: Gather by the Bay
Welcome to Gather by the Bay!
What is it?
It's a ministry run by young adults, for young adults, that tend to meetup in-person around the greater Green Bay region. It's one instance of the nationwide Gather Network, coordinated and funded by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, but operated and led at the local level. (TL;DR: We get to do what we want, hehehe! :)
What DO you do?
We relax and enjoy fellowship (eating food and chatting) with each other, explore complex questions about vocation or difficult life events, maybe help those in communities near or far, and sometimes even play a game or two. (But really, it's more fellowship than anything)
Alright then, what's the catch?
Uhhhh, there really isn't!
Other than the intended age range of 18-35, there are NO long-term commitments, membership dues, restrictions, questionnaires, homework, income requirements, or identity expectations. It's a network of people that welcomes anyone 18-35—without any other exception—to be themselves and provide support no matter where you are along life's whacky journey (and God's often really whacky part in it!).
Cool. How do I join?
Just drop by our next Gather time:
Friday, January 10th, 6:00pm
The Depot Restaurant
200 Dousman St
Green Bay, WI 54303
Look for Robbie (probably in a #10 Love jersey) or Pastor Jenn Pockat or ask for the "Gather by the Bay group."
Have a question or can't come to the next one but want to stay connected?
Email Robbie!
Christmas
The Synod Office will be closed December 24th, 2024 - January 1st, 2025. We will return to the office on January 2nd, 2025.
Lay School
Equip people to share Christ’s mission and to live more deeply into what it means to be a follower of Jesus through core program courses and continuing education classes. https://ecswlayschool.org/
Congregational EventS Submission Form
Send the synod office your event details to be added to the ECSW calendar.