SYNOD Events
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Boundaries Education for Rostered Leaders
Rostered Leaders and Synod Authorized Ministers, please save the date for this year's Region 5 Collaborative Boundaries Education Day on Nov 5, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
This year’s training focuses on Racial Justice and will be led by Rhonda Hill.
The cost for the event is $100, and two hosting locations will be available: Saint Andrew in Wausau and Christus in Greenville.
Please plan to REGISTER early to secure your spot.
First Call Theological Education
Are you a first call rostered leader in the first three years of your first call? Register & plan to attend this year’s first call gathering which will be at Green Lake Conference Center November 15 - November 17, 2026. Our theme for this year is RESILIENCE and we will have Rev. Matt Short along with Kendra Stea, ELCA Director of Misconduct Prevention, as our speakers.
The cost for the event will be $200.00, including room, meals and programming costs. For commuters, people who will attend but not stay overnight, the cost is $90.00, including all meals and programming.
Registration deadline is OCTOBER 15, 2026, and payment can be made via check or credit card. Register online now
A couple items to keep in mind regarding registration:
If you have dietary needs, you will receive an email requesting you complete an online form which will be received by Green Lake Conference Center’s Food Service department.
Scholarships for out of pocket expenses are available.
If you are paying by check, the option you will select states unlimited spots: FREE. FREE simply means that no money is due immediately, whereas if you are paying by credit card, the option you select states: unlimited spots: $200.00 / each.
Questions can be directed to Rev. Stacy Gahlman-Schroeder, First Call Planning Team. Rev.stacy.gs@gmail.com or 608-509-1600
Journey with Jesus: Synod Youth Retreat
Speak Love: Journey with Jesus 2027
Join us for Journey with Jesus, the annual ECSW YOUth! Retreat, February 19–21, 2027, at Green Lake Conference Center! Inspired by Jeremiah 1:7, our weekend will explore three themes: Know Love — God loves you just as you are; Speak Love — your voice matters; and Live Love — let God’s love shape how you live. Through music, worship, and time together, youth will grow in faith, build friendships, and discover the power of speaking God’s love into the world.
Meet our keynote speaker, Spencer LaJoye! Spencer is a musician whose heartfelt songwriting and powerful performances invite people to find their voice and share their stories. Their music, including the anthemic hymn “Plowshare Prayer,” beautifully connects with this year’s theme, Speak Love.
Registration is open! The cost is $225 per person. Invite your friends and join us for a weekend of faith, fun, and finding your voice.
Register: Journey with Jesus 2027
Civil Rights Tour
Join Bishop Anne Edison-Albright and Bishop Katherine Finegan on an unforgettable journey through the historic landmarks that shaped the American Civil Rights Movement. This six-day educational tour offers participants the opportunity to walk where history was made, hear powerful stories of courage and resilience, and gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality.
Departing from Milwaukee on Wednesday, June 9, 2027, this immersive experience will travel through Alabama and Georgia, visiting many of the most significant sites associated with the Civil Rights Movement. Tour prices begin at $2,898 per person.
Tour Highlights
Throughout the journey, participants will explore some of the nation's most important Civil Rights landmarks, including:
Freedom Riders National Monument
Birmingham Civil Rights District
16th Street Baptist Church
Kelly Ingram Park
Bethel Baptist Church
Edmund Pettus Bridge
Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail
The Legacy Museum
Freedom Monument Sculpture Park
National Memorial for Peace and Justice
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Site
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
Ebenezer Baptist Church
Each location offers an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices, victories, and enduring legacy of those who fought for civil rights in America.
What's Included
The tour package includes:
Deluxe air-conditioned motor coach transportation
Deluxe and first-class hotel accommodations
Domestic airfare
Guided sightseeing throughout the tour
Entrance fees and program admissions
Live audio headsets for guided experiences
Educational presentations and learning opportunities
Hotel gratuities
Administrative fees
Meals as listed in the itinerary
Government taxes
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 — Wednesday, June 9, 2027
Arrival in Atlanta
Travel to Atlanta, Georgia, often considered the heart of the Civil Rights Movement and the hometown of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. After checking into your hotel, gather with fellow travelers before enjoying the evening at your leisure.
Meals: None
Day 2 — Thursday, June 10, 2027
Atlanta to Birmingham
Travel from Atlanta to Birmingham, Alabama, with a stop in Anniston to visit the Freedom Riders National Monument, commemorating the courageous activists who challenged segregation during interstate bus travel.
Continue to Birmingham to tour the historic 16th Street Baptist Church, where a tragic bombing in 1963 claimed the lives of four young girls and became a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement.
Following lunch, visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, an award-winning museum that chronicles Birmingham's pivotal role in the struggle for equality. The day concludes with a visit to Kelly Ingram Park, a powerful outdoor memorial featuring sculptures and exhibits honoring the movement.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 — Friday, June 11, 2027
Birmingham, Selma & Montgomery
Depart Birmingham after driving past the historic Bethel Baptist Church, where many Civil Rights leaders organized efforts for racial justice.
In Selma, meet with a local guide and, weather permitting, walk across the iconic Edmund Pettus Bridge, the site of the historic "Bloody Sunday" march in 1965.
Travel along the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, stopping at the Lowndes County Interpretive Center to learn more about the voting rights movement.
After lunch in Montgomery, enjoy a guided driving tour featuring several historic landmarks, including:
Alabama State Capitol
First Baptist Church on Ripley Street
Holt Street Baptist Church
City of St. Jude
Dexter Avenue Baptist Church and Parsonage
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 — Saturday, June 12, 2027
Montgomery's Three Legacy Sites
Spend the day exploring three remarkable destinations created by the Equal Justice Initiative.
Freedom Monument Sculpture Park
Located along the Alabama River, this inspiring memorial honors the lives of approximately ten million enslaved Black people through large-scale outdoor art installations and a guided boat experience.
The Legacy Museum
Explore America's history of slavery, racial injustice, and mass incarceration through immersive exhibits, interactive media, and first-person narratives that encourage thoughtful reflection. Lunch is included at the museum.
National Memorial for Peace and Justice
Conclude the day at this internationally recognized memorial dedicated to the thousands of victims of racial terror lynchings that occurred between 1877 and 1950. The memorial serves as a powerful place for remembrance and reflection.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5 — Sunday, June 13, 2027
Tuskegee & Return to Atlanta
After breakfast, travel to Tuskegee, Alabama, where participants will discover the community's extraordinary contributions to American history.
Highlights include:
Tuskegee History Center
Butler Chapel AME Zion Church
Tuskegee University Legacy Museum
Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Site
Following lunch, return to Atlanta and check into your hotel for the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 — Monday, June 14, 2027
Atlanta
Begin the day at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, where exhibits connect the American Civil Rights Movement with global human rights struggles.
Continue to Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. served as pastor, and visit the nearby Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, preserving the places where Dr. King lived, worshiped, and organized.
After an included lunch, enjoy free time to explore Atlanta at your own pace.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7 — Tuesday, June 15, 2027
Return Home
After breakfast, meet with the group before departing for your journey home, carrying with you a deeper appreciation for the people, places, and events that transformed American history.
Meals: Breakfast
Tour Information
Duration: 6 Days (June 9–15, 2027)
Destination: Alabama & Georgia, USA
Departure City: Milwaukee
Tour Code: DT27 (Code W)
Starting Price: $2,898 per person
Please note that a 3.5% surcharge applies to all credit card transactions.
Contact Information
Educational Opportunities Tours
PO Box 6098
Lakeland, FL 33807 USA
Phone: 863-648-0383
Email: eo@travelwithus.com
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Fall Conference for Rostered Ministers
We invite all rostered ministers and SAMs to join us for our upcoming Fall Conference at The Landmark in Door County, taking place October 19–21, 2026.
We are delighted to announce that our keynote speaker for this event will be Dr. Beth Elness-Hanson, Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible at Wartburg Seminary. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for this time of learning, collaboration, and community.
Synod Youth Service Project Day
All synod youth are invited to join us for an upcoming Feeding America event. We look forward to gathering together for this time of service and community. For further details or to RSVP, please contact Christine Loppnow. christusyouth@christuschurch.org
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, the largest hunger-relief organization in the state, operates food banks in Milwaukee and Appleton, serving 35 counties in Wisconsin. In collaboration with our member food pantries, we distribute healthy and nutritious food to individuals experiencing hunger. Furthermore, we are developing innovative solutions to enhance community health, address the fundamental causes of hunger, and advocate for the populations we serve.
Discernment Retreat
Called to Wholeness: Listening for God’s Invitation in Every Dimension of Life
We look forward to gathering for a time of intentional discernment and renewal. This retreat offers space for prayer, connection with peers, and exploration of our shared calling.
When: September 25th–26th, 2026
Where: Green Lake Conference Center
Focus: Shared discernment and vocational renewal.
Registration includes room, Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast and lunch
Retired Rostered Minister Gathering
All rostered retirees and their partners are warmly invited to join us for a time of fellowship, connection, and conversation. We look forward to gathering with you to share stories, enjoy one another’s company, and support the ministry we share.
Date: September 14, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Iola, WI
Please RSVP to ecsw@ecsw.org so we may plan accordingly. We hope to see you there!
Candidacy Retreat
For: ECSW Candidates, SAMs, and the Candidacy Committee.
Retreat Highlights:
Navigating Conflict: Rev. Jen Czarnota will lead us through a comprehensive, multi-session workshop on navigating conflict.
Community & Connection: Enjoy worship, prayer, fellowship, and opportunities for 1:1 time with relators and synod staff.
Spiritual Formation & Sabbath: Our time together includes opportunities for rest, hiking, games, and shared meals.
LDR Webinar: Intro to Disaster Response
Thursday, August 6 | 1-2:30 PM Central
No-Cost to Attend | Hosted by Lutheran Disaster Response
Lutheran Disaster Response's foundational course, Introduction to Disaster Response, is designed to equip those new to disaster response and recovery with essential tools to support their community.
This course provides a basic understanding of the types of agencies and organizations you may encounter, explains the phases of disasters, and outlines the services that may need to be developed.
You’ll also learn about the roles of local, state, and federal disaster response agencies, including FEMA and state and local Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOADs) throughout the disaster lifecycle.
Additionally, the course offers practical ways for your social ministry organization, synod, or congregation to assist in both natural and human-caused disasters.
Webinar link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82493290630?pwd=CvHtOXIoTVxasYo0iCQxsPqMDWpLtp.1
Synod Assembly
Our upcoming Synod Assembly will be a particularly meaningful and historic gathering as it includes the election of a bishop through the ecclesiastical ballot process.
This Spirit-led process invites prayerful discernment and faithful participation from all voting members as together we listen for God’s guidance in calling our bishop for the next six years. In addition to this important election, the assembly will feature worship, learning, and time for connection and celebration—an opportunity to experience the life of our church in action. Join us as we gather in community, guided by faith and open to the movement of the Holy Spirit.
Congregational EventS Submission Form
Send the synod office your event details to be added to the ECSW calendar.