Synod Events
Youth Gathering
Every three years, thousands of high school youth and their adult leaders from across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America gather for a week of faith formation known as the ELCA Youth Gathering. Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are challenged and inspired to live their faith in their daily lives.
An important part of the Gathering’s ministry are the two pre-events, the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE), a faith formation and leadership development event primarily for youth of color, and the tAble, a gathering that brings together, blesses and empowers youth with disabilities.
The ministry of the Gathering is excited to partner with Young Adult Ministries to host the first-ever ELCA Young Adult Gathering for individuals who will be 18-35 at the time of the Gathering.
Hearing on Social Statement Draft
Synod Hearings on Draft Social Statement, "Civic Life and Faith," Scheduled
The ELCA is developing a social statement on civic life and faith, the relationship of church and state, and related matters, as called for by the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
Social statements are the ELCA’s primary documents to address significant social issues. They are intended to aid reflection, shape conscience and set forth the ELCA’s teaching and policy on the major social issues and questions of contemporary life. Social statements are developed by task forces, using an established process of study and widespread participation across the church to guide theological and moral deliberation.
At this time the task force encourages you to study and give feedback on a draft version of the social statement. You can participate by filling out a survey, found here, or by participating in one of the hearings offered in our synod. Hearings are public gatherings where participants share their specific affirmations or concerns about a draft statement. The feedback period will be open until Sept. 30, 2024.
God's work. Our hands.
This day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
Service activities offer an opportunity for us to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ – every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life — flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace.
More information HERE
WELCA Fall Retreat
Featuring Gaye Lindfors | Speaker and Author
With a unique blend of faith, encouragement, humor, and stories, Gaye invites women to experience a faith that is refreshed and a joy that is contagious! Learn more about her work at GayeLindfors.com
Visit https://www.ecsw.org/welca for more details.
Called to be Advocates
Join high school youth and young adults from around Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to explore your interests in social justice. How is our faith connected to our seeking justice? Develop concrete ways to use your voice for positive change with faith and hope, and build relationships with other youth interested in advocacy in Wisconsin and the U.P.
Focuses will include Environmental Justice, Gun Violence, Women’s Rights, and LGBTQ+ Rights. Let’s hear more about what you’re interested in!
This event is being hosted by LOPPW and all six ELCA synods with congregations in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan: East Central Synod of Wisconsin, Greater Milwaukee Synod, La Crosse Area Synod, Northern Great Lakes Synod, Northwest Synod of Wisconsin, and South-Central Synod of Wisconsin.
More information HERE
Boundary Training for Rostered Leaders
ELCA Region 5 (the synods of Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and the Northern Great Lakes) will gather in satellite locations in our synod for a combined boundaries education day for actively serving rostered leaders.
Congregational Event Submission Form
Send the synod office your event details to be added to the ECSW calendar.