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MISSION SUPPORT AT WORKCultivating Life-Giving RelationshipsRooted in God’s Love

The word “synod” means “walkingtogether.” Synods are made up of congregations thathave their own individual missions but whoalso walk together in service of the regional,national, and international mission of thechurch at large. This happens throughrelationships, service, and financial giving.What is a synod?Mission Support is the financial giving thatis sent from congregations on to synodand churchwide expressions of the ELCAto support the wider ministries of thechurch at large.What is Mission Support

OUR MISSIONCultivating Life-GivingRelationships Rooted inGod’s Love01The La Crosse Area Synod’smission is to Cultivate Life-Giving Relationships Rootedin God’s Love. By joiningtogether across the church,we are able to do moretogether in service to thismission than any onecongregation or personcould do apart. Together, weshare the love of Jesus inour communities, throughoutthe country, and around theworld so that all creationmight live together in justice,love, and peace. Cultivating Life-Giving Relationships Rooted in God’s LoveOUR VISIONAll Creation Living Together inJustice, Love, and Peace

THE SYNOD AT A GLANCEThe La Crosse Area Synod is comprised of:0272 congregations 36+ congregations are part of multi-point parishesA Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Camp Sugar Creek Bible Camp - Ferryville, WILutheran Campus Ministry (LuMin) of La Crosse Serving Students of the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, Viterbo University, & Western Technical CollegeChaplaincy Ministries ELCA Rostered Ministers serving in hospitals, hospices, and care facilities throughout the synodCultivating Life-Giving Relationships Rooted in God’s Love

A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT THE SYNOD ACTUALLY DOESCongregational SupportSupports and accompanies councils and pastors Provides ministry support for both youth & children’s ministriesthrough LYLE and the Engaging Children Initiative (ECI)Assists in the development and enrichment of multi-point parishrelationships Assists in Legacy Planning and Holy ClosuresProvides stewardship, congregational vitality, conflict resolution,strategic planning, constitutional updates, and mission priorityconsultationsMaintains and supplies a resource list of supply pastorsDiscerns mission priorities as a Synod council to best serve theneeds of the communities of the synod03Lay Leadership Development & SupportProvides coaching and logistical support for lay staff & leadersFacilitates training and ongoing support for volunteer laypastoral care givers through the Care Companion NetworkOffers faith formation and theological education courses andprograms through Discipleship Matters - the synod’s lay schoolIdentifies, equips, and supports people to serve as SynodAuthorized Ministers in congregationsLeads congregational workshops, congregation councilconsultations, and mission discernment planningAccompanies congregational leaders to assess missional futuresCultivating Life-Giving Relationships Rooted in God’s Love

NetworkingConnects congregations with ELCA Churchwide ministriesGathers annually as a full synod for Synod Assembly to worship,serve, learn, and deliberate missional policies and budgetsBuilds relationships with ecumenical and interreligious partnerslocally, nationally, and internationally with companion synods inPeru and the Czech RepublicCollaborates with other synods and mission partnersConnects with the wider Lutheran church through the LutheranWorld Federation and Lutheran World ReliefCall Process & CandidacyOversees the candidacy process for rostered ministry candidatesand Synod Authorized MinistersTrains and equips call committees to faithfully engage in thepastoral call processPrayerfully searches for pastoral candidates with gifts andpassions aligning with individual congregational mission prioritiesAssists congregations in mission clarity, congregational vitality,and change process during transitionsEngages in reflections with pastors and deacons during time ofdiscernment regarding changing calls04Clergy Support & Spiritual FormationMaintains and stewards the Rosters of MinistersOffers support and encouragement through monthly conferencegatherings, ministry consultations, clergy appreciation events,and annual 1-on-1 check-in conversations with synod staffPrays with and for clergy regularly. Offers prayerful support andreflection in times of discernment. Provides enrichment opportunities at spring and fall theologicalconferences and retreats, first-call theological education,boundaries trainings, and coaching opportunities Cultivating Life-Giving Relationships Rooted in God’s LoveCommunity EngagementEngages in social justice work issues of immigration, anti-racism,climate change, hunger, poverty, and other areas that limit theability to experience life-giving relationships rooted in God’s love.Advocates for social justice policy reform rooted in God’s lovethrough Lutheran Office of Public Policy in Wisconsin, theWisconsin Council of Churches, and the Middle East Peace Network

ELCA members in more than 8,500 congregations in the UnitedStates and Caribbean give approximately $1.75 billion in regularoffering to support ELCA ministries in their local communities andworldwide. When people give through their localcongregations, a percentage of thatmoney is then shared with the localsynod and the national churchwideorganization. This unrestricted giving,called Mission Support, gives us both thefoundation and the fuel to do God’s work inthe world and a portion of the gifts circle back tosupport ministries in synods and local congregations. MISSION SUPPORT05Cultivating Life-Giving Relationships Rooted in God’s LoveELCA World Hunger Lutheran Disaster ResponseYoung Adults in Global Mission &International PartnershipsWorship, discipleship, stewardship, &prayer resource development7 ELCA Seminaries and 26 ELCAColleges & UniversitiesFund for Leaders ScholarshipsSocial Justice & Ethnic-Specific networksand resources for actionThe La Crosse Area Synod forwards a minimum of 30% up to 46% of theMission Support received to ELCA Churchwide ministries including support of:Together, with your generous Mission Support, we are faithfullyCultivating Life-Giving Relationships Rooted in God’s Love. Thank you!

2301 South AvenueLa Crosse, WI 54601www.lacrosseareasynod.org608-788-5000