ECSW Resolution on Companion Synod

Whereas, our East Central Synod of Wisconsin has been in a companion relationship with the Western Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Africa for more than twenty years; Whereas, Crossways Camping Ministries has been receiving counselors from the Western Diocese for more than ten years; Whereas, there have been numerous visits from both our Synod and the Western Diocese to the other, with the visit in 2005 of Bishop and Mrs. Ditlhale and the Moretele Circuit Womens League being especially impactful in our Synod; Whereas one hundred people are coming June 25-July 13, 2012, from the Madikwe Circuit in the Western Diocese of ELCSA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa) to visit the Wisconsin River Valley (WRV) Conference in our East Central Synod of Wisconsin; this visit in 2012 by the Madikwe Circuit is the result of a series of visits between the Wisconsin River Valley (WRV) Conference and the Madikwe Circuit; Whereas, this visit from the Madikwe Circuit represents a new and significant step and model for our Synods companion relationship in which Conferences and Circuits work together to activate their relationship by making visits are an integral part of this relationship following the accompaniment emphasis of the many Lutheran church bodies that belong to the Lutheran World Federation including the ELCA. Whereas, this relationship, model, and the accompaniment emphasis will be shown, explained and lived within our Synod in several ways: Synod-wide concert on Friday, June 29, 7:00 PM at Waupaca High School Global Village Camp, June 30-July 3, at Pine Lake Camp with 25 leaders from the Madikwe Circuit participating throughout the camp in Bible Study, workshops, and activities Four events in the Wisconsin River Valley Conference will celebrate this relationship o Madikwe Circuit Concert at Tomahawks Memorial Park, Friday, July 6th at 6:00 PM o Madikwe Circuit Concert at Wausaus downtown 400 Block, Sunday, July 8th at 6:30 PM o Madikwe Circuit Concert in Antigo o Farewell event and worship led by Bishop Justman on Wednesday, July 11th at St. Stephen, Wausau Therefore, be it resolved, that the East Central Synod of Wisconsin encourage congregations to send a team, including youth, along with their pastor to the 2012 Global Village Camp, June 30-July 3, and invite people through their bulletin, insert, and newsletter to attend the Madikwe Circuit concerts and farewell event held in our Synod and in the Wisconsin River Valley Conference; Be it further resolved that congregations continue to grow their relationship with the companion congregation in the Western Diocese with which they are matched: send Christmas and Easter greetings; pray regularly for each other using a candle or other visual mutually agreed upon; consider ways to get to know each other better, e.g. e-mail, Facebook, phone calls, visits; and download and use the ELCA Companion Synod Handbook;

And be it further resolved that congregations work together with congregations in their Conference for support, ideas, and encouragement in order to activate their relationship with their matched parishes and Circuit. Signed by Companion Synod/Global Mission ECSW Task Force including: Rev. Mark Ziemer (Grace Lutheran Church, Tomahawk) Chuck Steinbach (Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Appleton) Ben and Claudette Harring (Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wausau) Pastor Chuck Fluegel (St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Neenah) Pastor Kimberly Stowell (St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, Rogersville) Ron Kuehl (Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Oshkosh) Sharon Fox Bogen, A.I.M. (Trinity Lutheran Church, Stettin/Wausau) Alice M. Anderson (Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI) Pastor Rich Block (Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Rothschild) Pastor Gary Froseth (St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Wausau) Virginia Kirsch (St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Town of Maine, Wausau) Pastor Michael Brecke (St. Paul Lutheran Church Juddville - Fish Creek, Wisconsin) Nicole Welke (Grace Lutheran Church, Tomahawk) Jean Schaefer (Grace Lutheran Church, Tomahawk) Karen Torkelson (Grace Lutheran Church, Tomahawk) David Schmit (Grace Lutheran Church, Tomahawk) Cathy Schmit (Grace Lutheran Church, Tomahawk) Dale Elliott (Grace Lutheran Church, Tomahawk) Al Overhaug (Grace Lutheran Church, Tomahawk) Deb Overhaug (Grace Lutheran Church, Tomahawk) Donald Boche (St. Paul Lutheran Church Neenah) Rev. Lisa Ubbelohde, (member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Green Bay) Janet Swiston (Trinity Lutheran Church, Stevens Point) Dan Eisch (Grace Lutheran Church, Wisconsin Rapids) Wayne Harrison (member of the retired clergy roster of the ECSW) Pastor Gisele Berninghaus (St. John's Lutheran Church, Marion) Robert Sullivan (Bay View Lutheran Church, Sturgeon Bay) Lucille Kirkegaard (Bay View Lutheran Church, Sturgeon Bay) Pastor Joel Schlachtenhaufen (retired ECSW pastor, member Gloria Dei, Neenah)