military campaigns we have a large population of combat veterans experiencing mental health issues; that the veter-ans health system is largely deemed inadequate to deal with mental health issues; and how the few resources are allocated by the VA are overwhelmed by the chal-lenge of the mental health issues.

Also on the Council agenda is the recommended approv-al of an Evangelical Luther-an Worship Prayer Book for the Armed Services. As I reviewed the prayers and other worship resources for chaplains and pastors, I was moved by these prayers that arise from personal experi-ences of men and women in the armed services. There are prayers for morally chal-lenging missions, one crying for help after a critical inci-dent, another for missing per-sons, and prayers for the dig-nified transfer of remains.

I hope the message “The Body of Christ and Mental Illness” will raise our aware-ness of mental health issues and help us talk about them. I also see a crying need around us in the veterans who have served this country with great sacrifice. We have an opportunity to stand with them in their pain, open our hearts and hear their stories. We can stand alongside side them and bear burdens.

Veterans have been on my mind lately, thoughts prompted by conversations with a couple of them in a recent congregational visit. They were asking about Veteran’s Day and the vari-ous ways that veterans are remembered, acknowl-edged, cared for and wel-comed in our congrega-tions and communities. I could have added the words “or not” in that previ-ous sentence. There are huge ways in which we are failing our veterans, the many flags and holiday pa-rades to the contrary.

The Veterans Administra-tion knows that many re-turning veterans have a difficult time with reentry and carry with them horrific experiences, haunting memories, and enormous losses. While healing from the physical loss of a limb often grabs our attention, healing from the emotional

and mental toll is the more difficult challenge.

In Welcome Them Home, Help Them Heal Valerie Yancey of Bethel Lutheran Church in University City, Missouri along with three other authors, have provided a valuable resource for pas-tors and congregations. While veterans are reluctant to seek out a professional counselor, psychiatrist or social worker, they are much more willing to talk to a cler-gy person and begin to share their story and pain. The incredibly high rate of suicide among returning vet-erans tells us there is much healing to be addressed.

I write this article preparing for the ELCA Church council and was struck by how two proposed resources for the Church are related to minis-try with veterans.

“The Body of Christ and Mental Illness” is the title of a social message ready for adoption by the ELCA Church Council at its No-vember meeting. Of note is the impetus for this social message came from the Central States Synod in a 2008 resolution requesting the development of a social statement on mental illness.

Within this social message there are nearly 20 refer-ences to veterans: how af-ter 10 years of extended

From the Bishop

CENTRAL STATES SYNOD, ELCA

21 N. 12th St., Suite 210

Kansas City, KS 66102

Voice: 913-948-9701

Toll-free: 866-915-3548

Fax: 913-948-9707

www.css-elca.org

Inside this issue:

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN

November 2012 Number 227

Rev. Dr. Gerald Mansholt

25th Anniversary ............ page 2 Bethany College, Fund Appeal ........................... page 3 Bessie’s House, Bethany Home ........................... page 4 Women’s News, Tomah Shinga ......................... page 5 Around the Synod, Festival of Sharing .................... page 6 Parishes in Transition ..... page 7 Global Links ................... page 8

Inserts/Flyers: LPG; Bethany Home (2); Confirmation Camp (3); Hurricane Sandy Update; AM 2 Youth Lock-In; AMBS Spring Courses; 2013 Statement of Intent

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN — November 2012

2

In the Synod Office …

Bishop The Rev. Dr. Gerald Mansholt gmansholt@css-elca.org

Bishop’s Associates Rev. Len Dale ldale@css-elca.org

Rev. Dr. Janice Kibler jkibler@css-elca.org

Rev. John Kreidler jkreidler@css-elca.org

Assistant to the Bishop Mr. Dan Glamann dglamann@css-elca.org

Support Staff Ms. Dawne Bockelman dbockelman@css-elca.org

Ms. Sandy Van Tuyl svantuyl@css-elca.org

Deployed Staff Ms. Joyce “JP” Palmer Director Lutheran Planned Giving 816-204-5181 jcpalmer49@aol.com

Ms. Paula Kitt Mission Investment Fund, ELCA

Employee Assistance Pro-gram (EAP) provided by

CIGNA. Go to www.cignabehavioral.com

for more information.

Making Christ Known A publication of the Central States

Synod

Published monthly by the Central States Synod, ELCA. Deadline for submission of materials is the 15th of the month for the subse-quent issue. News may be di-rected to Dan Glamann, Email: dglamann@css-elca.org. Permission is granted to ELCA congregations and members to reproduce any portion of this newsletter.

25 years together in Christ … Let’s celebrate! The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2013 under the theme, “Always being made new.” What God is doing through us here at home and around the world is worth celebrating. As you embark in ministry during this anniversary year, take a look back at the people and events that have shaped us as a church while looking toward the future together anew.

Together, we are Central States Synod! Be a part of the 25th Anniversary publicity — Allow us use your image for various synod publicity with the theme. The ELCA has developed the PR (above) that we can customize and all we need is a face-shot and a location, so we will have representation from across the synod. Email a photo (jpg) to Dan Glamann, and include the congregation/ministry/agency and location. Questions? Just email or call Dan in the synod office. Thanks!

Reminder — Congregation’s Anticipated Mission Support for 2013 due Dec. 1 In September, every congregation was sent an electronic Statement of Intent form via email — it is also included at the end of this newsletter. 2013 is coming fast and you are probably in the process of getting your congregational budgets prepared. Your synod is no different. We depend on your generous giving to help all of us do ministry that each cannot do by them-selves. Completing this form no later than December 1

helps us prepare in a responsible way for the coming year. If you do not know the exact figures, please send your best estimate. As the information is available please fill out and email to Sandy Van Tuyl svantuyl@css-elca.org, or mail to the office.

3

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN — November 2012

Bethany College board member publishes book on coping with illness Bethany College Board of Directors mem-ber Floyd Thompkins Jr. has published his first book, “By the Pool of Bethesda (Biblical Meditations on Long-term Illness and Terminal Diagnoses),” a collection of Christian reflections on disease, specifical-

ly HIV and AIDS.

“By the Pool of Bethesda” originated in 1990 when Thompkins was associate dean of the chapel at Stanford University and pastor of the American Baptist Church. He was asked to provide pastoral support to a group with AIDS. As Thompkins’ work continued with the group, he wanted to provide provides individuals, churches, and non-profit agencies with “a tool to nourish spirits who support those doing battle with

ravenous diseases.”

“I am forever grateful to those men and women who gave me the gifts of their cour-age and their honesty,” says Thompkins. “This book was written as a testament, memorial, and ministry from the people who lived with, conquered, and succumbed to life threatening diseases, specifically

AIDS and HIV.”

“By the Pool of Bethesda” was originally published by the United Campus Ministries at Stanford. Thompkins received a con-stant stream of notes from readers attest-ing to the book’s relevance, and this en-couraged him to republish it after it had gone out of print. The 103-page book was written with the advice from that original group that “people struggling to live don’t

want long; they want deep.”

The new version, published by Shared Blessings on Oct. 2, includes two addition-al chapters based on experiences from long-term survivors and the challenges to one’s faith that disease can bring. Group

study questions have also been updated

and expanded.

“By the Pool of Bethesda” has been re-viewed by Brother Bill Carey of the Apostolic Institute of Ministry, who said Thompkins has “put into words what needed to be said, what begged to be understood. This book is the soul of the Gospel in

a nutshell.”

Rev. Howard B. Warren Jr. of More Light Presby-terian Church said the book “fill[s] a very real void and hopefully will be a widely used spiritual

resource.”

H. Robert Malinowsky of the University of Illinois at Chicago reports that “this book offers spiritual com-fort to all who read it…it would be an excellent book for any religious counselor and a must for those who think that AIDS

is God’s judgment.”

Floyd Thompkins Jr., is from Broxton, Ga. He is a Bethany College graduate of 1984.

After receiving the Benjamin E. Mays Fellowship from the Rockefeller Foundation, he earned his Master of Divini-ty from Princeton Theologi-cal Seminary and then served as assistant dean of the chapel at Princeton University. Thompkins has since served in pastoral positions in California, Flori-da, and Georgia. He cur-rently is executive director of the Bower Fund in Doug-las, Ga., a community-based organization that promotes a positive devel-opmental framework for youth. Thompkins joined the Bethany College Board of Directors in July 2012 to

bring his expertise in higher education, recruitment, strategic planning, and non-

profit governance.

Changed by Love, Sent in Love to Serve

Shaping the Church for God’s Mission The Central States Synod Mission Fund Appeal

The Gifts of the Widow: Mark 12:43 “…this poor widow has given more than all others…” and The Macedonian Churches: II Corinthians 8:3 “…they gave not only what they could afford but far more. And they did it of

their own free will.”

To date there is $933,476 in gifts and pledges in the appeal

Q: HOW WILL MY OUTRIGHT GIFT OR PLEDGE BE DIVIDED?

A: Our intent is that all outright gifts and multi-year pledges given to support Changed by Love, Sent in Love, to Serve – Shaping the Church for God’s Mission will be allo-cated, on a percentage basis, to each of the seven featured fund appeal objectives:

Igniting spiritual renewal – 27%

Raising up leaders of all ages for the Church – 19%

Inspiring and equipping people to be part of what God is up to in their everyday lives – 12%

Building bridges across the differences that divide society – 8%

Changed by Love Endowment Fund – 13%

The ELCA Malaria Campaign / Global HIV and AIDS Strategy – 10%

Resource development costs – 11%

For more information on “Shaping the Church” please contact the synod office or visit http://css-elca.org/shaping-the-church/

BY STEPHANIE MCDOWELL, DIRECTOR OF

COMMUNICATIONS

Bethany College Board of Directors member Floyd Thompkins Jr. re-cently published his first book, “By the Pool of Bethesda,” a collection of Christian reflections on disease, specifically HIV and AIDS.

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN — November 2012

4

True Story BY MARY HUNT, PMA

Have you heard about “Bessie’s House”? It is an older home (built in 1908), just south of Children’s Memorial Lutheran Church in the northeast-

ern part of Kansas City, Mo. Bessie’s House is a daytime haven for folks that ‘live on the margins’, that is…..he/she may sleep at the home of someone they know, may bed down in an aban-doned house or spend their nights in a shelter. Often these folks carry all they own with them. (Wheeled luggage is a real luxury.)

Can you imagine what it is like to be living on the street, not have the money to rent a place to sleep, maybe have an aging vehicle that is your ‘home’, but money for gas is scarce and how

do you keep warm at night as the weather cools?

Monday and Thursday are women’s day at Bessie’s House. No men are allowed! You can bring a load of laundry and get it washed and dried. You can take a hot shower. Breakfast and lunch, along with a time of Bible Study are always on the day’s agenda. There are volunteers who have time to talk and pray with you. Judy Frey, Atonement Lutheran Church, is our volunteer leader. Judy has compiled lots of resources for women who have few - or no - funds (i.e. shelters, places for medical care, governmen-tal resources, hot meals).

There are many life stories that are hard to fathom. I come home full of thankfulness for my life. There is a warm bed, there is plenty of food (and a husband who is an excellent cook), enough money to put gas in the car, pay the utilities. I thank God daily for my home, family and many blessings. There are too many clothes in the closet (take them to Bessie’s House for the women who may need a change of outfits or something to wear to church), too many things we really don’t need, extra blankets that will ward off the cold at night if there are no utilities…..as I look around there IS too much stuff and I feel guilty for the excess when so many don’t have basic needs met.

The women of Immanuel Lutheran Church prepare the evening meal one Thursday a month. The women at Bessie’s House are grateful for the food, for the interest and conversation with the women who come each month. Other churches take part in meals at Bessie’s House, but there are always opportunities for others to share in this experience.

At this special time of Thanksgiving, think about sharing with others. Think about that coat you really don’t wear anymore, or the clothing that really needs to find another home….or buying extra underwear for someone who may not have a change of panties or bra. Thank our Savior for your bless-ings and your ability to share them with others.

Greetings from

Bethany Home!

What a glorious time of year, the bright fall colors and crisp morn-ings which are evident here in Lindsborg, after the harsh heat of summer during the assembly last June! We want to thank the con-gregations of the Central State Synod for the support you have provided to help us fulfill our mis-sion of caring for the elderly.

It was just a year ago we were celebrating our 100

th birthday, and

announcing our intention of pro-ceeding with the construction of Assisted Living. That is now be-coming a reality, and we will pro-vide progress reports and pictures as the actual construction begins later this month. We believe the new Assisted Living Campus will be available for the initial tenants in the summer of 2013.

We want to express gratitude for the resolution which the Synod adopted in June to designate No-vember 18

th (or a Sunday of your

choice) as Bethany Home Sun-day . We certainly welcome your prayers and your financial support of our mission.

If you have questions regarding the Assisted Living Project or want to be added to our Assisted Living waiting list, please contact Dale Hoosier, Development Director at 785-227-2334 ext 142.

[Please see bulletin insert and ad-ditional information at the end of this newsletter.]

5

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN — November 2012

JOURNEY WITH JESUS

Blessings to you as you read about our newest goals and missions for the upcoming year of spring cluster meetings and the summer convention! It is always so refreshing to start a new year with high hopes and lots of energy and conviction. We, the board and officers of the Women of the Central States Synod, continue to lift up the larger church with the love of the Lord in our hearts and give the glory to God for any good that comes from the use of our time, talents, and gifts.

Our convention at St Joseph, Mo. last summer was amazing and the eval-uations came back, as in other years, with more work for us to do to make the convention better. July 26-28, 2013 will be the date of our next conven-tion. It will be held in Lindsborg, Kan., at Bethany College. Our Theme will be “Journey With Jesus.” The entire convention will be centered on not only walking with Jesus in our every life, but to actually “go on a journey”… get away from the mundane, the drudgery and complacency of home and work. To journey with someone, you must prepare, you must leave lots of stuff behind, and you must be ready to experience something new and different. Only by leaving can we see what wonders and marvelous things that the Lord has in store for us…and when we come back, we are en-riched with wisdom and knowledge that only that journey could give us. When we come back, we might have a new outlook on life… We might be changed somehow…Our journey with Jesus will be an awesome one!

We continue to pray for the efforts of the 25th

anniversary appeal and will be celebrating our 25

th year as Women of the ELCA until

the end of May. All donations will be split 50/50 between the ELCA Malaria Campaign and the women’s Churchwide organization. Over two thousand dollars have been raised so far in our synod and we hope to receive more support at cluster meetings. Some women have met the challenge of Region 4 for: “each individual woman in each church to donate $25 to reach the goal of 25,000 for the region.” All six synods in our region will report their numbers at the end of May. It will be interesting to see how close we come to obtaining our goal.

We continue to remind everyone that Women of the ELCA has partnered with Lutheran World Relief and we have a challenge to make 1/3 more quilts in the year 2013 than years past as the need exceeds the supply.

Finally, we ask for prayers for leaders of our synod women’s organization, our cluster leaders, and leaders of congregational units. We have many women doing many good things each according to their calling…and we are thankful for them all. Join with me in a prayer of thanks and a request for each of them to be blessed with the whatever they need for the “Journey with Jesus” ahead.

Central States Women’s news BY SUSIE BORGSTROM, PRESIDENT

Update from Camp Tomah Shinga BY JOHN XAVIER, CAMP TOMAH SHINGA

Greeting Friends!

As we wrap up our fall season at Camp Tomah Shinga we are re-minded by the many blessings God has given us. Hundreds of guests have visited your camp since the summer season end-ed. Many of those spoke of the pleasure of being in the wilderness as the trees changed color.

We are working diligently to send out information to all of you about what is happening at Camp Tomah Shinga in 2013! We are excited to be offering new programs in the coming year. One of these is an experimental family retreat at the beginning of June for families to try out camp. This is an opportunity to experience camp for the first time or to enrich the shared faith of your family.

Also we have set the quilt auction date! It will be July 13th 2013. Please consider making a quilt to support our ministry. If you know a crafty man ask him to make a wood project – last year we sold four quilt racks (one of which I am poud to own). We will be having the auction indoors again this year to help ensure a pleasant experience for all.

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN — November 2012

6

Around the synod . . . AROUND THE SYNOD

ONLINE Want to know more about what’s

going on “Around the Synod?” For stories and pictures of various min-istries around Central States Syn-od, please visit http://css-elca.org/

ministries/around-the-synod/

And PLEASE feel free to share your stories too!

POSITIONS OPEN

Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend, Kan., is seeking to hire a Director of Youth and Family Ministries. This is a full-time staff position, on a 12-month contract. Requirements are a Bachelor’s degree (preferably with a certification in youth and family ministry), a strong Chris-tian background (preferably Lutheran), and a background check. Salary and ben-efits are based on qualifications and expe-rience. To apply, contact Ruth Lanterman at trinitychrch@sbcglobal.net. Church phone number is 620-793-7894. Church websites are www.trinitygb.org and

www.trinitygbministries.org.

Director of Youth and Family Ministry Advent Lutheran Church, Olathe, Kan. The Director of Youth and Family Ministry serves to develop and administer minis-tries that flow from Advent’s purpose statement and mission directives, espe-cially Inspiring Lives of Faith and Chal-lenging our Faith Community to Grow in Discipleship. This position serves the whole congregation as a faith and support resource, but is responsible for creating, resourcing, budgeting and administering ministries for Junior and Senior High youth and their families. Please send resume to Pr. Roger Gustafson at rgustafson@adventolathe.org.

Crossings Seminar 2013

January 20-22, 2013 Belleville, Illinois

Good News We Don't Want to Hear Preaching to a Skeptical World

Learn to use Law-Gospel Distinction

Practice Analyzing Biblical Texts Discover God Talk in Secular Culture

Free for Seminary Students — Tuition: $150 (includes hotel and meals)

Register at www.crossings.org/conference

Festival of Sharing BY PR. KIM KNOWLE-ZELLER, CHRIST AND TRINITY LUTHERAN, SEDALIA MO

Truth be told, I still don't quite understand.

It's my second year in Sedalia and my second time on the Fair Grounds in Sedalia, MO for the Festival of Sharing. Every year hundreds of youth descend on Sedalia and the fair-grounds for a YouthFest where they worship and work sorting items, loading and unloading food and boxes. Every year large, very large, quantities of rice, beans, school kits, back-packs, health kits, quilts and prison kits arrive in Sedalia for sorting and shipping. Every year an untold number of people across the state of Missouri and across the world are im-

pacted by the Festival of Sharing activities.

Doing some research in preparation for the day, the Festival of Sharing website states: "The third Saturday of October is the day that people of faith, from many different denomi-

nations all over the state, gather at the Missouri State Fair-grounds, in Sedalia. The groups and families bring money that has been raised and “kits” that have been assembled during the year. Volunteers help to sack rice, beans and potatoes for distribution to Missouri agen-cies. In the afternoon state agencies bring their trucks and trailers to receive the kits, rice, beans and potatoes to distribute to their clients. Kits, assembled

for Church World Service, are loaded on a semi- truck to continue their journey to other

parts of the world."

The youth and adults from the church I serve in Sedalia gathered at 7:30 a.m. at the fair-

(Continued on page 8)

7

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN — November 2012

SYNOD CALENDAR

November 2-3 Synod Council Meeting — Synod Office 4-5 Area Ministry 3 Visit — St. John, Salina KS 12 First Call Pastors — Lake Ozark MO 12 Mission Table — Lake Ozark MO 13-15 Bishop’s Convocation — Lake Ozark MO 18-19 Area Ministry 8 Visit — Peace, Joplin MO 22-23 Thanksgiving Holiday — Synod Office closed 30-01 Candidacy Committee — Synod Office

December 24-24 Christmas Holiday — Synod Office closed

Parishes in the Call Process (a) intentional interim/interim (b) developing congregational profile (c) interview phase (d) call pending

Area Ministry 3 Peace Parish: Belleville/Courtland/ Norway/Scandia, (c)

Area Ministry 4 Axtell, Salem and Onaga, New Hope (b)

Area Ministry 5 Derby, Cross of Glory (c) Eureka, Christ — part-time (a) Hutchinson, Zion — part-time (a) Wichita, Good Shepherd (a)

Area Ministry 7 Belton, Lord of Love (a) Overland Park, Atonement (a)

Area Ministry 9 Camdenton, Our Savior (b) Cole Camp, St. Paul (b) Russellville, Trinity (a)

Area Ministry 10 St. Charles, Hope — associate (c) St. Louis, St. Thomas-Holy Spirit (c) Sullivan, Peace — part-time (a)

We’re looking for …

Items to enhance worship: A Pro-cessional Cross and Baptismal Font — Igelsia Luterana la Resurrecíon, a vibrant Hispanic ministry in Garden City, is in need of both! They presently have a very small font (which has been well used), and would like a Processional Cross to enhance their worship experience. Pr. Odir also needs a blue chasuble and stole; and the congregation still does not have purple

or red altar paraments.

If you happen to have any of these items that you’d like to donate, or would like to purchase to donate, please contact Dan Glamann in the synod office,

dglamann@css-elca.org. Thanks!

Board Members: (from left) Gloria Sharp, Mary Kern, Rhonda Templing, Lois Viebrock, Alice Burnett

¡Bienvenidos a Facebook en Español! Por favor, conectarse y “Me Gusta” a nuestra nueva página en español de Facebook: Sinodo de los Estados Centrales

Welcome to Facebook in Spanish! Please connect with and "like" our new Spanish-language Face-book page: Sinodo de los Estados Centrales

Central States Women of the ELCA Officers and Board

Officers: (from left) Jewell Swinney, Treasurer; Beth Rockelman, Secretary; Susie Borgstrom, President; Lisa Youngquist, Vice President

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN — November 2012

8

November 2012

Zambia: Malaria cases cut in half -- The ELCA Malaria Campaign is making a difference by preventing, treating and controlling the disease in Africa. In Zambia, the incidence of the dis-ease is half what it once was. Read more at www.ELCA.org/Zambia

-malaria.

Syria: Numbers tell a sad story -- The number of refugees is expected to swell from 100,000 to 700,000 by the end of the year. Many are not prepared for the cold weather soon to come. Women and children comprise 75 percent of the current refugees. Many families have become separated. Read more at

www.ELCA.org/Syria-refugees.

New ELCA missionaries in 2012 -- This year, 118 adults have answered God’s call to serve as new ELCA missionaries, a record for recent years! Support is needed for 25 of these new missionar-ies. Request a list of these 25 at missionarysponsorship@elca.org or make a gift to support them at www.ELCA.org/

missionarysponsorship and click Donate Now!

A close-up view of world poverty and hunger -- The Center for Global Education at Augsburg College “will make you think, laugh, challenge your understanding of the world, grow, and generally experience the world in ways you never have before,” says one student. With funding from your donations to ELCA World Hunger, for 25 years it’s been providing a grassroots look at the causes of hunger and poverty in Latin America and Southern Africa. Read

more at www.Livinglutheran.org/perspective.

The Lutheran World Federation: Lutherans’ global work -- Clean-water projects, grain banks, HIV and AIDS programs and refugee camps are just a few of the ways the ELCA and The Lu-theran World Federation have worked together. Throughout its 25 years, the ELCA has been in mission and ministry with a whole

world of Lutherans. Read more at www.Livinglutheran.org/LWF.

Mexico: Immersion trip Feb. 15-22, 2013 -- Explore the connec-tions between your faith and sustainable economics in the southern state of Chiapas, Mexico. For one week you'll live and learn with indigenous families, experience the richness of the local culture and history, and participate in microfinance and sustainability work-

shops. Read more at www.ELCA.org/mexico.

A full life as ELCA missionaries -- Global mission work “opened my eyes to a world I didn’t know existed,” says Cindy Wolff. It’s “opened doors to other cultures, other people,” adds her husband, Sam. After 32 years as ELCA missionaries in Tanzania, Germany and Kenya, hear how their work changed their lives in this video at

www.ELCA.org/Wolff-video.

Global Links shares highlights from ELCA.org, LivingLutheran.com and other churchwide websites of ELCA ministry and connections

in other countries.

GlobalGlobalGlobal

PARTNERS IN THE PARTNERS IN THE GOSPELGOSPEL

grounds for a devotion and donuts. The fall day was crisp and the sun beginning to shine. Trucks already being loaded. Sacks of potatoes being flung. We each were asked if we could pick up one of the youth by ourselves. There were attempts. But it was difficult. Then we put our arms together and took part in a trust fall of sorts passing one of the youth across the length of our arms. Together we are stronger. Together we can make the work go quicker. To-

gether we can be the Body of Christ.

"Now, let's get to work," said the youth leader.

And work we did. We sorted and packed and shipped and loaded and laughed along the way. We said prayers for the families and children and prisoners who would receive the kits. We praised God

for the gift of life.

Throughout the morning working and witnessing hundreds of youth come together in service, it was hard to understand the full impact this one day would have across the state and across the world. Perhaps I'm not meant to fully understand the Festival. Perhaps in not understanding, I can begin to contemplate the enormity of the need and the enormity of the response of so many youth from

across the state of Missouri.

In not understanding I begin to trust that others will help me along the way … In not understanding I open myself to hearing stories from our neighbors … In not understanding I keep myself open to the mysteries of a servant God. Perhaps in not understanding I can

simply roll up my sleeves and begin working.

So check out the website - and we'll see you next year!

http://www.umocm.com/festival/

(Continued from page 6)

N

Lutheran Planned Giving Arkansas-Oklahoma & Central States Synods

November 2012

Lutheran Planned Giving Joyce "JP" Palmer

Director/ELCA Regional Gift Planner 9911 N. Hawthorne Ave. Kansas City, MO 64157 Phone: 816-204-5181

E-mail: jcpalmer49@aol.com

ELCA Lutheran Planned Giving is a service to ELCA congregations and individuals to help them plan for themselves, loved ones and the work of the

Lord, by providing education and consultation in the area of stewardship of accumulated assets.

All services are available without cost or obligation.

ELCA congregations have permission to reproduce this insert for newsletters, bulletins or other congregational use.

Never Too Young

Bethany College, Lutheran Campus Ministry, Synod or ELCA.

5. Fulfilling this important obligation feels good at any age. Knowing you have a valid will gives peace of mind. In addition to having a sense of accomplishment and personal satisfaction at handling this responsibility.

Joyce “JP” Palmer, our ELCA Lutheran Planned Giving charitable gift planner, has prepared a free Will Information Kit for you. It can guide you through your decisions and prepare you to meet with an estate-planning attorney. She will also be happy to meet you in person, if you wish. She works with people of all ages, young as well as older, and specializes in delivering peace of mind. You can receive your kit without cost or obligation by contacting Joyce as noted here.

Some folks think they can wait on getting a will. They say they are not old enough yet, or maybe expect that is a task best done only as they retire. Here is the truth: There are at least five sound reasons for having a will at any age: 1. Consider the possibility that death occurs by an accident or

illness. Even if the odds seem remote to you today, having a will makes sense because something unexpected can happen.

2. People with young children have a special reason. Their wills can name custodians for minors, and trustees that will provide for your dependents.

3. Additionally, once you have a will, it is easy to alter as your circumstances change.

4. Even if you have a small estate, you can (and should) decide for yourself how your assets will be distributed and to whom. This includes designating bequests for charitable organizations like your congregation, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Lutheran Family & Children’s Services, Hollis Renewal Center, Camp Tomah Shinga, Oaks Indian Mission, Bethany Home,

Confirmation Camp

Camp Tomah Shinga

Summer 2013

1-785-238-3654 • 7821 E. Lyon Creek Road • Junction City, KS

www.tomahshinga.com

Dear pastors and youth leaders,

Would you like to provide an experience for your middle school

youth where they will:

become closer to God,

be inspired by the spirituality modeled in faith-filled

college students,

meet teens from other churches in Central States Synod,

learn more about the Bible and Lutheran doctrine,

interact with their pastor/youth leader outside the walls of

their church,

turn off their electronics and tune in to God in the beautiful

Flint Hills?

Would you like an experience for yourself where you will:

become closer to God,

be inspired by the spirituality modeled in faith-filled

college students,

network with pastors/youth leaders from other churches in

our synod,

share teaching responsibilities with other pastors/youth

leaders,

interact with your confirmation youth outside the walls of

your church,

get away from your office and be refreshed by God’s

presence in the beautiful Flint Hills?

Ideas for helping to defray the cost of Confirmation Camp

include this important part of youth ministry in the church budget

use endowment funds

hold fundraisers to help with the expenses

ask older congregation members to sponsor individual youth at camp

Confirmation Camp is open to students in grade 6 through grade 9

(depending on your confirmation program) accompanied by an adult

leader.

Confirmation Camp has the advantage of youth coming to camp with

their friends from home but also getting to know others they meet from

other congregations. In addition to time with the college-age staff

members, camp meals in the dining hall, swimming, hiking, high ropes,

campfires, and all the regular camp activities, a few hours each day are

spent in learning activities specifically geared for confirmation students.

Confirmation Camp provides the pastors and/or other adult leaders who

accompany their confirmands the opportunity to lead each morning’s

Bible study, either in cooperation with other leaders in a combined group

or by themselves for their congregation’s students. For congregations

wishing to work cooperatively, a list of the congregations and adult

leaders is provided for planning purposes.

Confirmation Camp takes place at Camp Tomah Shinga, just south of

Junction City, Kansas, on 840 acres of woodland and prairie in the Flint

Hills. Choose the week of June 16 or the week of June 23. Each week

begins on Sunday before supper and ends Friday afternoon with a closing

worship.

Confirmation Camp costs $320 per student. (Only $295 if registration

is received by April 1, 2013.) Adult leaders are asked to pay $100 to

cover their costs for the week. We suggest that families pay the $75

deposit when they register (either online using Paypal or by mailing a

print registration with a check). Congregations will need to remit the

balance due for all campers two weeks prior to the start of the chosen

camp week.

“Confirmation Camp is a

great opportunity for our

young people to meet

Lutheran youth from other

congregations and experience

a different setting in which

they can grow in their

Christian faith. Camp

Tomah Shinga provides

that opportunity and that

setting.” Pastor Jim

Strasen, Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend

“Confirmation Camp at

Camp Tomah Shinga is

always a highlight for

the confirmation youth

that attend from Trinity, Lawrence. In

2011, we had two youth who were hesitant about going, but

wound up not wanting to leave at the end of the week because they had so

much fun and had formed relationships with the youth from other

congregations that attended that week. This past year, we had another youth

who was hesitant about going and she’s already talking about going back

again this coming summer because she had so much fun. The holistic

approach to confirmation camp that occurs at Tomah Shinga is, in my

opinion, very successful in connecting youth to each other, to God, and to

the Camp and I look forward each year to taking youth to camp and

watching them grow in their faith during that week.” Pastor Jen Kiefer,

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lawrence

“Camp Tomah Shinga is an AWESOME place for young people to

experience God and God’s creation. We have been participants for the past

two years in the Confirmation Camp and find that our young people are

challenged, energized and renewed by this experience. The staff has been

awesome, and it is a great opportunity for our young folks to connect with others!” Pastor Bill Peterson, Good Neighbor Parish, Herington & Burdick

A complete list of congregations which participated in Confirmation Camp

at Camp Tomah Shinga in 2012 is available by emailing

registrar.tomahshinga@gmail.com.

2013 Camp Tomah Shinga Confirmation Camp Registration

Please Print legibly or register online at www.tomahshinga.com

Congregation: _________________________________ City & State: __________________________________

Confirmation Camp week: _______June 16-21 or _________ June 23-28

Name of camper: _________________________________________________________Male: ___ Female: ___

Camper’s date of birth: ____/____/_____ Grade (2012-2013 school year):_____________

Please circle camper’s T-shirt size: YS YM YL AS AM AL AXL A2XL A3XL

Street address:______________________________________________________________________________

City:_______________________________________State:__________________________Zip:_____________

Parent/guardian(s) name(s): __________________________________________________________________

Home phone:_______________________________ Parent(s)’ daytime phone:__________________________

Cell phone(s) (please identify):_________________________________________________________________

Email address(es):___________________________________________________________________________

Please tell us about any special needs the camper has so that we can make his/her camp experience more

meaningful and pleasant: _____________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Please tell us one person the camper would like to share a cabin with: _________________________________

My child has permission to take part in all Camp Tomah Shinga activities, and I will not hold Camp Tomah Shinga, Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of

Kansas (LOMAK) or its staff responsible for accidents, claims and damages arising therefrom. I authorize Camp Tomah Shinga/LOMAK to take such

action as is deemed necessary for the care, welfare and health of my child, including the giving of consent for medical treatment. I also give Camp

Tomah Shinga/LOMAK permission to use any photographs/video of my child taken at camp in future promotion of Camp Tomah Shinga.

Signature of parent or guardian: __________________________________________________

Deposit: $75:____ Who will be paying the balance due? (please check) our family:_______ our church:_______

Deposits are nonrefundable and nontransferable after April 1, 2013. An automatic $25 “early bird” discount will be given to any

camper registering and paying the $75 deposit by April 1, 2013. Total balance, including any portion paid by your church, is due two

weeks before arrival at camp. NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE AFTER THAT TIME. Make checks payable to Camp Tomah Shinga or use

Paypal at www.tomahshinga.com.

Send completed registration form and deposit to:

Kris Luber, Camp Tomah Shinga Registrar, 918 SW Naismith Place, Topeka, KS 66606

For office use only: Deposit -- Check #: ___________ Date: __________ Balance -- Check #: ___________ Date: __________

Confirmation Camp Group Reservation

Congregation: _______________________________________________________________________________

Street Address: ______________________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip: ______________________________________________________________________________

Pastor/Leader: ______________________________________________email: ____________________________

Confirmation Camp Week: ____ June 16-21 or _____ June 23-28

Please reserve space in Confirmation Camp for the youth listed below

For office use only

name gender grade date paypal/check

registered

______________________________________ _____ _____ _____________ _____________

______________________________________ _____ _____ _____________ _____________

______________________________________ _____ _____ _____________ _____________

______________________________________ _____ _____ _____________ _____________

______________________________________ _____ _____ _____________ _____________

______________________________________ _____ _____ _____________ _____________

______________________________________ _____ _____ _____________ _____________

______________________________________ _____ _____ _____________ _____________

______________________________________ _____ _____ _____________ _____________

______________________________________ _____ _____ _____________ _____________

______________________________________ _____ _____ _____________ _____________

Each confirmation camper must fill out a copy of the individual registration form found on the back of this sheet. Please fill in

your congregation name/address and preferred week of Confirmation Camp before distributing to families to complete.

An automatic “early bird” discount of $25 will be given to any youth turning in a completed registration form and non

refundable $75 deposit by April 1. Those youth whose registrations and deposits are not received by two weeks prior to the

camping session or when the chosen week is full (whichever comes first) cannot be assured a place in Confirmation Camp.

Return this form to: Kris Luber, Camp Tomah Shinga Registrar, 918 SW Naismith Place, Topeka, KS 66606 or

registrar.tomahshinga@gmail.com

Greetings from

Bethany Home! What a glorious time of year, the bright fall colors and crisp mornings which are evident here in Lindsborg, after the harsh heat of summer during the assembly last June! We

want to thank the congregations of the Central State Synod for the support you have provided to help us fulfill our mission of caring for the elderly.

It was just a year ago we were celebrating our 100th birthday, and announcing our intention of proceeding with the construction of Assisted Living. That is now becoming a reality, and we will provide progress reports and pictures as the actual construction begins later this month. We believe the new Assisted Living Campus will be available for the initial tenants in the summer of 2013.

We want to express gratitude for the resolution which the Synod adopted in June to designate November 18th as Bethany Home Sunday. We certainly welcome your prayers and your financial support of our mission.

If you have questions regarding the Assisted Living Project or want to be added to our Assisted Living waiting list, please contact Dale Hoosier, Development Director at 785-227-2334 ext 142.

May you enjoy a

bountiful

Thanksgiving!

Welcome “home” to the

Bethany Home Assisted Living Project

Bethany Home Assisted Living is a one-story residential building with an approved storm safety

shelter. The facility includes a complement of studio, one bedroom or two bedroom suites. Units

range in size from 402 for the studio suite; to 484 for the one bedroom; and to 899 square feet for

the two bedroom. Each private apartment features a well appointed kitchen (refrigerator, con-

vection oven and microwave), a walk-in closet, and a bathroom with a large roll-in shower. The

two bedroom residences feature two bathrooms and two walk-in closets.

Each unit has individually controlled heating and air conditioning, with cable television and tele-

phone connections. Common areas include a family living room, dining room, laundry facilities,

and salon. A private dining room is available for family or group activities. This facility provides ample space where residents can gather after meals!

Welcome “home” to the

Bethany Home Assisted Living Project

Bethany Home Assisted Living is a one-story residential building with an approved storm safety

shelter. The facility includes a complement of studio, one bedroom or two bedroom suites. Units

range in size from 402 for the studio suite; to 484 for the one bedroom; and to 899 square feet for

the two bedroom. Each private apartment features a well appointed kitchen (refrigerator, con-

vection oven and microwave), a walk-in closet, and a bathroom with a large roll-in shower. The

two bedroom residences feature two bathrooms and two walk-in closets.

Each unit has individually controlled heating and air conditioning, with cable television and tele-

phone connections. Common areas include a family living room, dining room, laundry facilities,

and salon. A private dining room is available for family or group activities. This facility provides ample space where residents can gather after meals!

Our fee structure at

Bethany Home

Assisted Living

is market sensitive.

Floor Plan Options

Your monthly payment will be tailored to

accommodate your housing choice and your

need for assistance with health care, choice of

meal plan, and other optional activities.

For further information contact:

Dale Hoosier

Phone- 785-227-2334 Ext. 142

Email- dhoosier@bethanyhome.com

Our fee structure at

Bethany Home

Assisted Living

is market sensitive.

Floor Plan Options

Your monthly payment will be tailored to

accommodate your housing choice and your

need for assistance with health care, choice of

meal plan, and other optional activities.

For further information contact:

Dale Hoosier

Phone- 785-227-2334 Ext. 142

Email- dhoosier@bethanyhome.com

November 9, 2012

HURRICANE SANDY

SITUATION REPORT #2

II. SITUATION

Death toll reaches nearly 200: US – 113 deaths; Caribbean – 80 deaths

Fuel shortages and Nor’easter slow down recovery in US

At least 16 ELCA congregations damaged along the East Coast

ELCA funds assessment team in Cuba and cholera work in Haiti

Over $350,000 raised for disaster response since October 31

For more information: www.ELCA.org/disaster and blogs.ELCA.org/disasterresponse

During the last week in October Hurricane Sandy swept

through the Caribbean and northeastern United States

bringing heavy rain and winds which lead to widespread

flooding and downed trees. Millions have been without

power and many people had to evacuate from their

homes. Deaths attributed to the storm number 113 in the

US with another 80 throughout the Caribbean. The

hardest hit areas were Haiti (60 deaths), New York (48

deaths) and New Jersey (24 deaths). Some of the

hardest hit areas are still off-limits, making a full

accounting of damages difficult.

Northeastern US. Emergency crews from New England

to the Carolinas have been working around the clock to

repair downed power lines and clear roads. Still 551,437

people are without power in New York, New Jersey and

West Virginia (down from peak of 8,511,251). There are 119 shelters still housing 5,777 people

throughout the region. Major Disaster Declarations have been declared in four states: New York,

Connecticut, New Jersey and Rhode Island.

Slowing down the process has been a severe fuel shortage in places like New York and New Jersey,

which makes transportation and heating difficult. The city of New York has begun a fuel rationing program

to help address the issue. On November 7, a nor’easter brought snow, rain and wind to the already

I. SUMMARY

St. Stephen Lutheran Church in South Plainfield, N.J.,

offers heat and electricity to those who need it after

Hurricane Sandy.

battered region. This slowed down work crews and knocked out power for an additional 200,000

customers in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Cuba. Arriving as a category two hurricane on October 25, Sandy made landfall in Mar Verde next to the

city of Santiago de Cuba. After its five-hour passage immense devastation was left behind, particularly in

the city of Santiago, the second largest in the country. Three million people were affected by the strong

winds and rains that caused the total collapse of over 32,500 homes. Half of those affected have no

access to clean water or sanitation. The situation is worsened as 615 health care centers and 2,106

schools were damaged.

Haiti. Coupled with the effects of Tropical Storm Isaac from last August, Hurricane Sandy brought the

total affected by the two storms to 1.5 million people. The hurricane is attributed with causing 60 deaths.

There has been major damage to an already weakened infrastructure as well as the agricultural sector

(222,395 acres destroyed). 6,274 homes and 5,298 emergency shelters were completely destroyed. The

situation has left 450,000 people at risk for malnutrition and has seen an increase in cholera cases

reported (324 new cases).

The ELCA is working both here at home and with international companions to meet the immediate needs

of those affected as well as working to plan for long-term recovery. Thanks to generous gifts of ELCA

members, over $350,000 for our disaster response work has been given since October 31. With these

gifts we will be able to continue to support the efforts of companions in the Caribbean and our affiliates

here at home. Also, through the generous gifts of time and resources we will be helping provide

volunteers to meet the needs of our domestic response and continued recovery.

Northeastern US. Local affiliates and synods have been in conversation with congregations throughout

the affected area helping to coordinate resources and assess damages. Due to some areas being still off-

limits and downed communications, there are still some areas which have not been reached. To date, at

least 16 congregations have been identified as damaged by the storm.

As soon as the storm had passed, ELCA congregations were already opening their doors to offer shelter,

food and communication services. Trinity Lower East Side in Manhattan, N.Y., lost all of the stock in their

food pantry due to Sandy, yet in the past week they have been able to coordinate with partners to get it

refilled to again serve their community in need. As affiliates begin the process of recovery, ELCA Disaster

Response will be there to make sure needs are met.

Cuba. In 2012 The Lutheran World Federation set up three Emergency Response Hubs in areas of the

world prone to disasters, to help pre-position resources and staffing. One of those was in San Salvador,

El Salvador, and was meant to meet the needs of Central America and the Caribbean. The ELCA has

been a major funder and supporter committing $250,000. This is now paying dividends as four staff from

this hub are being deployed to help the Cuban Council of Churches to coordinate their response efforts.

III. COORDINATED RESPONSE

The ELCA has committed $11,021 to help with this coordination. The initial response has involved the

council activating its Emergency Committee and providing relief to 360 families through food security,

water and sanitation activities. The committee is also planning to support 1,000 families with psychosocial

activities, shelter, roof reconstruction and livelihood restoration.

Haiti. The focus of the ELCA’s efforts in Haiti is on cholera response and prevention. This work is being

done with our companion the Lutheran Church in Haiti. The ELCA has had a leading role in this area

since the devastating earthquake of 2010. In 2011 the ELCA worked to bring education and awareness to

half a million people about the causes and preventative measures against cholera. A follow-up effort in

2012, after a new outbreak of cholera, funded a project to pre-position supplies and staffing for health and

sanitation. The ELCA has committed $26,412 to help continue this work through the current upsurge in

cholera cases.

The ELCA has opened a designated account (Hurricane Sandy) to receive gifts for response efforts to

this disaster, as well as designated accounts for the specific US and Caribbean responses. One

hundred percent – 100 percent – of all gifts contributed to these funds will be used to respond to this

disaster both for immediate needs and long-term rehabilitation of communities and livelihoods.

Contributions to this appeal can be made in the following ways:

Give by phone at 800-638-3522

Donate online at: www.ELCA.org/disaster

Send checks to:

ELCA Disaster Response

39330 Treasury Center

Chicago, IL 60694-9300

Memo: Hurricane Sandy

To help you share the severity of this situation and how to respond, the ELCA has produced a number

of reproducible resources, found at www.ELCA.org/disaster and blogs.ELCA.org/disasterresponse.

IV. FUNDRAISING

V. COMMUNICATION

II. SITUATION

Desk Role Name Contact Information

ELCA International Disaster Response

Program Director Megan Bradfield megan.bradfield@elca.org x2291

Program Interpreter Matthew Ley matthew.ley@elca.org x2574

ELCA Domestic Disaster Response

Program Director Michael Stadie michael.stadie@elca.org x2822

Associate Program Director Joseph Chu joseph.chu@elca.org x2863

Administrative Assistant Maria Maldonado maria.maldonado@elca.org x2748

ELCA Global Mission, Companion Synod/Relationships

Manager for Companion Relationships, Latin America and Caribbean

Mary Campbell mary.campbell@elca.org x2618

ELCA Marketing Communications

Marketing Manager Rachel Claman rachel.claman@elca.org x2955

ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal

Director Dan Rift daniel.rift@elca.org x2757

Associate Director Audrey Riley audrey.riley@elca.org x2715

II. SITUATION

VI. CONTACT

Registration for 15th Annual LYO Lock-In February 16-17, 2013

Wilson Jr/Sr High School Gym Wilson, KS circle one: Male Female circle one: Youth Adult Name Mailing Address City, State & Zip Emergency Contact Name & Phone Number Home Congregation Adult Sponsor with you T-Shirt (adult sizes only) S M L XL XXL XXXL

Copy this form and fill out 1 for each person attending (youth & adult)

Cost: $15.00 (per youth & adult) ($25.00 after February 1)

Includes Sunday breakfast, drinks, T-Shirts, crafts & band!

Send money with this form. Make checks payable to:

Immanuel LYO

Due February 1 to: LYO Lock-In

Diane Wagner P.O. Box 298

Wilson, KS 67490-0298

Where?

Wilson Jr/Sr High School Gym

olive green building

attached to school

southeast side of town, Ave. D

beside Catholic Church

look for the steeple

What to bring? snack to share sleeping bag & pillow (if you want to sleep)

desire for fun & excitement!

Who?

7th to 12th graders

1 adult for every

7 to 10 youth attending

Date & Time?

Saturday, February 16

beginning at 9:00pm

through

Sunday, February 17

ending by 9:00am

Questions? Diane Wagner

785-658-5212

djwag@wtciweb.com Back by popular demand for 3rd year!

Sheltered Reality

Oh for

crying

out lo

ud!

Biblical Siblings: blessing or curse?

Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary– Great Plains Extension

Interterm, Spring Courses, 2013

Take a look at the range of seminary courses offered in central Kansas:

Interterm

Conflict, Communication, and

Conciliation. January 8-11. Credit

only. 2 credit hours. Kirsten Zerger,

professor

Managing Differences in Faith

Communities. January 29-30. Credit

only. 1 credit hour. Kirsten Zerger,

professor

Theological Education and

Formation. January 31. Credit only.

1/2 credit hour. Keith Harder,

professor. For students who plan to

apply for candidacy in MDiv and MA

programs

Spring Semester

Pauline Theology and Ethics.

Monday evenings, February 4–May

20. 3 credit hours. Auditors

welcome. Jerry Truex, professor. A

narrative approach to Paul’s pastoral

and missionary theology and ethics

Christian Theology II. Tuesday

evenings, February 5–May 21.

3 credit hours. Auditors welcome.

Lois Barrett, professor. Prerequisite

or permission of professor. Covers

theology of the church, end things,

mission, and revelation

Foundations of Worship and

Preaching. 5 weekends (Friday

evening and Saturday morning and

afternoon), February 8-9, March 8-

9, 22-23, April 19-20, May 17-18.

4 credit hours. Auditors welcome.

Cynthia Neufeld Smith and Richard

Gehring, professors. Worship and

preaching laboratory included

Formation in Ministry. 4:00 pm,

Thursdays. 1 credit hour. Credit only.

Keith Harder, professor. For

students applying for MDiv

candidacy

Register by: November 27 for Interterm, January 15 for spring

Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Semi-

nary–Great Plains Extension provides

accredited courses toward Master of

Divinity, Master of Arts: Peace Studies,

Master of Arts in Christian Formation,

and Master of Arts: Theological Stud-

ies degrees. Full-time, part-time, and

one-course students of all Christian

groups are welcome. Many of our

students are already serving in minis-

try or employed elsewhere.

Theological grounding, practical skills

Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical

Seminary serves the church as a

learning community with an

Anabaptist vision, educating followers

of Jesus Christ to be leaders for God’s

reconciling mission in the world.

2517 Main, PO Box 306 North Newton, KS 67117 Phone: 316-283-7098 Web site: www.ambs.edu/GreatPlains Email: lbarrett@ambs.edu or eraid@ambs.edu

Central States Synod, ELCA 21 N. 12th St., Suite 210 • Kansas City, KS 66102

913.948.9701 or 866.915.3548 (toll-free) • 913.948.9707 (fax)

www.css-elca.org

Please fill out the requested information and return this form to the synod office, either electronically or by mail.

Name of Congregation ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________________________________

City, State, ZIP ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Congregational ID Number ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Submitted by ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone Email ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Overall giving by members 2012 Budgeted 2013 Projected

$___________________ $___________________

Undesignated mission support* 2012 Budgeted 2013 Projected

given by members through the

Central States Synod/churchwide $___________________ $___________________

* What is mission support? This is what your congregation shares with ministries beyond your congregation, through the Central States Synod and the ELCA. Other terms with similar meaning include “mission share,” “shared benevolence,” and “proportionate share.” For specific information about the ELCA churchwide budget, visit www.elca.org/ot/budget.

Our congregation’s 2013 mission support

for synodical and churchwide ministries

Learn about stories of mission carried out by the ELCA in this synod, country and through-

out the world. Go to www.css-elca.org and www.elca.org (stories of faith in action)