East Central Synod of Wisconsin - ELCA

09/04/2026

We’re praying with you, Ryan! Please remember to keep all of our seminarians in your prayers.

Please join us in welcoming first-year student Ryan Michaud to the Wartburg community! 🤍

Ryan is joining us from Winneconne, Wisconsin, and is pursuing a Master of Divinity (MDiv).

Ryan was drawn to Wartburg because of its commitment to forming leaders who are deeply rooted in Scripture and Lutheran theology while preparing to serve a church and world that are changing rapidly. He was also especially drawn to Wartburg’s emphasis on learning in community and discerning how God is calling each of us to serve our neighbors.

As he begins this new chapter, Ryan is looking forward to digging deeply into Scripture and theology alongside people who will challenge him, teach him, and help shape his understanding of ministry.

We’re so glad you’re here, Ryan! Welcome to Wartburg!

09/03/2026

As we continue to walk with neighbors through disaster response following the tornado in the Fox Valley, some have asked about how St. Timothy Lutheran - Menasha is faring. Information about how to share directly with St. Timothy and a more thorough update is available through the blog. Please continue to keep them in your prayers. (**Gifts specifically for St. Timothy should go directly to St. Timothy. Information about how to give to the Local Disaster Relief Fund through the synod is also available at the website below.**) https://www.ecsw.org/news/relief-updates-090226

While you are there you can also read about the joint worship service that the congregations in Neenah are hosting - as they do annually each year. There are many ways to help with tornado recovery—give, serve, learn, and pray. Thank you for continuing to walk alongside our neighbors as they rebuild.

09/02/2026

Director of the ECSW Lay School of Ministry, Pastor Jennifer Hoffman, shares all the details to help with your discernment if you’re on the fence about Lay School. There are just a few more days to register! The link for more information is in the first comment of this post.

09/01/2026

As September begins and students settle into new rhythms; Bishop Anne has returned from her sabbatical and is settling into her new office space at Christus Lutheran Church-Greenville, WI. Welcome back, Bishop Anne! Prayers for all students, parents, teachers, school staff and administrators as this new year of learning begins for many.

08/27/2026

🌊Some highlights from this week's Wave:

🌅A reflection on the candidacy retreat and an invitation to discernment

📍Office changes for synod staff

👃A fun fact at the bottom that gets you thinking about the way you breathe

🙌... and so much more.

⛪We are Christ Together!

Leaders who are preparing for ordained ministry, synodically authorized ministers (SAMs), and their relators gathered at Mt. Morris Camp and Retreat Center in early August for a time of rest, renewal, worship, and learning. Led by the Rev. Jen Czarnota, participants explored practical tools for navi...

08/25/2026

Wisconsin voters will consider three Constitutional Amendments on the November ballot. 🗳️ Check out Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin - LOPPW's new Constitutional Amendment Voter Guide to learn what the amendments are, what they would do, and what ELCA social teaching says on related issues.

Wisconsin voters will consider three Constitutional Amendments on the November ballot. 🗳️

Check out our new Constitutional Amendment Voter Guide to learn what the amendments are, what they would do, and what ELCA social teaching says on related issues.

https://loppw.org/constitutional-amendments-2026/

Image description: A graphic that says, "Wisconsin Constitutional Amendment Voter Guide" and has an image of a booklet.

08/24/2026

We rejoice with the people of Zion Lutheran Church- Fairwater, WI and Pastor Kathy Cartright who was formally installed this past weekend. Thanks be to God for the call of the church and colleagues and friends who support us along the way!

08/20/2026

🚨 URGENT TORNADO VOLUNTEER RESPONSE NEEDS 🚨

The City of Menasha urgently needs volunteers, both individuals and teams, for the following tornado recovery projects:

Smith Park Cleanup - TOMORROW, August 26
Terrace Raking & Cleaning (Doty Island Clean Up East of Smith Park) - August 27
Terrace Raking & Cleaning (9th St to 4th St between 47 and Melissa St) - August 28
Terrace Raking & Cleaning (9th St to 3rd St between Racine and Hwy 47) - August 28

Sign up link is in the comments!

Your help makes a tremendous difference in the recovery effort. Thank you for supporting our community! 💙💛

08/20/2026

Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry shares a message on being trusted messengers in this election season. He writes from his own experience as a mission developer, “It is not about what you think you’re bringing into the community. It’s who you are in the community. The minute we showed that we cared is really when the community adopted us. People don’t care about what you know till they know that you care, and that was the biggest learning for me.”

Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry has issued his fourth in a series of monthly messages that continue through the end of this year, titled “All Together in One Place."

Each message will share a pastoral word, rooted in Scripture, that witnesses to God's presence today, our rich theological tradition and the social teaching that connects us.

Read his latest message, "A Call to be Trusted Messengers in this Election Season America," here: elca.org/news/a-call-to-be-trusted-messengers-in-this-election-season

08/19/2026

From August 9–11, 25 candidates for rostered ministry, synodically authorized ministers (SAMs), and relators gathered for a time of rest, worship, learning, and connection.

Through workshops on navigating congregational conflict, conversations with relators, prayer and worship, and plenty of time together in the beauty of creation, the retreat offered encouragement and renewal for leaders—both present and future.

We’re grateful for the congregations and synod supporters whose prayers, gifts, and partnership make these retreats possible. Read Alan Berndt-Dreyer’s reflection on this meaningful time of learning, healing, and preparation for ministry - now in the blog: https://www.ecsw.org/news/gathered-renewed-and-sent-candidacy-and-sam-retreat