Synod News
Stay connected with updates from the La Crosse Area Synod. From church leaders to congregational members, everyone is encouraged to sign-up.
Archive - find previous Synod Updates & Synod Spotlights here
Synod Articles
The life and ministry of the Rev. Dr. Robert Young, a pastor of the La Crosse Area Synod
Let us join together as a community in prayer for ministry sites, emerging leaders, pastors, partners in ministry and special requests.
Every day, families seeking refuge face fear, separation, and uncertainty. Parents are forced to make impossible choices. Children endure journeys no child should have to take. And as our nation reckons with how it will treat the most vulnerable, we are called—as people of faith—to respond.
This Ash Wednesday, we remember. We remember our shared humanity. We remember that we, too, were once strangers in a foreign land. And we remember that faith calls us to act.
We live in a time when information is being consolidated onto fewer and fewer platforms owned by a small group of very wealthy and influential people. Many of us have come to rely on these platforms to distribute news about our churches and groups—live stream worship services and other events, invite people to activities, post articles, share photos, recruit volunteers, and otherwise promote good work.
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has convened a coalition of interfaith leaders in support of refugees and immigrants who are forced to flee their homes.
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has issued a video message in response to the executive order on immigration that rolled back guidance to immigration authorities in protected areas such as places of worship, schools and hospitals.
Houses of worship, while sacred spaces, are not immune to disruption, emergencies, or violence. The top recommendation from ELCA’s crisis communication experts is simple but crucial: assemble a crisis team before you need one. A well-prepared congregation can respond swiftly, communicate effectively, and ensure safety for all.
False claims about Lutheran organizations and federal funding circulated on X on February 1, prompting a strong response from ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. In a video statement, Bishop Eaton reaffirmed the ELCA’s commitment to truth and its long-standing mission of serving the vulnerable. Lutheran organizations have responsibly used federal grants for 85 years, and the ELCA calls on political leaders to reject misinformation and uphold integrity. Watch Bishop Eaton’s full response in our blog post.
What to Do If You Feel Led to Be a Leader in Ministry?
Connecting with the La Crosse Area Synod Candidacy Committee is a great next step. This is a team of appointed people throughout the synod to accompany people exploring their calling to further education and leaders in the church.
January is a great time to check for Radon air levels in your church building and at home. This article holds tips for dealing with this colorless, tasteless gas that causes lung cancer.
This trip was in part, a celebration of our 20 years of companionship with the IL-P. To say that this trip was incredible is an understatement.
The La Crosse Area Synod (ELCA) has received a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish the Engaging Children Initiative.
Walking may be the most natural and accessible activity to improve and maintain health and well-being. You can’t beat walking for convenience, and you don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy its benefits.
Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s...for many of us these are joyous times spent with family and friends. But for some in our community, the holidays bring uncertainty.
The Publishing House of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)—the official name of our parent organization—is reverting to our previous "doing business as" name of Augsburg Fortress Publishers. What isn't changing is our commitment as your denominational publisher: to create substantive and innovative materials to support you and your congregation in communicating the good news of God's liberating grace.
Civic engagement, including voting and public service, is a meaningful way we live out our faith in the public sphere. The ELCA encourages everyone to engage in the political process with integrity, advocating for justice, peace, and the common good.
The process of the group collaborating with each other to put the finishing touches on the songs they wrote was nothing short of impressive.
ELCA World Hunger looks back on 50 years of ministry and reflects on how God calls all of us into the bold pursuit of ending hunger in our world. Join us and be part of the story of our next 50 years together — boldly and faithfully pursuing God’s promise of a just world where all are fed.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Bishops of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan and the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin have sent out a plea request for a cease-fire for the conflict in the Middle-East.
Tune in on Oct. 15 to hear firsthand stories from partners at ELCA World Hunger projects — including Educación Popular en Salud (EPES), a community health organization in Chile founded over 40 years ago, and more recent starts such as Tapestry Farms, a Midwestern urban farm system in the “Quad Cities” of Iowa and Illinois. You’ll see the impact of 50 years of ELCA World Hunger work and get excited and equipped to be a part of the next 50 years!
ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is a fantastic part of our church that shows up where help is needed and works until the job is done. As we support LDR, we are helping to meet the needs of our neighbors.
In anticipation of Election Day in the United States, Bishop Eaton reminds us that “civic engagement through political and nonpolitical processes is how we live into our baptism and share Christ’s love as we work to make a difference in our communities and strive for justice and peace across the globe.”
Reflections from a newbie at the ELCA National Youth Gathering Whew! What a whirlwind! I had the pleasure of attending the tAble, MYLE, and the National Youth Gathering this past July in New Orleans. Honestly I am still processing all of it a month later because there was so much to take in.
The Our Savior's Social Ministry Team started serving a weekly meal in response to Jesus' call to love our neighbors. The first meal was on December 3, 1996, with 35 guests; now over 200 meals are served each week. "Come for Supper" is an outreach of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church (La Crosse), held on Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:30 PM, offering free meals for dine-in or carry-out.
Contribute to the ELCA's developing a social statement on civic life and faith, the relationship of church and state, and related matters.
ELCA & Synod Partnership News
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Advocacy- ELCA
Sharing stories and your voices about public policies and relevant advocacy issues.
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Churches for Middle East Peace
(CMEP)
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ELCA
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
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Faith Lens- ELCA
Weekly Bible studies that connect world events with the Bible, faith, and everyday life.
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Living Lutheran
ELCA Publication of inspirational stories, blogs and photos.
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LuMin
Lutheran Campus Ministry
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Luther Park Bible Camp
Nurturing Faith through Holy Play
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Lutheran Men in Mission
LMM Foundations is a quarterly newsletter.
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Lutheran World Federation
A global communion of churches in the Lutheran tradition working together for a just, peaceful, and reconciled world.
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Lutheran World Relief
(LWR)
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Sugar Creek Bible Camp
(SCBC)
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Sumud- ELCA
Sign up to receive action alerts about the Middle East
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WELCA Synod News
The Crosswinds is published in Spring & Fall
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Wisconsin Council of Churches
(WCC)
“Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias” Executive Order violates religious freedom, corrupts separation of Church and State, asserts power that belongs to the Church