Synod News
Stay connected with updates from the La Crosse Area Synod. From church leaders to congregational members, everyone is encouraged to sign-up.
Newsletter Archive - find previous Synod Updates & Synod Spotlights here
Welcoming Rev. Mary Runyon to Sugar Creek
⛺️ BIG NEWS: Welcome Rev. Mary Runyon!
We are overjoyed to announce that Rev. Mary Runyon is joining the Sugar Creek team as our new Program Director! 🌟
Mary officially starts on December 15, bringing a wealth of experience as a pastor, coach, and outdoor ministry leader. With an M.Div, an MBA, and a heart for the Driftless region, she is ready to lead our 20+ year-round programs with creativity and deep pastoral care.
“My hope is that every person who comes across the bridge into the valley feels seen, valued, and invited to discover the ways God is already moving in their story.” — Rev. Mary Runyon
Baptism is God’s Work
Baptism is God’s work.
In this work we are delivered, raised, united, anointed and joined it says in our baptismal service.
God knows who we are. God knows our abilities and our disabilities. God has spoken us into this world “Let there be (your name)” . God has created us – each of us, unique, a specific combination of skills, experiences, and passions. We are an issuance of the love God has for the world made into a human form though whom God will patiently go about healing and reconciling this world back to the goodness in which it was created.
🌿 The Hidden Cups: A Story of Life-Giving Relationship and Creation Care
Discover how two congregations cultivated a life-giving relationship, turning a forgotten supply of vintage communion cups into a powerful act of creation care and collaboration across the Synod.
Synod Spotlight: Pray Without Ceasing Initiative
A handful of churches in the synod are experiencing amazing transformation through shared prayer.
Synod Spotlight: Fall Theological Conference Explores Fresh Expressions
Pastors and SAMs from the La Crosse Area Synod gathered in Eau Claire for the Fall Theological Conference, exploring Fresh Expressions—a movement inspiring new ways of being church in everyday life. Through worship, conversation, and connection, they reflected on how listening, relationship-building, and discipleship can help the gospel come alive in their communities.
Synod Spotlight: Clergy Appreciation Month
This October we celebrate our Pastors, Deacons, and SAMs who share God’s love in so many ways. Thank you for helping us live out our mission of “Cultivating Life-Giving Relationships Rooted in God’s Love.”
Synod Spotlight: Rev. Dr. Shauna Hannan Next President of LSTC
It is with deep gratitude and great joy that we write to share the news that the Board of Directors has affirmed the appointment of the Rev. Dr. Shauna Hannan as the next President of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
Synod Spotlight: The Little Church with the Big Heart
Generations have celebrated life’s sacred moments here—baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and farewells—within the walls of the "Little Church with the Big Heart."
Synod Spotlight: Community Vacation Bible School
The beauty of this ministry lies in how each hosting congregation contributes its unique gifts, skills, and resources each year. When combined, these offerings create a life-giving outreach ministry that benefits the children, the community, and the involved volunteers.
From the Director for Evangelical Mission / Assistant to the Bishop
A year in review with Pastor Dione Stepanek and her work as the Director for Evangelical Mission.
LEAD – Leading the Way!
Over the past two summers, our LEAD program (Leaders Engaged as Disciples) has been empowering high school students to become confident, faith-filled leaders! This 4-week adventure offers hands-on experience in camp roles, from assisting with day camps to shadowing counselors.
Accompaniment
Our trip focused on accompaniment—listening, observing, and participating in activities with our hosts in Peru to understand their lives, culture, and ministries. They welcomed us into their congregations and the Children’s Festival. Our experience was enriched by gathering with a Texas group, led by Bishop Felix J. Malpica from the La Crosse Area Synod and Bishop Mike Rinehart from Texas. Their leadership fostered collaboration, allowing us to share ideas, stories, and support, transforming us from two distinct groups into a united and interactive one.
Synod Spotlight: The Rev. Dr. Robert Young
The life and ministry of the Rev. Dr. Robert Young, a pastor of the La Crosse Area Synod
Candidacy Spotlight
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.
Caring for God’s Creation in Peru
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.
La Crosse Area Synod receives Nurturing Children Initiative Grant
The La Crosse Area Synod (ELCA) has received a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish the Engaging Children Initiative.
When It Comes to Your Health, Every Step Counts
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.
Homeless for the Holidays
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.
Song Writers Gather to Create Originals for Bible Camps 2025
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 & 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)