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
ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to Executive Orders on Immigration
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.
When Worship Is Disrupted: How Congregations Can Respond and Prepare
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.
Misinformation Targets Lutheran Organizations—Here’s the Truth
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.
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.
National Radon Action Month
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.
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.
A Familiar Name, New Resources: Augsburg Fortress Publishers is Back
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
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.
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.
Watch the World Food Day celebration!
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.
ELCA Conference of Bishops Analyzes Churchgoing Trends in Planning for Future
ELCA Conference of Bishops Analyzes Churchgoing Trends in Planning for Future
Local Bishop speaks on a cease-fire plea for the conflict in the Middle-East
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.
ELCA World Hunger Celebrates 50th Anniversary With World Food Day Event
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 Conference of Bishops Emphasizes the Need to Speak the Truth
The ELCA Conference of Bishops has issued a statement on the need to speak the truth.
Lutheran Disaster Response to Hurricane Helene & Milton
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.
Civic Engagement and Loving-Kindness
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.”
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)