Upcoming Events
Protecting Places of Worship
Providing a safe and welcoming place to worship is an important responsibility we share. Whether you are a pastor, church leader, safety team member, volunteer, or simply someone who cares about the safety and well-being of your congregation, this event is for you! This conference brings together knowledgeable professionals and community partners to share practical information, valuable resources, and strategies to help houses of worship better prepare for, prevent, and respond to safety and security concerns.
Youth Event: Let's Jump
Fall fellowship fun event for La Crosse Area Synod Youth and friends.
Stewardship Fall Cohort: Cultivating Generous Congregations
How do we, as communities of faith, change our thinking on stewardship and generosity to meet the challenges of the moment? In partnership with the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, the ELCA is offering congregations the opportunity to reexamine their stewardship thinking and imagine ways to act on their findings in their communities.
Boundaries Training for Rostered Leaders
Annual Boundaries Training for Region 5 Rostered Leaders.
2026 Topic: Anti-Racism
High School Retreat: Imagine More
Whether you are looking for a space to gather your high school students together this fall for some faith and relationship-building time, OR you are looking for a way to kickstart your 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering Experience, this retreat is for you! We hope you'll gather your high school youth (and 8th graders who will be or are considering participation in the Youth Gathering) to join us as we experience meaningful friendships, inspiring music and worship, incredible storytelling, thoughtful conversations, and fun activities! We will be joined by David Scherer (AGAPE), Joe Davis (poet/artist/musician), AND Rachel Kurtz (musician), all former main-stage guests at the Youth Gathering, who will engage us with their stories, music, and audience participation!
Stewardship Fall Cohort: Cultivating Generous Congregations
How do we, as communities of faith, change our thinking on stewardship and generosity to meet the challenges of the moment? In partnership with the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, the ELCA is offering congregations the opportunity to reexamine their stewardship thinking and imagine ways to act on their findings in their communities.
Holiday Market
Join us for the Holiday Marketplace Sale on November 14th, 9:00am to 2:00pm.
Enjoy a delicious lunch from 10 am-1:30 pm
There will also be our famous Norwegian Lefse on sale, and we have now received a signed Packer football which we will raffle off at the sale. Mark your calendars and join us!
First Call Theological Conference
Are you a Rostered Minister in your first three years of call?
If so, mark your calendar for this year’s First Call Gathering in Green Lake, WI.
Stewardship Fall Cohort: Cultivating Generous Congregations
How do we, as communities of faith, change our thinking on stewardship and generosity to meet the challenges of the moment? In partnership with the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, the ELCA is offering congregations the opportunity to reexamine their stewardship thinking and imagine ways to act on their findings in their communities.
Stewardship Fall Cohort: Cultivating Generous Congregations
How do we, as communities of faith, change our thinking on stewardship and generosity to meet the challenges of the moment? In partnership with the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, the ELCA is offering congregations the opportunity to reexamine their stewardship thinking and imagine ways to act on their findings in their communities.
ELCA Extravaganza
Extravaganza is a four-day leadership training event for ELCA congregational leaders in children's, youth, young adult and outdoor ministry. This event is designed specifically with your congregation in mind.
Stewardship Fall Cohort: Cultivating Generous Congregations
How do we, as communities of faith, change our thinking on stewardship and generosity to meet the challenges of the moment? In partnership with the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, the ELCA is offering congregations the opportunity to reexamine their stewardship thinking and imagine ways to act on their findings in their communities.
ConFest
ConFest (Confirmation Fest) is an evening of fellowship, learning and worship for Confirmation youth to connect and learn. This event is coordinated by the Synod LYLE Team.
Retired Rostered Leaders Gathering
The La Crosse Area Synod invites all Retired Rostered Leaders in our synod to a Fall Retired Rostered Leaders Gathering
We hope you can join us for fellowship a time of worship and lunch with Bishop Felix Malpica and Reverend Dione Stepanek.
Coulee Region Immigration Summit 2026
This year’s summit will focus on immigration detention centers and will feature a screening of Episode 5 of “Immigration Nation,” titled “The Right Way,” followed by a facilitated discussion. The episode tells the story of a 63-year-old grandmother who flees her home country seeking asylum in the United States, only to spend 17 months in a detention center.
The Coulee Region Immigration Summit offers an opportunity for community members to learn more about the experiences of people seeking asylum and to engage in conversation about immigration detention.
The event is free, but registration is required.
Stewardship Fall Cohort: Cultivating Generous Congregations
How do we, as communities of faith, change our thinking on stewardship and generosity to meet the challenges of the moment? In partnership with the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, the ELCA is offering congregations the opportunity to reexamine their stewardship thinking and imagine ways to act on their findings in their communities.
What is Christian Nationalism?
What does it mean to call America a “Christian nation,” and what happens when Christian faith, national identity, and public life become closely intertwined?
Christian ethicist Jacob Alan Cook joins us to explore a question many pastors are already navigating but may struggle to name.
ConFest
ConFest (Confirmation Fest) is an evening of fellowship, learning and worship for Confirmation youth to connect and learn. This event is coordinated by the Synod LYLE Team.
Stewardship Fall Cohort: Cultivating Generous Congregations
How do we, as communities of faith, change our thinking on stewardship and generosity to meet the challenges of the moment? In partnership with the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, the ELCA is offering congregations the opportunity to reexamine their stewardship thinking and imagine ways to act on their findings in their communities.
Spiritual First Aid for Intergenerational Trauma Training
Spiritual First Aid for Intergenerational Trauma
Presented by Jamie Aten, Ph
What Is Your Legacy? Planned/Estate Giving with the ELCA Foundation
What Is Your Legacy? Learn about Planned/Estate Giving through the ELCA Foundation
Hosted by the Board of Trinity Lutheran Church, Sparta Mission Endowment Fund
Event Details
Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026
Time: 10:15 am to 11:15 am
Location: Trinity Lutheran Church, Sparta
Featured Speaker: Hannah Wallisch, Regional Gift Planner with the ELCA Foundation
About the Event You are invited to attend an informational session on creating a charitable gift plan to support your congregation and other ELCA ministries.
Hannah Wallisch will provide an overview of how to make informed decisions while considering the current and future needs of you and your loved ones. The ELCA Foundation offers expert guidance and comprehensive services to help you navigate your options, allowing you to align your financial and estate-planning goals with your faith and values.
Legacy gifts provide lasting resources for both Trinity Lutheran Church, Sparta, and Lutheran ministries across the Church—continuing the work of sharing Jesus’ love with a world in desperate need of Christ’s light, mercy, and grace.
Come and learn how thoughtful planning can help you pass on your philanthropic values and make a meaningful impact on the ministries you love.
Fall Bazaar
Peace Lutheran Fall Bazaar and Dinner
Sat., October 10, 2026
10 am - 1 pm. 112 E. Center St., Readstown
Dinner will feature homemade creamed chicken and biscuits, baked beans, cole slaw, cranberries, beverage and dessert. Adults $14; children 12 & under $6. Dine in or take out available. Crafts, holiday items and baked goods will be on sale. Raffle drawing for a full size quilt and 3 gift certificates at 1 pm; need not be present to win.
All are welcome!
Lutheran World Relief In-Gathering
Drop off your LWR Quilts and Kits at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in La Crosse on Saturday, Oct. 10th in the morning.
Fall Theological Conference
The Fall Theological Conference for Pastors and Synod Authorized Ministers will take place October 4-6, 2026 at the Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, WI.
Our keynote speaker is the Rev. Dr. Laurie A. Jungling, Program Director for Theological Ethics at the ELCA Churchwide Office and former Bishop of the Montana Synod (2019–2025). Bringing a rich background in parish ministry, academic scholarship, and synodical leadership, Dr. Jungling will lead our workshops on Faith and Civic Life.
Bridge Builder Leadership Training Retreat
We hope you can join us for our annual Bridge Builder Leadership retreat at the beautiful Green Lake Conference Center (Wisconsin) on Saturday, October 3rd from 10am – 4pm to learn how to build bridges for change in your own community, workplace, or congregation. The all-day training, in grateful partnership with the Wisconsin Council of Churches will include engaging content, small group reflections, role-play exercises, and much more.
National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools
On September 30, the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools, we invite you to:
Wear orange in solidarity
Learn more through the ELCA’s Truth Seeking and Truth Telling Initiative
Clergy Appreciation Dinner
Bishop Malpica would like to invite Rostered Leaders to a dinner Sunday, September 27th in their honor to say Thank you for their work in the church living out their call.
Workshop: Holy Work with Children- Simple Practices for Worship and Prayer
What can congregations do to nurture children's faith more intentionally through worship and prayer? This practical and interactive session will offer simple, adaptable ideas that can be implemented in congregations of any size. Participants will leave with concrete practices, fresh inspiration, and next steps for helping children engage more fully in the worshiping life of the church.
Oasis: Online Gathering of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network
An Oasis is "a place between." It is a place of rest. It is a place of growth. It is a place of life in the middle of a desert. Oasis is also the Network's online gathering. It is a place between where we are now, and where God is leading us. It is a place of refreshment, renewal, learning and connection. Twice this year, members of the Network are invited to come together for an online gathering. Together, we will renew, learn and connect.
Stewardship Kaleidoscope Gathering
Stewardship Kaleidoscope is an annual ecumenical conference that equips church leaders with practical tools, inspiring worship, and networking opportunities to cultivate generosity and fund Christ's mission in their congregations.
Stewardship Webinar: Introducing “The Joy of Generosity”
Looking to try something different for a stewardship appeal this fall? Looking for something easy to implement because you haven’t done an appeal in years (or ever)? “The Joy of Generosity,” a new, free resource from the ELCA Stewardship office, is made just for you. This four-week stewardship series is easy to implement and fully customizable.
Worship in the Park
Peace Lutheran of Tomah, WI joins ecumenical partners in the park for a collaborative worship service and potluck picnic.
Church Property Resource Hub Webinar: “Mission Anchors and Outposts — Rural and Small-Town Property”
Just as ministry looks different in rural and small-town churches than in other settings, so does property stewardship. Join Partners for Sacred Places for a conversation that highlights successful strategies for rural and small-town congregations looking to use and manage their property in new and sustainable ways.
Synod-Wide Zoom Text Study
A flexible Sunday evening Zoom study to prep for upcoming worship texts—perfect for busy lay leaders and pastors on a summer schedule.
Rummage Sale
Participate in the Rummage Sale at English Lutheran either by providing items for the sale or shopping Friday or Saturday of the event.
Rummage Sale
Participate in the Rummage Sale at English Lutheran either by providing items for the sale or shopping Friday or Saturday of the event.
FREE Community Meal
FREE Community Meal
Comfort Food. Caring Community. Everyone Welcome.
Taste of Tamarack
Meal and Celebration. Main dish provided. Bring a part of the meal to share.
Synod-Wide Zoom Text Study
A flexible Sunday evening Zoom study to prep for upcoming worship texts—perfect for busy lay leaders and pastors on a summer schedule.
Check out community ministry opportunities from the La Crosse Area Synod’s 72 ministry sites.
Want to have your event added?
Contact Brianna Iverson at the synod office.

