As he traveled to Haiti to work on the continuing LCMS long-term earthquake response, LCMS World Relief and Human Care Director of Disaster Response Rev. Glenn F. Merritt monitored the aftermath of the magnitude 8.8-quake that hit Chile on Feb. 27, 2010. At least 700 people died and an estimated 2 million are homeless in this new disaster, which triggered tsunami warnings in 53 nations and territories, according to news reports.

Give now to Chile earthquake relief

Message from Rev. Matthew Harrison, executive director
LCMS World Relief and Human Care

The 2010 spring pastors' conference will be held at the Olympia Resort and Conference Center in Oconomowoc.  The theme for the conference is "Healthy Pastors Out of the Box."  The presenter, Jim Galvin, is an organizational consultant specializing in strategy, change and leadership development for faith-based nonprofits. To prepare for the conference, please read Leadership and Self-Deception, the 2010 edition, put out by the Arbinger Institute. You can find it on Amazon.com or order from any bookstore. Olan Mills will take photos for a new SWD pastor pictorial directory. 

Immediately following the conference, a pre-retirement seminar is being held at the Olympia resort.

A total of 14 people from the South Wisconsin District enjoyed the fellowship and activities at the second Multi-Ethnic Symposium on Feb. 1-2, 2010 at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis under the theme "Conversations of Hope." Pastor Don Hougard went as a mentor to some of our ethnic seminary students and found the experience to be eye-opening.

In the event of a local crisis or natural disaster, special consideration should be given to the needs of our congregational members with various types of disabilities. This is especially true in the event of evacuation operations. The elderly and people with disabilities may respond more slowly to a crisis and often don’t immediately comprehend the magnitude of the situation. In some instances, reaction time is decreased. Age related impairments may also affect their ability to hear and understand warnings and broadcasts concerning a disaster in their area. Our congregations need to know about the needs of their members and be prepared.

SWD congregational leadership conference
“Making use of our God-given gifts”
March 13, 2010 • 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lake Country Lutheran High • Hartland

At the conference learn and interact with…

• Concordia Plan Services representatives
• Church Mutual representatives on ways to reduce risk and liability in your congregation
• “Mission leaders” within the SWD and the world; learn how you can help these efforts
• District staff and the resources they provide
• Forms of congregational governance
• How to engage more people in ministry

Campground reservations: Don and Sharon Herried at (608) 372-5268 or (608) 343-5265 Facility rental (retreats, meetings, etc.): Craig Hillman,  (608) 524-6448 Work weekend volunteers: Craig Hillman (see above); kitchen help contact Janey Heckendorf

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

These are the words from Scripture that the Camp LuWiSoMo task force has focused on as we move forward with putting together a solid plan to reopen the camp for ministry. After several meetings in which much time was spent assessing the current situation of the camp, we have begun to formulate a plan to reopen Camp LuWiSoMo for full-time ministry within the next three to five years. In the meantime, the camp will be reopened for limited ministry by April of 2010.

Dominican Republic missionaries Rev. Ted Krey and Danelle Putnam share some of their Haiti rescue and relief efforts following the earthquake of Jan. 12 in two YouTube videos.

National Lutheran School Funding Academy and Funding Academy Webinars
LCMS School Ministry has announced the availability of three Funding Academy options for 2010. the three programs being offered are: Funding Academy I, Funding Academy II and a series of Funding Academy webinars.

The LCMS assessment team coordinated by LCMS World Relief and Human Care and LCMS World Mission returned to the Dominican Republic from Haiti late on Jan. 23. James Neuendorf, a communications specialist missionary with LCMS World Mission in Latin America, provided photos today of Haitian people struggling to cope with the disastrous Jan. 12 earthquake. Go to LCMS World Mission's YouTube channel to view a video slideshow of images from Haiti, set to the music of a Haitian Lutheran congregation in Jacmel, Haiti, singing "How Great Thou Art," on Jan. 22, The LCMS assessment team was able to join this community of believers as they, despite the destruction and suffering surrounding them, offered up a spontaneous song of worship to the Lord. View photos from the assessment team at LCMS World Mission's Picasa album. Detailed updates from the assessment team and other disaster response updates are available from LCMS World Relief and Human Care.

Is your congregation ready for a disaster? What would you do first? Are you equipped to help others in such a situation? Everyone is fully aware that disasters can occur at any time, in any place. The South Wisconsin District disaster response team is trained and willing to take your congregation through the plan put in place by LCMS World Relief and Human Care. The next congregational training will be offered Saturday, March 20 at Elm Grove Lutheran, Elm Grove, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Register online

On the "Faith in the Dominican Republic" blog, Barb Below (director of social ministry at Lutheran World Relief and Human Care) spoke with Danelle Putnam, missionary in the Dominican. She writes, "I spoke with Danelle this morning and she told me that everyone there is okay. She explained that her, Rev. Krey, Rev. Ries, Willy and Joseph (vicars) and Ramon (theology student) were studying in the church building in Santiago when the earthquake hit.

LCMS World Mission asks you to join in prayer for the people of Haiti suffering from the affects of a 7.0-magnitude earthquake on January 12.

Members from St. John, Glendale, working in Port au Prince with a Lutheran mission team, have been reported safe. They are expected to return to Milwaukee later this week.

As news of what is being called the largest earthquake to hit Haiti in more than 200 years reached LCMS World Relief and Human Care (LCMS WR-HC) on Tuesday, the Synod’s mercy arm began preparing to reach out in the Caribbean nation with much needed assistance and working in cooperation with Lutheran partners.