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Jim Farrelly
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Older adult ministry assists congregations in their task of encouraging and nurturing older adults to fully develop and utilize their Christian faith, talents and spiritual gifts in ministry.
The South Wisconsin District older adult ministry committee encourages congregations and provides resources, models and direction to:
- Develop excitement for and understanding of how to utilize the spiritual gifts, skills, time and talents of older adults as resources within the church among pastors and congregational leaders.
- Help congregations plan, implement, sustain, and build older adult ministry program(s) around the functions of the congregation: worship, nurture, witness, stewardship, service, fellowship and health.
- Help congregations identify the physical, emotional, mental, social, developmental, and spiritual needs of older adults in their congregations and address these needs through ministry activities by the congregation.
- Help God's people recognize that the development of one's Christian faith is a lifelong commitment that requires continual nurturing and to inspire lifelong learning and abundant living.
- Promote a healthy understanding of the aging process as a blessing and gift from God our Creator by sensitizing people of all ages to the value of intergenerational activity and helping them work at developing relationships and partnerships across generations.
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First ever ethnic folk fair coming to Wauwatosa Sept. 27
 On Saturday, Sept. 27 (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.) the first ever Lutheran folk fair highlighting ethnic ministries in the South Wisconsin District will be held in the gym of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 6717 W. Center St., Wauwatosa. Everyone is invited to visit display tables of the various ethnic ministries, enjoy the music, taste unique ethnic foods (Hmong egg rolls, Mexican tacos, African meat pies, etc.) and gain a greater appreciation of our "oneness in Christ." Flyer 
Outreach to Small Town, WI - Portage workshop Nov. 15
 The SWD outreach task force will offer a workshop at St. John, Portage, on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Flyer
Many factors in the church necessitate building a network for leadership training and mission support for rural/small town congregations. Dr. Ralph Geisler, director of the St. Paul Institute for Education ( spife.org) in Concordia, Mo., will prepare you for this mission field.
Safe arrival of hymnals in Nigeria
Friday, August 15, 2008 :: 99 Views :: Missions
Seminary library on the grounds of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria.
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Your gifts were well received!
Many of you remember bringing used hymnals, clothing, theology books, paraments and other articles to our collection at the District office for the Lutheran Church of Nigeria (LCN) last November and December. We reported to you in January that the 40-foot container of 15,000 books and all the rest was on its way to Port Harcourt. Everything arrived safely and has by now been taken to the LCN seminary, where the items are being stored and distributed to congregations. The people are overjoyed with your gifts!
Wales youth group puts servant-hood into their summer
 During the week of June 30 to July 3, eleven teens and their pastor, Rev. Allen Behnke from Bethlehem, Wales, set out each day to serve. Cooperating Congregations of Waukesha County, A Place of Refuge’s Resale Shop and the S.O.S. Center in Milwaukee were on the receiving end of their Christian love.
Vision for Spanish Bible with Luther’s Catechism becomes a reality
The missions department had a wonderful surprise the week of June 8 when Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF) executive director, Rev. Dr. Bob Rahn stopped by to visit with  Rev. Dan McMiller. Rahn announced that 11,000 Spanish Bibles, with Catechisms included, are now in print and he presented a few copies to the District. It was a project that was just a vision in 2001, and has now become a reality that will have wide usage in our District and in many other places throughout the world.
Rev. Dr. Robert Rahn (left), executive director for Lutheran Heritage Foundation, shows a new Spanish Bible to Rev. Dan McMiller, South Wisconsin District missions executive.
Church planting event Sept. 19 at District office
Dr. Yohannes Mengsteab, LCMS director for new church development, will be the presenter at two seminars in Milwaukee on Friday, Sept. 19, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the South Wisconsin District office. The morning seminar on urban church planting is designed for city churches that are struggling with ministry focus beyond existence. Pastors and lay leaders of congregations which have identified themselves as Ablaze! covenant congregations, or any pastors and congregations interested in knowing more about becoming an Ablaze! covenant partner, are encouraged to attend the afternoon seminar. Please contact Tom Eggold at (260) 615-9448 or tom.eggold@lcms.org to make a reservation to attend one or both of these seminars. Lunch will be provided at no cost for all those attending one or both sessions. Flyer
"Fun in the sun": Not your typical spring break
 When you think of college students in Mexico on spring break what images come to mind? You probably picture students having fun and soaking up the sun on the beach. Well a group of eight college students, two recent graduates and two staff people from Madison’s Calvary Chapel campus ministry went to Mexico for spring break. It was anything but a typical vacation. We went on a mission trip to Saltillo, Mexico. The purpose of the trip was to help one of the local churches with some painting and VBS. (Click the read more link for a photo gallery.)
Inner city congregation Bethany, Milwaukee, witnesses 45 Easter baptisms
Friday, April 18, 2008 :: 809 Views :: Missions
 As Easter is a time of new life and resurrection, it was an appropriate blessing for Rev. Chris Ikanih and Rev. Richard Boeck, along with the growing family of believers at Bethany, to welcome into the family of God 45 new souls (from babes in arms to adults) through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. An additional nine persons were baptized the following Sunday, for a total of 54 new baptisms in a congregation that had been reduced to 15-20 worshippers and at the verge of closing just before Christmas.
Prayer breakfast for a summer of peace and hope in the city
 On Saturday, April 12, 2008, over 200 people attended a prayer breakfast for a "Summer of Peace and Hope in the City” held at Bethany Lutheran in Milwaukee’s inner city.
Pictured left to right: State Representative Jason Fields, Alderman and Common Council President Willie L. Hines, Jr., Rev. Chris Ikanih, and Dr. Howard Fuller (former MPS superintendent).
Rev. Pedro Lopez receives Hispanic business professionals award
Monday, March 17, 2008 :: 887 Views :: Missions
 On Feb. 23, the Hispanic Business and Professionals Association (HBPA) presented Rev. Pedro Lopez a community enhancement award at their 2008 banquet. The award was given in recognition of his contribution to the community of Racine. Lopez is pastor of Primera Iglesia Luterana congregation in Racine and is also a board member of the HBPA.
Baptisms are always special!
 The International Friendship Center at the UW campus in Madison is always a beehive of activity. There are English conversation classes, Bible study groups, and special events—and sometimes an international student happens to stop in to use the phone. Please rejoice with us as you read more about how the Holy Spirit has been at work there recently!
District pastors bring God’s Word to Thailand
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 :: 905 Views :: Missions
 From Jan. 14-25, Rev. Jeff Prewitt (New Hope, Neenah) and Rev. Yia Vang (Hmong Hope, Milwaukee) visited Chiang Mai, Thailand. Their purpose was to teach Thai and Laotian Hmong students who are studying to become mission pastors in Thailand and Laos.
You are needed! Short-term mission opportuities
Thursday, January 17, 2008 :: 969 Views :: Missions
 LCMS World Mission has short-term mission team opportunities available. Calling all LCMS congregations, universities, small groups, mission responders, families, and members to respond to the urgent need for more than 200 international short-term mission teams in the coming year. Could this be you or someone you know?
Fifth graders from Immanuel, Brookfield, send children's books to Nigeria
 Olivia Versteegh and Kalie McCaughn from Immanuel Lutheran School in Brookfield came to the District office to help load their books for the shipment to Nigeria with Gui Kasongo Kabeo (left), Mission Executive Rev. Daniel McMiller, and their teacher, Paul Gohde.
Hmong Hope Lutheran Church rejoices!
Monday, June 11, 2007 :: 2185 Views :: Missions
On May 13, there was great rejoicing and praising God for the outpouring of his Holy Spirit on his people of Hmong Hope Lutheran Church in Milwaukee.
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