Some things to consider
Prayer requests  
Dates to remember  
Various updates

 Some things to consider

• During the past several months our urban leaders which includes pastors, DELTO (Distance Education Leading to Ordination) as well as EIIT (Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology) students and others have been working on an urban vision for Milwaukee. Bob Gleason of Brookfield Lutheran has been the coordinator of the process. On Thursday, Sept. 26, that vision and vision narrative was presented to a select group of pastors and leaders from suburban congregations. At the gathering we discussed how suburban congregations, both pastors and people, can provide "competencies" to help the urban congregations engage the city with the Gospel. Our goal is to resource the pastors and congregations in the city so that the lost can be reached. Much more will be heard about this in the future. Dan McMiller will share the urban vision.
• Good things are going on in the city. Rev. Chris Ikanih, our missionary-at-large to urban Milwaukee, continues to reach out to various groups of immigrant peoples. Specifically he is talking with an immigrant Nigerian group and a Hispanic group who are interested in learning more about Lutheranism. Please keep Chris and his outreach in your prayers! 
• Good things are happening on the financial front as well. While the statement of activities isn’t finished for September quite yet, the congregational intentions report is. The good news is that as of Sept. 30, 2007 we have received 97.9% of those intentions to date. My first reaction is: WOW! My second reaction is: Thank you! We thank our gracious Lord and we thank his gracious people!
• We are beginning work on the 2008 SWD budget. As you know because of the financial challenges of the past, we were forced to reduce our synodical intentions from 38 percent to 10 percent in 2007. However, in the budget 2008 we are beginning our move back to a healthier support of our synodical work. Budget 2008 will designate 15 percent of congregational receipts for Synod. That is not something that we can accomplish without everyone’s help. The dollars that we disperse for mission and ministry throughout SWD and then send on to the LCMS come from the people in our parishes. So I appeal for your help as we move forward in this endeavor. I am asking that every congregation prayerfully consider increasing their intention to SWD. My suggestion is that every congregation considers increasing their commitment by 10 percent for 2008. That will help us to honor our intention to increase our commitment to Synod, and to fund more mission activity.
• Dan McMiller and I have been talking about holding a special one day missions conference in spring 2008 to highlight what we in SWD are doing in missions. The date has not been set. The plans are to let pastors and people meet and greet those involved in our SWD missions. It will be a one day event with a special keynote speaker. Let us know what you think.
• If you would like me to come to your circuit winkel, please call and we will get it on the calendar.
• One very important area where we need your help: We are looking for a person to fill the role of business manager for the South Wisconsin District. Job description includes experience with accounting and budgets, an understanding of church structure, working with the various boards/committees, ability to work with staff, working with congregational treasurers regarding tax and budget issues. If you know of someone who might be interested in working at this level, please pass his/her name along. Contact Tim Dittloff at (414) 464-8100 or (800) 793-3678.

I want to thank each one of our pastors for your faithfulness to our calling to be His representative in the congregation where you serve. You are an important part of our Lord's Kingdom, an important link in our witnes to this state where we live. Remember the words of St. Jude, "Be merciful to those who doubt, snatch others from the fire to save them."

Much peace and many blessings!

President John C. Wille
South Wisconsin District

Prayer requests

Please keep in your prayers/petitions:

• Mrs. Eunice Hinz, wife of Rev. Thomas, retired, recovering from surgery; 
• Mr. James Farrelly, District office, recovering from cataract surgery; 
• Rev. Arthur Senn, retired, recovering from heart surgery; 
• Mrs. Asenath Dobratz, wife of Rev. Wayne, St. Stephen, Watertown, recovering from surgery; 
• Family of Mr. Mark Droegemueller, SWD board of directors on the death of his mother, Ruth; 
• Family of Rev. James Cumming and his wife, Margaret on the death of her mother. 
• Family of Rev. Chris Ikanih on the death of his brother.

Dates to remember

• Oct. 15 — New Workers’ Orientation.
• Oct. 16 — Secretaries workshop and parish nurses
• Oct. 18-19 — Upper Midwest DP’s meet in Burnsville
• Oct. 21 — 100th anniversary of St. Paul, LaValle 
• Oct. 29-31 — Pastors’ conference at Heidel House, Green Lake
• Nov. 2 — CUW board of regents
• Nov. 5 — Finance committee
• Nov. 6 — SWD execs strategic planning
• Nov. 8 — Board of directors
• Nov. 12-19 — Council of presidents and LCEF fall conference, Dallas

Various updates

• SWD executive team contacts
  • Missions and evangelism: Dan McMiller 
  • Human care/older adult: Jim Farrelly
  • Schools, youth and family: Gary Janetzke, with regional superintendents Gene Ladendorf, Roger Laesch, Dennis Vierk, and David Jording
  • Lutheran Church Extension Fund: Tim Dittloff
  • Stewardship: Tim Dittloff
  • LCMS Foundation and estate planning: John Meyer
  • Business office: Ralph Klevenow (interim business manager); Herman Strozier
• SWD office updates:
  • Undoubtedly most will rejoice along with those of us in the office to know that our automated “phone system from purgatory,” as Bill Wagner called it “phone jail” has been replaced. We are back to a real human being answering incoming calls to SWD. You will recognize the voice! The voice of SWD is Arleen Johnson. She is now at the front desk. Please greet her with a smile!
  • Karen Hauser, a member of Trinity-Freistadt, is the new adminstrative assistant to the president. Karen joined our team Monday, Oct. 8. Her duties include making sure that the president knows which way is up, and to harass pastors about updating their PIF/SETs. Seriously, Karen is currently somewhere in the learning curve as she becomes acquainted with all of us. So please greet her when you call and let her know how glad we are that she is with us!