Tag Archive for: Together02162021

Congregation Mission Offering subscriptions and statistics received

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Every year at this time, WELS congregations submit their Congregation Mission Offering (CMO) subscriptions. These subscriptions represent the offerings that congregations prayerfully intend to provide for the work of the synod. The subscriptions have now been received for 2021.

We’re pleased to report that 98% of WELS congregations submitted CMO subscriptions for calendar year 2021. Those subscriptions total $21,620,000. This level of CMO subscriptions is down slightly (0.6%) from actual CMO receipts of $21.7 million in calendar year 2020, but it is 2.4% better than the originally approved plan of $21.1 million for calendar year 2021. We thank God for moving his people to provide this generous support for the mission, ministry, and administrative work of WELS.

Congregations have also finished submitting their annual statistics for the year 2020. More than 95% of the congregations provided statistics on membership, worship attendance, confirmations, baptisms, and funerals as well as information on school enrollments and offerings. Even though the goal is to have 100% of congregations submitting statistics, the percentage of WELS congregations submitting statistics compares very well with other church bodies. These statistics are being compiled and will be available in the coming weeks.

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

 

 

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Mission and Ministry held at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary

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From Feb. 2-4, 2021, students at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., participated in Mission and Ministry, an annual three-day event organized by the students during which they learn about missions and ministry groups of WELS.

Under the theme “Share Christ’s Comfort,” this event highlighted the worldwide work of WELS—and how WELS is blessed that God gives us the message of comfort to share with those in churches, in communities, and throughout the world.

Each day featured a worship service, keynote address, and an update from WELS administration. In addition, to give these future pastors a cross-section of experiences they may face in ministry, 23 breakout sessions were offered on specific topics.

Daily breakout topics included updates from world mission fields, COVID adjustments in WELS world mission work, gospel outreach to immigrants in local communities, multi-site ministries, campus ministry, marriage enrichment, and family ministry.

Committee member Philip Schroeder, who was involved in planning the world mission day, shared, “I was able to be in contact with many of our world missionaries while planning. I have grown to appreciate the amazing work they are doing around the world. It encourages me to keep them in my prayers. I am so thankful to have people in our synod who are not afraid to go around the world. They bring the pure gospel to people who desperately need it.”

In the past, WELS organizations have also set up displays to share information about their work in God’s kingdom. To follow social distancing guidelines this year, WELS areas of ministry were instead invited to send information about synodical resources available to these future pastors.

“It helps me see all the resources and materials that are at my disposal to assist me in whatever situation the Lord plans to put me into,” says committee member Caleb Schaewe.

For photos of the event, visit the seminary’s Facebook page.

 

 

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