WELS News

--Together Conference of Presidents winter meeting Translation workshop at WLS Representatives from all 12 districts met with the Translation Evaluation Committee (TEC) in early January for a two-and-a-half-day workshop at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS), Mequon, Wis. The... Read more Easter outreach materials available The Commission for Congregational Counseling (CCC) has released a new program called E12 (short for "Easter 12") to help congregations plan how to use Easter Sunday 2012 as an opportunity to reach... Read more Lutheran school task force meets A new task force on Lutheran schools met Jan. 9-10 to begin exploring ways to strengthen and support WELS schools. Appointed by the Conference of Presidents as a result of a 2011 synod convention... Read more Search begins for new director of communications The synod has begun a nationwide search for a new director of Communication Services. WELS' director of Communication Services is responsible for coordinating all internal and external... Read more Media spotlight Call reports Bulletin inserts Next Together

--Together Search begins for two synod positions December graduation at MLC Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., graduated 19 students at its Dec. 15 mid-year graduation ceremony. Of the 19 graduates, seven graduated with early childhood education degrees, six with... Read more Human resources director position open The synod is beginning a nationwide search for a new human resources director to replace Mr. Roger Crawford. After serving faithfully for eight years, Crawford retired in late October due to health... Read more News from Nepal Rev. Karl Gurgel will be serving as the Multi-Language Publications' (MLP) publications coordinator for Pakistan and Nepal. In this role, he will help Christians ensure their materials clearly... Read more Media spotlight WELS in the news Call reports Bulletin inserts Next Together

--Together

In this issue: Wordell to coordinate Asian publications, Petermann receives MLS call, Two new worship facilities, WELS family assist with relief to Japan

Exploring options for the administration building Wordell to coordinate Asian publications Rev. Brad Wordell has accepted the call from the Board for World Missions to be the first coordinator for Asian publications for WELS Multi-Language Publications. Wordell, a missionary in Japan... Read more Petermann receives MLS call On Nov. 29, the Michigan Lutheran Seminary Governing Board issued a call to Rev. Joel Petermann to serve as the next president of Michigan Lutheran Seminary (MLS), Saginaw, Mich. MLS is one of two... Read more Two new worship facilities Congregations in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and Radcliff, Ky., will be worshiping in new facilities for the first time this December. St. Paul in Calgary will be holding its dedication service Sat.,... Read more WELS family assists with relief to Japan On Dec. 9, a WELS family, sponsored by Christian Aid and Relief, will travel to Japan and assist the Lutheran Evangelical Christian Church, WELS' sister church in Japan, set up and operate a... Read more WELS in the news Media spotlight Call reports Bulletin inserts

--Together Update on the Recent News

Brothers and sisters in Christ,

We have some very sad and disturbing news to share with you.

On Wed., Nov. 16, we were informed that WELS Director of Communications Mr. Joel Hochmuth was arrested on charges of possessing child pornography.

--Together

read more

--Together

In this issue: WELS members respond to critical need in Indonesia, Bible translation information

Synodical Council addresses relocation issues WELS members respond to critical need in Indonesia WELS members have responded swiftly and generously to a critical ministry need in Indonesia. As an e-appeal sent on Oct. 17 explained, WELS' sister church body - Gereja Lutheran Indonesia (GLI) -... Read more Bible Translation Information New pages on the WELS Web site have been created to inform both called workers and laypeople on Bible translation evaluation issues. The new Web pages are one part of the Translation Evaluation... Read more WELS in the news Correction Call reports Bulletin inserts Next Together

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In this issue: Graduation at Asia Lutheran Seminary, MLS faring well during long vacancy, Free conference set, Seniors group renews aid for chaplaincy, A good way to search

WELS congregations in Canada seek new arrangement Graduation at Asia Lutheran Seminary Asia Lutheran Seminary (ALS) celebrated its third annual graduation ceremony Oct. 31 at Grace Lutheran Church in Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong. ALS, established in Hong Kong by WELS in 2005, is a school... Read more MLS faring well during long vacancy On Oct. 18, the Michigan Lutheran Seminary Governing Board issued a call to Rev. John Bortulin to serve as the next president of Michigan Lutheran Seminary (MLS), Saginaw, Mich. The position of MLS... Read more Free conference set On Nov. 9-10 a Lutheran free conference will be held at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn. Read more Seniors group renews aid for chaplaincy The Organization of WELS Lutheran Seniors (OWLS) gave $50,000 to the European civilian chaplaincy ministry at its recent annual convention held in Lake Geneva, Wis. Nearly 200 OWLS members attended... Read more A good way to search WELS Internet surfers have searched their way to nearly $8500 for the synod using the GoodSearch Internet search engine. By looking for the latest gadget or news, you can donate about one cent per... Read more WELS in the news Media spotlight Call reports Bulletin inserts

--Together

In this issue: Churches ready to dedicate, Call highlights importance of Asia, Significant event in Hmong ministry, Fiscal year 2011 ends with surplus, Bible studies streamed live

Presidents discuss creation, other issues Churches ready to dedicate Two congregations, with financial assistance from WELS Church Extension Fund (WELS CEF), are dedicating new worship facilities Oct. 30— one in Baton Rouge, La., and one in Montrose, Colo. "It... Read more Call highlights importance of Asia The Board for World Missions approved the calling of a coordinator for Asian publications at its meeting Oct. 6 and 7. This new position, which will report to WELS Multi-Language Publications, will... Read more Significant event in Hmong ministry A conference last week at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., is being called a significant event in the synod's growing ministry to Hmong populations across the United States.  Read more Fiscal year 2011 ends with surplus Final budget results for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, are in—unrestricted support and revenues of $83.6 million were received and expenses of $78.3 million were incurred for a surplus... Read more Bible studies streamed live For the first time, WELS is making Bible studies available to congregations across the synod through live video streaming. Rev. Thomas Kock, member of the Commission on Adult Discipleship, says,... Read more Correction Media spotlight Call reports Bulletin inserts

--Together

In this issue: MLC approves Mandarin instruction, WELS Benefit Plans changes announced, Former Minnesota district president dies, People's Bible available electronically

Translation Feasibility Committee begins work MLC approves Mandarin instruction The Governing Board of Martin Luther College met Sept. 22 and 23 and approved a plan to implement a two-year pilot project for teaching Mandarin, pending funding, at the campus beginning in the 2012... Read more WELS Benefit Plans changes announced The WELS VEBA and Pension Commissions have established contribution rates for 2012, effective Jan. 1, 2012. VEBA health plan rates will increase 8% across-the-board for all active health rate... Read more Former Minnesota District president dies Former Minnesota District president Rev. Gerhard Birkholz, 84, died Sept. 26. The funeral service was held Saturday, Oct. 1 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Shakopee, Minn., where Birkholz was a member... Read more People’s Bible available electronically The 15 New Testament volumes of the People's Bible, the popular commentary series from Northwestern Publishing House, are now available for both Kindle and Nook. These are the first titles from NPH... Read more Media spotlight Call reports Bulletin inserts