Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
On Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 ELC will thank the many people who volunteer by hosting a dinner in their honor. See pictures of other dinners.

Causeway interfaith volunteer caregivers
Causeway provides volunteer and community services to the elderly and adults with disabilities allowing them to maintain independence and dignity.

We currently have 9 volunteers from English Lutheran providing services such as Adopt a grandparent, errands and shopping, home chores, reading/writing, visits, outings, outdoor chores, and arts buddies.

If you are interested in volunteers, please call Mary Sween at 781-3666 or Joyce Snider at 779-1294.

Communion Fund
Since Pastor Stoffel established the English Lutheran Church Communion Fund in the 1930’s in order to help members who were destitute because of the Great Depression, the Fund has provided support for those in need. The pastors of English Lutheran distribute the funds based on an application form available at the church office. Offerings contributed through the green "Communion Fund" envelopes distributed at communion services provide funds for sharing with needy families and individuals.

CROP Walk for Hunger
Area churches and organizations walking together to raise money for local and world hunger. 25% of the money goes to local organizations. In 2010, the CROP Walk will be on October 10.

Habitat for Humanity
As a covenant church, English Lutheran pledges itself to provide funds and labor each year for Habitat for Humanity. We will designate certain Saturdays each year for ELC volunteers to work at the houses. For more information, contact the church office.

Hospital Ministry
Patients are provided with a visit and communion.

Hungry Jar
In 2010, donations to the Hungry Jar have been given to Haiti Relief through Lutheran Disaster Response, Big Brothers – Big Sisters, Ethiopian Health Clinics, Chicago Missions (High School Youth mission trip), Women’s Clothes Closet and Augusta Victoria Hospital on the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem. In 2009, Hungry Jar gifts totaled over $10,000.

Lutheran Campus Ministry
English Lutheran Church has a "Covenant Relationship" with Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) - La Crosse. Currently LCM seeking to relocate. English Lutheran has raised $100,000 as a leadership gift for a new LCM facility. About 20 college and university students worship at English Lutheran Church each week during the school year. For more information about Lutheran Campus Ministry, please contact campus minister Paul Petersen.

Mission Interpretation
What is a Mission Interpretation? It is telling the story of what God is doing through our giving, telling the story of how our offerings and gifts are transformed into effective ELCA ministries that bring hope and healing to people around the world, it is reminding us how we make a difference for Christ’s mission and the work of the church, and thanking our people for their faithful giving.

Would you like to be a Mission Interpreter for English Lutheran? The Lacrosse Area Synod is holding a Mission Interpreter Orientation and Training Program on Saturday, March 13th from 9am-12pm with lunch to follow. Please see Niki Pohnl if you are interested in more information or RSVP to billandcindyb@gmail.com by Mar. 8th. This will be a morning of inspiration and education.

Our Mission Interpreter Team meets once a month to determine what, when, and how we will inform the congregation of the ELCA ministries we are all helping to provide for.

Social Ministry Projects
Each year, English Lutheran supports community based social ministry projects with money, in-kind support and workers. During the past year we supported the La Crosse Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Operation Christmas, "Come to Supper" at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Causeway, Riverside, and Mobile Meals. For more information please contact Mary Fitzpatrick.

Visitation
Volunteers donate time to visit shut-in and nursing home members.

WAFER
Now at 403 Causeway Boulevard. Over 1400 families are assisted through WAFER each month. ELC provides volunteers and collect non-perishable food items. We participate in spring, fall, and Super Bowl Sunday food drives. Currently, Pastor Solyst is president of WAFER.

Benevolence gifts to ELCA

Church Vocations
If you are interested in information about vocations in the church, please talk with one of our pastors or contact our seminaries directly: Luther Seminary or Wartburg Seminary.

Are you looking for a college?  We encourage you to utilize the online resources found on www.lutherancolleges.org.  There is a wide array of information including details on financial aid and research outlining advantages of a Lutheran college experience.

Companion Synod
Our first Companion Synod is the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus - Central Synod. In 2001 Dr. Kurt Mueller of English Lutheran Church traveled to Ethiopia on a medical fact finding trip sponsored by the ELCA. In 2002 Pastor Solyst taught the spring term at the regional seminary in our companion synod.

In 2008, the La Crosse Area Synod established a second companion synod relationship with Peruvian Evangelical Lutheran Church. Amy Breyer, a young adult from English Lutheran, will participate in the 2010 Delegation to Peru led by Bishop Jim Arends.

ELCA Hunger Appeal

Endowment Fund
In 2010, the Endowment Fund of English Lutheran Church distributed $13,000 for mission projects around the world and in our own community. Since the fund’s inception in 1996, over $300,000 has been distributed through projects that spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and help the needy people of our world. If you want information on planned giving or desire assistance in creating a bequest, please contact Pastor Solyst or one of the members of Endowment Committee: Bob Bendiksen, Todd Restel, Andrew Dahl, Mike Kriewald or Bruce Walters. If you want to suggest a future mission project, application forms are available in the kiosk in the narthex. Applications for 2011 grants are due by December 31, 20010.

Hungry Jar
See Our Neighborhood

Lutheran World Relief

Mission Trips
We have had three groups go to Ocean Springs, MS for Katrina Relief. Our latest group went in January, 2008.

In June of 2004, Pastor Kent Johnson and several others from our congregation went on a trip to Nicaragua through the Rainbow Network. See photos and information on the trip.

In March of 2003, Lee Johnson and Carol Showalter traveled to Vietnam to serve and bring medical supplies for Children of Peace International. See photos and information on the trip.