Northwest Synod of Wisconsin

Rev. Rick HoymeBishop

rhoyme@nwswi.org

Rev. John SutherlandAssistant to the Bishop

Malawi Companion Coordinatorjsutherland@nwswi.org

Rev. Greg KaufmannAssistant to the Bishop

Dir. Synod Resource Center & Lay School of Ministrygkaufmann@nwswi.org

Rev. Laurie Skow-AndersonAssistant to the Bishop

Director for Evangelical Missionlskow-anderson@nwswi.org

Liz BartschAssistant to the Bishop

Administrationlbartsch@nwswi.org

Gail BrownBookkeeper

gbrown@nwswi.org

Deacon Laura RamlowSynod Communicatorlramlow@nwswi.org

NWSWI944 24 1/4 StreetChetek, WI 54728

715-859-6810

www.nwswi.org

First Call Rostered Ministers

of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin

Synod Gatherings For Your Calendar

First Call Theological EventNovember 13-16, 2016St. Anthony’s Retreat Center - Marathon, WI

Winter Theological EventFebruary 12-13, 2017Clarion Hotel - Eau Claire, WI

Christ Jam - Middle School Youth GatheringMarch 11, 2017Bethany Lutheran Church - Rice Lake, WI

Walking Together March 18, 2017Davies Center - UWEC - Eau Claire, WI

Synod AssemblyApril 29, 2017Trinity Lutheran Church - Eau Claire, WI

Fall Ministry RetreatSeptember 2017Heartwood Retreat Center - Trego, WI

Godstock - High School Youth GatheringNovember 2017

Here you will find information about First Call Theological Education, support people available to you through the synod, the regular gatherings of the

synod, and more.

The Fall Ministry Retreat allows us to get away in a beautiful setting to practice

sabbath and deepen relationships.

First Call Theological EducationFor the first three years of first call, rostered ministers are expected to participate in two

experiences.

First Call Theological EventDuring this time, you spend a few days learning,

processing your developing identity as a rostered minister, talking with colleagues,

renewing relationships, and making connections. Your congregation should pay for this event as

it’s stated in your letter of call.

First Call CohortEach year a cohort is formed of all new rostered ministers in our synod. An experienced rostered

minister convenes and directs your cohort as you meet over the first three years of first call. Each group determines their own process and

meeting times. All groups will pray for one another, share stories of ministry, celebrate

success and learn together from difficulties. You may choose to visit each other’s ministry sites,

do case studies or choose a topic for each meeting.

The Northwest Synod of Wisconsin intends to surround you with

support. Resource people available to you include:

Cohort Leader - An experienced rostered minister who will share wisdom and information about ministry in our synod. Your cohort leader is:

Mentor - You are encouraged to seek out a mentor with whom you will be in regular contact. Meetings with your mentor could include text study, lunch meetings, calling to bounce situations off the mentor, and more. The mentor can change as relationships with local pastors mature and develop.

Peer Coaches - An experienced leader from our synod who has received coaching training.* Coaching is a process involving encouragement, inquiry, accountability and feedback. Coaching relies on the abilities and insights of the person being coached rather than the expertise of the coach. Coaches ask good questions instead of giving good answers. We offer you six free coaching sessions within the first three years of ministry. When the time is right for you, look through the bios of our coaches on the NW synod website and choose two or three you feel you could work with and rank them. Give the names and rankings to Rev. Natalie Leske, the Synod Coaching Coordinator, at 715-829-8324 or nkleske@gmail.com. A coach will be arranged for you and you will receive more detailed information. My peer coach is:

*Peer Coaches in the NW Synod are not trained to the level of a professional coach, nor are they accredited. They are experienced rostered ministers willing to provide peer coaching for the benefit of God’s mission.

Practice Discipleship Coaches - As a ministry of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, the mission of Practice Discipleship is to foster faithful, thoughtful, and intentional leaders in congregations who follow Jesus in their daily lives. Our PD coaches encourage “leadership development for the sake of faith formation” and are available for leadership training and retreats, equipping, creative brainstorming, and spiritual care for leaders in all areas of faith formation. NW Synod Practice Discipleship Coaches: Laura Ramlow 715-559-3474 or lramlow@nwswi.orgKatie Wagner 715-308-3393 or lcmstout@wwt.net