Sunday, May 6, 2001, has been designated "Companion Synod Sunday" by our Synod partnership committees. The day provides an opportunity to celebrate our global partners in the Meru Diocese, Tanzania, and in the Lutheran Church of El Salvador. The two committees have several suggestions to help you plan a special day for your congregations.

The Sunday School wanted to raise money for a fish farm project in Tanzania. Teachers helped the kids keep track of how much money was being raised by creating an under-water aquarium. The goal was to fill the board with fish. Each fish symbol represents $50.00. Sunday School kids decorated and cut out fish to put on the board.

Good Shepherd will be sponsoring books for the children in the villages near Chapaqua, Honduras. The books will range from $5 to $15. We'll have the books in the narthex on each of the Sundays in Advent. Just pick (we posted samples on the bulletin board) and sign your name.

Companion Synod PowerPoint Presentation

The Sunday School children and staff have worked over a month on a mission project that will be a gift to our sister parish in Malawi. The Sunday School Committee was very receptive to this idea that came to Ann from a Bible Study memorization verse, John 15:5, I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Tips that can be used when writing letters to Christians of the Church in Malawi, or other countries.

This is a Power Point file. As we journey together in companion synod relationships, building a relationship between people in our churches is a high priority. This powerpoint show is aimed at helping children see how their lives are the same and different from the lives of children in Malawi.

The need for partnership between African countries and world's richest countries cannot be overemphasized. So is the need for a similar cooperation between churches in Africa and churches in the rich countries. However, as the research has shown, ours is rather a relationship of interdependency. We need one another on our journeys so that we can walk together as we journey with Christ on the road to Emmaus. Our partnership shall help us to renew each other in our faith journey. As African churches face their challenges, they can count on their partners in the rich nations to be there for them.

Teaching banners are being added to the long-term projects for our companion synod in Malawi. This project will assist those who are teaching Bible stories at the feeding centers as well as at the congregations.

Caring for Kids is a project that will assist our companions, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi (ELCM), in caring for the increasing number of orphans in Malawi. In Caring for Kids, prayers will be a focal point of the project. People in the NW Synod of Wisconsin will make a simple, child sized quilt and a tote bag to carry it in.