ECSW Companion Relationship with ELCSA-Western Diocese
  • Welcome
  • 2016 Visit from S.A. Guests
  • "Before the Visit" Orientation Videos
  • "During the Visit" Orientation Videos
  • Accompaniment
    • What is it?
    • Accompaniment Blog
  • Revisit 2013 trip to S.A.
    • Summary of 2013 Trip to the Western Diocese
    • 2013 Trip Details >
      • 2013 Q & A
      • 2013 Brochure
      • Bulletin inserts or Newsletter explanations
  • Three essential steps
    • Letter of Invitation
    • Application >
      • Expectations
    • Orientation >
      • Blog on preparing
      • Books & Videos
      • Brian Konkol on Accompaniment >
        • Articles by Brian Konkol
        • Brian Konkol on YouTube
      • Barbara Berry Bailey
      • ELCA Companion Synod Handbook >
        • #1 Introduction
        • #2 First Cross-cultural Session
        • #3 Second Cross-cultural Session
        • #4 The Western Diocese
        • #5 Final Details
      • Specific Details
  • What we do in S.A.
    • Our Guides in the Western Diocese >
      • Why Guides?
      • Bishop Ditlhale
      • Rev. Morwaeng Motswasele
      • Dr. Phil in South Africa >
        • Blogs by Dr. Phil >
          • Prisoners of Hope
          • Southern Africa Church Leaders Gather
          • We are all missionaries
    • Orientation in South Africa >
      • Lakeview Lodge
    • One South African parish's plan for their visitors
  • Background to our companion relationship in Southern Africa
    • History of ECSW & Western Diocese >
      • Western Diocese in South Africa >
        • History of Western Diocese
        • Crossways Camps and the Western Diocese
        • 2010 WRV Conference & Madikwe Circuit
        • Maps >
          • Map of Western Diocese
      • How we got to 2013 >
        • 2010 Ziemer Sabbatical
        • 2005 visit from SA
    • Conference-Circuit >
      • Covenant, Goals & Guidelines
    • Our Synod's Companion Task Force >
      • 2012 Synod Resolution
  • ELCA Companion Synod Program
    • Rev. Barbara Berry-Bailey
  • Companion Synod matches
    • East Central Synod of WI with Western Diocese
    • ELCA Synods matched with ELCSA Dioceses >
      • Carribean Synod with ELCSA Eastern Diocese
      • Metro Chicago Synod with ELCSA Central Diocese
      • Montana Synod with ELCSA Cape Orange Diocese
      • Northeast Ohio Synod with ELCSA Northern Diocese
      • Southwest Minnesota Synod with ELCSA Southeastern Diocese
    • other companion relationships >
      • Greater Milwaukee Synod >
        • companion relationship with Tanzania
        • companion relationship with El Salvador
      • Great Lakes Synod with Tanzania
      • Northwest Synod of Wisconsin >
        • companion relationship with Malawi, in southern Africa
        • companion relationship with Brazil
      • LaCrosse Synod >
        • companion relationship with Peru
        • companion relationship with Ethiopia
      • South Central Synod of WI with India
  • Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA) website
  • Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa (LUCSA) website
  • The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) website
  • Photo Gallery
    • Pictures of 2013 Synod Trip >
      • Pictures of earlier trips - come and see!

Learning in South Africa

6/26/2013

 
The following are some of the experiences and things already learned:

Orientation in Johannesburg with Rev. Morwaeng Motswasele and Dr. Phil Knutson was very helpful and an extremely valuable way to begin the trip.

The Diocese, led by Bishop Ditlhale, Treasurer Ubane, and Secretary Rapoo gave us a breat reception. Purchasing hymnals also proved helpful.



Accompaniment

6/1/2013

 

Accompaniment is key!

The world has changed - technology, world trade & world travel, and the rise of social media and instant connections are huge changes.

To be church today in worship, witness, service, community, and learning  must also change if this church will be authentic and relevant to this world.

But true significant change takes time, thought, prayerful discernment, and lots of attentive conversations and experiences.

That is exactly the point of the East Central Synod of Wisconsin's Trip to the Western Diocese from June 18-July 10, 2013:
  • It is NOT a vacation, tourism, or even a mission trip.
  • It is NOT something we do for others over there.
  • IT IS - for us - WE are struggling to understand and be church in a way that is relevant, authentic, and inviting to our children, grandchildren and neighbors.
  • If we are going to be relevant, authentic, and inviting we need to be all about relationships, on a global scale, immersed in God's mission.
That is "accompaniment". It is not a concept to know, it is an experience in which to immerse oneself. It is much more than my thinking that must change; it is me that must change. I need to be immersed in experiences that stretch me to be mutual, inclusive and inviting, vulnerable and empowering of others, and intentionally committed to long-term relationships.This trip - hosted singly by a family in a South African village and experiencing their culture, challenges, worship, and deep faith - so different and yet so similar - there I experience deep learning. This is a learning to bring home into all relationships and to be church relevant, authentic, and inviting in today's world.

    Liaison to Western Diocese

    Pastor Mark Ziemer, Grace Lutheran in Tomahawk, is the liaison to the Western Diocese for the ELCA East Central Synod of Wisconsin. The WD is one of seven diocese in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa.

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