Companion relationships
Each person on this trip is a representative of four relationships:
This is an important responsibility. It is the reason orientation is provided before the trip and why the trip begins with two days of orientation in South Africa (Conferences and congregations are urged to cover the cost of this orientation in South Africa so your representatives are well prepared both to represent you and also to report back to you)
This also provides great guidance that will enrich this experience. There are four guides for us on this 2013 Synod Trip that will assist and deepen your relationship with your companion parish:
- congregation - parish
- conference -circuit
- East Central Synod of Wisconsin - Western Diocese
- ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) - ELCSA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa)
This is an important responsibility. It is the reason orientation is provided before the trip and why the trip begins with two days of orientation in South Africa (Conferences and congregations are urged to cover the cost of this orientation in South Africa so your representatives are well prepared both to represent you and also to report back to you)
This also provides great guidance that will enrich this experience. There are four guides for us on this 2013 Synod Trip that will assist and deepen your relationship with your companion parish:
- Conference-Circuit - a hoped for outcome of this trip is that your Conference activates its relationship with your companion circuit in the Western Diocese. This is not necessary, but it is encouraged that you consider how the congregations in your Conference may cooperate in your companion relationships. The Wisconsin River Valley Conference is an example - quarterly meetings of congregational Companion liaisons, money in the budget for the Dean's trip, and traveling as a group to the companion circuit.
- East Central Synod of Wisconsin - Pastor Mark Ziemer is our Synod liaison to the Western Diocese. He is the planner in communication with, and at the approval of, both Bishop Justman and Bishop Ditlhale. This will be his third trip to the Western Diocese. He is abundantly grateful for the wisdom he has received from so many: Pastor Motswasele's parents hosted Mark & Claudia Ziemer in 2006 in Lekubu. Dr. Knutson oriented the 2010 trip of the Wisconsin River Valley Conference. On his 2010 sabbatical, he often spoke with Rev. Brian Konkol and visited the Lutheran Theological Institute in Pietermarziburg. He treasures his conversations with Bishop Ditlhale and with Dr. Peter & Solveig Kjeseth and Dr. Knutson in Cape Town.
- ELCA - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has a thorough Handbook. This 100+ page handbook covers nearly every detail and has a very helpful appendix. Everyone of our sxty-five ELCA Synods has a companion relationship and many synods have several companions. There is much that has been learned from these relationships including from the five ELCA Synods that also have a companion relationship with another ELCSA Diocese. Rev. Barbara Berry-Bailey, the ELCA Global Mission Staff person for all Companion relationships in Africa, is one of our presenters for our Orientations.
- ELCSA - Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa - Rev. Morwaeng Motswasele, the ELCSA staff person who oversees all their partnership relationships with Europe and the United States for each of their seven dioceses will guide us during our first two days at the ELCSA Centre. Bishop Ditlhale is both the Bishop of the Western Diocese and also the Presiding Bishop of ELCSA.We plan to greet him at the Diocesan Centre on June 21 and end our trip with a review and debriefing with him and other leaders on July 8-9. In addition, Dr. Phil Knutson who is an ELCA pastor placed in South Africa and has served an ELCSA congregation and lived the majority of his life in South Africa, is posting on this website, guiding our planning, and will be with us at the beginning and end of our trip.
