BUDGET: The $540,532.00 budget for the synod passed. They expect to have a surplus of only $106.00 so our benevolence dollars are very important. Expected benevolence is $1,865,700.00 with a total income of $1,914,360.00. Of that amount $1,359,887.00 goes to the national ELCA Church. For more information the South-Central Synod of WI ProposedSpending Plan 2005-2006 begins on page 61 of the Synod Program Book.

RESOLUTIONS: The resolutions brought to the synod begin on page 197.

1. Companion Synod Exchange. Each ELCA synod is as signed an international companion synod. Ours is the North- ern Evangelical Lutheran Church of India (NELC). In order to  facilitate visitation between the two synods it was resolved  that a fund of $25,000.00 be set up by synod. Passed.  Bishop Carlson and his wife began the fund by donating  $1,000.00. Anyone may donate to the fund.

2. Fair Trade Coffee. The ELCA has affirmed that "…Fair trade  guarantees small farmers and artisans prices that exceed  their production costs with increased income, and programs  that pay them before they sell their products, allow them to  feed their families, stay out of debt and keep their land." It  was resolved that the S-C Synod and it's congregations be  encouraged to purchase and use Fair Trade Coffee (and any  other Fair Trade products) whenever possible. It was further  resolved that members be educated about the issues facing  coffee farmers and all of those involved in the Fair Trade Pro gram. Passed.

3. Outreach Goals of the S-C Synod of WI, ELCA. It was re- solved that through the work of the Outreach Committee,  Synod Council, Synod staff and regional personnel and  congregations, will begin at least two (2) new cultural ministries and two (2) new

and/or transformation redevelop- ment congregations by the end of the year 2010. Passed.

4. Focus on Peacemaking. Encourage open discussion and        education related to peace issues and military spending.  Passed.

5. Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Immigrants. The congre- gations and members of the ELCA have a long tradition in  refugee resettlement ministry. It was resolved that the  ELCA be memorialized to recommit to being an advocate  and justice seeker in regards to refugee and immigrations  issues and that the each ELCA bishop appoint a task force  to give leadership in involving congregations in refugee and  immigration justice issues. Passed. 

6.  Support of Our Troops. Over one million U.S. troops have  been deployed in recent engagements/wars. Over eleven  thousand have been physically wounded and many return- ing veterans suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder  (PTSD) and do not obtain treatment. It was resolved that  every congregation of the S-C Synod will inform itself of  members who have been deployed and that members will  express their thanks to all veterans and those currently  serving in the military. Passed. 

7. Opposition to Wisconsin state Assembly Joint Resolution  #66. Wisconsin state Assembly Joint Resolution #66 re- lates to stating that "only a marriage between one man and  one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in  this state and that a legal status identical or substantially  similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall  not be valid or recognized in this state." In 1996 the church  council of the ELCA adopted the position that the ELCA " will respect the integrity and dignity of all persons, whatever  their age, gender, sexual orientation or marital status." The  definition of marriage as between one man and one woman  is already law in Wisconsin. The second sentence of the  proposed amendment would legally undermine certain hu man and civil rights of homosexuals (and heterosexuals liv- ing together). It was resolved that the S-C Synod of WI,  ELCA oppose the adoption of Assembly

Joint Resolution 66  and that the Bishop communicate this to Governor Doyle  and leadership in both houses of legislature and to all legis lators serving the counties that are part of the S-C Synod.  Passed.

ELECTIONS: Lutheran School of Theology Board-Kim Eighmy. Churches' Center for Land and People-Larry Engel. Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin-Klover Shafer & Rebecca Ninke. Wisconsin Council of Churches Board (Clergy)-Brad Pohlman. Wisconsin Council of Churches Board (Laity)-Carolyn Butts