The Synod Council has declared Sunday, April 12, 2026, to be “Madagascar Day” across our synod to recognize and raise awareness of our companion synod ministry and learn about the people, their history, and their island. If April 12 does not fit with your congregational calendar, then feel free to choose another day in 2026 to celebrate our Malagasy sisters and brothers in Christ.
Your community of disciples is encouraged to celebrate the day using the resources below, which include information, images, recipes, activities, and videos. Perhaps you can incorporate activities into children’s faith formation classes or serve some Malagasy dishes for lunch after worship. Use your imagination!
No matter how you celebrate Madagascar Day, we are asking each congregation to email photos, along with a 30-second video showing how you celebrated, including a brief greeting to our sisters and brothers in Madagascar. Please share photos and your video with Michael in the synod office. Photos and videos will be posted on this website and sent to our Malagasy friends.
About our relationship with Madagascar
The Central/Southern Illinois Synod has companion synod relationships with the Ambovombe-Androy and Faradofay Synods in the Malagasy Lutheran Church in Madagascar. As part of that relationship, the offering from the Synod Assembly festival worship service is given to those synods each year in support of their ministry. The presidents of those synods and the president of the Malagasy Lutheran Church (equivalent to bishops and presiding bishop, respectively) visited our synod in the fall of 2024, and Bishop Greg Busboom will visit them in the coming years.
These relationships are rooted in “accompaniment,” which promotes the values of mutuality, inclusivity, vulnerability, empowerment and sustainability. Through the program, companion churches and ELCA synods nurture and strengthen one another for life and ministry through prayer, study, communication, exchange of visitors and sharing of resources.
Church members go into different communities singing Bible stories and inviting people to come to church. The red and green baskets are for donations.
Church members go into different communities singing Bible stories and inviting people to come to church. The red and green baskets are for donations.
Church members go into different communities singing Bible stories and inviting people to come to church. The red and green baskets are for donations.
Church members go into different communities singing Bible stories and inviting people to come to church. The red and green baskets are for donations.
Church members go into different communities singing Bible stories and inviting people to come to church. The red and green baskets are for donations.
While singing inside of a church, out of respect for God, choir members are to “stand as still as a candle,” according to President Soloson.
Alternate download link if you are having problems with the files listed above.