Dear congregations, voting members of the 2025 Central/Southern Illinois Synod Assembly and all disciples of Jesus,
Our theme for this year’s Synod Assembly, “Carrying On in Christ’s Mission,” invites us to live into our synod’s new mission — “Nurturing communities of disciples, equipped for Christ’s mission” — and into what God is calling us to be: Christ-centered, grace-rooted, Spirit-led, relationally-enriched, and activated to serve.
“The one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12).
As we gather, you are invited to consider your gifts to support the saints of our companion synods in the Malagasy Lutheran Church. At the 2019 Synod Assembly, the Central/Southern Illinois Synod recommitted itself to partnership support for the Faradofay Synod and the Ambovombe-Androy Synod, our two companion synods in southern Madagascar. Offerings from our synod provide a tremendous contribution to the ministry of Christ in our companion synods.
Last fall, we welcomed President Denis of the Malagasy Lutheran Church, President Elia of the Ambovombe-Androy Synod, and President Soloson of the Faradofay Synod to Central and Southern Illinois. As part of their journey, they conveyed to us their deep gratitude for our support.
The Malagasy Lutheran Church trains both pastors and catechists for ministry in congregations. The catechists are lay people who help preach, teach, evangelize, and organize in congregations and who receive their training at Bible schools located in each synod. Our synod’s partnership support makes it possible to pay faculty and support the living costs of students at the Bible Schools. Students who train to be pastors must travel outside our companion synods to a seminary. Our synod support also assists with the seminarians’ living expenses and seminary operations.
At the Synod Assembly, it is our custom to receive an offering during the festival worship service which is dedicated in full to ministry in our companion synods. We rely on the offering at Synod Assembly for a major part of our partnership support; only a small portion of our commitment to our companion synods comes from our synod budget.
Would your congregation council prayerfully consider sharing in this offering? Gifts of any size are appreciated and help us to reach our commitment (see the chart below). You may contribute by:
- Giving an offering at the Festival Worship on June 5, 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1617 East Emerson Street, Bloomington
- Sending an offering to the Festival Worship with your voting members or pastor
- Sending a check by mail to the C/SIS office
- Contributing online anytime at CSIS-ELCA.org/offering
Your generosity for the saints in Madagascar indeed glorifies God and overflows with many thanksgivings. Thank you.
Yours in Christ,
Greg G. Busboom
Bishop
Central/Southern Illinois Synod
Molly Berry
Vice President
Central/Southern Illinois Synod
How your gift makes a difference
Gifts from congregations and individuals are welcome! Consider the chart below to see how gifts of all amounts assist in reaching our commitment of partnership support.
Gift amount | Number of | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | 1 | $1,000 |
| $750 | 3 | $2,250 |
| $500 | 6 | $3,000 |
| $250 | 6 | $1,500 |
| $150 | 10 | $1,500 |
| $100 | 12 | $1,200 |
| $50 | 15 | $750 |
| $25 | 32 | $800 |
| Total | 85 | $12,000 |