Welcome to our resource page for congregations. Our synod consists of 133 congregations across south-central Wisconsin. This page includes various resources for congregation leaders, councils, and staff. Our resources for congregations include supply pastor lists, human resource resources, links for treasurers and more.
Resources
Pastoral Supply List
Pastoral Supply List provides an updated listing of the names of pastors & rostered lay leaders available for supply preaching and worship leadership when a called rostered minister is absent. Visit the pulpit supply page to learn more and for our current list of available ministers.
Pulpit Supply Information & List
2025 Annual Meeting Resources
The below resources are to assist you in telling the story of your congregation’s ministry in 2024 in preparation for upcoming annual meetings. You are encouraged to use the Annual Report covers provided but if you choose not to, please include the two letters from Presiding Bishop Eaton and Bishop Joy in your reports to your congregation and community members as a way to share how we are all connected in partnership together.
Annual Report Covers for 2024 Annual Reports: (PDF Pages) (PDF Spread) [For 2025 Annual Meetings]
Bishop Eaton 2025 Letter (PDF)
Bishop Joy 2025 Letter (PDF) (PNG)
2025-2027 Rostered Minister Leader Key Cards
New identification cards, also known as Leader Key Cards, are now available for all Rostered Ministers in the synod. These cards may be used to provide proof of your status as a Rostered Minister in the ELCA in various situations as called for.
If you would like a new card updated for 2025 please click the button below and complete the form. Your new card will be emailed to you as soon as we are able. You can then print the card and use as requested.
If you have any questions, please contact the SCSW webmaster, Pastor Jason Poole-Xiong.
Request Leader Key Card: (Online)
Congregational Financial Reporting Resources
Remittance Form & Mission Support Letter of Intent for congregational treasurers – Each congregation has a congregational ID number to include on this form. It is important to include the remittance form with each remittance to the synod office.
Remittance Form: (PDF) (Word)
2025 Mission Support Statement of Intent: English – (PDF Fillable) Español – (PDF)
Certification of Audit and Blanket Insurance Forms – Each year in late January, each congregation’s treasurer is asked to complete these forms to ensure we have accurate documentation on financial and insurance plans. Forms should be sent to the synod office by end of March each year.
Audit Certificate: (PDF)
Compensation Guidelines
The SCSW Compensation Guidelines and Recommendations are downloadable and available for your use as you do your budget planning for the coming year. These are suggested minimum guidelines.
2025 Guidelines: (New Compensation Resource Page)
2026 Guidelines will be presented for consideration at the 2025 Synod Assembly.
Portico Benefits & Resources
For further information on Board of Pensions/Portico rates, calculators and details visit the Portico Benefits website.
Shared Resources
The Office of the Bishop is providing a “Synod Resource List” made for congregations by congregations. The resource list is made up of vendors congregations have used before and wished to recommend to others. This list is available on the page below along with a form to submit new resources for review.
Synod Shared Resources: Shared Resources Repository
ELCA Model Constitution for Congregations
Each of this church’s expressions—congregations, synods and the churchwide organization—has a constitution. This model is the minimum standard for congregations. Any congregation that wishes to update their constitution should consult the synod secretary for guidance and approval.
Resources for Congregation Constitutions: ELCA Constitution Resources
Synod & Parish Protection Handbook
This handbook contains guidelines for screening staff and volunteers and recommendations of appropriate behaviors for adults who work with children and youth.
PPP Handbook (2017) PDF
Model Sexual Harassment & Misconduct Policy
This policy document may be used as a guide for congregations in drafting their own congregation specific Sexual Harassment & Misconduct Policy in consultation with the synod and other local resources. This model should be seen as the minimum standard for congregations.