About Us
The South-Central Synod of Wisconsin (SCSW-ELCA) is one of 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). As 133 congregations and worshiping communities, we walk together to care for, connect and equip our congregations to be the heart and hands of Jesus. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.3 million members in more than 8,900 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region.
The ELCA’s 65 synods vary greatly in size, geography, membership, staffing and program. The smallest synod has 30 congregations — the largest nearly 300. The synods are grouped into nine regions, which are points of connection for them and the churchwide organization. Synods unite the work of congregations within their areas, serve as regional support, and guide pastoral and other staff candidates. In order to strengthen the relationship between synod leaders and the churchwide office, many churchwide teams relate to and support the work of the synods.
Learn more about the ELCA and the ministry we engage in together by visiting www.elca.org/About.
Our Communities
Each ELCA congregation is a center for evangelical mission, a community where people of faith celebrate, learn and connect with one another and others around the world through service and weekly worship. We are a church that belongs to Christ. There is a place for you among our 133 congregations across the south-central region of Wisconsin. As the ELCA we are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. For us, this faith comes through the good news of Jesus Christ and gives us the freedom and the courage to wonder, discover and boldly participate in what God is up to in the world.
Use the map below or visit our Find a Congregation page to learn more about the congregations that make up the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin.
Synod Office
P.O. Box 14496
Madison, WI 53708
(608) 270-0201
For package mail:
South-Central Synod of WI
3902 Milwaukee St., #14496
Madison, WI 53708
Office Hours
The synod office is currently a virtual office as we have moved out of our former physical office space on Odana Road in Madison. The Synod Office Relocation Team continues it’s work and is pleased to share that conversations with the council and leadership of Lakeview Lutheran in Madison regarding the synod office sharing space there are moving forward. We will continue to update Rostered Ministers and congregations as that process continues. To contact the synod office please reach out by phone or email synod staff.
Synod Documents
Informational & Governing Documents
- Synod Constitution & Bylaws
Updated August 2020 with required provisions approved by the 2019 Churchwide Assembly and additional changes as ratified by the Synod Assembly in August 2020. Learn more about the ELCA Constitutions HERE. - 2022-23 Spending Plan (Budget)
February 1, 2022 – January 31, 2024 - 2024 Spending Plan (Budget)
February 1, 2024 – January 31, 2025 - Local Conferences
Our synod is divided into local conference clusters to help facilitate relationships and collegiality among our congregations.
Synod Policy Documents
- Sexual Harassment & Misconduct Policy
It is the policy of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin (SCSW) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that sexual harassment and misconduct will not be tolerated. - Personnel Policies
These personnel policies have been prepared in order that every employee of the synod may know the terms of employment that will govern his or her relationship to the synod. - Code of Ethics
This Code of Ethics addresses conflicts of interest and business ethics but does not include the other ethical values and policies of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.