Global Partnerships Archives - Ascension Lutheran Church

At the end of May, Ascension had the honor of hosting Bishop Guadalupe and Pastor Christian Chavarría from the Salvadoran Lutheran Church. It was a privilege to hear Bishop Guadalupe share the Word with our congregation, and it gave us a strong start to a day of deep spiritual reflection.

In the afternoon, we moved into a time of creative fellowship as Pastor Christian led a community art event. Pastor Christian balances his pastoral work with a busy ministry as an artist. He specializes in painting detailed, colorful crosses in a traditional Salvadoran folk style. His crosses can be found all over the world.

The event was a great success, bringing together more than 160 people from over 20 churches across the Greater Milwaukee area. When Pastor Christian saw the large number of chairs and tables set up for the event, he quietly shared that he was feeling a little nervous, since he had never led an art event for such a large group before. We were able to reassure him that Ascension has hosted many events like this one, making it a great place for cross-cultural connection.

In the end, the whole day was a wonderful success. Both Bishop Guadalupe and Pastor Christian had a great experience at Ascension. There was a real exchange of wisdom and community, where visitors and hosts both learned a lot from each other.

This meaningful visit was a living example of the Covenant Partnership that connects our ministries. Built on intentional relationship, this partnership stands on six key pillars:

Accompaniment — We agree to walk with each other and Jesus as we develop relationships based on mutuality, vulnerability, empowerment, inclusivity, and sustainability.
Prayer — We agree to pray for each other on a regular basis, including our weekly worship services.
Communication — We agree to communicate regularly with our companions, sharing stories from the life of our congregations and ministries.
Visits — We agree to exchange visits by members and leaders of our congregations and ministries as frequently as possible.
Education — We agree to seek out information about each other’s country, history, life, and ministry.
Support — We agree to inform each other about projects within our ministry plan and to invite mutual participation in our mission.

The church is called to walk and learn together, crossing religious, social, and cultural differences. At Synod Assembly devotion that same weekend, Bishop Kitoi of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania spoke to this spirit of unity by asking a powerful question from Amos 3:3: “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” His message was about the importance of looking for unity without asking everyone to live in uniformity.

The visit of our Salvadoran siblings gives us a strong answer: we absolutely can walk together, even when we don’t believe exactly the same things. True fellowship does not require us all to be identical. Instead, coming together across our differences is what makes us stronger — and it gives us a richer, fuller view of God’s diverse kingdom.

Pastor Edwin

(Reprinted from the June 2026 newsletter.)

Farewell to Hawthorne ~ Hello to Lowell

After several years of partnering with Hawthorne Elementary School, we had to say our good-byes as Hawthorne closed. Over the years, Ascension supported Hawthorne through special winter clothing collections, teacher supplies drive, birthday treats provided by CRASH, appreciation meals served to staff, and volunteers for classrooms and special events. The staff and leaders at Hawthorne have offered many, many thank you’s for the partnership and the ongoing support. Ascension volunteers were there on the move-out days to help staff pack and say farewell.

The principal of Hawthorne is moving to Lowell Elementary along with many of the families. The principal has requested that our partnership continue as a partnership with Lowell. Watch announcements for ways we will be involved in helping with the transition. Once staff is ready to identify their needs, we will be publishing a link to Amazon gift list where our members can purchase teacher classroom supplies identified by the teachers. There will be many changes for staff and we want to make this as easy as possible. More information to come.

Outreach for Hope

Responding to Christ’s invitation to love our neighbors, Outreach for Hope builds relationships, strengthens communities, and inspires hope.

Tee Up For Hope

Sign-up for annual golf outing on July 13 at the Broadlands Golf Club which includes all of the following: Team Scramble Event (with team & individual prizes) and Buffet Lunch & Heavy Hors D’oeuvres Evening Social. Your participation will help raise funds to provide meals, clothing, and essential support to individuals and families in need throughout Waukesha County.

Outreach for Hope believes that the path to wholeness and justice starts with one simple act: loving your neighbor. Across low-income areas in Southeastern Wisconsin, their network of Ministry Partners puts this belief into action every day. These local congregations and community organizations provide essential resources — food, clothing, healthcare, spiritual care, and activities for all ages — helping communities grow stronger from the ground up.

This work is made possible through donations from generous individuals, congregations, and organizations. When you give to Outreach for Hope, you are choosing to walk alongside your neighbors and make sure everyone has the chance to thrive. To learn more and see the full Ministry Partner list, visit their website.

Save the date for this year’s Ride, Run, Walk, Hope On The Move, on Saturday, Sept. 26. Ascension has a long history of supporting Outreach for Hope through this event. Plan to be involved either as a participant, a volunteer, or a supporter. Registration will begin on July 1 on their website, ofhrrw.org.

SOPHIA

SOPHIA is one of our long-time community partners. In fact, Ascension was one of the founding congregations in establishing a unified approach to social justice based on Micah 6: 8: “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” This Bible passage is a calling from God to work toward a just and merciful society. SOPHIA has worked hard to achieve this goal but is facing a challenge. A long time grant which helped fund SOPHIA was not available this year leaving SOPHIA dependent on donations from congregations and other donors. They are in need of help in order to continue the good work they do in the community. If you are able, please consider a donation to help in their mission. You may give at their website sophiawaukesha.org or through the church. Contact Joan Mikecz if you have questions.

Caminando Juntos

You may see this phrase in announcements and wonder what it means. It is Spanish for “Walking Together.” Just as with our global and community partners, we walk in accompaniment, we practice walking together with our Spanish speaking members. This walking together has encouraged relationship building across the language barriers and friendships have been created and continue to grow. The program also assists those who have specific needs. Recently, rides have been provided when a member could not get to work while waiting for an insurance settlement after a car accident. Volunteers also provided rides to doctor appointments and to meetings on immigration status and registering for school. Newer members have been given support in learning English and studying for getting a drivers’ license.

Caminando Juntos also has set a goal to provide educational opportunities to the congregation and to the general public on immigration and refugee issues. On June 20, we celebrated National Refugee Day by holding an event to walk in solidarity with those who are still seeking a permanent place to live when their own country is too risky to live in. 34 people joined together for moments of prayer, reflection and education and then walked a one mile or three mile walk in the neighborhood. This event was based on a study “We Choose Welcome.”

Our success with Caminando Juntos has drawn the attention of a congregation in Helena Mt. An Ascension family member read the Ascension newsletter and was impressed with helping immigrants in a tangible way and offered to help. They have been sending cards and letters of support and made financial donations to our Latino Ministry to assist our members in times of need. Two suburban, mostly white Greater Milwaukee Synod Congregations have also stepped forward to offer to walk with us. They have attended some of the special events at Ascension and have offered financial and friendship support for our Latino members.

If this sounds like something you might be interested in, please contact Teri Quam at tquam61@gmail.com.

Tanzania Delegation

At the end of July, a delegation from Ascension Lutheran will travel to Tanzania to visit our sister parish, Samaria, as part of our ongoing Covenant Partnership. Our team will immerse themselves in the local community—learning, connecting, and building relationships that are sure to strengthen both of our churches.

The delegation will visit the central Samaria Parish alongside its three preaching points: Neema, Kijenge, and Galilaya. They will also spend time with students and staff at several educational and care facilities, including Samaria Primary School, Samaria Secondary School, the Samaria Rehabilitation Centre, Savanna Primary School, and the Telescopes Centre at Ailanga Secondary School.

Beyond the parish and schools, the itinerary includes a meeting with diocesan leadership, a tour of the Cultural Arts Centre (an ELCA missionary project at Makumira Lutheran University), and a visit to the Mlimani Coffee Processing Plant for a first hand look at the Meru Coffee Project.

Asante sana — thank you — to everyone who has offered financial support and other help. We carry each of you with us on this journey. Please keep our delegation in your prayers as they prepare to represent Ascension: Pastor Edwin, Sarah, Marta & Luisa Aparicio Wehmeier, Pastor Chris & Hadley Marien, Dan Baumann, Jeremy Poling, Rick & Dianne Frowein, Amy & Callie Koenig.

Partners AFAR ~ Welcoming Guests from El Salvador and Tanzania

The end of May and beginning of June was busy for our Partners AFAR committee as the Synod welcomed Bishop Kitoi from Tanzania and Bishop Guadalupe and Pastor Christian from El Salvador. We helped coordinate welcome dinners, appeared in videos for the Synod Assembly, hosted Pastor Guadalupe for worship and hosted the synod art event for 170 people with Pastor Christian. Our Latino ministry families prepared over 500 pupusas for the art event!