Commission on Adult Discipleship
800-567-8669; cad@sab.wels.net
Starting in September, Adult Discipleship again will be offering marriage retreats in several locations throughout the United States. Conducted by Pastor Randy Hunter and Pastor Dave Kehl, these retreats combine large-group activities and activities just for couples to lead participants through biblical and practical principles for enjoying God’s gift of marriage. Space is limited. Go to www.welsmarriageretreat.org for more information and online registration.

Committee on Relief
philipschupmann@msn.com
WELS members, through the synod’s Committee on Relief, have donated $50,000 to support relief efforts in the wake of the earthquakes in China and the cyclone that struck Myanmar in May. WELS Relief, with the assistance of WELS Board for World Missions, is channeling $25,000 through SALEM—the South Asia Lutheran Evangelical Mission in Hong Kong—for work in China. The remaining $25,000 went toward relief efforts in Myanmar through the international relief agency CARE. Learn more at www.welsrelief.net.

Board for Ministerial Education
414-256-3236; bme@sab.wels.net
The official groundbreaking ceremony for the new chapel at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., was held in May. Plans for the new facility include seating for 1,000 worshipers; a pipe organ; and an unfinished basement that can have future use as a reception area, classrooms, and storage. A majority of the construction is scheduled to be complete by fall of 2009. The $7.5 million project will be funded entirely from designated gifts given as part of the synod’s 150th anniversary thank offering in 2000 and from interest earned on those gifts.

These updates are from the offices of the synod administration building at 2929 N Mayfair Rd, Milwaukee WI 53222-4398.