The Central States Synod has designated the Epiphany Season as a Season of Global Awareness. Each year since 2003 resolutions have been passed at the Synod Assembly that encourages all congregations to nurture their relationships with our Companion Synods -- the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States -- during the Epiphany Season.

Congregational Resources
Resources have been revised for use by congregations in celebrating the Season of Global Awareness in 2008. Download Companion Synod Packet 2008 [1MB] for updates, worship resources, recipes, prayer requests and opportunities for congregational participation. (This is a large file and not recommended for dial-up connections. Please call the synod office if you would like this or any of the resources on a CD.)

Additional Resources/Links
Images from visits to Russia are available:

Listen to songs from Papua New Guinea: [Not recommended for dial-up connections]

• PNG Singers Track 15
• PNG Singers Track 19

Additional information may be obtained by following these links to the ELCA website:

The web site hosted by the Lutheran Churches in far eastern Russia is up and running. Click below for the English language version:

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Companion Synod Trip Updates
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States (ELCROS)
By Bishop Jerry Mansholt for the Companion Delegation

Please download the following PDF files for updates from the delegation:

On the internet: Report and photo on the Lutheran Congregations of Russion Far East web site. Go to: http://www.luthvostok.com/?lang=eng

Also on the internet, visit: http://www.st-catherine.ru/?&set_lang=eng for news and images from the May 1 visit from the Bishop and Delegation to Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr in-the-Fields.