Companion Synod
Central Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA)
Within the global Lutheran family, the ELCA has bilateral "companion church" relationships with many national Lutheran church bodies. These global relationships are deepened by the ELCA Companion Synods Program, which connects 65 ELCA synods in over 120 international companion relationships.
The Metropolitan Chicago Synod’s companion synod is the Central Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA). The Companion Synod relationship exists for the purpose of strengthening one another for life and mission within the body of Christ. It offers us the privilege of participating in the life of another church through prayer, study, communication, and exchange of persons and resources. It opens our eyes to the global challenge that Christ offers us today and calls us to deepen our commitment and discipleship as individuals and as a community of faith.
View our Companion Synod Covenant Agreement.
Download Diakonia AIDS Ministry Presentation 2009 (PowerPoint 4.8MB)
(This PowerPoint gives an overview of Diakonia AIDS Ministry, a key component of our relationship with the Central Diocese.)
Our synod maintains a strong partnership with our companion synod, strengthened by Bishop Miller’s recent trip to tour the four circuits of the diocese (Eastern, Western, Pretoria, and Soweto). Here, he met with The Rt. Rev. N.P. Phaswana, Bishop of the Central Diocese, and other diocesan leaders, gathering information about projects supported by the synod, including the Diakonia AIDS Ministry (DAM), and Project Education that assists students at Mapetla High School.
Read more about the Bishop’s trip.
View pictures from the Bishop’s trip.
Accompaniment: A Lens and Methodology for Global Mission
Accompaniment is a response to the changing context of global mission. For many years, North American and European church bodies established, funded, and directed mission around the world. Today, the churches they helped found are independent and self-governing. As a result, global mission is an endeavor shared by mutual participants in the body of Christ. Learn more on the Global Mission section of ELCA.org.
Forms & Documents
- Diakonia AIDS Ministry Newsletter - December 2009-March 2010
Interesting stories and the latest developments and plans of our companion synod's Diakonia AIDS Ministry
- Companion Synod Covenant
An agreement between our synod and our Companion Synod, the Central Diocese of the ELCSA.
Contact The Synod
To learn more about our companion synod relationship, contact the chair of the Companion Synod Program, the Rev. Kathy Nolte, (708-848-4741), or the Synod’s Companion Synod Coordinator, Mr. Jeff Drake (773-248-0021).
Bishop N. P. Phaswana
The Rev. Ndanganeni P. Phaswana has been bishop of the Central Diocese of the ELCSA since 2000. He is married and has four children. In 2001, he obtained a Doctor of Theology degree through the University of South Africa. Before becoming bishop, Phaswana was a Senior Lecturer in Systematic Theology and Theological Ethics at the University of Natal Pietermaritzburg.