Service to others — both locally and globally — is at the center of our church community. Each month, our Benevolence Program collects contributions from our social justice-minded congregation for deserving charities both locally and globally.
Benevolence presentations are made at services on the second weekend of each month. A special collection is made at that time, but donations can be made throughout the month for that month’s designated charity. The funds are then sent to the recipient organization following that month. Ten percent of each month’s donation goes to Divine Savior, ELC’s sister church in Cataño, Puerto Rico. The full remainder of funds goes to the designated recipient organization. If there is more than one recipient organization in a given month, the funds are split equally between all the charities.
See our list of monthly projects below.
2026 Benevolence Missions
JANUARY: Divine Savior our partner congregation IGLESIA EVANGÉLICA LUTERANA DIVINO SALVADOR (Divine Savior Lutheran Church) in Cataño, P.R.
FEBRUARY: Compassion International provides educational, health and spiritual guidance to “our” kids: 8-year-old Ariana from Mexico and 13-year-old Simon from Tanzania.
MARCH: Pastor’s discretionary fund
APRIL: ELC youth programming
MAY: Reconciling in Christ (RIC)
JUNE: Solstice House
JULY: Lutheran Social Services
AUGUST: Kiva
SEPTEMBER: Through SABA, International, we aid The Nest Children’s Home, New Dawn Orphanage, and Bethel Outreach Children’s Center in Kenya.
OCTOBER: Neighbors Helping Neighbors
NOVEMBER: Accessible local health care through Our Lady of Hope in Madison and Community Connections Free Clinic in Dodgeville supports people in our region who would otherwise have few or no options for assistance.
DECEMBER: Madison Area Jail Ministry
