The synod's special Year of Jubilee celebration will be coming to an end next month at the synod convention in Saginaw, Mich. Rev. Dave Liggett, director of WELS Ministry of Christian Giving, says it's not too late for congregations that have not yet participated to get involved.

So far, 62 percent of congregations have submitted offerings, giving more than $3.6 million. The offering was authorized by the 2007 convention to eliminate or reduce the synod's $22.4 million debt. Combined with regularly scheduled debt payments, the offerings have reduced the debt total to $15.1 million.