Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod
A network of growing, Christ-centered, outwardly-focused congregations 
passing the faith to the next generation

Weekly News and Announcements
October 10, 2017
Synod News SynodNews
Courageous Community: Leaders Helping Leaders
Following a natural disaster, healthy leaders must intentionally care for themselves as they care for others.  The Courageous Community is an opportunity for leaders everywhere to be part of the healing community.   This effort will be focused on those who have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey with the hope to expand and respond to other natural disaster needs in the future.

Please see the LEAD website for more information on how to participate and support this effort.
Prayer Requests from the Lutheran Bishop in the CAR
Central African Republic map
In an email exchange between Bishop Rinehart and President (Bishop) NDANGA-TOUE of the Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic, we have been asked to pray for:
 
1) Peace to return to the Central African Republic
 
2) God to grant the people of the CAR Lutheran Church the strength to serve him in the present crisis. Insecurity has increased again this year in the country and has now spread to a few towns in Lutheran areas. However, the church's programs continue and new village schools are being constructed.
 
Rev. Dr. NDANGA-TOUE expressed thanks to our synod for the support we have sent for its programs. So far this year, we have sent funds for church roofs, evangelism, translation of Sunday School materials, university scholarships, veterinary project, and village schools.
2018 Cabinet of Deans
Please welcome new deans Andrew Bell (Brazos), Richard Rhoades (Coastal Bay) and Beth Warpmaeker (North Houston).
 
2018 Cabinet of Deans
Bayou Conference - Nancy Andrews 
Brazos Conference - Andrew Bell 
Central Houston Conference - Tracey Breashears-Schultz
Coastal Bay Conference - Richard Rhoades 
Colorado River Conference - Marcia Kifer
North Houston Conference - Beth Warpmaeker 
Southwest Houston Conference - Emmanuel Jackson
 
We say thank you to Charles Parnell, Brian Gigee, and Gary Heath who have served faithfully the last few years. Thank you for soulfully caring for the congregations and leaders in your conferences.
Administration  Administration
LEAD's Advent Resources Now Available
LEAD's Advent Resources, four contemplative prayer liturgies, accompanied by coloring pages, a free gift available to those who register online.

More information and registration are available on LEAD's website.
Drivers Needed - Youth Gathering Preparation
The ELCA Youth Gathering is coming to Houston and we are training our property managers and we need to take them to the properties that will be working at. We need people who are able to help drive them from the hotel we are training at to their properties.

We need drivers on 
Friday, November 3 from 2 pm to around 6-7 pm. We will pay for dinner for you. All we ask is that you meet us at the hotel downtown to pick up your crew and drive them to either the Gallery, Greenway Plaza area or NRG. They will walk around and see their properties. Then you will all eat dinner together and then drive them back to the downtown hotel.

If you are able and willing to be a driver, please email Michelle Mote
. This is a great opportunity to help with the gathering before it gets here.
Canceled - Evening with Bishop
Although we on synod staff have been excited about our fall Evenings with the Bishop, after assessing where we are as congregations, leaders and synod staff post-Harvey, we have decided it best to cancel the Evenings with the Bishop for this fall. Instead, we encourage congregations to continue investing their energy in recovery work and a ministry of presence in their communities and with their members.
Events Events
Bayou Conference Events
October 12th
This gathering will serve as our monthly Conference Meeting. The guest will be Dr. Phil Krey, former president of our seminary in Philadelphia. Dr. Krey will talk about his latest book, "Reformation Observances: 1517-2017." 

Dr. Krey will present on Luther and Ignatius. This event is sponsored by Loyola Institute for Ministry. It will be held in Numemaker Auditorium in Monroe Hall, 3rd floor.

October 24
9:30 am
 - St. George Catholic Church, Baton Rouge
Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge is sponsoring "Dialogue on Reformation: 500 Years - Lessons Learned. Catholic Archbishop Alfred Hughes and ELCA Bishop Michael Rinehart.
Reformation Beer and Hymns
Celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation with a good ol' hymn sing! We'll make a joyful noise and enjoy some tasty brews on Sunday, October 22 at Saint Arnold Brewing Co.

Reformation Prayer Services - New Orleans and Houston
Lutherans and Catholics have agreed to commemorate the 500th by praying together in a spirit of confession and repentance. The Gulf Coast Synod will be holding two prayer services jointly with Catholics of New Orleans and Houston.

October 23, 7:00pm - New Orleans, St. Louis Cathedral
Service of Unity
Kinsmen Lutheran Church and Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Community will host a joint service of unity at 4:00 pm on October 29 at Kinsmen.

I t will be a unique service that includes both thanksgiving and lament, joy and repentance, as the congregations come together to acknowledge the Reformation and ask forgiveness for the division that has perpetuated over the last five centuries.
Justice Justice
LIRS Responds to Historically Low Refugee Admissions
It was reported that the Trump Administration intends to set the annual admissions ceiling for refugees at 45,000 for the coming fiscal year - the lowest goal since the start of the modern U.S. refugee admissions program in 1980. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) is profoundly disappointed that at a time of historic, never before seen need, the United States would so drastically reduce the number of refugees to whom we are able to offer protection and safety.

This announcement will mean that tens-of-thousands of vulnerable refugees, including torture survivors, unaccompanied refugee children, those with severe medical needs, and persecuted religious minorities, will continue to be left in harm's way.

Read more from the LIRS statement
 and their action on this issue. 
Children & Youth  childrenyouth
ELCA Youth Gathering Registration Is Open
Registration for the ELCA 2018 Youth Gathering is open.

As we get ready for registration to open in a few days, you can watch this Gathering video, and d ownload Getting Ready Resources, and learn more at the Gathering site.

Job Opening  JobOpening
Director of Handbells
Kinsmen is looking for a part-time director of handbells, whose primary responsibility is to use handbell music to lead others in worship and lead two adult handbell choirs and one youth handbell choir in faith and fellowship. This position is supervised by the senior pastor. Interested candidates should contact Pastor Beth Warpmaeker.
Churchwide News Churchwide
LWF Order of Worship Available for Reformation Sunday
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) invites churches and congregations to make use of an order of worship prepared for LWF Reformation Sunday 2017 during services held on or around Reformation Day. Get it here
In this Issue
Prayers

Prayers for our youth and family ministry as well as our camping ministry that are in their busy season

Prayers for our congregations and leaders in transition

Continued prayers for the staff and volunteers working tirelessly to prepare for the upcoming Youth Gathering

Calendar at a Glance

October 12
Bayou Conference Meeting
9:30 am

October 16 - 17
Interim Pastors Retreat

October 23
Catholics & Protestants praying together for the 500th
7:00 pm

October 24
Dialogue on Reformation
9:30 am

October 25
Catholics & Protestants praying together for the 500th
7:30 pm

October 29
October 29 - November 7
Germany for 500th Anniversary of the Reformation with Bishop Mike

October 31

November 14
Bayou Conference Meeting
9:30 am

December 12
Bayou Conference Meeting
9:30 am

December 18 - 19
Candidacy Retreat

January 12 - 22

January 25-29

April 3 - 19

April 22

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