Thank you! Thank you to almost 400 generous donors who immediately responded to Harvey's devastation with financial resolve. Thank you to so many faithful servants who personally showed up in the midst of their own storms, to be the church. 

 

The Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod are thanking you for your generosity in response to Hurricane Harvey. As of October 12th we have received more than $230,000 from 9 Synods, 25 congregations, 339 individuals from more than 30 states. Thank you for thousands of volunteer hours mucking and gutting, numerous in -kind donations and acts of kindness providing care. Providing hope in the midst of fear and despair.  

 

As we have moved to the short term recovery phase, a team of volunteers and synod staff chaired by Pr. Chris Lake has been formed to oversee short term recovery efforts. We are excited to welcome Ele Clay as our synod's short-term disaster recovery coordinator to work with the short term recovery team in coordinating the deployment of volunteers, supervising the distribution of financial and in-kind donations, and other recovery efforts.

 

Join us!

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.

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.

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.

This Thursday, October 19, the Central Houston Conference will meet at Zion ( 3606 Beauchamp St  at Pecore) for our monthly gathering,  noon-1:30 pm . Please plan to bring your own lunch. Zion will provide beverages and dessert.

 

A Reformation Day evening program of jazz music and readings, with artists Markus Burger, piano, and Jan von Klewitz saxophone. We will also sing A Mighty Fortress. 

Date: Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Time: 7:30pm

Location: Christ the King Lutheran Church, Houston

Reception after the program.

Sponsored by the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany.

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

October 25, 7:30pm - Houston, Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart

** Please note: the worship planners are looking for congregations to be represented in the opening procession. A person from each participating church is asked to bring a vase or pitcher of water which will be poured into a common baptismal font. If you wish to participate, you may contact Pastor Chris Michaelis .**

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.

To commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, the  Hands of Faith Fair Trade Store , a ministry of Lord of Life, commissioned artists from Haiti to create images of Luther's rose. For over a month, these artists were working hard at making beautiful metal art pieces. 

Each item is 11 inches in diameter and displays well on a church wall. Cost ranges from $22 to $26, not including sales tax or shipping. Please  email   to place an order or for additional information.

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.