Volume 3 | February 23, 2023
View as a Webpage
Faith Formation Findings
resources for everyday faith living
“Lifelong faith formation in the ELCA is guided by our baptismal covenant and the Holy Spirit's ongoing guidance as we live among God's faithful people, hear the word of God and share in the Lord's supper, proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, serve all people, following the example of Jesus.
Our Synod has been invited to participate in this new way of being church and a new way of talking about our life of faith in our daily life. There are a few congregations in discernment. We hope to launch this in the month of March. Stay tuned. More information about Life of Faith can be found on their website: https://lifeoffaith.info/
A Life of Faith Initiative
Update
Lent Faith Practice:
“Calendar of Activities”
Instead of giving something up this Lent (that’s a good faith practice too) how about trying something new?

There are many free calendars available online that you can download with activities to do for 40 days. This one is from Ministry to Children.

Download the free Lent calendar that includes everything from Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday from ministry-to-children.com/lent-activities-for-kids
Resources for all Ages
Four-Faith Practices for Spiritual Well-being (from the Jan 6 Article by Rick Lawrence)
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers dietary guidelines for living a healthy life—we call the structure of these guidelines the “Food Groups.” Well, what about “Spiritual Food Groups”? These four faith practices—caring conversation, devotions, service, and rituals/traditions—represent the basic ways we stay whole and healthy as followers of Jesus. They are ways to practice the means of grace, helping us extend God’s love and saving work to the world. These practices not only strengthen the faith lives of individuals and communities within households, but they also serve as the means to strengthen a thriving congregation through healthy, nurturing, faithful homes.” To read the full article, and to learn about the four practices in detail, go to Vibrant Faith (vibrantfaith.org/4-faith-practices/). Even if you don’t sign up for a class, their articles are relevant and offer good information and ideas about forming faith.
Service Opportunity: Mission at the Margins 
On my drive around my small Central Texas town today, I was tuned into NPR radio and heard an interview with a Syrian refugee (from 12 years ago) who had settled with her family in Turkey. While she said she was so grateful for the kindness of strangers who helped her make a new home, she also said she is finished: living through an earthquake, in essence losing, everything again, is too much and she’s not sure how she can go on. There are no services available, yet. They are residing on the street and in their cars. When asked what can the world do for you, she said keep Turkey and the refugees in your thoughts and bring help to all of us.  On their Facebook page they wrote: Following the devastating earthquakes that impacted Turkey and Syria, Lutheran Disaster Response is committed to supporting our partner organizations that are responding to the needs of survivors. Support the response today: CLICK HERE!

-Deacon Mary Black, Bastrop