The Weekly Five

Five Things to Know This Week in the Southwestern Texas Synod

Becoming… Week 2

The Stories We Tell


(see below for Spanish version)


Over the years, ministry has taught me something simple yet profound: the questions we ask determine the things we notice. I've discovered there's another truth that follows close behind. The things we notice shape the stories we tell. I didn't always understand that. In fact, I had to learn it the hard way.


Early in my synodical ministry, while serving as Bishop's Associate, I created a series of maps that categorized congregations across our synod. Using information like worship attendance and pastoral staffing, we identified congregations with different colors to help us understand where support and resources might be needed.


At the time, it felt like good leadership. And in many ways, it was. Leaders need good information. We have a responsibility to understand realities on the ground, steward resources wisely, and make thoughtful decisions.


Click here to keep reading.


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En proceso… La semana 2

Las historias que contamos


Con los años, el ministerio me ha enseñado algo simple pero profundo: las preguntas que hacemos determinan las cosas que notamos. He descubierto que hay otra verdad que le sigue de cerca. Las cosas que notamos moldean las historias que contamos. No siempre entendí eso. De hecho, tuve que aprenderlo de la manera más difícil.


Al principio de mi ministerio sinodal, mientras servía como Obispa Auxiliar, creé una serie de mapas que clasificaban a las congregaciones de nuestro sínodo. Usando información como la asistencia al culto y el personal pastoral, identificamos congregaciones con diferentes colores para entender dónde podría necesitarse apoyo y recursos.


En ese momento, se sentía como buen liderazgo. Y, en muchos sentidos, lo era. Los líderes necesitan buena información. Tenemos la responsabilidad de entender las realidades sobre el terreno, administrar los recursos con sabiduría y tomar decisiones pensadas.


Haz clic aquí para seguir leyendo.

Portico Update


Many of you have now received information from Portico about health benefit rates for 2027. I want to acknowledge right away that this is difficult news.


Portico has announced a baseline 15% increase in the cost of ELCA-Primary health benefits for 2027. For congregations already working hard to balance budgets—and for rostered ministers, lay employees, and families navigating rising costs—this is a significant increase. Portico has also announced some changes to member out-of-pocket expenses, while the employer contribution rate for disability and survivor benefits will decrease from 0.5% to 0% of defined compensation.


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Texas Faith Votes


Voting is at the core of all civic participation. Texas Impact encourages people of faith and all Texans to participate in all elections. In 2021, the Texas Legislature made major changes to Texas election laws. These laws could make it harder for some eligible Texans to vote, and they could make it harder or scarier for some Texans to volunteer to work the polls. It’s more important than ever to be an election mobilizer—casting your own vote is great, and it’s even better when you help make the system work for all of us.


Find resources here.


Last Call to Give to the Assembly Offering for the Tiermann Leadership Endowment Fund!


Each year, The Tiemann Leadership Endowment grants about $6,000 to equip lay leaders, pastors, and deacons as they build and strengthen our congregations and ministries.


Please consider giving generously to this year's assembly offering. Your gift will help grow the endowment and equip even more leaders across our synod for years to come.

A Call to be Trusted Messengers in this Election Season: A Reflection From Presiding Bishop Curry


Dear church,


In an interview after I was elected, I reflected on my experience as a mission developer, saying, “It is not about what you think you’re bringing into the community. It’s who you are in the community. The minute we showed that we cared is really when the community adopted us. People don’t care about what you know till they know that you care, and that was the biggest learning for me.”


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UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, August 31

6 pm

Joy of Stewardship Webinar

Join the webinar here

Meeting ID: 985 2649 5741

Passcode: 113931

September 14

Webinar: Interrupting Harmful Patterns, Part 1

September 21

Webinar: Interrupting Harmful Patterns, Part 2

November 12

Gender Justice Training

April 30-May 1, 2027

Synod Assembly

Triumphant, Garden Ridge

Ministry Partners