The Weekly Five

Five Things to Know This Week in the Southwestern Texas Synod

Reminder: Early voting in Texas begins October 19   

Love Your Neighbor. Vote on Day One. 

As people of faith, voting is one way we put love of neighbor into action and seek the well-being of all. 

Early voting in Texas begins Monday, October 19. If you are able, please vote on that first day—and encourage someone else to join you. Voting early helps keep unexpected illness, work demands or other disruptions from getting in the way. 

Make your plan now, and check whether a neighbor needs help making theirs. Watch our recent interfaith press conference for more.

Be faithful. Be informed. Be engaged.

Let’s vote on day one. 

Love, Bishop Sue 

Register Now for Gender Justice Training

November 12, 9 am–12 pm

Cost: $25

Join us for a half-day of inclusivity training with Dr. Mary Streufert, Lisa Heffernan, and Aubrey Thonvold and 5 of our Region 4 Synods.

You will receive some pre-work about a couple of weeks from Nov. 12th.

You will receive a Zoom link a few days before the event.

For more information and/or questions, please contact Hilda Santiago at community@swtsynod.org.

Click here to register.

Mission Support: What Does My Offering Do?

Your mission support at work in the

Southwestern Texas Synod in English & en Español.

ELCA's "What does my offering do?" in English & en Español.

Beyond Celebration: Heritage, Faith, and Belonging

By Rev. Ricardo Jimenez-Reyes

(Leer en Español abajo)

Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month invites us to celebrate the richness of our cultures, languages, histories, and traditions. As a Puerto Rican, a Latino, and a Lutheran pastor, I receive this season with gratitude. Our music, stories, faith, and the wisdom of our abuelas y abuelos are gifts that enrich the whole church.

But celebration without honest reflection can become comfortable. And these are not comfortable times.

Click here to keep reading.

*****

El Mes de la Herencia Hispana/ Latina nos invita a celebrar la riqueza de nuestras culturas, idiomas, historias y tradiciones. Como puertorriqueño, latino y pastor luterano, recibo este tiempo con gratitud. Nuestra música, nuestras historias, nuestra fe y la sabiduría de nuestras abuelas y abuelos son regalos que enriquecen a toda la iglesia.

Pero celebrar sin reflexionar honestamente puede resultar demasiado cómodo. Y estos no son tiempos cómodos.

Haz clic aquí para seguir leyendo.

ELCA Conference of Bishops Welcomes Six New Bishops

The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met Sept. 22-26 at the Lutheran Center in Chicago. The conference, an advisory body of the ELCA, welcomed six new bishops elected this year.

The Rev. Deborah Hutterer, bishop of the ELCA Grand Canyon Synod and chair of the conference, said the meeting provided an “opportunity to gather in worship, prayer, fellowship, study and deliberation about the ongoing ministry of this church and our congregations. Together, we pondered how we can participate in God’s mission and serve the church.”

Click here to keep reading.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Ministry Partners