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Mientras Tanto Story
Rio Grande Conference
Valley Metanoia Network: Inviting the Church from seated to “Vayamos”
Pastor Edwin Ortiz wants the church to be less institutional and more missional. From a church that tries to get people in the existing door, to congregations that say “vayamos,” let’s go out into the world, sent by the Spirit.
As a Mission Developer for the Southwestern Texas Synod, he started Valley Metanoia Network last year in the Rio Grande Valley. His goal is to seed new, alternative ministries and train the leadership required for such a missional church.
Click here to continue reading.
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The Grapevine July/August Issue
In this issue: Message from the President, Triennial Gathering Scholarships Available, Bold Women of Faith
Nominations, and more. Read it here.
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Make Me An Instrument of Peace: A Guide to Civil Discourse
How many of us have ever prayed, 'Lord make me an instrument of your peace,' then found ourselves in complex and polarized situations that made peace seemingly impossible?
This course is for you.
Designed by the Office of Government Relations of The Episcopal Church, Make Me an Instrument is a free, 5-week course designed to help us bridge the divides that keep us from moving forward.
Taught by a team of experts in civil discourse, this course includes these five classes:
- Civil Discourse in Context with Ranjit Matthews
- Tenets for Civil Discourse with Shannon Ferguson
- Values-Based Conversations with Alan Yarborough
- The Complexities of Policy with Rebecca Linder Blachy
- Sacred Space for Debate with Marcus Halley
Make Me an Instrument is ideal for those who want to take dialog between polarized people or parties seriously. This course is free and available in both group and individual formats through ChurchNext. If your congregation decides to give it a try, please let us know!
Register Here
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Candles Available
The synod has received thirty candles from the closure of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Wimberly. Candles are 51% Beeswax, White, 1-1/16” X 16-3/4” with self-fitting ends. If your congregation can use these please contact Pastor Judi Miller at 830-730-3315.
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Holy Land Pilgrimage Rescheduled
Dec. 28, 2024-Jan. 6, 2025
We are grateful to partner with Elias Tours for our pilgrimage to the Holy Land at the end of 2024. Our original trip scheduled for January 2024 conflicted with several other trips, so we have chosen to move to a different date and travel company. This also offers you a great opportunity to have extra time for financial planning! You will see that the cost of the trip is higher than the original one, but now includes airfare. Scholarships and other financial support are still available. Click here for more information and registration. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Jessica Cain at [email protected].
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SWT Synod Bookkeeper Transition
Susie Winterhalter has been the synod bookkeeper for 18 years (as of Sept. 6). Now we tell her: “Well done, good and faithful servant” as she has announced she is retiring at the end of September.
We are pleased to welcome Rhonda Behal as our new synod bookkeeper. She began her work last week; there is a lot of training for a new bookkeeper to take on, so we are fortunate that Susie is staying on to ensure Rhonda is well equipped.
Read more
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WorkSpace Cohorts
Forum dates: Thursdays,
September 14 - October 19
Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm CT via Zoom
Facilitators: Michelle Jolley and
Erin McCracken
Suggested Program Fee: $100
Are you looking to deepen your anti-racism practice? Color of Grace invites you to participate in the upcoming cohort of WorkSpace: Racism and US. 'WorkSpace' is a six-week anti-racism forum centering on self-awareness through a participant-driven, project-based, diverse cohort experience. Participants sign a Safe Space Covenant in which participants agree to preserve the conversational safe space for vulnerable sharing. Respecting such private, privileged and confidential sharing is an integral component of the WorkSpace. Prior to each session, a brief homework assignment is given which is designed to facilitate personal reflection and threads for session discussions.
Register your interest here.
Color of Grace LLC (COG) is a collaborative ministry created to step into the challenge of dismantling racism. COG was founded and is led by individual members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America—rostered and lay leaders from diverse backgrounds—spanning four synods touching Austin, Houston, and Waco, TX and Baltimore, Maryland. For more information visit: www.colorofgrace.org or email us at: [email protected].
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Cultivating Generous Congregations Fall Cohorts
Fall 2023
5-6:30 p.m. Central time
Late September–October
How do we, as communities of faith, change our thinking on stewardship and generosity to meet the challenges of the moment? In partnership with the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, the ELCA is offering congregations the opportunity to reexamine their stewardship thinking and imagine ways to act on their findings in their communities. The six-week webinar “Cultivating Generous Congregations” will offer virtual cohort sessions where congregational leaders can discuss, dissect and collaborate on how generosity might work in their contexts. The webinar costs $550 per congregation, plus workbooks ($40 each).
For a deeper look at what the webinar entails, watch this brief Cultivating Generous Congregations video.
Please contact the Rev. Larry Strenge and the Rev. Tim Brown if you’re interested in participating! They will work with your synod to get you registered for the fall cohort.
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Valley Metanoia Network Needs Your Help
Valley Metanoia Network submitted a collaboration proposal with Misión Luterana San Pablo in Weslaco, Texas. The proposal consisted of the use of part of the church facilities as the Valley Metanoia Ministerial Center for training.
Two very important ministerial areas will be developed there:
- Missional Leaders Training Program
- The development of a Cultural and Community Immersion Program.
The building that Valley Metanoid Network will be using is in need of some repair and equipment.
One of the big challenges is to repair part of the building floor that is extremely damaged. The estimates cost for repairing the floor and buying some equipment (water heater, fire detectors, stove...) is around $10,000 dollars.
We want to invite you to collaborate with us in our goal to raise the funds we need to complete this project that will help to fulfill the purposes and ministries of Valley Metanoia Network.
Learn more here.
You may give online or mail a check to the Synod Office at 1090 Oestreich Dr., Seguin, TX 78155. Please make checks payable to Southwestern Texas Synod and write VMN Center on the memo line.
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Support Plaza de Paz Respite Center
We have recently become very busy at the Plaza de Paz respite center for migrants in San Antonio, receiving up to 100 individuals daily, particularly families. Here are some of our immediate needs:
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Men’s clothing: jeans (sizes 30, 32, and 34), pants/joggers (Small and Medium), T-shirts (Medium), Underwear/boxers (small and medium), Tennis shoes (sizes 8, 8 ½, 9, 9 ½ , 10), pullover sweaters/sweatshirts (small, medium, and large), and jackets (small, medium, and large).
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Women’s clothing: Pants/jeans (small and medium), Bras (size 32, 34, and 36), Tennis shoes (size 7, 7.5, 8, and 8.5), Pullover sweaters (small and medium), and jackets (small and medium).
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Boy’s clothing: Pants and shorts (sizes 4-6, 8-10, 12-14, 16), Pullover sweaters/sweatshirts (small, medium, and large), and jackets (small, medium, and large).
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Girl’s clothing: Pants and shorts (4-6, 8-10, 12-14, 16), underwear (4-6-8-10-12), pullover sweaters/sweatshirts (small, medium, and large), and jackets (small, medium, and large).
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Baby/toddler (boys and girls): clothing (6 months – 2 years), and baby food.
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Toiletry items: feminine pads
We are also looking for donations of meal kits. Please click here for more information on registering to volunteer or to prepare the meal kit. Then, scroll to the information under Plaza de Paz Respite Center.
We are also looking for volunteers to help at the center and/or to organize and serve a meal. Please feel free to contact Deacon Lisa Diana at [email protected] for more information. Thank you.
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Job Opportunities
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Zion Lutheran Church in San Antonio is hiring a Facilities Manager. Contact Chris at [email protected] or 210-688-3090.
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Trinity Lutheran, Victoria is hiring a Faith Formation Minister. Contact [email protected]
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Triumphant Love, Austin hiring a Children's Ministry Coordinator. Contact [email protected].
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Good Shepherd in Bastrop hiring an Office Manager with bookkeeping experience. Contact [email protected].
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Piano, A Little Bit of Faith, and a Whole Lot of Singing Concert
Sunday, October 15, 2023
4 p.m.
Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church
416 Dolle Ave., Seguin, TX
You are invited to a “casual concert” celebrating the gift of music featuring in collaboration Leah Matocha and Pastor Kara Hairell-Speed (and Guest Musicians).
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Lutheran Men in Mission Gathering
September 30, 2023
Zion Lutheran Church, Helotes, TX
The Lutheran Men in Mission of the Southwestern Texas Synod will be holding a Men's Gathering. For more information, contact Dennis Hickey by email or phone at (210) 347-6338.
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Stewardship Webinar
Stewardship When Economics Are Uncertain
Monday, Aug. 21
6-7 p.m. Central time
Zoom Link
How can we talk about stewardship and money in a way that is honest and honors uncertain economic times?
On Aug. 21 the ELCA, in partnership with the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, will host a webinar to equip leaders to talk openly, honestly and inspirationally about stewardship and generosity even in uncertain times. It will be hosted by the Rev. Meredith McNabb and the Rev. Tim Brown.
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Truth in August Book Discussion
August 26
9:30am
Zoom
As part of the Truth and Healing Movement Truth in August, we will be discussing Calling for a Blanket Dance by Oscar Hokeah. Please join us to talk about overall impressions of the book and themes of identity, marginalization, tradition, family, and community. More to come!
Questions? Email Hilda Santiago, [email protected].
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Family and Friends Labor Day Retreat at Camp Chrysalis
September 1-4, 2023
Theme- Survivor: Camp Chrysalis
Join us on the remote island of Camp Chrysalis where you’ll build new bonds through a variety of challenges and rewards. Enjoy making memories through interactive faith-building worship and Bible study, as well as your choice of camp activities like kayaking, hiking, making crafts, archery, the ropes course, rocking on the porch and more! Families will live in their own air-conditioned cabin with a shared central gathering room.
EARLY BIRD COST:
- Adults and Youth in Grades 7-12: $190
- Youth in grades K-6: $145
- Preschool youth: Free
- Household Max: $760
Early bird cost ends August 18th, after this fees increase by $10 per participant. Registration closes at 5pm on Friday, August 25th.
Learn more and register
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Register Now: Total Solar Eclipse Retreat 2024
April 5-9, 2024
Camp Chrysalis and Ebert Ranch
Come experience the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024 with Cross Trails Ministry! Both Camp Chrysalis and Ebert Ranch will be in complete darkness for over 4 minutes!
This once in a lifetime event will be paired with Cross Trails hospitality and activities to make an unforgettable long weekend. Participate in eclipse learning sessions and camp activities, and then join us for daily devotions and worships. Choose to do as much or as little as you would like and enjoy some great family time!
Learn more and register here.
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Resources, Webinars, & Calendar | | | | |
