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Advent Reflections on Peace
As we light the candles on our Advent Wreaths, we focus on four core values of our Christian faith: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Over the years, we have assigned slightly different significance to each of these candles, but they have become pillars of our faith in God through his word that became flesh and dwelt among us 2000-plus years ago. This year, we invite you to spend extra time on the second candle, the Peace candle. Through reflection, prayer, and discussion, we will dive deeply into what it means for Jesus to be called the Prince of Peace—in our hearts, homes, communities, and the world.
Click to join us online Monday evenings - December 16, 23 at 7pm.
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The synod office will be closed for the Christmas and New Year holidays beginning Monday, December 23, and will re-open on Thursday, January 2. A bishop's staff person will be on call each of those days. Emergency? Call 830-379-9900, ext. 21.
The eNews publication schedule for December will be:
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December 11 and 18—Synod eNews
- December 25 and January 1—no eNews
The first Synod eNews of 2025 will be published on Wednesday, January 8.
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St. Nicolas Ministry of Tri-County Cooperative Ministries Proclaims the Greatness of God
While some of us find mentors to walk alongside us during our lifetimes, others garner inspiration from history's wide selection of exemplary lives. Pastor Herb Beyer of Hallettsville chose his inspirational mentor, St. Nicholas, from long ago. Declared a saint because he shared his wealth with those less fortunate, St. Nicholas modeled a ministry that Pastor Beyer has supported for almost 40 years.
“We learn from our mentors, our soul friends who help us craft a life well lived. We can spend time with them or learn from them (in alternate ways) about how to become a glimmer of hope for others,” we read in last week's Synod newsletter advent reflection by Becky Rische from Spirit in the Hills Lutheran church.
Today, I want to lift Pastor Beyer's mentoring ministry in our synod, the St. Nicolas Ministry of the Tri-County Cooperative Ministries. This ministry nurtures compassion, creates connections and community, and levels the playing field by distributing food, blankets and toys to families in 3 counties throughout the year.
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St. Nicholas Ministry began in a single Lutheran church, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in the town of Hallettsville, in Lavaca County, when Pastor Herb Beyer noticed, people were struggling day to day because of food, health, or job insecurities. Pastor Beyer assumed the same role in both as St. Nicholas and gave gifts of food to those in need. Now 37 years later, because many others joined him in living into their call to love our neighbor, the Tri-County Cooperative Ministry has expanded to include Colorado and Fayette County.
As more families needed assistance, others became involved by donating food, blankets, or toys from their wealth or businesses. Those were joined by still others who organized and coordinated the ever-expanding ministry by uniting area churches, businesses, schools and organizations together in Hallettsville, Moulton, Weimer and Shiner. They provided service, outreach, witness, prayer and finances for those in need. This ministry works because Christ’s love is visible in tangible ways.
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Those outside the church saw what people of faith were doing and wanted to be a part of something bigger than themselves. One businessman commented “We need to see more of this kind of thing. So many are focused only on themselves.” When the larger story is Christ, needs are met, and healing and hope can be found.
Thank you, Tri-County Cooperative Ministries! You inspire us to look beyond our own congregations to see the need, discerning where we can become a community of support, celebration and affirmation of God’s love, bringing hope to all.
--from Rebecca Guengerich, Southwestern Texas Synod Leadership Chair
Future issues of this e-newsletter will curate stories about churches' effective efforts to study and address neighborhood needs through "holy curiosity." Send your ideas to info@swtsynod.org.
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More than Enough / Mas que Suficiente
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Abiding Presence Lutheran Church San Antonio
Hybrid option available
Assembly Offering: Camp Chrysalis in Honor of their 75th Anniversary.
Click here to learn more.
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Southwestern Texas Synod Assembly Offering In Honor of Camp Chrysalis’ 75th Anniversary
In honor of the Camp Chrysalis’ 75th Anniversary and in recognition of the impact the camp and retreat ministry has on faith formation and leadership development, the offering for the synod assembly will go toward kitchen equipment for the new Dining Hall at Camp Chrysalis.
The Cross Trails Board of Directors recently voted to begin raising funds for a new Dining Hall that will allow the entire camp to eat indoors, and offer improved gathering space, accessibility and food service options. Gathering for meals and fellowship is integral to the camp and retreat experience. The current Chrysalis Dining Hall was built over 50 years ago.
This new Dining Hall will enhance the Camp Chrysalis summer camp and retreat experience for generations to come! With this offering, when the building nears completion, these funds will be readily available to help purchase all of the kitchen equipment at once! Click here to give now.
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Items Needed for Nuevos Vecinos
Nuevos Vecinos is an organization helping immigrant families settle in San Antonio.
Here are items they are always in need of:
- clothes and shoes
- new toiletries
- towels, linens, and blankets
- toys
- kitchen items
- working phones and computers
They also accept and need larger items such as:
- beds and mattresses
- furniture
- bicycles
Nuevos Vecinos also accepts monetary donations. Please visit their website for information on how to donate and other ways to help.
For more information or if you can help deliver items contact Deacon Lisa Diana at lisa@clcah.org. Thank you for your willingness to help our neighbors in need.
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Called and Sent Videos
As part of this year's Called and Sent theme, we created videos showing how congregations live out their calledness and sentness. If you have a story from your congregation, we'd love to work with you on it! Email us at info@swtsynod.org.
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CONGREGATIONS/ROSTERED MINISTERS | |
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Congregations In Transition:
In Transition:
Gethsemane, Austin
Abiding Love, Austin
Holy Cross, Austin
St. Paul, Nordheim
St. Paul, Mason
Christ the Victor, Victoria
Faith, Beeville
Interviewing:
St. John, Marion - Pastor
First English, Austin - Pastor
Primary Candidates Named:
Christ, Elm Creek - Pastor
Galilean, Corpus Christi – Pastor
Called:
Zion, San Antonio – Associate Pastor Allen Jensen from Montana Synod
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Of Healing
Prayers of healing for Pastor Rosemarie Doucette.
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Of Celebration
Congratulations to St. John in San Juan Texas on the occasion of their 100th anniversary of mission in the Rio Grande Valley.
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ELCA Spanish Language Website
The ELCA has launched a new website, Vida Luterana, for the ELCA's Latino community who, at their heart, embrace God's unconditional grace as the foundation of their faith and action. Inspired by this grace, freely given in Christ without any merit of our own, Latino Lutherans commit to living and sharing this transformative love. Click here to visit the website!
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Taste and See: Connecting with God Through Spiritual Practices
In the breakneck rush of today’s complex and screen-centered world, it’s easy for our daily walk of faith to become routine, one-dimensional, or nearly non-existent. Taste and See: Connecting with God Through Spiritual Practices offers a refreshing chance to rekindle that spiritual life. Through spiritual practices that engage all of you—body, senses, heart, and mind—this course invites you to draw closer to God in rich new ways. Taste and See encourages you to experiment with practical approaches to faith, grounding you in God’s love and helping you discover a rhythm that fits your life. It’s more than just a list of spiritual practices; it’s an opportunity to deepen and embody your relationship with God concretely. From visual meditation to labyrinth prayer to Sabbath, you’ll dive into practices rooted in Scripture, theology, and tradition that can turn everyday moments into sacred encounters. Join an online cohort beginning Monday, January 20th, for six weeks at 7 PM. Register HERE!
A few things you’ll learn:
- The theological and biblical foundations of Christian spiritual practices.
- How to connect with God on every level—with your five senses, mind, heart, and whole being.
- Methods for building your own personal and sustainable rhythm of spiritual practice.
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Narrative Mission Spending Plan
As you prepare your mission spending plan (budget) for 2025, consider using a narrative mission spending plan, otherwise known as a narrative budget. It’s not too late! The ELCA’s narrative spending plan webinar can lead you through the process of capturing just what you do and how it’s important to the mission God has given you.
Other ELCA Stewardship resources and recorded webinars can be found here.
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Are you looking for an Advent Devotion? Look no further!
Every year during the Advent season, Christians worldwide experience heightened devotion as they prepare to celebrate Christ's birth and our King's return. As you prepare for Christmas, consider using one of the following devotionals in your daily life to center your heart on the true meaning of the season. And the best part? Almost all of them are free!
Daily Advent Devotionals from ELCA Lutherans:
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From Global Refuge
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From Luther Seminary
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From Wartburg Seminary
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From United Lutheran Seminary (it’s from 2023, but that’s OK!)
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From the ELCA Homeless and Justice Network (also a year old, but still good!)
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From Churches Beyond Borders, prayers for peace in the Holy Land (it’s from 2023, but we still need these prayers!)
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From Women of the ELCA (a few years old)
Weekly Advent Devotionals from ELCA Lutherans:
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Hear the Stories of ELCA Missionaries around the world (scroll down to events to register for the emails)
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From Reconciling Works, focused on the words Peace, Hope, Joy, and Love (it’s found under the section titled “liturgy”)
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Join ELCA Young Adults on an Advent Pilgrimage in Palestine, with Sumud for Justice in Palestine and Israel (great for a group conversation)
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From ELCA World Hunger
Musical Advent Calendars!
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From the Lutheran Summer Music Academy (go to their YouTube playlists to see previous Advent calendars)
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From the Lutheran World Federation (they may not be making a new calendar this year, but they have 5 years of archived calendars with great music)
Daily Advent Devotionals from Full Communion Partners:
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From Pittsburg Theological Seminary (Reformed)
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From Presbyterians for Earth Care
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From FaithForward (Reformed)
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School for Lay Ministry
Beginning January 18, 2025. From preaching and teaching to providing pastoral care or designing worship, faith leaders, like you, serve their congregations in various roles. Often, you do so without the theological background or seminary degrees your colleagues may have. With the School for Lay Ministry, you'll embark on a transformative year-long journey empowering you to lead faithfully, recognizing the vital role you play in a lay-led, clergy-support ministry model. Learn more and register here.
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Job Opportunities
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Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in San Antonio is hiring a Minister of Music. Contact Pastor Steve Cox.
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Palm Valley Lutheran Church in Round Rock is hiring a Director of Children and Young Family Ministries. Click here to learn more.
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Bethany Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg is hiring a Director of Christian Education. Click here to learn more.
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Blue Christmas Winter Solstice Service
Thursday, Dec. 19
7:00-8:00 PM CT
In the midst of this long dark season when much of nature seems dead and lifeless, we look for the light of hope. "A light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it." And yet, sometimes the light of hope can seem pretty dim and the darkness very real. We offer this virtual candlelight service designed for those who may not be feeling the happiness and joy that this season calls for. For some of us, the Christmas season is more than difficult. We gather to acknowledge the pain you may be feeling and to plead for help and hope and light from out of the darkness. Click here to register for the service.
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