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Pastoral Letter
Dear people of God in the Southwestern Texas Synod:
After last November’s election, I wrote to you, saying:
As people of faith we need to be reminded of a few things:
- We are still called to love one another, even in the midst of disagreements.
- We are still called to be compassionate, knowing that everyone has a story that we know little about.
- We are still called to treat everyone with dignity and respect
- We are still called to welcome the stranger.
- We are still called, in the words of the ELCA Conference of Bishops, to be vigilant guardians of truth, refusing to perpetuate lies or half-truths that further corrode the fabric of our society.
- We are still called to denounce violence of any kind, whether in speech or action.
- We are still called to build bridges of understanding rather than erect walls of intolerance.
Click here to read the full letter.
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Called and Sent Story
Shepherd of the Hills: From Texas to Guatemala
It was already late morning when we pulled onto the dirt road leading into the village. My throat constricted as I saw the familiar scene: the church gate thrown open in welcome, everyone gathered outside, and the band in full swing. Marcus and Pantaleon were lighting the cannon, letting anyone not already there know we had arrived. It had only been a year, and it felt good to be back. After a treat of ripe mangoes, we settled in, claiming our bed frames and hanging mosquito netting. Click here to keep reading.
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Equipping Lay Leaders to Flourish in Small Town and Rural Communities in Which They Serve
By Rebecca Guengerich, Leadership Chair of the Southwestern Texas Synod
I had the privilege of accompanying Deacon Darcy Mittelstaedt, our Synod’s Bishop's Associate for Leadership & Lifelong Faith Formation and Jon Anderson, the Director of Rural Ministry at Luther Seminary over the last 4 days of January and 567 miles across central Texas. Our primary focus was to attend the Equipping the Saints event at Shiner Lutheran Church (76+ in person attendees and 25+ on-line attendees) where Jon was the featured speaker. However, we squeezed in visits to leaders from the Episcopal and Presbyterian seminaries in Austin to connect with our ecumenical partners and their rural congregations. We met with 25 leaders from the Elgin area and 48 people at Spirit in the Hills in Spicewood for conversation and worship. Why spend those hours in the car, besides wonderful conversations? Let me back up and explain.
Grants from the Synod and Wartburg Seminary
This road trip began last summer when Deacon Darcy and I traveled to Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque Iowa to meet with rural and small-town leaders in the ELCA to explore ministry in these areas. As a result, Wartburg applied and was awarded a 5-year, $7.4 million grant to support rural and small-town ministry. Our SWT Synod is one of many invited to apply for a sub-grant in the future.
The talking points from Wartburg Seminary’s winning CaSTLE (Small and country Town Lived Ecclesiology) Project Grant states, “The purpose of the grant is to empower lay people to shift their focus from “pastors and programming” to formation of Christian discipleship in daily life. These congregations need leaders who know and love their communities and are committed to helping them create a strong network of lay leadership formation to shape a new identity that will promote their long-term flourishing of the communities in which they serve.”
Equipping Saints – Conversations Begin
Returning to Texas, the SWT Synod awarded two local grants to host a revised Equipping the Saints to discern the next steps for rural and small-town ministry. Speakers Jon Anderson of Luther Seminary and Dr. Craig Nessan of Wartburg seminary, were invited to share new ways they are seeing the church being called to change, based on hours of conversations with lay and rostered leaders in rural and small-town congregations.
The comments from participants at Equipping the Saints reveal what was learned and shared.
- Experimenting will be a must as we move forward. Congregations have an opportunity to plan innovative and exciting programs for growth and participation in the communities
- Telling our story matters - and what stories we tell matter.
- Ordinary members will have a bigger leadership role
- I am now wondering how I do ministry in my daily life and realized that I am already doing it.
- I have heard for years that churches are losing members. This was the first time I heard about possible solutions and appreciated moving forward with some answers.
- New thoughts to focus on…measuring church status on relationships built vs. member/finances numbers only.
- The rural ministry is a great place to be and to fully support! I am happy the church is lifting up small and rural congregations by providing support and resources.
- Because ordained pastors are difficult to place in every rural or small church, the baptized members will need to carry out the mission of the church. Pastors will spend more time equipping the members to do more community ministry.
- Listening and sharing with others is key to building relationships
- Don't be afraid to experiment with new ways of getting the word out to anyone. Meet the people where they are. If the new works, great. If it fails, pivot and move on. Don't stay stuck!!
- Old way of doing church is working for a few but is not current or the future paradigm.
- Wonderful ideas of hope. I love the idea of lay led/clergy supported. We will do ministry through our natural vocational calling.
- Begin to balance structure and experimentation in our congregations.
- Get back to our roots. Be bold!
The Next Steps
What’s next? Conversations will continue to explore sub-grant ideas for rural and small-town ministries. In the meantime, Synodical Authorized Ministers (SAMS) are already being trained and supported through uniform on-line Faith+Lead courses out of Luther Seminary. They have also created stackable courses to form our leaders gradually and affordably through mini certifications.
Faith+Lead is also connecting lay and clergy from various places in our synod, from Corpus Christi, the Valley, Austin, San Antonio, Round Rock, Victoria, and more through joint on-line learning forums. We are practicing our faith together, sharing ideas, praying together and learning that the church is more than our isolated contexts. Continue to watch the newsletter for future shared learning opportunities or visit faithlead.org for courses that can be completed individually or with groups within your own congregation.
As always, this is an exciting time to be the church. God’s story of love, grace and forgiveness are needed now and always! Be Bold in sharing God’s story with others and listen for how God is calling you to share.
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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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
2025 Synod Assembly
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More than Enough / Mas que Suficiente
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Abiding Presence Lutheran Church San Antonio
Hybrid option available
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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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CONGREGATIONS/ROSTERED MINISTERS | |
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Congregations In Transition:
In Transition:
Gethsemane, Austin
Abiding Love, Austin
St. Paul, Nordheim
Christ the Victor, Victoria
Faith, Beeville
Interviewing:
First English, Austin - Pastor
Holy Cross, Austin - Pastor
Called:
Galilean, Corpus Christi – Pastor Fred Klinker from South Carolina Synod
Christ, Elm Creek – Pastor David Tinker from Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod
St. John, Marion – Pastor Bryan Dziadik-Willingham from Southwestern Texas Synod
Zion, San Antonio – Associate Pastor Allen Jensen from Montana Synod
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Of Celebration
Congratulations to Pastor Al Jensen, who was installed as associate pastor on Sunday, February 9, at Zion Lutheran Church, San Antonio.
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Of Condolence
Condolences to Pastor Herb and Kathleen Palmer and family at the death of their son Stephen.
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Of Condolence
Condolences to Pastor Drew and Leigh Ingram and family at the death of Drew's mom Melissa.
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Of Celebration
Congratulations to Pastor Ryan Dockery, who was installed as associate pastor on Sunday, January 26th, at Shepherd of the Hills, Austin.
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ELCA responds to false accusations on X 02-02-2025 | |
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Annual Parochial Report
The annual parochial report portal is delayed until early February.
Mid-December ELCA sent out an email to congregations and worshiping communities, describing the Annual Congregation Report process and key dates for the new data year. The email included a link to elca.org/reportinstructions which includes a generic version of the 2024 Form A, the instructions to complete the form (to be posted by early January), and the financial stewardship worksheet (available as a PDF and a fillable Excel file). Overview and instructional videos will be posted in January 2025.
The email did not contain the 2024 passwords congregations and worshiping communities will use to file their reports online. These passwords will be provided to congregations and worshiping communities in a letter from Secretary Rothmeyer that will be sent through the mail.
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Lutheran Men in Mission Ambassador-Gram
The Winter 2025 Ambassador-Gram is now available. In this edition: retreats, Bible studies, and more.
Read it here.
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Nominate Students for Lutheran Summer Music
Youth musicians from across the country are headed to Valparaiso University this year for the 2025 Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival (LSM). Students in grades 8-12 will be immersed in a supportive community that nurtures their musical growth, and invites them to share their musical gifts in performance and in worship. With the Standard Enrollment deadline approaching on March 1, now is the perfect time to nominate students so their families can directly receive information and an invitation to apply. Do you know young musicians who would thrive at LSM? Nominate them today at LSMacademy.org/nominate.
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Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) Representative Speaking in Austin
Monday, February 17
10 am - 12 pm
Faith Lutheran Church 6600 Woodrow Avenue, Austin
At the meeting, a representative will speak on and answer questions about the current situation in Gaza, Palestine, and Israel and the role of the Christian Churches in the Palestine/Israel conflict. Click here to learn more about CMEP.
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Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish Presentations Coming to San Antonio the Week of Feb. 16, 2025
Monday, February 17, 7 pm
Doctors’ Roundtable on “Hatred as a Contagious and Destructive Disease” at Incarnate Word University Student Engagement Center
Tuesday, February 18, 6:30 pm
“Life a Daughter – For Life” Benefit Dinner at CHRISTUS Heritage Hall at The Village at Incarnate Word
Wednesday, February 19, 5:30 to 7 pm
Executive Book Review at CHRISTUS Heritage Hall at The Village at Incarnate Word
Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, a Palestinian Canadian physician whose 3 teenaged daughters and niece were killed in Gaza in 2009, believes that peace, forgiveness, justice, and education are the keys to healthy communities. He is a medical researcher who studies “Hatred as a Contagious and Destructive Disease” among other things, holds 20 honorary degrees and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Click here to learn more and register for the events. Registration is free.
For questions or more information, contact Sister Martha Ann Kirk by email or phone (847-312-5884).
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Celebrate Camp Chrysalis' 75th Anniversary!
Saturday, March 1, 2025
Camp Chrysalis is 75 this year! Generations of campers and retreaters have been strengthened in faith and explored their call at this beautiful site. Now it is time to celebrate!
Gala tickets are sold out, but sponsorships and auction items are still needed! Funds raised will go toward financial aid "Camperships" and help keep camp affordable for all! Click here for sponsorships and donations.
Click here to download the bulletin insert.
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Family Matters: Faith Days at the Capitol
March 16-18
Are you committed to justice, freedom, and equity for all people? Join Texans from across the state who are putting their faith into action. Hear from faith and community leaders, get up to speed on the legislative state of play, and meet with lawmakers about your priorities. Click here to learn more and register.
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Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) Discernment Weekend
April 4-6
PLTS Campus
Berkeley, CA
Are you wondering if seminary might be right for you? Consider joining Signs Along the Way at PLTS in Berkeley, California to connect with others in discernment, get to know PLTS faculty, and explore what it’s like to be an online student in the MDiv, MA in Spirituality and Social Change, or Lutheran Year programs. PLTS is transitioning to only offer online study with in-person intensives, so this weekend is designed for those interested in online learning. PLTS covers lodging and meals during the event and can offer some travel assistance for those who need it. Visit plts.edu/signs to learn more.
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