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We are truly blessed! Executive Director Mark Armstrong, Director of Legacy Planning Deacon John Dellis and Trustee Belinda Schmidt from Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest visited us to present the SWT Synod with a generous distribution check of $195,291.47 in endowment funds representing 30 different endowments and blessing diverse ministries throughout the synod and the world, including Technicolor Ministries, new mission starts, the Tiemann Leadership Development Endowment, the Evangelical Mission Endowment fund, our companion church in Costa Rica and many more ministries.
Because of the generosity of so many families and supporters over the years, we are able to expand the mission of Jesus Christ in our territory and beyond.
We are grateful for the many incredible families and supporters who help sustain our ministry. Your generosity makes a lasting impact, and we are beyond thankful for your partnership in this work. From all of us at the Southwestern Texas Synod, THANK YOU for
being a part of our story!
By thinking of synod ministries in their estate planning, donors ensure that the ministry of Christ will continue for years to come.
Interested in details about legacy planning? Contact your local gift planner, Signe Fredrickson at sfredrickson@lfsw.org.
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Bishop Briner wants to visit you in 2025
I'd love to visit you on a Sunday or for a special midweek/weekend event. Here are open dates — please email me directly at sbriner@swtsynod.org.
Preference for those congregations I have not visited in a while. I look forward to hearing from you!
In Christ's love,
Bp. Sue
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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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Impressions by a New Confirmation Student
Hi, I’m Audrey and I am in the Spirit in the Hills confirmation group along with Georgia, Maddi, and Viviane. We were able to learn a lot in our group, as well as have fun together doing crafts such as making a journal, and finger-painting Luther's seal on a big canvas. We have just wrapped up our meetings for 2024 and we are looking forward to the meetings and lessons that will come in the New Year.
Our first meeting in September was spent mainly getting to know each other through fun games, and beginning to talk about our baptisms, confirmations, and the beginning of Lutheranism.
In our second meeting in October, after reading on our own time about Martin Luther's life, we did a deeper dive into his many professions, his many issues with the church, how he acted upon those issues and the Reformation movement.
At the third meeting in November, we learned about Jesus’s yeses and nos for how he wants us to live our best lives, and understanding how Lutheran Christianity is a way of seeing, hearing, teaching, and following.
Finally, in the fourth meeting, which was held in December, we went over the Ten Commandments and their meanings, vocation, and priesthood of all believers. We learned about how the Ten Commandments help us respect God and each other in the best way possible. Also, as a fun Christmas treat, we decorated cookies.
In conclusion, thank you so much to the congregation for all of the support and prayers you have given us. We are so thankful, and I am so excited to continue to be able to participate in confirmation in 2025.
This essay first appeared in the newsletter of Audrey's home congregation and is reprinted with her and her family's permission.
Inspired by a new Confirmation Student
A note from synod leadership chair Rebecca Guengerich
What is the purpose of church? Worship? Community? A place to understand God and us? Our path to discern the unique ways of practicing love, forgiveness, and compassion for the world?
When I read Audrey's newsletter article it became clear she was discovering church involves all of these. What's more, as a new confirmation student at Spirit in the Hills Lutheran Church in Spicewood, her pastor soon recognized her gift for communication and invited her to write to her church.
“Her words help us see how the church grows young people’s faith and friendship in God and each other," wrote fellow member Becky Rische when she passed along Audrey’s essay.
The synod invites other young people to share their faith and experience of church here as well. 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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CONGREGATIONS/ROSTERED MINISTERS | |
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Congregations In Transition:
In Transition:
Gethsemane, Austin
Abiding Love, Austin
St. Paul, Nordheim
St. Paul, Mason
Christ the Victor, Victoria
Faith, Beeville
Interviewing:
First English, Austin - Pastor
Holy Cross, Austin - Pastor
Primary Candidates Named:
Galilean, Corpus Christi – Pastor
St. John, Marion – Pastor
Called:
Christ, Elm Creek - Pastor
Zion, San Antonio – Associate Pastor Allen Jensen from Montana Synod
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Annual Rostered Reports
2024 Roster Report forms are ready online.
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Rostered Leaders Convocation 2025
February 11-13
Mustang Island Conference Center 6981 TX-361, Port Aransas, TX
This retreat seeks to bring pastors and deacons together for relaxation, collegial connection, and spiritual growth. At this convocation retreat, your time is yours--use it however you need in order to feel refreshed for ministry.
The Rev. Mary Lessmann will share with us her unique perspective on the Enneagram. We will reflect on how our Enneagram number impacts how we love God and love our neighbor.
Don't miss this opportunity to gather at the beach with colleagues, deepen old friendships, and develop new ones. We look forward to being together in February! Click here to register now.
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Of Healing
Prayers of healing for Pastor Rosemarie Doucette
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Of Grief
Prayers of peace for the family of Pastor Matthew Groenke on the passing of his mother
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2024 Annual Report Cover and Pages
The 2024 annual report cover and pages are now available. Download them below.
Download Cover here.
Download Pages here.
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January 2025 Administration Matters
In this issue: opportunities to invest in clean energy, welcoming the new Portico president, and more!
Read it here.
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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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National Day of Racial Healing
January 21
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Online
The 2025 National Day of Racial Healing is an annual observance that follows Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This year, the ELCA will join the movement of racial healing for our church and the nation. Join a free online educational event that centers the voices of ELCA leaders of color. This event is open to all ELCA rostered ministers, lay leaders and members, as well as the church’s affiliate organizations and ecumenical and interreligious partners. Click here to learn more.
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Small Church Gathering
Saturday, January 25
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
St. Philip's, San Antonio, 1310 Pecan Valley Dr.
Lunch will be provided. Questions may be directed to Canon Leyla King. To register, click here.
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Texas Impact United Women of Faith Legislative Event
January 26-28
In person and online
We welcome all women who are committed to justice, freedom, and opportunity for all people, especially women and children. The event includes two days of speakers, inspiration, and workshops where you can connect with women like you are ready to put their faith into action. On the third day, attendees will visit the Capitol and meet with lawmakers. Click here for more information and registration.
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Save the Dates for PRH Border Experience!
Come and see what is happening on the frontlines related to immigration. Consider immigration from the perspective of the immigrants and those who work with immigrants. Come and reflect on immigration today and the related role(s) YOU are called to live as a spiritual being.
January 29-30, 2025 An evening (January 29) and one full-day experience (January 30) with current border immigration volunteer services and pro bono legal experiences. Visits with the American Bar Association’s ProBar Office in Harlingen, La Posada Providencia in San Benito and a Zoom call with Eagle Pass Frontera Ministry are planned.
February 12-14. 2025 An evening (February 12) and two full-day experience (February 13-14) with visits to/with current border immigration volunteer services (La Posada Providencia in San Benito and Catholic Charities Respite Center in McAllen), Border Patrol, Immigration Court, the American Bar Association’s ProBar Office in Harlingen, and a Zoom call with Eagle Pass Frontera Ministry.
Overnight housing can be provided in the homes of organizing members for as many as 8 individuals. Those attending will be responsible for their own travel expenses and meals on the full days of each experience. No registration costs are being collected. For more information, please contact us at: prh.be2025@gmail.com
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LMM Men's Retreat: One Year to Live
February 21-23
Camp Chrysalis
Men of all ages yearn for real friendships and a closer relationship with Christ. Join us and be…
• Adventurous and courageous
• Genuine and spiritual Look forward to…
• Banding together and being challenged
• Examining your life and making decisions
• Be prepared for a spiritual boot camp.
This 45-hour experience is not for the faint of heart! Click here to learn more and register.
View flyer here.
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Creating a Culture of Shared Ministry Leadership Retreat
February 28 - March 1
Camp Lutherhill
LEAD is exploring new leadership systems based on a collaborative approach to shared ministry. We are encouraging the values of a true learning community that builds trust, manages resistance, and leads out of love for God and our neighbors. There is no perfect model, yet we have seen remarkable ministry happen when congregations shift from reactive, repetitive practices to asking new questions about their leadership culture in alignment with the purpose of their ministry.
Please join us in person for this retreat. The cost is housing, meals (Sat. breakfast and lunch) at Lutherhill, plus $25 per person. We encourage you to make this an essential part of your leadership development this year and come together in person. However, if a minimum of two people from your council attend in person, you can use our Zoom link and your own device for council/staff who want to join online. Click here to register now. To learn more, contact Deacon Peggy Hahn.
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