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Stand with Refugees
Email Your Elected Representatives: Email your elected representatives and urge them to end the funding freeze impacting refugee integration. Email them here.
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Godly Play at Trinity Lutheran in Victoria as Seen through the Parable of the Mustard Seed
I had the pleasure of visiting with Pastor Ildiko Rigney, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Victoria about the beginnings of the Godly Play ministry at Trinity. I couldn’t help but notice the obvious connection between the new ministry and one of the Godly Play stories, the Parable of the Mustard Seed.
Before reading further, I encourage you to watch this 8.5 minute Godly Play - Parable of the Mustard Seed to remind you of the parable and give you a better understanding of how Godly Play stories are told, using props, play and wondering. This parable is a powerful story of faith when something as small as a mustard seed has the potential to grow into something larger, especially when referring to the Kingdom of God.
Now that you remember the story, let me begin by saying the seed of the Trinity story was planted at United Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Shiner. Their ministry started small with a wondering question from the former pastor, Elaine Gomulka. Her question was, how do we share Bible stories with children. The ministry of Godly Play was formed, and the idea took hold and grew under the leadership of Pastor Chris Heinold, the current pastor.
Shiner began telling Godly Play stories monthly. As people listened their ears and hearts were open. The church now nurtures the physical and spiritual lives weekly with hundreds of children both in the congregation and in the community, by sharing a meal and stories. Retelling of the Biblical stories in a creative way, connects the stories of God’s people with their own experiences with God. Many of the original children in the ministry are now grown, but they have matured in faith and leadership, blessing the church and community.
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Now back to Trinity. Pastor Elanie, a friend of Pastor Ildiko, planted the seed of this ministry with Pastor Ildiko, a former teacher and at that time a new pastor at Trinity Lutheran. The congregation knew that the Children and Youth Ministry had “fallen asleep” due to pastoral transition. To awaken the ministry, she planted the idea of creating a Godly Play ministry at Trinity. As a leap of faith, three people from the congregation were approved to attend the training.
Cost often is a stumbling block, and this was no exception as initial startup resources were expensive. The seed was already growing however, so they jumped at the opportunity to apply for a Transformational Synod Grant. They rejoiced at the news of receiving $2,000 to purchase manuals and some of the initial props.
About that time, Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Austin was discerning the future of their congregation. They had a Godly Play ministry at one point, but the resources were now sitting idle. They were approached by Trinity with the idea of purchasing the resources.
As with any beloved ministry, they disliked the idea of giving the Godly Play material away in case they discerned a different use for the resource later. Creative thinking was applied, and they agreed to lend the materials to Trinity Lutheran.
Trinity Members spent a day with members of Holy Cross, Amanda Fuqua and Steve Zimmerman. They told stories about the ministry, packed the materials and joined hands in prayer, giving thanks for the blessings of the ministry at Holy Cross and asking for blessings for the seeds of faith that would be planted in a new city.
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With the resources in hand, Pastor Ildiko introduced Godly Play to Trinity during Lenten Worship. The creative storytelling and wonder questions deeply connected, not only with children but adults as well. In the fall, the congregation will hear the Godly Play stories weekly during the children’s sermon. The children will then move to a dedicated classroom to explore the stories through play and wonder.
Godly Play ends each story with wondering questions. So, I invite you to wonder about the relationship between the story of the mustard seed and the story of Trinity Lutheran.
- I wonder what the name of the person was who planted the tiny seed.
- I wonder was the person happy when the birds started coming to the tree that had grown.
- I wonder were the birds happy to find this tree.
- I wonder where the seed was when it stopped growing.
- I wonder what the person was doing while the tree was growing.
- I wonder if you have ever come close to a tree like this.
- I wonder what this whole place could really be in the story.
- I wonder, could you push the tree back inside the seed?
- I wonder, what new seeds are waiting to grow?
Blessings and thanks to the folks at United Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Shiner for sharing their ideas and for Trinity folks, Kimberlee Wood, the Youth Director at Trinity, Darla Dentler and Pat Rickman who became trained story tellers, because they saw the power of God’s stories to change lives.
Deep gratitude is also given to Holy Cross Lutheran Church for lending the resources assuring that new seeds of faith will be planted. And finally, thanks to Southwestern Texas Synod for approving the grant, easing the financial burden to begin Godly Play ministry.
This is a powerful story of faith! Thanks be to God.
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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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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Installation Notice
The Southwestern Texas Synod joyously invites you to the Installation of The Rev. Fred Klinker as Pastor of Galilean Lutheran Church in Corpus Christi on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
Click to read the full Installation Notice.
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Ordination Notice
Mary Anne Parker will be ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Your presence and prayers are requested. Click here to view the full invitation.
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In Memory of Pastor Steve Youngdahl
Pastor Steve Youngdahl passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025. We remember Pastor Steve's family and friends in our prayers and trust that the promise of the Resurrection is true and sure.
Click to read the full obituary.
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Of Celebration
Congratulations to Harley Windle, who was ordained as Deacon Chaplain at Christi Santa Rosa health system in San Antonio.
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Of Celebration
Congratulations to Pastor Bryan Dziadik-Willingham, who was installed as pastor on Sunday, February 23, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Marion.
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ELCA Mission Support Memo Featuring LuMin
"Imagine a place in the ELCA where you can build community, deepen faith, expand minds, and inspire service with over 11,000 young adults. Where does this happen? In our 176 local campus ministry agencies and cooperating congregations, where we transform the lives of college students and campus communities through God’s abundant grace. ELCA Campus Ministry is carried out through the collaborative efforts of many organizations and individuals: local campus ministry agencies, led by over 200 staff people, synod staff members and campus ministry committees, the Program Director for Campus Ministry and the Young Adult Communities team in the churchwide organization, and the Lutheran campus ministry (LuMin) Network, the association of campus ministry practitioners." Click here to keep reading.
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Crisis Communications Best Practices
The ELCA churchwide organization offers strategic partners who can support synods, congregations or other ELCA-affiliated ministries during a time of crisis.
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For All People, Without Exception
In 2019 the Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA made several proclamations, among them that:
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The love of God is for all people, without exception, and we proclaim it;
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The justice and mercy of God are for all people, without exception, and we proclaim this; …
To live this out, the Office of the Bishop Staff, are studying Dismantle: An Anti-White Supremacy Lenten Devotional so that we are better able to recognize and defend the dignity of all people in the eyes of God. This week, the staff considered the question posed by bell hooks that Rev. Ouji included in the Ash Wednesday devotional,
“How do we … remain in touch with their humanity enough to believe in their capacity to be transformed?”
How does our staff stay in touch with the humanity of others?
- Choosing empathy
- Tuning in to the experiences we share with the other person
- Using the experience of raising children to extend compassion to adults when they’re behavior is out of hand
- Listening – people just want to be heard
- Staying centered
How do you stay in touch with the humanity of others, especially when you feel angry, hurt, or fearful? Email me your answers.
In solidarity,
Hilda
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Job Opportunities
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Bethany Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg is hiring a Preschool Director. Click here to learn more.
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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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Lenten Yoga
Thursdays, March 6 - April 24
6-7 pm
Blue Heart Studio
1031 Northeast Interstate 410 Loop, San Antonio, Texas, 78209
Over the weeks of Lent and into the first week of Easter, participants will engage their bodies, minds, and spirits while contemplating Jesus’s journey to the cross and the resurrection. We will utilize various disciplines including breathing exercises, yoga forms, the repetitive nature of Taizé music and Lectio Divina. Learn more and register here. The series registration will be on the bottom of the page.
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