Share Your Mientras Tantos Story
As we mentioned at our assembly last weekend, there are mientras tanto/meanwhile stories of God’s activity all over our synod. We’d love to hear and share your story of God at work in/through you and your congregation.
If you have a story to share, please email us at info@swtsynod.org and our “roving reporter”, Jamie Stark, will interview you and share your story with the wider synod. We look forward to hearing from you!
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So close!
The 2023 Synod Assembly Offering, impacting ministries through the Evangelical Mission Endowment Fund, is off to a great start. We're up to 83 individuals!
Remember, two challenge gifts inspire giving.
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The first $50,000 given through congregations will be matched, dollar for dollar. So far, over $25,000 has been received! If your congregation has not had a chance to give a gift, it's not too late. It'll be matched!
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When 100 people give a gift of any size directly to the Southwestern Texas Synod, a special gift of $25,000 will be released. Only 17 to go!
Now is the time to give. You may give online or by mailing a check to the Synod Office at 1090 Oestreich Dr., Seguin, TX 78155. Please make checks payable to Southwestern Texas Synod and write Assembly Offering on the memo line.
“The Evangelical Mission Endowment Fund gives us the opportunity to really experiment with new ways of being church together.”
– Bishop Sue Briner
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Deacon Darcy Mittelstaedt Appointed
as Staff Liaison for Candidacy Committee
Effective June 1, Deacon Darcy Mittelstaedt is appointed as the Office of the Bishop Staff Liaison for the Candidacy Committee. Pastor Judith Spindt is stepping down from that role but will remain as a member of the candidacy committee. We are grateful for her service. Deacon John Dellis remains as chair of the Committee.
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Bishop Sue’s Sabbatical May 21st – July 9th
Bishop Sue will be on the final part of her sabbatical beginning Sunday, May 21st and concluding Sunday July 9th. She will be back in the office on July 10th. During that time she will be traveling, reading, spending time with family and friends and planning for the coming year. During this time, her email will be monitored by Deacon Darcy Mittelstaedt, Bishop’s Associate, and Pastor Chris Steubing, Bishop’s Associate and Director of Evangelical Mission, will jointly be tending to “what comes in” to the Bishop’s Office that can’t wait until Bishop Sue’s return with the support of the other staff members. Please keep her and the staff in your prayers during this time, and we ask that if you have something that can wait until her return, that you not overburden the staff.
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May 24 Service of Lament for Victims of Gun Violence
San Antonio, TX
Join us at the one-year anniversary of the school shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, TX to remember the people killed in this act and in other acts of gun violence. You are invited to stop by the MacArthur Park Chapel between 7am-9am for self-guided prayer and meditation and/or join us for a short English-Spanish service at 6:30pm in the Meditation Garden (outside by the bell in the MacArthur Park Lutheran Church parking lot). Please refer to the visual announcement for more details.
Address: MacArthur Park Lutheran Church, 2903 Nacogdoches Rd, San Antonio, TX 78217
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Donate a Van!
Iglesia Luterana San Lucas and Eagle Pass Frontera Ministries are looking for a new or used 12-passenger van to replace their old van and support their growing ministry needs. The van will improve their capacity to:
- Pick up and distribute food donations to Eagle Pass residents
- Transport migrants in need of shelter and medical services
- Distribute donations to direct service partners that support asylum-seekers
Please make sure the van has the following:
- Working a/c
- Interiors in good condition
- Current title
- Motor and transmission in optimal condition
We are working to develop Eagle Pass Frontera Ministries’ communications. If you’d like to receive regular updates on the ministry from the ministry itself, please fill out this form.
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ELCA Truth & Healing Movement: Indian 101
June 1, 2023
10 am - 12 pm CST
Presented by Vance Blackfox
The general population knows very little about the Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island. Even the most basic topics are often grand mysteries. This is by design; for centuries the colonial project has prioritized the complete erasure of Native people. “Indian 101” explains some of these basics to build a foundation for students to stand in solidarity with Indian people across the United States as we work together to dismantle longstanding systems of oppression.
No pre-registration is required to participate. Just click here to attend.
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Cross Trails Ministry 25th Anniversary & Summer Staff Commissioning Picnic
June 10, 2023
10 am - 2 pm
Camp Crysalis
Mark Your Calendars & Save the Date!
We are kicking off the summer by celebrating 25 years of camping ministry as Cross Trails and by commissioning our summer staff. We want you to Join us!
Registration closes June 5th.
Once you are logged in, click on Retreats 2023.
Scroll to the bottom and click on our Picnic event to register.
Make sure to include ALL participants and follow the prompts until you can click submit to be reserved for the picnic.
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Emanuel Nine Commemoration
On June 17, 2015, a shooting occurred at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina which claimed the lives of nine. This event, perpetrated by an ELCA Lutheran on an African Methodist Episcopal Church, is something we seek to recognize annually, not on our own but with our local AME communities as an act of remembering and reconciliation.
We will gather on June 18th at 3:30 pm in San Antonio, at Emmanuel AME Church for a service of prayer. All are welcome to come remember the loss and build relationships with our AME siblings in Christ.
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Holy Land Trip
January 14-25, 2024
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Join with Bishop Sue and others from around the synod on our Living Stones Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We will renew our baptismal vows in the Jordan River, explore holy sites, learn from local guides and leaders, and connect with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.
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Annual Congregation Report Online System Closes May 31
The ELCA churchwide organization will close the online system for filing Forms A and C on Wednesday, May 31.
These forms should be submitted electronically before 5:00 pm CST on May 31 to be included in the 2022 ELCA statistics and synod reports.
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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 lisa.diana1968@gmail.com for more information. Thank you.
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Gather:Austin
Gather:Austin is a small group for young adults (folks in their 20s-30s) who gather for food, fellowship, and faith formation on the first Thursday of each month.
Gather meets at 7 pm on the big deck outside of the cafe at Central Market (4001 North Lamar). This is a group for young adults, led by young adults, and focused on creating connections with young adults throughout the Austin area. Gather is a networked community, and welcomes all people across race, faith background, gender, sexuality, and perspective.
For more information about Gather:Austin, check out our website. You can follow Gather on Instagram as well (@gather_austin) and reach a Gather leader via email at gatheraustin@gmail.com.
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Job Opportunities
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Triumphant Love, Austin hiring Children's Ministry Coordinator. Contact tllcjobs@tllc.org
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Resources, Webinars, & Calendar |
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