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Beloved people of God of the Southwestern Texas Synod:
Here we are at the end of a particularly painful and polarizing election season. We as a nation have chosen a president, and many new leaders around the country, and there are those who are rejoicing and those who are weeping today as we look to the future.
As people of faith, here is what we know and trust:
- Jesus is still Lord and promises to bring about the reign of God; it has already broken into our world!
- Jesus is still inviting us, every day, to participate in this reign of God right now with its values of justice, mercy, compassion, love, and inclusion.
- 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 boldly advocate for the marginalized and the oppressed.
- 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.
- We are still called to participate in civic life, holding our leaders accountable to serve the common good.
May we not tire of doing good.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, we lift before you all who have been given permission to govern. May those who hold power understand that it is a trust from you to be used, not for personal glory or profit, but for the service of the people. Drive from us cynicism, selfishness, and corruption; grant in your mercy just and honest government; and give us grace to live together in unity and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Love,
Bishop Sue
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Thank You for Voting! Resources for after the election
Links to training “When we wake up on Wednesday”
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Gather: Austin Featured in Leadership Circle
Gather:Austin was recently featured in the ELCA Leadership Circle Newsletter. Click here to read it!
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Thanksgiving for the Everyday
Celebrating a day of thanksgiving is a gift from wise ancestors. They knew, as we do, the benefits of anticipating and recognizing the good in our lives. It pulls us out of “another day in the ditch,” as good-natured boat staff in the Grand Canyon call their work, to feel awestruck again by the miracles of the everyday.
This year’s Thanksgiving I’ll see my grand nephew, who at 10 is the age where he no longer and not yet again devours life. He mostly savors it. He’s focused and attentive and engages each person with interest, from his youngest cousins to the eldest grandparent. I’ll be grateful for the slow discoveries we make together maybe with his intricate Lego space station or his bruising new sport of skeet shooting.
His 8-year-old cousin is much the same. Maybe I’ll again collect snacks for the old horse outside, and she’ll again ask to go with me, and tell me about her life with him. She believes that old horse believes she’s important. I agree with both of them, and I appreciate their opinions of each other and our time together.
We’ll eat well that day. The cooking assignments are already distributed among the 20 or so of us. And although my sister and I will never win prizes for our dishes, we’ll say a Methodist/Lutheran/Baptist prayer of thanks and appreciate a good meal together.
Those are three things I plan to be grateful for next Thursday, a practice I try to remember daily.
It turns out science confirms that feeling thankful conveys health benefits that lengthen the best parts of our lives. Naming three sources of gratitude for the day produces kindness, warmth, and other forms of generosity, which connect us to God and each other.
Science simply caught up with what we knew instinctively and what the church has long supported: healthy habits include a daily dose of gratitude.
Prayer, physical exercise, kindness, and savoring happy moments round out the daily prescription for good health.
Let us pray:
Creator, Friend, Spirit of Love,
May we see the slices of life worth savoring with You and each other this Thanksgiving and every day.
Amen.
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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Lutheran Men in Mission Ambassador-Gram
Looking for information about Lutheran Men is Mission? Then check out the latest edition of the Ambassador-Gram for news, events, and other announcements. Read it here.
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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
Galilean, Corpus Christi - Pastor
Primary Candidates Named:
Zion, San Antonio - Associate Pastor
Christ, Elm Creek - Pastor
Newly Called:
Shepherd of the Hills, Austin - Pastor Ryan Dockery (from Gulf Coast Synod)
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Of Thanksgiving
Prayers of thanksgiving for a successful ingathering for Lutheran World Relief by the SWT Synod Women of the ELCA!
- Quilts-7,541
- School kits -4,350
- Personal Care kits-2,616
- Baby care kits-773
- Fabric kits-233
2,303 boxes were loaded!
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Of Celebration
Congratulations to Pastor Ann Graham, who was installed as pastor on Sunday, November 3, at Faith Lutheran Church, McDade.
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Of Celebration
Congratulations to the 2024 Grant Recipients (Tiemann Leadership & Transformational) totaling $26,480.
- Renewal & Leadership Development (Retreat for Rostered Leaders)
- Hill Country Conference (Piloting new ways to meet as a Conference)
- Bluebonnet Conference (Small Town & Rural Ministries)
- Parenting in Faith Together (St. Peter, Marble Falls)
- Preaching/Teaching Academy (Cross Trails Ministry/Hill Country Conference)
- Gather, Austin
- Water Stewardship Gratitude Garden (Immanuel, Comfort)
- Southwestern Texas Synod Community Connection Project
- Training for Lay Preachers in the Hill Country Conference
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Advent 2024 Pilgrimage in Palestine
This advent season, join ELCA Sumud and ELCA Young Adults to explore and engage with our responsibility to examine power, empire, and occupation in the fourth annual Advent Pilgrimage in Palestine. Throughout December, young adults from the ELCA & the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) will offer reflection and education about the story of Christmas and the Holy Land. Resources drop on November 22nd!
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ELCA Coaching: Supportive Spaces
Supportive Spaces is a cohort-based program designed to enhance the holistic well-being and effectiveness of church leaders. Participants will engage in a transformative journey, meeting for one hour each week for six (6) weeks. Registration is required, but there is no financial cost to participants. Click here to learn more.
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ELCA Coaching: 3 Free Coaching Sessions
We see you. You are not alone. We are ready to listen. These coaching sessions are for rostered and congregational leaders navigating troubled times and difficult spaces. Click here to learn more.
What to expect:
- Reflect on what happened
- Break through feelings of isolation and helplessness
- Process your grief
- Develop a plan for moving forward
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College of Pastoral Leaders Grant Opportunities
Designed to reinvigorate your vocation, the College of Pastoral Leaders makes two-year, $10,000 grants to small groups of pastors to pursue a self-designed program for renewal, vitality, and pastoral excellence. Gather a small group of clergy colleagues and apply for a grant to fund a self-designed program of renewal. Learn more here.
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Becas Para Renovacion De Lideres Cristianos Latinos / Latinx Clergy Renewal Grants
Como parte del programa CPL, el departamento de Lifelong Learning está ofreciendo tres becas por un monto de $3,500 cada una, para renovación de pastores y lideres de las Iglesias Latinas. Para mayor información, porfavor visite nuestra página aquí.
We offer three one-year grants of $3,500 for the renewal and refreshment of leaders of Latinx churches, particularly for the education, retreat and development of a ministry team. Applications and instructions are available in English and Spanish. Click here for more information.
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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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You are invited to apply for the pilot cohort of the TLGC Leadership Community!
Coming in February 2025: The Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, in partnership with LEAD, is launching The TLGC Leadership Community for curious adults (like you!) who want to: grow as disciples, use their gifts to further serve their neighbors, & learn together in community. Learn more and register here.
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4-Day Mindful Advent Challenge
Before the rush begins, let’s pause together, creating space to breathe, reflect, and draw near to the heart of God. The 4-Day Mindful Advent Challenge offers you a retreat to a sacred space for contemplation through a daily delivery of devotionals straight to your inbox. Starting Monday, December 2nd, you’ll receive a daily email with an art-filled video devotional. Learn more and sign up here.
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Thanksgiving Prayer Honoring Our Ancestors and Native Peoples’ Land
This Land Belongs to No One: A Thanksgiving Prayer Honoring Our Ancestors and Native Peoples' Land by Hila Ratzabi is intended to be said at the beginning of a Thanksgiving meal. For many of us, Thanksgiving can be a complicated holiday: on the one hand, we may feel drawn to the nostalgia of family meals and traditions we grew up with, but at the same time, we feel conflicted celebrating a day that for many Native peoples is a day of mourning. This prayer takes its inspiration from the verse in Psalm 24, “The earth is God’s.” Click here to continue reading.
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Job Opportunities
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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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Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest is hiring a Gift Planner, Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod. 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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Advent Reflections on Peace
Monday Evenings - December 2, 9, 16, 23
7pm
Zoom
As we light the candles on our Advent Wreaths, we focus on four core values of our Christian faith: Hope, Peace, Joy, 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 now. This year, we invite you to spend extra time focused 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, in our homes, in our communities and in the world. Join us online via Zoom here.
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Latine Ministry Training
December 12,13, & 14, 2024
5pm-8pm (Thursday & Friday)
9am-12pm (Saturday)
Zoom – in English
You are invited to join a group of learners and practitioners wanting to enhance their cultural and ministry competence to help start or strengthen Latine, Bilingual or Multi-Ethnic worshipping communities. Click here to learn more.
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Equipping the Saints: Flipping the Script
Febuary 1, 2025
8:30am-3:30pm
United Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church and Zoom
Our living Triune God keeps pulling God’s people towards God’s preferred and promised future through many challenges and into the opportunities of our time. This year’s Equipping the Saints event will have two keynote speakers, Rev. Dr. Craig Nessen from Wartburg Seminary and Pastor Jon Anderson from Luther Seminary, who will engage the way we are being invited, encouraged, and sometimes driven by God’s Spirit to shift our ways of doing Church towards a more lay-led and clergy supported approach to mission and ministry in the coming years. This shift will take reimagining, patient listening, many experiments, and open sharing about what we learn to serve better our communities of faith and the communities where God has placed us. Learn more and register here.
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Save the Date for 2025 Synod Assembly
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Abiding Presence Lutheran Church San Antonio
Hybrid option available
Assembly Offering: Cross Trails Ministry in Honor of their 75th Anniversary. More details to come soon!
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