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Beloved people of God of the Southwestern Texas Synod:
Here we are, on November 6th, 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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SCAM ALERT
It's that time of year again, when scammers start increasing their targeting of churches and church organizations. Please be vigilant with any emails or texts you get that may seem suspicious. Pastors and Synod staff will never personally ask for money or gift cards. Please delete any such emails or texts, and don't reply back or click on any links contained within the message.
For more information from the FCC on these types of messages,
please click the link below.
How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams - FCC
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Thank You for Voting! Resources for after the election
Wednesday, November 6
Links to training “When we wake up on Wednesday”
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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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Austin’s Shepherd of the Hills Project - Baby Care Kits and Tea for Tots to Support Lutheran World Relief
What started as a suggested idea for the Developing Mission Team 5 years ago has now morphed into 2 events at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Congregation under the leadership of lay leader, Kathy Gerharft, that involve Christian people of faith both at SOTH and in our community and help those who are in need of help.
The two projects are:
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Baby Care Kits – On September 8, God’s Work Our Hands day, dozens of Shepherd of the Hills Members assembled 250 Kits (clothing, blankets and diapers and more gathered in one tidy bundle) for Lutheran World Relief to distribute worldwide to families in areas of poverty, natural disaster, conflict, or other critical situations.
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(Image: The entire congregation gathers to assemble the Baby Care Kits via assembly line.) | |
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Tea for Tots – As the popularity of Baby Care Kits assembly increased, Kathy, with the help of Alison Cannon and Betty Lueders created a unique way to promote and fund the kits. This past June over 100 women attended the Tea and raised over $7,500 (and
$5,800 in private donations) in 1-1/2 hours through donations, raffle ticket purchases, and bidding on silent auction items to purchase supplies for the Baby Care Kits.
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(Image: Tea For Tots Luncheon where Barbara Hampton was honored as ShepHills’ first Woman of the Year for her service to others through Meals on Wheels, Prayer Shawl, Quilting, and Bread for All (as well as Friday night happy hours.) | |
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We interviewed Kathy to hear her challenges, joys, hopes and inspiration of lay leaders living out their faith together.
Kathy, what was your greatest challenge?
“The first year we assembled 100 kits. As the project grew, I had to find ways to improve the costs, volunteer support and efficiency of kit assembly.” Originally, Kathy set up a crib in the church and volunteers were asked to bring one kit item per month until all supplies were gathered.
The next year Kathy decided to simplify the project and asked for donations from individuals and Thrivent. That helped improve the number of kits assembled, however the project still needed tweaking because of cost increases.
Here is where Kathy became inventive. She shopped deals at stores going out of business and she took a part time job at Old Navy, to stock up on sale items and use her employee discount. “There is a lot of prep work before the assembly too. Originally, a few people met to remove tags and packaging and count everything. We now have a full-time volunteer, Dawn Paulson that has taken over this job.”
How did you experience lay leaders living out their life of faith through this project?
“In my early life, I worked in the travel industry. I became interested in people and their cultures around the world. This project was an extension of that work and a way to live out my faith in a different way. Being in the travel business also helped me see the world beyond my local home turf. The Baby Care Kits were a way for me to help those in need in other countries.”
As the Kits grew and the Tea for Tots was a spark of an idea, Kathy knew she needed the gifts of others to make the project successful. Alsion Cannon, Advertising Creative Director, designed the invitations and programs, among many other creative things to make the tea a special event. Betty Lueders, a hostess extraordinaire, was our adviser. Karen Flint is the “connector” of the congregation and invited to “influence” others to attend, recruit table hostesses and the wait staff (the women’s spouses). The hostesses used their gifts of hospitality and creativity by bringing their own china dishes for each table's unique look. They washed their dishes at home after the event to make set up and clean-up easier.
Mary McCaulay and her daughters Erin Johnson and Heather Wykrendt solicited donations for the raffle and silent auction. A generous ShepHills couple donated popular silent auction items that helped us raise money.
Other members of the Developing Missions Team: Pastor Lauren, Norma Smith, Tiffany Stein, Rick Burnight and Linda Roselle along with church staff: Dabney Gomes, Amanda Forseberg, Dave Wegner and Bill Dawson helped in so many ways to make the event happen.
Kathy soon learned the joy of asking for help because it made the job easier and a community was formed around a fun and useful project.
What is your greatest joy and hope you discovered because of these events?
I realized how many people are in need, especially after a disaster. It is during those times that anyone would need essential items to simply live, especially a vulnerable newborn baby. So why wouldn’t you want to give this gift of life to a baby so they can begin life with love. It is also a fun thing to do with your church community and God’s love is seen through these kits and relationships.
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
Christ, Elm Creek
Interviewing:
St. John, Marion - Pastor
First English, Austin - Pastor
Galilean, Corpus Christi - Pastor
Primary Candidates Named:
Zion, San Antonio - Associate Pastor
Newly Called:
Shepherd of the Hills, Austin - Pastor Ryan Dockery (from Gulf Coast Synod)
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Prayers for Healing
Pastor Rosemarie Doucette, who is hospitalized with multiple health issues.
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Of Farewell and Thanksgiving
Godspeed and Thank you to Pastor Ricardo Jimenez Reyes who served MacArthur Park Lutheran and Iglesia Luterana San Pablo, San Antonio for the past several years.
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Of Farewell and Thanksgiving
Godspeed and Thank you to Pastor Gary Conklin, who served Faith Lutheran, Beeville, for the past 13 years. He has been called to Our Savior’s Lutheran in McAllen, TX.
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Of Celebration
Congratulations to Deacon Lisa Diana who was installed on Saturday, October 20, at Christ Lutheran Church, San Antonio as Minister for Mission and Outreach.
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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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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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Crafting Your Post-Election Sermon
Immigration. Healthcare. Money and possessions. Environmental issues. The list of topics of public concern that affect the people in our congregations and communities is long and complex.
It so happens that scripture addresses a myriad of topics that have direct relation to issues we’re facing today. So, by extension, preachers and their congregations can speak to these topics from a biblical perspective.
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Cultivating Ideas Webinar: "Culture Core Concerns"
November 7 at 12 PM
Come learn about the cultural core concerns of different people groups and how creating ministries, content, and programs based on those concerns can help heal the racial divides in our nation and around the world. Click here for the Zoom link.
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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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Understanding Who “Guadalupe” Is
November 16, 2024
9am-12pm
Zoom - in English
The Virgin of Guadalupe and Lutherans - Latine perspective. Click here to learn more.
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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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Living Into a New Story Retreat
January 23-26, 2025
Are you curious about the natual sciences' connection with Christian theology? If so, the Living Into a New Story: A Spirited Assessment of the Christian Story in the Light of Earth-based Wisdom and Today’s Sciences Retreat is for you!
Highlights include an accessible and deeper appreciation for what the natural sciences can teach us about Christian theology; time for journaling, worship, prayer, music and experiences; good food, serene surroundings, stimulating discussions and healing relaxation; and time outdoors on the land. 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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