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A Letter from Bishops of the ELCA to the Church
Beloved in Christ,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), we write to you in this moment of national and global tension with clarity and conviction. Our faith compels us to stand where Jesus stands—with and for those whom society often seeks to exclude, erase, or diminish.
Our shared confession that every person is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) grounds us in the conviction that all people possess inherent dignity. The incarnation of Jesus Christ reveals God’s profound solidarity with humanity—especially with those who are marginalized or oppressed. The gospel we proclaim insists that our neighbor’s need is the occasion for our love and that our public life is shaped by justice, mercy, and a commitment to the common good. Click here to keep reading.
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October is Rostered Minister Appreciation Month
Our rostered ministers pour their hearts into serving, guiding, and walking alongside us in faith. This October, let’s take time to celebrate them with gratitude and encouragement! Start planning now—whether it’s a handwritten note, a special prayer, a thoughtful gift, or a congregational recognition, every gesture makes a difference. Together, let’s show our ministers how deeply we value their dedication and care.
| | Disaster Response Update: Hill Country Floods | | |
Thanks to the amazing generosity of donors across the church and beyond, the Southwestern Texas Synod’s Disaster Fund now currently holds over $173,000. We are actively working to release these funds quickly to support relief and recovery efforts.
So far, we have authorized support for recovery work in:
- Williamson County
- Travis County
- Cross Trails
- Kerr County
We’re also grateful to the ELCA Coaching Network, which is offering free trauma care coaching to anyone in need of care and support. If this is a resource you may be interested in, contact Brother Chris at dem@swtsynod.org.
Knowing that disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity— especially due to the effects of climate change— the synod is now developing a synodwide resiliency and preparedness strategy to equip our congregations and communities before, during, and after disasters.
We will continue to provide updates on how funds are being stewarded in response to this flood as well as the plans for building synod infrastructure and resources for ongoing resiliency-building and disaster preparedness and response. One thing you can do now is to prepare yourself for the next disaster before it strikes:
| | CONGREGATIONS/ROSTERED MINISTERS | | |
In Discernment:
Shepherd King, San Antonio
Hope, San Antonio
Good News, San Antonio
St. James, Ganado
MacArthur Park, San Antonio
Iglesia Luterana San Pablo, San Antonio
St. Peter, Marble Falls
St. Martin’s, Austin (for an Associate Pastor)
Good Shepherd, Bastrop
Transition Team Formed:
Immanuel, Comfort
Christ the Victor, Victoria
Faith, Beeville
Interviewing:
St. Paul, Mason
Christ, Cherry Springs
St. Peter, Ander
Holy Cross, Austin
Called:
St. Paul, Nordheim – Pastor Christine Kirchner, Upper Susquehanna Synod
Abiding Love, Austin – Pastor Sergio Rodriguez, Gulf Coast Synod
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Installation Notice
The Southwestern Texas Synod joyously invites you to the Installation of The Rev. Sergio Rodriguez as Pastor of Abiding Love Lutheran Church in Austin on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
Click to read the full Installation Notice.
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We continue to pray for the search and recovery efforts following the flooding in Texas, for those grieving loss of life and property, and for those who are still waiting for news; for congregations working to provide support and care during the recovery; for Lutheran Disaster Response and Lutheran World Relief; for the ELCA as it prepares for Churchwide Assembly; for all summer camps, and especially for Cross Trails Ministries; for those impacted by the wildfires in the Grand Canyon area. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
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Constitutions 101 Webinar Recording
Did you miss our constitutions webinar or just want to go back and refresh your memory? Watch it now on Youtube or on our website. All congregations should be looking to update their constitutions to come into compliance with the newest model constitution. Questions? Reach out to info@swtsynod.org.
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From Friends of Sumud SWT
Our hearts are heavy as we have marked two years from the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that brought so much suffering to so many, on that day and in the nearly total devastation of Gaza since then that has left it virtually uninhabitable. We pray that attempts to end the immediate violence and bring the hostages home will be fruitful and a first step toward bringing the justice, freedom and human dignity that make for peace.
Even in the midst of seemingly hopeless situations, we are called as Christians to act as prophets for peace and justice. We might feel powerless, but we can tell our Palestinian Christian brothers and sisters there that they are not alone. Here are a few things you can do to play a part:
1) Listen to Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land Pastor Munther Isaac's 15 minute Sermon to the West: Munther Isaac's Sermon to the West
2) ADVENT in the HOLY LAND: Consider engaging your congregation with the ELCJHL during Advent in their 4 Advent devotionals Rooted in Faith and with a new downloadable Children's Christmas book that could be used for weekly children's messages. Access the resources here. Contact Friends of Sumud for help and ideas about using Advent to engage with the Holy Land - (Contact Julie Rowe or Sharon Wiggins)
3) The suffering for Palestine and Israel didn't start October 7, 2023. If you want to delve deeper into the root cause of the problem, watch 1948: Creation and Catastrophe. See historical footage and hear firsthand reports from Israeli fighters from the Haganah and Irgun and Palestinians discuss what happened to make the creation of Israel possible. What was a celebration for Israel was a catastrophe - a "nakba" in Arabic for the Palestinians who lived there.
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Sumud Opportunities
If you want to accompany and learn from our Palestinian Lutheran sisters and brothers from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) this fall, and Advent, here are two opportunities.
1) Sumud is presenting a series of webinars with the ELCJHL this fall. Register for Webinar 2
2) During the Holy Season of Advent, rooted in Bethlehem, consider the ELCA Sumud Advent Series "Rooted in Faith." It will have 4 Adult Devotions and a Sunday School Advent Series Children's Book. It is available on the Sumud Webpage. All resources are in PDF format. There will be an instructional video which introduces these resources available October 15th.
There will also be a Zoom meeting on October 28 to learn about facilitating the series. Although it is targeted to young adults teaching the series, all are welcome.
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Christmas at Sea
Spread holiday cheer among mariners who will spend Christmas away from family and friends. Here are ways you can help:
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Request empty satchels to fill them yourself by contacting Jeni Janis at Seafarers International House.
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Don’t have time? Order items through their Amazon Wish List and we will add a hand knitted hat and/or scarf and a Christmas card.
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Or donate $40 per satchel and SIH will do the rest.
If you are a Thrivent client, you may apply for $250 in seed money through Thrivent Action Teams for your Christmas-at-Sea team.
For detailed instructions or knitting and crochet patterns go to the SIH website.
Return filled satchels by Monday, December 1, to:
Seafarers International House
120 W 14th Street
New York, NY 10011
If you have questions, please contact Jeni of Seafarers International House.
Thank you for caring for seafarers this Christmas and for supporting this holiday initiative of Seafarers International House.
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Project Radical Hospitality RGV Border Experience in November
November 11-14, 2025
People interested in experiencing U.S. immigration in the Rio Grande Valley are cordially invited to attend the RGV Border Experience, November 11-14, 2025. Participants will be able to:
1. Explore the commonalities of their familial migrant history with that of today’s immigrants.
2. Reflect on the push and pull factors that have influenced migration in recent years.
3. Study the intersection of our baptismal promises, Scriptures relating to migration, and rights provided to persons by the U.S. Constitution and legal precedents.
4. Visit Valley individuals and institutions who have and continue to work with immigrants: Border Patrol, Immigration Court, Legal Resource Centers, La Posada Providencia (a long-term shelter for immigrants), Rev. Dr. Javier Alanis, Dr. Luis Torres-Hostos, Sr. Fatima Santiago (Proyecto Desarrollo Humano), Cindy Candia and Jennifer Harbury of Angry Tias and Abuelas, Emma Espino (Eagle Pass Frontera Ministries), Pastor Julio Vasquez (Iglesia Luterana San Pablo) and Texas Impact staff.
5. Propose a personal plan related to their involvement in immigration today.
Click here to learn more.
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Rio Grande Valley Retreat
November 14-16, 2025
Cross Trails Ministry is headed to the Rio Grande Valley! We know the expanse of Texas is big – so for our friends in the Valley, here we come! Spend the weekend with your family and friends enjoying God’s creation. We’ll get to play, sing, worship, study and play some more throughout the weekend. All are welcome! Click here to learn more and register.
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Middle School Gathering
November 14-16, 2025
We will be gathering together at Camp Chrysalis to learn how the church is still reforming and how we are re-formed because of church history and vision. We know that you've brought or sent your congregation's youth to our Middle School events before, and we'd love to see you again this time!
Early bird prices for this retreat will end on October 31st. The deadline to register is Friday, November 7th. Your youth can register by visiting our website here.
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