The Southern District Beacon is published monthly. 
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Send all communications, articles, and pictures to Lisa Miller, Editor, at l.miller@southernlcms.org by the 20th of each month.

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Pastors and Church Leaders, please share this publication with your congregation! If they would like to be added to our email list, have them email me at l.miller@southernlcms.org.

A message from President Johnson

Severe Weather Warning

Please prepare ahead of time before storms or hurricanes enter the gulf. FEMA has a good preparedness list at FEMA.GOV.

Begin now to purchase shelf stable food and water. Make it easy, every time you go to the market pick up one or two extra things to keep on hand for emergencies. Buy an extra case of drinking water, a jar of peanut butter, canned beans, rice, lard or tallow, spam, candles, lighter, and any other dried or canned goods you'd like. You NEED 3 days of food and water for each person, I keep 3 weeks worth on hand and plan to help my neighbors who aren't prepared.

GOOD NEWS!

I continue to get reports from congregation that are growing! Last week a congregation that was in steady decline told me they were bringing in 8 new members, the first in many years. They were also baptizing 2 adults and 5 children! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!! Another congregation brought in 35 new members this past year.  Young men are finding the LCMS online and visiting our congregations. Young families are finding us too. Many have left evangelicalism and found the depth of faith, biblical practice and tradition they crave in our congregations.

Don't ever count God out. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. When the Gospel goes out, it does not come back void. 

I am working on training to provide to congregations and pastors to learn how to create solid, engaging online video content to get the Gospel in the hearts and minds of, especially, young people who won't just come to church. Keep this outreach in your prayers. I desire to see every congregation growing and adding members as the Lord gives the increase.  

Your Servant In Christ's Ministry and Mission,

Rev. Eric Johnson

President, Southern District, LCMS

Email Rev. Paul Ernewein at forgedbyfireservices@gmail.com or

President Eric Johnson at e.johnson@southernlcms.org

Contact Rev. Paul Ernewein at forgedbyfireservices@gmail.com if your church is interested in hosting LERT trainings in 2026!

Life on the Field: A Missionary Spouse Perspective

This Zoom webinar offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at life on the international mission field from the perspective of LCMS missionary spouses. Through a panel discussion with current and formerly deployed spouses, participants hear firsthand insights into topics such as safety, medical care, housing, children’s education, finances and raising a family in another culture. Join us to learn how God equips and cares for missionary families as they serve around the world.

Click here to view this ZOOM webinar

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Elberta, Alabama recently honored Pastor Keith Ringers for forty years of faithful service to their congregation. He was installed as the pastor at St. Mark’s on April 20, 1986. On Saturday, April 18, members, friends, and family enjoyed a wonderful celebration. The parish hall was decorated with beautiful flower arrangements, and a variety of special foods were served. During the celebration, a slide presentation highlighted pictures taken during his four decades of ministry at St. Mark’s. During that time God has richly blessed both pastor and people in their journey of faith together.

St. Paul’s, Cullman, AL gives thanks to God for an exciting opportunity in service and mission as Deaconess Kate Phillips begins a new chapter of ministry.

Deaconess Phillips has been called by the LCMS Board of International Mission to serve as a Regional Care Coordinator based in Santiago, Dominican Republic. In this role, she will provide care and support for missionaries and mission personnel serving throughout the region.

Many within our congregation and school family know Deaconess Phillips through her faithful service at St. Paul’s Lutheran School, where she taught the Upper Grades and invested in the lives of students and families. Through her teaching, encouragement, and care, she has been a blessing to many within our St. Paul’s community.

While she will certainly be missed in her day-to-day role at St. Paul’s, we also rejoice in this opportunity and look forward to supporting her as she continues serving Christ and His people through this important mission work.

We invite you to join us as St. Paul’s has the honor of hosting her installation during the 10:30 AM Divine Service on Sunday, June 7. Please join us as we gather in worship, give thanks for God’s guidance, and ask His blessings upon Deaconess Phillips as she begins this new role.

To learn more about Deaconess Phillips and support her ministry abroad, visit lcms.org/phillips.

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news." Romans 10:15

St. Paul's is excited to welcome Olivia Thoelke to our Church and School!

A recent graduate of Concordia University Irvine, Olivia has been deeply involved in both music and campus life throughout her time there. Her experience includes performing with the Concordia Choir, Symphony Orchestra, Concert Handbells, and several chamber ensembles. Through these opportunities, she traveled extensively and recently performed at Carnegie Hall as principal cellist during a tour in New York City.

Her passion for worship and church music also led her to serve as Chapel Coordinator and Evening Prayer Coordinator, where she helped establish Evening Prayer as an official campus worship opportunity, introducing students to liturgical evening worship services.

Olivia grew up in a musical family alongside her two sisters, and the three enjoyed playing string trios together throughout their childhood. Her family’s journey through Lutheran education has taken them across the country, serving schools and congregations in Illinois, Texas, and now Chicago.

Outside of music, Olivia enjoys baking, cooking, board games, card games, and spending time with friends. While cello was her first musical love, she now especially enjoys playing organ for worship and recreation. She is deeply passionate about liturgy, hymnody, theology, and the beauty of Church worship.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Olivia to the St. Paul’s family! We look forward to the many ways God will work through her gifts and talents in our congregation and school.

After years of faithful study and preparation, five young people at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Cullman stood before the congregation to publicly confess the faith given to them in Baptism on May 3rd. We ask you to join us in praying for these young men and women, that God would strengthen them in their faith and keep them close to Him in the years ahead.

We are pleased to announce that St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cullman will welcome Vicar Daniel Johnson and his wife, Cecily, to our church family through Concordia Seminary, St. Louis's vicarage program.

Vicar Johnson is currently completing his studies at Concordia Seminary and looks forward to growing in pastoral ministry through preaching, teaching, visitation, and serving alongside our congregation.

Originally from a Lutheran family with deep roots in church music and education, Daniel studied music performance before returning to the Church and ultimately pursuing pastoral ministry. Cecily, who grew up in Southern Illinois in a large Lutheran family, is also deeply involved in Lutheran education and music, having taught both choral music and early childhood education.

Together, they enjoy hiking, cooking, reading, arts and crafts, traveling, and exploring new cuisines. Most importantly, they are eager to become part of the life and ministry of St. Paul’s.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Vicar Daniel and Cecily Johnson to St. Paul’s. We pray God’s richest blessings upon their time with us and look forward to the many ways they will serve and grow alongside our congregation.

Summer is just around the corner, and preparations are underway for Vacation Bible School at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church! This year’s theme, “Wake, Awake: Watching for Jesus,” will center around hymns, music, Scripture, and the joy of growing in faith together.

VBS will take place June 1–4, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Children will enjoy a week filled with Bible lessons, music, activities, and fellowship as they learn more about Christ and His promises.

We are also seeking volunteers who would like to share their time, talents, or treasures to help make this ministry a success. If you are interested in serving, please contact parish.ed@stpaulscullman.com.

Registration for VBS is now open. Families may register online at vbsmate.com/StPaulsCullmanAL.

We look forward to welcoming children and families for a wonderful week together at St. Paul’s!

We are thrilled to announce Mrs. Erin Smith as the new Administrator of St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Cullman, AL.

Mrs. Smith’s connection to St. Paul’s runs deep. A graduate of St. Paul’s herself, she attended from Kindergarten through sixth grade and has remained a faithful supporter of the school and its mission throughout the years.

She brings an incredible background in education, leadership, and professional development, including experience as an educator, mentor, instructional leader, and District Partnership Specialist with IXL Learning. Her passion for helping others grow and her heart for Christ-centered education make her uniquely suited for this role.

Today, her connection to St. Paul’s continues as her own daughter, niece, and nephew attend the school, reflecting her family’s trust in the mission and impact of St. Paul’s.

Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Smith back home and keeping her in your prayers as she begins this exciting new chapter of leadership at St. Paul’s.

To learn more about St. Paul’s Lutheran School or enroll for the 2026–2027 school year, visit stpaulscullman.com.

We extend to you our invitation to join us at Trinity Lutheran Church, 105 Luther Way, Dothan, Alabama in celebrating our 75th Anniversary during the weekend of August 1 & 2, 2026.

During the weekend of our 75th Anniversary Celebration, we will be hosting special events. One of those events is a 3-hour training conducted by Rev. Paul Ernewein of Forged by Fire Ministries headquartered in Slidell, LA. This training, to be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, is classroom style. The training is open to all LCMS members and will be held from 10:00am - 2:00pm with lunch included at Trinity Lutheran Church in Dothan, Alabama.

Also, on Saturday, an afternoon Ice Cream Social from 3:00pm - 5:00pm is planned with plenty of fellowship time. We reserved a block of rooms at the Doubletree Hotel, Dothan, for those who may want to overnight and join in our Divine Service of Worship on Sunday, August 2, 2026 at 9:45 am with guest speaker, Rev. Eric Johnson, President of our LCMS Southern District. Plan to join us for lunch after the service followed by a Music Program, Organ Dedication and 75th Anniversary Sunday afternoon Reception.

Please share this information with the members of your church.

TO READ ALL OF THE "TRINITY TIDINGS" NEWSLETTER, CLICK HERE!

LCMS Summer Camp - Register Now!

This summer, campers at Camp Dixie will learn from our summer theme called “Light The Way.” We will learn all about light and dark - how Jesus is the light of the world, but he also tells his followers that WE are the light of the world! Our theme verse is Psalm 119:105. One of the neat connections campers will learn about is how Jesus is the Word incarnate, so of course He is the light! After all, “your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.”

Give your youth another opportunity to grow in the Christian faith and understanding in a powerful way this summer! Some of our age groups are really filling up, but we still have a good number of openings in some age groups. If you or a friend is interested in coming to Camp Dixie this summer, register today at campdixieministries.org!