Around the Synod

Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod

A network of growing, Christ-centered, outwardly-focused congregations

passing the faith to the next generation

Weekly News and Announcements

March 6, 2018

Synod News

Nominations and Resolutions for Synod Assembly

All resolutions for consideration must be submitted by April 14.

There are a number of important leadership opportunities within our synod. If you know of a qualified candidate, who is a person of integrity, passionate about the work of the church, and a voting member of a congregation in our synod, please submit the corresponding nomination online form. All nominations are due by April 14:

At this time, there are no positions up for election with the discipline or consultation committees.

Administration

Register for Synod Assembly

Synod Assembly is May 17-19 , at the Hilton Houston North. We will be focusing on FAITH5 with our speaker Rich Melheim. Rich founded FAITH5 to promote the FAITH5 practices for families (and also used by churches) that help grow in faith in all aspects of our lives. The FAITH5 practices are: Share, Read, Talk, Pray & Bless.

Whether or not you are already using FAITH5 to encourage these Christian practices in your home or church community, this will be an opportunity to learn more about the whys and hows of FAITH5, and share your own experiences.

Early Bird Prices End April 20, Registration Closes May 4.

Register separately for hotel room(s) by April 25 with our group rate - all booking info and group rate codes available on our Synod Assembly page: Schedule, Hotel Info and Registration

LEAD's New Annual Roadmap, Faith Formation Edition

LEAD just added a faith formation edition of the Annual Roadmap on the website. The original congregational version and the new faith formation version are each available individually for $125 or you can get both for $150. Such a deal!

Events

Save the Date: Regional Conference of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians

Calvary Lutheran, in Richland Hills, TX, (Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex) is hosting a regional conference of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians July 19-20. Save the dates, and there will be more information soon!

God's Work, Our Hands Sunday - September 9

"God's work. Our hands." Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA - one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

The suggested date for the 2018 dedicated day of service is Sunday, September 9. Mark your calendars today! If your congregation cannot participate on this date, please consider another day.

Service activities offer an opportunity for us to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ - every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life - flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God's grace.

You work every day to make your community a better place. Let us continue doing this work together in 2018. Read More.

Children & Youth

Kindred Collecting Clear Plastic Bottles for Youth Gathering

KINDRED is one of the service sites for the Youth Gathering this summer and participants are going to make a beautiful piece of public art!

Only thing is....they need the raw materials.

Can you bring every clear plastic bottle you can find between now and then? Bring them from home, get your office involved, or make it a neighborhood thing.

Drop offs are welcome at the KINDRED OFFICE:

2515 Waugh Dr, Houston, TX 77006

Monday-Wednesday, 10am-4pm

Gulf Coast Synod Training for Adult Leaders

The synod's Gathering Synod Coordinator will be holding training for adult leaders. The second training will be held on April 22. Please RSVP with Kristen, if you plan to attend.

April 22
3:00 - 5:00 pm
Kinsmen in Houston

If you would like to receive regular communication from our Gathering Synod Coordinator, please notify Kristen Schulze with the name and email of your congregation's primary adult leader for the Gathering.

Job Openings

Director of Discipleship at Living Word, Katy

Living Word Lutheran Church in Katy is looking for a Director of Discipleship. Read the job description to learn more.

Churchwide News

Bishop Eaton to stand for Presiding Bishop again in 2019

Bishop Eaton was elected as the ELCA's fourth presiding bishop at the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, for a six-year term.

She announced to the Council of Bishops that she will stand again for Presiding Bishop in 2019, at the end of her current term.

Eaton's four emphases for the ELCA are: We are church. We are Lutheran. We are church together. We are church for the sake of the world. These four emphases are fundamental to identifying who the ELCA is.