Synod News  |
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Register for Synod Assembly
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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
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Administration
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2019 Tri-Synodical Coordinator and Location Announced
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The new TSTC Program Coordinator is Rozella White. Rozella is a speaker/leader/coach who is working with LEAD.
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God's Work, Our Hands Sunday - September 9
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"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.
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Does your church library need a post-Harvey boost?
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Debbie Scott, the librarian at St. Martin's in Sugar Land, brings good news. She belongs to an ecumenical group of congregational librarians in the Houston area. Some of these are very large churches who are well-equipped to help church libraries that may have been flooded during Harvey.
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New Book for Church Leaders: Faithful Metrics
Faithful Metrics is a field guide for leaders who want to do more than talk about a path forward. We can surface and name the tendencies and biases we have as a group while we reflect on our language and what we mean by it. We can ask new questions. We can set metrics that are both faithful and freeing as we consider ways to empower our community to be revitalized. Learn more.
LEAD Value Cards
 A 52-card set designed to help you identify shared values.
LEAD Values Cards provide a fun, engaging way to help any group begin the conversation about what values are most important to them.
The LEAD Team has used these cards with congregations of every size and shape. Some already had a defined purpose and values, and some were just starting the process. We have also used these with small groups within a congregation, with non-congregational ministries - and even with our families!
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| Events |
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Local Leaders Day at ELCA Mission Training in Houston
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Who: Pastors, Deacons, Congregational Councils,
Stewardship Teams, and other local leaders
When: Friday, February 23, 8:15am-5:15pm
12100 Champion Forest Dr
Houston, TX 77006
Cost: $15 per person to cover cost of lunch and material
The Domestic Mission Unit of the ELCA provides leadership training twice a year for pastors, deacons and other leaders of new church starts, specialized ministries, and redeveloping congregations.
As a gift to our synod for hosting the training in February, the Friday of the event will be open to any and all interested leaders from local congregations to participate in the various workshops that are offered. The workshops highlight resources that assist congregations and leaders in growing health, vital ministries. Bishop Mike Rinehart will be one of the workshop leaders.
Please register by Friday, February 16.
For more information contact synod Mission Catalyst Chris Markert.
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Financial Peace University at Hosanna Lutheran, Mandeville
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Justice
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Women and Justice: ELCA Action
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In 2009, the Churchwide Assembly authorized the development of a social statement on women and justice. The ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ has been at work since 2012 and brought the work to a crucial stage: On November 15, 2017, it released the Draft of a Social Statement on Women and Justice. The comment period on the Draft is open until September 30, 2018.
The Draft, along with an FAQ, overview, brochure and information about how to participate in the comment period can be found
here.
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Act Now: United to end racism - Rally in DC, April 3-5
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On April 4, there will be an Act Now: Unite to End Racism Rally on the National Mall in Washington, DC,
sponsored by the National Council of Churches, the Conference of National Black Churches, the African American Clergy Network, and Sojourners.
On the evening of April 3, there will be a worship service at St. Sophia's Greek Orthodox Cathedral. At 7:30 am on the morning of April 4, there will be an interfaith service at the Lincoln Memorial. The rally will begin on the National Mall at noon. On the evening of April 4 there will be a time of commitment at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
And on April 5, there will be a national day of advocacy on Capitol Hill.
Please mark these dates on your calendar and plan to join in this sacred mission to end racism and to honor the life, legacy, and ministry of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Children & Youth
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| 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.
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| Churchwide News |
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Lutheran World Relief Lent Resources and Eco-Palms
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Walk with Lutheran World Relief during the season of Lent and announce to the world that the hope of Christ makes a new season possible: a Season of Hope. Visit lwr.org/lent for resources including a special homily series and step-by-step Personal Care Kit assembly instructions. This Lent, energize congregations for global good!
On Palm Sunday, wave palms and deliver hope for the hands that harvested them with Eco-Palms! Starting January 18, visit lwr.org/palms or call 651.487.7189 to place your order.
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Prayers
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Prayers for the Parkland community in Florida, and the work the Synod of Florida-Bahamas as they pray, comfort, and support their community.
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February 23
March 27
Synod Chrism Mass
11:00am
April 3 - 19
April 22
May 17-19
TLGCS Assembly
June 24-27
June 24-27
June 27-July 1
September 9
January 28-30, 2019
Tri-Synodical Theological Conference
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LEAD: Living every day as disciples
LEAD is a Christian leadership development organization that is nurtured by this synod to be a gift
to the whole church.
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Stay Connected
12941 I-45 North Freeway
Suite 210
Houston, TX 77060
281.873.5665
Office Phone
281.875.4716
Fax
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Announcements are published for two weeks based on relevance and
at the discretion of the
Director of Communications.
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Send this e-mail to a friend to
Gulf Coast General: News and announcements around the synod
Gulf Coast Leaders: Information targeted to pastors and other congregational leaders, includes Bishop's devotional message
LEAD: Resources and news for youth, young adults, lay, and rostered leaders
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