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

September 19, 2017

Synod News

Canceled - Evening with Bishop

It's only the third week since Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc in our synod. Many of our congregations are dealing with damage to their facilities, as well as homes of members, pastors, deacons, and neighbors. You all have been amazing. Many congregations have been sending volunteers in the community and work crews to help with mucking out. Others have been serving as shelters, community centers, and donations centers.

Although we on synod staff have been excited about our fall Evenings with the Bishop, after assessing where we are as congregations, leaders and synod staff post-Harvey, we have decided it best to cancel the Evenings with the Bishop for this fall. Instead, we encourage congregations to continue investing their energy in recovery work and a ministry of presence in their communities and with their members.

Administration

LEAD's Advent Resources Now Available

LEAD's Advent Resources, four contemplative prayer liturgies, accompanied by coloring pages, a free gift available to those who register online.

More information and registration are available on LEAD's website.

Portico Benefits and Health Challenges Information

2017 Live Well Challenge - earn up to $400 wellness dollars for ELCA-Primary members and spouses

Register & Complete Your Health Assessment by November 30 (new extended deadline): Earn $100 each
Save or Implement a Retirement Plan With Your Spouse by November 30: Earn $200 each
Report Your Healthy Change by November 30: Earn $100 each

For more information go to MyPortico and log in.

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2018 ELCA-Primary Health Rates and Benefit Changes Webinar

September 19, 11 - 11:30 am (Central), we'll describe the trends driving 2018 rates and why brand-name prescription drug costs are increasing for most members. Please register to attend online.

Events

Central Houston Conference Gathering

The next meeting of the Central Houston Conference is this Thursday, September 21, noon-1:30 pm at Faith Lutheran in Bellaire (4600 Bellaire Blvd). We will have a guest speaker, Elizabeth Valdez, Lead Organizer for The Metropolitan Organization (TMO).

500th Reformation Event:

Lutheran-Catholic Symposium

At this significant milestone in the history of the church - the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation - what does it all mean for us?

Lutheran and Catholic pastors and academics, including Bishop Rinehart and Cardinal DiNardo, will speak and converse at St. Thomas University on September 23.

Date: September 23, 2017

Time: 9:00am-3:00pm

Location:

University of St. Thomas

Jerabeck Center, Scanlan Room

4000 Mt. Vernon St

Houston TX 77006

Cost: Free and Open to the public

More information and Registration

LSPS Course Dates - Hispanic Ministry Intensives

Spanish Language and Hispanic Ministry Intensive (LS094A)

May 27-June 1, 2018
This course is a Level I Intensive that focuses on study of the Spanish language and Hispanic culture.
More information and registration

Building Congregational Capacity for Hispanic Ministry (Level II Intensive)

June 10-15, 2018
This new Level II Intensive is designed for congregational leaders in those congregations where consideration is being given to starting Hispanic Ministry in their community.
More information and registration

Justice

Disaster and Hunger

"Disasters are a leading cause of hunger, affecting all aspects of food security: economic and physical access to food, availability and stability of supplies, and nutrition," according to the World Food Programme.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that as much as 25 percent of the damage and economic losses caused by disasters in developing countries falls on the agriculture sector - a huge problem when we consider the sheer number of people dependent on agriculture worldwide.

To support hunger relief, along with other important needs and disaster response, for both Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, you can give to Lutheran Disaster Response's Hurricane Relief fund.

Children & Youth

ELCA Youth Gathering Registration Is Open

Registration for the ELCA 2018 Youth Gathering is open.

As we get ready for registration to open in a few days, you can watch this Gathering video, and d ownload Getting Ready Resources, and learn more at the Gathering site.

Gathering Getting Ready Curriculum

The Gathering's Getting Ready resource has been created for your use by a group of dedicated youth ministers who, like you, are committed to making the experience of the Gathering fulfilling and Christ-centered. The resource is a youth ministry curriculum ramping up for the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering. Read more.

Attend the Extravaganza

T h e Extravaganza is a continuing education event offered by the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, and this year it is right here in Houston, January 2018.

Theme: Finding Forward

Dates:

Intensive Courses - January 25-26, 2018

Main Event - January 26-29, 2018

Location: Houston, TX

More information on theme, speakers and courses can be found at the Extravaganza 2018 page.

Job Opening

Director of Handbells

Kinsmen is looking for a part-time director of handbells, whose primary responsibility is to use handbell music to lead others in worship and lead two adult handbell choirs and one youth handbell choir in faith and fellowship. This position is supervised by the senior pastor. Interested candidates should contact Pastor Beth Warpmaeker.

Churchwide News

LSTC Fall Ministry Discernment Events

How is God Calling You Into the World?

Have you ever wondered about Public Ministry? Or Seminary? Or both?

Come visit the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and find out for yourself what life is like as a seminarian!

LSTC has two events this Fall: