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

April 24, 2018

Synod News

Apply to be a Project Supervisor for the Youth Gathering

We are still in the need for project supervisors for the Youth Gathering. If you are 21 or over and want to be involved in helping put on an amazing Youth Gathering, please consider applying.

After you fill out the application, you will be contacted with a response: Apply Here

Installation of Travis Meier at Peace, College Station

Join Peace Lutheran, College Station, for Travis Meier's installation on Sunday , April 29th at 3pm. There will be a BBQ meal to follow.

Please email Travis with questions about participation in the service if you are a pastor, and to RSVP for the BBQ lunch, so they can make sure there is enough food available. Families are invited to attend with Synod staff and pastors!

Installation of Anthony Chatman at Hosanna, Houston

Hosanna Lutheran, Houston, invites and welcomes all people for the installation of Anthony J. Chatman on Sunday, May 6 th , 2018, 3:30pm .

Come share the blessing at Hosanna Lutheran Church, 16526 Ella Blvd. Houston TX 77090.

There will be a reception following the Installation, refreshments will be provided.

Welcome to Ben Groth!

Redevelopment Pastor for Bethlehem, New Orleans

Ben Groth is thrilled to be called as the Redevelopment Pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in New Orleans, LA. He and his wife Chloe, a violinist and Suzuki Violin teacher, have long dreamed of moving to New Orleans, and are excited to begin this new adventure with their two toddlers in tow.

Ben is coming from Berea, Kentucky, where he served as College Chaplain at Berea College, a college that accepts only students with limited financial resources, and provides free tuition for all students.

Ben will be installed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church-New Orleans on Sunday, July 15 at 3pm. Pastors and deacons are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is green.

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.

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

Confronting Racism Resources

From Bishop Mike:

Racism is power plus prejudice. It takes many forms. There is conscious bigotry, that sees people of color as lesser beings and seeks to exclude, and there is unconscious bias, that wishes well for others, but nevertheless continues to participate in and even support institutional structures that offer privileges to some over others.

Here are some resources on racism to consider. Many thanks to Rozella White and Ele Clay for their assistance.

Events

Inaugural Gershenson Lecture

The Gershenson Lecture series is hosted by Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston. It was established to honor Elliot Gershenson, President Emeritus of Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston. Focusing on topics of religion, ethics, and peace, these lectures have, at their core, the mission of educating, inspiring, and providing a platform for understanding.

For the inaugural lecture, the keynote speaker will be Imam Yahya Hendi, Muslim Chaplain, Georgetown University speaking on "Many Faiths, One Humanity: United for the Common Good."

Date: Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Location: St. Philip Presbyterian Church

4807 San Felipe

Houston, TX 77056

RSVP required - Read more and RSVP

Lutherhill Golf Tournament

Join Lutherhill Ministries at the 17th Annual Golf Tournament on April 27th, 2018 at Longwood Golf Club in Cypress, TX. Bring your usual foursome, rouse a group from church or come solo to support Lutherhill while enjoying a round of golf.

Making Houston a Resilient City

On Sunday, May 6, 4pm, at Congregation Emanu el, there will be a discussion about how our communities, especially h ouses of worship need to participate in building up resilience in facing issues of changing weather patterns, emerging economies and changing consumer preferences and needs.

Jim Blackburn, a Professor in the Practice in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Rice University, will discuss the scope of current problems, some ideas to bring resilience to our community in the future, and the role of houses of worship could play in realizing this future. After Jim's talk, there will be time for Q&A.

Congregation Emanu el is located at 1500 Sunset Blvd.

For more information and registration for this event, please email Lisa Brenskelle.

Installation of Sandra Jones at St. John, Waller

St. John's Lutheran Church, Waller p roudly invites you to join them as they celebrate the installation of their new pastor, The Rev. Sandra Jones.

We will celebrate this blessed occasion with worship, with God's Word, and with Holy Communion. Your presence will make this event a memorable experience for Pastor Sandy and for the congregation.

Sunday, May 6, 2018

3:00pm

1613 Key Street

Waller, TX 77484

Following the service, please join in the reception. Clergy are invited to vest and process (color of the day is white). Clergy will meet in the parlor to vest and begin the procession.

Offerings gathered will benefit the Zion Retreat Center.

Travel to Ethiopia with Acts of Wisdom

Acts of Wisdom is pleased to announce TWO trips to Ethiopia. Registration is now open for the trip that departs September 21st and returns October 2nd. And we are announcing our winter trip January 11-22, 2019.

You can register and find more information on our website. Just click on Travel With Us at the bottom of the home page. Come and meet these wonderful students and help us in delivering school supplies. All trips include some sightseeing as well! It's an experience of a lifetime!

Justice

"Blue Flowers" in the Desert

LWF Regional Program Coordinator Pablo Lo Moro shares impressions from the Country Program in Mauritania:

Tucked in Mauritania's far South East Corner, between the Sahel drylands and the Sahara desert, the Mbera camp is now home to over 53,000 persons. Only four cities in this country surpass Mbera in terms of population. Eking out a living here can be tough for the locals' traditional pastoralist lifestyles, as grazing grounds are limited. To make matters worse, climate change has affected rainfall, which has further reduced the ecosystem's carrying capacity. Despite these challenges, the Mauritanian Government has been exemplary in extending all refugees a warm welcome.

LWF manages Mbera camp on behalf of UNCHR, the UN refugee agency. Together, these two organizations look after the refugees' basic needs, and facilitate the work of other NGOs providing essential services, such as water, sanitation, and education. Learn More About This Work

Job Openings

Director of Outreach Ministries at Lord of Life, The Woodlands

The Director of Outreach Ministries is responsible for the social ministry/philanthropy programs of the congregation, and provides staff services to the Outreach Committee and Outreach ministries of Lord of Life. This position is a salaried, half-time position. Learn More and Apply

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

Report and Recommendations of ELCA Entrance Rite Discernment Group

In 2013, the ELCA Church Council appointed the Entrance Rite Discernment Group to consider the question of entrance rite for the Roster of Ministers of Word and Service and to bring a recommendation to the Church Council for the action by the 2019 Churchwide Assembly. Subsequently the Church Council, responding to memorials offered at the 2016 Churchwide Assembly, also requested that the Entrance Rite Discernment Group provide recommendations on appropriate diaconal symbols and whether the constitutional language on representational principals should be altered.

In March and April of 2018, the Entrance Rite Discernment Group presented its proposed recommendations to the Conference of Bishops and Church Council. With the encouragement of the Church Council, the Entrance Rite Discernment Group is sharing these recommendations with the larger church. The final recommendations of the Entrance Rite Discernment Group will be sent to the Conference of Bishops and Church Council in the fall of 2018.

These recommendations are being shared to inspire conversation and engagement within your contexts (congregations, conferences, synods).

The resources previously shared by the Entrance Rite Discernment Group were formative in the work of the task force and will enrich your conversations.