Synod News  |
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Synod Disaster Response Trailer Ready to Go
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Last week Bishop Mike Rinehart and Pastor Chris Lake updated the registration sticker on the synod disaster trailer (thanks Gretchen Lundquist) and reviewed inventory (thanks Melissa Chaffee). Inventory is posted on the Gulf Coast Leaders Facebook page, or available upon request.
The synod stewards this asset, and Tree of Life lovingly houses it and tends to it (along with their own two disaster trailers). But this is your tool for ministry. It belongs to us all.
We are praying for a year off, after three floods in three years. We hope we will not have to use it. But it's ready to go anywhere if we do.
Mid-August to mid-September is the zone most of our hurricanes have hit. Let's be calmly vigilant and carefully prepared.
August 26, 2017 - Hurricane Harvey
August 28, 2012 - Hurricane Isaac
September 13, 2008 - Hurricane Ike
September 1, 2008 - Hurricane Gustav
September 24, 2005 - Hurricane Rita
August 29, 2005 - Hurricane Katrina
September 8, 1900 - 1900 Galveston Hurricane
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There is a set of 34 Petit and Fritsen Handbells (purchased in 1989) for sale.
They are stored on 2 rolling 59" X 59" wooden racks and need some tender loving care and refurbishing. They are currently located in Spring, TX. If interested please email the Hosanna Lutheran office.
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Administration
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Benefits Annual Enrollment Coming Soon
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Heads up:
Benefits Annual Enrollment season is already approaching. In mid-August, Portico will be emailing you information about 2019 rates, specific dates, and a link to your 2019 Custom Comparison Report. Here's a quick overview:
September - When your organization decides which health benefit option to offer
October - When you enter that selection on EmployerLink
November - When sponsored members make benefit selections on myPortico
One more note:
For most members age 65+, health benefits are changing - driven by the evolving health care landscape and a commitment to the long-term well-being of church workers. Learn more.
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| Events |
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Lutherhill 12th Annual S'mores & Champagne Gala
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Please join Lutherhill Ministries on September 8th, 2018 at the 12th Annual S'mores & Champagne Gala.
The evening celebration begins at 6pm at The Woodlands Resort (new location!) with cocktails and time to socialize and will feature a silent auction, wine wall, trip for 2 raffle and wishing wall.
Following a seated dinner, the night will continue with a live auction as well as dancing to the tunes of The Newsboyz.
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| Bright Stars of Bethlehem Presents The Jerusalem Conference |
Bright Stars of Bethlehem partners to grow hope in Palestine by connecting people in the United States through awareness-raising and fund-raising, to these ministry efforts in the Holy Land. They are hosting a
n event on Thursday, October 11 - Jerusalem: What makes for peace? This is part of the larger Room for Hope Palestinian Festival.
Together, we will identify concrete steps and goals towards advancing the vision of an inclusive, diverse, and equitable Jerusalem.
Featured Speakers include:
Jim Wallis, President of Sojourners
James Zogby, President of Arab American Institute
Dr. Mae Cannon, Executive Director of Christians for Middle East Peace, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb... and more!
Event will be located at the Hilton Ballroom on the University of Houston campus, and event begins at 9:30am. Go to their website for more information and to register.
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Community of Hope Training
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For those who wish to serve the community in a unique and compassionate way, Kinsmen Lutheran Church offers training through their Community of Hope ministry.
As a designated center for Community of Hope International, Kinsmen trains lay people to serve in pastoral care at hospitals, assisted living centers, or anywhere they feel called. Over the course of 14 weeks, the training guides participants through the tenants of Benedictine Spirituality-which center around balance, humility, and hospitality-as well as teaching practical lessons on how to minister to others.
The next Community of Hope training will begin Tuesday, August 21 and continues through November 27 (no class the week of Thanksgiving). Training is open to the community, and the course fee is just $50. An application form is due two weeks prior to the start of class and may be obtained by emailing Lynnae Schatz or calling at 281.444.3127, ext. 43.
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Sunday Evening Conversation on Sustainability
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In August, we welcome Richard Johnson, Director of Sustainability for Rice University for our Sunday Evening Conversation on Creation on August 26, 6pm.
He has been working on sustainability initiatives at Rice since 2004. Their efforts to "green" the campus include such areas as food, transportation, green cleaning, grounds, water, recycling, and buildings. Come find out what you can learn from Rice's work on sustainability over the past 14 years.
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Justice
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World Hunger's Global Farm Challenge
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 The $260,000 collected at the Youth Gathering for World Hunger's Global Farm Challenge was just part of the
yearlong, youth-driven fundraising challenge to support the agriculture-related programs of ELCA World Hunger.
While the ELCA Youth Gathering is over, the challenge continues through 2018. We're halfway to our goal and still need your support! You're invited to participate. Visit the
Resources page to find tools to get your congregation involved.
Thanks to generous friends of the ELCA, your gifts will go even further: All gifts toward the Global Farm Challenge will be matched - dollar for dollar - up to $515,000, so together we can raise more than $1 million this year to create healthier families, stronger economies and a future filled with hope.
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Job Openings
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Contemporary Worship Leader at Lord of Life, The Woodlands
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Lord of Life Lutheran Church is seeking a Worship Leader for our contemporary/praise worship service. The position is part-time, approximately 10-11 hours per week. We seek an individual with experience in contemporary worship, able to play and direct our worship band. This person will lead and teach music in a rehearsal setting, then lead the music in worship on Sunday mornings and needs to able to sing and play at least one instrument.
Learn More.
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Music Director at Christus Victor, League City
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Lead Musician at Covenant, Houston
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Covenant Lutheran is
on a search for a leading musician. We are open to conversation with anyone who is interested in exploring this opportunity to serve. Referrals are welcome. We are taking a flexible approach to filling this position, since we know that skills and approaches vary. A draft job description will follow an initial conversation with Pastor Ele. Please
email Pastor Ele
or call and leave a message at: (281) 698-0681. Thank you.
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Director of Outreach Ministries at Lord of Life, The Woodlands
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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
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Director of Faith Formation at New Hope, Missouri City
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ELCA News
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Introducing Three Sides Podcast
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Three Sides is a monthly podcast featuring stories from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). As a church that believes God is calling us into the world - together, Three Sides will present diverse voices from across the ELCA. Listen to hear share unique stories from across this church.
In the introductory episode, Shanna Crawford, Philip LaDeur and Andrew Steele talk about why they're excited to co-host the ELCA's new podcast. Our hosts also give listeners a sneak peek of the first episode, "Women who lead," which launches in August.
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God's Work, Our Hands Resources
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 As we get ready for God's Work, Our Hands Sunday on
September 9,
here are some resources to help your congregations promote and inform about your projects.
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Prayers
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For those in the path of the Carr wildfires in Northern California, those who have lost family and homes and pets, and those working to stop the fires.
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September 8
6pm
September 9
September 15
September 21-October 2
January 11-22, 2019
January 28-30, 2019
Tri-Synodical Theological Conference
April 23-May 9, 2019
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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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for consideration for our next publication.
Announcements are published for two weeks based on relevance and
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Director of Communications.
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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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