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 3, 2018

Synod News

2018 Chrism Mass and Offering

Thanks to all who attended the Chrism Mass last Tuesday at St. James. It was a meaningful time of community and prayer during Holy Week.

The offering at the mass, which totaled $363, will go to support the Family Life Center at St. James.

The Family Life Center at St. James serves the northwest Houston community through targeted partnerships, by providing help with Spiritual, Ecumenical, Nutritional, Social and Educational needs.

El Centro de Vida Familiar en St. James sirve a la comunidad al noroeste de Houston a través de sociedades específicas, proporcionando ayuda con las necesidades Espirituales, Ecuménicos, Nutricionales, Sociales y Educativas.

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!

Administration

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.

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

Updated Tax Info from Portico

With tax time coming up, you probably have some tax questions regarding the new tax proposals, pertinent to your members and clergy taxes. Portico has gathered some resources to answer questions for clergy and non-profit giving.

Stay up to date on charitable contributions, new withholding tables, tax brackets, moving expenses, work-related educational expenses, and more with this year's Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches and the Clergy Tax Return Preparation Guide, both by Richard R. Hammar. (You will need a Portico member login to view.) Learn More

Events

Solarize Houston for Houses of Worship

The Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston invites you to learn how you and/or your house of worship can go solar for less through the Solarize Houston program on Sunday, April 8, 2:30-4:00pm at the Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church.

Solarize Houston is a program of the Houston Renewable Energy Group - a group purchasing program for rooftop solar, which achieved discounts of 20% on rooftop solar purchases for participants when it was held in 2016 & 2017. PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing will also be covered.

Please register. For more information, please contact Lisa Brenskelle .

Kinsmen Events for High School Students

Kinsmen Lutheran Church invites local high school students to two special events in April.

First, a Dodgeball Tournament will be held Sunday afternoon, April 8, to lift up the importance of literacy. According to the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation there is one book for every 300 kids in low-income neighborhoods. Dodgeball participants are asked to bring books from a curated list, which will then be given to children in need.

Learn more, view the book list, and register a team here.

Kinsmen will also host a special Financial Peace course designed especially for high school students.

The three-week seminar will be held Wednesday evenings, April 18, 25 and May 2, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. and offers practical wisdom for handling money well. All classes will take place at the church, 12100 Champion Forest Drive in Houston, 77066.

Each evening will include video teaching by Dave Ramsey and his daughter, Rachel Cruze, as well as group discussion. Students will learn things such as:

* How to know what major or career fits you
* How to reduce the need for loans
* How to plan for life after high school with insurance, investing, career choices and giving

The cost to attend this special Financial Peace seminar is just $10, which includes a student workbook. All high school students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Register or learn more here.

LEAD Hosts Faithful Metrics Trainings

So you've read the book...now what?

Join LEAD at a 1-day seminar in your area or online for a series of webinars that will provide you with:

a process for identifying congregational values and purpose
an understanding of why some goals are more important than others
a plan for using stories as metrics

Upcoming seminar on Saturday, April 14, 9am-3pm, at Faith Lutheran, Dickinson. Check out LEAD's Faithful Metrics trainings page for more details and registration.

Peru 2018

Each year we take a group for a cultural, ecclesiastical immersion to Peru, one of our companion synods. This year the trip will be June 7-16 [June 7-12 in Lima. June 13-16 in Cuzco]. The group will be led by Bishop Mike Rinehart.

This trip will enrich your understanding of Peruvian history and relationships with Lutheran Church of Peru. You will pick up some Spanish, see the Andes, and make new friends.

Preparation for the immersion includes an informational gathering on June 3 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. Location TBD.

Trip and airfare cost and information and registration, as well as other details and deadlines are located on our Peru trip page.

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.

More information and registration on the ALCM website.

Justice

ELCA Bishops stand with youth addressing gun violence

Following a school shooting in Florida, the ELCA Conference of Bishops has issued a statement calling for "a deeper conversation about school safety and second amendment rights and responsibilities."

The statement is issued in solidarity with children and youth and supports the March for our Lives , a gun control rally that occurred in Washington, D.C., and other cities worldwide on March 24, 2018. Read More.

Children & Youth

Safe Gatherings Training for Congregations

Safe Gatherings is an online abuse prevention program that screens and educates staff and volunteers to help prevent abuse of children, youth, and vulnerable adults in group settings. When employees and volunteers are trained to identify potential abusers, recognize the signs of abuse, and know how to handle reporting, they are better equipped to prevent abuse.

When using Safe Gatherings, upon successful completion of the application, background and reference checks, and the online training program, each applicant will receive documentation of approval valid for two years, and will have continued access to the online training program for an entire year. Learn More.

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

Daily Prayer with Living Lutheran

Living Lutheran offers the daily ELCA prayer resource Prayer Ventures on their website. If you are looking for a simple resource for daily prayer, find it here.