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
November 26 , 2019
Synod News SynodNews
What helps preachers find joy and sustainability in their preaching life?
In "Craft an Effective Sermon by Friday," Dr. Lisa Cressman will present a process which feeds the preacher and approaches sermon prep as a spiritual practice rather than a task to be completed. Based on lectio divina, this practice promotes creativity and can be adapted (regardless of text of lectionary). 

When: Tuesday January 14, 2020 9 am - 12 pm
Where: Memorial Drive Lutheran Church 
12211 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77024
Cost: $25.00
Learn more about Dr. Cressman at  https://www.backstorypreaching.com/
Events events
GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world on December 3, 2019 and every day.

It was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.
  The Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston and 1st Unitarian Universalist Church invite people of all faiths to a panel discussion on faith and climate change. The panelists are clergy representing different faiths and each will engage this topic from the perspective of their faith.

Sunday, Dec. 8, 1:30 p.m. at the  1st Unitarian Universalist Church, 5200 Fannin St. in Houston. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions on this event.
ELCA Caring for God's Creation Today: Pass It On!"
The ELCA is responding as stewards of God's good creation, and we need more #CreationCareAmbassadors to spread enthusiasm and information and to help strengthen our response. The moment is now. The opportunities are many. The resources exist and are expanding. 

Weds., Dec. 11, 2:30 p.m.  Learn about what's happening and how you can make a difference, through this webinar hosted by ELCA Advocacy and our ecumenical collaborator, Blessed Tomorrow. Find registration information in the November Update of the blog at www.elca.org/advocacy.
Via de Cristo Clergy Retreat!
The Texas Gulf Coast Via de Cristo secretariat will host its first Clergy Experience Retreat at Cedarbrake Retreat Center in Belton, TX 

February 10th - February 13th, 2020. 

Via de Cristo is lay-led. It's the "Lutheran" version of Walk To Emmaus, ACTS, Cursillo, Tres Dias, Kairos, and other retreats focusing on spiritual renewal. It is a ministry within the Lutheran Church whose intention is to renew and strengthen Christian faith. Those attending discover a new awareness of living in the overflowing abundance of God's grace. The retreat is designed to provide a method for your congregants to develop effective lay leadership within your home church. Strengths are identified through study, worship, and fellowship in an intensely joyful and uplifting experience. 

Contact registrar Martha Steele  marthansteele18@gmail.com  or 
Tracy Baker  joyfulnoisetlb@gmail.com .
Justice Justice
European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice
The European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice involves European descent members of the ELCA and partners of other ethnicities in being a visible and active anti-racist witness for a multicultural church.

The association exists to help dismantle racism, white privilege and white power by:
  • Working together with all of the ELCA ethnic associations
  • Claiming the biblical identity of one family created in God's image
  • Educating about racism, systemic oppression and structural privilege
  • Collaborating on becoming an anti-racist, inclusive, multicultural church
  • Deepening relationships throughout the diverse cultural and ethnic identities in the ELCA and its partners
  • Modeling and welcoming multi-ethnic leadership throughout the church
Grounded in God's love and forgiveness, and with a spirit of repentance, we face the realities in the church and society that divide, exclude and oppress some people and not others. The European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice offers itself to the Holy Spirit, that the gospel might move and guide us to help shape a church in which "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).

For more information
Youth & Children youth
ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM)
The ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program invites ELCA young adults ages 21-29 into a transformative, year-long journey in international service. As they offer themselves in service, ELCA young adults are shaped by the witness of our global neighbors. They share in the journeys of companion churches and organizations in one of nine countries around the world.

A year of service through the Young Adults in Global Mission program invites young adults to become the hands and feet of Jesus in the world, providing critical support to ministries and projects in communities of need. It also invites volunteers into a journey of self-reflection, providing space to consider their sense of identity, God's work in the world, and their place within it all.

Young adults serve in the spirit of accompaniment, walking alongside global companions in a manner that practices mutuality, interdependence and solidarity. Areas of service include, but are not limited to, health and development, congregational ministry, human rights, education, homelessness, addiction recovery, women's issues and children and youth. All site placements provide opportunities for young adults to confront issues of wealth and poverty, racial privilege, economic disparity and globalization, all through the lens of faith.

Don't wait - spread the word now! The priority deadline is Jan. 15, 2020. Applications will be open until Feb. 15, 2020.

Job Openings  jobopenings

ELCA News elcanews
 
In this Issue

Prayer

Give thanks that - despite war, conflict, hunger, poverty, suffering, illness and injustice - "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Pray that we will be emboldened by this grace-filled promise and reality to help and strengthen our neighbors in every situation and corner of the world.
 
This prayer is found on
https://www.livinglutheran.org Prayer Ventures: Nov 26

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