A Network Of Growing, Christ-centered, Outwardly-focused, Faith-Growing Communities For the Sake of the World. |
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Weekly News And Announcements | April 26, 2021 |
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Synod Assembly | May 21-22, 2021 |
We need your help. Our constitution, not designed for a pandemic, requires 176 for a quorum, so we need to have 200 registered to be safe. This year assembly planners have trimmed business down quite a bit.
The agenda has lots of breaks built in to eat, drink, walk, rest, or whatever. Business will fit into a short day Friday and hopefully done by lunch on Saturday.
But we need a quorum! If every congregation registers their pastor/deacon and two lay people that would be 300! But it's COVID. Because the Gulf Coast Synod didn't hold assembly last year, we really need to elect some folks this year, we have a budget to pass, and more.
So please register this week. Registration costs 1/3 of what it normally costs, and you have no travel expenses.
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Open Doors Application | ELCA Grant
Beginning April 21, your congregation is invited to apply for an Open Doors grant. Open Doors is a new initiative to support ELCA congregations interested in meeting new people during this time of re-gathering in physical spaces. Together as the ELCA, we share a ministry goal of connecting with a million new people and activating our communities so that more people may know the way of Jesus. If you have a concrete, actionable idea for meeting new people during this critical time, you might be eligible for an Open Doors grant.
If your congregation is selected for an Open Doors grant, you will receive a one-time, set payment, anticipated in the range of $1,500 - $2,500, to help implement your ministry idea. Because there is no set of “best practices” for how to meet new people following a global pandemic, all applications will proceed through a basic eligibility process, and then be awarded by random selection.
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Emergency Winter Freeze Appeal |
If one member suffers, all suffer together with it. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:26a |
Gethsemane, Chalmette
A family in St. Bernard Parish, where Gethsemane is located, had to use a space heater during the extreme cold from the winter freeze to keep warm. The space heater caused a house fire (see photo) and the family lost everything. The church raised money to help the family replace immediate needs like food and clothing.
In addition, Gethsemane hosts a food pantry. They have seen an increased demand due to people losing electricity and thus all the food in their refrigerators and freezers. The Disaster Team awarded a grant from the Emergency Winter Freeze Appeal to Gethsemane.
Thank you for helping your neighbors in need!
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ELCA World Hunger Daily Bread Matching Grants |
A new round of Daily Bread Matching Grants launches soon! ELCA congregations interested in raising funds for their feeding ministry through ELCA World Hunger’s online platform, matched with a $500 grant, can register and apply in ELCA GrantMaker starting Monday, April 26th. Registration will be open through May 1, 2021 and the application will close May 7, 2021. Congregations approved to participate will raise funds for their ministry online from June 5 – June 20, 2021 and will be eligible for a special opportunity to explore goals for their ministry with an ELCA Coach.
For details on the grants and eligibility requirements, visit elca.org/dailybread. There are a limited number of grants available on a first-come, first-served basis, so interested congregations should apply as soon as they are able. Congregations that have previously received a Daily Bread Matching Grant are not eligible to re-apply at this time.
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Give thanks to God for the generosity and commitment across our church as it supports and funds global mission programs and accompanies companions in 45 countries through missionaries, companion church grants, the International Leaders Program and other programs. |
May 21-22, 2021
Join us online for our first Digital Assembly
Registration
Voting Members, Exhibitors and Visitors- $100
Tentative Agenda, Speakers and Churchwide Representative Information is available.
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FEMA - COVID19 Funeral Assistance |
Effective as of April 12th, FEMA has opened the application process for funeral assistance for COVID related deaths. This will be provided under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.
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ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants
Registration for Domestic Hunger Grants is underway. Ministries can apply starting April 19, 2021 until May 21, 2021. ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants accompany congregations and their partners throughout the United States and Caribbean as they draw on the strengths of communities to address local issues such as food security, clean water, housing, job readiness, human rights, policy change, leadership development and more. Together, these ministries are part of a comprehensive approach to breaking the cycle of poverty and hunger — for good. Grants are available for up to $10,000 a year for up to three years. More information about the grants and how to apply is available at ELCA.org/domestichungergrants. |
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Lutheran Men In Mission | Monthly Ambassador-Gram |
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Click here to read the monthly Ambassador-Gram.
The Ambassador-Gram is a periodic communication that features a Lutheran Men in Mission ministry area and reminders of upcoming events. Read Past issues or contact your LMM Synod Ambassador. -Randy Bratsven, for more information.
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Getting to know Houston's Asian Community | AJC Houston |
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May 13, 2021 at 6 p.m.
May was chosen as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPIs) have a long and rich heritage of involvement in the history of the United States and in Houston. The focus of this Town Hall is to learn about the diverse Asian community and their role in helping shape Houston.
To find out more about the event, email AJC.
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Do you have News or Announcements to Share? |
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Please submit them to the synod office for consideration for our next publication.
Announcements are published for two weeks based on relevance
and at the discretion of the synod staff.
Don't forget to include a picture or logo!
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#ELCAChurchTogetherResources |
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COVID-19 Resources to help leaders and members stay connected and resilient during COVID-19 are available from the ELCA. Many resources on this page are also available in Spanish.
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Always read the subject line and email source in the FROM line, before opening such emails. If you aren't sure, reach out to whomever appeared to write the email and simply ask if they sent it.
Bishop Rinehart or the Synod Staff will never contact you directly via email to ask you to send money to them personally. Please do not send money anywhere else on our behalf.
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The synod staff continue working out of our homes and limiting non-essential travel and face-to-face meetings. However, we are still reachable:
- The synod office phone number (281-873-5665)
- Individual staff emails
- Gulf Coast Synod Facebook pages
We do not have regular in person office hours at this time. We will continue to update this information as it is available. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate through this with you.
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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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12941 I-45 North Freeway #210
Houston, TX 77060-1243
281.873.5665
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