[Gulfcoastnews] Connections June 2008

Wed Jun 11 15:00:58 EDT 2008

image001Connections

06-11-08

Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Synod Assembly Highlights

Synod Assembly met this year to imagine what God wants our church to look
like in the years to come.

image002After Pastor Pat Keen (Grace, New Orleans) gave us a wakeup call in
the opening worship sermon, Bishop Mike Rinehart, shared reflections on his
visits of the congregations in our synod this past year, in nine major
themes. 

Following that presentation, participants were invited to choose one of
those nine major themes for discussion, and to fill out a response form.
Most participants attended, and about half filled out forms. Based on those
responses, Outreach and Evangelism proved to be the highest priority. 

At their July retreat, council and staff will take this information and
brainstorm a path forward in our synod. A fall leadership event has been
planned (see article below), that will address these and other issues raised
at the assembly. 

The event ended with a festive Eucharist at which we welcomed three new
congregations: Houston Oromo Lutheran Church (Ethiopian), Houston Tamil
Lutheran Church (Indian), and Church of the Living God (Mandarin Chinese). 

The service included laying on of hands and anointing with oil. After a
blessing of the oil, all 126 congregations were given a flask of oil for
healing, baptism and confirmation. Watch for video of assembly on the web
page. If you did not receive a flask, please contact the synod office. 

Next Year

The date, place and theme for next year's assembly have not been set. Staff
had several possibilities, but weren't satisfied with the options. Good
thing, since going through an assembly together changed some of our thoughts
about location. A decision will be made by August. Keep your eye out for
information mid-summer. 

Startling demographics

This graphic, prepared by Professor Stephen Klineberg, illustrated the
changing face of Houston in the bishop's presentation. While such
demographics for New Orleans are harder to come by, due to Hurricane
Katrina, it is widely held that New Orleans and Brenham are undergoing
similar transformations. Notice the slightly declining Anglo population
(lower blue block). Most of Houston's soaring economy and population has
been due to non-Anglos.

demographic chart.png

Offering Received at Synod Assembly

The first offering received at synod assembly, totaling $2,632.02, will go
to support congregations in the Central African Republic and Peru Synods
(our companion synods). The second offering, totaling $2,960.02, will help
support our three newest worshipping communities which are The Houston Oromo
Lutheran Church (an Ethopian congregation worshipping at Salem, Houston),
the Houston Tamil Lutheran Church (an Indian congregation worshipping at New
Hope, Missouri City), and Church of the Living God, (a Chinese congregation
in southwest Houston). An additional spontaneous offering for Lutherhill
bows and arrows came to $1,275.71.

Gulf Coast Synod Becomes a "Book of Faith" Synod

The resolution to become a Book of Faith Synod passed. This means that all
our congregations will be encouraged to join in on this 5-year study of the
Bible. This will be a tremendous opportunity for your spiritual growth team
to help get folks in small groups where they will grow in faith, hope and
love.

Set Up Disciple Teams Now!

We encourage you to set up four teams (of at least three people) based on
these pressing priorities:

. Outreach/Evangelism

. Spiritual Growth/Discipleship

. Worship/Music and

. Cross-generational

Details about team purposes and goals will be emailed to you and on the web
later this month. Disciple Team Models will be designed to fit the size and
location of your congregation so you can get started on this over the
summer. We know one-type-does-not-fit-all!  Each team will be invited, along
with anyone in your congregation who wishes to attend, to a leadership event
October 18, as we learn together, as requested at assembly. We will continue
in the vision process over the next year and every congregation is essential
as we grow in our faith and mission.  

Leadership Event - Saturday, October 18

Put October 18 on your calendar. This will be a date to gather for the
training mentioned above. Whereas synod assembly is for the pastor and a few
lay people from each congregation, this event will be open to as many as you
wish to bring. It will be a time to celebrate ministry and hone our skills.
More information to come.

Elected to Synod Council

The following people were elected to synod council:

. Kurt Goedecke

. Rev. Pete Lopez

. Sue Moehring

. Arthur Murphy, secretary

. Rev. Barbara Simmers

. Karee Viergutz, youth rep

Staying on Synod Council

. Erika Canham, vice-president

. Nancy Cook

. David Hollrah

. Robin McCullough-Bade

. Darrell Reimer

. Bishop Michael Rinehart

. Dorothy Menke Smith

. Arwin Strehlow

. Rev. David Tart

For more information on Synod Council you may visit:
www.gulfcoastsynod.org/council.htm.

Elected to 2009 Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis

. Kurt Koopman

. Rev. Chris Markert

. Sue Moehring

. Rev. Robert G. Moore

. Meredith Nelson

. Ada Norman

. Carroll Shaddock

. Pastor Barbar Simmers

. Stanley Sommer

Also voting members as per the synod constitution:

. Vice-president Erika Canham

. Bishop Mike Rinehart

Famous Lutherans Video by Lost and Found

cat in the hat.jpgThis video was a hit at assembly! Several have called
asking about it, so here you go: www.youtube.com/watch?v=102kvQ1dWoY.

A list of famous Lutherans can be found on the ELCA web page at: 

www.archive.elc.org/communication/famouslutherans.html

www.adherents.com/largecom/fam_lutheran.html

Did you know that Dr. Seuss was a Lutheran? 

$17,000 Granted by Mission Endowment Fund

To assist with the spiritual revival of New Orleans, ten area congregations
will receive $5,000 from the synod's Mission Endowment Fund for a fall event
to help spread the word that these congregations are operating and ready to
serve. These congregations are known collectively as the Bayou Cluster
Congregations.  

Robin McCullough-Bade.pngPastor Robin McCullough-Bade (pictured at left) is
presently serving as a part-time Bayou Mission Consultant for the synod. As
part of her work she is organizing a program to couple New Orleans
congregations with volunteer congregations in our synod.  The purpose is to
conduct a fall event that will invite neighbors and others to these New
Orleans congregations.  

These ten congregations have shared their money and energy, together with
lots of volunteer help and contributions, into a rebuilding and relief
ministry. According to Pastor Robin McCullough-Bade, now is the time to
focus on mission work beyond the congregation. However, this takes money
most congregations do not have. Money disbursed from the grant will act as
seed money to conduct these programs and to reintroduce the ELCA
congregations to their neighbors.  

Another $6,000 in scholarships was awarded by the Fund to help seminary
candidates from our synod pay tuition, books, room and board.  Seminary
Scholarships in the future will be made in August and January which will be
the same time scholarships are to be awarded by the Synod's Candidacy
Committee.  One final grant in the amount of $6,000 was awarded to the
Houston Lutheran Campus Ministry program which assists with the development
of future pastors and other church leaders.

September 15, 2008 is the next grant request deadline. Grant request forms
may <http://www.gulfcoastsynod.org/mission_fund.htm>  be found on the synod
website or obtained by calling the synod office.  You may contribute to the
synod's Mission Endowment Fund to help support these ministries by
contacting the synod office.

Augsburg Books Releases "Being Well When We're Ill"

Finding Wholeness and Hope in Spite of Infirmity

It's a rare thing when a book about suffering is positively uplifting. Being
Well When We're Ill is remarkable in part because it is written by a person
with both extensive theological expertise and multiple infirmities. With an
insider's view of the many spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social, and
physical difficulties encountered by people with chronic illness and
disabilities, as well as a gift for unpacking theological truth, Marva Dawn
offers readers what the book's subtitle promises: Wholeness and Hope in
Spite of Infirmity.

Being Well When We're Ill is the first in the Living Well series published
by Augsburg Books. It is filled with insight and practical help for those
who are ill or infirm, as well as for anyone who has experienced losses that
cannot be recovered. Each chapter focuses on one particular kind of
struggle, such as worry, false guilt, loneliness, physical pain, depression,
the loss of dreams, side effects, and more. 

In place of shallow platitudes and glib advice, Dawn relates with humor,
passion, and frank honesty her own journey of cascading infirmities, doubts,
struggles-and the spiritual insights that have helped her persevere. As she
does so, Dawn frequently pauses to ask, "What about you?" The reader's own
travails and insights are acknowledged and affirmed. She gives spiritual
resources, emotional supports, intellectual answers, and practical solutions
that enable a person with infirmities to be truly well in spite of them.

For each issue she explores, Dawn includes discussions of biblical texts-not
only texts that help lament losses but texts that bring wholeness. She deals
head-on with the theological questions of senseless suffering and debunks
such bad theology as illness resulting from God's will or retribution for
sin. Particularly helpful are the chapters on bitterness and trust in
God-how to avoid making God too small and illness too large.  

Marva J. Dawn serves as theologian and educator with Christians Equipped for
Ministry of Vancouver, Washington. Five of her books have been honored with
a place on the Academy of Parish Clergy annual list of their top ten books,
most recently in 2007. She is known throughout the world for her
best-selling devotional and theological books and for her popular lectures
on worship, ministry, and church and family life.

Being Well When We're Ill-Wholeness and Hope in Spite of Infirmity
Marva J. Dawn
ISBN: 978-0-8066-8038-5
Price: $14.99

"In the Footsteps of St. Paul" Tour of Turkey & Greece

October 27-November 7, 2008

 "In the Footsteps of St. Paul"

Tour Turkey & Greece

October 27-November 7, 2008

hosted by Rev.James and Judy Hinkhouse

We invite all members and friends of the Gulf Coast Synod to consider
joining us on an 11-day tour "In the Footsteps of St.Paul." In addition to
the dates above, we are also offering an add on, optional Greek Isles
Cruise, November 7-11, 2008 which includes Rhodes, Patmos, and Mykonos.

The basic tour highlights are to learn the teachings of St. Paul by walking
in his footsteps, explore the sites of the early Christian church, tour
Ephesus, where Paul preached, see where Paul baptized the first Christian,
Lydia, in Philippi, explore Athens and Corinth, and see the unique blend of
Oriental and Western culture in Istanbul.

The tour is being supervised by Group Travel Directors of Minneapolis. We
have traveled with this group on five or six previous trips and found them
to be excellent, reliable, and safety-minded travel associates. We would
love to have you join us on this wonderful experience of a lifetime to the
very early roots of our Christian faith.

Please call or email Jim or Judy Hinkhouse for further information or to
receive a trip brochure and registration form. Deposits need to be in by
June 30, 2008 or soon thereafter to guarantee space. Trip insurance is
available and recommended.

Our contact information is: Rev. Jim and Judy Hinkhouse, 204 Monterrey Road
W. Montgomery, TX  77356, phone 281-814-0425, or email jhink844 at gmail.com.

Church Musicians Continuing Ed Event June 17-20

The Church Music Summer Seminar will be held from June 17 through June 20 at
Perkins School of Theology, Dallas, TX. David Cherwien, director of the
National Lutheran Choir, organist, composer, choral conductor, and Director
of Music at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, is the adult choral
clinician at this event. He will personally teach during these four days.
David's morning session will be score study and the afternoon session will
be choral methods.  

Susan Palo Cherwien will also lead a class, "Writing Words for Worship."
The cost is $125.  
For information:  <mailto:leahking at hughes.net> leahking at hughes.net  or at
979-732-1395.

Position Available: Director for Student Ministry 

Position Title: Director for Student Ministry

Congregation: Trinity Lutheran Church, 1000 W. Main Street, Lansdale, PA
19446, 215-368-1710 (church office)

Contact Person: Mike Scharff, Director for Administration, 215-368-1710 ext.
252, mscharff at trinitylansdale.com

Position Description:  Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church is seeking a
full-time Director for Student Ministry. This individual would partner with
a multi-talented staff, dedicated volunteers and a large congregation to
minister to and with our students in Grades 5-12.  This position oversees
all student ministry groups and works in conjunction with our confirmation
ministry.  Seminary education or considerable experience in youth ministry
is a requirement.  If you're ready to think outside the box and dream big,
then we look forward to speaking with you about being part of this exciting
ministry.  Salary based on training and experience; job description
available on our website  <http://www.trinitylansdale.com/>
www.trinitylansdale.com

Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest: Update your Estate Plan

The Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest can help you to create or update
your Estate Plan (i.e. "Get Your Ducks in a Row") and assist you in
remembering the ministries of your church.  Call John Hunsicker, Director of
Development, at 1-866-542-1349, or e-mail me at johnh at lfsw.org. lfsw.org
<mailto:johnh at lfsw.org.%20lfsw.org> 

cid:001101c8b444$f2c2fd20$90d5900c at johnc1e6bb1452

Bookkeeper Position Available with Gulf Coast Synod Office

The TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod Office is looking for a part-time (20 hours a
week) Bookkeeper/Accounting Clerk with the following qualifications:

.         3-5 years experience

.         Knowledgeable in AR/AP

.         Highly organized and attention to detail

.         Prior experience as full charge bookkeeper

.         Good written and oral communication skills

.         Knowledge of Windows based PC Operating System

.         Proficient in Microsoft Word & Excel

.         Ability to work in a multi-task environment

Duties:

.         Maintain a complete and systematic set of records of all financial
transactions of the Synod

.         Record detail of Synod financial transactions in appropriate
journals and ledgers

*	Summarize and balance entries recorded in individual journals and
ledgers and transfer date to general ledgers
*	Prepare monthly statements of income, expense, cash balances and
fund balances
*	Maintain detail transaction register of all restricted and dedicated
funds
*	Prepare for and coordinate the annual audit of the financial
accounts and records of the synod
*	Maintain regular communication with the Synod Treasurer
*	Other duties as assigned by the Bishop of the synod and/or the
Administrative Assistant to the Bishop of the Synod

Please send your resume to Reyna Pereira, Administrative Assistant at 12707
North Freeway, Ste. 580, Houston, TX 77060 or e-mail
reyna at gulfcoastsynod.org or fax it to 281/875-4716.

Thrivent Financial All Pro Dads Father & Kids Program 

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has partnered with the Houston Texans
Special Teams Coordinator, Joe Marciano, to host the Thrivent Financial All
Pro Dads Father & Kids experience on Saturday afternoon before Father's Day.

The All Pro Dad program was launched by Family First, a nonprofit
organization that was founded to strengthen the family by establishing
family as a top priority in people's lives and by promoting principles for
building marriages and raising children. They saw a need for a fatherhood
specific program, All Pro Dad, which is an energetic interactive event that
allows fathers and kids to participate in relationship building activities.
Girls and boys will have the opportunity to learn more about football skills
and have meaningful interaction with their fathers while going through a
rotation of drills.  Fathers will interact with their children and learn ten
ways to be an All Pro Dad.  The following provides some information about
the All Pro Dads Father & Kids experience: 

When: Saturday, June 14, 2008, from 1 to 4 pm 

Cost: $15 per family covers the father and up to four children 
(Recommended for kids five years and older) 

How to register:  Advanced registration for congregations begins May 13. 
        After May 19, it will be open to the public and it will sell out
early. 
        To register, go to www.AllProDad.com/Thrivent or call 800-956-8300. 

Early registration is encouraged since the event is limited to 550 fathers
and their children and is expected to sell out early.

For more information, please contact your Thrivent Financial Representative
or visit one of the following websites: 
Family First website at http://www.familyfirst.net/  All Pro Dad website at
http://www.allprodad.com/ 

Annual Global Mission Festival, Living Word, Katy

5th Annual Global Mission Festival

Sunday, October 19th, 2008 from 2:00 - 6:30pm 

Living Word Lutheran Church, Katy

Highlights for this year's Festival include: Guest Speaker - Dr. Tony
Campolo

Special Children's Activities with - Katy ARTreach and Young Audiences of
Houston's Dan Egger-Belandria

Join us for a Spirit-filled afternoon of multi-cultural worship, fellowship,
fair trade arts & crafts, ethnic food, great world music, mission ministry
information, games and FUN for EVERYONE! Information packets will be mailed
in August. Want to know more now? Contact Living Word at 281-392-2300 or
livingwordkaty at consolidated.net.

Please do not send postings or comments to this list.
Its sole purpose is to distribute this newsletter.

TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod, ELCA

12707 North Freeway, Suite 580

Houston, TX  77060

Voice: 281-873-5665

Fax: 281-875-4716

Website: www.gulfcoastsynod.org

In this Issue:

Click on a link to go.

Offering Received at Synod <>  Assembly

Gulf Coast Synod Becomes a Book <>  of Faith Synod

Set Up Disciple Teams Now <> 

Leadership Event, Saturday, <>  October 18

Elected to Synod Council <> 

Elected to ELCA Churchwide <>  Assembly 2009

Famous Lutherans Video <> 

Augsburg Books Releases <>  "Being Well When We're Ill"

In the Footsteps of Paul, <>  Tour of Turkey and Greece

Church Musicians <>  Continuing Ed Event June 17-20

Lone Star Scholars <>  Academy at TLU

Position <>  Available: Director for Student Ministry

LFSW: Update Your Estate Plan <> 

Thrivent Financial All Pro <>  Dads Father and Kids Program

Bookkeeper Position <>  Available with Gulf Coast Synod Office

Annual Global Mission <>  Event at Living Word

Our Connection to Peru

Each month we will have a special feature article about our sister synod in
Lima Peru. Please visit Our Connections to Peru
<http://www.enthuseddesigns.com/connections_peru/>  for our June/July
articles. You will also find information on Future Seekers, the upcoming
trip to Peru, and Pastor Navarro's blog spot.

South Africa Bans Plastic Bags

South Africa has banned the use of plastic bags. So has San Francisco, last
year. The world uses nearly 1 trillion plastic grocery bags a year. So they
hang from trees, blow in the wind, clutter landfills, and take up to 1,000
years to decompose.

This year, synod assembly participants received handy tote bags that can be
used for years without any addition to the landfill or landscape.
Participants can be good stewards of the earth and remember to imagine God's
dream for the world at the same time. 

2008-09 Lutheran Youth Organization Dates at a Glance

July 7, 2008 LYO Applications are due to the synod office

August 4, 2008 Registration opens online for Jr. High and Sr. High      

August 15-17, 2008 Ministry Team Leadership Retreat at Camp Lutherhill

October 2, 2008 Jr. High Early Bird Postmark Deadline

October 23, 2008 Jr. High Final Postmark Deadline/ Online Reg. Closes

November 21-23, 2008 LYO Jr. High Gathering at Sheraton North Houston

December 18, 2008 Sr. High Early Bird Postmark Deadline

January 22, 2009 Sr. High Final Postmark Deadline/Online Reg. Closes 

February 27-March 1, 2009 LYO Sr. High Community of Service at Camp For All,
Burton, TX            

ELCA National Youth Gathering, New Orleans, Louisiana 

Next year 36,000 people will descend upon New Orleans once again for the
2009 ELCA Youth Gathering, but their purpose for going there will be
somewhat different than the last time the Gathering was held there.  This
time around the primary purpose of this event is to serve God and grow in
our understanding of compassionate justice.

Important Info and Dates:

Registration Brochure available online NOW

Volunteer Registration available online NOW until spots filled

Youth Servant Corp Registration available online NOW until Oct 15, 2008

Deadline for applying to play in the House Band Aug 1, 2008

Registration opens for  the Gathering, MYLE, and DAYLE Sept 15, 2008

Lutheran Youth Organization Convention registration opens Jan 1, 2009

Gathering, MYLE, and DAYLE registration closes Jan 15, 2009

Lutheran Youth Organization Convention registration closes Apr 15, 2009

Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE) July 19-22, 2009

Definitely-Abled Youth Leadership Event (DAYLE)) July 19-22, 2009

ELCA Youth Gathering July 22-26, 2009

Triennial Convention of the LYO (Hattiesburg, MS) July 26-30, 2009

Visit www.elca.org/gathering

Connections Deadline 

Connections goes out monthly the first week of the month. If you have an
article for the July issue, please submit it by June 25. Send articles to
Susan Rinehart at rinehart at shawus.com.

Links:

In order to better connect ourselves with the prayer needs of our synod, a
new  <http://www.gulfcoastsynod.org/prayer_request.htm> Prayer Request site
has been created. You may enter information and read the requests of others
at this site. 

Congregations <http://www.gulfcoastsynod.org/call_process.htm>  in
Transition

Mission Support <http://www.gulfcoastsynod.org/mission_support.htm>
Information

Synod Web Site -

www.gulfcoastsynod.org

Youth & Family Ministry www.soggyshoes.org

Disaster Relief Web Site 

www.futurewithhope.org

Churchwide Web Site

www.elca.org

ELCA Global Missions

www.elca.org/GlobalMission

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