Around the Synod

Wed Nov 5 16:04:39 EST 2008

Dear Gulf Coast Synod,

Bishop Hanson Statement on Presidential Election

Please click on
<http://listserv.elca.org:8080/trk/click?ref=zqiq8p9er_1-176x31f5x15458&>
http://www.elca.org/bishopstatement. 

Church Council Officers

>From time to time we have things that need to go out to congregational
presidents, or congregational treasurers. Would you please send us your
current information?

Name

Mailing Address

Phone

Email

President

VP

Secretary

Treasurer

Office Secretary

Bookkeeper Position

The TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod Office is looking for a part-time (20 hours a
week) Bookkeeper/Accounting Clerk.  For a complete job description, please
click at http://www.gulfcoastsynod.org/jobs.htm .  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.

Volunteers 

Are you a people person?  Do you enjoy talking to people?  Would you like to
learn new things?  If so, we have a place for you!  We are looking for
volunteers who enjoy answering phones, great visitors and learning new
things. If you or someone you know are interested please, please let me know
by calling the synod office at 281/873-5665 x19 or send me an e-mail at
Reyna at gulfcoastsynod.org 

Harris County Hurricane Recovery information:

1) The Furniture Bank is accepting donations on November 8 from 9 am to 3
pm. Donations may be brought to any of the Star Furniture locations. For
those who cannot bring the furniture, schedule a pick-up by calling
713-842-9771. Web is www.fb-houston.org <http://www.fb-houston.org/>   2)
Registration deadline with FEMA for temporary Housing is November 12.  3)
Recovery Information about Hurricane Ike and other hurricane information
related to community services is updated daily at
www.houstonhurricanerecovery.org  4)  Volunteers for Hurricane Recovery can
refer to www.houstonhurricanerecovery.org website or by calling the Center
at 713-276-3955.

Bishop Hanson Visits Galveston

Next Thursday, November 13, we are honored to have Bishop Hanson with us.
Bishop Hanson will meet with the Deans of the TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod on
Galveston Island, and tour the congregations.

ELCA Youth Gathering – Filling up Fast!

Almost 33,000 people are registered for the ECLA Youth Gathering in New
Orleans.  If you have not registered, please know that space is limited.
Also, let Jessica know if you are interested in chartering a bus to drive
together to New Orleans.  (Jessica at gulfcoastsynod.org.)  Adults: if you are
interested in volunteering with Peggy on the ServantLife Team please send
her an email at peggy at gulfcoastsynod.org.  

November 7 – POSTPONED 2008 Houston Lutheran Campus Ministry 2nd Annual Golf
Tournament 

Given the ongoing recovery taking place in Hurricane Ike's wake, the golf
tournament to benefit Houston Lutheran Campus Ministry scheduled for Friday,
November 7th has been postponed.  The rescheduled date has not yet been
determined.  If you are aware of congregation members who might be
interested in generating support for this rescheduled golf tournament,
please notify Pr. Brad Fuerst, the HLCM campus pastor by email -
pastor at lcmhouston.org, or by phone - (713)-516-8573.

November 15, 2008 -- Global Mission Team Meeting 

All who would like to know more about our companion synods in Hungary,
Peru, or the Central African Republic are invited to attend the synod’s
Global Mission Team meeting on Saturday, November 15th in the library of
Advent Lutheran, 5820 Pinemont, Houston 77092, from 11a.m. to 3 p.m.
http://www.advent-lutheran.net <http://www.advent-lutheran.net/>   Please
bring a sack lunch.   For more information, contact Chris Hicks,
<mailto:chrishicks2 at comcast.net> chrishicks2 at comcast.net, 281-398-4852
(home), 832-922-2610 (cell).  Also, photos of the Global Mission event at
Living Word can be found at  <http://www.livingwordkaty.org/>
http://www.livingwordkaty.org/  Click on the link for 11 minute movie under
the Item for "Future Seekers."

November 20, 2008 -- Pastoral Care in difficult times. Kevin Massey,
Lutheran Disaster Response Executive Director, will lead pastors and other
interested church leaders in a discussion on Pastoral Care on Thursday,
November 20, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm at Peace, Pasadena. The recovery from Ike
will take a long time. It is amazing how something like this affects
everyone in some way even if they did not have damage to their home or
church. What do we need to be aware of in our pastoral care? How will we be
intentional about pastoral care in conversation, teaching, and preaching?
What do we need to be aware of as the holidays approach? What impact is this
having on you as a church leader? Are you paying attention to that impact?

Herb Palmer, Ass't to the Bishop as Director for Leadership, will also have
a conversation on Clergy Compensation. The two conversations led by Kevin
and Herb will be coordinated around pastoral care.  A meal will be served.
(a recommended contribution will be requested). The Houston Metro
Ministerium will attend this gather as its quarterly meeting. Deans will
soon be contacting pastors. Please let your dean know if you plan to attend.
Need more information? Contact Herb Palmer in the Synod Office.

January 26-28 – 2009 Tri-Synodical Theological Conference

As a part of our gathering next January for the Tri-Synodical Theological
Leadership Conference in Arlington, we are inviting you to bring to the
conference a bag full of USED CELL PHONES In the spirit of our theme, THIS
GOOD EARTH, we plan to recycle them and use the cash raised to support the
mission of the church. Start putting the word out in the congregation and
community that you are gathering old cell phones. Do the people, the
landfill, and the church a great favor. The TC’09 Planning Team.  2009
TRI-SYNODICAL THEOLOGICAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Arlington Convention Center
/ Sheraton Hotel  <http://www.ntnl.org/2009conference> Information,
Registration and Brochure or enter  <http://www.ntnl.org/2009conference>
www.ntnl.org/2009conference into your browser.

Strangers No More

Bishop Rinehart writes: I would like to invite you to join me for a
continuing ed extension to the Tri-Synodical Theological Conference. For a
long time I’ve been wanting to hear Eric Law, author The Wolf Shall Dwell
with the Lamb. He has put his finger on the challenge of clashing cultures
(our very world here in the TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod). You could also read The
Bush was Blazing but not Consumed, Inclusion: Making Room for Grace, and
Sacred Acts, Holy Change: Faithful Diversity and Practical Transformation.
Ralph Klein (the Christ Seminary-Seminex professor emeritus of Old Testament
at LSTC) will be our Bible Study leader. You’re already in Dallas. Why not
stick around for a top-notch continuing ed opportunity that will stretch you
and insprire you. the Radisson Hotel at I-35E and Mockingbird Lane in
Dallas, TX. The event is being underwritten by all three synods, and the
Multicultural Ministry Unit of the ELCA, so the cost is only $100! That
includes everything – program costs, two nights at the Radisson Hotel (I-35E
and Mockingbird in Dallas) and five meals. Let’s go deep together.

November 9 - 11 – Jonathan Rundman is appearing in concert in THREE
LOCATIONS around our synod:

Sunday, November 9 at 6 pm at Brenham High School  - 525 A.H. Ehrig Dr.,
Brenham, TX  77833  (sponsored by St. Paul’s Ev Lutheran Church)

                Donations will benefit Water to Thrive

Monday, November 10 at 7:30 pm at Living Word Lutheran Church - 3700 South
Mason Road - Katy, Texas 77450

                Donations will benefit Water to Thrive

and we are pleased to announce the addition of a third venue….

Tuesday, November 11 at 7 pm at Grace Lutheran Church - 13123 Highway 105
West, Conroe, TX  77304

            Your Free-will offering will benefit Lutheran Disaster Response

Admission to all concerts is FREE! 

Director for World Hunger and Disaster Appeal -- Position

The Churchwide offices of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(www.elca.org )  is currently seeking to fill the position of Director for
World Hunger and Disaster Appeal. This position directs the fundraising
efforts for the World Hunger and Disaster Appeal.  Provides inspiration,
information and channels to raise funds needed for the churchwide’s
commitment to respond to domestic and international hunger and poverty and
domestic and international disaster.  Provides strategic direction and
oversight for the Appeals integrated fundraising activities and develops
relationships with major donors.  Plans and implements efforts to increase
giving for the Appeal and to heighten donor engagement with ELCA Churchwide
ministries. Develops relationships with congregations, synods and Churchwide
units in order to encourage and promote, inform and advise on issues
relating to the Appeal.  Relates to the Director, ELCA World Hunger in the
Church in Society unit and the Office of the Treasurer.  To apply or for
more information contact Letty Villalon at letty.villalon at elca.org 

cid:image004.jpg at 01C92FBF.BDFFB280 Hurricane Workday # 2 in Galveston –
November 8

Many have asked after the last event, “When are we doing this again?” Well
here you go: Meet at Zion Lutheran Church in Galveston. Please officially
sign up no later than November 4. Email  <mailto:peggy at gulfcoastsynod.org>
peggy at gulfcoastsynod.org and let her know about your group and whether you
already have a t-shirt. Complete the form and bring it with you. The RELEASE
FORMS can be found at the synod website at  <http://www.gulfcoastsynod.org>
www.gulfcoastsynod.org. People under 18 years old will need a parent’s
signature.  

Anyone under age 16 should be accompanied by a parent. 

You have asked for more synod-wide hurricane recovery opportunities so
please consider…

·         Baton Rouge, LA:  Volunteers are needed to do yard work, fix
fences and take down trees. Contact Dagfinn Magnus at 504/432-7826 if you
would like to schedule a time to help. Release form needed. 

·         Bridge City, TX – St, Mark’s Lutheran Church:  The storm surge
from Ike completely flooded Bridge City. Volunteers are needed to help muck
out homes and clean the church. Congregational groups are welcome any time.
Contact Paul Zoch at 409/988-3003 to schedule your visit. Release form
needed. 

·         Houston - Habitat for Humanity, Building in Cypress for a families
still recovering after Hurricane Katrina, 2005. If you are available to give
a day to two families, they really need you on Wednesday, Thursdays or
Saturdays at the site in Cypress. No experience is needed! If you can
volunteer or you would like to make a donation towards construction
expenses, contact Ken Dinges at 281-256-9557 or
<mailto:kendinges at gmail.com> kendinges at gmail.com. What a blessing it would
be if we could help these families get “home for the holidays.”

Hymnals

Most of our congregations have purchased the new worship book, Evangelical
Lutheran Worship. Many are asking what to do with their Lutheran Books of
Worship. After the hurricane we received lots of offers to donate their used
LBWs. As it turns out, few congregations want or need them. So we called the
Worship desk at churchwide, then brainstormed as a staff. Here are our
recommendations:

1.       If the LBW’s are dedicated to anyone as a memorial on the book
plate in the front, give them to the family that donated them. 

2.       Put three LBW’s in your church’s library for posterity.

3.       Give remaining hymnals to members.

4.       Give your newer copies to congregations that do not yet have the
ELW or cannot afford it, to replace their older copies. 

5.       After all these other options have been exhausted, recycle your
hymnals.

If your congregation still has LBWs and you wish to receive some newer ones
from congregations that now have Evangelical Lutheran Worship, please let us
know at synod at gulfcoastsynod.org and we will get your congregation’s name
out to those who have LBWs to donate.

Budget Time

October and November are budget time for many congregations. Please keep in
mind the things we do together as a synod:

·         Theological Education – In 1950 100% of seminary education was
paid for by the church. Tuition was $0. Today tuition is over $11,000 and
expenses $15-26K, bringing the total cost of a seminary education between
$70K and $110K. We need to improve our giving to theological education. 

·         Global Mission – Most congregations don’t have the resources to
send out missionaries, but together we do.

·         Pastoral Transitions – One of the most critical times in a
congregation’s life is in the transition between pastors. The most important
thing the synod does is help congregations and pastors find each other,
through the work of the Spirit. And we’re getting better at it.

·         Serving – Hurricane recovery and working with the One Campaign and
youth events – these are just examples of the way we work together.

Member giving to congregations has increased while congregational giving to
the synod has decreased. Let’s be the church together!

November 6 –  Daytime Youth Ministry Network meets again on Thursday,
November 6th from 10am - 1:30pm at Advent Lutheran Church in Houston.  All
adults who work with students - pastors, youth ministers, adult sponsors -
are invited to this monthly meeting of learning, prayer, sharing, and
devotions.  You are welcome to bring your lunch or bring money to order
lunch from Jason's Deli.  Our featured speaker is Bishop Mike Rinehart.
Questions?  Contact our Network Convener is Pastor Brad Otto at
pastorbrad12 at mac.com.

November 9 – Pastor Robert Moore writes about Kristallnacht 70th Anniversary
– Please publish this in your bulletin and newsletter. Consider organizing a
group…

The Houston Community will commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the
Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass,* in Nazi Germany on the
anniversary day, November 9, Sunday, at 6:00 p.m.  The solemn service will
take place at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 2353 Rice Boulevard (at
Greenbriar). The event is sponsored by the Holocaust Museum Houston, the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (Gulf Coast Synod), Interfaith
Ministries of Greater Houston, and the Bach Society at Christ the King
Lutheran Church. Mr. Ben Waserman, an eye-witness to the destruction in
Berlin, will speak. Music by Bach, Mendelssohn, and Jadassohn, all Leipzig
composers, will be presented by the Bach Choir and Orchestra under the
direction of Dr. Albert LeDoux. Speakers include Bishop Michael Rinehart
(Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), Rabbi David Lyon (Congregation
Beth Israel), The Honorable Rainer Münzel (Consulate General of the Federal
Republic of Germany), and the Honorable Asher Yarden (Consulate General of
Israel).

Music:

Psalm 43 Richte mich, Gott (Vindicate me, O God) by Felix Mendelssohn
Bartholdy (1809-1847)

Psalm 130 (Cantata BWV 131) Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir (Out of
the depths I cry to you, O Lord) by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Psalm 121 Ich hebe meine Augen auf (I lift my eyes to the hills) by Salomon
Jadassohn (1831-1902)

Seventy years ago, on November 9-10, 1938, the Nazis staged vicious
pogroms-state sanctioned, anti-Jewish riots-against the Jewish community of
Germany. These came to be known as Kristallnacht (now commonly translated as
"Night of Broken Glass"), a reference to the untold numbers of broken
windows of synagogues, Jewish-owned stores, community centers, and homes
plundered and destroyed during the pogroms. Encouraged by the Nazi regime,
the rioters burned or destroyed 267 synagogues, vandalized or looted 7,500
Jewish businesses, and killed at least 91 Jewish people. They also damaged
many Jewish cemeteries, hospitals, schools, and homes as police and fire
brigades stood aside. Kristallnacht was a turning point in history. The
pogroms marked an intensification of Nazi anti-Jewish policy that would
culminate in the Holocaust-the systematic, state-sponsored murder of Jews.
-United States Holocaust Museum

November 14-15, 2008 – 2ndo Retiro Espirtual de Lideres Luteranos de Texas
Tri-Sinodal

Les estamos invitando al retiro espiritual que tendremos en Noviembre.
Esperamos su participación y la de los lideres de sus Iglesias y misiones.
Lugar del evento: Holiday Inn Downtown Market Square:  318 W. Durango Blvd.
San Antonio, TX 78204. Teléfono:(210) 200-9005   Directo (210) 225-6171.
Fecha: Viernes 14 y sábado 15 de noviembre del 2008. Hora de llegada:
Viernes 14 de Noviembre 12:00 del mediodía. Se iniciará con comida hasta la
1:00 PM. Se finalizará Sabado 15 de Noviembre después de almuerzo. 12:30
p.m. Donación por Inscripción: $25:00 Por participante, si es cheque
escribirlo a nombre de: (NTNL)Northern Texas - Northern Louisiana Synod  --
Enviarse a esta dirección o entregarlo el día de la registración a 1230
River Bend Dr. Ste. 105 Dallas TX 75247. Cada líder es responsable de su
Transportación. Llamar a: Hna., Irma Godínez, con el nombre de sus
participantes para el 31 Octubre 2008. Tel. 214-637-6865 ext. 112 /Cell.
<mailto:214-868-0272/irma at ntnl.org> 214-868-0272/irma at ntnl.org

November 19, 2008 – Retired Clergy & Spouses Luncheon – Save the date

Place will be at Fornos of Italy restaurant located at 6439 West 43rd
Street, Houston, TX 77092 (at 290). Their website is www.fornosofitaly.com A
written invitation will be mailed next week.

November 22-23 – LYO Jr. High Gathering

November 22-23, 2008 at Kinsmen Lutheran Church located at 12100 Champion
Forest Drive, Houston, TX 77066 - Cost: $85 per person (includes housing
programming, meals, and service project supplies).  Online registration is
open again at www.soggyshoes.org.  Final postmark deadline is Thursday,
October 30th, 2008.

MAY 28-30, 2009 – Mark your calendar for Synod Assembly

Outrageous Scandal: Living Like Jesus - Marriott Town Square Hotel in
Sugarland, TX.  More details to come.

ALL THE TIME – Houston Area Pericope Studies 

There are two weekly pericope studies in the Houston area:

1.       Mondays, 10:30 am at Salem Evangelical Lutheran, 4930 W. Bellfort
Ave., Houston, TX (www.salemhouston.org)

2.       Wednesdays, 9:30 am at Christ the Servant Lutheran, 2400 Wilcrest,
Houston, TX (www.christtheservant.net)

If you know of or participate in another study, let us know.

SPRING 2009 – Regarding the Clergy Exchange, Pastor Liz Stein writes:

The Anti-Defamation League's Coalition for Mutual Respect Congregational
Exchange Program.  Due to Ike, the dates for sign-up have changed so, as you
read the attached brochure don't let the listed dates discourage you from
participating in the exchange.  We need YOUR help to promote RESPECT and
UNDERSTANDING and FIGHT prejudice.  Please consider participating in this
community-wide interfaith initiative that has been promoting positive
interfaith relations since 1995.  Participating is simple, meaningful and
beneficial to you and our community!

This is an important interfaith initiative which is now in the process of
recruiting current and new clergy to participate in its congregational
exchange program to help people understand each other and to reduce fear and
prejudice through dialogue and interaction. To sign up, just fill out the
attached form, or send your name, your house of worship's name, your
preferred mailing address, phone, fax, and email address to
jodi.bernstein at adl.org.  

You will receive a list of participating clergy and you will be able to
select your partner from that list, or you may select one on your own and
just let us know about it. Clergy partners will be confirmed and then
encouraged to meet and set their congregational exchanges to take place
anytime in between January and May 2009.  Your exchange can be in any format
that works best for you and your clergy partner – a pulpit exchange, a youth
group discussion, an adult education class, or some other kind of
congregational or community program or gathering. For more information, feel
free to call or email Pastor Liz Stein (713-249-8471 lizzardstein at gamil.com)
or Ms Jodi Bernstein (jodi.bernstein at adl.org)
<mailto:jodi.bernstein at adl.org)or>   Thank you.

PS:  Colleagues who have participated in the past and can also answer
questions: Herb Palmer, Tim Christ, Jim Giannantonio, Steve Quill, and David
Roschke. 

Reyna

Reyna Pereira, Administrative Assistant

Office of the Bishop

TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod of the

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

12707 I-45 North Freeway, #580

Houston, TX 77060-1239

281/873-5665

reyna at gulfcoastsynod.org

www.GulfCoastSynod.org

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