Around the Synod

[Reyna Pereira]

Dear Gulf Coast Synod,

 

Prayers

Evan Moilan's grandfather, Don Moilan, was taken off life support last
Thursday.  He passed away this past Friday.  Don's funeral was held today,
Wednesday, November 12th.  Evan asks that he and his family be lifted up in
prayer as they grieve his loss.  Evan‘s Moilan (Executive Director at
Lutherhill) e-mail is evan at lutherhill.org 

 

News from Peggy Contos Hahn:

 

1)      Lutheran Disaster Recovery Continues:  Thank you for joining us in
the important work of being with people who are still struggling to recover
from hurricanes Gustav & Ike. It is essential that we remember these people
in our daily prayers and in our acts of service.  107 people from 21
congregations served on  Galveston Island on Saturday.  We were able to help
7 families muck out their home, work at First Lutheran and at Holy Rosary
Catholic Church.  We are mapping out future work days for the next six
months as the need for volunteers continues.  Please remember that Baton
Rouge and St Marks in Bridge City have on-going needs as well.     

2)      Synod Assembly – Outrageous Scandal:  Living like Jesus - May 28-30,
2009, Sugar Land, TX, Marriott.   Our commitment together is for an
efficient, equipping, enthusiastic, evangelism experience.   Please
encourage your key leaders to make this time a priority.  

3)      January 12-29, 2009 --Youth & Family Ministry Certification School
at Lutherhill in LaGrange, Texas

Youth and family ministry requires new and innovative approaches. The
Certification School is a 15-day intensive course in Youth and Family
Ministry for adult leaders, volunteers, clergy, parents, youth and seminary
students in relating and forming Christ's ministry with youth.  This course
provides solid theological education with cutting-edge ministry basics.
Participants learn about faith development, contemporary youth culture,
strategic planning for congregational ministries, and valuable network
building for ongoing ministry support and learning.Certification School cost
$2500 More information and all the Learning Outcomes go to www.tyfi.org or
call Lyle Griner directly at 952-405-7306

4)      Lifelong Faith:  Are you looking for ways to keep informed on the
best thinking and practices in faith formation across the whole life span?
Are you looking for practical strategies for improving and enhancing faith
formation in your church?  Let us introduce the First journal devoted to
Christian faith formation designed for pastors, church staff, and faith
formation leadership.  One year subscription is $36.  Order at
<http://www.lifelongfaith.com> www.lifelongfaith.com.  We highly recommend
this resource growing out of the latest research and best thinking on
nurturing faith.

5)      Beyond Belief:  Youth in Mission, sponsored by Lutheran School of
Theology at Chicago June 13-July 4, includes mini=seminary classes, worship,
small group discussions, speakers,  trip to the Lutheran Center in Mexico
City and 4 days immersed in ministries at the US borderlands.  Cost is $300
deposit and transportation to Chicago.  Call 800-635-1116 ext. 725, or email
<mailto:youthinmission at lstc.edu> youthinmission at lstc.edu (Heather Wallace)
to register. The deadline is February 18, 2009.

 

 

BATON ROUGE – Pastor Robin McCullough Bade

Plans are underway for volunteers to come to the Baton Rouge area in 2009.
There is still much work to be done as Gustav case managers assess the
needs. Watch  <http://www.futurewithhope.org> www.futurewithhope.org  for
more details concerning lodging and work sites.

 

Augsburg Fortress News

The first of two volumes of Occasional Services for Evangelical Lutheran
worship is here!  Order your copy today! 800.328.4648 or
www.augsburgfortess.org

 

ELCA Board of Pensions News

Beginning January 1, 2009, new 403(b) regulatory changes go into effect that
could have a serious effect on your employees’ ability to continue receiving
tax-favored status on their employer-sponsored retirement plans.  For
information, visit our website  <http://www.elcabop.org> www.elcabop.org or
join us for a special webinar.  For questions, contact us at 800.352.2876
select option 3 and then again option 3 or e-mail us your questions at
mail at elcabop.org 

 

Church Council Officers

We are continuing to collect the following information.  Thank you for all
of those who have sent in the list.   

 


 

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 

 

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 13 -- 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.

 

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 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 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 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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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