Around the Synod - Wednesday, August 19

Wed Aug 19 17:58:29 EDT 2009

Around the Synod Logo 1.jpgAugust 19, 2009

IN OUR PRAYERS

Pastor Kerry Nelson (our synod's Director of Evangelical Mission) and his
family upon the death of his mother Carol Bangs last week.  Funeral services
took place yesterday morning in Fergus Falls Minnesota.     For the obituary
go to http://faithhopefh.com/.

Pastor Manuel Morales (Principe de Paz, Houston) at Christus St. Catherine
hospital in Katy, TX.  Surgery has been rescheduled for next week.  Pastor
Morales is the father of our synod office receptionist, Lucia Morales.

Pastor Don Carlson, assistant to the bishop, is out of the hospital and
recuperating at home from a pulmonary embolism.  Cards and notes may be sent
to the synod office at the address below, or to his email address at
don at gulfcoastsynod.org.

For those struggling economically due to the drought in the Western Sector
of our synod (Austin, Washington and Fayette counties to name a few). 

Thurman Warne, (Susan Rinehart's father & Bishop Mike's father-in-law) whose
health has continued to decline following a stroke last month.

LATE BREAKING NEWS

The synod office voicemail malfunctioned yesterday and had to be completely
reset, losing some message in the process. If you have recently called the
office and left a message for a staff member and have not received a return
call, please call again so that we may help you.  We apologize for this
inconvenience.

Zion Lutheran Church, Houston, is starting a new program designed to give
high school juniors and seniors work experience as paid choral singers for
weekly services. Duties include Wednesday night rehearsals and a Sunday
morning service with warm-up.  There is a monthly stipend for 8 singers - 2
per section. This is an 8-month commitment (Sept thru May).  For details or
to apply go to www.zionlutheranhouston.org or contact John Markert at
johnmarkert at zionlutheranhouston.org or 713-966-9969.  

REMINDER:  The Houston Metro Ministerium will meet for lunch at noon
tomorrow, August 20, at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4930 W. Bellfort
Ave.  Suggested donation for lunch is $5.00.  Afterwards Pastor Bonnie
Parker of St. Paul/ Baytown will talk about Book of Faith Cards, a useful
tool for confirmation classes or for anyone else who would like to do study
the Bible.  

THIS MONTH

ELCA Churchwide Assembly, now in session in Minneapolis - for streaming
video click
<http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organizatio
n/Office-of-the-Secretary/ELCA-Governance/Churchwide-Assembly/LiveVideo-Stre
am.aspx>  here.  Also, check out this blog to stay up to date with our
synod's voting members' reflections:   bishopmike.posterous.com

Fall Leadership Summits: August 28-29 in Houston, TX and September 11-12 in
Kenner, LA

Two leadership summits to equip congregational leaders (clergy and lay) for
evangelism - and more!   The first, August 28-29 will be held at Covenant
Lutheran Church in west Houston (for the western and Houston areas of our
synod) and the September 11-12 summit will be hosted by Christ the King
Lutheran Church in Kenner, Louisiana.  Don't miss this important next step
as we come together to infiltrate every area of congregational leadership
with a new vision for evangelism.  Bring a team of leaders to get the
biggest benefit and to share your gifts with others.

Houston - August 28-29:   <http://www.regonline.com/63382_753161J> Register
Now! -  <http://www.regonline.com/63382_753161J> Registrese ya!
New Orleans - September 11-12:   <http://www.regonline.com/63382_753655J>
Register Now! -  <http://www.regonline.com/63382_753655J> Registrese ya!

Download
<http://www.gulfcoastsynod.org/09%20Fall%20Leadership%20Summit/Brochure%2011
%20x%2017%20Fall%20Leadership%202009.pdf>  Brochure (PDF)
Descargue
<http://www.gulfcoastsynod.org/09%20Fall%20Leadership%20Summit/Spanish%20Bro
chure%2011%20x%2017%20Fall%20Leadership%202009.pdf>  el folleto en español
(PDF)                    

Speakers
<http://www.gulfcoastsynod.org/09%20Fall%20Leadership%20Summit/Speakers%20an
d%20Restaurants%20Fall%20Leadership%202009.pdf>  & Restaurants Brochure
(PDF)

Fees for the event are based on congregational groups.  One fee covers the
cost for your whole group, no matter how many people you bring.  Lunch is
included.  Bring ALL your key leaders!

· $75 for congregations who worship 99 people or less on a Sunday 

· $100 for congregations who worship 100-150 people on a Sunday 

· $175 for congregations who worship more than 150 people on a Sunday

The Friday events are for professional leaders (clergy, rostered leaders,
church staff, etc.).  The Saturday events are for all congregational
leaders, especially church council members and those in other key leadership
roles.  Download the registration brochure from our web site to find out
more about keynote speakers, workshop options and a detailed schedule.
Online registration is open now - it's quick & easy! For questions please
e-mail Mandy Faucett, Ministry Event Coordinator at mandy at gulfcoastsynod.org

LYO @the crossing Planning Team Applications due AUGUST 31st!

Picture2.jpg at the crossing logo at the crossing logoIf you are in 9th grade or
older (yes, that means adults too!!) we are looking for you to get plugged
into the planning teams for our NEW one-day LYO @the crossing events being
held in your area in early 2010.  You will be trained, and equipped with
leadership skills needed.  Interested in making this happen?  Follow these
steps...

1)       Mark your calendar for the Planning Day and Training on Saturday,
September 26th 

2)      Go to www.soggyshoes.org and look under LYO and "Getting Involved"
for the LYO @the crossing application

OTHER EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Children's Ministry Re-Defined - Info Needed!

This team consists of a great group of youth ministers and educators in our
synod that have taken on the role of helping congregations to equip their
parents, grandparents, and Baptismal sponsors with the tools and resources
in passing on faith to their children.  To address the issues of passing on
faith, this team has put together an ACTION PLAN to accomplish our goal.  

Info needed from YOU!

1)      CONTACT PERSON:  We would like to create a network of adults giving
leadership to ministry with families from birth-5th grade.  Please send name
and contact information of a person serving in this role in your
congregation to  <mailto:yfm at gulfcoastsynod.org> yfm at gulfcoastsynod.org 

2)      YOUR BEST PRACTICES:  Tell us how you prepare parents and Baptismal
sponsors for a child's Baptism...special things you do during the Baptismal
service that invite the congregation into the experience...how you equip
parents, grandparents and Baptismal sponsors in passing on their faith to
their children after Baptism.  Send your stories to
<mailto:yfm at gulfcoastsynod.org> yfm at gulfcoastsynod.org  (Stories and ideas
may be used in the Baptism Resource Guide explained above).

September 3 - Dinner of Abrahamic Traditions 

Fasting in Abrahamic Traditions September 3rd, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.  Speakers:
Rabbi David Rosen, Congregation Beth Yeshurun; Bishop Mike Rinehart, TX-LA
Gulf Coast Synod and Dr. Erkan Kurt, Lecturer of Islamic Theology,
University of Houston.  Venue:  Turquoise Center located at 9301 W. Bellfort
Avenue, Houston, TX

September 13 - A Hymn Festival on Mission to Others

On Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. Church Organist Mark Mummert will
present a hymn festival in the nave of Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran
Church. Playing the Bach organ (Noack, 1995), Mr. Mummert will lead the
festival, "Streams of Living Justice," also including fourteen hymns from
Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006) all centered on the theme of God's
justice and our common mission in the world. A hymn festival is not a
worship service or a liturgy, but is a singing event planned in advance for
all in attendance to sing, hear readings related to the theme, and be
inspired for mission in the world. There is no cost for admission. Nursery
care will be provided. Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church is
located at 2353 Rive Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77005. For more information
about this event or other ministries of the congregation, please call
713.523.2864.

October 2 & 3 - ELCA Global Formation Event at Living Word in Katy,

This event will equip your congregational team for global and domestic
ministry! FANTASTIC plenary speakers for the Global Formation Event:    Rev.
Rafael Malpica Padilla, Executive Director of ELCA Global Mission AND Rev.
Stephen Bouman, Executive Director of ELCA Evangelical Outreach and
Congregational Mission

For only $35 and in only 1-1/2 days (1/2 day Friday, full day Saturday), you
and your team can:

* enhance your connections with the worldwide Lutheran family
* energize your congregation

* gain practical skills for mission
* give, receive, and serve more effectively

Register now at the ELCA
<http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organizatio
n/Global-Mission/Engage-in-Global-Mission/Global-Events/Global-Formation-Eve
nts.aspx>  Global Missions webpage!

October 4 - GLOBAL MISSION FESTIVAL at Living Word in Katy

Please join us on Sunday, October 4 from 2 until 6:30 p.m., for Living
Word's 6th Annual Global Mission Festival.  We will have a multi-cultural
worship service with special guest speaker, Leonard Sweet, a noted author,
preacher and professor of evangelism.  Also included is a fair trade arts
and crafts sale, ethnic foods, great world music, mission ministry
information, games and an afternoon of fellowship and fun!  If you would
like to know more visit  www.livingwordkaty.org
<http://www.livingwordkaty.org/>  for more information.  There is a link on
the Home page for the Global Mission Festival.

October 24 - ADVOCACY CAMP at Covenant, Houston

Join us for a special full-day Advocacy Camp October 24 at Covenant Lutheran
Church in Houston. Author and pastor Reverend Brian McLaren will join
Advocacy Camp via satellite for an interactive keynote presentation and
audience Q&A.  Advocacy Camp is a citizen leadership development program
that provides clear, up-to-the-minute information on public policy issues
and faithful advocacy. Workshop topics will include immigration, health
care, environment, and election-year information for faith communities.
Read more. <http://texasimpact.org/advhou> 

@the crossing

Come and discover who you are @the crossing that is coming to a church near
you in January/February 2009!  This is a one-day event just for 7- 8th
graders and adults who want to grow in faith, identify their uniqueness and
be sent into the world ready to share God with others.  Bring your friends
and enemies to this one-day event designed just for you!  Pastors, Youth
Ministers and Adult Leaders working with 7-8th graders - make sure to block
out one of the following Saturdays in January and February 2010 to attend
one of these great event in the synod hosted by local leadership.

Picture2.jpgLocations...

Hosanna Lutheran Church in Mandeville, LA                        Saturday,
January 16th

Holy Comforter Lutheran Church in Houston, TX                Saturday,
January 30th

Living Word Lutheran Church in Katy, TX
Saturday, February 6th

St. John Retreat Center in Bellville, TX
TBA

St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Baytown, TX                            TBA

2010 World Bible Travel Seminary to the Holy Land

This is a trip for both seminary students and others interested in going. We
are hoping to take a group of about 40 people that would include ELCA
pastors and church members.  The brochure for the World of the Bible travel
seminar can be found at the Group Travel Directors web site, at
http://www.gtd.org/post/pdfbrochure/100105.pdf. The contact information is
on the brochure. If you or anyone interested in the trip have any questions,
please don't hesitate to contact me. Ray Pickett, Professor of New
Testament, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago at 512-517-0988.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

For the entire Synod Calendar, available on our website, click here
<http://www.gulfcoastsynod.org/calendar.htm> . 

LYO President speakingFebruary 4-8, 2010 ~ ELCA Youth Ministry Extravaganza
in Charlotte, North Carolina.  

Go to  <http://www.elcaymn.org/Extravaganza> www.elcaymn.org/Extravaganza
for all the latest details.

April 16-18, 2010 ~ Synod Assembly 2010 in New Orleans at the Sheraton Hotel
in New Orleans (note this is Thursday-Saturday)

January 25-27, 2010 ~ Tri-Synodical Theological Conference at the Crowne
Plaza Riverwalk in San Antonio - watch www.swtsynod.org for more info

June 27 through July 1, 2010 ~ The Disciple Project returns to Texas
Lutheran University.  Save these dates on your calendar and stay tuned for
more info!

July 22 - July 31, 2010 ~ Peru Immersion Trip -  more details to come in
September issue of Connections and Sept/Oct issue of LINKED

Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod

12707 I-45 North Freeway, Suite 580                                        

Houston, TX  77060-1239

281/873-5665 Voice                        

281/875-4716 fax                             

www.gulfcoastsynod.org

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