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COMMISSION FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
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Donna Shurley, CCL Chair
361.852.4086
dshurley@stx.rr.com
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The Commission for Congregational Life’s (CCL) mission is to assist congregations in making disciples and developing leaders for mission. Within the commission, there are several working groups, many of which are described briefly below.
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| WORSHIP |
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Bryan Rust, Chair
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The Worship Resource Team exists to support congregations in having an excellent worship life. This team is available to help congregations with resources pertaining to various forms of worship, training of worship leaders accessing resources, and the ELCA’s Renewing Worship focus.
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Carol Holck
512.346.5683
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For information on Evangelical worship, the ELCA’s new worship resource, Contact Carol Holck.
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| CHURCH IN SOCIETY |
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Church in Society a newly created group is responsible to lift up issues and resources related to topics such as health, poverty, disaster relief, peace, social statements, including sexuality, and Palestine.
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| SCHOOL OF MISSION |
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The Rev. Danielle Casey, Chair
830.693.2253
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The School of Mission Team identifies various courses (and excellent instructors) that are of interest to lay persons in the synod. A conference or cluster of congregations determines what courses it wishes to sponsor, then contact’s the School of Mission Team. Course offerings to date are: Matthew: Wisdom for Disciples in Changing Times; Mark: The Kingdom of God Is at Hand; Luke: The Holy Spirit and the Mission to the Gentiles; Saint Benedict of the Freeway; Leadership from the Future: Training the Congregational Core Leaders’ Team for Mission Growth; Church in Crises: Evangelism and Mission in the New Century; and The Role of Church and the Holy Land: Complicity and Responsibility.
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| SHARED MINISTRY |
Janice Daily, Chair
512.346.5683
Janice@tllc.org |
The Shared Ministry Resource Team works to provide training and resources to congregations in the areas of gift identification and volunteer lay ministry. The team members are available for congregational training sessions, workshops, and resource development.
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| STEWARDSHIP |
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The Rev. Michael Robinson
830.379.9900
mrobinson@swtsynod.org
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The Stewardship Resource Team serves as a resource to congregations in the broad area of stewardship and works closely with the ELCA Stewardship Specialist for our synod, The Rev. John Boldt. Some areas in which our synod team works include:
* Stewardship and children
* Planned Giving
* Environment and Health
* Mission Interpretation
* Mission Response Appreciation
* Consecration Sunday
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| WORLD HUNGER |
The Rev. Brian Peterson, Chair
512.345.4030
brian@ascensionaustin.org |
A major Task Force of the Stewardship Resource Team focuses on the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. Task Force members work in a variety of areas to keep hunger issues before the people of this synod:
* Work with congregational hunger advocates to get information out on hunger programs and concerns
* Meet with congregations and clusters of congregations for hunger presentations
* Distribute educational resources and videos on the ELCA Hunger Appeal
* Distribute a periodic email newsletter to all hunger advocates/Contact: persons
* Encourage congregations to be involved with Stand With Africa, a three-year, second mile giving program to combat AIDS and hunger
* A recent synod wide project for World Hunger which raised $116,000.
To give the name of a Contact: person for hunger in your congregation,to get information on the ELCA Hunger Appeal, or to share your ideas, Contact Rev. Brian Peterson, Chair
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| ENVIRONMENT |
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Merle Franke, Chair
512.452.0414
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A newly created Environmental Task Force, part of the Stewardship Resource Team, will support the synod, congregations, and individuals to address issues such as ecological justice, the environment, youth and creation, and congregational environmental audits.
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| OLDER ADULTS MINISTRY RESOURCE TEAM |
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The Rev. Don Just, Chair
512.295.6330
don_just@ecunet.org
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This teamhelps congregations do effective ministry among older adults. The group provides networking and resources for parish nurses and supports an annual Senior Fest, an all day gathering for older adults.
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| YOUTH MINISTRY |
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Working with a Youth Committee, a number of training programs and youth events take place annually. Areas of ministry and resources include:
* Annual Bishop’s Award
* Stewards Program
* Service Mission
* Young Adult
* YARP (Young Adult Resource Persons)
* Sr. High Gathering
* Jr. High Gathering
* National Youth Gathering
* Adults Working with Youth
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| JR HIGH YOUTH GATHERING: |
SR HIGH YOUTH GATHERING:
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Chad Bosse
210.493.9832
Chad@standrew-ELCA.org
Brianna Morris
512.392.2064
morris.brianna@gmail.com |
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Whitney Myers
512.731.6387
wmyers@swtsynod.org
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Kristen Dowlen
210.226.9131
kristen@gracesa.org
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| BISHOP'S AWARD: |
YOUNG ADULT RESOURCE PEOPLE MINISTRY: YARPS |
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Heather Hansen
210.317.8509
hhansen@swtsynod.org
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Leah Clark
210.479.7824
LeahandPeter@ysatx.rr.com
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Ronda Wenzel
210.499.1406
rondasmailbox@yahoo.com |
| TOWN & COUNTRY |
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The Rev. Steve Byrne, Chair
361.275.2845
prstevecuero@sbcglobal.net
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Approximately one third of our congregations are in small towns and rural areas. To address the specific needs of these congregations, the synod’s Town and Country Advisory Team identifies topics and creates programs for this particular part of the synod.
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| RESOURCE CENTER |
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The Rev. Barbara Beale
830.379.9900
bb3750@aol.com
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The synod’s Resource Center is housed In the Lutheran Ministry Center on the campus of Texas Lutheran University. The resource center has hundreds of books and tapes available at no charge for congregational use. Resources include such items as: leadership development tapes and books, Veggie Tales tapes, games for youth and children, teacher training tapes, videos on helping people through loss of a pregnancy or stillbirth, etc. People are free to browse and to check out resources anytime the synod office is open. www.swtsynod.org/resource_library_category
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| EQUIPPING CONGREGATIONAL LEADERS |
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Donna Shurley, Chair
361.852.4086
dshurley@stx.rr.com
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Every other year the synod holds an event designed to equip congregational leaders, in some way, for their positions in the church. These events, held consistently in October of even years on the campus of Texas Lutheran University, focus on a particular component of leadership.
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| LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION |
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Dennis Hickey, Chair
210.347.6338
dhickey1@satx.rr.com
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The Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM) is affiliated with the churchwide men’s ministry. The synodical group has an annual assembly in February, regular mission projects, and supports men’s groups in congregations. The men’s board is eager to help congregations start or revitalize men’s ministry. www.swtxlutheranmeninmission.com/
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| WOMEN OF THE ELCA |
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Karen Stein, Chair
210.696.8159
klstein@satx.rr.com
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The synodical women’s organization is an active group that holds an annual convention (September or October), regular regional training events, conference gatherings, and congregational Bible studies, small groups, etc. The Women of the ELCA raised $25,000 to support campus ministry in San Marcos and are strong supporters of Lutheran World Relief projects. www.swtxwomenelca.org/
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