Synod Events
Boot Camp for Times of Transition
March 23, 2024 9am-2pm
Southwestern Texas Synod Office
TAKING STOCK OF TEN THINGS THAT
EQUIP A CONGREGATION TO NAVIGATE
A HOLY FORK IN THE ROAD
Is your congregation going through a season of change? Have you experienced a "holy fork in the road" ... perhaps a pastoral transition, or a change in giving or vitality? Are you ready, as a congregational leader, to take action toward vital transformation? This boot camp is for you. As you are getting ready to take the best next step down the road of transition, let us pause together to explore how your congregation is equipped for the journey through change. This workshop is especially for Transitional Team members, Council leaders, Transitional Pastors, and Supply Pastors, AND it is also for any leader preparing with their congregation for something new.
There is a $25 per person workshop fee, which includes your lunch and materials. If you are interested in this boot camp, but have any limitation in participation, let us know how we can help you: holyforkministry@swtsynod.org.
Boundary Training
February 7, 2024
Emanuel's Lutheran Church
310 N Travis St. | Seguin, TX 78155
The Southwestern Texas Synod will hold the first iteration of its new annual Boundary Training on February 7th, 2024, with the location still to be determined - at a congregation between San Antonio and Austin. The training will be centered around addressing race and racism in the parish with some additional clergy ethics reminders. If you have experienced a situation involving race and racism in your congregation and would like to submit it as a case study for our time together, please send it to idecoordinator@swtsynod.org. There will be another offering of this boundary training in the Fall at a location closer to our more southern congregations. If you are overdue for the standard clergy ethics training (ie. you have not taken it in the least three years), please get in touch with Deacon Darcy Mittelstaedt.
San Antonio Network Summit
January 27, 2024 9am-3pm
Abiding Presence Lutheran Church
If you have a call to connect with the rich diversity of this city and other people who are living out of the radically inclusive gospel of Jesus, this is for you. Bring your friends.
Expect a focus on:
• RELATIONSHIPS Getting to know each other’s wonders, hopes, and commitments for the people living in and near San Antonio.
• SAN ANTONIO Imagining a collaboration in the city that grows out of your own faith curiosity and concerns for the people around us.
• GOD’S CHURCH Learning leadership skills that will support your congregation or organization as well as our network.
Equipping the Saints
February 3, 2024
2024 is the 40th anniversary for the Annual Equipping the Saints (ETS) sponsored by the Bluebonnet Conference of ELCA Congregations. Equipping the Saints is known for its many workshops that provide important insights and Biblically-based practical tools to equip persons to do congregational and community ministry and mission. There will be opportunities for personal and spiritual growth, table fellowship (catered meal) with Christians of area congregations, child care for young children of attendees, and the experience of worship as the body of Christ. While the event is sponsored by ELCA (Lutheran) congregations, it is open to persons of all denominations. Join us for this special opportunity, and invite friends and neighbors to attend.
Contact: Pr. Herb Beyer
Holy Land Pilgrimage
December 28, 2024-January 6, 2025
We are grateful to partner with Elias Tours for our pilgrimage to the Holy Land at the end of 2024. Our original trip scheduled for January 2024 conflicted with several other trips, so we have chosen to move to a different date and travel company. This also offers you a great opportunity to have extra time for financial planning! You will see that the cost of the trip is higher than the original one, but now includes airfare. Scholarships and other financial support are still available.
Contact: Pr. Jessica Cain
