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November 10, 2021 |
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November 30thMany bishops and rostered ministers have reported an increase in anger in our faith communities. Certainly, the covid issues over the past two years have made ministry more complicated: New ministry plans delayed, organizing virtual worship and meetings, complications with pastoral care, financial support declining. These problems create anxiety and anger. The anger in our churches is also a part of the anger and unrest present in our country. I have developed a 1 hour zoom seminar for rostered ministers. It focuses on understanding the origin of anger and ways to help rostered ministers and congregation deal more effectively with anger. This workshop is available to the rostered ministers in the synod. Barbara Keller |
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Sacred TimeWe in the Office of the Bishop care deeply about your well-being, especially after this intense season of challenges and difficulties. As a sign of our care, we are gifting Sacred Time to you and everyone in our synod. Arranged by LEAD, Sacred Time is an online, international movement of people who follow Jesus or are curious about Jesus, and it is built around four, weekly, one-hour gatherings that allow each person the opportunity for Biblical reflection, conversation, and prayer in community with others. Sacred Time will focus on hope, peace, love, and joy by using selected scripture readings and guided questions. Trained facilitators will lead each gathering, and all you have to do is show up with an openness to God’s movement through you and the others in your group. To register, use code (AdventGift)(a $40 value) for the Southwestern Texas Synod, and feel free to invite your friends, family, and congregation to take part in Sacred Time. If you have questions, please contact Bishop Sue or Deacon Darcy Mittelstaedt. |
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November's IssueThis month's Living Lutheran has an article about one of our Synod Council Members, Brenda Pinero. Take a moment to read. |
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Godly Play One-Day WorkshopNew & Experienced Teachers Welcome Content covers mentoring children, structure of session, adult roles, stories from three genres, and story practice. Contact: Becki Stewart, stewart.becki@gmail.com, Accredited Godly Play Trainer Location: New Life Lutheran in Dripping Springs, Texas is an outdoor church and has 2 locations for the Godly Play classroom. One is outside under the oaks and the other is our tent used beginning in November. The plan is to use the Godly Play space in the tent. However, it may be moved to an indoor location in South Austin or nearby. Registration deadline November 29th. |
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SEISMIC SHIFTS: Where Do We Go From Here?Since February 2020, the Church has been enduring unprecedented seismic shifts. In response, a new Hybrid version of the grassroots Ignite the Church Conference will gather next February…In-Person in sunny Orlando AND Online…to reflect on the theme: SEISMIC SHIFTS: Where Do We Go From Here? The theme is grounded in the witness of Psalm 46: 1-2 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and the mountains shake." Four large group sessions will focus on the following shifts: Public Church (Robin Steinke and Winston Persaud), Hybrid Church (Joe and Jess Liles), Adaptive Church (Tod Bolsinger), Thriving Church (Stephanie Spellers). Ten 90-minute workshops will dig deeper into these shifts to offer encouragement, inspiration, and challenge for church leaders. Register by November 30 to access the lowest $99 In-Person rate. The Online option will provide live and recorded access to each large group session and the post-conference Resource Page. The Online option is FREE…with a suggested donation $30 to the ELCA Fund for Leaders invited. All proceeds continue to benefit the ELCA Fund for Leaders which has received $13,000 from the Conference in just the past two years. |
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Leadership for God's FutureLocal congregations are the foundation of Lutheran church life. Effective congregational councils can achieve great things in the service of God’s mission in our life together as the Body of Christ. This series of conversations and trainings is designed to build capacities for current and future members of ELCA congregational councils. Come to learn new techniques and skills while celebrating the good things the Holy Spirit is doing in our communities. Session 4: Who’s Afraid of Budgets? Nov. 11 |
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Church Innovations: DiscernmentIn the book of Acts, we have a unique statement by the leadership of the Jewish Christians, “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us . . .” Discernment is vital for living deeper into the mission of God. What practices lead to healthy spiritual discernment? What does discernment look like? Who is involved in the discernment process? Where does discernment lead? As churches move into a post-covid world, careful, thoughtful discernment is essential as we navigate what kind of churches we will be in a post-COVID world. Join Church Innovations in exploring the process of discernment so that the local church can find renewed energy and renewed mission. |
