Recognizing the exhaustion and uncertainty that continue in light of the pandemic, particularly for those congregations in the midst of pastoral transition, the Office of the Bishop Staff have provided 5-10 minute video reflections for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, an Easter homily from Bishop Sue Briner and the Easter message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. These reflections will also all be posted to the Southwestern Texas Synod Facebook page for easy sharing on social media.

Synod Staff Messages 

Presiding Bishop's Easter Message     View     Download

The Synod Staff are gearing up for Synod Assembly! What might they be up to in those bright shirts and headbands? Register for Synod Assembly to find out more!

We know you have been eagerly awaiting and the time has come for assembly registration to open!

Half of our Southwestern Texas Synod congregations have not yet submitted their annual Parochial Report to the ELCA. If you have lost the form, there are copies on the Synod website (swtsynod.org) under Congregations/Forms that can be printed. If you need the congregation’s ID number or this year’s password, contact the synod office at INFO@swtsynod.org.

Good Shepherd is hosting a Dialogue Circle this Eastertide on Trauma and Healing, especially based on the book The Body Keeps the Score. Please consider spreading the word among people you know who may benefit. Pastor Travis offers the testimony of having benefited tremendously from preparing to lead this Circle.

Registration is free.

ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants accompany congregations and their partners throughout the United States and Caribbean as they draw on the strengths of communities to address local issues such as food security, clean water, housing, job readiness, human rights, policy change, leadership development and more. Together, these ministries are part of a comprehensive approach to breaking the cycle of poverty and hunger — for good.

To learn more about ELCA World Hunger and to apply, check out the resources on the page linked below.

The current application window closes on May 20th.

As part of its year-long campaign every year on a specific topic, Bread for the World urges elected leaders in Washington, D.C., to enable people in our nation and our world to feed their families and move out of poverty. The Offering of Letters campaign is the main way Bread engages people in churches and other faith communities in advocacy with their members of Congress.

If you are a member or leader of a church or faith community, you are invited to organize an Offering of Letters — an event at which people in your congregation, campus, or group sit down together to write to members of Congress on a specific issue. An Offering of Letters is an effective tool that enables citizens and residents of our country to make their voices heard and that helps shape our government's response to hunger.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has announced that the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering will be held in New Orleans, July 16-20. The Gathering pre-events — the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE) and the tAble, the ELCA gathering for youth living with disabilities — will be held July 13-16.

An announcement from the ELCA Youth Gathering states: “We’re jazzed to announce that we’re heading to New Orleans for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering, MYLE and the tAble. The Big Easy is filled with rich history, friendly locals, amazing food and great music, and we just can’t wait to go back.”

New Orleans hosted two consecutive ELCA Youth Gatherings — in 2009 and 2012. Service-learning projects during both events addressed the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina, and participants worked alongside residents to help in the long-term recovery efforts.

The Gathering leadership team is collecting ideas to help choose a theme for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering. Participate in the survey.

More information is available at ELCA Youth Gathering.

Congratulations to Lorie Garcia and Randa Gonzales who were accepted for the 5th Lutheran World Federation International Seminar for Laypersons in Church Leadership which will take place digitally in May and June.

Summary of Spring 2022 Church Council Meeting

Congregational Newsletter Updates

Request the Sunday Supply for Worship/Preaching list

Misconduct Policy & Report Misconduct

Rostered Leader Boundary Training

Synod Assembly June 10-12, 2022

Click for open positions across the synod

2021  Rostered Reports & Parochial Reports

Portico Updates & Tax Guides