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July 6, 2022 |
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ELCA Hosts “Embody the Word” Online Bible Study SeriesIn preparation for the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, ELCA members are encouraged to participate in a series of online Bible studies that will explore the assembly theme, “Embody the Word,” from Luke 24. The assembly, the highest legislative body of the ELCA, will meet in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 8-12. The Bible study series will comprise four online sessions to be held Sundays in July from 3 to 3:45 p.m. Central time. Each session will focus on the meaning of “embodiment,” open with a video presentation and continue with a moderated discussion. This week will feature the Southwestern Texas Synod's very own Rev. Jay Alanis of St. John Lutheran Church in San Juan. Click to find out more about Rev. Jay and the other leaders here. Check out the the ELCA's Youtube page for recorded Bible Studies. |
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CrossWork Summer InstituteWelcome to the CrossWork Summer Institute. This series of educational and potentially life-enhancing workshops will be presented to CrossWork and the community free of charge. Join Us Live Online or In-Person! Allen R. Baca Center Dr. Leonard N. Moore, George Littlefield Professor of American History at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Moore will instruct us utilizing his latest book, Teaching Black History to White People (2021, University of Texas Press). This is a 4-week, in-person community course, based on Dr. Moore's acclaimed book. (An an alterative, online course will be available). In-person attendees will have the option to purchase a copy of the book at a discounted price of $10 (reg. price $20). Purchase options: Books must be picked up in person at the church at a pre-arranged time; books will not be shipped. |
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Boundary Training ReminderA friendly reminder that all Pastors, Deacons, PMTP trained leaders, and seminarians NEED to take Boundary Training. This needs to be completed by the end of the year. To register for the online Boundary Training through Safe Gatherings, click here. It is the Clergy & Ministerial Ethics that only cost $22 and takes 2 hours. For more information or questions, contact Deacon Darcy Mittelstaedt at dmittelstaedt@swtsynod.org
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Embracing Evangelism Train the Trainer Event (Zoom & In-Person)August 6th (9A-12P) – Zoom Only and August 27th (9A-12P) – In Person Only @ Peace, New Braunfels As Lutherans, we promise in our Baptismal Covenant to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ. That’s a bold statement, requiring us to not only act, but also to tell. Join us in a Train the Trainer event to engage your congregation in Evangelism. Register TODAY by clicking HERE! For questions, contact Deacon Darcy Mittelstaedt (dmittelstaedt@swtsynod.org) or Edwin Ortiz (eortizswt@gmail.com). |
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Name Gathering Project for Lutheran Campus MinistriesThis summer, you can be instrumental in connecting students with campus ministry by partnering with Texas-area Lutheran Campus Ministries. Campus ministries are welcoming, grace-filled, and loving spaces for young adults to continue to build up their faith, serve their community, be fed (both physically and spiritually), and so much more. And now is a vital time for communities like these - as we all continue to readjust to what "normal" means, campus ministries offer spaces for young adults to explore their faith, ask questions, lead, grow, and connect. Lutheran Campus Ministries across the state are already preparing for the next academic year by dreaming about ways to build up their students as they come together again in the fall. But, we need your help!! Does your church have college-bound students? Then you can help us! Refer your college-bound students today on this secure form: https://www.luminelca.org/refer-a-student/, or email Cecie Suknaic Saulnier (csuknaic@gmail.com), the coordinator for this Name Gathering Project. The information submitted through LuMin is sent only to ELCA Campus Pastors who use it to reach out and connect with students, inviting them to campus ministry communities even before school starts in August. We are hoping to connect as many students as possible to these incredible ministries, and we are grateful for your help in this process!
And here in the Southwestern Texas Synod, campus ministries make a big impact. There are 4 ELCA Campus Ministries in our synod: ChristChapel at Texas State with Pastor Jaime Bouzard, Lutheran Campus Ministry of San Antonio (serving San Antonio area universities like UTSA, Trinity University, St. Mary's, and more!) with Pastor Heather Hansen, LuMin at the University of Texas with Pastor Brad Fuerst, and Campus Ministry at Texas Lutheran University with Pastor Wes Cain. These ministries create opportunities for young adults worship, learn, and serve together; to share meals (sometimes with up to 300 students); they provide resources such as food pantries, toiletry closets, and even scholarships; and offer mentorship and care in one of the most transitional times of life for young adults.
During this busy summertime, where ministry with youth and young adults really takes off in congregations, submitting information to the ELCA LuMin referral program can feel like one more thing to do on a never ending to-do list. But taking the few minutes to connect students to campus ministry can have the potential to enhance their lives and open the door to a space of care, love, and welcome in the midst of change. We are called to be good stewards as followers of Jesus Christ, and this includes helping to steward young adults from one ministry to the next! They will always have a church home in your congregations, as well as prayerful support and love - but campus ministry can be an additional home for them! Refer your students today, or reach out to Cecie with any questions!
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Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest Names Associate Gift PlannerSigne Fredrickson of Bandera has been named as an associate gift planner with Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest. Ms. Fredrickson will serve the congregations and their members in six conferences of the Southwestern Texas Synod and with other ministries that are sponsoring organizations of the foundation. She most recently served as a mission funding director for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, serving in the three Texas-Louisiana and other synods of the church. Ms. Fredrickson will join Deacon John Dellis, director of legacy planning and senior gift planner, Southwestern Texas Synod, in serving the congregations and their members and other ministries in the Southwestern Texas Synod. She will initially serve in the Alamo, Bluebonnet, Capital North, Gulf Coast, Hill Country, and Rio Grande Conferences, while Deacon Dellis will continue to serve in the Capital South and Cibolo Creek Conferences. “The foundation is extremely pleased to have Signe Fredrickson join our staff as a gift planner,” Deacon Dellis said. “Her past experience with the ELCA and other church bodies, her familiarity with ELCA congregations and ministries in Texas, and her enthusiasm for generosity and legacy gifts that sustain and grow the ministries of the church will be invaluable to the foundation’s work and mission.” Born in Uruguay to Lutheran missionary parents, Ms. Fredrickson and her family later moved to San Antonio where she graduated from high school. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Pacific Lutheran University and a master of arts degree in sociology from Texas A&M University—Kingsville. She previously served as a licensed social worker for 18 years and with Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services, Austin. Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest provides legacy gift planning services for the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana, Southwestern Texas, and Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synods. The mission of the foundation is to recognize, inspire, facilitate, and teach legacy stewardship. It serves in partnership with the ELCA Foundation. Other sponsoring organizations include Cross Trails Ministry, Lutheran Sunset Ministries, Texas Lutheran University, and Upbring. |
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Have a great week! | ¡Disfruta la semana! |
