2024 Synod Assembly Updates | |
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We are almost a month from synod assembly which means you are about to receive a lot of synod assembly details. Please make sure you have registered and watch your email, as next week we will email voting members details about synod assembly, business materials and voting.
Business materials including the Bulletin of Reports, Nominations and Bishop Election Pre-Identified Nominees will be posted on the synod assembly website April 4th. Please visit https://www.swtsynod.org/business throughout the next month, as more information and updates will be posted as they become available.
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Assembly Offering
This year's assembly offering will go to support the Lutheran Disaster Response, our ELCA ministry that responds to natural and unnatural disasters in the United States and around the world. Find bulletin inserts and other promotional materials here.
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Help Build Disaster Buckets
In response to the human disaster at the border a request for tennis shoes (new or gently used for kids and adults) and 15–17-inch backpacks (kid’s size backpacks) have been made. We will have boxes to pack these items into, but if you gather a large amount at your congregation, please bring them packed and labeled.
To assist after natural disaster there is an item called a “Disaster Bucket”, or some may know it as a “Muck Bucket”. The 5-gal bucket (with lid) is full of items that can be used to clean and protect our friends, family, and neighbors. Due to limited space at the Omni Hotel in Corpus Christi we will be building 50 buckets and collecting 50 cases of water, so please only bring 50 of the items you are assigned because we will not have space to store extra items. To minimize the financial impact on our congregations across the Synod we will be dividing the list of items by conference.
Click here for a list of items by conference and more information
Download the bulletin insert here
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Damascus: Lifelong Learning
The Southwestern Texas Synod is offering two opportunities for a FREE pilot course with cohort groups that begin April 8th & 10th and run through May. (You can sign up even after April 1st, join us!)
We are also offering a FREE individualized online class without a Cohort group:
For more information visit www.swtsynod.org/learning or contact Deacon Darcy Mittelstaedt or Rebecca Guengerich.
Click here to register.
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Celebrating One Year: The Lord of Life Lutheran Church Legacy of Resurrection Endowment
On March 5, 2023, our Siblings of the Lutheran church called Lord of Life, having served North Austin for 27 years, celebrated Holy Closure. That community recognized the importance of their Call from God to all of us in that moment and, with great intention, created a legacy that continues in many different ways today. We are invited to recognize their holy discernment and celebrate the impact of this last year with all those experiencing God’s love in our shared present.
Click here to read the stories of this legacy, one year later.
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Tax Guides for Churches
Two helpful tax guides are now available for church personnel. Portico provides rostered ministers and congregations participating in the ELCA benefit program with access to no-cost tax guides available on myPortico and EmployerLink.
The Clergy Tax Return Preparation Guide by Richard R. Hammar gives special attention to tax-related topics most relevant to ministers. Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches helps congregations understand their federal tax-reporting requirements.
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Reflective Leadership Grants
The Reflective Leadership Grant supports an opportunity for structured reflection for lay or clergy leaders of Christian organizations that are advancing their mission following the multiple pandemics — COVID-19, racial inequity, economic disruption and mental distress — that emerged and/or intensified throughout the past few years. This grant aims to support those leaders whose work has made a demonstrable contribution to their organization's mission. These leaders are at a pivotal moment for stepping back and reflecting on what has been accomplished, what is changing and what is stable. The Reflective Leadership Grant allows leaders to broaden their perspectives and gain clarity about what needs to happen next in their personal and professional life. Click here to learn more
Application deadline: May 28, 2024
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Church Mutual Insurance Updates
The Churchwide office is aware of the difficulties currently facing the entire property insurance marketplace and the direct impact of insurers’ underwriting decisions. As you can imagine, Church Mutual is also directly impacted by these loss trends which influences their underwriting decisions regarding ELCA congregations and synods.
Church Mutual, like all property and casualty carriers, is reviewing the concentration of risk in high-hazard areas and adverse loss trends. This may result in some congregations not being offered renewal of their policies. It will likely also result in changes to premiums and deductibles. This current reality is being experienced nationwide in the property and casualty insurance industry, not only with Church Mutual.
Church Mutual, has recently introduced two new email addresses that may be useful to your congregation should you encounter servicing or non-renewal issues. The email addresses are as follows:
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Customerservice@churchmutual.com – This email is for those congregations having questions or concerns regarding insurance policy endorsement requests, change requests, coverage questions or policy language questions.
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ELCAprograms@churchmutual.com – This email is for congregations who have been non renewed by Church Mutual. Upon receipt a Church Mutual Account Manager will explain the non-renewal and put your congregation in touch with their Account Manager who will try to recommend options with other carriers.
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Nominate Young Musicians for Lutheran Summer Music!
Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival (LSM) is a residential academy for high school musicians. Students study with nationally recognized faculty, and are immersed in musical experiences through large ensembles (Choir, Band and Symphony Orchestra), chamber music, private lessons, elective classes, ongoing recitals and concerts. Students also experience a welcoming and joyful community that worships together daily, offering musical gifts through Lutheran liturgy and hymnody. LSM 2024 takes place at Valparaiso University in Indiana from June 30-July 28 and is open to students who have completed grades 8-12. Spots for LSM 2024 are filling fast! Nominate a student today at LSMacademy.org/nominate.
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Clergy Preaching Cohorts for 2024-2026
Applications for the 2-year cohorts for clergy are now open!
Eligibility Requirements:
- Masters of Divinity graduate
- Employed at a small congregation (<100 in attendance)
- Employed at a church in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, or Arkansas
- Ability to connect to online learning portal provided by FPP
- Ability to attend four in-person retreats over the next two years
Click here to learn more and apply.
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Nominations Now Open for Synod Elected Positions to be Voted on at Synod Assembly
We have several openings this year for the following positions:
- Synod Council members
- Committee on Discipline members
- Consultation Committee members
- 2025 Churchwide Assembly Voting members
Nominating committee members are: Pastor Kris Hill (chair), Pastor Brad Fuerst, Pastor Kara Hairell-Speed, Pastor Susie Schnelle, Ms. Kiesha Priem
For more information, or to submit a nominee, click here.
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Give to ELCA Youth Gathering’s In-Kind Offering
Your congregation can help build hurricane relief kits for New Orleans! Each ELCA region is asked to give a different item to build the kits. Our region is giving Liquid IV. All congregations can participate even if you are not sending any youth. For details or questions, contact Denise Blomquist.
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Job Opportunities
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St. Andrew in Canyon Lake is hiring a church musician, either organist or pianist to accompany its worship services. Contact Kristine Hill.
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Celebrating Dr. Norm Beck
Saturday, April 27
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Chapel of Abiding Presence at TLU
After dedicating 49 remarkable years to teaching, mentoring, and inspiring students and colleagues alike, Dr. Norm Beck is preparing to deliver his final lecture before entering a well-earned retirement. This event marks not just the end of an era but also a celebration of the amazing impact Dr. Beck has had on our community and the countless lives he has touched.
The lecture will be followed by a reception, providing an opportunity for friends, colleagues, and former students to share stories, express gratitude, and bid farewell to a beloved member of our community. Click here to learn more and RSVP.
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Total Solar Eclipse Retreat
April 5-9, 2024
Camp Chrysalis and Ebert Ranch
Come experience the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024 with Cross Trails Ministry! Both Camp Chrysalis and Ebert Ranch will be in complete darkness for over 4 minutes!
This once in a lifetime event will be paired with Cross Trails hospitality and activities to make an unforgettable long weekend. Participate in eclipse learning sessions and camp activities, and then join us for daily devotions and worships. Choose to do as much or as little as you would like and enjoy some great family time!
Learn more and register here.
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Religious Leadership: A Collaborative Model
A Virtual Book Discussion
April 9, 2024
7-9 p.m.
Zoom
Many religious leaders are exhausted, and operating inside of leadership structures that demand over-functioning. Join Princeton Theological Seminary for a free book discussion that invites leaders to exercise generosity and power-sharing in their organizations.
Discover a resource grounded in the exploration of Moses’s leadership in the biblical narrative and paired with contemporary innovators who have forged new collaborative models in their context. Leave with templates for life-giving leadership in your organization. Click here to learn more.
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Workshop: Laying the Foundation for Theological Innovation
April 11, 2024
10:00-11:15 a.m.
Zoom
It’s tempting as leaders to develop ministries simply based on trends and what’s popular at the faith community down the street. But what’s the role of theological reflection in guiding the programs, curricula, events, and activities your faith community says “yes” to?
In this interactive workshop, we’ll walk through a process for laying the theological foundations for your ministry so that everything you plan moving forward is rooted in discernment.
You’ll receive our new resource so you can immediately enact this process in your own setting. Register here.
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Family & Friends Spring Retreat
April 19-21, 2024
Camp Chrysalis
"Beyond Sunday”: Do you ever feel like your schedule is so packed that you can’t make time for faith beyond Sunday? Get away for the weekend to connect with family and friends, and we’ll equip you with faith practices and traditions to take home.
Enjoy making memories through interactive faith-building worship and Bible study, as well as your choice of camp activities for all ages! Families will live in their own air-conditioned cabin with a private bathroom and a shared central gathering room. Click here for more information and registration
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Land Acknowledgment Workshop
April 22, 2024
Choose One:
- 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Zoom
Learn from Wartburg’s process, how to move toward creating and living out a land acknowledgement in your congregation.
Bonus: We’ll drop resources for your use! No registration required.
Click here to enter the Zoom meeting
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Women's Craft Retreat
April 25-28 or April 26-28, 2024
Camp Chrysalis
Come to beautiful Camp Chrysalis to enjoy a weekend with women of faith learning new skills and escaping from the busyness of normal life. Slow down and relax as the Camp Chrysalis staff pampers you with wine and cheese, worship and devotions, and a quiet atmosphere. Bring your own project to work on or try your hand at one of our featured crafts. You can sign up for just one, two, or all of the crafts we are teaching. Sessions will be on Friday evening or during the day on Saturday. All materials are included in the craft fee. Click here to learn more and register
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Webinar: Learn How to Construct a Narrative Mission Plan for Your Community
May 6, 2024 or September 9, 2024
6 p.m. MST
Zoom
You’ve heard about Narrative Budgets, but really, we need to talk about them for what they are: Mission Plans. You’ve probably even seen some examples, or even seen a few mini demonstrations on what they are, why they work to convey your community’s impact, and have an idea of how they’re assembled. But maybe the process is still too confusing or too daunting for you. If so, this webinar is for you.
At 6 p.m. MST on Mondays, 5/6/2024 and again on 9/9/2024, Pastor Tim Brown, Director for Congregational Stewardship Support, will lead a webinar going step-by-step on how to create a Narrative Mission Plan hosted by our Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team. Click here for more information.
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Resources, Webinars, & Calendar | | | | |
