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Susan Briner reelected bishop of ELCA
Southwestern Texas Synod
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CHICAGO (May 7, 2024) —The Rev. Susan J. Briner, Seguin, Texas, was reelected May 5 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Southwestern Texas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election was held during the synod assembly, May 3-5, at the Omni Hotel in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Briner was reelected on the fifth ballot, with 146 votes. The Rev. Michael C. Coffey, lead interim pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Brenham, Texas, received 104 votes.
Briner was elected bishop of the Southwestern Texas Synod in 2018. She previously served as a bishop’s associate in the synod (2012 to 2018) and as pastor of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Summerville, S.C. (2003 to 2012).
The bishop earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from Duke University in Durham, N.C., in 1984, and a Master of Divinity degree from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) in Columbia, S.C., in 2003. LTSS is one of seven ELCA seminaries.
Information about the Southwestern Texas Synod is available at swtsynod.org/.
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2024 SWT Synod Assembly Summary
The Southwestern Texas Synod gathered May 3-5 in Corpus Christi for its 32nd annual Synod Assembly, under the theme “Called and Sent” which is connected to our synod vision and to our scripture from Acts 1:3-8. We approved the 2025-2026 budget, reelected Bishop Sue Briner to a second term, and (re-)elected the following people to leadership in our synod:
Synod Council: Mike Saulnier, Rudy Losoya, Bianca Blaney, Denise Schulz, Greg Althaus, Tim Clark, Johnnie Jordan, Michelle Schlinke, Deacon Brianna Morris-Brock, Pastor Hephzibah Penumaka, Deacon Lisa Diana
Committee on Discipline: Pastor Johnene Cunningham, Pastor Nancy Jaster, Pastor Julie Rowe, Pastor Tim Bauerkemper, Helen Maidment, Kiesha Priem
Consultation Committee: Pastor Katrina Walther, Randa Bruce Gonzales
In Addition, we elected the following persons as our 2025 Churchwide Assembly Voting Members: Pastor Caleb Jeffers, Pastor Lea Walker Clark, Lorie Garcia, Owen and Camila Powell, Michael Riggs and Lee Schnelle.
We saw a lot of wonderful “called and sent” videos which you can check out at Business (swtsynod.org). Cross Trails brought our opening camp worship and our preacher for Sunday morning’s worship was Bishop Susan Candea.
Pastor Chris Steubing wrote a special song, “Share your Story” for the assembly to go with our theme – we encourage you to use it in your congregation.
To date, we have raised over $32,000 for Lutheran Disaster Response, with more to come. We also assembled disaster buckets for use in the Gulf Coast and Rio Grande conferences.
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Open Visit Dates for Bishop Sue
Bishop Sue has openings on her calendar this Summer and Fall if you would like to invite her to your congregation to visit. These dates are first come, first serve. Please email her at sbriner@swtsynod.org to schedule:
- July 7, 14, 28
- August 11, 18, 25
- Sept. 15, 22
- Oct. 13, 20
- Nov. 3, 10
- Dec. 15, 22, 29
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School for Lay Ministry Learning Community
Embark on a transformative journey with the School for Lay Ministry Learning Community. This year-long program from Faith+Lead at Luther Seminary equips lay leaders with theological training and leadership skills to effectively serve and lead in their congregations. Starting May 18, 2024, the program offers 13 lessons and 42 contact hours of comprehensive training tailored to enhance your ministry impact. Learn more here
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Spring 2024 Ambassador-Gram
The newest edition of the Lutheran Men in Mission Ambassador-Gram is now available! Read it here.
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It’s Not Too Late to Join Lutheran Summer Music 2024!
We’re looking forward to an incredible year at LSM, and we’ve been able to add extra spots for this summer! Final openings are available for the four-week Full Session (June 30-July 28) for students in grades 8-12 who play clarinet, flute, horn, oboe, trumpet, euphonium, violin, or string bass.
Contact LSM Admissions for questions or to refer students. For more information or to apply, visit LSMacademy.org.
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Technology Discounts for Churches
Did you know that many tech companies offer discounts for churches? Discounts are offered from vendors such as:
- Tithe.ly
- Vanco
- Dell
- Canon CSA
- Microsoft
- Zoom
- Guidebook
For more information, click here.
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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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2024 Emanuel 9 Commemoration
Sunday, June 16
3:30pm
Emmanuel AME Church
1600 Semlinger Road
San Antonio
The Southwestern Texas Synod will join the African Methodist Episcopal Church to commemorate the lives lost in the 2015 Emanuel 9 shooting and to continue building meaningful relationships. Please plan to join us!
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Granting Rest: The Transformative Power of Sabbaticals
Thursday, May 23
3:00pm
Online
Join us for an enlightening panel discussion on sabbaticals featuring esteemed guests Bishop Mariann Budde, Rev. Randy Callender, and Jason Franklin, hosted by Wallace Benton, Associate Director of Lifelong Learning, as they explore the nature of sabbaticals and how to make the practice more equitable. Register here
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Resilience & Revolution: The Role of Protest and Rebellion in Creating Social Change
Tuesday, May 21
12:00-1:30pm
The ELCA Wittenberg Center is excited to announce our upcoming webinar: Resilience & Revolution: The Role of Protest and Rebellion in Creating Social Change! For more information and to register, please click on this link: bit.ly/bauernkrieg500. You are invited to share this webinar information with your networks; it is free and open to all!
El Centro ELCA Wittenberg presenta: Resiliencia y Revolución: El Rol de la Protesta y la Rebelión en la Creación del Cambio Social! Este seminario web es gratuito y abierto al público. Mas información e inscripción en: bit.ly/bauernkrieg500.
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Workshop - How to Use Your Church Property for Mission
Tuesday, May 21
12pm
Does your church property–with all its maintenance, updates, and needs–ever feel more like a burden than a blessing? Join us for this live workshop that will teach you how to become a vital resource in your community and better serve your mission by using your space more effectively. Click here for more information and registration.
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Spanish Language Immersion Week
June 1-7, 2024
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM)
San Antonio, TX
A week long immersion for pastors and/or staff who would like to learn Spanish and Latine culture, worship, liturgy, etc.
Learn more here or Register here
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Resources, Webinars, & Calendar | | | | |
