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A
Network of Christ-Centered, Outwardly-Focused, Faith-Growing
Communities for the Sake of the World
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The
ELCA Office for Theological Ethics Seeks Feedback on Civic Life and
Faith Social Statement Draft
by Bishop Michael Rinehart
The 2019 Churchwide Assembly called for the development of a
statement on civic life and faith. A draft is now ready. Proposed
statements are typically made public for a period of 8-9 months.
The committee requests that we read it and provide feedback between
now and September 30, 2024. The Draft was posted the first of the
year.
Drafts are invitations for response—they do not represent official
teaching of the ELCA. Hearings within synods and congregations are
the primary form for response. There also is an online survey
response form for individual use. The Draft, the survey, and
additional information about the task force can be found at elca.org/civicsandfaith.
Read more...
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DMin
Wonder
by The Rev. Jen Kindsvatter
“Wait, does this mean you can give me a shot now?” This is the
first question my daughter, Emma, asked when I told her I was
starting a Doctor of Ministry program. At the age of eight, the
prescribed immunization schedule weighs heavy on her mind. “No, I
will not be the kind of doctor that gives you shots. I will be the
kind of doctor that applies academic learning to practical
ministry.” This answer appears to bore her, so she goes back to
crafting a parachute for her LOL doll.
I love school – a sentiment that my beloved, Matt, does not share.
I love to read and expand my understanding of the world. And I
especially love to learn alongside others who are passionate and
engaged. So, in June of 2022, I started a Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
program through Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. I was
drawn to this particular program because they offer a track on Wonder:
Re-Enchanting Christian Life. Each course within the
track aims to kindle divine curiosity. Wonder has been a core value
of mine for a while, and this program revealed a focused continuing
education experience that would buttress my fanciful ideal with
theological support.
Read more...
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Listen!
God Is Calling: Courtney Lerch
by Tracey Breashears Schultz, Bishop’s
Associate for Leadership
The theme for the 2024 Synod Assembly is Listen!
God Is Calling. We will focus on the theme of vocation
and talk about the distinct gifts each of us has to offer the
church and the world. Often, when we think about callings, we tend
to call to mind those who are called to ordained ministry, but I
have been privileged to meet and work with incredible lay people in
our synod who faithfully answer their callings every day. I will
use this newsletter space, throughout the year, to highlight some
of those people.
Meet Courtney Lerch! Courtney is the Director of Faith Formation on
staff at Faith Lutheran Church in Bellaire, where my husband and I
have had our membership since I joined synod staff in 2019.
Courtney grew up at Faith and began attending there with her family
when she was in early elementary school. Because they did not offer
ministry for young adults, when Courtney came back, after earning a
degree in Latin American studies from Colley College in Maine, she
began visiting different churches. Courtney has always had an
adventurous spirit, spending her junior year of high school in
Barcelona, Spain and her junior year of college in Bolivia. So,
searching out a church home was a way of doing what she knew she
enjoyed - trying new things and experiencing new places.
Read more...
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Good
News about Seminary Debt
by Bishop Michael Rinehart
You are a generous synod.
A few weeks ago I had the great joy of writing thousands of dollars
in checks to pay Seminary debt for some of our clergy. You made
this happen.
Our endowment has grown from $1 million to $4 million over the last
15 years. A significant portion of the annual interest from that
endowment goes to support seminary students from this synod. Our
goal is that no student incur any seminary debt. We have been
successful for many years.
Still, we have a number of clergy who went to seminary before these
funds were available, and new pastors move into our synod from
other parts of the country that may not have a similar seminary
support program. A study in 2015 showed that 80% of ELCA clergy
carried some kind of educational debt at some point. 20% had more
than $70,000 of debt, with payments of $800 or more.
Read more...
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Lisa’s
Pieces: Creation Care Tips from the Synod Lutherans Restoring
Creation Team
by Lisa Brenskelle
The mission of Lutherans Restoring Creation is to
promote incorporation of care for creation into the full life and
mission of the church, working in five areas: worship, education,
discipleship, building & grounds, and public ministry/advocacy.
Read more...
February
and Early March Creation Care Events
- Reducing Plastic Waste: The Role of
Faith Communities – Sunday, February 4, 2
p.m., online
- Climate Solutions 101 –
Mondays thru February 19, 6 p.m., online
- Living the Change Weekly Discussion
Group – Tuesdays thru April 2, 6 p.m., online
- The Path of Hope: A Study on Climate
Action for Faith Communities – Wednesdays thru
February 7, 6 p.m., online
- Cool Congregations Cohort –
3rd Mondays throughout 2024, 7 p.m., online
- Ecoactivist Testament Book Discussion
Group – Wednesdays, February 21-March 20, 6 p.m.,
online (Note: author to speak on 2/21)
- Drawdown Roadmap – Mondays,
February 26-March 18, 6 p.m., online
- Beach Clean-Up – Sunday,
February 25, 2-4 p.m., Surfside Beach
- Grassland Restoration in Texas – Making
Old Things New Again – Sunday, February 25, 6
p.m., online
- Native Plant Pollinator Garden Refresh
– Saturday, March 2, 10 a.m., Christ the King, 2353 Rice
Blvd., Houston
- Pocket Prairies for Faith Communities
– Sunday, March 3, 3 p.m., online
- Outdoor Guided Ecological Stations of
the Cross – Saturday, March 9, 3 p.m., Holy Name
Retreat Center, 430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston
- Justice Advocacy Event –
Sunday, March 10, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Christ the King, 2353 Rice
Blvd., Houston
Contact gcs.lrc@gmail.com for details on
any of these events.
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