|
|
A
Network of Christ-Centered, Outwardly-Focused, Faith-Growing
Communities for the Sake of the World
|
|
|
Weekly
News & Announcements
April 8, 2024
|
|
|
|
|
2024
ELCA Youth Gathering Leaders Training: April 20
Adult
leaders that are going to the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering are
strongly encouraged to join us for an adult leader training on April 20 at Christ the King Lutheran
Church, 2353 Rice Blvd, at 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. We will discuss about
the Gathering and the latest updates about the Gathering. This
meeting will be hybrid so if you are not able to join us in-person,
please let Deacon Ben Remmert at benremmert@ctkelc.org know and the
zoom link will be emailed to you. RSVPs are strongly encouraged to
help with preparations.
|
|
|
|
Kinsmen
Lutheran Church Welcomes New Associate Pastors
Kinsmen
Lutheran Church is pleased to welcome two new Associate Pastors to
their ministry team.
The Rev. Jay Shailer will be the new Pastor of Discipleship, while
Pastor Adriana Johnson-Rivas serves as Pastor of Latino Ministries.
A Double Installation Worship Service will be held at 3 p.m.
Sunday, April 14 at the
church, and the community is invited to attend.
“I am excited to welcome both of these gifted individuals to the
staff of Kinsmen,” said The Rev. Dr. Beth Warpmaeker, Senior Pastor
of Kinsmen Lutheran Church. “The mission and ministry we share is
to inspire every generation to experience God’s grace in Jesus
Christ, and to embrace all in our community through authentic
relationships. I know Pastor Shailer and Pastor Johnson-Rivas will
help us do just that.”
The Rev. Jay Shailer
earned his M.Div. from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio.
He was ordained in 2014 by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America, and has served in full time ministry for more than 9
years, including as a pastoral assistant, lead campus pastor, and
redevelopment pastor. He and his wife, Ali, have three sons ranging
in age from 6th grade to high school.
At Kinsmen, Pastor Shailer will oversee high school, middle school,
and young adult ministry as well as discipleship for all ages.
Upcoming plans include providing adult leadership for Camp Hope, a
summer day camp at Kinsmen; leading the youth mission trip to a
Youth Gathering in New Orleans; and “Theology on Tap,” gatherings
for young adults at local restaurants and microbreweries.
“I am so excited to be part of the outstanding team at Kinsmen,”
says Pastor Shailer. “I continue to be in awe of the strong sense
of mission and deep impact the congregation makes in Christ’s
name.”
Pastor Adriana Johnson-Rivas
has been serving as Interim Pastor of Latino Ministries at Kinsmen
for more than a year. She was born into a large family in Medellin,
Columbia, and moved to the United States in 1986. After
volunteering at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church for many years, she
completed her studies at the Lutheran Seminary Program in the
Southwest, located in Austin, TX, and was ordained in 2013.
Pastor Johnson-Rivas will continue to grow the Spanish-speaking
ministry at Kinsmen, known as Sagrada Familia, as well as reaching
out to the Latino community through ESL classes, citizenship classes,
health fairs, and other ministry opportunities.
|
|
|
|
Disaster
Ministry Team Monthly Meetings
Interested
in disaster preparedness and/or crisis response? You’re invited
(and we could use you)!
- Next meeting April 9
- 2nd Tuesday of
every month
- 1:30-2:30pm Central
- Zoom
For more
info, email dorie@gulfcoastsynod.org.
|
|
|
You are invited to worship and
celebrate with Kinsmen Lutheran Church as
Jay Shailer
is installed as Pastor of Discipleship
and
Adriana Johnson-Rivas
is installed as Pastor of Latino Ministries
Sunday, April 14, 2024
at 3:00 p.m.
Kinsmen Lutheran Church
12100 Champion Forest Dr., Houston Texas 77066
Rostered leaders are invited to
process. The color of the day is white.
|
|
|
|
After
dedicating 49 remarkable years to teaching, mentoring, and
inspiring students and colleagues alike, on April 27, Dr. Norm Beck is preparing to
deliver his final lecture before entering a well-earned
retirement. 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. It will be a time for
reflection, celebration, and looking forward to the future,
standing on the foundation laid by Dr. Beck’s contributions. Learn more and RSVP.
|
|
|
|
Cougars
and Spartans and Aggies, Oh My! This year during NCAA March
Madness, Treehouse (Blinn and Texas A&M) and HouMin (UH, TSU,
Lone Star, etc) are participating in Campus Ministry Madness, a
fundraising challenge between Lutheran Campus Ministry sites
across the country. Did you know that 89% of students who
participated in campus ministry planned to continue being active
in a faith community? Your support of Campus Ministry allows
students to have a space to explore and grow in their faith and prepare
themselves for a deep faith life after they graduate. Help HouMin
and Treehouse reign supreme or give to your alma mater to support
the transformational work happening at our Campuses nationwide! Give today.
|
|
|
|
The
Youth Ministry Team has been working diligently on the Youth
Ministry resolution to suggest ways to strengthen youth ministry
in our synod. They have a draft report prepared and are excited
to start working on it, even before assembly starts. One of the
first priorities is to gather youth ministry resources:
curriculums, Bible studies, retreats, fundraisers, leadership,
etc. If you would like to be part of this newly focused
team, contact Pastor Paul Zoch at anormaljoe@hotmail.com.
|
|
|
|
The
Gathering could not happen without the love and support of our
volunteers. Our volunteer applications
are now open! This cycle, we have five different volunteer
opportunities for which you can apply. For a detailed list of
responsibilities and deadlines, or to apply, visit our website.
|
|
|
|
May 17-18, 2024
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
3801 S. Panther Creek Drive
Woodlands, TX 77381
Register now!
Registration will close completely on
May 9, and there will be no on-site registration.
|
|
|
|
In 2024
the Gulf Coast Synod will expand our impact. With an
increase in Mission Support of $60,000 in 2024, we will sustain
our strong ministry while significantly investing in leaders for
God’s church. Through a lay school, we will raise the preparation
and capacity of leaders in our congregations. We will ensure that
our existing rostered leaders have excellent continuing education
opportunities. We invite your congregation to return your Mission Support Estimate so we
can immediately implement these priorities.
|
|
|
|
Join
Bishop Michael Rinehart and Pastor David Hansen on a
life-changing, faith-deepening pilgrimage as we travel the world
of the Bible. Exploring Greece and Turkey, the history of the New
Testament comes alive. Retrace the voyages of Paul as you learn about
the early church and the spread of the Gospel. Start your journey
in Athens and Corinth, then into Ephesus, as you make your way to
Patmos. Trip departs from Houston on June 19, 2024 and returns on June 30, 2024. Learn more and book now!
|
|
|
|
|
LEAD: Living Every Day As
Disciples
LEAD is a Christian leadership
development organization that is nurtured by this synod to be a
gift to the whole church.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lutherans Restoring Creation
For more information on LRC, contact the Lisa Brenskelle. The team is
seeking additional members.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Live On
Live On is the endowment fund
of the Gulf Coast Synod. Together with the synod, we are
developing Lutheran leadership through a culture of generosity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
