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A
Network of Christ-Centered, Outwardly-Focused, Faith-Growing
Communities for the Sake of the World
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Bishop
as Fundraiser
by Bishop Michael
Rinehart
You won't find many books on bishops as fundraisers, but this is
most certainly an important part of the call. One only need look at
the apostle Paul’s appeals to have a sense of how this ties to
ministry.
Now it is not necessary for me to write you about the
ministry to the saints, for I know your eagerness, which is the
subject of my boasting about you to the people of Macedonia, saying
that Achaia has been ready since last year, and your zeal has
stirred up most of them. (2 Corinthians 9:1-2)
Of course, Paul is not speaking of the individual giving to the
congregation. He is speaking of the congregation/assembly giving to
support the wider churches' efforts, in this case for the poor
Christians in Jerusalem. This was a show of the Gentile church’s
solidarity with Jewish Christians facing persecution and hardship.
Read more...
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Sacred
Spaces, Digital Servers: A Future Deacon’s Journey
by Seminarian Rachel
McWhirter
When people think of a deacon, they often picture someone working
in hospitals, leading outreach programs, or advocating for justice
in the public square—a visible presence of service in the world.
But what about a deacon who ministers through the digital realm—the
same space where people gather to learn, connect, and seek meaning?
Scripture reminds us that God’s message extends to all corners of
the world, and in this digital age, that includes online spaces.
Becoming a deacon is about responding to a call shaped by service,
innovation, and a commitment to ensuring that all people experience
Christ’s love in meaningful ways. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I
stepped into this call by helping Christ the King in Houston
transition worship online, ensuring connection during uncertain
times. That experience revealed how digital ministry bridges faith
and technology, meeting people wherever they are. Through years of
navigating pastoral transitions, technological challenges, and evolving
congregational needs, my understanding of ministry’s adaptability
has deepened.
Read more...
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For
Those in Peril on the Sea: Seafarers International House at the
Port of Houston
by Tracey Breashears
Schultz, Bishop’s Associate for Leadership
The last week in February, I visited the Seafarers International
House (SIH) at the Port of Houston. I was part of a small group of
stakeholders hosted by Pastor Marsh Grege (Executive Director,
SIH-Metro New York Synod) and Pastor Susan Tjornehoj (SIH Board
Chair). Both of them ELCA clergy, they were in Houston to talk with
us about a greater ELCA presence at the Houston port, including the
possibility of calling a part-time chaplain!
In order to invite a chaplain to consider this call, I wanted to
know all I could about it. Was there ever much to discover! Did you
know that ninety percent of what we’re wearing, eating, and using
in our households comes to us by ship? Merchant seafarers, usually
in crews of 20-25, navigate the seas to take shipping containers to
their (international) destinations. We are indebted to them for
commerce, yet most of their work goes unnoticed and uncelebrated.
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...
March
& Early April Creation Care Events
- Living the Change –
March-May, date/times individually scheduled, online
- Pocket Prairies for Faith Communities
– Sunday, March 2, 3 p.m., online
- Climate Solutions 101 –
Mondays thru March 10, 6 p.m., online
- Faithful Resilience: A Study on Climate
Resilience for Faith Communities – Thursdays thru
March 13, 6 p.m., online
- Guided Prayer Walk in the Park
– Saturday, March 8, 10 a.m., Hermann Park, Houston
- The Earth and the Fullness Thereof book
discussion group – Tuesdays, March 11-April 15, 6
p.m., online
- Justice Advocacy Event –
Sunday, March 16, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran
Church, 2353 Rice Blvd., Houston
- Drawdown Roadmap – Mondays,
March 17 – April 7, 6 p.m., online
- The Path of Hope: A Study on
Climate Action for Faith Communities – Thursdays,
March 20-April 10, 6 p.m., online
- Run for Your Wildlife –
Saturday, March 22, 4:30 p.m., Baytown
- Beach Clean-up – Sunday,
March 23, 2-4 p.m., Surfside
- Hatchling Hustle – Saturday,
March 29, 7:30 a.m., Galveston
- Cool Congregations Cohort –
4th Mondays throughout 2025, 7 p.m., online
- Sunday Evening Conversations on Creation: Finding Common Ground on Conservation
– Sunday, March 30, 2 p.m., online
- Earth Month Ecochallenge –
month of April, online – join Lutherans Restoring Creation –
Gulf Coast team
- Walk for the Wild – Sunday,
April 6, 7 a.m., Houston Zoo
Contact gcs.lrc@gmail.com for details on
any of these events.
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