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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
Uncanny Deacon
by Deacon Ben Remmert
When I think about my journey as a deacon in ELCA, I
am reminded of some of the taglines from my favorite comic book
series, The Uncanny X-Men, “strange and unusual.” I
would say that was true of my journey as I was not the traditional
kid growing up in the church. I grew up in a rural congregation
with super conservative views. We attended a church that expressed
that all were welcome but would not welcome my mom for communion
(because of her Roman Catholic background), would not allow women
to read and serve in the church, and would only recognize children
in Sunday School classes and not in worship. It was also a
tradition that emphasized works over grace. After my parents’
divorce, this did not sit well with our extended family members.
Read more...
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An
Update on Candidacy in the Gulf Coast Synod
by Tracey Breashears
Schultz, Bishop’s Associate for Leadership
Those who are preparing for rostered leadership in
the ELCA take two parallel paths. One is the academic, seminary
journey. The other is candidacy, for which I’m responsible, along
with our synod’s Candidacy Committee, chaired by Deacon Beth
Hartfiel.
There are three major candidacy milestones along the way: Entrance
(the first), Endorsement (usually before internship), and Approval
(just before first call). These are student check-in points for
which there is an essay due and an interview. Our committee is made
up of dedicated people – both lay and ordained – who walk alongside
our students and who make time to read their essays and to reflect
thoughtfully with them about what they are learning and what God is
doing in their lives. Each of our candidates is assigned a relator,
a member of the Candidacy Committee, with whom to check in.
Read more...
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Don’t
You Want to be a Pastor?
by Deacon Jessica Noonan
Unlike many Lutherans, I was not baptized as a baby.
My family began going to church when I was a teenager, so my
“official” welcome into the Lutheran church was at 15. Within a
couple years, adults from the congregation invited me to volunteer
with the junior high students. This path moved me towards my call
into youth ministry at age 18 which led me into changing my major
to theology when I was almost done with college. This call that I
felt was strong and led me to places I would never have expected,
over and over again. Often, I was asked in those early years,
“Don’t you want to be a pastor?” and my resounding answer was “NO!”
Nothing against my colleagues who have that call, but that wasn’t
my call and that was very clear to me.
Read more...
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Pew to
Pulpit: My Path to Ordination through Christ Lutheran Church
by Pastor Kenneth Weiss
My wife Kathy and I joined Christ Lutheran Church in
Brenham, Texas in 1978. Being a member there has been one of my
great joys in life and the start of my path to ordained ministry.
Our faith family at Christ Lutheran became our extended family in
real ways as shared life together.
Christ Lutheran was established as a mission congregation in 1965
by Pastor Robert Pfenning and he served there for the first three
years of our membership. Pastor Pfenning is the one who really made
an impression on us as we were seeking a church home and came to
visit Christ Lutheran. His firm grounding in his faith and ability
to share that in his sermons and daily life really attracted us to
the congregation, along with the friendliness and dedication to the
mission of the congregation that was evident in all the people that
we met there. The people of Christ Lutheran have a deep
understanding of God’s presence with them as they serve in the
world and it was a way of life that neither Kathy nor I had
experienced in the church before.
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...
May
Creation Care Events
- Living the Change – ongoing
thru May, date/times individually scheduled, online
- Pocket Prairies & Great Grow Out
Workshop – Sunday, May 2, 2 - 4 p.m., Deer Park
Prairie, Deer Park
- Justice Advocacy Event –
Sunday, May 11, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran
Church, Houston
- Cool Congregations Cohort –
4th Mondays throughout 2025, 7 p.m., online
Contact gcs.lrc@gmail.com for details on
any of these events.
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