CONNECTIONS

A Network of Christ-Centered, Outwardly-Focused, Faith-Growing Communities for the Sake of the World

March 2026

Faithful Stewardship Through Strong Financial Practices

by Deacon Aimee Elles, Bishop’s Associate Candidacy & Education

As we prepare for the annual audit of our synod’s financials, I’ve been spending a great deal of time ensuring that our records are accurate, orderly, and transparent. This work—though often quiet and behind the scenes—is deeply connected to our call to faithful stewardship. When our financial practices are consistent, trustworthy, and clear, we reflect to our congregations, our donors, and our communities that we take seriously the resources entrusted to us for God’s work.

Why Good Financial Practices Matter for Our Congregations

Congregations across the ELCA are encouraged to maintain solid financial systems not simply for the sake of efficiency but because these practices embody accountability, transparency, and care. Healthy financial practices help build donor trust and demonstrate that a congregation takes the responsibility of stewarding their gifts seriously. Likewise, the ELCA emphasizes the importance of written procedures, separation of duties, and strong internal controls to safeguard offerings and manage expenditures responsibly.

Proper accounting, regular reconciliations, protected data, clear reporting, and adherence to internal controls are essential components of a healthy financial ecosystem. The ELCA outlines the importance of congregational policies related to receipts, disbursements, reconciliations, restricted funds, payroll, and more—each reviewed regularly by finance leadership.

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Christmas Celebration in the Central African Republic

by Karen Elsen & Rev. Cassandra Nagle

The Gulf Coast Synod is blessed to have global companion synod partnerships with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic (ELC-CAR) and the Lutheran Church in Peru (IL-P). For each country partnership, there is a corresponding Synod Team that meets periodically throughout the year to receive and share updates on the church, prepare and present an annual report to the Synod Assembly, and, most importantly, pray for our siblings in Christ in Peru and the Central African Republic.

This month, the CAR Team is excited to share the hopeful, life-giving news that they received in early 2026 from President Joseph Ngoe of the ELC-CAR. Over Christmas 2025, in the town of Bouar in western Central African Republic, the church had its first-ever Christmas celebration for pastors and their families. President Ngoe shared this group photo of the families in attendance.

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Dreaming of a Young Adult Ministry: Gather Space City

by Gavin Gillar

When I attended college at the University of Houston, my campus pastor took us to a Rosh Hashanah service hosted by Houston Hillel, an organization of Jewish young adults in the Houston area. It was an evening of fellowship, good food, and worship where I learned that I recognized a surprising amount of Hebrew words. It was such an enjoyable experience that I could not help but wonder if such a thing would be possible for us; a large group of diverse Lutheran young adults from all over the Houston area getting together for fellowship and worship.

When the Youth and Family Director at my church, Susan Woodson, approached me about the possibility of starting a young adult ministry at our church, I was thrilled at the idea. We managed to get together with a small group of about six people; me, my siblings, a few people I knew from working at Lutherhill, and the pastor’s kid to form “Open Table”. While this was great, I still held on to my dream from before. When I eventually heard about the Gather Network, I realized I wasn’t alone, and I had a vehicle to hopefully make my dreams into a reality.

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