 Hurricane Prep
Hurricane Season is upon us. Please use these links to get your family ready now using the Family Check List. This information will be on the synod website for easy access. But don't stop there. Check out the great information from other websites linked to our synod page. Please, act on these lists now. .................................
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Join Bishop Mark Hanson for Town Hall Forum
 If you could
ask Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson a question about the ELCA, what would it
be?
You are invited to submit your question at the next online Town Hall Forum with
Bishop Hanson on Sunday, September 19, 2010, at 5 p.m. EDT.
Participating
is easy and convenient: Watch the event live from 5-6 p.m. EDT at www.elca.org/townhall
Log in to post questions online Post comments using
Facebook Connect Tweet about the event using the hashtags #ELCA and
#BishopHanson View open captioning
Whether or not you have a question to ask, you'll be part of
a nationwide conversation with other ELCA members about issues that matter to
all of us. What a remarkable opportunity.
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Leadership Gatherings;
Learn, Grow, Connect!
Our
final "Walking the Way" Leadership Gathering for 2010 is coming up at Zion
Lutheran Church (3606 Beauchamp) in Houston, TX on September 10-11.
Participants at the Brenham and New Orleans
Gatherings (held in August) found the opportunity to connect with others doing
similar ministry functions quite helpful. The content of the large group discussions and
smaller breakout sessions were also reported to be very helpful for a variety
of ministry areas.
Not registered for
the Houston event yet? Download the flyer and Register now! And bring your key leaders -
ministry-specific breakout sessions are available for council presidents and
vice presidents, treasurers and financial secretaries, as well as those who
work in the areas of evangelism, stewardship, worship, intergenerational
ministry and social justice. Breakout
sessions on developing a small group ministry and becoming a Mission
Interpreter will also be offered. There's something for everyone!
Child care is
available; reservations must be made in advance through online registration..................................
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LYO Restoration Project - Help
Launch a New Lutheran Youth Organization!
We have a strong history of student leadership in our synod, but what
does it look like in this day and time? By LYO
RESTORATION PROJECT, we mean a year-long re-formation of our synod's
LYO by taking the best of the past and building the best of the future to make
a new outstanding leadership system for middle school and high school
youth. Don't miss this first, critical opportunity to have your voice
heard. This will be a youth-led, adult-mentored ministry so adults who
work with youth are welcome too!
*Please note that this experience has been happening within the Leadership Gatherings in Brenham, Houston and New Orleans, so
all young voices are heard. Students are encouraged to stay the whole day
as the breakout sessions are for people of all ages. This is only the
beginning... .................................
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Kan You Kover 100K?
St. John Lutheran Church in Cat
Spring, Texas invites you to join them in making a difference in the lives of
our brothers and sisters in Christ a half a world away in the Central African
Republic (CAR).
On September 30th through October 2nd, they will host a 100 kilometer walk (62
miles) to raise money to purchase motorcycles for pastors in the
CAR. Seventy-one pastors (12 of whom are retired) serve church members in
their assigned 100 km2. Many of them walk, earning the equivalent of $70
a month in this itinerant ministry.
Motorcycles, in addition to helping pastors carry out their duties, are also
the best mode of transporting people with medical needs to hospitals and
clinics. Each motorcycle costs roughly $2,500.
St. John is inviting individuals and teams to commit to walking and to obtain
sponsors. The route will take you from Cat Springs through Bellville,
Brenham, Welcome, Industry, New Ulm and back to Cat Spring. If you want to
take part, but cannot do the whole 100K, please consider taking part in one
segment of the walk, or contribute by being a sponsor or helping along the
route. Registration deadline is September 20, 2010. Check out the Let's Take A Walk brochure and sponsor sheets or visit the Kan You Kover 100K websitefor pointers on training. .................................
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Coalition for Education and Reconciliation
 The decisions made around human
sexuality and professional ministry requirements at the 2009 Churchwide
Assembly have been sources of celebration for some, but also sources of
conflict and pain for others. Recognizing
this range of reactions, a Coalition for Education and Reconciliation is being
formed to help work through all the emotions and to help maintain relationships
within the Gulf Coast Synod.
An initial meeting for forming
the Coalition will be held at Salem Lutheran Church, 4930 West Bellfort,
Houston, on Monday, September 20th,
at 6:30 pm. The meeting will be held
in Salem's Garden Room. Park in the lot
on the east side of the property (between the old sanctuary and Jack-in-the-Box).
This meeting will begin the
formation of the Coalition, as well as beginning the process of brainstorming
how to go about its work. Thoughtful
people on all sides of the issue are encouraged to attend to help set the tone
and direction of this important ministry.
The Coalition for Education and
Reconciliation is not an official organization of the Gulf Coast Synod, but has
been initiated by individuals within the synod. Lay people and rostered leaders are all
invited to participate.
We recognize that this
announcement may come too late for parish newsletter deadlines, so please make
this a part of your weekly announcements, if possible. Any questions may be directed to Neil Orts,
713-838-1787 or neilellisorts@yahoo.com.
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Mark Your Calendar: Synod Assembly 2011 is May 20-22 in Galveston!
 Plans are underway for a fantastic Synod Assembly 2011, focusing on one
of our synod's top priorities, Intergenerational
Ministry! This is the second of a two-year
experiment with a Friday-Sunday Assembly.
A special youth program is being developed to run alongside the
Assembly. Big plans are being made, so
be sure to save the date and look forward to a great learning experience as we
conduct our synod's business. Remember
to invite your key leaders to be voting members!
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Index of Articles
Watch the Houston Lutheran Campus Ministry's Award-winning Human Trafficking Video
Back Up Your Computer and Church Records, by Bishop Rinehart
As we move into the most serious month of hurricane season, it's time to
make absolutely sure you're completely backed up. Don't forget, you keep very
important records of baptisms, confirmations, weddings, ordinations, and
deaths.
Join Bishop Mark Hanson for a Town Hall Forum
If you could ask Bishop Hanson anything, what would it be? You will have a chance on September 19 at 5:00 p.m. EDT.
Leadership Gatherings: Learn, Grow, Connect
Our final "Walking the Way" Leadership Gathering for 2010 is coming up at Zion Lutheran Church, Houston on September 10-11.
Fall Continuing Ed Opportunity with Craig Satterlee
After reviewing a framework for and method of
preaching, Craig A. Satterlee, LSTC's Professor of Homiletics and Dean of the
ACTS Doctor of Ministry in Preaching Program, will lead us through the readings
for the Christmas cycle from a homiletic perspective. You will come away with ideas for sermons
from Advent I through Epiphany.
Companion Synod Peru Trip: Beyond Words, by Peggy Hahn
Our
Companion Synod in Peru (ILEP) taught us hospitality and hope this
summer as 32 youth and adults experienced a Cultural Immersion-or as we
now think about it -a Holy Pilgrimage in July.
SEMBRANDO: A New Children's Ministry in Peru that supports the congregations supporting famlies
 The need is NOW for children in Peru who look to their neighborhood
Lutheran Church for the meals they would not otherwise have, help with
homework and for support for their family. This new pilot program will
work directly with parents who live in extreme poverty as they struggle
to care for their children. Your gift of only $400 supports a family and children in their community for a year.
Companion Congregations Needed for Every Congregation in Peru
The
Companion Congregations program is built on relationships, prayer
partnership and mutual growth. Companion are encouraged to visit each
other, to email and exchange stories, prayer requests and ideas for
ministry. We have much to learn from each other!
Congregations on the Move, by Pastor Kerry Nelson
We have two
ministries in our synod now preparing to go on the move: Celebration Church in Cypress and Joyful Life in The Woodlands.
LYO Restoration Project: Help Launch a New Lutheran Youth Organization
By "LYO
RESTORATION PROJECT," we mean a year-long re-formation of our synod's
LYO by taking the best of the past and building the best of the future to make
a new outstanding leadership system for middle school and high school
youth. Don't miss this first, critical opportunity to have your voice
heard.
Coalition for Education and Reconciliation
A Coalition for Education and Reconciliation is being
formed to help work through all the emotions and to help maintain relationships
within the Gulf Coast Synod.
An initial meeting for forming
the Coalition will be held at Salem Lutheran Church,
Houston, on Monday, September 20th,
at 6:30 pm.
Hurricane Prep
Now is
the time to use the following check-lists for your family and
congregation to make a plan.
TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod - ELCA Revenue and Expenses
Report on Revenue and Expenses through July 2010
Kan You Kover 100K?
St. John Lutheran Church in Cat
Spring, Texas invites you to join them in making a difference in the lives of
our brothers and sisters in Christ a half a world away in the Central African
Republic (CAR). On September 30th through October 2nd, they will host a 100 kilometer walk (62
miles) to raise money to purchase motorcycles for pastors in the
CAR.
Three Reasons to Die Without a Will, by John Hunsicker
There must be powerful reasons to
avoid having a will because so many people die without one. In case you happen to be one of the six out
of 10 who will depart without a will, here are three reasons to buttress your
position.
Plans are underway for a fantastic Synod Assembly 2011, focusing on one
of our synod's top priorities, Intergenerational
Ministry!
Leadership Program for Musicians
LPM is a teaching ministry that gives church
musicians an increased sense of vocational awareness, along with the tools and
resources to enable congregations to sing well and participate actively in
worship. This empowering program offers courses beginning September 25 in Temple, TX.
Mission Endowment Fund Approves Gift Planner
Directors of the synod's
Mission Endowment Fund approved the start of a new ministry-hiring a local gift
planner to develop major and planned gifts for congregation, synod, and ELCA
ministries. Planning is underway now to
have a person in place part-time by early 2011.
 The Head
of Staff, Transition and Ministry Seminars are to be offered in January and
February 2011 in Delray Beach, FL. The events in 2011 will
be jointly sponsored by the Vocation and Education unit and Augsburg College.
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Back Up Your Computer and Church Records
 By Bishop Mike Rinehart
Okay, I know this is a less esoteric subject for a bishop,
but as we move into the most serious month of hurricane season, it's time to
make absolutely sure you're completely backed up. Don't forget, you keep very
important records of baptisms, confirmations, weddings, ordinations, and
deaths. Your records have importance from a ministry standpoint, and also a
historic standpoint. By records, I refer not only to your
Congregational/Parochial Record book, but also to the sermons, bulletins,
member files, database and other information on your church's main computer,
and your various staff members' computers.
The office of Grace Lutheran Church, New Orleans following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
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Last year during a delightful lunch with colleagues at a Vietnamese
restaurant in Houston, someone smashed the lock on my car, and stole my laptop
from the back seat. I was sitting 30 feet from the car. Thanks to my online
backup, I had instant access to all my documents and information. If your
computer died right now, or was stolen, are your most important documents safe?
Computer
Your computer is not fully backed up unless you have two
backups: We recommend an offsite online back up like Carbonite, and an
onsite back up, like to an external hard drive or USB thumb drive.
· Backup #1: Carbonite is one of several
online backup utilities. For $55/year, all documents will be backed up
every time you're online. The first back up takes several days, but after that
Carbonite works slowly in the background. Photos, music and video can also be
backed up if you select this option. Do it. Contact me if you need help getting
started. It's easy. It also has the added advantage of being able to access
your computer files from anywhere in the world, as long as you remember your
password.
· External USB hard drives can be purchased
for $85 (500MB) or $125 (2TB). Memory is so cheap, you can't afford not to do
this. Make sure you keep the back up and the computer in two different places.
If you have a laptop, take the laptop with you and leave the backup hard drive
or thumb drive in your office. If you have a desktop, take the backup hard
drive or thumb drive with you.
Parochial Records
After Katrina, 100+ years of parochial records at Grace, New
Orleans were soaked and moldy. Grace-ious volunteer Ann Jacobson, a career
librarian and member of Grace, Conroe painstakingly worked to dry and preserve
as many pages as possible of Grace's records. But irretrievable historic
information was lost.
Parish Records at Grace Lutheran, New Orleans were severely damaged by water and mold after the flooding following Hurricane Katrina. Historic information was irretrievably lost.
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In this day and age, it is very simple to scan the pages,
and send electronic copies to several members. That way, if your parish record
book is destroyed, there will always be a copy. I'd do this once a year. Send a
copy to the synod office and we'll keep both a hard copy and an electronic copy
on file. You can do this at any Kinkos or Kwik Kopy. Or bring it to the synod
office. We'll do it for you for free. It only takes a few minutes.
(By the way, if you need pages for your parochial record,
you can buy them at Augsburg Fortress. CLICK HERE.)
Buy a large plastic bag right now. When a hurricane is in
the Gulf, be sure to put your parochial records in the plastic bag, fully
sealed. Then place the record on the top shelf in your office, so that if
there's flooding it is protected. Frankly, in our office, Sally buys a huge
roll of cellophane and literally wraps our most important filing cabinets, so that
if the windows blow out, and it rains in, the congregational and rostered
leader files won't be destroyed. Don't wait until a hurricane is in the Gulf to
think about this stuff!
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Fall Continuing Education Opportunity with Dr. Craig Satterlee
 With two wars, sagging financial institution, and an
oil-soaked Gulf, people wonder if the world - or at least life as we know it -
is coming to an end. The message of
Advent: the future is in God's
hands. The Christmas promise: God is with us.
After reviewing a framework for and method of
preaching, Craig A. Satterlee, LSTC's Professor of Homiletics and Dean of the
ACTS Doctor of Ministry in Preaching Program, will lead us through the readings
for the Christmas cycle from a homiletic perspective. You will come away with ideas for sermons
from Advent I through Epiphany. Sponsored in part by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
October 28 -
Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Houston, TX REGISTER NOW!
October 29 - Brenham, TX (location TBD)
November 2 -
Peace Lutheran Church, Slidell, LA REGISTER NOW!
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Companion Synod Peru Trip: Beyond Words...
By Peggy Hahn
Pastor Dana, ELCA Missionary in Peru on the guitar with members of ILEP and David Wunsch, ELCA Regional Coordinator for South America
 | After going three different directions to visit Lutheran congregations in Peru (Lima, Trujillo and Haucho) our whole group, accompanied by Nora and Daisy (ILEP leaders) flew to Cusco to experience the Lost City of the Incas. With only a few hours of rest, we piled in the bus to visit some local ruins and meet with one more Companion Congregation, Tulitha Kum, in Cusco.
It was easy to see the altitude and travel exhaustion on the faces of the group as we rode in a coach bus from one historic site to another. Finally, as it was almost dark and getting colder, we made our way to Tulitha Kum. The bus driver, following our vague directions, wound his way through what became more impoverished and more narrow streets until the bus seemed larger than the homes it was passing. Somehow the bus driver managed to maneuver the bus around corners, sometimes with many turns, up and down hills until it could go no farther.
Pastor Ofelia (right) and members of Tulitha Kum
 | As the trip leader, I was worried about our group- visiting one more congregation might be the final straw! I got on the bus microphone to let them know that we were the first ELCA group to visit this congregation and they had been waiting for us for over an hour. We needed to make the most of this visit, in spite of our exhaustion.
The minute the doors of the bus opened, we could hear the sound of the children. They were laughing and calling to us, hugging and kissing us as we stepped off the bus. I was proud of our group when I saw every one of them get off the bus, even those who weren't feeling and had slept through visits to some of the historic sites.
We walked up the hill and into the basement of the unfinished building that was their church. A group of women and children, along with Pastor Ofelia welcomed us and led us in singing, scripture and prayer.
There was not a dry eye in the group as we listened to the stories of the people as they taught us about their lives.
Our group with members of Cristo Rey Lutheran Church
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It was the Holy of Holies: one of those rare moments in life when you feel the Holy Spirit, see the stories of the Bible coming to life and know that in the midst of this real-ness, this poverty, the depth of faith in the people is the hope for our world.
Our Companion Synod in Peru (ILEP) taught us hospitality and hope this summer as 32 youth and adults experienced a Cultural Immersion-or as we now think about it -a Holy Pilgrimage in July.
It's hard to put into words exactly what happened in Peru. As the youth put it, "We weren't tourists. It was more humble. More important. A Holy place. It was the people. They had hope."
Those of us who traveled to Peru are struggling now to hang on to the feelings and experience we shared and are attempting to integrate all that was learned into daily life. Our faith in Jesus has been deepened. This, my friends, is what spiritual renewal is all about.
We can't help but grow in our faith when we encounter these Spirit-filled, caring, welcoming people. Lutherans in Peru will welcome you with a hug and kiss on the cheek, as if they have been your family all your life. (Maybe we are starving for this kind of authentic, down-to-earth relationship in our own churches?) Encountering the ancestors of the ancient world of the Inca's there is no doubt about it--Peruvians are amazing people.
Members of Advent Lutheran Church with members from Galilea Lutheran Church in Haucho, Peru
 | With the help of ILEP's good planning, we were able to keep our commitment to visit as many congregations in Peru as possible. We only missed one, in the jungles of Iquitos. (On the list for next year!)
Yes, next year another trip will be planned. We are clearly called as synods (ILEP & TLGC) to walk hand in hand as we discover what God is up to in our world. I am convinced that it is through these international relationships, including our partnership with the Central African Republic, that we will be renewed.
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Sembrando, a NEW Children's Ministry in Peru that supports the congregations supporting families
It's about hope-for the whole family.
Congregations in Peru have a call to strengthen families and children as they build a better future. We will accompany them in this call.
The need is NOW for children in Peru who look to their neighborhood Lutheran Church for the meals they would not otherwise have, help with homework and for support for their family. This new pilot program will work directly with parents who live in extreme poverty as they struggle to care for their children.
Your gift of only $400 supports a family and children in their community for a year.
Our goal is $20,000 to serve 500 families. Proyecto "Sembrando para el Futuro" includes:- Equipping Adults Working with Children, Youth & Families in the Congregation
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Congregationally Led Programs for Children, Youth & Families living in Extreme Poverty
The long term goal of this program is to assist every Lutheran Church in Peru to be a mission center for children and their families. This year's program will be a pilot in 8 congregations. Each congregation, in conversation with parents, has developed ministries that address the needs of their specific community. We, as partners, will accompany them as these ministries grow.
This new program is more than sponsoring a child. It is sponsoring a whole community to wrap a support system around a child so that the family and congregation can expand their capacity to build a better future. Our synod is committed to this partnership and your help is needed. Contact Peru Team Chair, Jim Young at jyoung923@comcast.net or Peggy Hahn at peggy@gulfcoastsynod.org with questions.
Checks should be mailed to TLGC, marked "Sembrando," for direct wire transfer to ILEP. An appropriate 6 % overhead will go to ILEP as the synod provides leadership training for congregations, accountability for use of funds to donors and will cover bank fees. This effort is life giving and life changing. Any financial gift is welcomed. We are accompanying congregations as they support families so that children will have a healthier future.
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Companion Congregations
By Peggy Hahn
 Companion Congregations are needed for every congregation in Peru. In fact, Peruvian congregations can have more than one TX-LA Gulf Coast Companion-the opportunity for partnership is transformative.
The Companion Congregations program is built on relationships, prayer partnership and mutual growth. Companions are encouraged to visit each other, to email and exchange stories, prayer requests and ideas for ministry. We have much to learn from each other!
The financial commitment of this program is between $500-1000 per year. Congregations wanting to give more are encouraged to participate in the funding of Pastors Salaries (much needed) and the Sembrando Project designed to help congregations work with families living in extreme poverty.
 These dolls were hand knitted by women from Lord of Life Lutheran Church, The Woodlands, and delivered to Filadelfia in Lima, Peru, (Lord of Life's companion congregation), by members of Christ Lutheran in Brenham during our recent trip.
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Congregations on the Move
By Pastor Kerry Nelson
The Church is not a building where people go to pray,
It's not made out of sticks and stones, It's not made
out of clay.
We are the Church.
The Body of our Lord.
A significant
piece of the legend of Saddleback Church in southern California is the fact
that they used more than 110 locations between their founding on Easter Sunday
in 1980 and their eventual move to a 100+ acre campus in Lake Forest. But they didn't quit moving. They continued to plant new places for people
to gather for worship, fellowship, learning and service. Today, they have five different ministry
sites.
We can say many
different things about that ministry, but one of them certainly is that they
realize, to the depth of their congregational DNA, that the Church is NOT a
building. It is what happens IN the
gathering of people - in worship spaces, in private homes and in the community
itself that matters, that makes a godly difference in people's lives.
On the other
hand, it gets hot in Texas and air conditioning is a helpful tool when you
gather a crowd to worship God. Buildings
have their place.
We have two
ministries in our synod now preparing to go on the move.
Celebration Church  is a new
mission development in Cypress that was officially launched in September,
2007. They have been worshiping in a
school, but have been under the gun since their local school district has a
policy to limit outside groups to a three year rental relationship. Land is very expensive in that growing corner
of the Houston metropolitan area and Celebration has not yet found where they
will land. But they HAVE found where
they will land next.
They have just
signed a lease in a strip mall at the corner of Barker Cypress and Tuckerman,
just south of Highway 290. This new
location will heighten their visibility and expand their opportunities to
gather people for worship, fellowship and discipleship. Bishop Rinehart will be with them on
September 26th as they celebrate their birthday in their new
location.
Joyful Life in The Woodlands
has been worshiping in a school since their founding in April, 2005. The Mission Investment Fund had pre-purcha sed
a church site in The Woodlands prior to the birth of Joyful Life and the new
mission struggled to, at the same time, connect with new people and meet the
requirements to build. Eventually they
came to realize that their vision for ministry was not bound to a piece of land
in The Woodlands.
After spending
many months seeking an alternative site, the congregation finally settled on
leasing and remodeling a former carpet store at 5514 Highway 1488. Located just north of The Woodlands, this new
site will open its doors to a new population of people. It will also consolidate their worship site
and heart of congregational life.
Their renovation
work is being done this month and the congregation plans to begin worship in
the new site in September. If you are
interested in making a house warming gift to Joyful Life, here is their wish
list: 4
Sunday School Classrooms - $250 each - total $1,000 130
Chairs @ $30 each - total $3,900 Outdoor
Storage Shed - $1,500-(already received $450) 32
Bibles for Worship Area @ $7.50-Total $240.00 Office
Computer-$1,000.00
I remember well
the "move" we experienced when I was serving Covenant Lutheran Church in
Houston. The congregational leaders
realized, on their very first Sunday in a new building in 1989, that the building
and the land on which it would sit was inadequate for the future growth of the
ministry. By 1994, when I arrived, I
knew it too. But it wasn't an easy
problem to fix. Buying that first piece
of land and constructing a new building meant borrowing a lot of money. That debt load limited our options. Ultimately, it took 11 years before we were
able to move into a larger building on a 10 acre site that we could continue to
grow into.
As we moved into
that transition, and as we experienced those initial years, what I wasn't
prepared for was the subtle shift in congregational identity that we
experienced. Overnight it seemed like we
shifted from a "small" congregation with big dreams to a "large" congregation
with little dreams. The fact is, we just
moved directly across the street! But
the reality was, something shifted.
As excited and
proud as we were about a new building, so much more room, so many new
opportunities, we also experienced a subtle "inward" turn that snuck up on
us.
The corrective to
that "inward turn" is to focus attention and energy on the call, the vision and
the mission of the congregation, on what
happens IN the building FOR the wider community, not merely for the
congregation adapting to a change in space.
Saddleback Church was able to do that in remarkable ways.
Congregations are
meant to be on the move! Jesus never
hired a single contractor. He knew the
potential idolatry that comes when spaces intended to be places of prayer
evolved into ends unto themselves.
Certainly we are
all grateful for the buildings we sit in on Sunday mornings. Air conditioning is a good thing. But ministry isn't about maintaining
buildings. Debt for new buildings and
maintenance costs for older ones can seriously hinder the missional potential
of our ministries. We would all do well
to remember that the Church is not a building.
May God richly
bless and keep the people of Celebration Church and Joyful Life Church as they
move into new spaces this month. May
these moves be signs of their willingness to do whatever it takes to connect
new people in new ways with the God who will love them to the end. .........................................................................................
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Three Reasons to Die Without a Will
By John Hunsicker, Director of Development
Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest
There must be powerful reasons to
avoid having a will because so many people die without one. In case you happen to be one of the six out
of 10 who will depart without a will, here are three reasons to buttress your
position. You can use these to help you
sleep tonight. -
The court can do a better job deciding how to disburse your assets
than you can.
-
The court can choose a better personal representative to handle
your estate during probate than you can.
-
The court can choose a more caring guardian for your minor children
than you can.
Are
any of these true? NO!!! Unfortunately, people seem to agree with
these reasons year after year as they continue to put off making a will.
Your friends at The Lutheran
Foundation of the Southwest encourage you to take action now. Your
family will appreciate it. The charities you support will appreciate
it. And you will gain peace of mind by fulfilling
one of your most important stewardship responsibilities.
Like many people, you may be uneasy
about going to an attorney. Yet, an
attorney who specializes in estate planning knows the right questions to ask
and the best ways to help you accomplish your goals. These professionals are well-trained and normally
well worth the time and expense they require.
One of my friend's lawyers even
forgot to ask about giving to his church and other charities. If you would like to discuss ways to remember
your favorite charities without taking anything away from your family, it may
be helpful for us to visit. Please feel
free to contact me. My services are
available to you for free and without any obligation whatsoever. Caring for the disposition of your assets is
too important to delay any longer.
John
Hunsicker, Director of Development
(866) 542-1340 or johnh@lfsw.org
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From the Bishop's Worship Excellence Team (WET)
Inspiring Quality Lutheran Worship
Leadership Program for Musicians
The
Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM) is a teaching ministry that gives church
musicians an increased sense of vocational awareness, along with the tools and
resources to enable congregations to sing well and participate actively in
worship.
LPM
is a cooperative national project of the Episcopal Church USA and the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - supported locally by the Episcopal
Diocese of Texas, and the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana and the Texas-Louisiana
Gulf Coast ELCA Synods. It is a comprehensive, accessible course of study
leading to the LPM Certificate in Church Music.
For more information, see www.lpm-online.org.
LPM
covers key areas in church music and liturgical education, spiritual formation,
pastoral skills, leadership and confidence building. This empowering
program will be offered at First Lutheran Church, Temple, beginning Saturday,
September 25. It is open to musicians, clergy,
choir members, worship leaders, and interested lay persons. The first Saturday session will be an Open
House where interested parties can observe LPM in action without charge.
The
program seeks to respond to many concerns:
-
Church
musicians working in small churches struggle with new ways of doing things and with
new materials.
-
Young
people, who have the potential skills to be a congregation's musician, need
encouragement and support.
-
Established
musicians value an opportunity to gather and learn from one another and
establish a network of support for their ministries.
-
Pastors
and laity with an interest in the music of the church need a boost to their
worship lives.
Classes
call on participants' imagination and creativity, asking them to explore the
different opportunities music in worship presents, such as diverse ethnic
repertoires and styles and music's role in evangelism, parish liturgy, and
parish life. Attention is particularly given to the needs and ways of smaller
churches. The program can be taken in part or whole; in
other words, you can take or audit only the classes that interest you. If
all course requirements are met, the LPM Certificate in Church Music is
awarded. The complete course of study is two years. The Texas program changes location every two
years, so it will move for 2011-2012.
The
program's ultimate goals are to give participants an increased commitment to
music ministry and self worth as lay ministers, to improve their musical,
pastoral, and leadership skills, and to expand their own and their congregations'
visions of the variety of music and leadership practices.
What's in it for me?
Here
is a summary of each course and the type of work that participants are asked to
do.
I. Philosophy of Music Leadership/Ministry
This course helps participants to
define their role as leaders in music and worship and to explore that role from
the perspectives of history, theology, and pastoral concern. You assess your
own parish's situation and the importance of recognizing and using the gifts
members of your congregations have to offer. Students are asked to write a
short paper summarizing their theological understanding of church music. This
course was completely revised in 2007.
II. Teaching New Music to the Congregation
This course helps you train both
congregations and less able choirs. The background and analysis of hymns and
tunes, and ways in which to introduce different kinds of music not previously
experienced by your congregation, are studied. Hands-on practice with the group
is included so that all can "have a go" with the encouragement of
their peers. Your assignment is to teach a hymn, song, or service music
selection in each of several situations, such as to an intergenerational group
attending a church supper.
III. Leadership of
Congregational Song
This course helps you develop the
skills to lead the congregation in singing hymns, songs, and service music.
Teaching is given to keyboard players, whether on organ or piano,
singers/cantors, and to those who play a non-keyboard instrument (guitar or
other instrument). Emphasis is placed on adapting music to a given situation, such
as learning to adapt two-staff music for organ, prepare arrangements for guitar
and melody instruments, realize the notation used in the psalms, and looking at
the principles of improvisation. Assignments include teaching and leading the
group in singing music of many different types and styles.
IV. Survey of Christian Hymnody
This survey covers historical analysis
and playing and singing of materials in various styles. You also explore other
hymnal resources. Assignments involve writing an entry for your bulletin
on the hymns used and preparing a service such as Vespers or an Easter Vigil
service. This class was completely revised in 2008.
V. Liturgy and Liturgical Planning: Foundations for Christian
Worship
This course uses books of worship and
other materials as starting points with emphasis on developing cooperation
between pastor and musician. Aims include developing awareness of the
congregation's pastoral needs and the use of negotiating skills, the church
year, and the role of silence in worship. Your assignment is to plan several
different liturgies, such as Sunday morning communion, a funeral, a
wedding, and to write about the liturgical circumstances for which you have
planned. This course was completely revised in 2007.
VI. Resources for an Effective Music Program
This course looks at the congregations
and worship committees, and at the help we need for our jobs, local and
regional resources, methods of communication, networks, and collegial
assistance. It also covers practical concerns such as planning music for
worship, simplifying music for particular situations, arranging hymns and
service music as anthems, children/youth choirs, handbells, and developing
skills in critical thinking and analysis as a help in decision making.
Assessment is done by class discussion, and a short paper outlining your plans
to develop and strengthen your church's music ministry.
VII. Principles of Choral
Leadership
This class consists of two
five-session courses: Conducting for Church Musicians (to learn basic
conducting skills) and Voice Training for Choirs (to learn techniques for
vitalizing choral singing).
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LPM
is offered as a two-year course of study.
In 2010-2011, the following courses will be offered: Leadership of
Congregational Song (piano, organ, guitar or cantor), Hymnody, and Principles
of Choral Leadership, plus the Philosophy course, which runs both years.
The
program begins on Saturday, September 25.
Everyone is welcome to attend all or part of the Open House that day (9:15
a.m. - 3:15 p.m. with lunch included).
If you have ANY questions about the LPM program, contact Marsha Seale, LPM
Coordinator, 713-562-6972. E-mail: mkseale52@msn.com.
Scholarships are available.
For
complete information about the Leadership Program for Musicians and its
offerings, visit www.lpm-online.org. A
descriptive brochure for the Texas program is available by clicking on a link on
the national web site.
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Mission Endowment Fund Approves Gift Planner
Directors of the synod's
Mission Endowment Fund approved the start of a new ministry-hiring a local gift
planner to develop major and planned gifts for congregation, synod, and ELCA
ministries. Planning is underway now to
have a person in place part-time by early 2011.
The synod's gift planner will work in cooperation with a
gift planner from the ELCA Foundation. This
will make ELCA's financial and legal resources available to our synod. South Dakota and Oregon synods are successfully
using this model.
When the gift planner is in place, the synod's Mission
Endowment Fund will begin working closely with congregation Endowment Committees. According to Larry Petershagen, chair, "Through
workshops and legacy seminars, we will offer help for congregations who do not
have an Endowment Fund to get started; and congregations who do have an
Endowment Fund to make improvements. We believe
this as a real service to congregations in our synod as well as to other Lutheran
organizations."
This new approach coincides with the ELCA Foundation's
intent to launch an emphasis next year on wills. The Foundation's goal is to encourage members
to have a will and to help them name the church in it. According to Pr. Len Hoffmann, Associate
Director of Gift Planning for the ELCA Foundation, "Research indicates that
people who name a charity in their will give on average $2,000 more per year to
that charity." This means immediate benefits for
congregations and other church organizations named in a will.
If you would like to make a contribution to the Mission
Endowment Fund or would like more information, please contact the synod office.
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TX/LA
Gulf Coast Synod - ELCA
Financial View
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Head of Staff, Transition and Ministry Seminars to be Offered
Delray Beach, FL
The Head
of Staff, Transition and Ministry Seminars are to be offered in January and
February 2011. The events in 2011 will
be jointly sponsored by the Vocation and Education unit and Augsburg College. The seminars are held at the Duncan Conference and Retreat Center, 15820 S. Military Trail, Delray Beach, Florida, 33484, (561) 496-4130. Learn more about registration.
The Head of Staff Seminar, February 3-6, continues to be well received by those newly
called as senior/head of staff pastors. The focus continues to be on the role that the head of staff plays in
visionary leadership of a congregation and guiding the development of a
congregational staff team. The
evaluations each year suggest that the content of the seminar, the informal
conversations with colleagues, the worship and the very setting itself are
shaping these head of staff pastors for their unique ministries. Cost is $350.00. Housing and meals are not included in this price.
The Ministry Staff Seminar, January 29-February 1, is designed for those who serve in staff
settings: associate pastors, music directors, youth and family ministers,
parish nurses, volunteer coordinators, parish administrators, etc. The focus of
this event is to explore the unique challenges and opportunities of serving on
a ministry staff. This is done by studying the dynamics of staff ministry and
exploring the authority of staff. This
is really one of the few places where attention is given to the development of
what we might call "career associates" who don't feel like they must aspire to
be the senior pastor, but rather can excel as good members of a large
staff. Cost is $350.00. Housing and meals are not included in this price.
The Transition Seminar, February 1-2, is offered
between the Head of Staff and Ministry Seminars to those persons who have
recently moved from one ministry setting to another. Cost is $100.00. Housing and meals are not included in this price.
Please note that participants have the opportunity to
register online. Visit the Leadership Support Events website where
you will find additional information about the events and links to the page for
more information (including a detailed schedule) and registration.
The seminars traditionally fill up very
quickly. Please encourage early
registration. If you have any questions
about any of these seminars, please contact Richard Bruesehoff at 800.638.3522, ext 2872 or Richard.Bruesehoff@elca.org.
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