Transition Update March 28, 2024

Greetings and a Blessed Holy Week from the FELC Transition Team! We have largely completed our first draft of the Ministry Site Profile (MSP). What we are now doing is working through the document as a whole to ensure each answer authentically captures our ministry site and is reflective of our whole community. We’re editing and revising! This part of the process will take place over multiple meetings. When we’re ready, the next step will be to present the MSP to the Council for review and discussion. Once accepted by the Council, the MSP will be shared with the congregation and submitted to the Southwestern Texas Synod (you will have an opportunity to read the MSP in its final form). Once in the Synod’s hands, we will wait for the Office of the Bishop to provide us with potential pastor candidates for discernment and interviews. We are so grateful for your prayers, support, and patience throughout this important process.

With gratitude, 

FELC Transition Team 

FELCTransitionMinistry@felcaustin.org

FELC Council Highlights: March 2024

At the Church Council meeting on Monday, March 18, reports were received from the ministries of our congregation.

The Child Development Center is growing with students and staff, including two former, long-time CDC staff members returning to our ministry. We are grateful for the steadfastness of our CDC Board of Directors and our Director, Dr. Paullette Clemons.

We are grateful for the significant effort of the Learning Ministry Team, Worship Ministry Team, and Property Committee, among others.

The Transition Team reported that six small group meetings were held in February, with each meeting had 6 to 10 attendees in addition to two Transition Team members. Discussions included reactions to “The Leader We Seek” survey that went out in late December, desired leadership qualities of our next pastor, important focus areas for our next pastor’s first year, and the ways in which the congregation can help support the new pastor in their first year. The Transition Team continues to carefully complete the Ministry Site Profile in anticipation of presenting it to the Council for conversation.

The Council received a report from Treasurer Allen Jesen, which indicated a few minor changes to the 2023 report that allow us to proceed this year with greater clarity. 

The Congregation received a $20,000 gift from the Estate of H. D. Butler. H. D. and Evelyn Butler were active in our congregation many years ago. The Council moved, discussed, and voted to place $10,000 in the emergency borrowing fund, and $10,000 in the general operating fund. We are grateful for all who give in many ways, including those who provide legacy financial gifts that empower our current and future ministry and community engagement.

The Council appointed a Benevolence Task Force for 2024: Claudia Barlow, Merrily Porter, Teresa Ringness, and Ben Rode. The congregation will be asked to engage with the task force soon.

The Council passed a resolution of recognition and appreciation to Vic Winter, P.E., for his work. Licensed professional engineer Vic Winter, of Winter Engineering, coordinated and conferred with the Property and Door Restoration Committees, reviewed the original (1935) structural plans, visited the site, performed engineering calculations and designs, and provided signed and sealed structural plans suitable for permitting and constructing, and declined remuneration for his professional services and provided them gratis. The next set of restored narthex doors should arrive soon.

The Council received the resignation of our Church Office Administrator, Randi Ladolcetta. We are grateful for her work with us, and we wish her well in her health and future endeavors. Randi has graciously agreed to assist with the transition during her final month. The Administration Committee of the Council and the Cantor are perusing the next steps toward another Office Administrator.   

Everyone is encouraged to attend and invite others to worship services during Holy Week and on Easter Sunday.

The Council will hold a day retreat on Saturday, April 20.

The Council meets next on Monday, April 15 at 7 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Baden

CouncilSecretary@felcaustin.org

Learning Ministry Update March 28, 2024

Learning Ministry Update
Children’s Faith Formation: There will be no Children’s Faith Formation Easter Sunday. Join us for an Easter Egg Hunt during Hospitality after Easter Sunday Worship. Bring your baskets! Leigh Northcutt will be leading our first lesson in a rotation about the Parable of the Prodigal Son on April 7 at 9am in the Library.

Adult Faith Formation: Adult Faith Formation will not meet on Easter Sunday to accommodate participants to have more time to prepare for Holy Week worship. We will reconvene on April 7 with Gwen Flory’s session,  Every day is Earth Day: actionable ways each of us can help protect our planet.

Property Update

And just like that . . .

  . . . our west doors are back, right in time for Holy Week.  We were able to process in Sunday morning, waving palms and signing Hosannas!

The Restorhaus crew was on-site for 2 full days, installing the doors and making many small adjustments, there are still some hardware and trim items outstanding.  The south doors are now on their way up to Lubbock to be repaired and refinished.

Also, big thanks to Randy and Nancy who put their skills to work painting the lamps and railings.  It’s tedious work getting into all those crevices and curlicues, but they knocked it out.  Our west patio is looking sharp!

National Child Abuse Prevention Month: Sunday, April 7

On Sunday, April 7, FELC will join Upbring in calling awareness to and advocacy for the prevention of child abuse. This is an opportunity to join with churches across Texas to raise awareness of Upbring’s efforts to break the cycle of child abuse and ask God to protect, comfort, and heal the thousands of children who are survivors of child abuse each year. For more than a century, from the service-minded Lutherans who dreamed of building an orphanage in the 1860s to the vital programs in place today throughout Texas, Upbring has grown and adapted to the changing needs of society. Although they have been known by different names, the meaning behind Upbring, honors the past while promising a commitment to the future – one that is long standing, innovative, and designed to “bring up” children and families just as predecessors have done. On Sunday, April 7 we are invited to wear the color blue in solidarity and awareness with children and families responding to child abuse. For more information, visit www.upbring.org

Feeding Hungry Longhorns: Tuesday, April 9

FELC is serving at Lutheran Campus Ministry’s Tailgate Tuesday on Tuesday, April 9. LuMin is now feeding over 450 students each week. Because of this, we’ve added additional slots to the signup. You can volunteer from 3-5pm to prepare for the meal, from 5-7pm to serve the meal, 7-8pm for cleanup, or for the full 5 hours. You may also come and offer support and presence – and you can give financially. There is parking on the south side of 21st St. If you need a ride, we will meet at FELC at 2:45 and carpool to West Campus, or you can meet us there. Your time will be greatly appreciated. 

Please click on this link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A48A8AE2DA7FB6-48636204-felc  to signup.

If you have any questions, please contact Paul Barlow at tpaulbarlow@gmail.com.

FELC Book Club: Sunday, April 14, 1-3pm

The FELC Book Club gathers (second Sunday) on April 14, 1:00-3:00pm. Our book this month is Beyond Magenta: Transgender and Nonbinary Teens Speak Out, Susan Kuklin. It’s a fascinating book. Join the conversation; all are welcome, even if you haven’t read the book. For information and meeting location contact Anne Wiebe at wiebeanne@hotmail.com.

Annual Chicken BBQ: Saturday, April 27, 4-8pm

Everyone is invited to the longest-running community & social event of FELC (since 1964): our annual chicken BBQ, to be held in our parking lot (weather permitting)! Our pitmasters will start smoking chickens in our outdoor smoker pit in the afternoon, and our potato salad and beans team will be getting the sides ready.

You’re welcome to come and visit beginning at 4 pm. BYOB.

Dinner will be served around 6 pm, and includes BBQ chicken, beans, potato salad, drinks, and ice cream. All are welcome! 

To participate in set-up/clean-up: contact Randy Baden at towbarcity@yahoo.com

To participate in preparing potato salad: contact Trish Karli at t_karli@hotmail.com