Author: FELC Office

Easter initiates a new day. It anticipates a new heaven and a new earth. The risen Christ is making all things new. God has made new people of us; it takes a whole season; it takes a whole lifetime. Jesus invites us to see everyone in a new light—through the lens of love.  

Guest Music Leader | Marti Ahern

On Sunday, May 18, we welcome Marti Ahern. Marti studied at Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey, is a prolific pianist in the Austin area, a private music teacher, and she serves as artistic director of the Austin Chamber Ensemble. Cantor Bryan Rust is away and will return to worship on Sunday, May 25.

Meet in the Fellowship Hall of First English Lutheran Church, 3001 Whitis Ave.  Enter though the door marked Fellowship Hall, or the door marked Kitchen.

Bring food you like to share, bring board games if you want, or just try one of the many games that will be available.

Anyone who enjoys potluck dinners and/or tabletop games is welcome….FELC members, friends from the community, friends from other faiths, and friends who do not participate in a church. All ages and abilities welcome!

The FELC Book Club gathers Sunday, May 18, 1:00 to 3:00pm, for potluck lunch and discussion of The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride. Join in 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.

Caregiver’s Circle meets monthly on the 4^th Monday from 7-8:30 pm. via Zoom.  If you have accepted the responsibility to assist another adult with the activities of daily living, you are a “caregiver.”  You may live together or apart, but another person depends on you in an important way. 

Caregiving can be very isolating at times.  Motivated by love, it can nevertheless lead to moments of resentment and dismay.  But it is also rewarding, knowing that God is enabling you to love, sometimes sacrificially.  You deserve an opportunity to share in a circle of encouragement.

At every Caregiver Circle meeting, there is time for each person to share as much or as little as desired, hear about available resources, share ideas, and make time for prayer and meditation.  Participants pledge strict confidentiality to one another.  The facilitator, Barbara Wiederaenders, has 19 years of experience facilitating caregiver support groups. 

The next meeting is Monday, May 26, 7-8:30 pm.  Contact Barbara Wiederaenders,

bwiederaenders@att.net to receive the link to the meeting. Join us!

This Sunday, as we approach halfway through the great 50 days of Easter joy, we are reminded that the gift of new life, of eternal life, is the gift of the risen Christ. It is the promise of Jesus. It was true for Dorcas in Joppa. It was true for those “who have come out of the great ordeal” in the Revelation vision of John. It is true for us and for all: surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The Good Shepherd loves and cares for all. 

Guest Music Leader | Marti Ahern

It always our joy to welcome Marti Ahern. Marti studied at Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey, is a prolific pianist in the Austin area, a private music teacher, and she serves as artistic director of the Austin Chamber Ensemble.

Friends, I had the privilege of attending last weekend’s Synod Assembly as a voting member from First English, along with Holden Fuerst. Thank you for that opportunity!

The Assembly celebrated Camp Chrysalis’ 75th anniversary with a wonderful slide show of the many years in operation. The Assembly Offering was dedicated toward helping  
purchase equipment for the new dining hall that is planned.

My purpose here is to share with you just what I consider the highlights of the event. This was the first attempt to squeeze all of the business into a one-day meeting, and it was quite successful. That wouldn’t be possible when the agenda is heavier with issues and elections. There was no formal worship service, but things such as a reminder of our baptism and communion were tucked in. The Assembly theme was “More Than Enough”, taken from Mark 4:30-44, the parable of the loaves and fishes. “With God, what we have will be sufficient.” Bishop Sue Briner’s “State of the Synod” presentation highlighted the many fresh initiatives being embarked upon to support and resource congregations and their leaders. Titles such as “Latina Collective”, “Camp Hope”, “Ministry 360”, “Fresh Expressions”, “Justice Work” and “Growing More Fully into Being the Beloved Community” caught my attention.

The synod budget report was very encouraging. It was described as a “narrative budget”, or one that will support all of their major priorities. Generous support for campus ministry as well as grants for innovative projects is included.

Daniel Kirschbaum, director of Young Adult Ministry was our representative from the ELCA for the event. He offered a report on the added emphasis being placed on young adult ministry in the ELCA, with even their own national gathering this year, and provided a sermon for the Assembly.

Bishop Briner spoke of our partnership with the Episcopal diocese of West Texas and the fruit that it is bearing – such things as a “Small Churches Big Impact Collective” – small churches that say “yes” to meeting community needs. There was also a report from our sister synod – the church of Costa Rica.

What impacted me the most was the growing awareness that the First English model of a lay led/pastor supported congregation is actually a model that is becoming more talked about throughout the ELCA and beyond. Who knew that we are on “the cutting edge”?

Submitted by Barbara Schutz

The Southwestern Texas Synod Assembly meets on Saturday, this year for one day, at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in San Antonio. Pastors, deacons, and lay voting members gather from ELCA congregations and ministry settings throughout central and south Texas. The Synod Assembly meets for worship, connection, sharing resources, and conducts the organizational business of this area of the church. Individual voting members come together, and with the whole assembly, discern the will of the Spirit. Since the creation of the ELCA, voting members are not representatives or delegates. Each voting member brings their own discipleship and the values of where they come from, and also listens for the movement of God’s Spirit with those gathered. At the FELC annual congregation meeting in January we elected Holden Fuerst and Barbara Schutz. We ask God’s blessing on the assembly.

We continue the great fifty days of resurrection rejoicing! In the gospel story this week (John 21:1-19), Jesus’ first disciples make a big splash and eat breakfast with the risen Lord. Wading in the water (remembering baptism) and eating with Jesus (celebrating holy communion) is our weekly, community encounter with the risen Christ. Jesus asks us again and again: Do you love me? And Jesus invites us and all, again and again, to follow him, bringing the Easter joy to life in each day.

Support National Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Awareness by wearing RED on Sunday, May 4.  

Monday, May 5 is a national day of support for the families of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). Show your support by wearing something red this Sunday, May 4, and include the Murdered and Missing Women, Girls, and their Relatives in your prayers.

In 2021 the ELCA Church council adopted the Declaration to American Indian and Alaska Native People by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, committing to advocacy and being in solidarity with Tribal Nations, MMIWGR organizations, families, and friends who have gone missing or who have been murdered.

As indigenous women and girls go missing at a much higher rate than any other group in the United States, the ELCA advocates that tribes, states, and the US government coordinate efforts to pass legislation and take steps to alleviate the problem. Synod leaders and congregations can also work to establish relationships with Tribal Nations to express solidarity and support prevention and recovery. The ELCA encourages congregations and individuals to educate themselves on the issue of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).