Category: News

Thank you to all the participants who provided excellent feedback and reflection on Faith Formation sessions that we have had so far this year and for all the suggestions that came from our dynamic and wide-ranging discussion! The enthusiasm for learning was inspiring. Pictures/doodles based on our reflections are posted adjacent to our Lenten caterpillar on the bulletin boards on the Fellowship Hall.

On Sunday, June 23, Michele Hockett Cooper will be opening her 2-session Adult Faith Formation series on Faith and Food with “Your Body is a Temple” at 9 am in the Parlor. Charlie Boas will be leading Children’s Faith Formation with the story of Joseph from Genesis at 9 am in the Fellowship Hall. On Sunday, June 30, Anne Wiebe will lead Children’s Faith Formation, continuing the story of Joseph.

We have openings through the summer for Faith Formation leaders. If you would like to be a Faith Formation leader or  know of someone who might be interested, check out Leading Children’s and Intergenerational Faith Formation FAQ and contact Betsy Appleton, betsy.appleton@gmail.com. 

Plan to join us Monday, June 24, 7-8:30 pm, if you are another adult’s caregiver—you may help from afar, in your own home, or in theirs.  You deserve support and a listening ear.  THANK YOU for offering this service which is an example of the love and grace that our faith encourages.  Contact Barbara Wiederanders, bwiederaenders@att.net, to receive the Zoom link or for more information.

The Call Committee and Council worked together to finalize revisions, and we are grateful that the Council has unanimously accepted and adopted the FELC Ministry Site Profile and Seven Reflections on Ministry and Context! This adopted, finalized MSP is being formally submitted to the Synod. A copy of the finalized MSP package will be shared very soon with the congregation. With gratitude and joy, we prepare for the next phase of our pastoral transition journey!

On Monday, June 17, the Church Council unanimously approved the amended Ministry Site Profile (MSP) and the Seven Reflections document submitted to them by the Call Committee.  The Chair of the Call Committee was notified of the vote so that they can proceed with next steps.

Reports were received from the Treasurer, Child Development Center, Worship Ministry, Learning Ministry, Witness Ministry and Support Ministry.  Special thanks to Terry Porter for navigating the challenges with the Sanctuary HVAC system. Margaret Bruesch responded to Heidi Goebel’s concerns in the property report related to budget details.  President Woody suggested that Heidi Goebel and Allen Jensen, Treasurer, would benefit from a conversation about that.  President Woody informed the Council that insurance costs will likely go up since that is a current trend.  

A check-in review for Dawn Wetzel, newly hired church office administrator, will happen Tuesday 6-18-24, per a condition of her employment. 

A ‘God’s Work/Our Hands’ activity is being considered for Sunday, September 8, 2024. This is an ELCA service project initiative in which congregations take efforts to support their local communities.  Many ELCA congregations across the country will be engaged in the ‘God’s Work/Our Hands’ event on this, the 10th anniversary of the event.

Next Council Meeting will be July 15.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Baden

The church season after the 50 days of Eastertide and Pentecost Day celebrations is half of the year, yet it has no “official” name. It is called “Time after Pentecost” or “Ordinary Time” because of the numbering (ordinals) of the Sundays. It includes the distinct natural seasons of summer and fall, which have different themes emphasized. The primary color is green. This highlights the first part of Ordinary Time with themes of  growth and celebration in community, and the renewal of faith and discipleship in the ministry and teaching of Jesus.

All are welcome to worship in the Fellowship Hall, Sunday, June 16, 10 am.

A big thank-you to Fritz Woody for leading the Adult Faith Formation sessions on the
United States Relations with Indigenous Peoples.

Join us Sunday, June 16, for an Intergenerational Faith Formation session, 9 am in the Parlor. Betsy Appleton will be facilitating a feedback session for Faith Formation participants of all ages. Be ready to share your reflections on Faith Formation the past few months and also your ideas for the future.

On Sunday, June 23, Michele Hockett Cooper will be leading the first of two Adult Faith
Formation sessions, Faith and Food: Your Body is a Temple, 9 am in the Parlor. Charlie
Boas will be leading Children’s Faith Formation, starting a rotation on the story of
Joseph from Genesis, 9 am in the Fellowship Hall.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Micah 6 ministries! Summer brings the
following needs:

Plastic bags for shopping, preferably with handles
Refillable water bottles
Backpacks for carrying food, used or new
New or used clothing, especially small women’s and large men’s (identified by size if
possible)
Canned meat and veggies

Food and clothing may be left in the Micah 6 identified containers in the narthex,
sanctuary, or fellowship hall. Backpack container is marked as such. For questions
about donations, contact Andy MacLaren, 512-947-4186, Andymaclaren@cs.com

With the reduced student enrollment during the summer, Micah 6 also needs volunteers
on Thursdays, 5-7pm and Saturdays, 8am-12 noon, at 2203 San Antonio St, Austin. To volunteer, contact Anthony, Pantry Director, at 346-717-2736.

Thank you to Fritz Woody for his first session last Sunday:

CITIZENSHIP:  A Centennial Review: The Intersection of Indigenous People and the United States Government 

On Sunday, June 9, Fritz will continue this topic in Adult Faith Formation, 9 am in the Parlor. Also on June 9, Leigh Northcutt-Benson will be offering a lesson for Children’s Faith Formation: Celebrating Indigenous Peoples & Our Natural World, 9 am in the Fellowship Hall. 

Mark your calendars for our intergenerational faith formation session on Sunday, June 16. All learners will meet at 9 am in the Fellowship Hall. 

We are in need of more leaders and lessons for Children’s and Adult Faith Formation  after June. The Learning Ministry Team has prepared an FAQ document for leading Children’s Faith Formation. Check the link below or contact Betsy Appleton, betsy.appleton@gmail.com, to learn more about these leadership opportunities. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aZe0r_fUrs_7Sy_LzKY6sGv_UbibLrmQdiQaHjAaeJ0/edit?usp=drivesdk

The Transition Team (now the Call Committee) is currently working with the Council to finalize the FELC Ministry Site Profile (MSP). Once finalized and adopted by the Council, the MSP will be sent to the Southwestern Texas Synod where it will be used to match our church with pastor candidates. A copy of the final, adopted MSP will also be shared with the congregational community. The Call Committee will be meeting soon with Deacon Darcy Mittlestaedt, Bishop’s Associate for Leadership & Lifelong Faith Formation, for a Call Committee Orientation as we begin this next stage of our pastoral transition journey. We thank you for your continued prayers. –Tim Atkinson, Randy Baden, Allen Jensen, Erin McCracken, Nikki Northcutt, Lillian Martinez-Rodriguez, and Barbara Schutz

The Austin City Lutheran’s rent assistance program fundraiser, currently being carried out at Bread For All Food Pantry, has been extended to the end of June. And it’s not for the usual reason of an extension! We’re very pleased to announce that we’ve cleared our original goal of $60,000 and have set a new goal of $75,000. 

 A number of you have already contributed for which we say THANK YOU. New contributions continue to come in. We’re well aware that a number of you want to do something that has proven to be effective – and compassionate at the same time – as Austin moves forward on its path as a big city, for better and for worse. Rent assistance is one of the best ways that, together, we can help prevent homelessness in Austin. Please join us in this effort as you are able.

 If you’d like to contribute, please do so at this link: https://breadforall-atx.org/donate/ or send a check to Abiding Love Lutheran Church, 7210 Brush Country Road, Austin, TX 78749. Please specify “Rent Assistance.”

 Thanks, everyone!  

 T. Carlos “Tim” Anderson, Pastor & Community Development Director