Category: News

Leigh Northcutt-Benson announced that there will be a break in the Learning Ministry faith formation for the summer. Special sessions during the summer will be publicized as they are planned.

Paul Barlow and Nancy Baden will see that final improvements (new flooring) are scheduled for the pastor’s office, as well as to the church office and the vicar’s office (currently used by Dr. Paulette Clemons, CDC Director).

Council was briefed on the list of priorities for the Technology Upgrade for FELC (TUF) assembled by Charlie Boas (SPOC—Single Point of Contact).  All agreed that a consultant would be well positioned to review those priorities and advise on actions to take.

In addition to his printed report, Cantor Bryan Rust highlighted upcoming important dates including June 8 for a Service of Thanksgiving for our time of Transition; June 15 to welcome Pastor Katie Rode’s first Sunday with us; June 22 to celebrate Pride Sunday and collect a special offering for Reconciling Works; July 20 to recognize the 89th Anniversary of FELC; September 14 at 3 pm for the Celebration of Ministry and Installation of Pastor Katie Rode. The Call Committee will be decommissioned from their duties on September 14. 

Additional Ministry Team reports were submitted from the Witness and Support Teams.  Plans for FELC’s 90th Anniversary have already begun, thanks to Leigh Northcutt-Benson.

The next Congregation Council Meeting will be June 23, 7 pm.

Submitted by Nancy Baden, Congregation Council Secretary

Pastor Katie Rode accepted the call of the congregation and will be the sixth pastor of FELC! The first day of her ministry with FELC is June 9. Pr. Katie will preside and preach in worship on Sunday, June 15, with a festive hospitality following the worship celebration. The service includes a rite of welcome and reception for the new pastor. We welcome Pastor Katie and her family in God’s mission we share in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.

To read a letter from congregation president LaRu Woody, please click here.

Following the biblical accounts in Mark, Luke, and Acts, the whole church celebrates the feast of the ascension of Jesus to heaven. This happens on the 40th day after the feast of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. To explore a Devotional Worship Service with bible readings, a homily, a hymn, and prayers, please click here.

“Lord, beyond our mortal sight, raise our hearts to reach thy height. Alleluia!” 

Submitted by Cantor Bryan Rust

Visions abound in the bible stories for this Sunday as we near the conclusion of the great fifty days of Eastertide. Paul has a vision about what to do. John has a vision of what will be. Jesus provides visions of peace that surpasses human understanding and power beyond human imagination. God makes a home, not in some far-off place, but right here, even with us. On May 25, 2020 George Floyd (born October 4, 1973) was murdered in Minneapolis. Mr. Floyd’s death propelled nationwide attention to race and police action. It motivated many at FELC to begin conversations on education and action which lead the formation of FELC Racial Justice Task Force. On this 5^th anniversary we remember the life and witness of George, and our baptismal promise to “strive for justice and peace in all the earth.”  For more info. on the FELC Racial Justice Task Force, please contact Fritz Woody.

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!

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.

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.

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