[m-m-online] February 9, 2007

Fri Feb 9 16:19:18 CST 2007

OUR CHRISTIAN LOVE AND SYMPATHY TO...

THE FAMILY OF GARLAND MIDGETT (former Executive Associate, LOMT) as they 
mourn the loss of his mother, Zelda Hudspeth of Hollis, OK. Mrs. 
Hudspeth passed away on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007 after a long illness. 
Garland has been in leadership roles at Camp Lone Star (La Grange) since 
1971, retiring in 2005. Please keep Garland and his wife, Stell, in your 
prayers.

THE FAMILY OF RUBY CRUZ (Church Extension Fund, Texas District). Ruby's 
brother-in-law, Salomon Castro, died unexpectedly this week of a heart 
attack. Salomon was married to Ruby's sister, Betty, and lived in 
Columbia. Please remember Ruby, her husband Evelio Cruz (Redeemer, 
Austin) and their family in your prayers.

THE FAMILY OF JIM AND CHARLOTTE McCONNELL (Concordia University, Austin) 
as they mourn the death of Charlotte's mother earlier this week. Please 
keep Jim and Charlotte in your prayers.

THE FAMILY OF STELLA BURGDORF (widow of Pastor Paul Burgdorf). Mrs. 
Burgdorf was called to eternal rest earlier this week. She celebrated 
her 100th birthday last year and in her honor, her family donated a 
teakwood bench to Faith in Plano which sits in the worship entry. 
Prayers be with the Burgdorf family as they mourn the loss of their 
wonderful mother and friend.

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IN OUR PRAYERS...

Pastor Timothy Carr (Immanuel, Houston) who fell and broke his leg 
earlier this week. He has had surgery and is healing well.

Beverly Ristow, wife of Rev. Leonard Ristow (Emeritus) who suffered a 
stroke in her left eye and has lost most of her sight in this eye. She 
is being treated for her condition by specialists and has already seen a 
slight improvement.

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MINISTRY CALLS

P A S T O R S

ACCEPTED

Ft. Wayne Seminary Graduate, Thomas W. Winter to St. Peter Lutheran 
Church, Pearsall, TX
Ft. Wayne Seminary Graduate, Sherman D. Stenson to St. Paul Lutheran 
Church, Associate Pastor, Austin TX

UNDECIDED

Kenneth J. Bersche, Zion, Vernon, TX to First, Lufkin, TX
James Menke, Holy Cross, North Canton, OH to Trinity, Waco, TX
John DeYoung, Cross of Christ, DeSoto, TX to Concordia, Houston, TX

C O M M I S S I O N E D M I N I S T E R S

ACCEPTED

Jeff Fink, Orange County, Orange, CA to Cross, New Braunfels, TX

UNDECIDED

Peter Bergman, Candidate to DCE, Family of Faith, Houston, TX
David Willingham, Cedar Park, TX to DCE, Redeemer, Olathe, KS

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2007 PASTORS' THEOLOGICAL CONVOCATION

Monday, April 16 through Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Omni Austin Hotel Southpark

Information packets were mailed to all Texas District Pastors last week. 
For more information or to register online go to www.txdistlcms.org and 
click 2007 Theological Convocation.

Questions? Call Lois Wolf at the Texas District office, 1-800-951-3478, 
or email nswolf at txdistlcms.org.

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DIAKONIA DAYS
A Summer Camp for Prospective Deaconess Students, June 17 - 23, 2007
Concordia University, River Forest, IL

Is someone in your ministry considering the vocation of deaconess? 
Deaconesses are women who work with the pastor or pastoral care team in 
congregations, agencies, and missions, serving the church through 
ministry to women, children, the elderly, the sick, or those in need.

What to expect:
- Experience daily spiritual fellowship.
- Attend classes led by Deaconesses and Theology professors.
- Visit and/or work with Deaconesses in the area.
- Make friends and have a week of group building and fun activities.

Application forms available by contacting the The Deaconess Program at 
crfdeaconess at cuchicago.edu, call (708)771-8300 x2136 or visit their 
website at www.curf.edu/departments/deaconess.

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ABLAZE! TEXAS

KEEP TRACK OF ABLAZE! TEXAS!
 > A new video will be added by Wednesday of each week! Ten video 
segments are now available for viewing:

* Introducing Ablaze! Texas - Segment 1 - December 4, 2006
* Growth All Around - Segment 2 - December 15, 2006
* All Wrapped Up - Segment 3 - December 20, 2006
* All Nations Christmas Celebration - Segment 4 - December 27, 2006
* Reaching Young Adults - Segment 5 - January 3, 2007
* Launching a New Church – Segment 6 – January 10, 2007
* One-to-one Catechesis - Segment 7 - January 17, 2007
* Sharing Your Faith - Segment 8 – January 24, 2007
* Meeting Jesus at Texas Tech – Segment 9 – January 31, 2007
* A Journey from Islam to Christian – Segment 10 – February 7, 2007
* A Visit within Hispanic Ministry – Segment 11 – February 14, 2007

(view the videos at http://www.ablazetx.lamtx.com/)

 > New weekly "reflections" are available (these are weekly thoughts for 
faith sharing and faith growing) (visit 
http://www.txdistlcms.org/ablaze/ for the Jottings)

 > What can you do?

* Keep updated on Ablaze! Texas
* Share the site with others
* Share your faith sharing stories

All the Ablaze! Texas resources can be seen by going to 
http://www.txdistlcms.org/ablaze/.

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS...

Interim Ministry Discernment Event
February 12-13, 2007 | Fairfield Inn and Suites Waco North, Waco, Texas

The Theological Convocation
April 16-18, 2007 | Omni South, Austin, Texas

DCE Spiritual Renewal Retreat
April 23-25, 2007 | Camp Lone Star, La Grange, Texas

Synodical Convention
July 14-19, 2007 | George Brown Convention Center, Houston, Texas

Professional Church Workers Conference
November 18-20, 2007 | Redeemer, Austin, Texas

For more information on Texas District events visit the District's 
website at www.txdistlcms.org.