[m-m-online] January 12, 2007

[Minister to Minister online]

CONGRATULATIONS TO...

THE FAMILY OF RON BOGS (St. Matthew, Houston, TX) who celebrates the 
birth of their fourth child. Aaron Michael was born on January 5, 2007 
and weighed 6 lbs. 12.25 oz. at 18.5 includes long. Pastor Bogs and his 
wife, Gayle, have three other children; Aaron Michael is their third son.

THE FAMILY OF EUGENE HECKMAN (Emeritus, Gethsemane, Houston; member of 
Board for Church Extension; former District Vice-President). We rejoice 
with Gene and Joyce Heckmann for God's gift to them of their 17th 
grandchild. Kaylee Joy was born on Sunday, January 7, 2007, to their 
daughter, Karen, and her husband, John Leicht, of Gurnee (Chicago, IL). 
Kaylee weighs 6 lbs and 4 ounces and is 19 inches long. She has three 
big brothers to welcome her home.

ROBERT WEDERGREN (Emeritus, TX) and his wife, Lucille, who are 
celebrating 50 years of marriage today, January 12, 2007, by renewing 
their vows at First English Lutheran in New Orleans, LA., where it all 
began in 1957. Pastor Wedergren graduated from Concordia Seminary, 
Springfield, IL, and served his first parish in Ohio. He has served the 
Iowa, Nebraska and Texas Districts and most recently served as Chaplain 
at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, TX. They 
have three children, John, James and Ruth, all residing in the state of 
Texas which makes retirement very exciting for the couple. They enjoy 
spending as much time as possible visiting with their family and 
attending family reunions.

/# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # /

IN OUR PRAYERS....

Steve Kafehn (President of the Genesee Zone of the Eastern District LLL, 
and the District's Young Adult Coordinator) who continues to recover 
from injuries received while working on the Lutheran Hour Rose Parade 
float. Steve is progressing well in his recovery. Praise God for His 
amazing gift of healing!

/# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

/MINISTRY CALLS

PASTORS

Accepted

Brad Beckman, Grace, Arlington, TX to Faith Lutheran Church & School, 
Lincoln, NE

Kenneth J. Bersche, Zion, Vernon, TX to First, Lufkin, TX

Undecided

Jeffrey Schubert, LCMS Corporate, St. Louis, MO to Memorial, Katy, TX


COMMISSIONED MINISTERS

Designated - Accepted

Kayla Cowan, Concordia University, Austin to DCE, Immanuel, Temple

/# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # /

DISCERNMENT FOR INTENTIONAL INTERIM MINISTRY EVENT

"Do I have the experience, the leadership gifts, and the calling to 
Intentional Interim Ministry?"

To assist in answering this question, the Texas District will sponsor a 
24 hour meeting for interested pastors to be held in Waco, TX in 
February, 2007. The gathering will begin at 1:00 pm on Monday, February 
12 and end at Noon on Tuesday, February 13.

This Discernment Event is specifically designed to identify personal and 
pastoral gifts needed for this rewarding ministry, and to help a pastor 
become aware of the professional and lifestyle challenges involved. In 
the process a pastor will also work with District staff to discern 
whether they can affirm and use his gifts for Intentional Interim Ministry.

The registration cost is $125.00 and may be completed online. Go to the 
Texas District home page (txdistlcms.org) and click Interim Ministry 
Discernment Event. This event will be held at the Fairfield Inn and 
Suites, 4257 North I-35 in Waco, TX. Reservations for accommodations at 
the hotel will be done by each participant by phoning 254-412-2535. Cost 
per person per room is $84/night plus tax.

Questions? Call John Hirsch at 1-800-951-3478 or (cell) 512-769-6736 or 
send e-mail to jhirsch at txdistlcms.org.

/# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

/2007 THEOLOGICAL CONVOCATION

The 2007 Pastors Theological Convocation will be held again this year at 
the Omni Austin Hotel Southpark in Austin on Mon.-Wed., April 16-18. The 
theme for this year's convocation is "Living the Theology of the Cross 
in a Pluralistic World: Being Confessional and Missional." This theme 
reflects the tension that we Lutherans live in today. How do we as 
confessional Christians remain such while also living Christ's mandate 
to be missional and bring the message of salvation to all peoples?

Rev. Dr. Paul Robinson from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will begin 
the conference with a historical presentation and discussion on the 
meaning of the theology of the cross. This will be followed by 
presentations and discussions led separately by Rev. Dr. Robert Schmidt, 
Emeriti, Concordia Portland, Oregon, and Rev. Dr. Art Scherer, former 
Southeastern District President, on living out this ministry under the 
cross. The conference will be completed by Rev. Dr. Dean Wenthe, 
President, Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, on how the 
seminaries of the LCMS are preparing pastors to live in this tension of 
being confessional and missional.

For, 1) a conference schedule, 2) to register and 3) to access some 
readings that would be beneficial for the conference, go to the Texas 
District's web page (www.txdistlcms.org) and click '2007 Theological 
Convocation' on the center menu. Registration is available online. 
However, this registration does not register you for a room at the 
hotel. You will need to do that separately by calling the Omni Austin 
Hotel Southpark at 512-448-2222. Each year we have someone who waits too 
long to get the reduced room rate, so reserve your room when you 
register for the conference, soon.

/# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

/CELEBRATE CONCORDIA SUNDAY AT YOUR CHURCH ON APRIL 29

The colleges and universities of the LCMS are a special gift to The 
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Education has always been a marked 
distinction of what the LCMS “believes, teaches, and confesses.” It has 
been said many times but worthy of reminding members of the LCMS that a 
church body that teaches is a church body in mission!

April 29 has been designated as a Sunday that provides a special 
opportunity to celebrate the gift of colleges and universities that 
prepare individuals for many careers in life….pastors, teachers, 
directors of Christian education, directors of Christian outreach, 
deaconesses, lay ministers, directors of family life ministry, directors 
of parish music, pre-professional careers, and Christian education for 
lay leaders. The Concordia campuses assist individuals to develop and 
mature in a Christian environment where Jesus Christ is the central 
focus of their education.

Many congregations in the past years have celebrated Concordia Sunday. 
The celebration highlights the importance of a Christian education in a 
Lutheran context as an encouragement for the youth to consider serving 
in positions that benefit both the LCMS and society. The question that 
needs an answer is “what would it be like in a congregation if there 
were no graduates from the Concordias to serve the church?” It is also a 
special time for the congregation to pray for the continued blessings of 
our Heavenly Father for ongoing ministry that proclaims Jesus Christ as 
the Lord of Life!

Free materials are available from: The LMCS Board for University 
Education, 1333 So. Kirkwood Rd., St. Louis, MO 63122, 314/996-1252, 
800/248-1930, x1252 – fax 314/996-1120, e-mail: bue.info at lcms.org, 
www.lcms.org/universities.

/# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

/Wanted: Caring Christians at First Mercy Conference

Caring Christians are invited to the first LCMS Conference on Mercy, 
April 30-May 2, 2007, in St. Louis, MO.

“Our goal is to engage, equip, and energize our fellow Lutherans for 
mercy—caring for people in need in the clear name of Jesus, which we see 
as the heart of our church’s mission,” said Rev. Matthew Harrison, 
executive director of LCMS World Relief/Human Care, the conference host.

Highlighting the theme “Christ’s love and mercy in action,” the two-day 
event will bring together Lutherans with ideas and needs for ministry 
with experts who have experience and resources. Those invited to the 
conference include congregation leaders, pastors, deaconesses, parish 
nurses, agency executives, social ministry volunteers, and students 
training for social ministry vocations, among others.

In addition to Harrison, speakers include:

· Dr. Leo Mackay, former deputy secretary of the Department of Veterans' 
Affairs, Top Gun Navy pilot, and board chair for the new LCMS National 
Housing Support Corporation;
· Dr. Kurt Senske, CEO of Lutheran Social Services of the South;
· Gene Veith, former World magazine culture editor and head of the 
Cranach Institute;
· Non-profit funding consultant Jerry Twombly;
· Jill Schumann, CEO of Lutheran Services of America;
· Tim Goeglein, White House advisor to President Bush.

Erin Bode, a popular jazz recording artist with deep Lutheran roots, 
will entertain at the evening banquet.

Registration must be completed by March 31. The conference is partially 
supported by a generous donation, enabling LCMS World Relief/Human Care 
to keep the registration cost to $100, which includes meals.

LCMS World Relief/Human Care is the mercy arm of the LCMS. For a 
complete list of speakers and sessions, visit 
www.LCMSConferenceOnMercy.org or call 1-800-248-1930, Ext. 1380.

/# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

/KEEP TRACK OF ABLAZE! TEXAS

 > A new video will be added by Wednesday of each week! Five 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
* “New Ministry Launching” - Segment 6 - January 10, 2007

(view the videos at www.ablazetx.lamtx.com)

 > New weekly "reflections" are available at www.ablazetx.lamtx.com. 
(these are weekly devotional thoughts for faith sharing and faith growing)

 > 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 visiting 
www.txdistlcms.org/ablaze.

/# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

/LCMS hams needed for new amateur radio support network

ST. LOUIS, January 9, 2007— The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is 
inviting all LCMS hams to help build a new amateur radio support network 
as part of a comprehensive disaster response plan being developed by 
LCMS World Relief/Human Care.

The LCMS Amateur Radio Support Network (ARSN) will serve congregations 
and their communities, and assist LCMS World Relief/Human Care with 
disaster response.

“Short-wave radio communication is invaluable to disaster response teams 
during a regional or catastrophic disaster when all other forms of 
communication are destroyed or rendered useless, such as was the case 
the first few days after Katrina,” said Rev. Glenn Merritt, LCMS World 
Relief/Human Care director of disaster response. “This network will be 
particularly valuable to our district offices and to LCMS World 
Relief/Human Care should another catastrophic disaster occur, not only 
in the United States, but worldwide.”

The network is being developed by James Kienker, a licensed amateur 
radio operator and student at Westminster College, Fulton, MO. Kienker 
uses the amateur radio call sign KCØOQP.

Several dozen LCMS hams from throughout the U.S. already have expressed 
an interest in joining, from college students to retired pastors. Plans 
are to launch the network with 100 LCMS amateur radio operators before 
hurricane season officially begins in June.

LCMS amateur radio operators of any license level are invited to join 
the network. Experience in emergency communications through groups like 
the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) or the Amateur Radio 
Emergency Services (ARES) is especially welcome but not necessary.

For an information packet about the LCMS Amateur Radio Support Network, 
contact Kienker at (314) 835-8682 or kc0oqp at gmailcom. LCMS World 
Relief/Human Care is the mercy of the LCMS. To learn more about the 
ministry, call (800) 248-1930, Ext. 1380, or visit 
http://worldrelief.lcms.org.

/# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

/MARK YOUR CALENDARS...

Early Childhood Educator's Conference
February 1-3, 2007 | Hyatt Regency DFW, Texas

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

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.