[m-m-online] January 26, 2007

[Minister to Minister online]

OUR CHRISTIAN LOVE AND SYMPATHY TO...

THE FAMILY OF REV. DON LOUDENBACK (Emmanuel, Odessa) as he and his wife, 
Linda, mourn the loss of Linda's father who died last week in California.

THE FAMILY OF REV. GOTTFRIED PRESS (former pastor of St. Paul, Groves). 
Pastor Press passed away yesterday in Alabama with his wife, Doris, at 
his side. He was a 1946 graduate of the St. Louis Seminary and was a 
member of the Texas District for many years before retiring in the 
Southern District. He served as pastor for St. Paul, Groves, TX, and is 
well remembered for his guidance to many confirmands over the years. 
Condolences may be sent to the Press family, #22 Lonie Young Circle, 
Dothan, AL, 36303, (334) 673-8759.

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IN OUR PRAYERS...

Jan Peterman, wife of Rev. Gerald Peterman (Faith, Graham and Trinity, 
Bridgeport) who is at home recovering after an extended hospital stay.

Rev. Henry Biar (Emeritus, San Antonio) who is scheduled to undergo 
surgery on Monday, January 29.

Don Anderson, the father of Rev. Mark Anderson (Trinity, Sealy) who has 
been diagnosed with cancer and is scheduled for surgery on Friday, 
February 2.

Ann Dube, wife of Rev. Walter Dube (Pilgrim, Houston and Chaplain, MD 
Anderson and Medical Center) diagnosed with cancer and is scheduled to 
begin chemotherapy at MD Anderson on Friday, February 2.

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MINISTRY CALLS

P A S T O R S

_Undecided_

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

_Declined_

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


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

_Undecided_

Peter Bergman, Candidate to DCE, Family of Faith, Houston

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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.

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

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2007 CHANGE IN ACCOUNTABILITY OF CASH CONTRIBUTIONS

TIGHTENED RULES IN 2007 FOR DEDUCTION OF CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS

A change that was legislated last fall in the Pension Protection Act of 
2006 will have an impact on your CASH contributions in 2007. None of 
your "cash" contributions are deductible unless you have a receipt for 
them from the organization receiving your cash gift. Some of the ways 
this will impact an individual in the church is that cash plate 
offerings, regardless of amount, will not be deductible without a 
written acknowledgment from the church. Same is true for cash you put in 
the basket at Sunday School, or cash you put into a door offering. This 
pertains to loose cash not inside an offering envelope; cash inside an 
offering envelope is identifiable by the envelope number and can be 
recorded as in the past.

Churches may want to provide advance notice of the Sundays where there 
will be special door offerings taken so people can plan ahead and have a 
check along if they plan to participate. Members of congregations may 
want to consider contributing their Sunday School offerings monthly or 
quarterly by check instead of making weekly cash gifts.

Please feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail with any questions you 
may have.

In His Service,

Marlys Erickson, Treasurer
Texas District, LCMS
merickson at txdistlcms.org
1-800-951-3478
512-926-4272

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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.

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KEEP TRACK OF ABLAZE! TEXAS

 > A new video will be added by Wednesday of each week! Six 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

(view the videos at http://www.txdistlcms.org/ablaze/)

 > New weekly "reflections" are available (these are weekly 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 at 
http://www.txdistlcms.org/ablaze/.

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LUTHERAN HYMNALS AVAILABLE

Our Savior, Abilene, has 60 hymnals in good condition and 30+ hymnals in 
ok condition, available. Call the church office at (325) 692-6163.

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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

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.