Council Highlights | November 2024

On November 18, the Council met and heard important information shared from guests Andy MacLaren about Micah 6, Merrily Porter about the Child Development Center, Joe Cain about the draft budget and Claudia Barlow about Administration Committee efforts to more clearly define the Cantor duties. 

Micah 6 is facing challenges of functioning at capacity considering space and volunteer availability as well as street construction obstacles in the area.  Central Texas Food Bank has less food to offer and no longer delivers. APD continues to provide security. Volunteers are encouraged to assist with a variety of operations.

The Child Development Center saw a modest increase in enrollment and greatly appreciates the congregational response to their appeal for assistance. They continue to watch carefully and hope that further enrollment will happen to allow them to be sustainable. All are encouraged to spread the word!

Joe Cain presented a draft budget and fielded questions about it.  The Council voted to approve the draft budget for presentation to the congregation in January.

The Administration Committee announced that Bryan Rust has been officially offered the position of Cantor and has accepted that responsibility. Bryan has stepped into the breach over the past several years and taken on many duties well beyond the scope of his job as Cantor. After a review of the Cantor Job Description, the Administration Committee recommends that we release the Cantor from duties not associated with that role. Going forward, Bryan will be disentangled from the extra duties that have fallen on him. We will be working on a smooth transition so that the Cantor position can be more fully realized. Plans for a “Cantorcelebration” are in the works for mid-December.”

Ministry team reports were received and reviewed.  

The Organizational Chart now reflects some suggestions made at the Ministry Roundtable event on November 10. Further defining each ministry’s purpose is ongoing.

A nominating committee was ratified for identifying future Church Council members. Nancy Neuse and Leigh Northcutt-Benson will co-chair the committee of Mari Ward, Fritz Woody and Shannon Aguirre.

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Baden, Council Secretary

FELC Advent Event | November 17

On Sunday, November 17, all are welcome to the FELC Advent Event immediately following worship. Join us for a simple meal and a contemplative exploration of Advent themes of watching, waiting, and wondering. This annual intergenerational event will be hosted by the Learning Ministry and Hospitality teams. All ages are welcome to participate!

Welcome Pastor Alex LaChapelle

Sunday, November 17, we welcome back to FELC Vicar # 46 (2012-2013), Pastor Alex LaChapelle, as our preaching & presiding minister. Pastor Alex is in Austin for the national Progressive Youth Ministry Conference, which now makes its home with FELC neighbor, Austin Presbyterian Seminary. The Progressive Youth Ministry strives to be a space of connection and collaboration for youth workers seeking to lead young people into a faith that’s compassionate, just, and inclusive in the ways of Jesus. Pastor Alex is currently called to Prince of Peace Lutheran in Harvey, Michigan. Previously Pastor Alex served as associate pastor of St. Luke’s Lutheran in Park Ridge, Illinois; as country coordinator in Southern Africa and Tanzania for the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program; and as pastor of Nairobi International Lutheran in Kenya. Pastor Alex completed undergraduate studies in theology at Concordia University Chicago and, in 2014, received a Master of Divinity degree from The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

Council Highlights | October 2024

The FELC Church Council met October 21, 2024. Betsy Appleton and Joe Cain joined us as guests. Betsy advocated for our CDC center as a parent whose children have benefited from attending. Joe led the council through our Draft Budget Report for FELC and discussed shared expenses between our church and our CDC. The executive team rolled out our new FELC Organization Chart to the council for feedback and questions. Nancy Neuse was appointed Chair of our Nominating Committee as we continue to strive to build capacity in our council leadership for the upcoming year.

The next meeting of the council will be November 18, 2024.

Home Is Here: A Concert for Casa Marianella | Dec. 9

ACL Live at the Moody Theater. Since 1986, Austin’s Casa Marianella has been a place of refuge for men, women, and children seeking asylum in the U.S. The show will include performances by Patty Griffin, Adrian Quesada, Britt Daniel from Spoon, Fastball, Money Chicha, Tekle Mezghebe and more. Funds raised will contribute to a NEW shelter for women and children in 2025. Purchase your concert tickets here: acllive.com/events/detail/2024-12-09-home-is-here-a-concert-for-casa-marianella-at-7-pm