The theme for the 2023 Southwestern Texas Synod Assembly is “Mientras Tanto,” a Spanish phrase meaning “Meanwhile” or “In the Meantime” in English. At the 2022 synod assembly, we dwelt in the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40). This year we dwell in the story of the conversion of Saul (Acts 9:1-19). These two stories at first seem in many ways unrelated but are connected in Scripture, being written one after the other and connected by the word “mientras tanto,” “meanwhile.” This year, while dwelling in one story, we also dwell in the reality that many stories are occurring at the same time, that God’s presence is in many places and the Spirit working within many people and communities. The synod assembly comes together as voting members from congregations and worshiping communities of this territory of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to pray, listen, learn, celebrate, and plan for mission in all the places where we witness Christ – and beyond.
At the annual congregation meeting of FELC in January, the congregation elected Nancy and Randy Baden as our voting members to the synod assembly. Voting members are just that: voting members. They are not representatives from FELC. We vote to send these members to join with others to constitute the assembly, which is gathered by the Spirit. The assembly becomes a body and expression of the church together when it gathers. Together that assembly discerns God’s will in that time and space and offers leadership for God’s future among us.
Because of emergent commitments, we are grateful that Henri and Tim Atkinson have agreed to participate in the assembly this Saturday, May 6 as the Baden’s are away.
The assembly this year is in two-parts, and this Saturday is on Zoom.
We anticipate hearing more of the experiences of God’s presence that we might better share the ways that God is working across Southwestern Texas -and throughout the world.