TRINITY/SEALY TO HOST ANNUAL BBQ AND AUCTION

Trinity Lutheran Chuch in Sealy will be hosting a BBQ and auction on Sunday, August 12, from 11-1. Tickets are $7.00 and will be available at the door. The folks at Trinity will begin serving up a great meal at 11 am, and serve until there's nothing left or sell off what is left. The auction will begin at noon. The BBQ and auction will take place at The Knights of Columbus Hall, located on West Highway 90 in Sealy.

This annual event has taken on a new twist of sorts. There will be a raffle for "The Fatted Calf," a fine steer that will give the winner at least 500 pounds of meat. There are only 100 tickets for The Fatted Calf, selling at $50.00 a ticket.

There will also be children's games, a country store, and just too much too miss out on. You are invited to come and lay your lips on some of the best home-made food you've ever tasted.

Pictures From Convention on Closing Day

Rev. Scott Heitshusen, (St. Mark. Houston) makes a passionate plea regarding the work of Floor Committee 6.
Rev. Daniel Schepman (Senior Pastor, Little Rock, Ark.) still manages a smile on the last day.
And here we have our true Lutherans--in the very back row.
President Kieschnick ends the 63rd Convention with the three-fold pounding of the gavel.

MOVEMENT. . . .FINALLY

The 63rd Convention began adopting resolutions today—some with some rather significant meaning.

The one that has a lot of folks talking is 5-01A (reported last night as adopted, but we jumped the gun). This is the “Specific Pastor Ministry” program, brought to the convention to meet the urgent needs of the church by establishing a new track that will prepare men as quickly as possible.”

Once ordained, the specific ministry pastor would be allowed to preach and administer the sacraments, with supervision, within his specific ministry situation. He would also complete the entire program within four to five years in order to retain his certification.

This new program also will take advantage if modern technology and long-distance education models, according to Dr. Andrew Bartlet, vice president for academics at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. “The goal is a good one—more pastors,” Bartlet said. “Good pastors who are about seeking and saving the lost.”

OTHER RESOLUTONS
The Convention passed 4-02, designed to begin stewardship renewal through enhanced communication.

The Convention also passed 1-05 A. This resolution was changed from “Making Outreach to the Lost a Top Priority.” This was a substitute motion that was adopted in place of making outreach “the top priority.”

The Convention adopted 6-06 that will ask the Synod to provide materials and training on issues of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual abuse, for districts, clergy, congregations, and schools in order to help those who have suffered from such abuses.

The Convention also adopted 6-03A, which asks LCMS World Relief and Human Care to try and make sure that no adopted or foster child is knowingly adopted or placed in an intrinsically sinful situation where families are not living in accordance with God’s revealed and natural law.

This Convention also addressed and affirmed the practice of close communion (3-09).

These are the highlights. Other resolutions were adopted as well. You can find that list of them by clicking here:
http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/convention_2007/statusupdate.asp

To read those resolutions, click here:
http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/convention_2007/news_page_1a.asp


UNDER CONSIDERATION

One resolution that has come to the floor twice for consideration, and will do so again on the closing day of the Convention, is Resolution 8-07 A. This resolution asks for another Convention between Conventions to address the matters of governance and structure.

From this Circuit Counselor’s point of view, this should be a resolution to be acted upon as quickly as possible. There are some issues that we as a Synod need to address, and this special convention would give us the opportunity. To put this off could cost the Synod literally millions of dollars overall.

There seem to be a few that are determined not to have this come to a vote. Let me ask you something—if you were paying a million dollars in order to have this convention, would you want things acted on? Well—you are! We are in this together. It’s time to act on this resolution. Continuing to bog down this convention is not right to the circuits and people that have sent them there in good faith.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

District President Larry Harvala was booed off the stage—for failing to share some humor with the delegates. During the vote tabulation, President Harvala told a joke. When he was finished, President Kieschnick asked if he had another. Harvala thought he would just walk off the stage. He did—to many boos. Guess our delegates are getting a little on the cranky side!

TOMORROW: THE GAVEL DROPS AT ONE

The Convention will come to an end tomorrow at noon when Oresident Kieschnick drops the gavel to close the convention. Hopefully, there will be a little business done in the meantime.


Thanks to Paul Spree (St. Paul, Edna) and Rev. Rob LeBlanc for representing our Circuit. We look forward to receiving your Convention reports to all congregations, and we the circuit pastors look forward to discussing those reports, along with the actions the Convention took, in September’s meeting.

Pictures From Wednesday's Convention

Rev. Scott Heitshusen doesn't look amused.












Real Lutherans--back row!








Rev. Tim Eckert shares a (deaf) laugh







Circuit #31 pastoral rep Rev. Rob LeBlanc deep in thought

MICHAEL, WAS THAT YOU?

In one of the more humorous moments of the 63rd Convention, a ram’s horn trumpeted at 4:30pm, breaking a temporary silence by the delegates of the convention. When the trumpet ceased, President Kieschnick looked up in astonishment and said, “What was that?”

When the Scriptures talk of a trumpet, more often than not, that trumpet is not the sound of victory—it is the sound of judgment. Where it came from or who blew the trumpet in the convention is not known. Is it a sign of judgment? Friends, let’s hope not. Let’s continue to uplift the Synod in our prayers.


MOVEMENT. . . FINALLY

After a slow start, the 63rd Convention began to pick up speed today. Resolutions began to pass easier than in prior days. Here are just a few of them:

+Resolution 5-01 was adopted, a joint effort by both seminaries in order to rectify not going against the Confessions of our church body by havingan unordained layman preach and administer the Sacraments (much more on this later)

+ The Dispute Resolution Process that was adopted in St. Louis in 2004 was refined somewhat and adopted by the 63rd Convention. (Res.8-02)

+ Resolution 2-01 was passed that asks the CTCR, Board of Directors, Commission on Worship to put together a theological conference to bring about worship practices and styles that are consistently Lutheran, and to prepare studies for use in circuits and congregations.
Immediately following the passing of 2-01, the Convention delegates passed 2-02 that calls for web-based resources, worship arts and music seminars to educate and build on diversity, and the development of a network of Lutheran composers who write in a contemporary style.

Obviously, these last two resolutions are big steps. These steps are actually a good thing, when you stop and think about it. It means what will be developed will be reviewed by doctrinal review—something not happening today. Hopefully, it will lead to a more consistent contemporary worship that brings out what we believe in a new way.

LATE NIGHT AT GEORGE R. BROWN

Tuesday night is one that the delegates will remember. It is the longest night of the Convention, slated to last until 9pm. When you start at 8am, that makes for a very long day.

Perhaps they will be able to appreciate what the Congress will do tonight—have an all-night session. Hopefully, the Convention will accomplish more. (Note: it was a nice wish anyway!)


IT COULD BE WORSE. . .
Some resolutions that come to the Convention are long, tedious, and almost seem to accomplish nothing. But it could be worse. Consider a few of the overtures that were declined:

One overture was to conclude all resolutions with the words, “Fight the good fight.” It was declined “because the spirit of this is already in our practice.” Yes, indeed it is. If you’ve ever been to a Convention, it seems as if we sometimes trivialize over the smallest things (remember the two semi-colons yesterday?) and accomplish nothing.

Another overture that was declined was for the purpose of “encouraging corporate America to reduce CEO compensation.” It was declined because that’s not a part of our mission. Yes, we call sin what it is. But when it comes to compensation, wouldn’t you take a raise right now if it was offered? Enough said.

ELECTIONS AND MORE ELECTIONS


After almost two hours of adding names to ballots for various offices, the Convention delegates vote on those offices this evening. Any significant results you will find here tomorrow evening.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: ONLY ONE INCUMBENT REMAINS

The 63rd Convention elected two pastors, one commissioned member, and four laypersons to the Board of Directors today.

Dr. Robert Kuhn was the only person re-elected to the Board with 640 votes. Dr. Don Muchow, from Buda, Texas, was the other pastoral delegate elected with 629 votes.

Kurt Senske, (LSSS) was elected as the commissioned minister.

The four laypersons elected are Kermit Brashear of Omaha, Nebraska; Curtis Pohl of St. Michael, Mn.; Gloria Edwards of Portula Valley, California; and Walter Brantz of Cody, Wyoming.

NOMINATIONS, PLEASE. . . .

The Convention also nominated (at last count) 36 people for various and different offices. This was interesting for several reasons:
· The Nominations Committee had nominated several of the names;
· Because of a motion the convention made yesterday, every nominee had to have revealed whether or not he or she wasa part of the lawsuit againat the Synod;
· When this came back to the floor, 58% of the delegates voted to reconsider that motion;
· When the motion was voted on, it was defeated by. . . a 58% majority.

Interesting, to say the least. . .

NATIONAL OFFERING


The national offering receoived at the 63rd Convention was a total of $409,157.

So what is the money designated for?

Two-thirds of that offering will go directly to support our two seminaries in Fort Wayne and St. Louis. The other third will also go to seminaries of churches we are in partnership with around the world.

For more information on the national offering, click here: www.lcms.org/pastoraleducation

If you wish to contribute to that national offeringk you can do so by clicking here:
www.givenowlcms.org

CONFLICT RESOLUTION BETWEEN CCM AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS BY CONVENTION

After carefully wording an amendment, and a 90 minute discussion of it, the 63rd Convention voted 905-292 to adopt the amendments presented by the floor committee on Synod Structure and Governance.


The CCM and Board of Directors have been in conflict for several years over who has what authority to do and decide what. This was adopted with the hope of avoiding such conflict in the future.

Other amendments adopted by the delegates in convention were 7-01, which provides delegates with biographical information regarding those standing for elected offices, and also Synodical By-Law 3.2.5 (this is the one I referred to as something likely to magically reappear). This By Law now eliminates the confusion for who can and can’t appoint those to fill vacancies.

AALC NOW IN ALTAR-PULPIT FELLOWSHIP

http://www.lcms.org/pages/rpage.asp?NavID=12176

What does this mean?

For starters, it mmeans that we are now in fellowship with a church body in North America for the first time in many years.


For those in Texas, it really means nothing. There are no churches from the AALC in Texas. There was one in Corinth, Texas, several years back. It no longer exists.


It means that we as pastors may now preach in an AALC church (for us Texans, when we go north). It means that we may also take communion together.


Let's hope this is the first step of truly beginning to work together and bearing fruit in the Lord's kingdom.

Kieschnick Re-Elected on First Ballot

(LEFT: President & Terri Kieschnick embrace after he is re-elected for a thirdterm; right, President Kieschnick addresses the delgates immediatley after his election.)

President Kieschnick was re-elected as President of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Sunday. President Kieschnick received 644 votes, just over 52% of the vote. John Wolhrabe was second in the balloting, with 3 others only receiving 27 votes or less.

Also elected Sunday were the Vice Presidents of the Synod. First Vice President Bill Dinkelman was re-elected by a 50.5% vote. Dr. Paul Maier was elected as second Vice-President. Third Vice-President is now Rev. John Wolhrabe, with Rev. Dean Nadasky as fourth Vice President, and Rev. David Buegler was elected as fifth Vice-President.

God bless each as they serve our Lord Jesus Christ in the next triennium.

SLOW DAY OF BUSINESS

The Convention had a rather slow day of business today, passing only three resolutions. Getting the resolutions right--where delegates can agree on them--is not always an easy job. Several amendments can be voted up or down before it finally is ready fora vote. Sometimes, a floorcommittee thinks it has done its' homework, only to discover that there is a double semi-colon.

That's right--a double semi-colon was brought up, amended to only one, seconded, and passed.

I think we need to give that pastor a job as a proof reader for CPH.

TOMORROW. . . THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTIONS

Tomorrow, the delegates will take care of some important business as they vote on a slate of candidates for the Board of Directors of the LCMS. Many more amendments will be brought out, and some that were brought out today will have been magically revised and come back to the floor for the delgates' consideration tomorrow.

If you go to http://www.lcms.org/ and look under "convention," you can find a list of resolutions, the slated business oif the day, and even a live webcast of the convention. Come back here tomorrow night as I will bring highlights and pictures from the convention.

--Rev. Mark Anderson, Circuit #31 Counselor

CONVENTION DESCENDS ON HOUSTON

The 63rd Convention of the LCMS is descnding upon Houston this week. While the presidential ballot is slated for Sunday, many other things will hapen before then.

One of those things will be an outreach event slated for Thursday at Immanuel Lutheran in Houston. There will also be floor committee open hearings Saturday. The opening worship service is slated for Saturday afternoon at 4 pm in the George R. Brown Convention Center.

This circuit blog will be there with photos and updated information as it becomes available. Be sure to click on this blog to find the highlights of this convention. For full details, you may go to http://www.lcms.org and look under "convention."

ANY UPCOMING BBQS OR EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE FOLKS FROM OTHER CHURCHES AT?

If you have an upcoming BBQ (as Trinity/Sealy) does, a picnic, a Friendship Sunday. . . please email me at pastorma@tlcsealy.org in order for me to post that event with plenty of time for people to make plans to attend.

Speaking of plans to attend. . . are you making plans to attend the Circuit-Wide Reformation service? I hope so! Let's plan to come together October 28th at 3 pm to give thanks to God for all the blessings He has given us as a church.

CHOIR MEMBERS STILL NEEDED FOR MASS CHOIR AT CONVENTION

Mass Choir Information

As many of you are aware, our Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod's Convention is in Houston this summer at the George R. Brown Convention Center. For the OPENING SERVICE, on Saturday, July l4, at 4:00 p.m., we are looking for a MASS CHOIR of 300 voices to lead worship!! We will rehearse on the four Thursdays preceding the Convention: June 21, June 28, July 5, and July 12, from 7:30-9:00 p.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, 800 Houston Avenue. If you would like to be a part of this choir, please email the following information to mmountford@trinitydt.org, or call 713.224.0684, or 713.825.7352.



Name__________________________



Address______________________________City____________________State________Zip code_____________



Home phone #____________________Work phone #_________________Cell phone #_______________________



Email address___________________________________________



Voice: (Circle one) S A T B



Prayerfully consider this commitment of rehearsals and worship leading at the convention. We will try to help with the transporting of the choir to/and back from the convention hall on Saturday, July l4. This will eliminate the necessity to drive and park downtown. Come, make some wonderful music together!!



Questions? Call Mary Mountford.

Trinity Lutheran Church

800 Houston Avenue

Houston, Texas 77007

713.224.0684

713.825.7352

Please consider this if you are in a choir! What a wonderful way to bless our entire Synod!

CIRCUIT-WIDE REFORMATION SERVICE OCTOBER 28th

Circuit 31 will have it's annual Circuit-wide Reformation service on Sunday, October 28, 2007. This worship service will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Wharton, Texas at 3 pm. The preacher will be Rev. Ralph Hobratschke, the Senior Pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Friendswood, Texas, and also the Area D Vice President.

The reason this is being posted so early is to give pastors and those who plan events for their congregations the opportunity to "clear the calendar" for that time slot in order that members may attend the service. There are things that can't be moved--but there are things that can!

Let's join hands and walk together as we celebrate the Reformation on October 28th! Please put this on your church calendars and begin publicizing it. No advance publicity in your church doesn't work well, and no advance publicity in the Circuit works even worse.