Welcome WordThe October 2012 newsletter of Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church No. 2

Kairos volunteers bring Christ’s message of hopeto local prison population in Lockhart and beyond Spirit of Joy's Fifth Sunday benevolence for September is the Kairos Prison Ministry. The Kairos mission is to bring the message of Christ's love and forgiveness to all incarcerated individuals, their loved ones and those who work with them, and to assist in the transition to becoming productive citizens. Matthew 25:36 says, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited me in; I needed clothes and you clothed me; I was sick and you looked after me; I was in prison and you came to visit me." Harold Kraus is the Spirit of Joy representative and volunteer to the local Kairos Ministry at the GEO prison facility in Lockhart. Harold said Kairos invites 24 male inmates twice a year to a Kairos weekend. This four day event involves approximately 70 people, including the "inside team" of 30 men and the

"outside" team of approximately 20 volunteers. The entire team is headquartered at Emanuel Episcopal Church in Lockhart. The goal of a Kairos w e e k e n d i s t o e s t a b l i s h a n d strengthen a Christian community within the prison.

S t u d i e s show that the recidivism rate o f K a i r o s graduates is reduced by 70

percent, evidence that lives are changed through God's work through Kairos. Each weekend costs between $8,000 and $10,000. All expenses are funded by Kairos volunteers and donors. Volunteers serving on the weekend team pay their own registration costs. For more information on the Kairos Ministry or to make a donation, please contact Harold @ kraushl@att.net

Kairos CaresSpirit of Joy volunteer in the Kairos Ministry, Harold Kraus has been bringing God’s message of hope and salvation to the prison population at the GEO facility in Lockhart for ten years. The September Fifth Sunday benevolence offering will support the Kairos effort. Other Kairos volunteers at Spirit of Joy are Lynna Kraus, Cynthia Points and Calvin Points. Photo by Nancy Kempf

October 1-5: Texas Lutheran Krost Symposium on Criminal Justice. www.tlu.edu/krostOctober 21: Guadalupe Valley Christian Counseling Center Bar-B-Que FundraiserOctober 27: Pecan Fest Ice Cream Booth, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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P.T.’s 2¢

Getting ready for a new school year, I have decided to do some changes in how we look at our confirmation class. I really looked at what I want our young people to get out of the program. One of the long-held goals is that they learn to think and reason their faith for themselves, to respond to the world as people of faith. This means it has to be much more than giving them answers that they can fill in on a test. I can test for knowledge, see how much someone knows. There is no way to test for how well a person “does faith.” We aren’t studying to pass tests any more. I’m over that. We’re not doing requirements in order to get something or earn being confirmed. By calling this “Faith Formation,” I want to be focused on growing faith. Calling it “Confirmation Class” puts the emphasis on what happens at the end. Faith Formation points to a larger, lifetime goal. The activities of 7th and 8th grade, which reach the climax when our young adults are confirmed, should be about a longer goal of growing a mature faith. All of our activities will be framed around the “7 Faith Practices,” which is an approach to discipleship lifted up by the ELCA. This centers on seven common practices that can help balance our faith life and grow towards a mature faith. They are:

Pray...Frequently (1 Thes. 5:16-18)Study... (Psalm 119:105)Worship...regularly... (Psalm 34:1-3)Invite... involve others... (Romans 10:14-15)Encourage... (1 John 3:18)Serve... for the sake of others (Mark 10:45)Give... time, talent, treasure (Luke 6:34)

We have program expectations tied to each of these practices, such as actively participating in worship, service opportunities and growing in giving to the church. These will be the framework for all of our faith formation time, and we will relate pretty much everything we do to these seven practices. Some of it will be things we bring home to do with parents and family. The young people will be choosing mentors to guide them in their growth. We will occasionally invite mentors to our Wednesday classes and other activities, and students will shadow their mentors in their ministries. This provides role modeling in how we live out faithful discipleship. If a young person asks you to be a mentor for them, I encourage you to say yes and serve as a role model for them.

New year starting with ‘Formation of Faith’

Octobertoremember

Christian Counseling Centerwill benefit from sale of ticketsto area church sponsored meal

The Annual Fundraising Bar-B-Que for the Guadalupe Valley Christian Counseling Center (GVCCC) is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 21. The drive-through and/or eat-in meal will be served at Faith Lutheran Church and the tickets are $8 each. Serving time is 10:30a.m.- 1p.m. In addition to the chicken bar-b-que meal, there will be a raffle drawing for theme baskets being prepared and provided by area churches. Meal and raffle tickets are available from Spirit of Joy members Lynna Kraus and Cynthia Points, GVCCC board members. Raffle tickets are $2 each or six for $10. GVCCC is a non-profit Christian agency supported by area churches. Created in 1996 by an ecumenical group of churches, GVCCC was designed to provide counseling services on a sliding scale basis. For m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , g o to info@guadalupecounseling.org.

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The goal was $40,000.00 and the goal was met. The creek and dam at Camp Chrysalis will get facelifts thanks to donations and the September fundraiser in Fredericksburg. Spirit of Joy contributed $220 from the auction of a "Reading Basket." Seven adults, including Cynthia Points, Pastor Tim Bauerkemper, Rhonda

Behal , Rick and Jennifer Ehlers, and Marvel andBobbie Maddox joined y o u t h s A m a n d a Hampton , Jane l l e Weinman and Jessie Behal in a "Recycled Flower Making" booth where they assisted children in making over

75 flowers. Children purchased wrist bands for $10 to participate in craft and game activities, rides and contests.

Spirit of Joy members Loris Ernst, Michelle Gonzales and Jennifer Bauerkemper took "The Crafty Kind" on the road and manned a booth in the Artisan Vendors area. They also provided a basket for the silent auction. Pastor Tim and Bishop Ray Tiemann assisted in judging the Bake-Off. “For those of us (17 members) who visited/worked this event, it was a great time and supported a great cause. Thank you Spirit of Joy!” Cynthia Points said.

Say it with flowers: Spirit of Joy pitches in to help Camp Chrysalis

Flower Power!Nick and Heidi Franzen brought their grandchildren to Fredericksburg to support the camp fundraiser. (top) Janelle Weinman plants flowers. Photos by Bobbie Maddox

Budding artists(above) You’ve got to hand it to Jessie Behal... (left) Amanda Hampton shows how... (top right) Rick and Jennifer Ehlers were cheerful workers.

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Vital Stats:Steering Committee officers share business, financial reports From the Steering Committee...*Look for our Spirit of Joy ad in the Matador football program!*Have you gotten your Spirit of Joy car decal yet?*We are officially a CUD (Congregation Under Development). This means Tim is our pastor on call through the Synod Office. It also means that we can start developing site options and seek Mission Investment Funds. *We are developing a new way to

sign up for our congregational volunteers. Look for this in October. *Remember that you are welcome to attend Steering Meetings. Our next one is Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. at Wallock's Casita. In other recent Spirit of Joy action, 22 members of SOJ met with the vision-based mission plan consultant, Rev. Paul Blom on Sept. 17. We reviewed our progress to date.

The Steering Committee is updating different sections of the plan using a two month cycle per section. The Committee has worked through the ELCA’s Model Constitution to be prepared to present to the membership adoption recommendations. F o r m e r B i s h o p B l o m recommended looking at “milestone ministries,” examine Governance models as we approach chartering as a congregation, and prepare a stewardship plan (an upcoming focus for the Steering Committee) as our next steps in the process of expanding and developing our vision driven mission plan.

Spirit of Joy Financials(through 8/31/2012)

Budgeted Actual Percentage

Offering $ 108.000 $ 99,163 91.8%Expenses $ 98,672 $ 91,524 92.7%Benevolence (Budgeted) $ 15,573 $ 9,553* 58.7%(paid quarterly through 2nd quarter 2012) Average Sunday Attendance 81

Look for Spirit of Joy Unbudgeted Giving update in November Birthdays ! Janice Weinman 10/01Kylar Kneupper 10/02 Brynn Stadtmueller 10/03 Rodrick Shao 10/04 Grace Mueller 10/04 Paul Stadtmueller 10/05 Nick Franzen 10/07 Rebecca Marsh 10/07 Arlynn Hartfiel 10/08 Cameron Saunders-Matthews 10/08 Lynna Kraus 10/09 Nancy Kempf 10/10 Mary Ruby 10/25 Leigh Crettenden 10/28 Anniversaries ! Gary & Cissie Warncke 10/29/1977 Joe & Sandra Boswell 10/07/1995 Leigh & Denise Crettenden 10/12/2001

(right) Backpacks and the students who wear them

were blessed during a service in September.

On-going:

SupportingCastPastorTimBauerkemperAdministrativeAssistantCynthiaPoints

SteeringCommittee:SharonFrels,PattyHampton,KristinKneupper,MarvelMaddox,MikePeters,RodrickShao,KarenWallock,KathyYandellandPastorTim

SundaySchedule:9a.m.‐Worship10a.m.‐Fellowship10:30a.m.‐SundaySchool

Office Telephone: (830) 433-7711 Office Address: 625 N. SH-123 Bypass #5 Office Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.Seguin, Texas 78155 Mailing Address: 562 S. SH-123 Bypass #250 Seguin, Texas 78155

SofJ Mission Statement:

To reach out to the Seguin community in service, to welcome all people and to share Christ and our faith.

Speaking of Stewardship Pastor Tim presents the theological basis for creation care during Mission Monday in September. His presentation included the ELCA’s Social Statement on Caring for Creation. Spirit of Joy and Siempre Sustainable members met together at Mosaic Church.

www.spiritofjoylc.com

Men’sBibleStudy,everyTuesday,6a.m.atElOlvidaHaciendaonKingsburyStreetChoirPractice,everyWednesdayat7p.m.attheSilverCenter

EveningWomen’sBibleStudy,FirstTuesdays,7p.m.attheWeinertHouseunlessotherwisenoted(Duetocalendarconflicts,October’smeetingwillbeonMonday,Oct.1,attheWeinertHouse)

AfternoonWomen’sBibleStudy,ThirdWednesdays,2p.m.(LocationsTBA)ConfirmationClasses,everyWednesday,...ChristianCupboardTeamswork9a.m.‐12p.m.,Sept.1and15

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Treasures!Nancy and Neolla Shao find goodies in their back-to-school bags from the Sunday school teachers.

Center of AttentionJack Strauss finds himself surrounded by fellow SOJ Sunday schoolers at Rally Day.

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Immediate Actions:*Use recycleable materials (no styrofoam)*No bottled water*Xerioscape as soon as we secure a property/building*Network with Silver Center for eco-solutions*Provide different bins inside for recycle/trash*Keep youth involved (current) goat project, Earth Day booth*Help provide training/info to others (educate school children re: sustainable practices, etc.)*Establish a study committee to continue process*Coalition of Churches to work together toward better stewardship*Recycle bulletins (currently doing)*Use washable cups*Control of zoned heat and air*Eliminate paper (continue great use of powerpoint projector*Recycle cans (project for kids?)*Promote "pack a lunch" day*Control litter*Promote Fair Trade event each year at TLU*Instruct kids so they have options*Accept this challenge ... it's work!Other issues to consider:green roof...solar energy...lighting...windows..HVACcomputers..energy audit...adopt policies/rules...keep up with technology of energy...motion sensors for lighting...replace less efficient equipment... solar screensweatherize/seals

Long Term Actions:*Energy Efficiency: reduce consumption of electricity,

*Green building use management (better use of rooms, etc.) *Landscaping (tree placement, etc.) *Raise Children/e d u c a t e / m o d e l sustainable thinking/practices*Kids recycling, gardening programs, etc. *Teach kids lifeskills/home economics, etc. *Educate children (Ecology Across C u r r i c u l u m ) *C o n g r e g a t i o n s should act like Christians*Equality for all

should be a focus *Teach children to live more simply again*Grounds should have fruit trees*Communication System could be more sustainable (less paper/more technology use)*Conserve Energy: -Insulation, Thermostat control, Use the church for something else useful (mission) in the community*Church Gatherings:-Focus on less paper plates, trash, etc.don't use paper and plastic (wash),compost the leftovers off the plates, etc.

Creation Care: Stewardship Initiatives for Spirit of Joy

Creation Care: Mitchell Harrison, St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Austin, shares the work of their Environmental Stewardship Committee with members of SOJ and Siempre Sustainability Network.

September’s Mission Monday was dedicated to stewardship of God’s creation with Pastor Tim sharing the theological basis and the ELCA’s Social Statement on Creation Care with both SOJ and Siempre Sustainable Seguin members. Mitchell Harrison, chair of St. Martin’s Lutheran Church’s Environmental Stewardship Committee, shared his congregation’s work toward sustainability, and then participants worked in small teams to produce the list below for your consideration.

You can’t get to heaven in a small, red plane, but by your good works and God’s Grace, so... Volunteer for SOJ duties today!