Steping Outside the Norms in the Synod Office

In the past two weeks, I have been trying to figure out my true role within the synod office.  I have just figured out what it is to be administrative support for everyone in the office.  Initially, I was nervous about working with the Bishop and that there was certain etiquette to be used around him, but really he is just like us.  We all work together to run the office and accomplish a common goal. He is very down to earth and helpful. 

When I first thought of working at the office, I thought of the same thing day after day, but instead there is something new every day.  I have enjoyed learning the basic routine with some things added on a daily basis.  There is not a single day that is the same as the last. I love working with the staff and having challenges given to me.  Last week I had two BIG victories: I had to fix a laptop and build Bishop Mike’s office (AKA a bookshelf).  Both took me out of my comfort zone, but I was able to figure them both out with a little guidance and help. 

I also sat in on my first staff meeting last week.  I was thinking that my opinion would not matter, but I was able to put in my word and help with some ongoing projects.  I am personally doing research on our congregations’ web presence to see how we can better help them with their presence on the web.  The staff lunches every day is a nice time to just sit down and talk about life, which is enjoyable especially with so much going on.

One of the things that excite me is the fact that things change so fast in the office and I have to stay on my toes.  The office is nothing like I expected, everyone is so accepting and helpful even for the small things.  I thought that I would not be working with the bishop, but I am doing that and it is great to see that happening. 

I look forward to learning more about the inside working of the church.

Surprises: Church work behind the scenes by Kirsten

My internship consists of two different parts. The first part takes place at Messiah Lutheran Church in Cypress, TX. I am working with and shadowing Michelle Mote, the Children’s Youth and Family Director here at Messiah.

I have never worked as a staff type person at a church before. This is all very new to me. I came into this experience with an open mind, a blank canvas; ready for anything and everything that would come across my path. The only thing that has surprised me, is how much work staff members do behind the scenes. They do an incredibly large amount of paperwork, phone calls, e-mails, and conversations that most people have no idea about. They are rock stars for working so hard!

I will be doing a number of different tasks while here at Messiah. My primary goal has been to create a way of bringing Messiah’s vacation Bible school’s message home. I have had to dig deep into the creative folder of my brain and come up with and idea that would be fun and interactive for both the children attending VBS and their parents. Many of the children who attend VBS do not attend church on a regular basis. If we can have them thinking about the Bible’s message more than within the walls of our church, we are doing a good job at spreading God’s word. After much thinking and many conversations I came up with an idea that I think will work. Each day has a theme and a character that leads that theme. The different themes talk about what helps us to stand strong when we reach hard times in our lives. Every day the children will receive the coloring page with that day’s particular character and theme of the day. They will take that picture home and color it. They then will find a person, item or action relating to that theme and take a picture with that item/person and their coloring page. They will ask their parents to e-mail it to me and I will put it in a power point we will show every day at the end of VBS. 

In addition to creating a method of applying the story at home, I will be helping out with the closing each day during VBS. One thing I like about myself is the ability to step into any situation with a positive attitude and have the courage to be imperfect. I am a little nervous to get up in front of a large group of children, but with this attitude in place I know that if I make a mistake, that’s ok! I will just pick up myself and continue on. Messiah is a grace place. They accept people for who they are, a child of God. This makes me even more excited to grow and learn from this wonderfully open and loving group of God’s children.

Learning to Serve in Seguin by Michele

What is my line up, you might ask? Children, canned goods, and more children! Monday was my first full day at Seguin Youth Services and what a day that was...

It began with a miniature road trip on a quest to find derby cars for the boys to build back at the center. Using my logic, I took the exit closest to the center in order to get to hobby lobby, but that took me several miles in the opposite direction! I learned that attention to details is an all around requirement for life as well as the work place. The rest of the day consisted of the tasks similar to that of the derby cars (but all within Seguin).

Tuesday had to be one of the hardest days of the summer, and it was only my second day. All morning long I was located within the Christian Cupboard. Tuesday was ran much differently than Thursday and Saturdays, so I was in for a surprise. Everyone there personally went to each client, pulled their, file, order, and gave them their food. I couldn't believe that with so many people coming in, though less than the high-traffic days, it was possible to serve them all at a pace I thought was a tad too slow for their needs. The best thing I learned that day was that everyday we learning something new; every game may have a new set of rules with each new group you play with. On Tuesday served at the food pantry, and learned the importance of consistency in your personal life. 

Back in the home I am residing in, I decided to go out of a door I never use which left me locked out of the only one I have access to from the outside. Due to my involuntary sleeping habits I took my daily nap in the library on the TLU campus. After my meeting with my mentor I found just enough money to give me gas to ride to rehearsal for the musical in San Antonio that I am in. I tried keeping the idea that the day before I helped someone financial when I myself ended up needing help. Earlier that day, I also helped my friend set up a birthday party for her baby boy. As Pastor Tim advised me just before my commute to the Playhouse theatre, I needed to "remember that it is okay to want to help everyone so long as I am taking care of myself first and actually have the ability to help over time." It seems the talk about over extending myself is a requiring theme in my life!
Without a word of my financial situation spoken to my parents, I checked my account as I left rehearsal Wednesday night and sure enough I had more than what I gave out of the generosity of ly heart and soul. Sometimes I wonder how my parents come to the rescue....other times I remember my mother telling me as a child that whatever I secretly pray for that can be fixed by her help, the spirit speaks it into her heart. I am more than glad I have a praying mother and father!!!

So in the course of a few days I have helped  many families (personally helped deliver over 170 lbs of food on the lightest day), learned the ins and outs of running errands, spent time with extremely bright kids who just need someone on their life to show them their value in society, and how quickly wear myself down if I am not paying attention to my own needs. Over all, the Lord provides and I have been able to see that on my personal life as well as a member of the church and greater Guadalupe county.

Meet the Interns: Kirsten Wee

Greetings!

My name is Kirsten Wee. I am very excited to be embarking on this journey with all of you. I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Within the next year I will be finishing up my undergraduate degree at Loyola University of New Orleans. Currently, I am majoring in Sociology with a minor in African and African American Studies. I was born into, baptized, confirmed and have grown up at Grace Lutheran Church in New Orleans. 

A few of my passions in life include traveling and working with children. Over the past few summers I have been working at the Whelan Childcare center at Loyola University of New Orleans. I have had the blessed opportunity to travel all over the world including spending a semester abroad at Stellenbosch University near Cape Town, South Africa. 

I have been involved in my youth group at Grace among other activities through out the ELCA’s Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod. I had the wonderful opportunity to work with the transportation team during the 2009 Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Through this opportunity I was able to meet many more Lutherans from around the country than I thought possible.
I am incredibly excited to embark on this journey with all of you!

Meet the Interns: Alex Norden

I am Alex Norden I attend Texas Lutheran University. I will be a sophomore studying education.  I grew up at Advent Lutheran Church in Houston. I have babysat most of my life and love to work with kids and help them achieve their goals. I am currently a swim coach and will continue that along with my internship and my summer courses while I am home for the summer.

I have been involved with the synod for years doing volunteer work and now I am working in the synod office. I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for me.  My first big task was trying to figure out how to work in an office. I have never worked in an office where my parents did work.  I was not sure on what to wear or even what I would be doing.  This week has been full of small victories and some challenges as I settle in to my daily schedule. So far, I have really enjoyed my time at the office and look forward to what is to come. 

Meet the Interns: Michele Crowder

My name is Michele’ Crowder. I am a music major and social entrepreneurship major with concentrations in faith, culture, and diversity, as well as non-profit leadership at Texas Lutheran University. By way of the United States Army I was born in Wiesbaden, Germany and raised in Killeen, Texas. I am a member of the TLU Choir, Women’s Choir, and Kantorei Chamber Choir. I have served as director of Shabach Gospel choir and chaplain of Service through Music organization at TLU. I will serve as president of Shabach Gospel choir, Creative Writing club, and as Service Chair for Service through Music organization. This will be an awesome summer to develop many skills and meet people who are working in fields that I am interested in. Summer 2013 is a wonderful summer for service!

Over the course of this summer I will work with the youth and music at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Mission, Seguin Youth Service. Christian Cupboard food pantry, and the Playhouse theatre in San Antonio on Ragtime the Musical. All of my time is spent on activities that support my future endeavors. Once I graduate from TLU, I will attend seminary for Divinity and Church Music. After that I want to pursue my goals of singing in with the Metropolitan Opera and on Broadway. When I return to Texas, I plan to build fine arts high school. On the same property there will be a community center/complex that holds a chapel, recreational center, fountains, gardens, and an amphitheater.

Our journey begins

 

"Do no press me to leave you

or to turn back from following you!

Where you go, I will go; 

here you lodge, I will lodge;

your people shall be my people,

and your God my God"

--Ruth 1: 16

With these words, a covenant was formed between two women. A covenant that would change their lives in ways neither could have predicted. A covenant that would take them on a life-long journey together.

Welcome to the LEAD Intern Project! This summer three young women have entered into a covenant to journey together through their work in ministry to our church, not unlike that of Ruth and Naomi. Its an exciting project and we are glad you are able to walk with us. 

The LEAD Intern Project's pilot year includes three young women: Alex, Michele, and Kirsten. Three college students who have decided to use this summer to learn about the church, their faith, and their personal calls. We see this internship as more than a summer job. This is a time for our church’s young leaders to discern the ways they can shape their church and the world around them.

It is not an accident that these three women are part of the pilot year of this program. Each brings a unique set of gifts to serve the communities of faith they will join during their time as interns. Over the coming weeks, each intern will write a series of posts reflecting their journeys. You are invited to walk along side them, laugh with them, and most of all pray for them during this time.