President’s Update

July 17, 2007

 

Greetings friends!  It has been a while since I have passed on any info as to what I have been up to.  My grandchildren have been here keeping me busy and making it a little difficult to get to the computer.  Anyway, I have finally managed to steal a few minutes where I can sit down and let you know what has been happening within the synod LMM. 

 

First I would like to say that with the help of the board and members of LMM I have managed to accomplish a couple of things.  We have had two board meetings and I must say that the board is starting to gel and work as a cohesive unit to spread God’s word and love.  We are fielding ideas from the members and looking at ideas to see what is the right and the smart thing to do for the synod group as a whole.  We are trying to figure out ways to ask for monetary gifts to the synod as well as the Century Club since both are important ands we don’t want to shortchange either area as both support important ministries.  One thing we did come up with was that the LMM will be selling Peanut Brittle at the Lutheran Fall Festival and Family Fun Day on September 15th, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Markt Platz in Fredericksburg.

 

Next the first ever San Antonio Conference Quarterly Breakfast was hosted by Beitel Lutheran Church in June.  We had about 8 churches represented and the men in attendance shared their thoughts and ideas on what they expected from LMM.  We also discussed the Century Club ( had 2 or 3 people sign up before leaving) and I explained that I thought that it might be a good practice for our LMM groups in the synod to give a gift of  10% from the profits to the synod LMM.  This would enable the synod LMM to meet the budgetary goals we have set for ourselves at the Annual Assembly in Seguin.  We also had 5 pastors at the meeting so we were thankful for the pastoral support.  All in all these things help me to think that things are looking up in the San Antonio Conference.  Charlie Schwartz talked about the Hill Country Conference’s 20th Lutheran Fall Festival and Family Fun Day on September 15th.  Thrivent matches a set amount of the funds raised which are then given to Cross Trail Ministries.  This annual event always raises a sizable fund which is used for maintenance/improvements of the camp grounds.  This is a shining example of how our synod LMM helps to support the camping ministry and helps to ensure that it continues to provide a valuable service to the synod. 

 

We have secured Mr Gary Moore to be our keynote speaker for the assembly in Fredericksburg for 2008.  We are working on the other things to do to make the day be more enjoyable and meaningful for you the attendees.  We are toying with the idea of building a couple of benches to give to local Assisted Living or Elderly Care Facilities.  As we know more of what we are going to do I will let you know. 

 

Our participation was well received as usual at the Synod Assembly in May.  If you didn’t know we built three benches at the assembly and asked the synod members in attendance at the event to help out.  As a matter of fact I was talking with a gentleman Sunday night (July 15th) and he remarked that he stopped to help for a few minutes and enjoyed himself and thought it was a great idea.  I also want to express my thanks to Jesse Gonzalez and the men from First Lutheran Church in Floresville for donating the peanuts and peanut brittle that we were able to allow individuals the opportunity to take home for filling out some forms with info on their congregations.  I would also like to thank Mr. Charlie Schwartz for the gifts from Charlie’s Sawdust Factory which were also taken home by Synod members who provided us with information.  Then too I must also thank Calvin Findsein for the help he lent Charlie in making the crosses that the LMM gave to any attendee who stopped by and visited our booth. 

 

Finally this past Sunday I was invited to the M & Ms monthly dinner at Triumphant Lutheran Church in Austin.  The M & Ms are the men’s group of the church.  I spoke with them about what the mission of the synod LMM was and the many things we do throughout the synod to help get men involved in the church and acting as disciples of God.  I am very pleased to say the men were very receptive to what I had to say and as a result of this visit we might have a conference representative from Austin in the very near future.  The group is very positive and really liked the “Swings for Seniors” and Century Club ministries we support.  They have definitely laid out a plan of activity for the group for the next six months.  This plan involves the areas that LMM looks at for fostering men’s growth in service to the Lord and includes attending a baseball game with a tailgate party prior to the game, a dance, a work day at the church, and a retreat at Camp Ebert.  I tell you this group is definitely going places.  They also have a couple of really good cooks who prepared the meal.  Dick Lewis, the leader of the group, has been in contact with me and I think that he and the men in the group are on the same page as the rest of the synod LMM congregations.  I feel that God has answered one of my prayers for our ministry and helped us to at least reach half of one of my major goals.

 

Well I believe that is it for now.  I need to get some sleep so I can get up for work tomorrow.  I hope all is well with you my friends.  Take care and God Bless!

 

 

Dennis