February 2010

Inside This Issue

12100 Champion Forest Dr.

Houston, TX 77066

281-444-3126 P

281-444-1733 F

kinsmenlutheran.org

KINSMEN LUTHERAN CHURCH

FEBUARY 2010 Connection

A Note From Pastor Jeff 2

Noisy Offering: Souper Bowl of Caring

2

Become Contagious with Pastor Nelson

3

News from Celebration Lutheran Church

3

Haitians Still ‗Living With Hope‘

4

February Milestones 5

Season of Lent 5

The Best of the Rest 6

February Birthdays 7

Youth News 8 - 11

Kinsmen is proud to welcome

Pastor Kerry Nelson

on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 6 & 7,

to kick off our Lenten theme,

“Becoming A Contagious Christian.”

P A G E 2

expressions of extraordinary

generosity Dear Friends in Christ,

Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing … Isaiah 43:18-19

For the person of faith, no ending stands by itself. Endings always bring the promise of a beginning. The problem is that, from a human point of view, endings are usually more easily seen than the promised new beginning. In this remarkable text, the prophet Isaiah speaks for our God saying, ―No matter how incredible the past was, I am already creating something new and wonderful for you. Don‘t get stuck on what has been … anticipate what can be.‖ I find it comforting that, in the midst of so much newness, some things do not change. Our circumstances will change — just as they had for the

Water to Thrive during Advent

Conspiracy.

• More than $10,000 was given in one weekend for Haiti Relief --- stunning!

Thanks be to God!

You will soon be hearing information about ―A Place for All People,‖ an effort to raise faith and funds for Lutherhill, improving our beautiful campus and

reducing the debt we incurred last year.

I pray that the year or our Lord 2010 finds us all deeper in faith and confident

in the God who alone is faithful.

Faithfully yours,

Jeffery Alvestad

Senior Pastor

people of Isaiah‘s time — but the God who met us in our past and is already creating a new future for us is the same Unfailing One, Jesus Christ; the Bible we read has not changed but still speaks with clarity into our lives; the Lord‘s Prayer, Creed and Ten Commandments are unalterable. These are the secure foundation stones from

which we leap into God‘s good future.

Thank you beloved people of God for these expressions of extraordinary

generosity:

• Giving nearly $300,000 to launch Celebration Lutheran Church. Please see Pastor Chris‘ letter on page three. Celebration is now becoming self-sustaining so they can embark on

their next phase.

• More than $10,000 was given to

LWR wins “Coin toss ” and will receive

More than 20 years ago, the Souper

Bowl of

Caring

began with

a simple

prayer from

a single

youth

group:

―Lord, as we enjoy the Super Bowl, help

us to be mindful of those without even

a bowl of soup to eat.‖

Since that day, more than $60 million

has been raised for relief organizations

across the country through the Souper

Bowl of Caring. It has become a

powerful movement that is

transforming Super Bowl weekend into

the nation‘s largest youth-led weekend

of giving and serving.

Through this mission, young people

learn what it‘s like to make a positive

difference in the world — as they raise

“BELLS AND BRASS”

ABENDMUSIK CONCERT

Saturday, Feb. 20 - 7 PM

Kinsmen Youth Ringers, Lakewood United

Methodist’s Hands of God bell choir and

Kinsmen Brass will present the concert

“Bells and Brass” on Saturday, Feb. 20, at

7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. A dessert

reception will follow.

Abendmusik programs are free and open

to the public, but there are costs involved

in presenting them. Contributions are

vital to our continued ability to present

the series. Any size donation is

appreciated and tax-deductible to the

fullest extent allowed by law. Donors are

recognized at our programs. If interested

in supporting Abendmusik, please make a

check payable to Kinsmen Lutheran

Church with a memo notation:

Abendmusik.

money and awareness for the needy.

Be a part of this movement that is

―sharing grace‖ with those in need.

Please give generously through our

February Noisy Offering, which will be

held on Feb. 13 & 14. Every dollar

donated will go to Lutheran World

Relief‘s work in Haiti, Kinsmen‘s 2010

Souper Bowl of Caring charity of choice.

Lutheran World Relief (LWR), an

international nonprofit organization,

works to end poverty and injustice by

empowering some of the world's most

impoverished communities to help

themselves. With partners in 35

countries, LWR seeks to promote

sustainable development with justice

and dignity by helping communities

bring about change for healthy, safe

and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade;

promote peace and reconciliation and

respond to emergencies. To learn

more, visit www.lwr.org.

P A G E 3

In his current position, Pastor Nelson‘s responsibilities include developing strategies and creating synodical partnerships for new and renewing congregations, congregational mission

and mission support.

Previously, Pastor Nelson served 15 years as senior pastor of Covenant Lutheran Church on the west side of Houston and five and a half years as associate pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in central Houston. Both congregations experienced significant growth in ministry and vitality during

his tenures.

Beyond his parish ministry, Pastor Nelson has performed in various capacities in the synodical and

Reverend Kerry Nelson, director of Evangelical Mission for the Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, will be at Kinsmen on Feb. 6 & 7 to kick off our churchwide Lenten study, ―Becoming A Contagious Christian.‖ This study will help communicate members‘ faith in a style that fits them and should help direct conversations toward matters of faith. Sign up via the Kinsmen Web site to participate in a small group study of

―Becoming A Contagious Christian.‖

churchwide expressions of the church. He served in the synod as a consultant for evangelism and long range planning. He also was an ELCA partner in Evangelism with specialties in adult discipleship training and ministry on the Internet. Pastor Nelson has written daily devotions on the web since

October 1997.

Pastor Nelson was raised in North Dakota and graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. He also attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., where he obtained his Master of Divinity in 1988. He was ordained in 1988. Pastor Nelson and

his wife, Kelley, have four children.

Become contagious with pastor nelson

News from celebration Lutheran church to fulfill to the KIM Fund, we encourage

you to finish making your contributions

through Kinsmen so that Kinsmen may

track and celebrate the final total of

contributions given by Kinsmen

members to the KIM Fund. We ask that

all contributions be made no later than

Feb. 28, 2010.

Also, because of the change, my call

from Kinsmen came to an end in

January rather than March. March will

be three years since I began serving as

mission pastor (can you believe it?!).

Because we are still under ―mission

status‖ with the ELCA, this means my

call will now be from the Synod Council.

Finally, Celebration hopes to be

incorporated in the State of Texas and

to be chartered as an official ELCA

congregation by the end of 2010.

In 2008, Celebration‘s average Sunday

worship attendance was 73; in 2009,

we averaged 82.

Celebration continues to experience

trials and tribulations (and hope and

Dear Kinsmen friends,

As many of you may have heard,

beginning last month, Celebration

Lutheran Church (Celebration) began

working as a self-sustaining

congregation. This step to become

self-sustaining in January rather than

waiting until March was one that was

encouraged during our Ministry Review

last October and had been a part of

earlier conversations.

This means several things. First, it

indicates that Celebration has begun

taking responsibility for paying my

compensation, instead of having my

salary paid through Kinsmen‘s payroll

(monies from the Kinsmen In Mission

{KIM} Fund). The request has been

made to have the balance of the KIM

Fund disbursed to Celebration, to be

solely applied towards the pastor‘s 2010

compensation. We believe this aligns

with the desire of people who gave to

the KIM Fund as a way of supporting

Celebration by primarily paying my

salary. For those who still have pledges

trust) as we seek a more permanent

location for ministry this year. We also

continue to be leaders in the community

through development, organizing and

outreach, believing this is one way Jesus

changes lives with the power of the

Gospel. On Sunday evenings,

Celebration is offering a second worship

experience. And we are finally gearing

up to kick start our small groups, which

will begin this month.

Brothers and sisters in Christ at Kinsmen,

we could not be at this historic milestone

without the love, prayers, financial

support and ―people-power‖ that was so

generously given by you to get

Celebration up and growing. Thank

you. Thank you for having the vision

and passion that ignited a new mission

in Cypress, Tex. Thank you for sharing

your faith. Thank you for being you!

Peace and all good,

Pastor Chris Markert and your Brothers

and Sisters of Celebration Lutheran

Church

P A G E 4

ELCA Staff Member Reports Haitians Still

„Living with Hope' with the ELCA News Service by satellite

phone. Dorvilier, director for

international development and disaster

response, ELCA Global Mission, is a

native of Haiti.

Dorvilier said about 1.1 million

people were left homeless by the

disaster. Priorities for the LWF

response team, he said, are "food,

water and shelter."

"Food is where the challenges are

because the commerce (provided)

the food. Most of their

warehouses were destroyed, and

the food is under the rubble," he

said.

The ACT Alliance, an international

ecumenical disaster response

organization of which the LWF and

ELCA are members, is working with the

U.N. and a consortium of

nongovernmental organizations to help

people "leave the city of Port-au-Prince,"

Dorvilier said. The LWF is establishing

camps for internally displaced people,

said Dorvilier, part of a strategy group

for the camps. "The strategy is to have

at least 10,000 people per camp site,"

he said.

Dorvilier said the LWF and ACT are

setting up camps in Gressier, a town

west of Port-au-Prince, one of the areas

hardest hit by the quake.

"Part of Port-au-Prince is coming slowly

to life," he said. ―There is lots of traffic in

the eastern part of the city. The

downtown of Port-au-Prince is in the

western part of the city, and that's

where there's helplessness."

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

January 26, 2010

The Haitian

people are

"living with

hope,"

reported

Louis

Dorvilier, a

member of

the

churchwide

staff of the

Evangelical

Lutheran

Church in

America (ELCA). He said despite many

difficulties for survivors of the Jan. 12

earthquake, Haitians living in temporary

shelters can be heard singing and

worshipping — similar to eyewitness

reports of other ELCA members in Haiti

in the days after the disaster.

Dorvilier arrived in Haiti Jan. 22 to join a

response and strategy team of the

Lutheran World Federation (LWF)

Department for World Service and the

Action by Churches Together (ACT)

Alliance.

As many as 150,000 people have died

and thousands more were injured as a

result of the earthquake, according to

the Haitian government.

"My role is to help with coordination

and connect the LWF program to the

Haitian society, the churches and the

community organizations, and to

coordinate meetings with U.N. and the

government," he said in an interview

The LWF team met Jan. 24 with

Sweden's ambassador to Haiti, he said.

The team visited a camp for displaced

people at Petionville, where they

provided water, Dorvilier said.

More than $1.6 million has been

contributed to the ELCA through

Jan. 22, most given by congregations

and members. The ELCA committed to

send an initial $300,000 to the LWF for

water and sanitation, tents, blankets

and hygiene kits, according to a report

from ELCA International Disaster

Response.

Another $150,000 is going to Church

World Service (CWS), New York, for

health kits and blankets, some of which

arrived last week in Port-au-Prince from

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

This week, CWS will ship from the

Dominican Republic medicines and

medical supplies to treat routine

ailments for about 1,000 adults.

"The ELCA's principal partner for

collection of material aid is Lutheran

World Relief (Baltimore)," the report

said. An initial $150,000 was sent by

the ELCA to LWR to help with

"transportation of lifesaving material

resources to Haiti from U.S. warehouses.

Initial material items include health kits,

nursing kits and blankets. Future

material aid will include school kits for

children," the report said.

Reprinted with permission from Evangelical Lutheran Church in

America.

P A G E 5

MARRIAGE MILESTONE CELEBRATION

Tickets now on sale

Kinsmen‘s annual Marriage Celebration Dinner will be on Saturday, Feb. 13,

at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Life Center. This year‘s celebration will give

special recognition to all couples. Tickets are $30 per couple and are on sale

in the Narthex now through Sunday, Feb. 7. Tickets must be pre-purchased,

as a catered steak or chicken dinner will be served. Childcare is available for

children through Grade 5. For more information contact staff member

Lynnae Schatz.

SEVENTH GRADE MILESTONE – ―RELATIONSHIPS‖

Seventh grade youth and their parents are invited to attend a two-part class

for the Relationship Milestone. These lessons, which should help parents and

their youth begin talking about how to build healthy relationships, will take

place on Sunday, Feb. 7, at 9:30 a.m. and Saturday, Feb. 13, at 4:30 p.m. in

the Youth and Family building on the first floor in the Community Room.

Parents and youth should attend together. The milestone will be celebrated

at the 5:30 p.m. worship service on Saturday, Feb. 13, following the class.

This group will also be helping with the Marriage Milestone Dinner that night

as part of their milestone. Contact Pastor Mark for additional information.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN MILESTONE – ―PRAYING TOGETHER‖

Students and parents are invited to come learn more about praying at two

milestone sessions from 9:35-10:45 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 14, and Sunday,

Feb. 21, in Rooms 4 and 5 in the Preschool Hall. These two meetings will be a

time of fun, learning and celebration as these children reach their milestone.

The pre-kindergarteners will be recognized on Feb. 21 at the 11 a.m. worship

service. For more information contact staff member Stefanie Gibbons.

FIRST AND SECOND GRADE MILESTONE – ―SERVICE‖

The 1st and 2nd grade milestone is here. In keeping with the promise

parents made on behalf of their child‘s baptism, to instruct them in the

Christian faith, we are asking parents to take part in this important milestone.

Students and parents will meet for sessions on Sunday, Feb. 21, and Sunday,

Feb. 28, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the Community Room (first floor of the Youth

and Family Building). The classes are fun, learning experiences where

children and parents can grow together in faith. Students will be recognized

at the 11 a.m. worship service on Feb. 28. Parents are encouraged to make

plans now to share in this milestone with their child. Staff member Stefanie

Gibbons should be contacted for additional information.

February MILESTONES

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning

of the Lenten season and lasts for 40

days. The 40 days of Lent recall the

40-day fast of Jesus in the wilderness

after his baptism (Matthew 4:2,

Luke 4:1-2) and Moses' 40-day fast

on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28). It is

a time of simplicity and preparation.

This year, Ash Wednesday is Feb. 17.

Kinsmen will hold inspiring Ash

Wednesday worship services at

12 p.m. and 7 p.m. Both services will

include the imposition of ashes and

the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Dinner will be served in the

Community Life Center beginning at

6 p.m.

Midweek Lenten services will be held

at 7 p.m. from Feb. 17 - March 24.

†

Hélène (281-444-7948) or Grace

(281-440-4213). Do not make

reservations by voicemail; please speak

to one of these ladies personally.

Wednesday, March 17

This day finds the bus headed to

Danevang, Tex., and to the Danish

Heritage Preservation Society. The

group will enjoy coffee and cookies

before viewing a film and taking a tour

of the museum. A family style, sit-down

Danish lunch will be served The cost is

$25 per person, which includes lunch.

Friday, Apr. 16

Kinsmen member, Pat Howard, will

give a personal guided tour of the

beautiful Mercer Arboretum & Botanic

Gardens. Come enjoy

the spring weather and

see the repairs and addi-

tions since Hurricane

Ike. By popular request,

lunch will be at White

Flamingo Restaurant. The cost is $14

per person, which includes lunch.

Saturday, May 15

Two tours; one day! First up is a guided

tour of the Dunham Bible Museum,

which has one of the most distinctive

collections of rare Bibles and

manuscripts. The second is KUHF 88.7

FM and KUHT-TV Channel 8. The

group will see the equipment that

broadcasts shows and the studios

where many of them take place. Note:

this is a walking and standing tour;

therefore, consideration should be

given to bringing a stool.

PACK 440 SCOUT NEWS

The pack is celebrating the anniversary

of scouting with its annual Blue and

Gold banquet this month. Scouts who

have completed the requirements for

their rank will be presented with their

badge during the event. As a note of

interest, Pack 440 will be 35-years-old in

May.

Last month, the scouts participated in

Pinewood Derby. This is one of the

WEDNESDAY FELLOWSHIP DINNER

FEBRUARY MENU

Join us each week from 6-7 p.m. in the

Community Life Center.

2/03: Spaghetti

2/10: Barbecue Chicken

2/17: Fish (Ash Wednesday)

2/24: Stir Fry

$6 (11 years and older)

$4 (3-10 years )

FREE (2 years and younger)

HANDBELL CHOIR LOOKING FOR NEW

RINGERS

Looking for a way to serve in worship?

Jubilee Ringers rehearse on Tuesdays

from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. This

group is a great entry point for first-time

ringers to learn about this ministry. For

those musicians looking for a challenge,

Kinsmen Ringers meet Tuesdays from

7-8:30 p.m. For more information

contact Stevie Berryman at

[email protected] or

281-320-8955.

WORSHIP DVDS

DVDs of each Sunday‘s 9:30 a.m. and

11 a.m. worship services are now

available. If interested in sharing a copy

with a friend or someone who is ill,

please speak to a Media Team member

or call the church office.

SENIOR ADULTS: MARK YOUR

CALENDARS!

Wednesday, Feb. 17

The group will visit

Buffalo Soldiers

Museum to learn how

the Buffalo Soldier

helped to make

United States history.

Following lunch at

Luby‘s, the group will

head to Lake Jackson‘s Sea Center

Texas, a marine aquarium, fish hatchery

and nature center. The bus will leave

the church at 9 a.m. The trip is $3 per

person, plus the cost of lunch.

Reservations for this trip can be made

by calling Peggy (281-469-1372),

biggest pack events in the scouting

year, and fun was had by all. This year,

each scout was tasked to build a new

car and their imagination ran wild.

Check out the photos in the entry way

of the Kinsmen gym to see the fun.

In February, scouts from the pack will

be attending the Council celebration of

Boy Scouts of America‘s

100-year-old legacy.

The council will take

over Minute Maid Park

on Thursday, Feb. 18,

and will enjoy dinner,

interactive displays, a

concert, guest speakers along with a

video tribute program and fireworks.

For information or questions about

scouting please e-mail

[email protected].

BACK BY POULAR DEMAND

Looking for a Kinsmen pictorial

directory? Contact Julie Hughes or

Lynnae Schatz to receive one today.

Cost is $5.

LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN

Kinsmen‘s Men's Bible Study meets on

Mondays at 7 p.m. in the Community

Room. This group can provide much

needed support for males of all ages

who are looking for spiritual guidance,

growth and accountability through

Bible study. Contact staff member

Bruce Elijah for more information.

ADULTS SUNDAY SCHOOL

Two adult Sunday school classes are

being offered in the Conference Room

at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Yvonne

Dean leads the class "Life's Challenges;

God's Solutions" during the 9:30 a.m.

education hour, and Bruce Elijah, at

10:30 a.m., is leading a study of Exodus

with ―They Cry to the Lord‖ by Ray

Vander Laan. Come experience family

in an adult Sunday school class at a time

that meets your needs.

P A G E 6

The best of the rest

*This list is compiled from church records.

If your name is missing or the information listed above is incorrect, please notify the church office.

P A G E 7

Fabio Restrepo 2/1

Trevor Wright 2/1

Ruth Thompson 2/1

Anika Sutter 2/1

Kinsey Cook 2/1

Luke Reder 2/1

Sylvia Castano 2/2

Garrett Best 2/2

Sylvia Swerdon 2/2

Tiffany Zbranek 2/2

Taylor Knudson 2/2

Sarah Johnston 2/3

Emily Kloppenburg 2/4

Elaine Monrad 2/5

Joan Ebner 2/6

Craig Sutter 2/6

Michael Velotas 2/6

David Lehmann 2/6

Al Holzman 2/6

Chris Jyrkama 2/6

Linda D. Thomas 2/7

Michael Patton 2/7

Kristine Mc Neill 2/7

Madelaine Ann Simpson 2/7

Suzanne Nott 2/7

Lauren Raschke 2/7

Megan Raschke 2/7

Alice Guckenberg 2/8

Bill Cominsky 2/8

Allyson Schroeder 2/8

Roxanne Sisman 2/8

Wade Langner 2/9

Aaron Raschke 2/9

Shamera Simpson 2/11

Holli Biehle 2/11

Robin Snyder 2/11

Candace Alvestad 2/12

Alison Sullivan 2/12

Patsy Fretwell 2/12

William Clifford 2/12

Roger Stehn 2/12

Kathi Schmidt 2/12

Glen Peterson 2/13

Juanye Brown 2/13

Connie Jackson 2/14

Fred Snyder 2/14

Lauren Zoril 2/14

Margo Watson 2/14

Kathie Rizzo 2/15

Joanna Rosendale 2/15

Helga Braun 2/15

Elizabeth Orosco 2/16

Larry Bossert 2/16

Peggy Brase 2/16

Shelby Wolter 2/17

Vanessa Rosendale 2/17

Carly Rosendale 2/18

Renee Wilson 2/18

Debbie Engel 2/18

Tammy Lehmann 2/18

Walter Lehmann 2/18

Samantha Groppell 2/18

Christopher Chaponis 2/18

Brett Kulhanek 2/18

Richard Pravata 2/18

Sophia LeMay 2/19

Erin Beecher 2/19

Steven Schatz 2/19

Robert Foerschner 2/19

Karina Benesh 2/19

Brian Agard 2/20

Ashley Blackwell 2/20

Bob Parliament 2/20

Dora Roth 2/21

Ashley Holzman 2/21

Nichelle Puder 2/21

Kori Cook 2/22

Ian Wietstruck 2/23

Jacob Awbrey 2/24

Hélène Roeger 2/24

Jeffery Parliament 2/24

Randy Grobe 2/24

Michael Hamric Jr. 2/24

Gayle Lyons 2/24

Joy Coote 2/25

Jan Rodriguez 2/25

Allison Foerschner 2/25

Molly Rall 2/25

Ronald Reder 2/25

Christopher Monrad 2/25

Carter Monrad 2/25

Russell Petrucciani 2/26

Brian Erickson 2/26

Mary Jo Hjerpe 2/26

Karen Wood 2/26

Alicia Baker 2/26

Doug Wittenberg 2/27

Edward Griffith 2/28

Roger Armfield 2/28

P A G E 8

Pastor Mark

281-444-3127, ext. 24

[email protected]

Jr. High, ext. 39

Sr. High, ext. 40

Off Campus Hotline, ext. 41

Attention Kinsmen Adults—Youth and Family Ministry Wants You!

We are looking for a variety of gifted individuals to serve in and through

youth and family ministries at Kinsmen. We think youth ministry is a great

way to share the love of God in Christ Jesus in this congregation. Much

more than programs, caring relationships with adults are key to our youth

experiencing the love of God in Christ Jesus.

We are seeking young, middle age, and older adults who will bring a wide

variety of gifts and life experiences to this ministry.

We ask these adult to commit to:

1) Sharing the love of God in Christ Jesus with our youth.

2) Being an active part of one of our ministry teams.

3) At least one year of service in this ministry area.

We make every effort to respect that each adult has different gifts and

time available to share those gifts. Because we work as a team,

leadership can be shared. We ask you to serve as a part of a team for

one of the following areas:

Leadership Team: This team would provide leadership for Bible Studies,

Small Groups, Retreats, Fellowship, and Service activities throughout the

year.

Mentoring Team: This team would help mentor confirmation students

during Lent. They would help youth prayerfully discern their spiritual gifts

and how best to celebrate those gifts in and through this congregation.

Resource Team: This team would provide behind the scenes support for

the Leadership and Mentoring teams by assisting with publicity, recruiting

volunteers, attending to administrative tasks, and helping us be good

stewards of our finances and resources.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact me.

Pastor Mark England

WHY I AM A YOUTH WHY I AM A YOUTH

MINISTRY LEADERMINISTRY LEADER

Stephen Childress

“My initial interest in leading a

Confirmation small group was

simply to get involved working

with youth, as I had a wonderful

experience as a high school

youth group sponsor in

Colorado.”

“As our sixth grade class has

begun its journey through the

Old Testament, I am constantly

challenged to affirm and grow

my faith, seeking answers to

questions I still have. It is

incredibly humbling and

rewarding to be an active

participant in the faith journey

of the Confirmands.”

P A G E 9

Seventh Grade Milestone Dear Seventh Grade Parents,

Although teens seldom admit it, deep down, most of them desperately want their parents to come

alongside them and say, ―You know, there are some things that I wish I had told you earlier, but I didn‘t, so I want

to tell you now. I want to be a part of your life as you go through these teenage years. I want to be there for

you. I want to help you avoid the traps of adolescence.‖

You are invited, along with your 7th grade youth, to attend a two-part class entitled ―Relationships.‖ This

class should help you and your youth begin talking about how to build healthy relationships. During the class

you should expect a few awkward moments since some of the topics are tough to discuss; however, you should

also expect a sense of connection with your child. You are not talking just about grades, picking up clothes off

the floor and setting the table for dinner. You will have an opportunity to share how your faith influences your

relationships. You will be talking to your teen as an emerging adult.

The classes will take place on Sunday, Feb. 7, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and Saturday, Feb. 13, at 4:30 p.m. in

the Youth and Family building on the first floor in the Community Room. Parents and youth should attend

together. The Milestone will be celebrated at the 5:30 p.m. worship service on Saturday, Feb. 13, following the

class. After the worship service, the 7th grade youth will serve as a part of the Marriage Milestone Dinner. I

encourage you to recognize this milestone in your child‘s life. If you have any questions, contact Pastor Mark at

281-444-3127, ext. 24, or [email protected].

CONFIRMATION CAMP!

Lutherhill is the perfect place to learn more about our faith in an outdoor

atmosphere and live together as a Christian community. Kinsmen youth have

had very positive experiences at Lutherhill. We hope you will join us for

Confirmation Camp this summer — June 20-25.

See next page ...

http://www.lutherhill.org/

P A G E 1 0

Camp Hope 2010 will be held July 12-30. Applications for paid staff will be available in February

and returned to Pastor Mark in March. Check The Messenger for further details.

Youth groups from around Houston will get a real taste of hunger and

have some fun, too, as we join half a million teens nationwide aiming to

raise more than $12 million to fight world hunger.

On Feb. 26 & 27, we will have a lock in and for 30 hours, we will see

how “one empty stomach” can make a difference in the world. We

will go without food (consuming only liquids) for 30 hours to experience

what the poorest children and families face every day. Last year, six

youth groups gathered at Kinsmen for fun games, meaningful worship, worthwhile

service projects and much more.

We hope you will challenge yourself to join us for this year’s 30 Hour Famine. It’s a

simple concept. We are going without food so that others can eat.

For more information about World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine visit

www.30hourfamine.org.

Please contact Pastor Mark at 281-444-3127, ext. 24, or

[email protected] if you have any questions about fasting or the lock in.

This event is for Junior and Senior High Youth. Sign-up on The Messenger and

pick up your donation packet A.S.A.P.

P A G E 1 1

The last weekend in January, 34 junior and senior high students and adults from Kinsmen joined youth from five other congregations in the @ the Crossing Lock in. This event would not have been possible without the excellent leadership of our high school youth and adults.

Thank you to our adult leaders — Eric Wietstruck, Kristen Schulze and Jane Robertson.

Thank you to all of our High School Leaders — Lauren Boller, Blake Johnston, Jim Hughes, Michael Garcia, Sean Tobin, Chase Hardy, Lantz Toney and Daniel Ehlers.

You all did such a great job in leadership throughout the weekend. Thank you for your time and energy. It was a privilege to serve with you.

Connection is a monthly publication of Kinsmen Lutheran Church.

Deadline for submitting news is the 15th day of each month or the previous church business day if the deadline falls on the weekend or on a church holiday. Articles are preferred electronically, but may be faxed or hand-delivered to the church office.

Rev. Jeffery Alvestad, Senior Pastor

[email protected] — Ext. 18

Rev. Mark England, Youth and Family Ministry


Bruce Elijah, Associate in Ministry


Susan Converse, Director of Administration


Lynnae Schatz, Director of Congregational Life


Julie Hughes, Administrative Assistant


Susan Emfinger, Media and Communications Coordinator


Irene Baasen, Accounting and Financial Reports


Stefanie Gibbons, Children‘s Ministries Coordinator


Joan Horner, Parish Assistant/Hospitality


Linda Thomas, Principal Organist

[email protected]

Stevie Berryman, Director of Adult Hand Bells


Elizabeth LeMay, Traditional Worship Coordinator


Kristen Schulze, Contemporary Worship Co-coordinator

[email protected]

Timothy Browning, Contemporary Worship Co-coordinator

[email protected]

J.D. McCollom, Media Team Coordinator

[email protected]

Sherri Botker, Director, Kinsmen Kids Preschool/Mother‘s Day Out


Gundi Talbert, Director, Before & After School Kinsmen


Mayra Olvera, Asst. Director of Before & After School Kinsmen


Ruben Cervantes, Custodian

Lonnie Davis, Custodian

Kinsmen Staff R e a c h a S t a f f M e m b e r d i r e c t l y b y d i a l i n g 2 8 1 - 4 4 4 - 3 1 2 7 , p l u s t h e i r e x t e n s i o n

P A G E 1 2

Saturday

5:30 PM

Informal Worship with Communion

Sunday

8:15 AM & 11 AM

Traditional Worship with Communion on 1st, 3rd and

5th Sunday of each month

9:30 AM

Contemporary Worship with Communion

9:30 AM

Education Hour Classes for all ages

(August - May)

9 - 11 AM

Fellowship Breakfast

Community Life Center

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday

9 AM - 5 PM

CONTACT INFORMATION 281-444-3126 Phone

281-444-1733 FAX

[email protected]

Documents

February 2010