January 2013 - Kinsmen Lutheran Church

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12100 Champion Forest Dr.
Houston, TX 77066
281‐444‐3126 (P)
281‐444‐1733 (F)
kinsmenlutheran.org
JANUARY 2013
Inside This Issue
A Note From Pastor Jeff 2
Inspiring Worship 2—3
Experiencing Family 4—10
Sharing Grace 11—14
Kinsmen Budget Update 14
Birthdays 15
Details on p. 12

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A Note From Pastor Jeff...
Dear Friends,
At the beginning of
every new year God gives everyone the
same number of gifts no matter what
our age, gender, economic status, or
political persuasion. The 8760 hours
that make up the year are the building
blocks of a year yet to be determined.
And those hours are gifts --- those of you
who have fought illness know and
teach us that better than anyone else.
How many of those gifts will you invest
in worship, community building, and
sharing grace? In some measure,
Christmas Eve and Easter worship are
especially inspiring because of the
number of people who make worship a
priority. On Christmas Eve, 1184 made
their way to hear again the story of the
Word becoming flesh --- a slight increase
from the last two Christmas Eves. Since
many of you have asked, attendance
was as follows:
4 PM Family and Children ..... 375
6 PM Contemporary ............... 287
8 PM Traditional ....................... 391
10 PM Traditional ...................... 131
How much more inspiring would
weekend worship be, if almost as many
made worship an every weekend
priority! Please don’t forget that we
have an informal Saturday evening
service with Communion where we sing
a variety of songs and traditional hymns
led by Timothy Browning, and on the
first Saturday of the month we use
Holden Evening Prayer as the setting.
I shared on Christmas Eve that I was
gifted with a gentle reminder that serves
as a wonderful commentary that
Kinsmen is a community that values all
people, especially children. After an
evening of caroling, I was ready to go
home. My friends, 1st grader, Dylan and
3rd grader, Laura, were not. After
caroling their family had made plans for
dinner. But Dylan and Laura wanted to
eat here with their friends --- really
wanted to eat here. Her mother told me
that her kids always want to be here. I
said to Deanna, it may have been the
briefest moment of discomfort them, but
for her pastors and staff it was a moment
of pure ecstasy. And the Porters ended
up eating dinner at Kinsmen. We have
received over $40,000 in gifts for both
playgrounds and need roughly $47,500
more. If you would like to make a 2nd
mile gift simply write “PLAYGROUND” in
the memo line of your check to Kinsmen.
With whom will you share grace in
2013? Hope to see you January 6, at
the Epiphany Potluck!
In Christ,
Jeff
P.S. We received yet again, another
thank you from someone who
appreciated our on-line services:
Dear Kinsmen,
I recently made a very small
donation as a way of saying thank
you for posting your services online
on the internet.
I married my wife in August. She is
Pentecostal, and some of the beliefs
the Pentecostal church emphasizes
are not consistent with what I
believe should be emphasized. I'm
Episcopalian but my wife disliked
the formal nature of the
Episcopalian service.
Searching for something that might
work for both of us, I came across
the contemporary ELCA services.
And wanting to see what an ELCA
service was like, and though I have
no ties to Texas, I found Kinsmen
and watched a service several
months ago. I've been hooked
since. Since I'm in Iraq working as a
U.S. Foreign Service Officer
(diplomat) while my wife is in
Ukraine, I haven't been able to
attend a ELCA service in person.
However, I now try to watch the
contemporary Kinsmen service
every week (one week delayed
since I watch on Saturdays).
We'll be moving to the Washington
DC area in June and will try some of
the ELCA churches there once we
arrive. In the meantime, thank you
for being my temporary church
home and providing virtual
Christian fellowship to me these
past several months and for the
months to come while I'm in Iraq.
Merry Christmas and best regards.

New member class
Interested in learning more about
Kinsmen? Interested in joining the
family of Kinsmen. Come to the New
Member Class January 13, 20, and 27 at
9:30 AM in the Community Room. If
you have any questions, contact Lynnae Schatz
(lschatz@kinsmenlutheran.org). New Members will be received
into membership on February 3.
Communion bakers
KINDERMASS
January 27, 2013
The time is here to sign up to bake Communion Bread in 2013.
Sizohambe Naye – We Walk the Lord’s Road.
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Kindermass, a worship service led by the Sunshine Singers,
Morning Glory Choir, and Youth Ringers, will be held on January
27 at the 8:15 and 11 AM worship services. Once again,
Kindermass will feature music from around the world. Come
experience inspiring worship through the leadership of our
youngest worship leaders.
Thank you to all of the loyal bakers this last year. We always need new volunteers to bake. If you are
interested, please contact Anna Meyer (281-252-8010 or jameyer60@hotmail.com). Be sure to
contact Anna even if you are a returning baker.
DOES KINSMEN HAVE A FLOWER ANGEL?
Ever sit in church on Sunday and wonder where the flowers on the altar came from?
They might have come from the person sitting next to you. The Flower Committee asks Kinsmen
members to donate flowers in honor, or memory, of a loved one; or in celebration of a family
milestone. The cost of a donation is $25. Some weeks we have a lot of flowers, some weeks we don’t
have so many; it depends on how many members have donated for that week. Watch for how many
flowers are on the altar on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Easter, etc. and other weeks as well.
Once you donate flowers, the “designer” buys flowers at the wholesalers and returns to the flower
room to design flowers for the altar. If we have lots of donors, we often have side pedestals and also
arrangements in the narthex. After the 11 AM Sunday service is over, a committee member removes
the flowers and takes them to the flower room cooler. There they stay until Monday, when a team of
re-arrangers breaks down the altar pieces to create smaller arrangements that are delivered
throughout the following week. If you have donated flowers, you will also receive a small
arrangement delivered to you by someone from the church. If you happen to be in the hospital and
the office has been notified, we deliver flowers to you at the hospital. If you are suffering from a loss
of a loved one, or if you are recuperating from illness or injury, you will receive a flower arrangement
also.
So, your $25 donation of flowers does a lot of work--It beautifies the Sanctuary for Saturday/Sunday
services; it can honor a loved one’s memory, celebrate a loved one’s achievements, or be given to the Glory of God; it can remind a
Kinsmen member that others are thinking of him or her, and hoping for God’s healing Grace to come in a time of need. Sign up to
donate on the flower board or online.
The Flower Committee would love to have new members. Please join one of our rearranging teams and help us make
arrangements to deliver. Do you have one Monday per month to spare, and one Wednesday morning a month to join us in this
happy ministry? We would love to see you. Contact Diane Smith (omasmitty27@gmail.com) for more information.

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What’s for dinner?
Join us for family dinners Wednesdays at 5:45 PM! Enjoy a
midweek meal with your Kinsmen family. The cost for adult
dinners is $5. Children ages 4—12 years cost $3. Children 3 and
under eat free. In a rush? Take it to
go!
SCOUTS
January 9 - Spaghetti
January 16 - Stir fry
January 23 - Beef stew
January 30 - Fish
Thank you Kinsmen members! If
you purchased popcorn or
made a donation to any of the
Scouts in Pack 440, you helped
reach sales in excess of $10,000.00!!! In January, the
Scouts will participate in the Pinewood Derby in
which the boys build race cars out of a small block of
wood and race them on a track. Anyone interested in
joining Scouts or if you just want to come see our
fun, please contact Char Sziy (832-971-1971) or Gil
Martinez (936-494-9554).
SENIOR CALENDAR
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22 —We will have a
guided tour of Rice University and lunch
at Black Walnut Cafe in Rice Village.
We will take a personal tour of the
new BBVA Compass Stadium, where
the Houston Dynamo soccer team plays. The cost of this trip is $15
plus lunch. The county bus will leave Kinsmen at 8:45 AM.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12—Shrove Tuesday will be the Seniors 2nd
Annual Pancake Supper. The flapjacks will be served starting at 6
PM. There will be a freewill offering. This supper will be open to
all. Reservations must be made by Sunday, February 10.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20—The first day of spring, and the day of
the Seniors’ 2nd Annual Picnic. Watch for additional information.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17—We’re off to Schulenburg and the Painted
Churches, a trip that we have not done in many years.
EPIPHANY POTLUCK
On the day of Epiphany, January
6, the church celebrates the
revelation of Christ to all nations
as represented by the magi who
come to worship Jesus.
We will celebrate Epiphany and
Global Mission Month at Kinsmen
by feasting on foods with an
international flair following the
11 AM worship service that day. Bring your favorite dish from
anywhere else in the world including America – to serve eight
or more people. Drinks will be furnished.
A Night to Remember
CELEBRATION & Cabaret
Kinsmen’s annual Marriage Celebration Dinner will be
on Saturday, February 9, 2013 from 6:30 PM to 9 PM in
the Community Life Center. Come for the catered
dinner that begins at 6:30 PM. Bring a bottle of wine
to share. Tickets will be $20 per person and will go on sale January 19.
Tickets must be pre-purchased by February 4.
The entertainment for the evening will be a Cabaret of Love Songs from the
Alleluia Choir and friends of Kinsmen. Childcare is available for children
through Grade 5. For more information contact Lynnae Schatz
(lschatz@kinsmenlutheran.org)
On behalf of Pastor Mark and the staff, I thank you
for thinking of us, and our families this Christmas.
We are so thankful to work and serve at Kinsmen
Lutheran Church. This church is filled with
passionate, generous, and kind people. It is a
pleasure serving God alongside you, and we are
grateful for your ongoing support! You blessed us
this Christmas and we are grateful for you.
Pastor Jeff

LADIES PAMPERING RETREAT
Lutherhill, March 1—3
Ladies pamper your spirit with a relaxing weekend at Lutherhill. Activities
include Bible Study, worship, fellowship, wine & appetizers, massage, high
ropes course, yoga, and much more. The leader for this year’s retreat is
Celia Whitler. Ms. Whitler is a singer-songwriter who makes music in a wide
variety of venues both sacred and secular. She communicates with a
powerful and unique voice as she tells stories and sings songs with an
intimacy that captures the listening community.
�� Leave Kinsmen at 4:45 PM Friday, March 1, and
return to Kinsmen about 1:30 PM on
Sunday, March 3.
�� Cost: $150 per person. There is a $10 transportation charge for the Kinsmen bus.
�� Deadline to register and pay: February 1, 2013
If interested, contact Lynnae Schatz (lschatz@kinsmenlutheran.org or 281-444-3127 ext 43).
Get into the word
Ladies Morning Bible Study—10 AM
Thursdays in the Community Room
All ladies are invited and welcome to
join us to study God’s word for a
complete study or any week you so
desire. You are always welcome.
We will be starting our spring sessions
early this winter/spring semester because we
want time to complete three studies. We will
study all over the Bible and with different types
of study. We will kick off the sessions on January 3, 2013 at 10 AM in the
Community Room with a new study entitled “A Love That Never Lets Go” which
is based on the book of Malachi. We are going to have fun exploring this littleread
book.
The second study for the semester will be a lighthearted study on the 7 deadly
sins based on the television show Gilligan's Island. The year will wrap up on May
23 with a James McDonald study.
Come join us for a fun dynamic and Christian life building experience with
women from Kinsmen and the community. Invite a friend to come along. We
look forward to seeing your smiling face as we study God's word every Thursday
morning.
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Ladies Evening Bible Study—7 PM Thursdays in
Room 17
Ladies’ Evening Bible Study will begin on
January 10 at 7 PM in room 17. For more
information please call Colette Edwards or the
church office.
Moms’ Bible Study —10 AM Wednesdays in the
Conference Room
The Moms’ Bible Study will resume on January
9, 2013. Please call Sheri Erickson or the church
office for more information.

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2012-2013 Milestone ministry Calendar
Milestone Ministry – Passing on
faith…. milestone by milestone.
A faith milestone is a marker along
life's journey that says, "This is something
important and God is here,
too!" It's time to pause, to share the
joys and sorrows, to give and receive
support. Milestones are a
time of fun, learning and celebrating
as we mark the important Milestones
in one’s faith life.
Upcoming Milestones – mark your calendar!
Pre-kindergarten Prayer Feb. 10 & 17, 2013
Kindergarten Worship and The Church Year Jan. 27 & Feb. 3, 2013
1st Grade Missions/Service Jan. 13 & 20, 2013
3‐Year‐Olds Beginning Sunday School Aug. 26, 2012
Pre‐kindergarten Prayer Feb. 10 & 17, 2013
Kindergarten Worship and The Church
Year
Jan. 27 & Feb. 3, 2013
1 st Grade Missions/Service Jan. 13 & 20, 2013
2nd Grade Stewardship Nov 11 & 18, 2012
3rd Grade God’s Word Sept. 16 & 23, 2012
4th Grade First Communion Oct. 12‐14 & 28, 2012
5th Grade Endings April 21, 2013 (class only)
6th Grade Beginnings Aug. 26, 2012
7th Grade Rela�onships Feb. 3 & 9, 2013
8th Grade Rite of Confirma�on May 5, 2013
9th Grade Beginnings Aug. 22 & Aug. 26, 2012
10th Grade Driver’s License Sept. 23 & 30, 2012
12th Grade High School Gradua�on June 9, 2013
All Ages Grief and Healing Nov. 3, 2012
All Ages Marriage Feb. 9, 2013
Lutherhill Summer Camp
We had so much fun last year, we want
to go again! We are taking the younger
kids to Lutherhill for a week (or part of
week, depending on their age) of
jumping on the blob, swimming in the
pool, Bible studies, worships, and being
in God's creation!
June 9—12
Alphas (in 1st grade right now) -
$220
June 9—14
Youngn's (in 2nd and 3rd grade right
now) - $375
Yearling's (in 4th-6th grade right
now) - $375
Watch your email for more information! If you do
not receive the Children’s Ministry Newsletter at the
beginning of each month, please let Sara know
(sray@kinsmenlutheran.org)
For your camp registration fees, your
child receives food, lodging, and all
camp activities for the week. Deposits of
$100 are due by January 6, check made
payable to Kinsmen. Full payment is due
by February 10 to receive the early bird
discount of $20. For more information,
go to www.lutherhill.org. Registration
forms are on The Messenger. Contact
Sara (switte@kinsmenlutheran.org) for
more information!

News from KCA
Merry Christmas! Santa and
his elf Noel (also known as
Jim Hughes and Kayla
Mulkey) came to visit the
preschool. The kids were
very excited to see Santa in
their very own classroom.
Lisa Yeager organized a fun lunch for all
of our teachers – preschool, before and
after school, and primary school. It’s a
rare occasion that the teachers from
those three different programs get to be
together, and we had a wonderful fajita
lunch. They exchanged their “Secret
Santa” gifts and had some time to be
together without worrying about the
kids at the same time! Thank you to our
volunteers who helped make that
happen!
We are still ready to expand the
preschool, the only catch is we need
more teachers! What a great problem
to have. Do you know someone who is
wonderfully kind and patient with 3
year olds and one year olds? If so, we
need them! Please have them contact
me as soon as possible. We will be
interviewing our candidates for the
Assistant Director job at the beginning
of this month! Lisa and I are excited for
a teammate to help us focus on the
programming for before and after
school and help us to grow our
numbers.
Thank you to everyone who came to the
Child Led Worship on December 19. It
was wonderful to see families from the
church and from KCA worshipping
together in our sanctuary. It was a great
turnout, and the kids worked hard to
lead worship. Thanks to the parents
who practiced lines, arranged costumes,
and helped our kids be successful. If you
missed it, make sure you come next year
for our third annual event next year! (I’m
crossing my fingers for pictures – I’ll let
you know)
Things are going well at
KCA, and I hope you will
come to volunteer and
meet these great kids
and teachers for
yourselves!
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Here are some ways you
can volunteer:
�� Monday through
Thursday – 3:15 to
4:15 PM – help kids
with homework
�� Monday through Thursday – 3:15
to 4:15 PM – read with kids who are
struggling
�� Reading Buddies – 20 minutes on
any Tuesday, Wednesday or
Thursday – read to one of our
preschool classes (1 yo, 2 yo, 3 yo,
or 4 year old classes).
We are looking forward to a great start
to the new year at KCA!

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S.W.A.T. news
S.W.A.T. returns on January 9 with an "Epiphany" party. Help us ring in the new year with worship, fellowship,
and a special sending. We will gather at 7 PM in the Great Room. Regular Bible study will resume on January
16.
Camp Hope is
one of the ways
we develop leaders
at Kinsmen. Junior High, Senior High,
and college age youth have the
opportunity to be trained and mentored
in leadership through Camp Hope. They
learn how to work with their peers
The Senior High Retreat @ Lutherhill
February 15-17, 2013
June 16—21
Sign-up for Confirmation Camp as soon
as possible. Every Confirmation youth is
expected to attend summer camp at
least once. It is a valuable time for
building relationships and for
Camp Hope 2013 Staff Interviews
towards a common goal, learn how to
teach Bible stories to children, learn how
to encourage healthy group dynamics,
learn how to model the Christian faith
and grow in their personal faith.
Camp Hope is not meant to be a
summer job. In fact, some youth choose
to work another summer job and work
If you like to go to camp, hear inspiring messages, have uplifting music, and hang out with
friends while enjoying God's creation, then this event is for you. The cost is $130 and the
deadline to register is January 13, 2013.
Registration forms can be found on The Messenger or in the weekly Youth and Family News email. Or you can register on-line at
www.lutherhill.org . Sign-up on the Messenger or email Pastor Mark mengland@kinsmenlutheran.org if you plan to attend.
CONFIRMATION CAMP at Lutherhill
deepening your faith. Registration
details are below.
Registration Details:
The cost for Confirmation Camp is $375
which covers all food, lodging, and all
activities for the week. On-line
registration is available at
www.lutherhill.org or bring to Pastor
Mark the registration form along with
the non-refundable $100 deposit which
is applied to the cost of your program.
Let Pastor Mark know if you register
online.
at Camp Hope. Camp Hope is a
Christian leadership lab and we hope all
High School youth will consider being a
part of it in some way.
High School staff interviews begin in
January. Sign-up for an interview time
at SWAT on Wednesdays, at Youth Bells
or on The Messenger.
DISCOUNTS!!!
Early Bird Registration! When Lutherhill
receives your registration and camp fee,
paid in full, before February 10, you will
receive $20 off your camp fees!
Siblings Discount! $30 off of younger
siblings’ camp fees.
Bring a Friend Discount! If you bring a
friend who has never been to camp
before, you or your friend can take $30
off of the camp fee, or share the
discount at $15 a piece.

krause
sharing
grace
event
white
elephant
exchange
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Christmas
CHILD LED
Family
Caroling
WORSHIP Naomi
Circle
Party
Memories

Mission interpreter moment
Be a “Yes” to others!
The Epiphany season celebrates Jesus as
the Light to the nations, beginning with
the celebration of the magi, wise men
from afar who followed the star to find
the Christ child.
Many of us use this season to focus on
how the Light of the world is reflected in
and through our global work. As a new
ELCA missionary, this global work
together as a church is now my passion
and calling.
My work in the Central African Republic
includes developing educational
programs for Sunday schools and new
elementary schools in remote villages.
These programs existed before I arrived
two months ago, but the Lutheran
church in the Central African Republic
asked for an educational adviser to help
these
programs
improve and
better serve
the people.
They
recognize, as
we do, the
importance
of education
— not only to
build leaders
Living well 2013
Many New Year’s
resolutions are related to
self-care: exercise, daily
spiritual practices, better
eating, taking time for
family.
What are you planning to do in 2013
that may help your body, mind and
spirit flourish?
Loving God with all our heart, soul,
mind and strength impacts everything
we do and everything we are. Take a
moment to assess your spiritual health.
How often do you make time for
meditation and/or prayer? When do
within the church, but also to have a
better life overall.
In my work, I recently visited one of our
newest schools, the Peouri School,
which was just built as a permanent
structure. It also has three open-air,
straw-roof structures and is building one
more. The school, first built 10 miles
away, had to be moved because of civil
unrest seven years ago. The people had
fled to town, but insisted that their
Lutheran school follow them! After the
doors re-opened, others in town are
now taking advantage of the Lutheran
school’s reputation for good teaching. It
has become the largest of the 20 village
schools supported by the church, with
720 students enrolled.
My work with this school and others
happens only because of people like
you. You make it possible for people like
me to preach, teach, build, grow, heal
and strengthen the global church in
over 40 countries. Thank you for the
support.
Your undesignated gift helps to support
me plus our 240 missionaries around the
world — where it’s needed most.
In these challenging economic times, we
missionaries rely heavily on your
generous gifts to help keep our global
you spend time reading God’s word?
Do you make time for relaxation in your
day?
Jesus set an example for us of how to
boost our spiritual health. He engaged
in spiritual disciplines such as solitude,
silence, simplicity, service, study, prayer,
worship, and fasting. There is no
standardized list of prescribed spiritual
practices, but listed below are some
disciplines or habits in no particular
order that many Christians have found
helpful in boosting their spiritual health
1. Prayer; silence and solitude
2. Private and corporate worship
mission programs running to share
God’s grace and blessings with all.
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We are a church that believes Jesus is
God’s “Yes” to us. Our lives can be a “Yes”
to others. Will you join us in sharing the
Light of the world through our global
work? Please give today!
Hand in hand with you,
Susan Smith, ELCA Missionary, Central
African Republic
Learn more at
www.ELCA.org/missionarysponsorship
Make a gift at
http://www.elca.org/4missionaries
Christine Donahue
TLGCS Mission Interpreter Coordinator
cedonahue@gmail.com
3. Bible-reading
and study
4. Loving God
and our
neighbors
5. Stepping out in faith to serve others
6. Fasting
It’s important to remember that the
disciplines are not ends in themselves
but means to the end of knowing God
more deeply. When we are fully alive in
Christ, we are also robust in spiritual
health.
What are you planning to do in 2013 to
live well spiritually?

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THE FACE OF GLOBAL MISSION…TODAY
When you think of “global mission”,
what comes to mind? As you
ponder that, consider these facts:
�� In 1900, 70 percent of the
world’s Christians were
European or North American.
Today, the majority of
Christians live in Africa, Asia
and Latin America. The
number of African Christians
has increased more than 4,400
percent since 1900. By 2025,
there will be almost 600 million
Christians in Africa and 500
million in Asia, and by 2100, there
will be three times more Christians in
the global South than in the North
where Christianity is on the decline.
�� In 1900, foreign missionaries filled
the leadership positions in the
mission fields of Africa, Asia, Latin
America and the like. Today, local,
indigenous Lutheran church leaders
serve as bishops, pastors, evangelists
and teachers.
�� In 1900, North American and
European churches saw themselves
as “senders” of personnel, expertise
and money. Today, the ELCA sends
and receives amazing gifts of
witness, music, culture, personnel,
prayer and financial support to and
from companion churches.
�� In 1900, North American and
European churches saw themselves
as “establishing churches” in mission
lands. Today, North American and
European churches like the ELCA
see themselves as “accompanying
churches” that build and strengthen
companion churches in their
ministries.
All too often, the church uses big words
that can be lost on many of us. The
word “accompaniment” might be one of
them. But it is one of those words that
becomes real and takes on full meaning
when we understand what it is God is
calling us to do and be in the world.
Accompaniment is our response to the
changing world; it describes the way
God walks with us and leads us to walk
with others; it is the act of walking
together in solidarity that practices
interdependence and mutuality; it is both
a lens for seeing the world and a way to
engage one another in global mission.
It is what Kinsmen will be focusing on in
January as we walk in accompaniment
with Talitha Kum in Peru and the people
of the Central African Republic.
Talitha Kum, which means “little girl, get
up”, is a small congregation in the
remote mountain village of Cuzco where
life is hard and poor, but the church is
blessed with dedicated, passionate and
spirit filled members . The blessings
overflowed in past months because
Pastor Dana and her husband Tom and
their two little children took the call to
walk with that church and the
community. Pastor Dana guides the
worship services, nurtures the small
congregation of mostly women and
children, teaches confirmation, leads
Bible studies, oversees the very primitive
kitchen that serves more than 50 little
kids each day, many of whom are
orphans who would not eat without
Talitha Kum. Tom is overseeing the
completion of the small building that is
designed to serve as sanctuary, kitchen
for the community and parsonage. This
is happening in very great part to monies
received from Kinsmen.
Our walk with the Central African
Republic often treads across primitive,
rough, dusty paths to reach the
small seminary where Pr. Deb
Troester teaches, or a “church”
with logs for pews where Pr. Deb
shares the Gospel. At some points
the dust gives way to spring boxes
built by villagers that Joe Troester
oversees so the people may have
safe drinking water. As we
continue our walk, we find small
groups of women gathering to
conduct their micro-finance
programs that are blossoming into
opportunities for better lives. A
slightly better path and roadway
takes us to the Gallo Health Clinic—
the only medical facility for miles and
miles, but one that is growing and vitally
instrumental in the fight against malaria
and AIDS. We can walk with a mother
who praises her children’s village school
and gives thanks to God for all those
who came together in her village to pay
the teacher’s salary.
Accompaniment...walking together,
sending and receiving, mutuality, seeing
the world with new eyes, engaging with
our brothers and sisters in Peru,
CAR…face to face…sharing grace.
When we think of “global mission”, we
reflect on what we can learn and receive.
When we think of “global mission”, we
rejoice in the lives and faces of our sisters
and brothers in Peru and the Central
African Republic.
When we think of “global mission”, we
know it is… God’s Work, Our Hands!

Pictures from Cusco
Here are a few more photos.
P AGE 13
Instead of our usual Wednesday
afternoon Bible study, the women
organized a surprise party for my
husband Tom for his birthday. Some
of their children and our children are
also in the photos. In pink is Julia,
and her mother. Her mother is
mono-lingual Quechua speaking.
Julia is our church treasurer, and her
job is that she makes ceviche which
she sells every day from a stand on
the corner of a nearby street.
Braulia is in these pictures in a green
tank top with white stripes down her
red/pink sleeves.
Fortunata our president is wearing a
black hat and her glasses. Her son
has his white dress shirt and red
(school uniform) sweater on.
Leonarda has long braids and has a
tan sweater over light pink.
Leonarda is at her side (next to Julia's
mom.) Leonarda is also in another
photo standing and clapping singing
“Happy Birthday”. She is standing
directly behind her youngest
daughter who is next to my son.
Valentina has curly hair with a head
band and purple sleeves
This is the table where we have Bible
study, in the basement.
Thanks to your wonderful church we
will be putting windows in the
basement hopefully soon, so it wont
be as cold downstairs.
PAZ!
-Pastora Dana

P AGE 14
Kinsmen Budget Update & Glimpses of Grace
KINSMEN BUDGET UPDATE - CHURCH ONLY
Month Of November
Budget Actual Variance
Income $130,607 $120,607 ($10,000)
Expense $136,412 $122,505 $13,907
Over/(Under) ($5,805) ($1,898) $3,907
Year to Date (November)
Total Income $1,522,598 $1,443,596 ($79,002)
Total Expense $1,540,209 $1,469,089 $71,120
Net ($17,611) ($25,493) ($7,882)
GLIMPSES OF SHARING GRACE: CARE MINISTRY
December 2012
Total Flower Bouquets Rearranged 22
Total Prayer Shawls Given 3
GLIMPSES OF GRACE
November 2012
Noisy Offering (Disaster Relief-Hurricane Sandy) $1,719.00
Good Samaritan Fund $ 180.00
General Mission Support $ 7,103.09
Designated Mission Support $1,392.90
Life Center for the Homeless (food) $ 700.00
Naomi Circle (Reach Unlimited) $191.00
ASK Scholarships $1,373.58
November TOTAL $ 12,659.57
Y-T-D TOTAL $ 155,491.39
Book your flight now for a trip back in time… to
the golden era of the jazz age and Paris in the
‘20s. On February 23rd, join us for “An Evening
in Paris,” benefiting the children at Krause
Children’s Center, at the Julia Ideson Building in
downtown Houston, TX.
For information, call 800-938-5777 or visit
Www.KrauseChildrensCenter.org/HealingHearts

Andrew Funke 1-Jan
Maryellen Madsen 1-Jan
Aleu Bil 1-Jan
Peter Deng 1-Jan
Deng Duot 1-Jan
Dennis Ivey 2-Jan
Laura Landgraf 2-Jan
Michael Nott 3-Jan
Ryan Anderson 3-Jan
Joyce Hayes 3-Jan
Caymann Johnston 4-Jan
Michael Wysocki 4-Jan
Thomas Miller 4-Jan
Larry Stark 4-Jan
Anthony Chaponis 4-Jan
Stella Franklin 4-Jan
Veronica Mosqueda 5-Jan
Jonathan Blackwell 5-Jan
Tracey Rudy 5-Jan
Neva Schoof 7-Jan
Carol Twidwell 7-Jan
Jessica Hudson 7-Jan
Joel Lockhart 7-Jan
Katy Parr 8-Jan
Gary Mullinix 8-Jan
Anjali Lueders 8-Jan
Lynda Larson 8-Jan
Charlie Mc Mahan 8-Jan
Jackie Kloppenburg 8-Jan
Veniece Kolkhorst 9-Jan
Isabella Hurtado 9-Jan
Dylan Porter 9-Jan
Ulf Lueders 9-Jan
Terry Schraeder 10-Jan
Carol Hart 10-Jan
Bob Boller 10-Jan
Jennifer Fretwell 10-Jan
Douglas Millman 11-Jan
Tracy Shawhan 11-Jan
Janet Poorman 11-Jan
Daniel Holsberg 12-Jan
James Ismail 12-Jan
Keith Cook 12-Jan
Irene P. Baasen 12-Jan
Cindy Porth 12-Jan
James Hock 12-Jan
Jack Howard 12-Jan
Phillip Garlin 12-Jan
Christine Heggeseth 12-Jan
Grace Mielke 13-Jan
Darlene Boggs 13-Jan
Jennifer Sanchez 14-Jan
Eva Gerber 14-Jan
Ashley Bachmeier 14-Jan
Patrick Landgraf 14-Jan
Ann Simpson 14-Jan
Jefferson Lockhart 14-Jan
Susan Rovang 15-Jan
Abigail Wietstruck 15-Jan
Madeline Wietstruck 15-Jan
Bruce Elijah 15-Jan
John Charles DeWitt 15-Jan
Linda Johanson 15-Jan
Patsy Parr 16-Jan
Susan Clark 16-Jan
Regina Wysocki 17-Jan
Steve Bachmeier 17-Jan
Julie Mulkey 18-Jan
Julie Pate 18-Jan
Kathy Kolkhorst 18-Jan
Randall Morgan 18-Jan
Bishop Paul Blom 19-Jan
Suzanne Davis 19-Jan
Steven Daniels 20-Jan
Anna Keeling 20-Jan
Liz Fidler 20-Jan
Alex Fidler 20-Jan
Karen Miller 21-Jan
Victoria Sawicki 21-Jan
Kelly Henning 21-Jan
P AGE 15
Cullen Burns 22-Jan
Egons Dunens 22-Jan
Andrew Reder 22-Jan
Haley Twidwell 22-Jan
Rex Schraeder 22-Jan
Max Schraeder 22-Jan
Joshua Kaurich 23-Jan
Jill Wittnebel 23-Jan
Sara Kloppenburg 23-Jan
Don Schlotterbeck 23-Jan
Samuel Slater 24-Jan
Garrett Ray 24-Jan
Deanna Porter 24-Jan
Daniel Ehlers 25-Jan
Sin-Ming Flora Lee 25-Jan
Lisa Erickson 25-Jan
John Kolkhorst 26-Jan
Bob Swerdon 26-Jan
Amber Smith 26-Jan
Jane Wiese 26-Jan
Cathy Elijah 26-Jan
Frannie Smith 26-Jan
Alvina Rinn 27-Jan
Sue Junker 27-Jan
Terry Richter 28-Jan
Alistair Laing 28-Jan
Barton Garlin 28-Jan
Deborah Watkins 28-Jan
Jenalie Lowe 29-Jan
Hannah Carlton 29-Jan
Kimberly Ford 29-Jan
Allison Mc Cue 30-Jan
Emma Yeats 30-Jan
Dolores Wendt 30-Jan
Jennifer Kaurich 30-Jan
Kaitlyn Gradoni 30-Jan
Sylvia Orosco 31-Jan
Christen Lowe 31-Jan
*This list is compiled from church records.
If your name is missing or the information listed above is incorrect, please notify the church office.

Saturday
5:30 PM
Informal Worship
with Communion
Connection is a monthly publication of Kinsmen Lutheran Church.
Deadline for submitting news is the 20th 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 a staff member.
Kinsmen Staff
Reach a Staff Member directly
by dialing 281-444-3127,
plus their extension
Rev. Jeffery Alvestad, Senior Pastor
jalvestad@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 18
Rev. Mark England, Youth and Family Ministry
mengland@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 24
Bruce Elijah, Associate in Ministry
bruceelijah@mac.com — Ext. 25
Lynnae Schatz, Director of Congregational Life
lschatz@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 43
Julie Hughes, Office Manager
jhughes@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 10
Sara Witte, Director of Children’s Ministry and Outreach
switte@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 17
Robyn Johnson, Media and Communications Coordinator
rjohnson@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 21
Irene Baasen, Accounting and Financial Reports
ibaasen@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 14
Jane Jacobi, Payroll Clerk
jjacobi@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 15
Linda Thomas, Principal Organist
lindacthomas99@hotmail.com
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
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
OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday
9 AM - 5 PM
Elizabeth Marks, Traditional Worship Coordinator
emarks.klc@gmail.com — Ext. 22
Kristen Schulze, Contemporary Worship Co-coordinator
kristen.schulze@cfisd.net
Timothy Browning, Contemporary Worship Co-coordinator
chosentenor@gmail.com
Stevie Berryman, Director of Adult Handbells
sberryman@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 21
Kellen Cook, Media Team Assistant
kcook@kinsmenlutheran.org
Lisa Yeager, Assistant Director, Kinsmen Children’s Academy
lyeager@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 23
Ruben Aranda, Custodian
Gonzalo Montes, Custodian
9:30 AM
Education Hour
Classes for all ages
(August - May)
9 - 11 AM
Fellowship Breakfast
Community Life Center
CONTACT INFORMATION
281-444-3126 Phone
281-444-1733 FAX
kinsmen@kinsmenlutheran.org