AUSTIN CITY LUTHERANS
More, Better, Together since 2011!
SUMMER 2019 Update
GREETINGS IN CHRIST’S NAME FROM AUSTIN CITY LUTHERANS! We consist of the ELCA congregations in and around the Texas capital city—and that includes you. Since its inception in 2011, ACL has sought ways to fellowship and minister in Austin following the simple moniker that we can do “more, better, together.”
BREAD FOR ALL (BFA) SUNDAY – JULY 28! We’re asking for a special offering from individuals and congregations on the last Sunday in July. Earmark a regular envelope at your congregation and include a donation or check for “Bread For All/ACL” as a way to support this important ministry.
ACL spends about $400 per distribution (not including the value of in-kind donations). Costs include food purchasing, electricity and janitorial service, non-food supplies, and security. We’re grateful for the solid support, including in-kind food donations averaging more than $1500 a month, from ACL congregations that keep BFA in positive financial shape. Thank you!!
BREAD FOR ALL FOOD PANTRY serves low-income individuals and families, seniors on fixed incomes, disabled and homeless neighbors from its SE Austin location of Faith Presbyterian Church, 1314 East Oltorf, every Monday evening from 6–7:30 p.m. Typically, sixty individuals representing more than 200 dependents will come through the line at BFA every Monday.
Volunteer opportunities abound from set-up time of 1:15 p.m. on Mondays to pick-up time of leftover food on Tuesday mornings. Bread For All is a charity ministry—a type of ministry commanded by Jesus through his call for his followers “to love your neighbors.” Thanks to ACL congregations that support BFA with food donations, financial support, and volunteers! Thanks also to our host congregation, Faith Presbyterian!
BREAD FOR ALL MOBILE FOOD PANTRY distributes food to SE Austin neighbors every second Monday morning of the month from 9-10 a.m. Central Texas Food Bank supplies all the food for this distribution at no cost. BFA supplies volunteers for this distribution at Parker Lane United Methodist Church, 2105 Parker Lane (two blocks from the former Prince of Peace Lutheran on E. Oltorf). Volunteers are always welcome, from 8-10 a.m. to help out with the distribution!
MARIPOSA FAMILY LEARNING CENTER (FLC) is the name of ACL’s early childhood and adult education center in Montopolis! This “2-Generation” learning center will take care of preschoolers in the expected ways and also offer parent support groups to their moms and dads. Mariposa is the Spanish word for “butterfly” and speaks of the desires for growth and transformation that parents have for their children.
The “2-Gen” approach is touted as the best way to break generations-long poverty cycles which afflict many of the families that we will serve. MARIPOSA FLC is a transformational ministry—a type of ministry that recognizes that the followers of Jesus in the 21st century have the responsibility and agency to positively impact the lives of others in the spirit of his teachings, such as those found in Matthew 25:31–46. This ministry we plan to carry out in partnership with our new neighbors in Montopolis.
We’re actively rehabbing a building that previously was used for childcare at the Montopolis Friendship Community Center site at 403 Vargas Road. We anticipate opening the center this fall and will need your help to do so. Work days will be announced soon!
VISIT THE ACL WEBSITE – WWW.AUSTINCITYLUTHERANS.ORG for more UPDATES and GREAT stories about ACL’s ministry, including . . .
“Deep in the Heart of Montopolis” – A story of great historical significance for Austin and its southeast neighborhood of Montopolis, where ACL has developed good relationships in the run-up of its work to develop and open Mariposa FLC.
ACL is 501.c.3 non-profit organization. Donations can be sent to Abiding Love Lutheran Church, 7210 Brush Country Rd, Austin, 78749, earmarked either “ACL,” “Bread For All,” or “Mariposa FLC.” Talk with your pastor, stewardship, or outreach chairperson about your congregation’s support of ACL.
ACL GOVERNING LEADERSHIP
- Rev. Brad Highum, President of ACL and Pastor of Abiding Love Lutheran Church
- Rev. Ellen Williams, Vice President of ACL and Pastor of St. John’s/San Juan Lutheran Church
- Dee Jackson, Secretary of ACL, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
- Steve Zwernemann, Treasurer of ACL, Faith Lutheran Church
- Rev. Tom Grevlos, at large member and Pastor of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
- Dick Moeller, ACL consultant, Triumphant Lutheran Church
- Rev. Tim Anderson, ACL Director of Community Development
Special thanks to Anna Livingston of Ascension Lutheran Church who served as ACL board secretary for the past year and a half.
AUSTIN CITY LUTHERANS 