On May 1–2, 2026, members of Triumphant Love Lutheran Church joined Lutherans from across the synod at the 2026 Southwestern Texas (SWT) Synod Assembly, gathered under the theme “Becoming… En Proceso” (1 John 3:2)—a reminder that we are God’s children now, and that God is still shaping who we are called to be. It was an amazingly attended assembly, full of spirited, faithful, and wonderful people, and TLLC was proud to be part of it and serve as hosts.
Grounded in the vision of a “mixed ecology” of church, the assembly celebrated both inherited congregations and new expressions of ministry as partners in God’s mission. Through worship, workshops, storytelling, and shared learning, participants explored how we are becoming a synod that grows disciples, develops leaders, embraces differences, and transforms communities.
The Business of the Synod
The assembly conducted its work with enthusiasm and unity. All proposed constitution and bylaw changes were approved, providing greater flexibility for emerging ministry structures, and the 2027–2028 Mission Plans (budget) were adopted. Two resolutions also passed: “Support for Justice and Peace for Palestine and Israel,” encouraging prayer, education, and advocacy for peace with justice in the region; and “World Council of Churches Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action,” calling for active participation in global climate justice efforts.
The assembly offering, designated for the Tiemann Endowment Fund for Leadership Development, totaled $41,373.92—a beautiful reflection of this synod’s shared commitment to investing in future leaders.
You can read the full record of the assembly’s business on the SWT Synod website: www.swtsynod.org/business.
Gather:Austin – A Workshop by Our Own Bianca Blaney
One of the highlights of the assembly was the Gather Austin workshop, created and presented by TLLC’s own Bianca Blaney. Gather Austin is a community of young adults ages 22–35 who meet for community building, faith formation, monthly socials, and more. Begun in December 2022 as part of the churchwide Gather Network—a ministry of ELCA Young Adults—Gather Austin creates space for young adults to make friends, ask challenging questions of themselves, their faith, and the world, and be in community with others sharing similar life experiences. As its leaders put it, the group is for young adults, by young adults.
Know a young adult in Texas (age 22–35) looking for community? You can learn more in Bianca’s workshop materials here: Gather Austin (PDF), or follow @gather_austin on Instagram.
Austin City Lutherans – A Presentation by Our Own Janis Coltin
TLLC member Janis Coltin, who serves on the Austin City Lutherans (ACL) Board, presented an update about ACL’s work though the Bread for All Food Pantry and Move-In Ministry. The success of these programs is wholly dependent on the collaboration and support from Austin congregations. Watch this video or visit the website to learn more about the ACL ministry.
Worship in the Sanctuary
During the assembly, we gathered for worship in the sanctuary, where our wonderful music team—led by Jamie Taylor—filled the space with song and lifted every heart. Our thanks go to the full team which included members of the TLLC Praise Band and local pastors. Their gifts of music helped ground our shared work in praise and made our time together feel truly like worship. TLLC Live streamed it.
A Reflective Fireside Chat: On Becoming
One of the most moving moments of the assembly was a reflective fireside chat between Pastor Candace Combs, Pastor Sergio Rodriguez, and Pastor Brad Fuerst, who together explored the assembly’s theme of becoming—the idea that creation, faith, and selfhood are ongoing processes rather than finished states.
Drawing on a fresh translation of Genesis 1 that frames God as continually “creating order out of chaos,” the pastors wove together three texts—Genesis 1, 1 John 3, and John 12—to reflect on what it means to live in the in-between. Pastor Sergio introduced the borderland concept of nepantla—the state of existing between two worlds, between past and future, between Good Friday and Easter—as a distinctly Lutheran “both/and.”
Each pastor confessed personal struggle along the way: Pastor Candace with grief and a craving to control the darkness, Pastor Brad with surrender and the temptation to point to himself rather than Christ, and Pastor Sergio with a death-denying culture that resists the gospel call to “die to self.” Through the image of a grain of wheat that must fall and die to bear fruit, and the witness of Oscar Romero—who literally followed Jesus into death—they arrived at a hopeful conclusion: that surrender, the letting go of domineering and self-centered ways, and trust in a God who is always becoming—in our neighbors, in refugees, in hungry students, and in the earth itself—allows our community to be made new and to pass on a fruitful legacy to future generations.
TLLC’s Delegation
TLLC was richly represented at the assembly by both rostered ministers and lay voting members elected by Council: Lay voting members: Rick Steans, Mark Garcia, Mary S. and Lisa Thomas. Rostered ministers: Pastor Danielle, Pastor Susie, Deacon Kelly, and Deacon Bri. We were also proud to see TLLC members serving the wider church as SWT Synod Council Members: Greg Althaus, Bianca Blaney, and Denise Schulz. Their willingness to serve at the synod level is a gift to our whole church.
Thank You to Our Staff & Volunteers
An assembly runs smoothly because of people who quietly make everything work behind the scenes. We are deeply grateful to the TLLC staff & volunteers who helped the facilities and operations flow seamlessly: Tracy Wells, Shannon Carr, Lisa Thomas, Pastor Susie, Pastor Danielle, Jamie Taylor, Jeff Buchle, Tom Wells, Carl & Claudia Teinert, Janis Coltin, Kevin Metzger, John Wassmuth, Garry Durante, Ron Lacey, and Geoff Roach. Thank you for your dedication and hard work.
Sent Forth in Hope
Across the assembly, we saw signs of becoming everywhere—in new ministry initiatives, in the development of leaders, in deepening partnerships, and in a renewed commitment to walk alongside one another in times of change. We were reminded that the future of the church is not something distant; it is already unfolding among us.
As we were sent forth, we did so with hope and trust:
God is not finished with us yet. We are still becoming… en proceso.
More details can be found on the SWT Synod website at www.swtsynod.org/assembly.