AUSTIN CITY LUTHERANS
“More, Better, Together”
Ministries Serving Low-Income Neighbors – Spring 2025
Greetings in Christ’s Name from Austin City Lutherans!
Bread For All Food Pantry
BFA just concluded its busiest year ever in terms of households and people served. This ministry is powered by some 50 volunteers on a weekly basis. Food distribution starts at 5pm on Mondays in order to serve working individuals and families who need assistance. Thanks to our wonderful host congregation, Faith Presbyterian, home to BFA since 2018.
Move-In Ministry
This ministry served 114 individuals and families in 2024. It is powered by a dozen team volunteers, and many more donors who provide furniture, beds and bedding, and household items. We partner with homelessness service providers like Sunrise Navigation Center, Lifeworks, Urban Alchemy, Foundation for the Homeless and others to assist people newly housed.
More Info on these Ministries at
www.breadforall-atx.org and www.austincitylutherans.org
Dr. Cal Streeter, a member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church, is the new ACL board president. Pastor Brad Highum, after having served in the post for eight years, stepped down in January.
Pastor Brad says that being part of the ACL team has been a highlight of his vocational life and calling. “By God’s grace, we’ve done great work together . . . [Now] is the right time to welcome new leadership to help us launch into ACL’s next chapter of growth and development.”
Professor Streeter, recently retired from UT’s Steve Hicks School of Social Work, helps lead the weekly food pantry team at Gethsemane and is a main cog in ACL’s Move-In Ministry. He also served as a founding member of the board of directors for ECHO, Austin’s lead non-profit organization to combat homelessness. Cal comments: “As I’ve learned more about the larger mission of ACL and discussed ideas for its future . . . I’ve been inspired and invigorated by the new opportunities ahead. I’m humbled by the opportunity to join the board and serve as president, and I look forward to working with all supporters of ACL as we continue to look for unique opportunities to expand efforts to address the issues of poverty, hunger and homelessness in Austin.”
Mariposa Family Learning Center
2024 Year-End $75,00 Match Fundraiser
Mariposa’s end-of-year fundraiser brought in more than $215,000! We can’t thank our incredible supporters enough for this great outpouring of generosity. As you know, this support helps Mariposa stay true to its mission of providing high-quality early childhood development to families regardless of their ability to pay. Currently, about half of Mariposa families receive partial or full subsidy.
New Day at Mariposa
In January, Mariposa FLC reached a mini-milestone of five years of operation. As many of you will remember, Mariposa opened its doors right before the Covid outbreak. Thanks be to God that we’ve made it this far! Thanks also to Mariposa’s entire staff, the governing board, ACL and other supporters and vital partners!
There are changes as Mariposa looks to the next five years and beyond. The following points are garnered and/or quoted from a letter to ACL leadership from Mariposa Board President Mike Riggs:
- Executive Director Sheila Pharis and the governing board “were not aligned on approach to administration and management.” Her employment ended the second week of January.
- Jan Richards, a member of Triumphant Love LC and a Mariposa board member, has been appointed interim director at Mariposa. Ms. Richards is a life-long teacher and recently retired as an elementary school principal in the Round Rock school district. Mariposa’s schedule has continued unabated with regular activities.
- The search for a new executive director is ongoing and supportive conversations have been carried out between board members, Mariposa staff, and the parents of children at Mariposa.
- “The board remains focused on Mariposa’s mission to make high-quality, affordable early childcare available to an increasing number of families in the East Austin community. We are grateful for ACL’s continued support, and we are excited for Mariposa’s future and its impact on the children and families in this community.”
ACL Director Now Full-time
Pastor Tim Anderson is now called to full-time status as director of Austin City Lutherans. Since 2018 he has served in three-quarter time capacity. What this means is more people served, better communications and reporting, and greater partnering as we work together with city, county, faith institutions and service providers to address the needs of Austinites who welcome a helping hand of assistance for themselves and their families.
ACL Gathering
ACL will invite ministry volunteers and supporters for a 2025 gathering to say thanks to Pastor Brad Highum, to welcome Dr. Cal Streeter and to celebrate milestones. Food and music will be involved! Save the date: Sunday, June 1!