About Toward the Dawn ONline church
The Toward the Dawn "Mission Question”: How do we be a diverse online Gospel centered community that brings the good news of Jesus into the lives and homes of people?
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Why online Church?
Why online Church?
The Dream
The Dream
The dream is an online church community that looks beyond a church in a physical location. Word and Sacrament is powerful when brought into the home through online interaction. Toward the Dawn is an opportunity to build an online community grounded in grace and love of the Gospel.
The dream is an online church community that looks beyond a church in a physical location. Word and Sacrament is powerful when brought into the home through online interaction. Toward the Dawn is an opportunity to build an online community grounded in grace and love of the Gospel.
The dream is to have a real live online community. Toward the Dawn will not be a website of flashy videos and professionally recorded musical productions, but a real live community of people seeking new insights in what it means to live the Christian life and faith. The name "Toward the Dawn" captures this dream of an online community seeking and learning what it means to see beginnings all around us. Just as the rising sun of the dawn announces a new day. so God in Jesus Christ "makes all things new" in people's lives.
The dream is to have a real live online community. Toward the Dawn will not be a website of flashy videos and professionally recorded musical productions, but a real live community of people seeking new insights in what it means to live the Christian life and faith. The name "Toward the Dawn" captures this dream of an online community seeking and learning what it means to see beginnings all around us. Just as the rising sun of the dawn announces a new day. so God in Jesus Christ "makes all things new" in people's lives.
A New Way of understanding church
A New Way of understanding church
Online Church is a new way of understanding church. Most often people experience the church as a building where people gather together for worship, community and doing the works of Jesus. Such buildings have been around for centuries and continue to do vital and life giving ministries in people's lives. Toward the Dawn Church is not against location churches and encourages people joining, supporting and being involved in them.
Online Church is a new way of understanding church. Most often people experience the church as a building where people gather together for worship, community and doing the works of Jesus. Such buildings have been around for centuries and continue to do vital and life giving ministries in people's lives. Toward the Dawn Church is not against location churches and encourages people joining, supporting and being involved in them.
Toward the Dawn Church believes that the church is people gathered around Word and Sacrament. This gathering can be in a location, but it can also be online. Toward the Dawn Church passionately believes in the power of gathering people together online for Word and Sacrament. Toward the Dawn Church believes that online worship can build a loving, caring, life giving community.
Toward the Dawn Church believes that the church is people gathered around Word and Sacrament. This gathering can be in a location, but it can also be online. Toward the Dawn Church passionately believes in the power of gathering people together online for Word and Sacrament. Toward the Dawn Church believes that online worship can build a loving, caring, life giving community.
An ONline Church Community with no walls
An ONline Church Community with no walls
Toward the Dawn Online Church is a "cathedral" church. A cathedral church is an expression of the larger church of every place and culture. Everyone belongs and lives in local communities, but Toward the Dawn has no physical location. The location of Toward the Dawn Online Church is the world! Everyone comes to experience the grandness of being in unity with others from everywhere and every culture.
Toward the Dawn Online Church is a "cathedral" church. A cathedral church is an expression of the larger church of every place and culture. Everyone belongs and lives in local communities, but Toward the Dawn has no physical location. The location of Toward the Dawn Online Church is the world! Everyone comes to experience the grandness of being in unity with others from everywhere and every culture.
A church that lives in homes and lives
A church that lives in homes and lives
A key concept of Toward the Dawn Church is the "Domestic Church". The Domestic Church believes that the faith is to be lived primarily in the home. In the home people learn to practice grace, forgiveness. and live the ways of Jesus. In the home is where people truly experience the presence of God in everyday life. Toward the Dawn Church exists to help people live and learn the faith where it matters the most- in the family and in everyone's everyday lives.
A key concept of Toward the Dawn Church is the "Domestic Church". The Domestic Church believes that the faith is to be lived primarily in the home. In the home people learn to practice grace, forgiveness. and live the ways of Jesus. In the home is where people truly experience the presence of God in everyday life. Toward the Dawn Church exists to help people live and learn the faith where it matters the most- in the family and in everyone's everyday lives.
An inclusive, Diverse and accepting Church
An inclusive, Diverse and accepting Church
Toward the Dawn Church is an open and accepting community that does not judge anyone's age, sexuality, political beliefs, race, ethnic heritage, country, or culture. Toward the Dawn believes that everyone stands on their own before God. Each person is on our own her or his unique spiritual journey. However, Toward the Dawn Online Church will stand without compromise against any form of abuse or exploitation. Toward the Dawn Online Church will not tolerate racism or bigotry. Everyone is to be treated as a child of God and treated with respect and dignity.
Toward the Dawn Church is an open and accepting community that does not judge anyone's age, sexuality, political beliefs, race, ethnic heritage, country, or culture. Toward the Dawn believes that everyone stands on their own before God. Each person is on our own her or his unique spiritual journey. However, Toward the Dawn Online Church will stand without compromise against any form of abuse or exploitation. Toward the Dawn Online Church will not tolerate racism or bigotry. Everyone is to be treated as a child of God and treated with respect and dignity.
A CHURCH GROUNDED IN LUTHERAN THEOLOGY
A CHURCH GROUNDED IN LUTHERAN THEOLOGY
Theology of Toward the Dawn is Lutheran, but Toward the Dawn will not force this theology on others. Toward the Dawn upholds the beliefs of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Click this link for more information. ELCA Beliefs
Theology of Toward the Dawn is Lutheran, but Toward the Dawn will not force this theology on others. Toward the Dawn upholds the beliefs of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Click this link for more information. ELCA Beliefs
Ordained Lutheran Pastors lead the worship and do the preaching. The pastors are open to pastoral care to everyone. They all enjoy teaching deeper meanings of what it means to be a disciple of Christ. All our pastors have a college degree and a Master of Divinity from a four year seminary. All are in good standing with our respective church bodies.
Ordained Lutheran Pastors lead the worship and do the preaching. The pastors are open to pastoral care to everyone. They all enjoy teaching deeper meanings of what it means to be a disciple of Christ. All our pastors have a college degree and a Master of Divinity from a four year seminary. All are in good standing with our respective church bodies.
An honest, transparent and non political church
An honest, transparent and non political church
Toward the Dawn does not engage in illegal downloading and copying of copyrighted music, pictures or material. All the pictures, liturgies and music are public domain, properly licensed or under fair use.
Toward the Dawn does not engage in illegal downloading and copying of copyrighted music, pictures or material. All the pictures, liturgies and music are public domain, properly licensed or under fair use.
Toward the Dawn does not endorse or support any political party, elected official or issue. Toward the Dawn insists on each person following and voting their own conscious.
Toward the Dawn does not endorse or support any political party, elected official or issue. Toward the Dawn insists on each person following and voting their own conscious.
Toward the Dawn Online Church is a registered non-profit corporation in the state of Texas and subject to reporting and accountability. Toward the Dawn Church has 501c 3 status with the IRS and all donations are tax deductible.
Toward the Dawn Online Church is a registered non-profit corporation in the state of Texas and subject to reporting and accountability. Toward the Dawn Church has 501c 3 status with the IRS and all donations are tax deductible.
Toward the Dawn practices financial transparency. All our income and expenses are openly shared.
Toward the Dawn practices financial transparency. All our income and expenses are openly shared.
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Who is leading?
Who is leading?
Toward the Dawn Board of directors
Toward the Dawn Board of directors
Toward the Dawn is led by an elected Board of Directors that guide the development and growth of our online community. The Board is an open board and welcomes new members. No one is paid or derives profit from Toward the Dawn.
Toward the Dawn is led by an elected Board of Directors that guide the development and growth of our online community. The Board is an open board and welcomes new members. No one is paid or derives profit from Toward the Dawn.
Officers of Toward the Dawn
Officers of Toward the Dawn
President and Pastor Leader: Pastor David Tart
President and Pastor Leader: Pastor David Tart
Vice President and Lay Leader: Steve Bridges
Vice President and Lay Leader: Steve Bridges
Secretary: Susanne Meier
Secretary: Susanne Meier
Treasurer: Pastor Gary Goodson
Treasurer: Pastor Gary Goodson
Board Members:
Board Members:
Pastor David Tart Pastor Leader, no term Elected on September 29, 2020
Pastor David Tart Pastor Leader, no term Elected on September 29, 2020
2 Pastor Brian Gigee term expires: September 20 2023
3 Pastor Erbey Gonzales term expires: September 20 2023
4 Pastor Wally Schievelbein term expires: Sept, 20 2023, Treasurer, expires, Sept. 29, 2023
5 Pastor Gary Goodson term expires: September 20 2023
6 Steve Bridges term expires: September 20 2023 Lay Leader, Expires, Sept 29, 2023
7 Laurie Schroeder term expires: September 20 2023
8 Susanne Meier term expires: September 20 2023 Secretary Expires, September 29, 2023
9 Paul Hancock term expires September 20, 2023
10 E.J.Hanhart term expires September 20, 2023
11 Elizabeth Fisher term expires September 29, 2023
12 Kathleen Hadaway: Elected Oct 27, 2020 Meeting Term expires Oct 2023
13 Beth Ann Doering , Elected May 18, 2021 Meeting Term expires May 2024
14. Baimba Sesay, Elected September 22, 2021 Meeting; Term expires Sept. 2024
Pastors of Toward the DAwn
Pastors of Toward the DAwn
Rev. Dr. David Tart Pastor Leader of Toward the Dawn
Rev. Dr. David Tart Pastor Leader of Toward the Dawn
Ordained on July 10, 1983 in the American Lutheran Church, Graduate of Texas Lutheran University with a B.A. in Theology, Graduate of Warburg Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity. Doctor of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary, Masters of Education in Instructional Technology from the University of Houston, Served Churches in San Antonio, TX, Victoria, TX, Houston, TX, Pasadena, TX, Atascosita, TX and Wharton, TX. On the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Retired Clergy Roster. Lives in Sugar Land, TX.
Rev. John Willmann.
Rev. John Willmann.
Graduate Wartburg Theological Seminary and ordained, 1972. Graduate Texas Lutheran University 1968, Seguin High School, 1964. Retired in 2004. Married to Joan Willmann since 1971. Enjoys visiting with others about needs and hopes. Enjoys photography.
Chaplain Gary Goodson LTC US Army, (retired)
Chaplain Gary Goodson LTC US Army, (retired)
Ordained on Sept 12, 1982 in the American Lutheran Church, Graduate of Texas Lutheran University with a B.A. in Political Science. Graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary with Masters of Divinity. Served Churches in La Vernia, Yoakum and Austin all in Texas. Served in the US Reserve 1991-2016, Station in Ft. Knox, Kentucky, Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, Ft. Hood, Texas. Served with 228 Combat Support Hospital in Mosul, Iraq, Brooke Army Medical Center.
Rev. Dr. Brian Gigee brian@towardthedawn.net
Rev. Dr. Brian Gigee brian@towardthedawn.net
Brian Gigee loves life and lives love. He is a native of Ohio and attended college at TLU in Seguin, TX, a 1976 graduate. He became a 'naturalized' Texan in 2013 in the Capital Building in Austin on the House of Representatives floor. He holds and M.Div. from Trinity Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Now a trying-to-be-retired ELCA pastor, Brian served 4 congregations in four decades and is testing out God's gifts of the Spirit as an author, song writer, life coach and consultant. He is married to Margo. They have 5 children and 6.5 grandchildren. Watch for more information on Emunah in Texas as he connects with people here, there and everywhere.
Pastor Erbey Gonzales (email: erbey@towardthedawn.net
Pastor Erbey Gonzales (email: erbey@towardthedawn.net
Ordained August 29, 1982. Graduate of Texas Lutheran University with a B.A. in math and political science. Graduate from Wartburg Theological Seminary with a Master's of Divinity with a specialization in Hispanic ministry. He served churches in the Houston area and the Rio Grande Valley. He taught philosophy at Lamar University, He entered the retired roster of the Evangelical Church in America on January of 2020.
Rev. Wally Schievelbein
Rev. Wally Schievelbein
Ordained June 5, 1993, Wally has served congregations in Victoria, TX, Stuttgart, AR, Tulsa. OK, and since 2005 has served Good Shepherd Lutheran in Kenedy, Texas. Wally is also a graduate of Texas Lutheran University, class of 1989, BA in Theology. His M.Div is from the Lutheran Seminary Program of the Southwest, Austin, Texas. Wally has been married to Julie since 1982, has 2 children, and 2 grandchildren. Wally loves fishing (any day but Sunday), playing guitar and bass, singing and seeks to find the joy and humor in every day of life.
Rev. Dr. David Tart
Rev. Dr. David Tart
Rev. John Willmann
Rev. John Willmann
Rev. Gary Goodson
Rev. Gary Goodson
Rev. Dr. Brian Gigee
Rev. Dr. Brian Gigee
Rev. Erbey Gonzales
Rev. Erbey Gonzales
Rev. Wally Schievelbein
Rev. Wally Schievelbein
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