As of March 31, Synod Assembly has officially been postponed. It was our hope that we could find a date on which Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie would be able to commit to being with us. However, given the continued fluidity of this crisis, we have not yet been able to confirm that. So what does this mean…

• Those who need to submit assembly reports should do so as soon as possible to jason@ntnl.org. We will still produce the assembly resources and make them available online.
• On April 25, Bishop Gronberg will release a “state of the synod” video report similar to his bishop’s report at assembly.
• All assembly registrations will be refunded when NT-NL office staff are able to be back in the office full-time (please be patient with us).
• If you made reservations at the Lorenzo Hotel with our code, we will have them cancel that reservation and send you a confirmation. If you do not receive that within 10 business days after April 1, please contact them.
• We will look for a date, hopefully in late summer/early fall, that we can gather at Paul Quinn College for a shortened assembly business session and then festival worship to celebrate together in person (what a joy that will be!) and also the 50^th anniversary of the ordination of pastors who are women.
• We are looking at an August date to host a luncheon at Briarwood for those with ordination anniversaries.
• As available, more details will be forthcoming.

Assembly Reference Materials

Scripture: “The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.” Psalm 126:3 (NRSV)

Theme | Tema: Crossing Borders | Cruzando Fronteras

We are excited to partner with Paul Quinn College (PQC), the oldest HBCU (Historically Black College and University) in Texas, to bring our Assembly to South Dallas. Learn more about PQC in this recent news article: Nestled in a poor Dallas neighborhood, Paul Quinn College aims to be a national model for overcoming poverty.

We are honored to have African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie as our preacher for this year’s Assembly! Bishop McKenzie is the presiding Bishop of the 10th Episcopal District AME church and serves as the 117th elected and consecrated bishop of the AME Church. Her election in 2000 was historic as she became the first woman, in the more than 200-year history of the church, to be elected to that office. Watch this recent local news interview with her: First Woman Bishop Talks Life Lessons for All Faiths.

ELCA Churchwide Representative: Pastor Christopher Otten, Assistant to the Presiding Bishop and Director of Federal Chaplaincies

Assembly offering: half to the Eastern conference for hosting us, and half to the new Stewardship team

Tentative Summary Agenda (updated March 7)

REGISTRATION HAS BEEN SUSPENDED.

Registration Fees:

Voting Member Early Bird (until March 15) = $150

Voting Member Regular (March 16 – April 12) = $185

Voting Member On-Site = $225

Retired Rostered Voting Member Early Bird (until March 15) = $125

Retired Rostered Voting Member Regular (March 16 – April 12) = $150

Retired Rostered Voting Member On-Site = $165

Visitors Early Bird (until March 15) = $50

Visitors Regular (March 16 – April 12) = $75

Visitors On-Site = $100

Vendors = $150

Displayers = $75

Hard Copy of Assembly Reference Materials (previously called the Book of Reports) = $25

Meals provided with registration = 3 (three)

Official Assembly Hotel: Lorenzo Hotel, 1011 S Akard St, Dallas, TX 75215  |  214-273-3000

Register with the hotel here. (see note above)

A question often asked is… “Can we book at a different hotel or motel for a cheaper rate?”
Our answer: With the proliferation of online travel sites, indeed, it is possible you would be able to find a better rate at another hotel. Because of this, there has been conversation about the synod not offering a preferred hotel at all and allowing assembly members to find their own lodging.

But we are still having a preferred hotel. Why? First and foremost, at Assembly, we build a community. We know from experience that this happens best when we are all together, both formally and informally. Through connections and time together. Given how short our assembly is, this time is at a premium, and we encourage fellowship.

Secondly, many of our assembly voting members are coming from other parts of the state. As a result, they appreciate having a vetted hotel option so they don’t have to try to do so themselves in a city or location they do not know well.

Finally, it is a stewardship opportunity. We sign a contract with the hotel guaranteeing our group will book a minimum number of rooms. Because of this guarantee, the hotel gives us better rates, some complimentary rooms for staff/presenters (which lowers synod costs), and deals on meeting space. These elements all help make Synod Assembly possible and help us keep our rates lower (assembly registration rates are 40% lower than in 2016).

If you book elsewhere, it could jeopardize our ability to meet our contract obligations, and the cost of our annual Assembly would go up. So, if you are able, please book at the Lorenzo Hotel using our link to guarantee your reduced rate and help support Assembly for all!

(Please note: While there are other hotels closer to the college, none were able to offer us a room block.)

Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax Forms