NT-NL Synodical Women's Organization 2018 Convention
2018-10-26 - 2018-10-27 | Rejoice Lutheran Church, 12000 Independence Pkwy, Frisco, TX, 75035, United States
Save the Date!
There will be a business meeting on Friday afternoon, where a new president and board will be elected.
Saturday morning, our speaker will be Kathryn Koob from Iowa, who will speak about her 444 days in captivity during the Iran Crisis in late 1979 and early 1980.
There will be other events and activities during the weekend.

Building an Inclusive Church training
2018-10-26 - 2018-10-27 | St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 1210 W. Belt Line Rd, Richardson, TX, 75080, United States
St. Luke’s, Richardson, and the NT-NL Public Witness Team for Peace and Justice, have partnered with Reconciling Works: Lutherans for Full Participation to host a training workshop on creating dialogue in your faith community about intentionally and publicly welcoming people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions. The goal of training is to help you create a process that deepens relationships rather than divides.
Friday, October 26, 5:30-9pm
Saturday, October 27, 9am-5pm
Cost is $100 ($25 for students, $50 for restricted income) which includes training, materials, and food.
Register at RWKS.org/BIC. Fifteen registrants are necessary to hold the training, so we hope to see you there!
Click here for a flyer with more information.

Community-Wide Texas Advocacy Training
2018-10-27 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
You are invited to a Community-Wide Advocacy Training on Saturday, October 27, from 9am to 12n at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas.
Join us for a Faith Leader Panel, Advocacy 101 training, and Breakout Sessions focused on Hunger, Immigration, Payday Lending, and Public Education.
Register online at http://texasinterfaith.org/training/.
A light breakfast will be provided.
Updates can be found on the facebook event page.
Access a flyer here.

Calvary Organ Dedication
2018-10-27 12:00 - 14:00 | Calvary Lutheran Church – Richland Hills, 7620 Baker Blvd, Richland Hills, TX, 76118, United States
All are invited to enjoy the dedicatory program for the new organ at Calvary Lutheran Church, 7620 Baker Blvd, Richland Hills, TX 76118. The program will incorporate both hymn singing and organ performance. There will be a reception following the program.
We are delighted that Robert A. Hobby, Director of Music for Trinity English Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, will be with us to play the organ. Mr. Hobby is a highly regarded recitalist, performer, and workshop leader. He has over 150 compositions in print with many publishers.
We hope you will come and enjoy the celebration!

2018 ELCA Youth Leadership Summit
2018-11-01 - 2018-11-04
The ELCA Youth Leadership Summit is an annual gathering for high school youth identified as leaders and adult representatives from each synod from across the ELCA. This summit focuses on leadership development through engaging speakers and thought leaders in key areas at the intersection of leadership and faith in daily life and faith formation and building connections for high school youth in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Youth will be challenged to take home what they have learned to inspire action in their own synods and youth groups.
2018 ELCA Youth Leadership Summit
November 1-4
Camp Carol Joy Holling, Ashland, Nebraska

The theme for the 2018 Summit is “Through Christ We Can” and will use Philippians 2:1-5 as it’s scriptural base. The event will focus on young people’s call to ministry for the sake of others and advocacy because of their faith. For our learning and networking times we will be joined by various ELCA ministries and staff including Advocacy, Young Adult Ministries, Justice for Women and Global Mission.
Program, food, lodging, and local transportation costs are covered thanks to a grant the ELCA Youth Ministry received. NT-NL will cover travel to and from Nebraska for up to 4 (four) youth.
Registration will remain open until September 30. Contact molly.beckdean@elca.org with any questions.

Real Men: Masculinities in the Gospel of Matthew
2018-11-08 | Trinity Lutheran Church – Fort Worth, 3621 Tulsa Way, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, United States
John Tietjen Speaker Series: “Real Men: Masculinities in the Gospel of Matthew”
Rev. Dr. Kendra A. Mohn
Thursday, November 8th, 6:30 pm
Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 3621 Tulsa Way, Fort Worth, TX 76107
On Thursday, November 8th, at 6:30 pm, Trinity Lutheran in Fort Worth will hold the 2018 event in their John Tietjen Speaker Series. Rev. Dr. Kendra Mohn will present her dissertation work on masculinity and Roman empire in the Gospel of Matthew. Dr. Mohn, who serves as one of the pastors at Trinity, finished her PhD in May at Brite Divinity School. Questions and discussion will follow her presentation. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome!
Click here to access a flyer.

The 2018 Blandy Lectures
2018-11-08 - 2018-11-10 | Seminary of the Southwest, 501 E. 32nd St., Austin, TX, 78705, United States
The 2018 Blandy Lectures, at the Seminary of the Southwest, in Austin, Texas, will be held November 8-10, 2018.

The featured speaker for Thursday, November 8, at 7:30pm, is Ray Suarez, who will address “The Fragmentation of Authority in Contemporary Culture.” Suarez will deliver a candid and authoritative examination of society, politics, and the broad impacts of America’s demographic shift to a “minority majority”. The Thursday evening address is FREE and open to the public. Registration is requested.
Suarez is known for his work with Al Jazeera America and PBS NewsHour. He is the current John J. McCloy Visiting Professor of American Studies at Amherst College. Please register online at https://ssw.edu/event/2018-blandy-lectures-and-alumni-convocation/ for this and other presentations during the November 8-10 lecture series. There is a registration fee for other lectures, which are: “Gender and Sexual Orientation in the 21st Century” and “Navigating Difficult Conversations in a Polarized World.”
The Seminary of the Southwest (SSW) is located at 501 E. 32nd Street, Austin, Texas 78705. The Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest is located on the campus of SSW.

Bridging the Divide: Skills for better, more civil conversations in an uncivil society
2018-11-10 09:00 - 13:00 | Shepherd of Life Lutheran Church, 715 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington, TX, 76011, United States
We live in a polarized society in which neither “side” listens to the other. Families are being split apart, friendships are fractured, and even our church family finds it difficult to bridge the divide. We are unable to talk about the most important topics that affect our lives. We can do better. This workshop provides a Biblical foundation for honoring the humanity of others, and teaches skills to have better, more meaningful conversations with those with whom we disagree.
Click here for a bulletin insert in PDF format.
REGISTER HERE.

Perkins Fall Convocation on Creative Worship
2018-11-12 - 2018-11-13 | SMU | Perkins School of Theology, PO Box 750133, Dallas, TX, 75275, United States
Brian McLaren
Sandra Maria Van Opstal

This two-day event will focus on the intersection of justice and worship. Featured speakers will be author, speaker, activist, and public theologian Brian McLaren, along with Sandra Maria Van Opstal. A second-generation Latina, Van Opstal is a liturgist and activist dedicated to re-imagining worship that mobilizes for reconciliation and justice. Registration is available online. For updates, sign up to receive email notifications about our Fall Convocation for Church Leaders, or follow SMU | Perkins School of Theology on Facebook!

Young at Heart Retreat
2018-11-13 - 2018-11-15 | Briarwood Leadership Center, 670 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
Our Young at Heart Retreat is November 13 – 15, starting at 4pm Tuesday and ending at 1pm on Thursday. Our theme is Lights, Cameras, Classics! We will be talking about classic movies and their legacies and relating them to our own legacies. Register here.

National Young Adult Discernment Retreat
2018-11-16 - 2018-11-18
Bishop Gronberg has made Youth and Youth Adult Ministry a priority for NT-NL. This is another great opportunity for our young adults to connect with ELCA young adults from across the country.
Why Me? Why Now? Why This? – Listening for God in a Noisy World.
Hosted by ELCA Seminaries and ELCA Young Adult Ministries
November 16-18
Tallapoosa, GA
With so many voices seeking our attention, how do we learn to listen to the voice of God?
What is our vocation and how is our faith called to be alive in that vocation?
The Seminaries of the ELCA and Young Adult Ministries, along with participants from across the whole ELCA, will spend time sorting through some of the predominant voices competing for our attention – voices that stake a claim on who we should be, what we should value, and what makes us happy. We will spend time thinking about the voice of God which lays claim on our lives, how that impacts how we spend our time, and how following God’s call might help us find a sense of purpose, meaning, and even joy.
Who: Young adults (18-30ish)
How Much: $50. We know cost of attendance is a huge hurdle for young people, that’s why we’re committed to paying all travel, lodging, and food costs for this event. You will see on the event page that there is a $50 registration fee. This is so that people have a little of their own “buy in”, but please don’t let this be the reason young people you know don’t join us. Email Savanna.Sullivan@elca.org if the $50 will be a problem for potential participants.

MEF Board meeting
2018-11-17 | Our Redeemer Lutheran – Grand Prairie, 4729 S. Carrier Pkwy, Grand Prairie, TX, 75052, United States

Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Fall 2018, Course 3
2018-11-17 09:00 - 15:30 | Christ Evangelical Lutheran Mission Center at Briarwood, 680 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States

Lutheran Campus Ministry Trivia Challenge
2018-11-18 | Briarwood Leadership Center, 670 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
Looking for a fun evening out? Like to laugh? Want a great meal? Enjoy testing your knowledge? Care about young adults? These all come together in the Lutheran Campus Ministry Trivia Challenge, November 18, at 4pm at Briarwood Retreat Center. All funds generated go to the NT-NL Campus Ministry Mission Fund, benefitting Lutheran Campus Ministry in the NT-NL Synod.
Form your team of 8, design table décor that reflects a ministry of your congregation or some aspect of campus ministry. Or simply go for creativity. Then register for lots of fun. Our meal is being catered by Chef Carlos Carrasquillo. For more information, contact Pastor Celene Welch: 817/269-1229 or pastor@lcmdenton.org.

ELCA Coach Training, Level 2
2018-11-29 | Christ Evangelical Lutheran Mission Center at Briarwood, 680 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
Focus: Stewardship
Tentative schedule: 9:30am – 3pm (with a working lunch provided)
Participants must have completed Level 1 training and all required follow-up.
After completing labs, you can become a Level II coach in the ELCA.
Click here for the ELCA Coaching Ministry Overview.
REGISTER HERE.
The event is limited in size and will be heavily subsidized by the ELCA and DiscipleLife Endowment Funds. The cost per person will assist with materials and presenters and invites commitment from participants.

Upper Elementary Winter Retreat
2018-11-30 - 2018-12-02 | Briarwood Leadership Center, 670 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
See event link below for details and to register.

Candidacy Retreat
2018-11-30 - 2018-12-01 | Briarwood Leadership Center, 670 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
Click here for full details and to RSVP.

High School Service Day (DFW area)
2018-12-01 09:00 - 19:30
We are excited to announce that we are hosting our sixth annual event for high school youth!
This will take place on Saturday, December 1, 2018, with an overnight option for those who would like it, and will combine a variety of activities:
Worship,
Service Projects,
Dinner
This year we are doing a Day of Service versus a weekend for a couple of reasons: First, we want to be good stewards of money and offer several options so that everyone can participate. Second, we know this is a busy season with Christmas pageants and want to respectful of your time. If it looks like there a quite a few who want to spend Friday night or Saturday night, we may add evening programming!
Each group will be asked to bring water bottles for their kids (for Saturday’s service project) and eat before you arrive Saturday morning. Lunch & Dinner will be provided for all participants. We will send out service project assignments with your confirmation letter so you will know if special tools or attire are needed. We will begin at 9:00am with a devotion time and then head out to work site(s). In the late afternoon, we will gather to share stories and have dinner together. Congregations who would like to have an overnight component may do so for $100/room. Those that are traveling and would like to stay at a church on Friday and/or Saturday night versus a hotel, we would be happy to arrange that for you (please let Janelle, the registrar, know).
Please send your $15 per youth and adult in by November 15 so we are sure to have enough project sites.
Blessings,
The Planning Team
info@ntnlyouth.org
Click here for the registration packet with full details.

Public Witness Team meeting
2018-12-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Shepherd of Life Lutheran Church, 715 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington, TX, 76011, United States

Una introducción a El Proyecto de la Generosidad
2019-01-12 | Iglesia Luterana San Gabriel, 4029 County Road 610, Alvarado, TX, 76009, United States
El Proyecto de la Generosidad es un taller animado, interactivo, e intergeneracional que modela el potencial de una congregación a conectar y a equipar a miembros de todas las edades y generaciones como líderes representantes en la congregación y en el hogar.
Conferencia Latina del sínodo NT-NL, ELCA
Una introducción a El Proyecto de la Generosidad
Dirigido por Linda Staats, ELCA Coordinadora del Proyecto
en Colaboración del equipo de Mayordomía del Sínodo NTNL
Iglesia Luterana San Gabriel, Alvarado TX
Sábado 12 de Enero, 2019
Equipando a hogares para que respondan a la generosidad extravagante de Dios es una oportunidad de todo el año. Equipando a individuos de cada generación, edad y etapa a vivir como representantes agradecidos ofrece innumerable y creativas oportunidades.
Congregaciones de todo el Sínodo de NT-NL están invitadas a participar.
La participación multigeneracional es altamente motivada.
Por favor reserve de antemano para poder preparar el lugar y la comida adecuada.
Horario del dia – por favor reserve de antemano*
9:00 AM Bienvenida y Matricula / Welcome & Registration
9:30 AM Devocional Matutino / Morning Devotional
9:45 AM El Proyecto de Generosidad
11:45 AM Almuerzo / Lunch
12:30 PM Continuación “El Proyecto de Generosidad” con todos los participantes
*Por favor reserve con el Pastor Jesus Escamilla antes de 7 de Enero
Email: sangabriel.jesus@yahoo.com o Celular: 817-739-4588
Haga clic aquí para acceder a un folleto del evento.
Haga clic aquí para acceder a un folleto de testimonios en inglés.

Public Witness Team meeting
2019-01-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Shepherd of Life Lutheran Church, 715 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington, TX, 76011, United States
2nd Saturday of every month

ConFESt: Confirmands’ Afternoon with the Bishop
2019-01-13 14:00 - 16:00 | Christ Lutheran Church – Dallas, 3001 Lovers Lane, Dallas, TX, 75225, United States
Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good conFESsion in the presence of many witnesses. – 1 Timothy 6:12
Featuring:

A short worship service with a message from the bishop.
A photo for each confirmation class taken with the bishop.
A ministry fair with information and involvement opportunities from synod and ELCA ministries.
Food, of course!

The goals are for confirmation students to:

get to know the bishop and youth from other congregations,
learn about our wider church and how to get involved,
worship, and
have fun!

Congregations are invited to register your whole confirmation class, including teachers and adult advisers. As of January 2, there are 158 youth and adults registered!
We have an exciting opportunity for the offering. Bishop Momoh of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone (ELCSL) has requested copies of the small catechism (the pocket size). Although Krio and Mende are the languages most people speak in their daily lives, English is the official language, widely spoken, and used for official business and in schools, so our copies would be incredibly helpful. Please bring copies of the small catechism that we can collect and then send to Sierra Leone, or bring money (just $1 per copy) to cover the cost (we’ll have copies on hand for each attendee to put into the offering). We will be learning more about our accompaniment work and our connections to West Africa during this event.
If you are not attending and would like to donate toward this worthy cause, please contact westphallanny@gmail.com ASAP to make those arrangements.
Click here for a Save the Date flyer.
REGISTER HERE.

Boundaries Training
2019-01-17 09:00 - 15:00 | Christ Evangelical Lutheran Mission Center at Briarwood, 680 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
Facilitator: Joretta Marshall, Executive Vice President and Dean, and also Professor of Pastoral Theology and Care, at Brite Divinity School
9am-3pm (including lunch)
Only $25/person!
Due to the busyness of the Advent and Christmas seasons and the likelihood of overlooked emails, we are extending the registration for this powerful event through January 10. REGISTER HERE.
If you need a place to stay before / after this event, please contact christi@briarwoodretreat.org.
* The ELCA highly recommends Boundaries Training every 3 years, at a minimum, for all Rostered Leaders.

Celebration of the Life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
2019-01-20 | St. John’s Lutheran Church – Dallas, 2939 Sunnyvale St, Dallas, TX, 75216, United States
St. John’s, Dallas, and the
Public Witness for Peace and Justice Team
Celebrates the Life of
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Rev. Dr. Willard McKiver, Keynote Speaker
Rev. Doris Dupree Harris, Presiding

12:30 – 1:45 pm Soul Food Pot Luck
1:30 – 1:50 pm Hymns and Praise
2:00 pm Commemoration Program

Click here to access a flyer for this event.

An Introduction to The Generosity Project
2019-01-26 09:30 - 15:00 | Preston Meadow Lutheran Church, 6801 Coit Road, Plano, TX, 75024, United States
The NT-NL Dallas Area Metro North Conference and NT-NL Stewardship Team invite you to join them for an introduction to The Generosity Project.
The Generosity Project is a lively, interactive, intergenerational workshop, modeling a congregation’s potential to connect and equip all ages and generations as steward leaders in the congregation and in the home.
Congregations from across the NT-NL are invited to participate.
Multi-generational participation is highly encouraged.
Please RSVP by January 24 so that we can prepare adequate meeting space and food. You may email gass@att.net or text 214-803-3391.
Click here for a flyer with full details.
Click here for access to a set of documents to learn more about The Generosity Project.

Seminario sobre la homosexualidad y sus diferentes facetas
2019-01-26 10:00 - 16:00 | Walnut Hill Lutheran Church, 14008 Distribution Way, Farmers Branch, TX, 75229, United States
Iglesia Luterana Walnut Hill estara impartiendo un seminario acerca de la homosexualidad y sus diferents facetas. Dia: Enero 26, 2019. Hora: 10am a 4pm. Lugar: 14008 Distribution Way Farmers Branch. Registrate al 214-351-6785.
(Walnut Hill Lutheran Church will be teaching a seminar IN SPANISH about homosexuality and its different facets. Day: January 26, 2019. Time: 10am to 4pm. Place: 14008 Distribution Way Farmers Branch. Register at 214-351-6785.)

An Ecumenical Service of Prayer, Unity, and Thanksgiving
2019-01-27 | King of Glory Lutheran Church – Dallas, 6411 LBJ Freeway ·, Dallas, TX, 75240, United States
Join Bishop Gregory Kelly of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas and Bishop Erik Gronberg of the NT-NL Synod of the ELCA
With music by the combined choirs of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and King of Glory Lutheran Church
Begins at 7:00pm

2019 Tri-Theological Conference
2019-01-28 - 2019-01-30
To PIVOT means to rotate or revolve; to depend on…
What would it mean for faith leaders to pivot towards courage, change, and community?
What would it look like if we actually depended on God to lead us as we lead others?
What would it feel like return to ourselves, to each other, and ultimately, to God?
We are excited to announce that online registration is now open for the 2019 Tri-Theological Conference PIVOT.
The Tri-Theological Conference is a ministry of three synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA): the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod, the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, and the Southwestern Texas Synod. After a break in 2018, we are back with a newly designed conference. Tri-Theological is designed for lay and rostered leaders who are seeking to transform their leadership, renew their spiritual life, and inspire their theological imagination.
The Gulf Coast Synod serves as host for the 2019 conference. We are excited to partner with The Lyceum of Galveston and First Lutheran Church of Galveston as our conference venues.
The speakers, Reesheda Graham-Washington and Shawn Casselberry, are the authors of Soul Force: Seven Pivots toward Courage, Community, and Change.
Connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tritheological/ or on Twitter and Instagram, both @tritheological.
Questions may be directed to tritheological@gmail.com.
Costs:
Early Bird – $250 (until 11/30/18)
Regular – $275 (until 1/20/19)
Late/Onsite – $300
Hotel – $109 nightly @ The Tremont House

IGNITE: North Texas 2019 (ALDE)
2019-01-31 - 2019-02-03
As a passionate Christian leader, you want to ensure your organization is utilizing the best strategies and resources to meet its mission, while growing your skills and career. Whether you are an Executive Director, Principal, Director of Development, Marketing Specialist, Pastor, Gifts Officer, Social Media Manger, staff contributor, volunteer, or in any other position involved in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, or marketing, you sometimes find yourself stuck doing the same things that get your organization the same results.
You need a community of fellow Christian development professionals where you can get expert training, networking and resources to help you implement new ideas and proven best practices in your organization. Are you ready to grow beyond the status quo and increase support for the great mission of your organization?
ALDE has been a leading community of faith-based fundraisers for 40 years, and our annual conference, IGNITE: North Texas 2019, is the best place to connect with faith-based colleagues; receive world-class training; learn about new and innovative resources and tools; and grow your skills and talents alongside fellow Christian leaders.
IGNITE 2019 will be held at the Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, January 31-February 3, 2019. Early Bird Registration saves you $175 (ends January 3). There are $300 scholarships available to help make the conference more affordable. Scholarships are first come, first served, and a limited number are available. Get more info at www.ignitespark.org/scholarships! Are you local to the Dallas-Fort Worth area? We even have day rates at www.ignitespark.org/dayrate! IGNITE is affordable, accessible, and valuable!
When you register for IGNITE, be sure to become a full member of ALDE and get access to ongoing training, webinars, networking, and resources year-round. Visit www.alde.org to start your membership in this community of world-class Christian fundraisers. You’ll also get the lowest IGNITE rate.
By attending IGNITE 2019, you’ll learn from experts on how to increase giving; build better teams; get insights into new trends and emerging technologies; boost your strategies in marketing; communications, and social media; strengthen your organization and fund your mission; and build new relationships with fellow Christian nonprofit leaders that last far beyond the conference. Don’t stay stuck in the status quo, working on your own. Join this community of Christian fundraisers who are utilizing the things they learn at IGNITE every day in their ministries. IGNITE your organization and career with ALDE and IGNITE 2019!
Learn more about ALDE at www.alde.org
Learn more about IGNITE 2019 at www.ignitespark.org
ALDE inspires, educates, and mentors the Christian fundraising community to spark generosity for mission. We are an international community of fundraising and communication professionals rooted in the Lutheran tradition of the Christian faith and dedicated to serving God’s people in the church and the world.

Synod Council meeting
2019-02-08 - 2019-02-09 | Christ Evangelical Lutheran Mission Center at Briarwood, 680 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
