Northern Texas - Northern Louisiana Synod, ELCA

Mission Endowment Fund board meeting
2017-05-20 09:30 - 14:30 (America/Chicago)

Multicultural Resource webinar
2017-05-24 13:00 - 14:00
What does it mean to be the one body of Christ, and how do we work together toward multicultural congregations?
Please join me on Wednesday, May 24, at 1 p.m., for a 45-minute webinar. We will explore these questions, and I will share an important resource.
This resource “One Body, Many Members: A journey for Christians across race, culture and class” has three parts:

One Body, Similar Members, Leadership Readiness
Meeting My Neighbor Again for the First Time
One Body, Many Members, Challenges of Diversity

During the webinar, I will introduce you to Part One: One Body, Similar Members, Leadership Readiness. This resource is designed for congregational leadership and can be an important part of planning and discovery toward becoming multicultural congregations. Join me as we overview the content which includes: Bible studies, group questions, stories, survey tools and more.
Audio and screen-sharing for this webinar will take place through your browser. About 10 minutes prior to the start of the event, click to join the online webinar. You may be prompted to install a small extension for your browser. Turn up your computer speakers for the audio. For best results, use a headset and a microphone. You will also be able to enter questions in a chat box.
Normally you should be able to hear the presenters through the speakers or headset on your computer. If you can see the presentation visuals, but can’t hear the presenters, you can dial into the webinar audio using one of these numbers: 773-380-2690 or 866-730-3522. The conference ID is 88805.
Please let me know if you have any questions. My contact number is 773-380-2835, and my email is Judith.Roberts@elca.org.
Blessings,
Judith Roberts
Program Director for Racial Justice
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Spanish Language and Hispanic Ministry Intensive I
2017-05-28 17:00 - 2017-06-02 12:00
The Summer Language and Hispanic Ministry Intensive is a resource for Lutherans and those of other denominations who recognize the growing need for competency in the Spanish language and an understanding of Hispanic culture in light of the increasing Hispanic population in this country and in the church. The course focuses on study of the Spanish language and Hispanic culture.
Testimonial: “I came to this experience knowing NO Spanish other than “gracias” and “si.” Although I still have a lot of work to do on Spanish vocabulary, this experience helped me learn how to pronounce Spanish vowels, consonants, and words. Maybe most important, I believe that (using a Spanish language worship book) I could now lead a worship service in Spanish and even understand most of what is being said.” — Bishop Steve Delzer, Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA

Options if Register before February 28, 2017:
$1,100 with shared room on campus also includes daily continental breakfast and lunch and dinner on Memorial Day.
$1,300.00 single room (3 rooms available; first come first serve) includes a daily continental breakfast and lunch and dinner on Memorial Day.
$800.00 without lodging; includes daily continental breakfast and lunch and dinner on Memorial Day.
All other meals are on your own. Restaurants within walking distance.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR PARTICIPATION.
Click here for a flyer with details.
Click here for full details and to register.

Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC) Forum and National Celebration
2017-06-03 - 2017-06-04
Bishop Gronberg will be participating in the full weekend. ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton will be attending the service on the 4th. All are welcome to attend this ecumenical celebration.

Public Witness Team for Peace and Justice monthly meeting
2017-06-10 10:00 - 12:00, 2017-07-08 10:00 - 12:00, 2017-08-12 10:00 - 12:00, 2017-09-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Shepherd of Life Lutheran Church, 715 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington, TX, 76011, United States
2nd Saturday of each month
Open to all

Building Congregational Capacity for Hispanic Ministry (Level II Intensive)
2017-06-11 17:00 - 2017-06-16 12:00
This new Level II Intensive is designed for congregational leaders in those congregations where consideration is being given to starting Hispanic Ministry in their community. Teams of at least 3 people from each congregation are encouraged to attend. During this week, teams will learn:

To increase capacity for doing Hispanic ministry
To learn several models for engaging in Hispanic ministry in congregational settings
To improve facility in Spanish language, especially liturgical Spanish
To build a cohort of colleagues preparing for Hispanic ministry within their community

Registration: $650 per person, or $550 per person if 3 or more from same congregation. Includes snacks and one dinner. Does NOT include housing. NOTE: You are responsible for your own lodging.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR PARTICIPATION.
Click here for a flyer with more details.
Click here for full details and to register.

WELCA meeting of the West Texas Conference
2017-06-17 | cropped-ntnl-header.png
For details and questions:
Teresa Weicht, 325-695-2765 or h/668-2641, amtsunshine_tw@hotmail.com

ELCA's Faith, Sexism, and Justice: Conversations Toward a Social Statement
2017-06-17 10:00 - 15:00 | Shepherd of Life Lutheran Church, 715 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington, TX, 76011, United States
Join us in the Fellowship Hall and bring a salad or other lunch item to share.
The assembled group will go through a modified version of the first three modules, have a potluck lunch, then focus on module 5 (on violence against women and girls).
Module 1 of the study guide is how to have a respectful dialogue about difficult issues
Module 2 – What Problems Do Women Face, and What Does Justice Require?
Module 3 – How is Sexism Personal, And How Are We The Body of Christ Together?
Module 4 – What Does Economic Sexism Look Like, And How Can We Seek Equity For All?
Module 5 – How Can We Address Violence Against Women and Girls?
Module 6 – Why Do Words And Images For God Matter?
Module 7 – How Do We Challenge The Misuse of Scripture Against Women and Girls?
It is our hope and intent that participants will then, either continue the study guide in their home congregations, or even repeat the beginning modules and work through the whole document:
https://www.elca.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society/Current-Social-Writing-Projects/Women-and-Justice/Faith-Sexism-Justice
The goal of this event is to submit your feedback to the taskforce writing the social statement.

all anew: Women of the ELCA Tenth Triennial Gathering
2017-07-13 - 2017-07-16
The Tenth Triennial Gathering will be held July 13-16, 2017, at the Minneapolis Convention Center, in Minneapolis, MN.
“All Anew” is the theme.
Registration now open!

The Bold Gathering (Lutheran Men in Mission)
2017-07-21 - 2017-07-23
Minneapolis Marriott City Center
Minneapolis, MN
The BOLD GATHERING is a weekend for men to come together to learn, to worship, to network, and be equipped to BOLDY live out their faith!
For full details and to register: boldgathering.com

Pray, Fast, Act
2017-07-21
PRAYER, FASTING AND ACTION (#PrayFastAct): The next “For Such a Time” day of prayer, fasting and action with the Episcopal Church is Friday, July 21. This month, the presiding bishops of both churches urge action to protect funding for the U.S. International Affairs budget. Our country has a rich history of fighting extreme poverty and responding to humanitarian crises around the world. Although it’s less than 1 percent of the federal budget, foreign assistance has saved millions of lives and continues to do so today. With more than 20 million people at risk of starvation globally, and millions more displaced, the need for foreign assistance is as great as it has ever been.
As a church together, we ask our members of Congress to protect funding for international programs that provide relief and support livelihood for the poorest among us. Visit elca.org/PrayFastAct for resources and to learn how to take action.

Public Witness Team Follow-up: Faith, Sexism, and Justice conversation
2017-07-29 10:00 - 15:00 | Shepherd of Life Lutheran Church, 715 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington, TX, 76011, United States
We are going to have another Saturday event to discuss the rest of the modules from the Women and Justice study guide. Some of you may be doing these discussions in your home congregations and that is wonderful, but if not, we would like to extend the invitation for you to join us at Shepherd of Life. We will be getting together in the Fellowship Hall. It will work the same way as the event on June 17. We will begin at 10 and break for a potluck lunch at noon, then wrap up between 2 and 3.

Thank you for attending the last event and let’s keep the discussion going.

#YallMeansAll Interfaith Lobby Day at the Capitol
2017-08-01
#YallMeansAll
Interfaith Lobby Day at the Capitol
Tuesday, August 1

Texas Impact welcomes Bishop Erik Gronberg (Ft. Worth), Presbyter Sallie Watson (San Antonio), Mufti Mohamed-Umer Esmail (Austin), and mainstream faith leaders from across the state to a day of advocacy for our shared Texas values of love and respect for all.

Transportation and limited travel stipends are available. Email Scott@TexasImpact.org for more information.

Find out more and register now.

Access the Facebook event page here.

NT-NL SWO Summer Retreat
2017-08-05 | Seeds That Change May 2016

Briarwood Clean-Up Day
2017-08-05 | Briarwood Leadership Center, 670 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States

ELCA Rostered Ministers Gathering
2017-08-07 - 2017-08-10
This will be an opportunity for our Rostered Ministers to assemble for worship, education, and fellowship. We will gather under the theme, “On the Way … Together,” using the Emmaus Road story (Luke 24:13-35) to guide our time together.
Like and follow this facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/ELCARLG2017/
Here’s the webpage for the event: http://www.elca.org/RMG
DUE TO AN OVERWHELMING RESPONSE AND LIMITATIONS ON SPACE, REGISTRATION CLOSED ON JUNE 1, 2017. See the Facebook post from that day for more details.
The hashtag for this gathering will be #ELCAOnTheWay
If you have questions, please e-mail 2017RosteredGathering@elca.org.
Two pre-gatherings will take place before this main event occurs. The ELCA Federal Chaplains will meet that Sunday and Monday, and there will be a Young Rostered Leaders Gathering on Sunday and Monday for folks in their 20’s and 30’s.

Immigration “Know Your Rights” Seminar
2017-08-09 18:30 - 20:30 | Advent Lutheran Church, 3232 S Cooper St., Arlington, TX, 76015, United States
Immigration attorney Patricia Freshwater and colleague(s) of the firm Schwamkrug, Freshwater and Lopez, PLLC, will offer an immigration “Know Your Rights” seminar. The attorney(s) will respond to general questions during the “Know Your Rights” presentation. They will also offer an opportunity to consult briefly about specific situations with participants following the presentation.
The “Know Your Rights” presentation and the brief initial consultation with an attorney are offered free of charge and without obligation. Participants deciding that they want legal services are free to choose any law firm that they like. The attorney(s) conducting this seminar will discuss potential fees following the initial consultation with anyone who might be interested in their services. Contact information for the law firm is provided below.*
The Public Witness Team of the NT-NL Synod expresses its appreciation to the law firm Schwamkrug, Freshwater and Lopez, PLLC, for conducting this seminar and to Advent Lutheran Church for allowing the use of its facilities.
*Schwamkrug, Freshwater & Lopez PLLC
PO Box 832827
Richardson, TX 75083
Phone: 972-865-9902 ext. 502
Fax: 972-591-0050

NT-NL SWO Women's Retreat
2017-08-12 | Seeds That Change April 2016

MEF Board meeting
2017-08-19 | Shepherd of Life Lutheran Church, 715 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington, TX, 76011, United States

NT-NL SWO Board Meeting
2017-08-26
For details and questions:
Sarah Gohlke, 254-865-1177, rsgohlke@gmail.com

Interfaith Prayer Service and Fundraiser for Sierra Leone Disaster
2017-08-27 15:00 - 19:00

"God's work. Our hands." Sunday
2017-09-10
ELCA Day of Service
On Sunday, Sept. 10, congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will again join together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. As we observe the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we are reminded of the gospel’s promise that we are freed in Christ to love and serve our neighbors.
In “The Freedom of a Christian,” Martin Luther wrote: “A Christian is lord of all, completely free of everything; a Christian is a servant, completely attentive to the needs of all.”
As you begin to explore opportunities to participate in “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, I invite you to consider what the Reformation promise means for us today in our neighborhoods and globally as we carry forward our work to reconcile and restore communities in Jesus’ name.
Once you begin making plans for the day of service, we ask that you register your congregation so we can share and tell stories about the good work that we do together.
Please visit ELCA.org/dayofservice for helpful resources for your planning including:

The 2017 version of the toolkit, with a new section on advocacy-service activities.
A new worship resource
Bulletin inserts
Posters

Old Lutheran will once again have T-shirts available for purchase. The bright-yellow shirts provide a wonderful visual impact across the ELCA. The deadline for ordering your congregation’s personalized T-shirts with Old Lutheran is Aug. 15.
If it’s not possible for your congregation to participate on Sept. 10, please consider another day for your service activities.
Watch how some members shared God’s love with their neighbors during the 2016 day of service.
“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday celebrates who we are as the ELCA – one church, freed in Christ to love and serve our neighbor. This is work you do in your communities every day, and we look forward to doing this work together again this year.

Unauthorized: Nevertheless, She Preached
2017-09-12 17:30 - 2017-09-13 17:00
Unauthorized: Nevertheless She Preached is a dynamic grassroots event in Waco, Texas, celebrating women’s voices in the pulpit. After centuries of underrepresentation and misrepresentation in our pulpits, churches, denominational leadership, and seminaries, we who have so often been silenced stand together to celebrate our voices. In the spirit of the brave women who have gone before us, we add our voices to theirs—in praise, in partnership, in proclamation, and in protest.
Featured proclaimers include: Rev. Emmy Kegler, Rev. Dr. Irie Session, Rev. Allyson Robinson, Rev. Connie Jackson, Rev. Dr. Courtney Pace, and Rev. Jewel London!
The $25 registration fee ($15 for students) will go directly toward travel and housing for our guest preachers, as well as some minimal venue fees and things like nametags. We do not want this fee to be prohibitive for anyone, so please feel free to use the “pay what you can” option!
*The first 100 registrations will receive a FREE “Nevertheless, She Preached” tote bag. 🙂
Click here for more details and to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/unauthorized-nevertheless-she-preached-tickets-36783762223
Learn more about the conference or make a donation at https://www.gofundme.com/neverthelessshepreached.

"Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World" airing on PBS
2017-09-12 19:00 - 21:00
PBS premieres Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World nationwide. The two-hour film brings to life Luther’s 16th century quest to reform the church—a journey that would profoundly reshape western civilization.
Historians rank Luther among the two or three most influential people of the last millennium. As an outcast who stood up to the world’s dominant superpower, Luther’s battle of ideas sparked reform of the church, the rise of individualism, a boon in universal education, and improved opportunities for women.
Starring Padraic Delaney (The Tudors, Knightfall) in the title role, the film follows Luther through the emotional highs and lows that marked his eventful life. Along the way, scholars offer commentary to give context to the story. Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey) narrates.
Luther stepped onto the world stage exactly 500 years ago this October, as he nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. The printing and distribution of the Theses—and other crowd-pleasing critiques of the powerful—quickly made him the most famous person in Europe. Overnight, Martin Luther became the world’s first media celebrity.
Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World follows this thread, and others, to offer an engaging look at the dramatic moments that shaped Luther’s life: the massive lightning storm that nearly killed him, the bleak self-punishment of his time in the monastery, the corruption that unleashed his anger, his trial before the most powerful man in Europe, and the staged kidnapping that helped him escape the death penalty.
In a quest for authenticity, every word of Luther’s dialogue in the film was taken verbatim from his actual writings and speeches. Similarly, all filming was done in the castles, monasteries, and ancient churches of eastern Europe—chosen for their undisturbed 16th century heritage.

Parish Lay Mission Academy, Fall 2017, Course 1
2017-09-16 09:00 - 15:30 | Briarwood Leadership Center, 670 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States

The Church of the Damascus Road Golf Outing and Fundraiser
2017-09-18
The Church of the Damascus Road is a ministry that assists those people that are imprisoned as well as those that are out and trying to start over. This Ministry is in the need of funds to continue to provide services to the members of the church and to grow the ministry to help those struggling. We hope that you will join us in a day of golf and support of the important work being done!
Sponsored by Thrivent Community and Abiding Grace, Southlake.
Location: The Golf Club Fossil Creek, 3401 Clubgate Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76137
12pm Registration
1pm Group Start
Click here for the registration brochure with full details.
Click here if you are interested in sponsorship.

Synod Council and Deans Meeting
2017-09-21 19:00 - 2017-09-23 15:00 | Christ Evangelical Lutheran Mission Center at Briarwood, 680 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
September 21: New Member Orientation 7 p.m. – end time TBD (Davis Library)
September 22-23: Executive Committee 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. (Davis Library) / Synod Council times TBD (Friday – Quail Run / Saturday – Streng Center)
