Senior Fest 2019
2019-02-23 | Resurrection Lutheran Church, 1919 Independence Pkwy, Plano, TX, 75075, United States
Theme: “Our Church—Faith in Action”
Bishop Erik Gronberg will be the keynote speaker.
Participants may attend three of the six workshops listed here:

New Models of Outreach – to children and families in neighborhoods.
The King of Instruments – the organ as a tool for praising God.
Worldwide Discipleship – local responses through Lutheran World Relief.
Christian Caregiving/Care-Receiving – personal discipleship through touching the needs of others.
Feeding the Hungry – local and broader ministries.
Brain Health – advances in science and resources for individuals.

Click here for a Save the Date flyer.
Additional information and registration material will be posted in January.

Anchor Church Conference
2019-02-25 - 2019-02-26 | Calvary Lutheran Church – Richland Hills, 7620 Baker Blvd, Richland Hills, TX, 76118, United States
SCHEDULE: Monday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (includes lunch and refreshments) / Tuesday 8:00-11:30 am
What Is An Anchor Church?
Is your congregation ready to serve as an Anchor Church? If you attended the intro events in Denver or Charlotte in 2018 or have heard about this ministry model and are ready to go deeper – then this event is for you. We encourage a senior pastor and lay leader of the Anchor congregation to attend.
This event will delve deeper into the models of “Accompaniment” and “Adoption” and explore cross-cultural understanding, theological foundation for ministry, organizational intelligence and understanding our strengths.
Anchor Churches with plans to begin or continue their anchor ministries will be able to apply for Congregational Vitality “Anchor Church” grants. Part of the grant will include a budget for coaching. Pastor Doug Hill from Abiding Hope Church in Littleton, Co and Pastor Scott Suskovic from Christ Lutheran Church in Charlotte, NC will be providing a year of webinars and coaching for churches moving forward as an Anchor Church.
All costs for this training, other than lunch on Monday, are at your own expense. If you are in need of financial assistance, please contact Rob James.
Presented by:
Congregational Vitality Team, ELCA Domestic Mission, with Pastors Doug Hill and Scott Suskovic
Rev. Ruben Duran, ELCA Director, Congregational Vitality, ruben.duran@elca.org, (630)440-8591 (cell)
Rev. Rob James, ELCA, Congregational Vitality, Program Director for Learning and Evaluation, rob.james@elca.org, (773)380-2999
REGISTER BY FEBRUARY 7.

Peer Ministry (9th-12th grades)
2019-03-01 - 2019-03-03
What is Peer Ministry?
It is the story of the good Samaritan. Only instead of preaching and teaching it, you get the skills necessary to live it!
We equip people with Christ-centered training, resources, and support to be Peer Ministers!
This Peer Ministry weekend will be held in Fort Worth, TX.
What will we be doing during this weekend:

Attending peer ministry sessions
Worship
Service project
Great food and fellowship

What your registration includes:

2 nights lodging (bring linens/sleeping bag)
Saturday meals (3), Sunday breakfast & lunch
Materials

Click here for a registration brochure with full details.

AMMPARO Workshop en Español
2019-03-02 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Briarwood Leadership Center, 670 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
Join Mary Campbell, ELCA AMMPARO Program Director, for this workshop en Español to learn more!
“Dios es nuestro amparo y fortaleza,” (“God is our refuge and strength,”) – Psalm 46:1
AMMPARO is a holistic, whole church commitment by the ELCA, as a church in the world, to accompany children today and in the future.
The word “amparo” in Spanish means the protection of a living creature from suffering or damage. The ELCA’s strategy to Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities (AMMPARO) was envisioned after witnessing the plight of children who are forced to flee their communities because of complex and interrelated reasons, including chronic violence, poverty, environmental displacement and lack of opportunities in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. Due to our connection to companion churches in the region, including companion synod relationships, and existing ministries in the U.S., the ELCA is well-positioned to help ensure that these vulnerable children are protected.
In a holistic, whole church response that connects international and US outcomes, the ELCA has developed this strategy based on the followingcommitments:

Uphold and guarantee basic human rights and safety of migrant children and their families;
Address the root causes of migration in countries from Central America’s Northern Triangle and Mexico and the treatment of migrants in transit;
Work toward just and humane policies affecting migrants in and outside the U.S.; and
Engage as a church body with all of its companions, affiliates and partners to respond to the migration situation and its causes and to advocate for migrant children and their families.

As brothers and sisters in Christ, the ELCA is called to bear witness to the conditions affecting so many communities and to work to find solutions that will acknowledge the humanity in all of God’s children. Join us in making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families.

Immigration Webinar - Session I: Living in Third Spaces
2019-03-07 15:00 - 16:30
This “Perspectives on the Border” webinar series on immigration is a partnership project with Rev. Dr. Jay Alanis, the Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest (LSPS), and the following ELCA synods: Grand Canyon, Gulf Coast, Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana, Pacifica, Rocky Mountain, and Southwestern Texas.
There are three different sessions, usually at a minimum cost of $25 each per participant. We are offering all three for only $60 per person! Your synods are helping subsidize the cost of this invaluable training (valued at a significantly higher rate)!
Session I: Living in Third Spaces (March 7, 3pm Central)
Session II: Borderland Perspectives on Diverse Worldviews (March 21, 3pm Central)
Session III: Theological Perspectives from the U.S. – Mexico Borderlands (March 28, 3pm Central)
Click here for Session Descriptions.
Register here.
The sessions will likely run over an hour, based on our prior experience, where much dialogue ensued, especially when talking about culture as a paradigm.
For additional context, you may read this lecture by Rev. Dr. Jay Alanis from February 22: “Borderland Ethics Sin Fronteras: Borderland Ethics Without Borders, Neighbor-Love in Liminal Spaces”

Upper Elementary Spring Retreat
2019-03-08 - 2019-03-10 | Briarwood Leadership Center, 670 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
4th-6th Graders
Watch the Briarwood website for updates.

Public Witness Team planning retreat
2019-03-09 08:30 - 16:00 | Shepherd of Life Lutheran Church, 715 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington, TX, 76011, United States
We will gather for our mostly-annual Public Witness Team planning retreat Saturday, March 9, with fellowship beginning at 8:30 A.M., worship at 9:00, and continuing to 4:00 P.M., at Shepherd of Life Lutheran Church, 715 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington.
The goals of our retreat are:
· Build community and receive inspiration and strength from the Word and Sacrament
· Share our concerns and passions
· Review accomplishments from the past year and since our last retreat
· Develop specific goals and strategies for the year ahead (working in interest groups)
Pastor Robert Smith, the new head of the Briarwood Leadership Center, will join us by remote in the morning for some discussion about how our social justice efforts will intersect with his work.
We will break for a jolly potluck lunch, so please bring some food to share as you are able. Drinks will be provided.
I look forward to our time together. Everyone’s input is important at this point in the life of our Public Witness work. Thank you in advance for your participation.
Peace in Christ,
The Rev. Franz J. Schemmel, Chair

Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Spring 2019, Course 1
2019-03-09 09:00 - 15:30 | Christ Evangelical Lutheran Mission Center at Briarwood, 680 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States

Via de Cristo
2019-03-14 - 2019-03-17 | Briarwood Leadership Center, 670 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
You’re invited to attend Via de Cristo from Mar. 14-17 at Briarwood Retreat Center.
Our mission is “By grace, with the Holy Spirit, we challenge leaders to discover and achieve their personal calling, assisting them to influence their environments with the Gospel.”
Please submit your registration by Mar. 4 with your signatures from your sponsor and pastor from https://www.vdcnorthtexas.org/sponsor-info.
Please call Rev. Phil Heinze at 817-284-8724 or Jane Winge at 972-658-4387 with any questions.

Taller ofrenda por internet
2019-03-16 13:00 - 14:00 | Briarwood Leadership Center, 670 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
Richard Bauer de Vanco presentará este taller.
Vea este comunicado de prensa de la ELCA del 19 de febrero para más detalles (inglés): Vanco offers new online giving option for ELCA congregations.
También puedes aprender más aquí (inglés): https://www.giveplus.com/elca.

Texas Lutheran-Episcopalian Legislative Event
2019-03-17 - 2019-03-19
(formerly Lutheran Legislative Days)
Join Texas Lutherans in welcoming Texas Episcopalians for the first annual Texas Lutheran-Episcopalian Legislative Event: a 3-day legislative intensive including worship, policy presentations from state and national leaders, workshops, fellowship, and legislative advocacy at the Capitol. Register online here.
You will not want to miss the first year of these two denominations coming together for this important conference. The Sunday-Tuesday event will include three days of legislative training, worship, policy presentations from state and national leaders, workshops, fellowship, and legislative advocacy at the Capitol. Featured speakers include Texas Comptroller Glen Hegar; Bishop Marc Andrus of the Episcopal Diocese of California; Energy Foundation Texas Director Doug Lewin; ACLU border expert Mike Seifert; and more. Find the complete event schedule here.
Austin, TX
Registration Deadline: March 7
Click here for a flyer with full details.

Immigration Webinar - Session II: Borderland Perspectives on Diverse Worldviews
2019-03-21 15:00 - 16:30

Interfaith Advocacy Day
2019-03-28
Save the date for Texas Impact‘s Interfaith Advocacy Day at the Texas Capitol on Thursday, March 28. Texas Impact staff and guests will provide legislative training and timely action alerts to prepare you to visit with your legislators.
There are a number of legislative days for particular faith groups (i.e., Lutheran Legislative Days – March 17-19), and this interfaith event has grown to be a favorite of Texas Impact members.
Begin to make plans to bring a group, receive updates via the Facebook Event, and register online.
For more information on the event, or if you are interested in coordinating a bus or caravan from areas outside of Austin, contact Outreach Director Scott Atnip.

Immigration Webinar - Session III: Theological Perspectives from the U.S. - Mexico Borderlands
2019-03-28 15:00 - 16:30

WELCA Dallas Area Metro North conference retreat
2019-03-30 | Grace Lutheran Church – Carrollton, 1200 East Hebron Pkwy, Carrollton, TX, 75010, United States
Save the Date for this Women of the ELCA event!

Taller de Justicial Racial
2019-03-30 09:00 - 13:00 | Iglesia Luterana San Gabriel, 4029 County Road 610, Alvarado, TX, 76009, United States
Jennifer DeLeon, La Directora de Justicia, Mujeres de la IELA, presentará.
Por favor confirme su asistencia a Pastor Jesus Escamilla: sangabriel.jesus@yahoo.com o celular 817-739-4588.

Interfaith Prayer Service for the Victims of New Zealand
2019-03-31
Standing in Solidarity
March 31, 2pm
Islamic Association of Tarrant County, 4901 Diaz Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76107
All are welcome! Joining hearts and hands — community prayer for the victims of New Zealand. Dialogue and refreshments following the service.
Out of respect for the Muslim faith tradition:
Modest clothing dress code – legs covered, no sleeveless tops.
Shoe covers (not optional) and headscarves (optional) will be provided.
Access the news release here.
Access a flyer for this event here.
If you’re unable to attend in person, you may access the Livestream link here: https://facebook.com/IATCmasjid/
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/486368065233703/

Faith Climate Action Week
2019-04-05 - 2019-04-14
(Previously known as the Preach-In on Global Warming)
Faith Climate Action Week will be ten days in April during Earth Month and will focus on how we can take action to protect our climate. This year, we will find joy and rejuvenation in the natural world and reconnect to why we love and protect our planet.
Go to the event website for Worship Resources, How To Participate, and much more!

Caring for Creation
The Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope and Justice social statement explains the ELCA’s teachings on ecology and the environment, grounded in a biblical vision of God’s intention for the healing and wholeness of creation. This statement provides a Christian understanding of the human role to serve in creation, and a hope rooted in God’s faithfulness to the creation from which humans emerge and depend upon for sustaining life. It provides a framework for understanding the human role in creation, the problem of sin and the current environmental crisis.
Caring for Creation expresses a call to pursue justice for creation through active participation, solidarity, sufficiency and sustainability, and states the commitments of the ELCA for pursuing wholeness for creation — commitments expressed through individual and community action, worship, learning, moral deliberation and advocacy.
You can read or download the full social statement Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope and Justice in English or en español. This statement was adopted in 1993 by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

Ecumenical Advocacy Days
2019-04-05 - 2019-04-08
The ELCA is a cosponsor of Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD). The 2019 EAD conference, which will be held April 5-8 in Washington, D.C., includes worship, education and training workshops, and advocacy, with the theme of “Trouble the Waters” as depicted in John 5:1-9 calling on God to bring healing to our nation and world.
#GoodTrouble
Lutherans will gather for networking and a Reception hosted by ELCA Advocacy during EAD.
Early bird registration closes March 9.

Heart of Texas conference W-ELCA Spring Gathering
2019-04-06 08:30 - 14:00 | St. Paul – Crawford, 140 Prairie Chapel Rd, Crawford, TX, 76638, United States
Guest Speaker: Karen Porter
Karen Porter is an international speaker, the author of six books, and a successful business woman. She is president of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, serves on several boards, and coaches aspiring writers and speakers. She and her husband, George, own Bold Vision Books, a Christian publishing company.
Registration fee is $15 (includes lunch).
Click here for a flyer with full details.
Click here for the registration form.
For more information, call the church office: 254-486-2126.

Young at Heart Retreat
2019-04-09 - 2019-04-11 | Briarwood Leadership Center, 670 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States

Rabbi Andrea L. Weiss, PhD, speaking
2019-04-11 - 2019-04-12
Friends,

We are thrilled that Rabbi Andrea L. Weiss, PhD, Provost of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute (the seminary for Reform Rabbis) will be in Dallas and speaking at Temple Emanu-El, April 11-13. Dr. Weiss is the editor of the newly published book, American Values Religious Voices: 100 Days 100 Letters which include letters written to the President and members of the United States Senate and Congress over the first 100 days of the presidency in 2018. Each letter was written by a different scholar of sacred scripture, and each is more inspirational than the next. The letters are powerful statements about what we, people of many faiths, cultures and ethnicities believe about the values of our country and the dreams we have for ourselves, our families and our communities. Here is the link to the project which also has information about the new book. American Values Religious Voices | 100 Days. 100 Letters.
Dr. Weiss will be speaking about her book on Thursday April 11 at 7 p.m. in the Stern Chapel at Temple Emanu-El, and we hope you and members of your community will join us for this exciting presentation. Here is a pdf of the invitation for you to share widely. (For security reasons, please RSVP in advance.)
FOR LEADERS: We invite you to join us, as faith leaders and academics, for brunch with Rabbi Weiss on Friday April 12 from 10am-12noon at the Communities Foundation. She will speak with us about how to use this book as a tool for building interfaith relationships in a variety of different settings, and we will have the chance to practice that work together. If you have colleagues that would be interested, please share this invitation with them. There is no charge for the event, but reservations are necessary for planning purposes. (And your reservation will assure you a complimentary, signed copy of her book!) You can RSVP using this link: https://participate.tedallas.org/interfaithclergybrunch.
We are proud and excited to be collaborating together to make this possible and hope you will be with us.
With blessings to all,
Rabbi Debra Robbins, Temple Emanu-El
Rev. Dr. Jaime Clark-Soles Professor, Baptist House of Studies at Perkins School of Theology, SMU
Rabbi Nancy Kasten Chief Relationship Officer, Faith Commons
Rev. Dr. George A. Mason Senior Pastor, Wilshire Baptist Church; President, Faith Commons
Almas Muscatwalla Board of Directors, Faith Forward Dallas at Thanksgiving Square
Kyle Ogden President & CEO, The Thanks-Giving Foundation
Dr. Nils Roemer Director, The Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies, UT Dallas
Dr. Andrew C. Stoker Senior Minister, First United Methodist Church Dallas

Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Spring 2019, Course 2
2019-04-13 09:00 - 15:30 | Christ Evangelical Lutheran Mission Center at Briarwood, 680 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States

2019 Synod Assembly
2019-04-26 - 2019-04-27 | Calvary Lutheran Church – Richland Hills, 7620 Baker Blvd, Richland Hills, TX, 76118, United States
THEME | TEMA
What happens in the church doesn’t stay in the church | Lo que pasa en la iglesia no se queda en la iglesia
SCRIPTURE | SAGRADA ESCRITURA
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your God in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 | “De la misma manera, deja que tu luz brille ante los demás, para que puedan ver tus buenas obras y dar gloria a tu Dios en el cielo.” Mateo 5:16
The Assembly offering will be split, half to the Mission Endowment Fund and half to Metroplex West Conference (our host conference) to designate for a mission within the conference.
Our next Synod Assembly, April 26-27, 2019, is being hosted by, and will take place at, Calvary Lutheran Church, 7620 Baker Blvd, Richland Hills, TX – (817) 284-8724
Assembly will begin at 1pm on Friday and will end by 6pm on Saturday. Calvary will have Western Worship on Sunday. Everyone is welcome to stay over and join.
Our Assembly Reference Materials (formerly called the Book of Reports) can be found here, including an updated agenda, and may continue to be updated in the coming days.

Displayer / Vendor Registration is CLOSED. We have maxed out the space in the church! We appreciate your interest.
Online Registration is CLOSED. You are still welcome to attend, and you can register on-site.
Registration Fees:
Voting Member Early Bird (until March 14) = $150
Voting Member Regular (March 15 – April 15) = $165
Voting Member On-Site = $200
Retired Rostered Voting Member Early Bird (until March 14) = $100
Retired Rostered Voting Member Regular (March 15 – April 15) = $110
Retired Rostered Voting Member On-Site = $125
Visitors Early Bird (until March 14) = $25
Visitors Regular (March 15 – April 15) = $35
Visitors On-Site = $75
Vendors = $100
Displayers = $50
Hard Copy of Assembly Reference Materials (previously called the Book of Reports) = $25
Meals provided = 2
Hotels being used – rate of $99 per night (plus taxes & fees) – Cut-off date for guaranteed hotel rate was March 28, 2019
Headquarters Hotel – LaQuinta and Suites*
653 NE Loop 820, Richland Hills (may show as Hurst), TX 76118
817-595-4442
Comfort Suites*
643 NE Loop 820, Richland Hills (may show as Hurst), TX
817-595-3332
* share a parking lot and are 1.5 miles from Calvary Lutheran, Richland Hills, just down the service road.
Hilton Garden Inn
1615 Campus Dr., Hurst, TX 76054
817-281-5800
3.5 miles from Calvary Lutheran, Richland Hills
Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax Forms

Houston Gathering Reunion at Synod Assembly
2019-04-26 - 2019-04-28 | Calvary Lutheran Church – Richland Hills, 7620 Baker Blvd, Richland Hills, TX, 76118, United States
We are excited to announce that as part of the 2019 NT-NL Synod Assembly we invite high school youth to gather in Fort Worth for a
NT-NL HOUSTON GATHERING REUNION
April 26-28, 2019
Worship,
Service Projects,
Dinner
Evening Out with the Bishop
Due to a grant, we are able to offer this event for only $50/person (based on quad hotel occupancy), plus a $2 fee per credit card charge. We encourage groups of 4 or more youth to please register with an adult designated to the youth part of the Assembly that is able to transport your teens to the service project and “evening out.” We can help provide chaperones/transportation for small groups.
Blessings,
The Planning Team
info@ntnlyouth.org
All NT-NL High School Youth are invited to come celebrate a year of BEING THE CHANGE!
This event will happen concurrently with the NT-NL SYNOD ASSEMBLY.
Register online.
Click here for a registration packet with full details.

Poverty is OUR Problem
2019-04-28 12:30 - 14:00 | King of Glory Lutheran Church – Dallas, 6411 LBJ Freeway ·, Dallas, TX, 75240, United States
How Can We Make a Difference?
You are invited to join us for lunch and a panel discussion on the reality of poverty in Dallas.
Our discussion will feature:
Larry James, CEO of CitySquare, an organization fighting the causes and effects of poverty through service, advocacy and friendship.
With panel participation by:
Tracy Eubanks, CEO of Metrocrest Services, an organization providing programs that lead to self-sufficiency and foster independence for individuals, families, and seniors living in nearby suburbs.
Judy Rorrie, Executive Director of North Dallas Shared Ministries, a cooperative effort of 52 congregations that combine resources to efficiently deliver effective assistance to those in need in North Dallas.
Lunch will be provided and childcare for infant through 12 years will be available by reservation.
For more information and to RSVP, please visit kingofgloryfoundation.com.
This event is sponsored by the Dr. Debbie Jacob Life Enrichment Series of the King of Glory Lutheran Church Foundation.

Briarwood Annual Gala: A Night Under the Stars
2019-05-04 | Texas Star Golf Course Conference Centre, 1400 Texas Star Pkwy, Euless, TX, 76040, United States
5:30pm Cocktails & Registration
Evening includes Dinner, Wine, Cash Bar, and Silent Auction
Dressy Casual
Honoring:
Congregational Support – St Matthews, Fort Worth
Volunteer of the Year – Holly Trester
Briarwood Advocate – Tyna Oslie, Shepherd of Life, Arlington
Click here to download a poster/flyer for the event.

Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Spring 2019, Course 3
2019-05-11 09:00 - 15:30 | Christ Evangelical Lutheran Mission Center at Briarwood, 680 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States

Lutheran Campus Ministry at Denton Golf Outing
2019-05-19
The Trails at Frisco
Starting at 12:30pm
More details forthcoming.

Crossing Borders
2019-05-24 08:00 - 12:00
SMU | Perkins School of Theology
The Thirty-third Annual Conference of the Professions for
LAW • MEDICINE • CLERGY
This year’s 33rd conference will feature a keynote presentation by Liz Cedillo-Pereira, Esq. and a panel discussion including Roberto De La Cruz, M.D., Isabel Docampo, D. Min., Bill Holston, J.D. with the Honorable Judge Clay Jenkins, J.D. acting as moderator.
Providing medical care, legal representation, and a spiritual home for documented and undocumented immigrants alike — many seeking asylum from intolerable conditions in their home countries — presents unique challenges and rewards. What are the ethical obligations of lawyers, physicians, and clergy to those who have come here from other countries? How are our professional organizations, firms, and practices responding to the needs of the immigrant community?
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital
T. Boone Pickens Conference Center
2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, TX 75219
Registration and Breakfast 8:00 to 8:30 a.m.
Keynote Address and Panel Discussion 8:30 to noon
Clergy Registration is $35.00
Student Registration is Free
This activity has been approved for .4 continuing educations units (CEUs) for clergy and religious professionals. Request your CEU certificate through online registration.
Learn more about the Conference of Professions, its Sponsors, and Register to Attend.
