Northern Texas - Northern Louisiana Synod, 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.

Taller ofrenda por internet
2019-03-16 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | 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.

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.

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

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

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.

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”

AMMPARO Workshop en Español
2019-03-02 13:00 - 15:00 | 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.

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.

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.

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.

Cries From the Cross (Roads): The Intersection of Poverty, Inequality and Race in the Context of South Africa
2019-02-19 | Brite Divinity School, 2925 Princeton St, Fort Worth, TX, 76109, United States
Brite Divinity School
presents
Dr. Nadine Bowers Du Toit
12noon Community Conversation
7:30pm Public Lecture (Reception to follow)
Both events at the Bass Conference Center at Brite Divinity School
Click here for a flyer with full details.
Prof Nadine Bowers Du Toit is an Associate Professor in ‘Theology and Development’ (Dept. Practical Theology & Missiology) at the Faculty of Theology, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. She is also the former Dean and Head of the Department of Community Development at Cornerstone Institute (formerly Cornerstone Christian College). She holds a PhD in Practical Theology (Theology and Development) and has published close to 30 articles and chapters in both local and international journals and books. Nadine’s research has focused on the role of faith communities in addressing issues of social injustice and poverty and her most recent projects have been funded by grants from the National Research Foundation and the Nagel Centre for World Christianity. Besides lecturing, publishing and supervising post graduate students, Nadine is often invited to address congregations, church leaders and Faith Based Organizations on this topic. She sees herself as an activist academic always seeking to push for space for more voices to be heard and also chairs both the Community Engagement and Transformation Committees within the school of Theology. Nadine also serves on the boards of two Non-Governmental Organisations and is the current chairperson of the Practical Theology Society of South Africa. She is married to Andries and they have an 8-year-old daughter, Daniela.

PLMA Graduation
2019-02-17 15:00 - 16:00 | Calvary Lutheran Church – Richland Hills, 7620 Baker Blvd, Richland Hills, TX, 76118, United States
Graduation for our Parish Lay Ministry Academy

Black History Month Celebration
2019-02-16 | Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 3100 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75215, United States
The program will run from 11 AM to about 12:30 PM, with worship to follow, and a meal to follow worship. We have the distinct blessing of having Bishop Erik Gronberg present with us to bring the Word.
All are welcome to join us.

Junior High Gathering & Group Dynamix
2019-02-16 - 2019-02-17 | Grace Lutheran Church – Carrollton, 1200 East Hebron Pkwy, Carrollton, TX, 75010, United States
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” – Ephesians 2:8
1:00pm Saturday—noon Sunday
Cost includes programs, hotel, meals, and Group Dynamix. The Jr. High Gathering is for ANY Jr. High / Middle School student (for most churches this event is for your Confirmation Group). The event includes Small Group Activities, Songs, Games, Worship, & Group Dynamix!
Click here for a registration packet with full details.

Public Witness Team meeting
2019-02-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Shepherd of Life Lutheran Church, 715 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington, TX, 76011, United States
2nd Saturday of every month
Anyone is welcome to join us!
If you’re unable to join in person, you can now join us via Zoom:

https://zoom.us/j/2143847705
One tap mobile:+16699006833,,2143847705# US+14086380968,,2143847705# US
Dial in using any of these numbers:+1 669 900 6833 US+1 408 638 0968 US+1 646 876 9923 USMeeting ID: 214 384 7705

"Faith Formation in a Secular Age" with Dr. Andy Root
2019-02-09 - 2019-02-10 | TX, United States
John Tietjen Speaker Series
Hosted by Trinity, Fort Worth
Dr. Andy Root, Luther Seminary
Saturday, Feb. 9, 9:30 am
Trinity Lutheran Fellowship Hall
*child care provided*
Saturday, Feb. 9, 2:00 pm
Briarwood Retreat Center
*co-hosted by the Briarwood Leadership Center*
Sunday, Feb. 10, 9:30 am
Trinity Lutheran Fellowship Hall
*child care provided*
Click here for a flyer/poster with information about each event.

MEF Board meeting
2019-02-09 | Briarwood Leadership Center, 670 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States

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

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.

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

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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