PLMA Graduation
2020-01-25 | Advent Lutheran Church, 3232 S Cooper St., Arlington, TX, 76015, United States
Begins at 2:00pm

ESET (SSTE) Módulo 6 (Día 1 de 5)
2020-01-25 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Advent Lutheran Church, 3232 S Cooper St., Arlington, TX, 76015, United States
Ética en el Oficio Pastoral (Día 1 de 5)

Anti-Racism Allies: Spreading Compassion and Creating Equity
2020-01-30 - 2020-01-31 | Calvary Lutheran Church – Richland Hills, 7620 Baker Blvd, Richland Hills, TX, 76118, United States
This three-session event is part of “Weaving Community: a series of keynotes, workshops, and experiences to connect us.” Selection of which session(s) you’d like to attend is available through the ticketing link.
Thursday, 1/30 7-9 pm
Session 1 – Interactive Keynote: How white Allies Can Tap Their Special Superpower in the Anti-racism Movement. Suggested admission price $25
Friday, 1/31 9 am – 12:30 pm
Session 2: introductory Workshop: Dismantling Racism One Conversation at a Time. Suggested admission price $40
Friday, 1/3 1 1:30 pm – 4 pm
Session 3: Going Deeper (session 2 pre-requisite) – Best practices for inviting people into important conversations they tend to avoid. Suggested admission price for sessions 2 and 3 $75 (session 2 is a pre-requisite for session 3)
Discounted bundle pricing for those registering for all three sessions $90
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2894033057328983/
Additional organizers: Kairos Collaborative, The Dialogue Company, LLC – tapping the power of group intelligence, and White Ally Toolkit, an initiative of The Dialogue Company, LLC

Synod Council meeting, including Deans, Assistant Deans, MEF Board
2020-01-31 - 2020-02-01 | Briarwood Leadership Center, 670 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
Tentative schedule:
Friday, January 31, 8:30am-8:15pm — Synod Council, Deans, and Assistant Deans
We will have Nick Kiger from ELCA Churchwide with us. His role is in the area of mission support funding, and we will continue to build on our stewardship conversations last time regarding the survey related to mission support, as well as hear some best practices from him.
Saturday, February 1, 9am-2:30pm — Synod Council and MEF Board

ESET (SSTE) Módulo 6 (Día 2 de 5)
2020-02-08 09:00 - 12:00 | Briarwood Leadership Center, 670 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
Ética en el Oficio Pastoral (Día 2 de 5)

Ignite the Church Conference
2020-02-11 - 2020-02-13
Get inspired, encouraged, challenged and warmed up at the Ignite the Church Conference in Orlando, Florida, February 11-13, 2020. In addition to large group gatherings on Congregational Vitality, there will be electives on Reaching Younger Generations, Expanding Kingdom Impact, Church Renewal and Discipleship, Renewing Music, Vitality through Mission, Engaging Your Neighborhood, Evangelism, Social Justice, and Raising Up Leaders, along with a visit to Orlando’s Castle Church Brewing Community.
A $99 discounted rate, including 2 meals and snacks, is available until November 30th.
All proceeds benefit the ELCA Fund for Leaders.
For more information, go to IgniteTheChurch.net. #IgniteTheChurch

Download marketing resources here:
ITC Logo with 2020 Date (JPG)
ignite the church conference 2020 – horizontal FINAL (PNG)
ignite the church conference 2020 – horizontal FINAL (PDF)
ignite the church conference 2020 – vertical FINAL (PNG)
ignite the church conference 2020 – vertical FINAL (PDF)

ESET (SSTE) Módulo 6 (Día 3 de 5)
2020-02-15 09:00 - 12:00 | Briarwood Leadership Center, 670 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
Ética en el Oficio Pastoral (Día 3 de 5)

Texas Interfaith Advocacy Days
2020-02-16 - 2020-02-18
Registration is now open for Texas Impact‘s inaugural Texas Interfaith Advocacy Days!
This 3-day civic engagement intensive will feature workshops to strengthen your advocacy skills; policy presentations on key issues; and opportunities to engage lawmakers directly, including a trip to the Texas Capitol.
Location: University Presbyterian Church, Austin, TX
Register and find out more.
An added bonus to the conference will be Texas’ only U. S. Senate candidate forum on climate change, which will be open to the public and will not require advance registration.

ESET (SSTE) Módulo 6 (Día 4 de 5)
2020-02-22 09:00 - 12:00 | Briarwood Leadership Center, 670 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
Ética en el Oficio Pastoral (Día 4 de 5)

Discovering Hope: Building Vitality in Your Congregation
2020-02-22 10:00 | Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1706 Slide Rd., Lubbock, TX, 79416, United States
A Conference to explore the best practices for Vital Ministry
Topics covered include:
Ø Stories of Hope: Finding Vitality in your Congregation
Ø Making Disciples: Learning to Live Jesus’ Way
Ø Evangelism: A Way of Life
Ø Leadership: Who’s Driving the Tractor?
Ø Discovering the Gift of Place
Ø Mission: Possible – Discovering Hope for the Future
We encourage at least 3 people from each congregation to attend.
Registration donation: $20 per congregation (payable at the door)
Includes: a copy of the book, “Discovering Hope,” and other materials.
(One book per congregation)
Light Breakfast and Lunch will be provided
Please sign up by Tuesday, February 18, 2020.
Questions? Contact: Rev. Jeff Vayda
Phone: 806-795-2283 | Email: Jeffrey.vayda@ttu.edu
Click here to download a flyer.

Engaging the Border: Theology and Practice
2020-02-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Shepherd of Life Lutheran Church, 715 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington, TX, 76011, United States
Engaging the Border: Theology and Practice
A Morning of Education and Theological Reflection with Dr. Javier Alanis on the Situation at Our Southern Border and How We Can Make A Difference
Sponsored by the NTNL Public Witness Team
Lunch provided!
Dr. Alanis is the Director of the Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest (LSPS) in Austin, Tx. His academic interests include peace and justice concerns as they relate to the role of the church in society, and in particular along the U.S.-Mexican border.
If planning to attend, an RSVP would be appreciated. Please respond to Rev. Wayne Menking: wmenking@gmail.com.
Click here for a flyer.

NT-NL Peer Ministry Leadership Training
2020-02-28 - 2020-03-01
Save the Date!

The NT-NL Peer Ministry Leadership Event is open to all youth in 9th grade or older. This Leadership Event is designed to equip our young people with Christ-centered training, resources, and support to be Peer Ministers!

Click here for full details and to register.

ESET (SSTE) Módulo 6 (Día 5 de 5)
2020-02-29 09:00 - 12:00 | Briarwood Leadership Center, 670 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
Ética en el Oficio Pastoral (Día 5 de 5)

Generosity Workshop
2020-03-04 13:00 - 17:00
Tithe.ly, official ELCA partner, will be hosting their first ever FREE workshop called The Generosity Workshop in Arlington, TX. During this half-day workshop, they will be sharing practical lessons they’ve learned while helping over 13,000 churches and ministries grow their giving.
Sign up soon! Only 37 tickets remaining, as of February 13.
Location: Lakeview Event Center, 1200 Viridian Park Lane, Building A, Arlington, TX 76005
More details from their event page:
Are these questions keeping you awake at night?
Am I stopping people from giving?
Why are we behind on our budget?
Will we have enough money to cover our expenses?
Can we raise the funds needed?
LET’S FACE IT. Church finances can be a regular source of stress. Many churches just get by Sunday to Sunday. Other churches can’t cover their expenses. And some churches will exceed their budgets while launching new ministry initiatives and campaigns.
At Tithe.ly, we have worked with thousands of churches around the world who have increased their giving by 165% in two years. This is true of churches of every size and location—rural, urban, suburban, big, and small.
This is why we’re launching The Generosity Workshop—to share with you the practical lessons we’ve learned while helping over 13,000 churches and ministries grow their giving. This workshop is a half-day event for church leaders from churches of all shapes and sizes.
During this workshop, you will discover:

The 4 building blocks for giving every church must have in place
2 quick (and essential) steps for turning non-givers into givers
The 4 “must-have technologies” for growing giving today
2 fast ways for leading irregular givers into regular givers

Your FREE ticket includes:

Admission
Lunch
Growth tips
Workbook
Swag
Networking

Digital Church Tools For 2020 And Beyond
2020-03-12 15:00 - 16:00
Designed To Help You Improve Your Online Presence, Increase Giving, Grow Your Congregation, and Boost Member Engagement
Has your congregation ever struggled to keep up with Church technology?
Join our upcoming webinar to learn how to build a beautiful website designed to attract new members to your congregation, and better engage your current ones, in just under an hour! Yes, it can be done.
Hosted by NT-NL Synod Communicator Jason O’Neill and Andrew Dalamba from ELCA preferred partner Tithe.ly, in this webinar you’ll learn how to:
– Launch a beautiful, professional website in hours (not months), without needing to be a tech expert or have any coding experience
– How other ELCA congregations are increasing their giving by 15% and more
– How to more effectively engage your congregation throughout each week
– Free up more time for admins
– Solve technological pain points within your congregation
Register now to save your spot. See you there!

Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Spring 2020, Course 1
2020-03-14 09:00 - 15:30 | Christ Evangelical Lutheran Mission Center at Briarwood, 680 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
If joining remotely…
Topic: PLMA, Spring 2020, Course 1
Time: Mar 14, 2020 09:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/443553362
Meeting ID: 443 553 362
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Meeting ID: 443 553 362

ESET (SSTE) Módulo 7 (Día 1 de 5)
2020-04-04 09:00 - 12:00 | Briarwood Leadership Center, 670 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
Entendiendo el Nuevo Testamento (Día 1 de 5)

ESET (SSTE) Módulo 7 (Día 2 de 5)
2020-04-11 09:00 - 12:00 | Briarwood Leadership Center, 670 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
Entendiendo el Nuevo Testamento (Día 2 de 5)

Weekly NT-NL Leadership Prayer, Check-in
2020-04-16 10:00 - 10:30, 2020-04-23 10:00 - 10:30, 2020-04-30 10:00 - 10:30, 2020-05-07 10:00 - 10:30
NT-NL Synod ELCA is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Leadership prayer, check-in
Time: 10:00 AM Central Time
Every week on Thursday
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/686256906
Meeting ID: 686 256 906

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Meeting ID: 686 256 906

Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Spring 2020, Course 2
2020-04-18 09:00 - 15:30 | Christ Evangelical Lutheran Mission Center at Briarwood, 680 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
If joining remotely…
Topic: PLMA, Spring 2020, Course 2
Time: Apr 18, 2020 09:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/524432751
Meeting ID: 524 432 751
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Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders
2020-04-22 13:00 - 14:00
Here to Serve: Being Church in the Time of COVID-19
Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders
Wednesdays, 1:00 PM Central
You are invited to join this weekly meeting designed to provide encouragement and support for ELCA leaders in all realms. Participants will hear topical presentations related to how we are called to be Church in the time of COVID-19, as well as an opportunity to be in small group discussions with an ELCA group coach facilitating the conversation. All of this is designed to help us process our feelings in this strange and fearful time and to create a space where we can each name our next most faithful step forward in our unique context.
You are welcome to share this invitation with any other ELCA leader, rostered or lay. #ELCAChurchTogether #HereToServe
Grief and Hope: Societal Chaplaincy For and Beyond COVID-19
This session will explore the concept of “societal chaplaincy” in order to provide tools for responding to the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis. This global crisis is producing layers of grief and trauma beyond what most people are anticipating. Religiously informed leaders have particular callings to respond not just to their defined communities, but to society as a whole, helping others name their grief while pointing to paths forward. The insights of social analysis, grief coaching, and chaplaincy each have contributions to make as we move forward together. In preparation for this week’s gathering, we highly recommend you read this article in advance: https://www.ntnl.org/societal-chaplaincy-preparing-for-the-storm-to-come/.
On April 22, our guest speaker will be Robert O. Smith (Citizen, Chickasaw Nation), an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament serving as Director of Briarwood Leadership Center and Associate to the Bishop in the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod of the ELCA. Previously, he served as Director of the Jerusalem Global Gateway of the University of Notre Dame and Area Program Director for the Middle East and North Africa in the Global Mission Unit of the ELCA. He holds a PhD in Religion, Politics & Society from Baylor University, along with an MDiv and an MA in Islamic Studies from Luther Seminary. He is the author of several academic articles on the theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and several books on American Christian responses to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
ELCA Coaching is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Being Church in the Time of COVID-19 – Weekly Gathering for ELCA Leaders
Time: Apr 22, 2020 01:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/180439412?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 180 439 412
Password: [REDACTED]
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Meeting ID: 180 439 412
Password: [REDACTED]
You may have heard concerns around using Zoom as a meeting platform. Upon conferring with leadership in our office and experts in the field, it has been affirmed that we are adhering to all of the recommended protocols and guidance for “safer use of Zoom.” It is highly recommended that participants have the most current version of Zoom. If you have concerns, please email jill.beverlin@elca.org for more information.

2020 Synod Assembly POSTPONED
2020-04-24 - 2020-04-25 | Paul Quinn College, 3837 Simpson Stuart Rd, Dallas, TX, 75241, United States
As of March 31, Synod Assembly has officially been postponed. It was our hope that we could find a date on which Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie would be able to commit to being with us. However, given the continued fluidity of this crisis, we have not yet been able to confirm that. So what does this mean…

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

Assembly Reference Materials

Scripture: “The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.” Psalm 126:3 (NRSV)
Theme | Tema: Crossing Borders | Cruzando Fronteras

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

We are honored to have African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie as our preacher for this year’s Assembly! Bishop McKenzie is the presiding Bishop of the 10th Episcopal District AME church and serves as the 117th elected and consecrated bishop of the AME Church. Her election in 2000 was historic as she became the first woman, in the more than 200-year history of the church, to be elected to that office. Watch this recent local news interview with her: First Woman Bishop Talks Life Lessons for All Faiths.
ELCA Churchwide Representative: Pastor Christopher Otten, Assistant to the Presiding Bishop and Director of Federal Chaplaincies
Assembly offering: half to the Eastern conference for hosting us, and half to the new Stewardship team
Tentative Summary Agenda (updated March 7)
REGISTRATION HAS BEEN SUSPENDED.
Registration Fees:
Voting Member Early Bird (until March 15) = $150
Voting Member Regular (March 16 – April 12) = $185
Voting Member On-Site = $225
Retired Rostered Voting Member Early Bird (until March 15) = $125
Retired Rostered Voting Member Regular (March 16 – April 12) = $150
Retired Rostered Voting Member On-Site = $165
Visitors Early Bird (until March 15) = $50
Visitors Regular (March 16 – April 12) = $75
Visitors On-Site = $100
Vendors = $150
Displayers = $75
Hard Copy of Assembly Reference Materials (previously called the Book of Reports) = $25
Meals provided with registration = 3 (three)
Official Assembly Hotel: Lorenzo Hotel, 1011 S Akard St, Dallas, TX 75215 | 214-273-3000
Register with the hotel here. (see note above)
A question often asked is… “Can we book at a different hotel or motel for a cheaper rate?”
Our answer: With the proliferation of online travel sites, indeed, it is possible you would be able to find a better rate at another hotel. Because of this, there has been conversation about the synod not offering a preferred hotel at all and allowing assembly members to find their own lodging.
But we are still having a preferred hotel. Why? First and foremost, at Assembly, we build a community. We know from experience that this happens best when we are all together, both formally and informally. Through connections and time together. Given how short our assembly is, this time is at a premium, and we encourage fellowship.
Secondly, many of our assembly voting members are coming from other parts of the state. As a result, they appreciate having a vetted hotel option so they don’t have to try to do so themselves in a city or location they do not know well.
Finally, it is a stewardship opportunity. We sign a contract with the hotel guaranteeing our group will book a minimum number of rooms. Because of this guarantee, the hotel gives us better rates, some complimentary rooms for staff/presenters (which lowers synod costs), and deals on meeting space. These elements all help make Synod Assembly possible and help us keep our rates lower (assembly registration rates are 40% lower than in 2016).
If you book elsewhere, it could jeopardize our ability to meet our contract obligations, and the cost of our annual Assembly would go up. So, if you are able, please book at the Lorenzo Hotel using our link to guarantee your reduced rate and help support Assembly for all!
(Please note: While there are other hotels closer to the college, none were able to offer us a room block.)
Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax Forms

Holy Hollywood for NT-NL Young Adults
2020-04-28
Are you between the ages of 18 and 39? Do you like movies? Then Holy Hollywood is the place for you! Holy Hollywood is a study offered to young adults in the NT-NL Synod every other week, starting at 6:30pm!
We invite you to join and watch a film together via Netflix party and participate in the conversation afterwards on Zoom (1-hour conversation). There is no commitment, you can watch the film at a different time if that works better for you, and you are not obligated to join the conversation after. Our goal is to create space for community and connection, not additional stress.
Send a request for the Zoom link via email to: YoungAdultsNTNLsynod@gmail.com.
We are praying for you already. Your presence in this community makes us all stronger.
For current information, join the Young Adults of NT-NL Synod Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2369699966655810.

Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders
2020-04-29 13:00 - 14:00, 2020-05-06 13:00 - 14:00
Here to Serve: Being Church in the Time of COVID-19
Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders
Wednesdays, 1:00 PM Central
You are invited to join this weekly meeting designed to provide encouragement and support for ELCA leaders in all realms. Participants will hear topical presentations related to how we are called to be Church in the time of COVID-19, as well as an opportunity to be in small group discussions with an ELCA group coach facilitating the conversation. All of this is designed to help us process our feelings in this strange and fearful time and to create a space where we can each name our next most faithful step forward in our unique context.
You are welcome to share this invitation with any other ELCA leader, rostered or lay. #ELCAChurchTogether #HereToServe
ELCA Coaching is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Being Church in the Time of COVID-19 – Weekly Gathering for ELCA Leaders
Time: Wednesdays 01:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/180439412?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 180 439 412
Password: [REDACTED]
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Meeting ID: 180 439 412
Password: [REDACTED]
You may have heard concerns around using Zoom as a meeting platform. Upon conferring with leadership in our office and experts in the field, it has been affirmed that we are adhering to all of the recommended protocols and guidance for “safer use of Zoom.” It is highly recommended that participants have the most current version of Zoom. If you have concerns, please email jill.beverlin@elca.org for more information.

ESET (SSTE) Módulo 7 (Día 3 de 5)
2020-05-02 09:00 - 12:00 | Briarwood Leadership Center, 670 Copper Canyon Rd., Argyle, TX, 76226, United States
Entendiendo el Nuevo Testamento (Día 3 de 5)

Learning Coaching Skills for Grief and Loss
2020-05-05 12:00 - 14:00
Presenter: Dr. Don Eisenhauer, Coaching at End of Life
Every day, we receive updates on the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis has resulted in another pandemic — a pandemic of grief. This session will explore how leaders can use basic Coaching skills to be present with individuals in the midst of their grief. The focus will be on supporting our local faith communities, as well as society as a whole.
This webinar is open to all. You do not need to be a rostered/authorized leader in NT-NL or even the ELCA, nor do you need coach training or certifications. These skills are applicable in a variety of vocational service, and we encourage you to attend.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99550632250
Meeting ID: 995 5063 2250
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Meeting ID: 995 5063 2250
