In This Issue
Irma Bañales: A Journey of Faith
ELCA Annual Report Video
Inter-Religious Policy Statement
Region 4 Deacon Gathering
Intentional Interim Training POSTPONED
Upcoming Installation
Upcoming Events
Irma Bañales: A Journey of Faith
Our very own Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM) is featured in an ELCA Congregational Vitality article, Irma Bañales: A Journey of Faith, posted on June 20.
Irma Bañales has walked an interesting path to become a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She currently serves as director for evangelical mission for the Northern Texas – Northern Louisiana Synod. But her journey began in Mexico.
…Bañales was raised with certain Catholic traditions: “Every evening before we went out to play with friends, we were expected to pray the Rosary. Doing so ensured that we could have a merienda [snack] when we came back home: coffee, atole [corn meal mush] and homemade tortillas de harina [flour tortillas]. So we hurried up and prayed!”
ELCA Annual Report Video
In case you missed it in our weekly news…
Look back at the work of the church in 2018 with the ELCA video report presented at Synod Assembly and now available to the public: VIEW | DOWNLOAD.
Inter-Religious Policy Statement
Read A Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment, a proposed policy statement that will be voted on at Churchwide Assembly. | DOWNLOAD
Region 4 Deacon Gathering
Location: T Bar M, 2549 TX-46, New Braunfels, TX
Cost: Early Bird $125 (Through July 31)
Regular $150 (Aug. 1-Sept. 15)
Late Reg. $175 (Sept. 16-Oct. 15)
Cost includes Lodging, food & program. Transportation is on your own.
Many Regions in the ELCA have been gathering their Deacons to have conversation around the changes in the Deacon Roster and for people to get to know other Deacons in the Region and to see what the Holy Spirit is up to. We hope you will take some time away to gather with other Deacons across our region. All Deacons (active on the roster, retired, on leave from call, on disability, or in candidacy) and Deaconesses are invited to come. For more information or questions, contact Deacon Darcy Mittelstaedt (dmittelstaedt@swtsynod.org) or (830) 379-9900 ext. 18
Click here for a flyer with full details.
Intentional Interim Training POSTPONED
The Intentional Interim Training planned to begin with Phase I, August 12-15, has been POSTPONED due to lack of registrations. A revised (and shorter and even less expensive) event will be rescheduled for a later date. You may email kris@ntnl.org to be added to that notification list for the later revised event.
Upcoming Installation
The Rev. Kathryn Saunders-Allen, called to serve Good Shepherd, Irving, will be installed on July 21.
Upcoming Events
Here are leadership highlights:
Jul. 13: Public Witness Team monthly meeting, Arlington, TX
Jul. 14-18: Hymn Festivals, Dallas and Plano (TX)
Aug. 5-10: ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Milwaukee, WI
Aug. 10: Public Witness Team monthly meeting, Arlington, TX
Aug. 12-15: Intentional Interim Training, Argyle, TX
Aug. 17: WELCA Annual Women’s/Girl’s Retreat, Grand Prairie, TX
Aug. 17: TUNE UP Worship Band Gathering, Sugar Land, TX
Aug. 31: ELCA Generosity Project workshop, Keller, TX
Sep. 8: “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday
Sep. 9: The Church of the Damascus Road Golf Outing, Fort Worth, TX
Sep. 13: Briarwood Golf Outing, TBA
For a complete list of upcoming events in, and important to, our Synod, you can access our Calendar of Events online.