ELCA Churchwide Assembly
Voting members will convene this week for the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee. This will be the 15th gathering of the assembly, the primary decision-making body of the ELCA. This year’s theme is “We Are Church,” and voting members will spend the week participating in plenaries, discussions, Bible studies and worship while deliberating the work of the church. To follow along with the assembly from home, livestream the proceedings at elca.org/cwa.
Courts & Ports Advocacy Intensive
Courts & Ports Advocacy Intensive is meant to prepare clergy and religious leaders to talk to policymakers and media, and also to prepare them to preach to and teach their congregations about immigration and related issues.
First Presbyterian Church, 104 S 12th St, McAllen, TX 78501
August 29-31
Hosted by Texas Impact
Sponsored by: US Christian Leadership Organization • North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church • North Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America • San Antonio Regional Justice for Our Neighbors • American Civil Liberties Union of Texas
Together with the partners, Texas Impact is offering this special edition of their popular “Courts & Ports” program featuring expanded policy presentations and message training, specifically designed to equip clergy and other religious communicators to engage with policymakers, media, and their congregations.
The cost for Courts & Ports Advocacy Intensive is $250, including lodging and all meals, not including travel. They will be providing bus transportation for those who want it from Dallas to McAllen, with pickups in Waco, Austin, and San Antonio. They expect the bus to cost between $50 and $100 per person.
Contact Bee Moorhead of Texas Impact if you have any questions: bee@texasimpact.org or 512.472.3903.
Following the program in McAllen, participants will have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., in September to meet with Texas congressional representatives and staff members of national denominations.
Advocacy – Ways to Engage
Featured Resource for August
Hear My Voice: A Prison Prayer Book
From Bishop Gronberg:
The reality is that it is not always easy to get published materials into the hands of those who are incarcerated….
This is a much-needed prayer resource authored by a number of writers with diverse connections to the criminal justice system including writers who are currently incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, or working in prison ministry or re-entry. In NT-NL, the Church of the Damascus Road is our Synodically Authorized Worshipping Community in two of our state jails. However, it is likely our congregations and pastors have needs to connect with and provide resources for those in prison. This resource is a wonderful tool for helping those in our criminal justice system stay connected to their faith and community. I recommend it to you all.
Read more in Bishop Gronberg’s recent blog: Prayer book for Prison Ministry.
Save the Date
Friday, September 13
Bridlewood Golf Club, Flower Mound
Funds raised from this Invitational Golf Outing are used to make camp affordable for all children and youth, while providing camperships (fee sponsorships) for those with specific needs. We are grateful for your participation in the event and your continued support of Briarwood ministries!
Recent Blog Posts
Pastor Totzke:
(https://www.ntnl.org/welcome-pr-kathryn-saunders-allen/ – published Jul. 29)
(https://www.ntnl.org/an-abiding-grace-day/ – published Jul. 29)
(https://www.ntnl.org/thank-you-to-pr-chuck-hubbard/ – published Jul. 29)
Where in the world is?
Bishop Gronberg:
- Aug. 3-10: ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Milwaukee, WI
Pastor Totzke:
- Aug. 4-12: Vacation
Pastora Bañales:
- Aug. 6: Meeting with Latino Conference Dean, Jesus Escamilla, and Executive Director for Legal Immigration & Humanitarian Services, Andres Pacheco
Upcoming Events
- Aug. 5-10: ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Milwaukee, WI
- Aug. 8-11: Via de Cristo weekend, Argyle, TX
- Aug. 10: Public Witness Team monthly meeting, Arlington, 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: Boundary Training: Healthy Relationships in Ministry, Fort Worth, TX
- Sep. 9: The Church of the Damascus Road Golf Outing, Fort Worth, TX
- Sep. 13: Briarwood Golf Outing, Flower Mound, TX
- Sep. 14: PLMA, Fall 2019, Course 1, Argyle, TX
- Sep. 14: Public Witness Team monthly meeting, Arlington, TX
Access our full online Calendar here. Updates made regularly.
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit to Jason (jason@ntnl.org) for consideration for upcoming NT-NL News.