In This Issue
Tri-Synodical Theological Conference Update
Tri-Synodical Theological Conference Coordinator
Draft Social Statement on Women and Justice
Coaching Training Follow-up
Installation at Trinity, Clovis
Upcoming Events
Tri-Synodical Theological Conference Update
Thank you for your input on the future direction of the Tri-Synodical Theological Conference. The planning team (including NT-NL reps Bradley Carroll and Edy Santos) met last month to discuss the results of the survey. The highlights of that conversation are:
1) Continue to hold the Tri-Synodical Theological Conference (TSTC) and rotate the event between synods
2) Reduce cost of event by hosting the plenary sessions in a congregation.
3) Hotel/housing options for participants will be suggested at various hotels with participants making their own housing arrangements.
4) Provide funding for a TSTC Program coordinator to provide continuity for programming, themes, speakers.
5) Each Synod provide $2,500 for the TSTC Program Coordinator stipend.
The next event will be co-chaired by Pr. Amy Oehlschlager and Pr Jen Kindsvatter, hosted by the Gulf Coast Synod, and is scheduled for January 28-30, 2019.
Tri-Synodical Theological Conference Coordinator
Applications are being accepted for the newly created position of Tri-Synodical Theological Conference Coordinator. Deadline for application is January 1, 2018. Start date for position is January 15, 2018. The Conference Coordinator will work closely with the Tri-Synodical Theological Planning team to design and deliver this annual event, which is held the last week of January. To apply, please submit your resume and a letter of interest to Gretchen Lundquist.
Draft Social Statement on Women and Justice
As you may be aware, the Draft Social Statement on Women and Justice was released on November 15. We hope that you will help us spread the word and invite broad participation. The task force hopes that every synod will have at least one hearing on the draft. Please find more information about hearings in the FAQ. A hearing for NT-NL has been scheduled for January 20 at Shepherd of Life, Arlington. More details to follow.
The ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ is releasing the draft as a crucial step in the development of a social statement that will be considered by the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Task force members hope the next 11 months of comment and conversation among people of faith will be a widespread and instructive discernment on the timely themes and commitments in the draft. Your leadership in generating interest and participation is vital.
The entire statement can be found in the first 2,750 words of the draft, what is called the Basic Statement. The FAQ about the process and the two-page overview of the content also attached are designed to help explain the draft and the process that has led to it. Questions can be directed to womenandjustice@elca.org.
On November 15, a printed copy of the draft was mailed from the printer to every ELCA congregation and synod office. If you receive requests for copies or other information, you can direct those to elca.org/womenandjustice, which also has links for ordering multiple printed copies of the draft.
With gratitude for your leadership in this important step in the development of this social statement,
Mary Streufert and Roger Willer
Staff for the ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ
Office of the Presiding Bishop
Be sure to check out Bishop Gronberg’s blog as well: Women and Justice: One in Christ / Mujeres y Justicia: Unx en Cristo.
Coaching Training Follow-up
Save the Date: February 26-27, 2018
Following up on the learning from our experience at NT-NL Leadership Convocation, we will be hosting an ELCA Coach Training event Monday-Tuesday, February 26-27. This will be an opportunity to learn more about coaching and begin the process (for those who desire) towards coaching certification. The event is limited in size. If you are interested, please contact BpGronberg@ntnl.org. The event will be subsidized by the ELCA and DiscipleLife Endowment Funds. For those wishing to stay overnight at Briarwood, room options and costs will be posted soon.
Installation at Trinity, Clovis
(L to R): Rev. Jeremy Ullrich; SAWL/PLM Tonda Freitag; SAWL Eric Saed; SAWL/PLM Daniel Lund; Rev. Michael Holmes; Rev. Matthew Saed
On Sunday, November 19, 2017, Eric Saed was installed as the SAWL at Trinity in Clovis, NM. Along with the congregation and representatives from across the Panhandle Conference, several local clergy were also in attendance. With prayers, scriptures, and songs, the service was filled with joy and excitement at this new partnership in ministry for Trinity.
A special song, “The Unseen Hand,” was offered by Eric’s brother, Rev. Matthew Saed, from First Baptist Church in Smyer, TX. Others participating in the service included the Praise & Worship Team from Trinity; SAWL/PLM Tonda Freitag, Panhandle Conference Dean, St. John Lutheran, Wilson; SAWL/PLM Daniel Lund, Church of the Damascus Road (ELCA), Weatherford, TX;
Rev. Michael Holmes, Retired, Dean Emeritus of the Panhandle Conference; and Rev. Jeremy Ullrich, Shepherd King Lutheran, Lubbock.
Upcoming Events
Here are leadership highlights:
Dec. 9: High School Service Day, DFW and Lubbock
Dec. 9: Public Witness Team monthly meeting
Dec. 27-28: NT-NL Christmas Break Young Adult Retreat
Jan. 14: Mikah Meyer’s Stories & Songs Recital
Jan. 19-21: Junior High Gathering
Jan. 20: Hearing on the ELCA Draft Social Statement on Women and Justice
Feb. 2-3: Synod Council Meeting
Feb. 10: MEF Board meeting
Feb. 11-13: Lutheran Legislative Event
Feb. 24: Senior Fest 2018 (AOLA)
Feb. 25-27: LSTC Seminary Sampler
Mar. 2-4: Spring Retreat for 4th, 5th, & 6th graders
Mar. 2-4: Peer Ministry (9th-12th graders)
Mar. 9-10: The Role of the Church in Undoing Racism
Mar. 17: PLMA Spring 2018, Course 1
For a complete list of upcoming events in, and important to, our Synod, you can access our Calendar of Events online.