Offering song at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Calaba Town

Are you interested in exploring the heart of our faith in the Scriptures, worship, and the creeds of the church? Are you considering baptism for yourself or a child? Or are you interested in becoming a member of the congregation? This introduction to the faith and ministries of the church will be an opportunity to do all of these things in a casual, conversational setting where your experiences and questions will be welcomed! 

​Sundays, September 8 – October 6, 11 AM
Leader: Pastor Ben Dueholm 

When Jesus wants us to think about the Kingdom of God, he often turns our attention to growth in the world around us: farm fields, mustard seeds, trees bearing fruit. Together, we’ll learn about these stories and practice some gardening techniques. Get your hands dirty in the Word of God and in the soil of God’s creation! 

​Sundays, September 8 – October 6, 11 AM
Leader: Cheryl Kowalczik 
Maximum enrollment: Ten 

The first book of Christian worship and an endless source of comfort, challenge, inspiration, and reflection, the Psalms offer a powerful way to deepen our lives of prayer. Vicar Kristen Maddox will be back (virtually) to lead this online group for those who want to become better acquainted with these ancient works of prayer and praise and to grow together through encountering them. 

Wednesdays, September 11 – October 9, 6:30 PM (online) 
Leader: Kristen Maddox 
Maximum enrollment: Ten 

While grief is an inevitable part of life, it still challenges us on many levels. Living with grief, its impact and feelings, is easier with mutual care and support. Please join us if your loss is new, if you are dealing with losses in the past, or supporting loved ones going through grief.. Topics will include types of grief and mourning, the meaning of loss, signs of complicated grief, and how to handle that. Plan to attend every session to give and get maximum support.

Sundays, September 8 – October 6, 5 PM
Leader: The Rev. Kerry Dueholm, LPC 
Maximum enrollment: Eight 

North Dallas Shared Ministries
About school: We’re well into preparing for NDSM’s 2024 school supplies and uniforms distribution program. One culmination of our planning—two all-hands-on-deck Saturdays when client cars line up like lunch hour at Chick-fil-A. One by one, they creep forward, and our volunteers brave the broiling heat to load one parcel of school supplies for every child into the vehicle, saving each family $34.05 per pupil (and helping them avoid back-to-school crowds!) 
 
The second result of our planning is two solid weeks of uniform pickup. Up to 200 parents each day come to our Clothes Closet to pick out and pick up two complete sets of DISD-appropriate clothing. The clients walk between rows of box-covered tables accompanied by a volunteer, usually a high school student. The volunteer holds up different sizes to help the parents select what sizes they believe will fit their children best. Behind the scenes, months of preparation go into this effort. While I rarely single out one or two volunteers for accomplishing something that involves many people, Sandy Dehn and Carolyn Cosgriff dove deep into the details to make our application and reporting process work flawlessly. A lot of effort went into designing and debugging our program to achieve this result. Thanks to them and all who make this program a resounding success again this year.
 
As a result, we provided 4,401 students with all DISD-required grade-level school supplies and 3,732 students with two uniform sets: 2 shirts, one pair of pants, and one pair of shorts (saving parents $ 56 per child. 
 
A change of season: Our tax preparation assistance program continues through the extension deadline in mid-October.
 
But most of our work happens before April 15th – and we did a lot of work again this year!
We retained our “crown,” filing the most returns of any of the nine Dallas Community Tax Centers. We filed 2,638 returns – (24%) of the 10,814 filed by all nine centers. We also obtained the most refunds for clients - $4M (27%) out of $14.5M. In addition, clients saved $ 923,300 in preparation fees because our volunteers put in 1,321 hours serving them. This is almost twice what we saved clients two years ago.
 
Since we began our partnership with Foundation Communities 15 years ago, we’ve delivered $49,632,044 in refunds and saved clients $7,384,107 in fees. In this case, the more things change, the more they remain the same.
 
A changed approach to food donations:
We recently launched a new initiative, Gleaning for Groceries, among our Covenant Congregations to meet the increasing demand for food assistance. We hope the gleaning initiative will regularly keep our Food Pantry stocked, allow individuals to feel they are helping those who need it, and strengthen our relationship with our Covenant Congregations.
 
We can all help make this initiative succeed. Whether you are a member of a Covenant Congregation or just care and love NDSM, you can advocate for Gleaning for Groceries - and it’s as easy as 1-2-3.
 
1-While grocery shopping, pick up an extra can or two of soup, tuna, or a box of pasta.
2-Bring the groceries to a designated drop-off box at your place of worship or bring them to NDSM.
3-A volunteer will deliver the food to the NDSM Food Pantry, which will help feed families who need food.
 
It’s simple and inexpensive for an individual, but it creates a bountiful harvest when followed by members of the 40+ congregations supporting NDSM. It will also go a long way toward easing our mounting food budget. Recommended items include soup, canned vegetables, canned fruits, peanut butter, pasta, and rice.
 
How wonderful if you would consider adding gleaning to your shopping experience and suggesting it to others.

Everything we have is a gift God gives us during our lifetimes. We each have the privilege, responsibility, and joy of being stewards, caring for loved ones and God's creation and creating gifts for Christian ministry. 

As you plan your legacy that reflects your faith and values, the Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest is here to assist you. We can help you care for your family and benefit Lutheran ministries, your favorite community, and other non-profit organizations.

Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest provides comprehensive gift planning and management personalized to your goals, unique family, and financial situation. The foundation receives and stewards gifts on behalf of other ministries.

Christ Lutheran Church will host a Legacy Giving for Family and Ministry Seminar following the worship service on Sunday, April 28. Morgan Schmidlin, our synod gift planner with the foundation, will discuss options and possibilities for our congregation's future.

During the seminar, we’ll discuss:

• How can we care for and provide for family and other loved ones and provide legacy gifts for ministry and other non-profit organizations?
• Review options for legacy gift sharing that will bless future generations forever.
• The foundation's services to the members of our congregation are provided at no cost and no obligation.

Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest works to recognize, inspire, facilitate, and teach legacy stewardship. 

Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest is a non-profit organization that provides services to ELCA congregations. It offers ministry sustainability and vitality through building generosity. Together with our synods, the foundation provides gift planners to congregational members. 

Our gift planner, Morgan Schmidlin, provides confidential consultation to help individuals explore options for legacy generosity for families, ministries, and other non-profit organizations. A bequest, trust, or other estate plan provides a way forward to remember family, loved ones, and God’s work in the world. Morgan Schmidlin can help put final wishes in writing to the best advantage of the donor and the ministries they wish to support. 

Gift planning provides peace of mind. A wide range of options allows a plan to be tailored to each member’s individual situation and goals. 
Morgan Schmidlin, CGPA 

​440.785.3363 
[email protected] 
www.lfsw.org ​

Partners and Volunteers
I hope this Update unveils a deeper understanding of NDSM and the importance of partnerships that bring hands-on services to our clients and patients.
 
NDSM works best in partnership. It was conceived as a partnership of interfaith congregations who could establish a secular agency together that could better meet the needs of the low-income, vulnerable community than each could do separately.
 
On a recent Thursday, eight Highland Park UMC members spent the evening filling grocery sacks in the pantry warehouse and unpacking men’s work pants in the Clothes Closet. On a Saturday, 20 Peace Mennonite members spent the morning volunteering in the Pantry and Clothes Closet. In both instances, we also sat together and talked about NDSM; church members were “blown away” to discover the breadth and depth of NDSM’s work.
 
Most recently, a group of NDSM volunteers and community stakeholders met on a Friday afternoon to discuss NDSM. A leader from Temple Emanu El noted that most people in her congregation think NDSM only provides food for those in need. Another person said NDSM is Dallas’s best-kept secret.
 
Health and Wellness
Providing eyeglasses has been a part of our mission for over twenty-five years. A volunteer once remarked that it is our happiest program because the result is so immediate when individuals wear their glasses. A few days ago, a woman picked up her glasses, tried them on, and said with glee, “I can see!” Once each month, the Lions Sight and Tissue Foundation mobile unit, club members, and an optometrist, who closes her practice for the morning, are at NDSM checking the vision, fitting frames, and treating with care and dignity the 20-30 people who we have prescreened. At a cost to NDSM of $15 per pair of glasses, the Lions Club and NDSM are transforming lives.
 
The change in our relationship with UTSW meant the loss of no-cost adult flu vaccines. When asked, the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services stepped forward to fill the void. County staff were on site nine days between October and February, providing COVID, flu, and M/pox immunizations and STi testing. In total, 1,112 adults and children received vaccinations and tests valued at $75,000. 
 
The Mobile Health Program of Texas Health Resources brings its mobile mammogram unit to NDSM monthly to provide screening mammograms. If follow-up care, including a diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound, and/or biopsy, is needed, THR gives it free. Moncrief Cancer Institute provides the same no-cost services. In addition, on the first Friday of the month, Moncrief staff is on-site to perform colposcopy screenings for cervical cancer.
 
Dental hygiene (teeth cleaning) is now available every Thursday afternoon when Texas A&M College of Dentistry students and their professors are on site. Providing dentures for seniors over 60 remains a life-changing service. Don’s few teeth are mostly broken, But he has volunteered in the pantry. We just learned of his service as a tunnel rat in Vietnam – experiences he does not discuss. He is touchingly grateful.
 
To complement our nutrition education services, our Registered Dietician has enrolled NDSM in the Walk-with-a-Doc program, and monthly walks at Bachman Lake are happening and open to all. Periodic evening dance and exercise classes are also part of this program.
 
Our mental health counselor has scheduled five Saturday grief therapy sessions beginning in March.
 
Food and Finance
Tuesday and Thursday evenings are particularly animated as 8-12 volunteers and Foundation Communities staff are working with households to complete their federal tax returns - to date, over 2,000 with expected refunds of $2M have been filed. At the same time, five English-as-a-second-language classes are held in the conference, pantry, break, interview, and administration rooms. And the parking lot does not have an available slot. It’s a thrilling experience to leave the building and realize that day and night, NDSM is doing so much for so many. 
 
I could not end without mentioning the increasing number of households needing food. In February, the daily average was 164. On January 17th, 203 households received food, the highest number in our history. With limited availability of items from the North Texas Food Bank, we are grateful for the bread ministries of St. Rita’s, St. Monica’s, University UMC, and the American Legion, as well as for the gleaning programs of Holy Cross, St Luke’s, Peace Mennonite and Christ Lutheran congregations.   
…
Lastly, with great gratitude, it is an honor to report that the Strategic Financial Campaign is off to a strong start. The Governing Board and Campaign Committee hope for your support now and as you consider your estate plan.

Thank you to everyone who completed the congregational survey for the Strategic Plan Team. We set a goal of 85, which felt ambitious given our recent experience with surveys, and 96 of you completed the survey. Great job!

The team will have more to report about this soon, but I want to focus on a few things that caught my attention. You may remember the first question about your overall satisfaction with the church. According to our consultant, the average for Lutheran churches is that about 30% of respondents answer with a 9 or a 10, making them “promoters.” About 15% of respondents answer with a 1-6, making them “detractors.” The other 55% mark 7 or 8 and are classified as “neutral.” In our survey, 66% of respondents came out as “promoters,” and only 3% were “detractors.” I don’t say this to diminish anyone’s dissatisfaction, but that is an impressive degree of energy and positivity for our congregation, and it says to me that the kinds of very negative behaviors that make church life difficult for some people are comparatively rare here. 

A third of respondents were between 18 and 55, a healthy number for a Lutheran church. Over a third of our respondents have been members of CLC for five years or less, which is also unusually high for a Lutheran church and suggests real resiliency during and after COVID. 

There is much more in the survey, some suggesting real challenges we will face together. You’ll be hearing more about all of it soon. But for now, I want to acknowledge that good and uplifting news about churches is rare today, and I am thankful that our community is, in the words of our consultant, “bucking the trends.” Thank you for your commitment, faithfulness, and continuing support for our life and mission.

See you in church!

​Pastor Ben 

As I write, it is January 4—a little late for saying "Happy New Year," let alone for reviewing the year that was, but still early enough that the current segment on our calendars is beautifully undefined. The church year begins in late November or early December with the first Sunday in Advent, and the Lunar New Year begins later this winter. There's nothing spiritually meaningful about January 1 (unless you're celebrating the Holy Name of Jesus, the festival that falls on that date). But it's a fact of life. This is how we mark time as a culture; if nothing else, it's a chance to think about things afresh.
 
I want to highlight a few things about the year ending. I tracked our worship participation all year long in 2022 and 2023. On Sundays, our average participation was about the same as the year before (88 in 2023, 87 in 2022), and our median Sunday was slightly higher (84 in 2023 and 82 in 2022). This is notable because, for the first five months of 2022, we worshiped in two services, which meant that several people (Dr. Nahkur, any music leaders, Vicar Veronika, and me) were being counted twice each Sunday. It's also notable because some of our very faithful every-week worshipers became homebound, died, or moved away, and those who joined our worshiping community tend to be here less frequently. In 2022, we also had several visits from Mount Olive's congregation, which didn't happen in 2023. Holding our own in Sunday participation despite those changes is a sign of real health and resilience in our congregation after a season of major dislocations. By the broadest measure—including holy days and festivals like Christmas Eve, mid-week worship, and preschool family chapel services—our total weekly participation stayed at 116.
 
Our pledging campaign in 2023 was also solid. Our number of pledges (80) and the total amount pledged ($506,000) were up by ten percent or more from last year. Thirteen of those pledges were new. This has allowed us to confidently move our youth and family ministry director position to full-time, showing that new people are committing to the church's ministry.
 
We've continued to welcome new worshipers, some of whom have joined the congregation (one through baptism as an adult!), others who plan to participate in 2024, and others who are just becoming acquainted. This is a tremendous blessing and not something I ever take for granted. I've been blessed by my conversations and interactions with these newcomers, and I know they enrich our community in numerous ways.
 
This year, we have the chance to set new goals. How can we move from welcoming guests in worship and assuring them that they are safe and cherished here to involving them in the wider life of the congregation? How can we continue to build our youth program while also reaching out more deliberately to young adults, the campus community, and the parents of young children? And perhaps most importantly, how will we use our gifts—the immense time, faith, skill, wisdom, and, yes, financial resources of our community—to engage with our broader community in all its joy and need?
 
This year, we're starting a strategic planning process to help us think through some of these questions deliberately. I'm excited for that. But I'm also just excited about the vigor and enthusiasm of our people. I don't know what the year ahead holds for us; apart from what we all rely on, the Word will be preached, and the Sacraments will be celebrated.
 
It's an honor and a joy to serve this community. I give thanks to God for all of you. I look forward to how you will inspire and challenge each other and me in 2024.
 
See you in church!
 
Pastor Ben

​A reminder about the upcoming dates for amendments and voting on the updated Constitution. 
The important dates to remember are: 
December 6, 2023 -  

• Deadline to file any proposed amendments to Constitution Chapters 10-14 only 
• December 6 - Deadline to file any proposed amendment to the Bylaws 

 
Please submit any Constitutional amendments in writing and support from 10 voting members to Pastor Ben (add his email) and Lisa Nelson ([email protected]).  Submit any Bylaws amendments in writing and support from one (1) voting member to Pastor Ben and Lisa Nelson ([email protected]).
 

• January 5, 2024 – The Council will provide an updated Constitution (if needed) to the congregation 
• January 7, 2024 - Called Congregational Meeting to conduct 1st vote on the Constitution ONLY 
• February 4, 2024 - Annual meeting, second vote on Constitution, and vote on Bylaws 

 
Thank you for your support and attention to this effort.

​This serves as a cordial invitation for You, Your family, and Your friends to attend the traditional Annual German Church Service (in the German language) at Christ Lutheran Church on Saturday, December 9, at 4 PM. This church service is being arranged by the Johanniterorden, the Dallas Goethe Center, and the Deutsche Kirche in Dallas and is being hosted by Christ Lutheran Church; it offers English and German speakers a chance to experience a traditional church service in the German language with traditional Advent songs. The service will also include a special children’s sermon, and it will be followed by a reception afterward with German cookies, cake, and Stollen!
 
The service will be accompanied by singing performances of children of the German International School of Dallas and the Dallas Frohsinn Singer!
 
The service will be presided over by Rev. Ben Dueholm and Rev Kurt Maerschel, Master of Divinity, MA, who will also welcome participating children! 
 
We look forward to welcoming you and your friends to this German North Texas tradition! Please feel free to send this out to anybody interested, to friends and family members.
 
In HIS name! Kind regards,

Andreas K. Bremer, CCIM

We will gather on December 11 at the home of Connie Uhri, 317 Ridgehaven Pl, Richardson. Social time will begin at 6 PM, with a light dinner at 7 PM. We will also have a gift exchange. If you want to participate, please bring a gift not to exceed $25.00.

If you have considered joining us, this is a perfect evening to get acquainted and have some holiday fun; please come. RSVP to [email protected] or 214 679 5886.

​Christmas dinner will be held this year on December 17. We will gather at 6 PM for cocktails and serve dinner at 7 PM. The event will be held in the home of Jeff & Connie Uhri, 317 Ridgehaven Pl, Richardson. Please either bring a side or dessert to share with the main course.

If possible, bring a picture of yourself at Christmas time from your childhood, for some fun after dinner. All are welcome, and we would love to see new faces. Please RSVP to [email protected], sign up on the kiosk, or 214 679 5886.

​Thanksgiving is fast approaching. CLC has previously worked with Mt. Olive to supply baskets for needy families. The pantry has changed since COVID-19, and its efforts are now focused on supporting the Wednesday Blessing Bags. There has been a huge increase in the numbers from 200 per week to 350.

If you would like to donate to purchase the supplies for these bags, please use the envelope in the pews, or if you give by other means, please mark your donation to Mt. Olive Thanksgiving.

Thank you in advance for sharing your bounty with those in need. Thanksgiving blessings to you and your families.

NDSM - Calling for VolunteersHELP CHANGE LIVES EVERY DAY!
NDSM, CLC's partner in ministry, aids some 80,000 people in need every year with the help of volunteers. They stretch every dollar to purchase food and clothing and to compensate the healthcare professionals who serve their uninsured and underinsured. They rely on volunteers to do everything else.

The demand for their assistance continues to grow, and they can use more of you to help them change lives.  

Current  Openings
No Special Skills Required to Learn on the Job
Food Pantry
    SHIFTS - Tuesday & Wednesday from 1:00 to 4:00 pm
     Pick and pack grocery bags for the following day. (The morning volunteers are overwhelmed by  long lines of people seeking help.)

Clothes Closet
     SHIFTS - Monday - Friday - 9 am to 12 noon or 12 noon to 3 pm     
     Sort donated clothing, display, and hang clothes.  Assist shoppers in selecting the best clothing for their needs. 

Medical Volunteer Openings
Medical Clinic
     RNs, LVNs, and medical assistants are needed to help in the medical clinic, which is open Monday - Thursday, 7:30 am - 6:00 pm.  Shifts are flexible based on volunteers' schedules. Many of the patients speak Spanish as their primary language; facility in Spanish is a  real plus.  

If you want to volunteer, please visit www.ndsm.org and click TO VOLUNTEER. 

​Christmas is right around the corner! Please join us Wednesday, December 6, from 5 - 8 pm as we adorn the sanctuary and building for Christmas. It’s a come-and-go, all-ages event. Everyone is welcome. We’ll be setting up and decorating the tree, hanging wreaths, and decorating the narthex and entry hallway. Pizza and beverages will be provided. Please R.S.V.P. on the sign-up sheet in the narthex or by emailing Connie Uhri, [email protected], to have an accurate headcount. If you have any questions, please contact Connie Uhri or Shannon Cockrell [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you for an evening of fellowship and fun as we prepare Christ Lutheran for Christmas. 

Please join us for a lecture providing a deeper understanding and inside view of this significant development from the perspective of an expert U.S. Government employee. Details of this event are as follows:

Topic: “Perspectives from the U.S./Mexico border – Perspectives of the U.S. State Department related to security and human rights issues.”
Speaker: Dr. Trygve Has-Ellison, Manager of Fraud Prevention, U.S. State Department in Mexico

Date: October, 20
Time: 06.30 PM
Venue: Christ Lutheran Church
Room 220
3001 Lovers Lane
Dallas, TX 75225

Dr. Trygve Has-Ellison has long-standing experience living and working in Mexico and analyzing questions related to legal and immigration. During his presentation, he will provide his personal views on the situation and what options might exist to improve and manage the current situation in the best possible way. The lecture will be followed by a reception, offering light snacks and drinks. Please RSVP by email, [email protected], with how many attendees you are planning to attend this event.

Kind regards

Andreas K. Bremer, CCIM
International Capital, LLC
President & CEO

If you enjoy serving others, please join us as we pack and distribute Blessing Bags every Wednesday at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 3100 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Dress for work and the weather, and be prepared to make new friends!

• 9:30 to 11:00 AM Pack Bags
• 11:00 to 1:00 PM Distribute Bags

​For July, we are requesting food donations of Vienna Sausages for the Blessing Bags. Men’s and women’s gently used and new summer clothes, including t-shirts, shorts, pants, socks, shoes, and underwear (new only), are needed now with a special need for men’s clothing and shoes. They may be left in the red wagon in the narthex. Or donations of any amount are always greatly appreciated and can be made online at clcdallas.org  or by check/cash to CLC annotated with “Mt. Olive Food Pantry.”

We’ve received a lot of clothing donations recently, which are greatly needed and appreciated. Thanks to our faithful donors for your continued support - you are a very important part of this ministry!