YAGM Program Accepting Applications

The ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program invites ELCA young adults ages 21-29 into a transformative, year-long journey in international service. As they offer themselves in service, ELCA young adults are shaped by the witness of our global neighbors. They share in the journeys of companion churches and organizations in one of nine countries around the world.

A year of service through the Young Adults in Global Mission program invites young adults to become the hands and feet of Jesus in the world, providing critical support to ministries and projects in communities of need. It also invites volunteers into a journey of self-reflection, providing space to consider their sense of identity, God’s work in the world, and their place within it all.

Young adults serve in the spirit of accompaniment, walking alongside global companions in a manner that practices mutuality, interdependence and solidarity. Areas of service include, but are not limited to, health and development, congregational ministry, human rights, education, homelessness, addiction recovery, women’s issues and children and youth. All site placements provide opportunities for young adults to confront issues of wealth and poverty, racial privilege, economic disparity and globalization, all through the lens of faith.

Candidates apply to the program at-large rather than to a specific country. Applicant preferences are taken into account but the final decision about where volunteers serve is made by Global Mission staff and YAGM country coordinators. Current YAGM country programs include: Argentina/Uruguay, Australia, Cambodia, Central Europe, Jerusalem/West Bank, Madagascar, Mexico, Rwanda, Senegal, Southern Africa and United Kingdom.

Applications for the program opened on December 1 and are due February 15, for service beginning in August.

To learn how you can support Young Adults in Global Mission, visit their sponsorship page.

For further information contact YAGM at 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2446 or by email.

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ACA Open Enrollment Closes December 15

Friendly reminder: If you are needing insurance through the Affordable Care Act (often called Obamacare), open enrollment closes on December 15. It would be wise not to wait until the last day, in case there are any technical issues related to an overwhelming response to that deadline. Enroll at healthcare.gov.

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Cancelled Event

The ELCA’s Worship at the Center: Journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter event scheduled for February in Austin has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Holiday shopping can change lives.

Americans spend over $300 billion on Christmas shopping each year. This year, consider giving gifts that fight hunger and grow the church with ELCA Good Gifts. Select from more than 50 gifts – from goats to water filters to school fees – to help people in need. All gifts can be given in honor of friends and loved ones, and each gift comes with a free card for you to share the news. Give online and you can now personalize cards to send directly to your loved one’s mailing or email address.

Get your whole congregation involved with resources like posters, bulletin inserts, planning guides, ornaments, and coloring sheets. The gifts provide direct support to ELCA ministries that are already at work in nearly 100 countries.

Give something unexpected this Christmas.

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Save the Date

Lutheran Legislative Event

February 11-13, 2018

Austin, TX

Theme: Rooted in Faith / Grounded in Love

Speaker: Rev. Alexia Salvatierra, Co-author of Faith-Rooted Organizing: Mobilizing the Church in Service to the World

Organizers: The Poverty and Justice Task Force (PJTF) of the ELCA Southwestern Texas Synod, in partnership with Texas Impact

Location: Gethsemane, Austin, and the Capitol Building, Austin

It is our hope that the Sunday program will set the spiritual foundation so that all participants will have a better understanding of why and how we can advocate in a faith-based way for the legislative issues we hear on Monday.

Click here for a flyer with more details.

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Recent Blog Post

Pr. Totzke:

Crossing the Metroplex

(https://www.ntnl.org/crossing-the-metroplex/ – published Dec. 4)

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Where in the world is?

Bishop Gronberg:

• Dec. 14 – Latin@ Conference and Seminary President Gathering, Holy Trinity, Irving
• Dec. 14 – Relocation Team and Council meetings, First, Waco
• Dec. 15 – NT-NL Candidacy Retreat, Briarwood
• Dec. 17 – Family Sunday, Trinity, Fort Worth

Pr. Totzke:

• Dec. 8-11 – Vacation
• Dec. 15-16 – NT-NL Candidacy Retreat, Briarwood

Pra. Bañales:

• Dec. 14 – Hispanic Leadership Formation consultation and Evening Ministries reviews, Holy Trinity, Irving
• Dec. 16 – NT-NL Stewardship Team: 2nd Part Venture Training