In This Edition
Message from Bishop Gronberg
MEF Thank You
Conferencia Latina Celebration Service
Blue Christmas Online Service
2023 Prayer Partners
Changes in Pulpit Supply Rates
2023 Mission Support Intent Forms
IRS Employee Retention Tax Credit
Traditional IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution
Update from Laura Slezak
Journi: Explore Leadership in the ELCA
Courageous Leadership Series
A Spiritual Feast for the Journey
Upcoming Ordination and Installation
Upcoming Events
Message from Bishop Gronberg
NT-NL Leaders:
“He (Jesus) it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us.” – Titus 2:14
This verse from Titus is part of the appointed epistle reading for Christmas. Positioned with well loved words from the prophets and Luke’s gospel I imagine it often doesn’t get much notice. These words, speaking of what Jesus gave for us are central to what we are preparing for this Advent. God, in Christ, giving, or emptying as Philippians says, himself for the sake of joining us in human flesh.
Lent is typically the season we talk about giving things up for a season. To remind us of God’s giving up for us. But I wonder if that isn’t also something we should be thinking about in Advent. Gift giving is on many of our minds right now. So what if we added to those lists another question? What are we, or our ministries, willing to give, or need to give up, for the sake of the gospel?
In our synod right now we have many congregations and ministries facing these very difficult conversations. Recognizing that ministries they cherished cannot continue the way they have in the past. This may be as seemingly simple, and yet difficult, as deciding volunteers are too taxed to do the same Christmas program this year. It may also mean choosing to end Word and Sacrament ministry and repurposing assets to support new or different ministry. Our Synod Council has been engaged in those conversations as well as has the Briarwood board. Taking a hard look at the needs of the synod for office space in our new reality. Being honest that the projections for usage and camping that were assumed 10 years ago did not materialize. Maintenance projects that were deferred over the years now cannot be ignored anymore. Remembering and focusing in on our purpose.
These are not easy realities and questions and there are many different ways they get answered. But it is essential we consider what we can or should do to be faithful stewards and further the mission of the church. Being honest that sometimes the things we value deeply are in fact keeping us from accomplishing God’s mission in the world. I pray your congregation is engaged in this honest searching as well and my office stands ready to assist you in that work.
We have a God who in Christ gives/empties himself for us. And in so doing redeems us and sets us free. Recognizing this we can also see how in this life giving sets us free. Free to let go of our assumption of control and opening ourselves and the future to different possibilities. Trusting that God’s future, and as such, our future, is secure because of what God in Christ gave up for us. That we might be redeemed and united with Christ in resurrection. And that, regardless of the season of the year, is the most precious gift of all.
In Expectant Hope,
Bishop Gronberg
MEF Thank You
On behalf of the NT-NL Mission Endowment Fund (MEF) Board Members, we extend our deepest appreciation for your support! This year, our Seeds that Change event raised over $30,000! This money directly benefits the awarded grants within our synod, as we will be able to fund more applications in 2023!
Conferencia Latina Celebration Service
On Saturday, December 10, at 5:30pm, a worship service will be held at Santa Maria de Guadalupe, 2601 S MacArthur Blvd, Irving, TX 75060. This worship will commemorate the reunion of this congregation with our Conferencia Latina and NT-NL. You are invited to join us. ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will be present to celebrate with us.
Blue Christmas Online Service
Women of the ELCA (WELCA) will be hosting a Blue Christmas online service on Wednesday, December 21, starting at 7pm Central:
“Our Blue Christmas Service offers a safe place to bring your grief, fear, and loss. Brief readings. Quiet and reflective music. Prayers. All are welcome. Spanish translation provided.”
Únase a nosotros para el tercer servicio anual de Navidad Azul
Advance registration required.
2023 Prayer Partners
We have updated the synod Prayer Partners list for next year and uploaded it to the website. You can find that here: https://www.ntnl.org/resources/prayer-partners/.
Changes in Pulpit Supply Rates
The rates for pulpit supply have not been changed in years, so we are updating the requirements starting January 1, 2023.
The policy of the Synod Council for Sunday pulpit supply requires remuneration of no less than:
- $200 for single service
- $300 for two services
- $400 for three services
Travel expenses are to be reimbursed at the current IRS mileage rate.
If the preaching engagement requires overnight lodging, the congregation is expected to cover that as well.
2023 Mission Support Intent Forms
We invite you to share your mission support plan for 2023.
As you discuss your Mission Support commitment for the coming year, please consider how your offerings reflect your calling and build up the body of Christ. As a church together, we can have a greater impact in your community and beyond, sharing God’s abundant grace with others.
2023_English_Mission_Support_Statement_of_Intent_form_fillable_Revised
Les invitamos a elaborar su declaración congregacional de apoyo a la benevolencia para 2023.
Al analiza su compromiso con el apoyo a la Benevolencia para el año entrante, consideren cómo sus ofrendas reflejan su llamamiento y edifican el cuerpo de Cristo. Juntos como la iglesia podemos causar un mayor impacto dentro y fuera de su comunidad, compartiendo la gracia abundante de Dios con los demás.
2023_Spanish_Mission_Support_Statement_of_Intent_form_fillable_Revised
To learn more about how God is changing lives through the ELCA, visit https://www.livinglutheran.org/sofia/.
Para conocer más de cómo Dios está transformando vidas a través de la ELCA, visiten https://www.livinglutheran.org/sofia/.
Please submit your form to office@ntnl.org.
IRS Employee Retention Tax Credit
By now, many churches have heard of or even claimed Employee Retention Tax Credits (ERTC). Those that have taken advantage of the credit have seen thousands of dollars in benefits for retaining employees in 2020 and 2021. ERTC has been a lifeline for so many churches that continue to struggle during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Congress’ Employee Retention Credit (ERC) rules make tax refunds available for churches that paid employee wages and health insurance in 2020 and 2021. Find out if your church may qualify for the ERC.
Traditional IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution
You can give any amount (up to a maximum of $100,000) per year from your traditional IRA directly to a qualified charity such as your congregation and/or the ministries you specify without having to pay income taxes on the money. Gifts of any value $100,000 or less are eligible for this benefit, and you can feel good knowing that you are making a difference. This popular gift option is commonly called the IRA charitable rollover, but you may also see it referred to as a qualified charitable distribution, or QCD for short.
Why consider this gift?
* If you are required to take minimum distributions, you can use your gift to satisfy all or part of your RMD obligation.
* You pay no income taxes on the gift. The transfer generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, so you benefit even if you do not itemize your deductions.
* Since the gift doesn’t count as income, it can reduce your annual income level. This may help lower your Medicare premiums and decrease the amount of Social Security that is subject to tax.
Want to know more? Contact Morgan Schmidlin, gift planner with Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest (LFSW), to discuss using your traditional IRA to support your congregation or another qualified charity. | Morgan Schmidlin, 440-785-3363 or mschmidlin@lfsw.org
Update from Laura Slezak
Laura Slezak is the current ELCA missionary to Japan, in partnership with the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church. Here is her update from November.
Journi: Explore Leadership in the ELCA
Understanding who you are and where your strengths and passions lie is the first step. We all have our own traits, interests, and personal gifts that shape our leadership potential. Learning about this potential can help you figure out the next steps on your faith journey within the ELCA. Get started with Journi.
Courageous Leadership Series
Dear Faith Leaders,
ELCA Coaching is experimenting and learning as we continue with our theme of COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP. Join us WEEKLY on Wednesdays at 1pm Central. There will be time for small groups in breakout rooms so that leaders across the church can learn from each other and leave each gathering with at least one action step.
We are inviting you to bring a spirit of curiosity to these gatherings and to all aspects your life. What are you noticing? Where is Spirit moving? How might you be a part?
For December 2022:
Week One (December 7) – Coaching – Choose Your Own Adventure (breakout rooms by topic)
Week Two (December 14) – Surprise guest – Curiosity and Ambition
Week Three (December 21) – Coaching – Christmas celebration
Week Four (December 28) – NO gathering (taking a break for the holidays)
The login information can be found on the ELCA Coaching website: https://www.elcacoaching.org/events/courageous-leadership
Recordings from prior gatherings can be found here: https://www.elcacoaching.org/podcasts/media/series/courageous-leadership
A Spiritual Feast for the Journey
A Spiritual Feast for the Journey
Saturday, January 28, 2023
The NT-NL Congregational Vitality and Renewal Team invites you to a warm and relaxing gathering to be with colleagues for fun and time away for spiritual self-reflection and renewal.
Includes lunch.
Purpose: To reconnect with God’s Spirit, Ourselves, and One Another
Goals:
- To rekindle continuous listening for and to God’s Spirit.
- To reconnect with colleagues and to better connect with our wider communities
- To engage ongoing ministry with new spiritual insight.
RSVP by January 9 to Pastor Jeff Borgwardt pastorjeff@firstlutheran.us or Pastor Irma Bañales, DEM irma@ntnl.org
Upcoming Ordination and Installation
Daniel P. Weichart, called to serve Emmanuel, Granbury, will be ordained and installed on December 10.
Upcoming Events
With the ever-changing guidelines and recommendations in our world right now, as we maintain physical distance in social solidarity, please keep in mind these events may be moved online, postponed, or cancelled:
- Dec. 7: Courageous Leadership – Coaching – Choose Your Own Adventure (breakout rooms by topic), Zoom
- Dec. 10: Conferencia Latina Celebration Service, Santa Maria, Irving
- Dec. 14: Courageous Leadership – Surprise guest – Curiosity and Ambition, Zoom
- Dec. 21: Courageous Leadership – Coaching – Christmas celebration, Zoom
- Dec. 21: Blue Christmas Online Service | Servicio en línea de Navidad azul – Zoom
For a complete list of upcoming events, you can access our Calendar of Events online.