In This Edition
Featured Blog Post
Annual Rostered / Authorized Leader Report
Parochial Reports
Re-imagining Using Church Spaces
2021 Synod Assembly Updates
Portico Resources
Weekly Online Gatherings for ELCA Leaders
Upcoming Events
Featured Blog Post
Dear NT-NL Leaders,
In February 2020 we launched our first Briarwood Leadership Journey. 20+ members of NT-NL congregations spent 2 weeks in Turkey and Greece going Paul and beyond, exploring leadership in the early church, Byzantium, and the current political/economic/ecclesial realities. It is incredibly difficult to believe that just one year ago today we stood in the Hagia Sophia musuem just months before it was returned to status as Mosque. While we were there we began hearing more about this Covid-19 Coronavirus, what little did we know of the changes it would bring.
Change has been our constant companion in 2020 and seems to be into 2021. We have experienced the rifts and cracks in our society, communities, and congregations that pandemic did not create but reveals. We have seen acts of incredible selfishness and also acts of sacrificial love. In all these changes, challenges, losses and griefs, we have heard and seen time and again the promise that God is with us. That God is ever faithful and has entrusted us with this amazing gospel to share that can inspire us to live sacrificially for the life of the world.
And so as we move into 2021 we do so I pray understanding we have been Entrusted. Entrusted to be stewards of God’s mysteries in the world (1 Cor. 4:1-2). Entrusted to share the faith and help others become disciples of Jesus Christ. Entrusted with resources of time, talent, people, wisdom, and finances. Entrusted to be faithful with all that God has given us for the proclamation of the gospel and service to neighbor. We live out this stewardship of God’s generosity when, as I have observed in 2020 our communities have…
- Adapted and moved online. Finding ways to connect in new ways we never imagined in February 2020.
- Been faithful in providing ministries to those experienced food insecurity.
- 7 candidates were ordained into the office of Word and Sacrament.
- Parish Lay Ministry and SSTE courses moved online.
- 29 congregations increased mission support in 2020 for our shared work both as synod and churchwide.
- Congregations made faithful and challenging decisions to end Word and Sacrament ministry to share resources.
- Over 100 leaders gathered for 2 days of learning around the theology and witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
- Despite the divisions in our society we endeavor to connect, share, and learn.
- Prioritized our neighbors well being over our own desires for comfort and what we know.
Today registration opens for our 2021 online synod assembly to be held on April 24th. Our theme for this assembly will be “Entrusted.” Drawing on the ELW baptismal liturgy in which the Pastor reminds the parents of their duties…
“As you bring your children to receive the gift of baptism, you are Entrusted with responsibilities:
to live with them among God’s faithful people,
bring them to the word of God and the holy supper,
teach them the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments,
to place in their hands the holy scriptures,
and nurture them in faith and prayer,
so that your children may learn to trust God,
proclaim Christ through word and deed,
care for others and the world God made,
and work for justice and peace.”
As synod in 2021 we have been entrusted with God’s mysteries (2 Cor. 4:1-2) and we are expected then also to be trustworthy. But this expectation, this law, also comes with promise. The parents alone do not make promises in baptism. The sponsors and community also make promises to support the parents and the baptized in this work. And as we know also, God ultimately is the promise giver in baptism.
As we continue our work in 2021 we have been Entrusted with a Word to share and a gospel to live. I give thanks to you, the leaders of NT-NL for the ways you have shown yourselves trustworthy in 2020 and look forward to being #InMissionTogether in 2021.
Bishop Gronberg
Annual Rostered / Authorized Leader Report
THANK YOU TO THE NINETEEN OF YOU SO FAR WHO HAVE SUBMITTED YOUR REPORTS! Friendly reminder: If you are a rostered or authorized leader in our synod, please submit this report to the Bishop as soon as you are able: https://www.ntnl.org/annual-rostered-authorized-leader-report/. We are aiming for 100% participation, and this report helps the Bishop and synod staff know how best to support you and the worshiping community you serve. If you are a person who needs a deadline, please submit by March 31 so that we can have accurate reporting in time for Synod Assembly (April 24).
Parochial Reports
ELCA Form A & C submission deadline is February 15.
Re-imagining Using Church Spaces
Join the NT-NL Synod, Briarwood Leadership Center, and Foundry Commercial for a FREE webinar for congregational leaders to learn best practices around utilizing church space to create opportunity for ministry. Monday, February 22, 7pm Central. Open to all.
Registration required: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAvdOyqqT0sE938YThBTLnMwXypW-OauJBz. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
This webinar will not be a promotional presentation but will walk through case studies, focusing on re-imagining church space and all the different ways to think about how real estate can assist in church use, and there will be time for questions and answers.
2021 Synod Assembly Updates
Theme: Entrusted
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2
We are charging a small registration fee this year to provide resources for enhanced technology and for honorariums for presenters. Learning from our experience in 2020, we hope this Assembly experience will be enhanced and continue to grow our capacity for hosting online gatherings.
Registration for Voting Members:
https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/3176027
Early Bird (through March 14) = $35
Regular (March 15 – April 11) = $50
Registered Voting Members will receive a Zoom Meeting login link the week of Assembly.
Registration for Sponsors:
https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/3176027
Through April 4 = $50
Sponsors will be featured at some point throughout Assembly and included here on our event page. After you have registered, please contact jason@ntnl.org with your official logo, your website, and a short video (no longer than 3 minutes) or a PPT presentation (no longer than 3 minutes) of messaging and/or high-quality photos. To be included in our Assembly, you must submit your media by 9am Central on Monday, April 5.
Visitors will be able to participate via Facebook (no account required). Registration not required.
Details will be updated on the event page here: https://www.ntnl.org/event/2021-synod-assembly/.
Portico Resources
Health is on the way: If the holidays or the pandemic have you tipping the scales a little more these days, ELCA-Primary health plan members can utilize Omada, a free innovative digital program designed to help create modest changes that promote weight loss and help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Omada’s specialized care programs offer eligible members individualized support to stay on track and maintain healthy habits. Learn more about Omada on myPortico.
Getting started on your taxes early? The Richard R. Hammar Clergy Tax Guide and the Federal Reporting Guide for Churches are both available on myPortico at no cost to you.
Live Well, one small step at a time. The tiniest things can combine to make a significant difference. This year, Portico invites you to check out 2021 Live Well. We’ll guide you through activities that might seem simple, but can get you on the path to feeling stronger, balanced, and more resilient. Featured this month: 3 ingredients for a healthy breakfast, tracking how much you spend on food, and how to savor your meals mindfully.
Coffee with your Portico Regional Representative: Need to check in on your ELCA Retirement Account? Want to use the ELCA-Primary Plan’s terrific stress-management and mental health support benefits? Reach out to Deacon Terri Endres at 952-221-2000 or tendres@porticobenefits.org to schedule a time to meet.
Weekly Online Gatherings for ELCA Leaders
BEING CHURCH
Wednesdays, 1PM Central
Login information is shared here: https://www.elcacoaching.org/
This month’s schedule:
February 3 – The Sacred Work of Grief, Part 6: The Places That Have Not Known Love – Rev. Solveig Nilsen-Goodin
February 10 – Counterstory: The Writing and Rhetoric of Critical Race Theory – Aja Martinez, assistant professor of writing and rhetoric at the University of North Texas
February 17 – Growing Young: Jesus’ Message – Rachel Alley and others
February 24 – The Untold Story: Black Lutheran History, Part 2 – Dr. Larry Clark, Dr. Richard Stewart
You are invited to join this weekly online gathering designed to provide encouragement and support for ELCA leaders across the church. Participants will hear topical presentations related to how we are called to be Church, as well as have an opportunity to be in small group discussions with an ELCA group coach facilitating the conversation. This is where the magic happens. All of this is designed to help us process our emotions and thus create a space where we can each name our next most faithful step forward in our unique context. You are welcome to share this invitation with any other ELCA leader, rostered or lay. #ELCAChurchTogether
How have we been church, with individuals and with communities? How are we being church? How are we called to be church with all people, with creation, and in an ever-changing world?
We understand a number of folks are unable to make this day and time each week. We record the main session and the wrap-up time. We share each recording with supporting documents here by the following week: https://www.
You can find the login information and a list of upcoming topics and presenters on the home page of the ELCA Coaching website: https://www.
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:
- Feb. 3: Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders – The Sacred Work of Grief, Part 6: The Places That Have Not Known Love with Rev. Solveig Goodin-Nilsen, Zoom
- Feb. 4: Weekly NT-NL Leadership Prayer, Check-in, Zoom
- Feb. 4-6: ELCA Extravaganza 2021, Online
- Feb. 5: Synod Council and Deans Meeting, Online
- Feb. 6: Synod Council and MEF Meeting, Online
- Feb. 10: Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders – Counterstory: The Writing and Rhetoric of Critical Race Theory with Aja Martinez (UNT), Zoom
- Feb. 11: Weekly NT-NL Leadership Prayer, Check-in, Zoom
- Feb. 13: Public Witness Team meeting, Online
- Feb. 17: Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders – Growing Young: Jesus’ Message with Rachel Alley and others, Zoom
- Feb. 18: Weekly NT-NL Leadership Prayer, Check-in, Zoom
- Feb. 22: Re-imagining Using Church Spaces, Zoom
- Feb. 24: Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders – The Untold Story: Black Lutheran History, Part 2 with Dr. Larry Clark and Dr. Richard Stewart, Zoom
- Feb. 25: Weekly NT-NL Leadership Prayer, Check-in, Zoom
For a complete list of upcoming events, you can access our Calendar of Events online.