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Message from Bishop Gronberg

Dear NT-NL Leaders:

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Annual Rostered / Authorized Leader Report

If you are a Rostered Minister or Synodically Authorized Worship Leader, please complete this report to the bishop by March 31:

https://www.ntnl.org/annual-rostered-authorized-leader-report/

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2023 Synod Assembly Updates

In the last month, significant updates have been added to the event page for our 2023 Assembly: https://www.ntnl.org/event/2023-nt-nl-synod-assembly/

Highlights:

• We have added a meal (Saturday breakfast) without increasing any registration prices
• We have confirmed a hotel room block at the same location as our meeting space at significantly reduced pricing
• We have confirmed our keynote speakers: Pastor Joe and Deacon Jess Liles
• We have added details regarding our sponsor display space

Friendly reminders:

• Early bird registration pricing closes on March 1
• Registration for Assembly and the hotel room block both close on April 16 (there will be no on-site registration)

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“Lent in a Box” Resource

St. Olaf College is collaborating with Church Anew and Concordia College on resource development for Lent that we hope will be a blessing to congregations.

https://churchanew.org/lent

They are offering an online equipping event TOMORROW, February 2, 1:00-2:30pm Central, where you will receive all the materials needed for two different series for Lent. If you are not able to attend that presentation, purchase the online option and a recording of the session will be shared so you can watch when it works for you.

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The Story Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us

For anyone interested in telling stories – stories of God, Ourselves, and Others – join us on Tuesday, February 7, 6:00PM-7:15PM CST for The Story Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us.

Rev. Jake Jacobson, DEM Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod, and Karen Kretschmann, ELCA Mission Support Team, are eager to share stories and listen to stories. Come rediscover God’s story and how its intertwined in your story. Let’s learn to share these stories across our congregations, synods, and the greater church TOGETHER.

Click here for a flyer to share this message to all those you know who love dwelling in God’s story within us.

You can access the Zoom link here.

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Job Opening: Gift Planner for TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod

Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest (LFSW) has a full-time position opening for a gift planner for the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod. The gift planner will be responsible for cultivating legacy gifts and presenting opportunities for long-term ministry investments in the LFSW Multi Asset Fund and ELCA Ministry Growth Fund. The gift planner will report to Deacon John Dellis, director of legacy planning, and will be expected to reside in the territory of that synod. For more information, contact Deacon Dellis at (830) 305-2758 or jdellis@lfsw.org.

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Portico Benefit Services Updates

Utilize text support: It’s brave and smart to seek help if you’re living with stress, depression, anxiety, or mental health struggles – but accessing an in-person counselor isn’t always easy or even possible. That’s one reason the ELCA-Primary health plan EAP benefit has expanded to include Talkspace, digital confidential online counseling with licensed therapists via text, video, or audio. Read more on myPortico.

Retirement on the horizon? Increase your confidence and peace of mind by learning more about developing a withdrawal strategy, utilize Social Security, plan for health care costs, and more. Watch recordings from January workshops when it’s convenient for you. Learn more 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.

Develop a ‘I can do this’ mindset: Deep breaths, time with loved ones, a good night’s sleep … what are your best practices for keeping yourself centered and healthy? If you’re looking to expand your toolbox, and you have ELCA-Primary health benefits, check out Learn to Live’s new course focusing on building resilience. Take the initial assessment and then enroll in the self-guided program at no out-of-pocket cost to you.

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Courageous Leadership Series

Dear Faith Leaders,

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?

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.

For February 2023:
Week One (February 1) – Coaching – Choose Your Own Adventure (breakout rooms by topic)
Week Two (February 8) – James Henricks – Conflict
Week Three (February 15) – Danielle Groth and Vicky Lovell – Topic TBA
Week Four (February 22) – Larry Clark – Black Lutheran Women Making History

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

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ELCA Living Lutheran Update

Today we are announcing that Living Lutheran magazine will print its final issue in December 2023. Also, the magazine will print six issues in this final year. The Churchwide Organization will not stop telling stories of this church when the printing of the magazine ends. This year, we will begin transitioning Living Lutheran to a full online storytelling engine featuring new ways of reaching people, providing a more economical and far-reaching approach for us to engage with a broader audience. You will start to see us employing these ways throughout the year, with videos, audio stories, podcasts, live events, and more. This transition will also include a more robust social media presence and more opportunities for user-generated content with the potential for greater engagement with Lutherans and non-Lutherans alike.

The ELCA and its predecessor church bodies have been printing periodicals since 1831, when The Lutheran Observer first started. Spreading the gospel and sharing the stories of our church have always been at the foundation of who we are as Christians and Lutherans. And while we will no longer print a magazine each month, the sharing and spreading of the good news continues every day. As many of you probably know, the cost of printing a magazine—including paper, ink and postage prices—has steadily increased, especially during the pandemic, making it difficult to financially support a print edition. Being good stewards of the generous support given to the church is of the upmost importance to our team.

By focusing on creating more online content and new channels for distribution, we will have more flexibility and options for how we tell the stories of this church. Storytelling will still be at the core of this work. For the immediate future, we encourage you to sign up for Living Lutheran’s e-digest, a weekly email that highlights the top five most read stories on LivingLutheran.org. You can sign up here.

We give thanks for Living Lutheran and all the staff who have worked on the magazine over the years. The world is ever evolving, and that includes how we digest and engage with content of all kinds. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and hope you will join us in celebrating such a wonderful ministry of this church, giving thanks for the magazine and the many ways it has reached the hearts and homes of people across this church. And we hope you join us in praying for what’s ahead and asking for God’s guidance and support in all we do.

In Christ,

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
ELCA Presiding Bishop