In This Edition
Message from Bishop Gronberg
Annual Rostered / Authorized Leader Report
2023 Synod Assembly Updates
“Lent in a Box” Resource
The Story Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us
Job Opening: Gift Planner for Gulf Coast Synod
Portico Benefit Services Updates
Courageous Leadership Series
ELCA Living Lutheran Update
The Awakening Retreat
Festival of Homiletics
Lutherhill Ministries Summer Camping Programs
Upcoming Events
Message from Bishop Gronberg
Dear NT-NL Leaders:
We are already a month into 2023 and I can already see it will be a continued year of opportunities and challenges for us as church and in community. There are a great many things happening in our church that we celebrate. We graduated six new Parish Lay Ministers (3 English, 3 Spanish). We have celebrated the installation of new pastors. And we have done the hard work of closing two ministries.
The reality of the coming years is that all our congregations and ministries are going to have to take seriously stewardship of their facilities and their mission. How best the assets we have been entrusted with can be used for the work of the church. As synod two of our ministries are having to have those hard conversations. With the death of SAWL Dan Lund the Church of the Damascus Road board has had to and continues to do hard work regarding the future of ministry behind the walls as well as the sustainability of the Jay’s Place residential facility. The Briarwood board has been honestly assessing the hundreds of thousands of dollars of deferred maintenance work that needs to be done, potential partners to help us in this work, along with the ongoing expense of doing ministry. Reminding themselves and us that Briarwood’s constitutional mission first and foremost is to develop leaders and provide experiences for our communities, and proclaim the gospel. A facility may or may not fulfill that mission and leader formation can continue in many ways.
Your synod council will meet this weekend on Saturday online to do important work of your synod. Please pray for these leaders as we engage in that work. And if you are a voting member, please get registered for Synod Assembly April 28-29th in Shreveport!
In Mission Together,
Bishop Gronberg
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/
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)
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
The Awakening Retreat
Join Rev. Ele Clay and Rev. Austin Nickel March 17-19 at Lutherhill for The Awakening Retreat, a time set apart to open our eyes and hearts. Together we will ask, “What is it we cannot see about racism?” Group activities, personal stories, and caring conversations will create a welcome and safe place to question our certainties and doubts. This weekend retreat is an entry-point to a deeper dive into racism awareness.
Click here for a flyer with full details.
Register here: $36/per person
Festival of Homiletics
May 15-18 | Minneapolis, MN
(Digital access and Livestream options also available)
“Preaching Hope for a Weary World” is the Festival’s response to the hardships and heaviness that have been our reality the last few years.
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. 1: Courageous Leadership – Coaching – Choose Your Own Adventure (breakout rooms by topic), Zoom
- Feb. 4: Synod Council and MEF Board meetings, Online
- Feb. 8: Courageous Leadership – James Henricks – Conflict, Zoom
- Feb. 10-12: NT-NL Junior High & Senior High Youth Gathering, Plano
- Feb. 11: Public Witness Team meeting, Hybrid
- Feb. 15: Courageous Leadership – Danielle Groth and Vicky Lovell – Topic TBA, Zoom
- Feb. 22: Courageous Leadership – Larry Clark – Black Lutheran Women Making History, Zoom
- Feb. 23: Cultivating Compassion Session 2: Nonviolent Communication, Online
- Mar. 1: DEADLINE to register for Synod Assembly at Early Bird Pricing, Online
For a complete list of upcoming events, you can access our Calendar of Events online.