In This Issue
Boundaries Training
2018 Annual Report covers
2019 Mission Support
IRS Announces 2019 Mileage Rates
Sabbatical Days at Briarwood
ELCA Disability Ministries Awards
Una introducción a El Proyecto de la Generosidad
ConFESt: Confirmands’ Afternoon with the Bishop
Seminario sobre la homosexualidad y sus diferentes facetas
Tri-Theological Conference
Host a “Bridging the Divide” seminar
ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving
Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program
Lutheran Legislative Days and Interfaith Advocacy Day
2019 Prayer Partners
Upcoming Installation
Upcoming Events
Boundaries Training
Briarwood
January 17, 9am-3pm (including lunch)
Facilitator: Joretta Marshall, Executive Vice President and Dean, and also Professor of Pastoral Theology and Care, at Brite Divinity School
$25/person
For planning purposes, registration will only be open through TOMORROW, JANUARY 3. REGISTER HERE.
If you need a place to stay before / after this event, please contact christi@briarwoodretreat.org.
* The ELCA highly recommends Boundaries Training every 3 years, at a minimum, for all Rostered Leaders.
2018 Annual Report Covers
The annual report covers are available for order or a digital download: http://resources.elca.org/Stewardship-2018_Annual_Report_Cover.html
2019 Mission Support
If you missed Bishop’s letter, you may access that here: 2019 Mission Support letter from Bishop Gronberg.
You may access the online and manual 2019 Mission Support forms here.
IRS Announces 2019 Mileage Rates
The Internal Revenue Service has issued its 2019 optional standard mileage rates. This year, the mileage reimbursement rates will slightly increase.
Use of this rate is optional, though it is widely seen by churches as a simple way to determine a standard rate for calculating mileage reimbursement for employees who use their personal vehicle for ministry or business purposes.
If you use the IRS rate to calculate mileage reimbursement, be sure to update your systems to account for this change.
Click here to see the updated clergy, medical, moving, and charitable mileage rates.
Sabbatical Days at Briarwood
Seeking a place to retreat and rest after the busyness of Advent and Christmas? Briarwood Retreat Center offers free space for NT-NL leaders to take sabbatical days (from one to seven). You may request this time at any point throughout the year. If there is availability, it’s yours! Contact christi@briarwoodretreat.org for more details. As we continue to ensure Briarwood is sustainable, if you are able to donate $30 to cover cleaning costs, that would be helpful and welcome.
ELCA Disability Ministries Awards
ELCA Disability Ministries was notified of a $250,000 gift from the “Where Needed Most Fund” of Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA. We have decided to share this gift with ELCA congregations, synods, and ELCA affiliates (i.e. small ministry organizations, educational affiliates, and independent Lutheran organizations) through a Mental Health Ministry project. We invite you to share with those you know an opportunity to receive an award of up to $10,000 by partnering with a mental health organization such as Suicide Prevention Ministry, Pathways to Promise, or the National Alliance for Mental Illness. We will be able to do 25 or more grants for this project beginning immediately and are looking for your help in sharing this good news before the application deadline of January 31. Please visit elca.org/disability to learn more about the grant through the “Request for Proposals.”
Una introducción a El Proyecto de la Generosidad
El Proyecto de la Generosidad es un taller animado, interactivo, e intergeneracional que modela el potencial de una congregación a conectar y a equipar a miembros de todas las edades y generaciones como líderes representantes en la congregación y en el hogar.
Conferencia Latina del sínodo NT-NL, ELCA
Una introducción a El Proyecto de la Generosidad
Dirigido por Linda Staats, ELCA Coordinadora del Proyecto
en Colaboración del equipo de Mayordomía del Sínodo NTNL
Iglesia Luterana San Gabriel, Alvarado TX
Sábado 12 de Enero, 2019
Equipando a hogares para que respondan a la generosidad extravagante de Dios es una oportunidad de todo el año. Equipando a individuos de cada generación, edad y etapa a vivir como representantes agradecidos ofrece innumerable y creativas oportunidades.
Congregaciones de todo el Sínodo de NT-NL están invitadas a participar.
La participación multigeneracional es altamente motivada.
Por favor reserve de antemano para poder preparar el lugar y la comida adecuada.
Horario del dia – por favor reserve de antemano*
9:00 AM Bienvenida y Matricula / Welcome & Registration
9:30 AM Devocional Matutino / Morning Devotional
9:45 AM El Proyecto de Generosidad
11:45 AM Almuerzo / Lunch
12:30 PM Continuación “El Proyecto de Generosidad” con todos los participantes
*Por favor reserve con el Pastor Jesus Escamilla antes de 7 de Enero
Email: sangabriel.jesus@yahoo.com o Celular: 817-739-4588
Haga clic aquí para acceder a un folleto del evento.
Haga clic aquí para acceder a un folleto de testimonios en inglés.
ConFESt: Confirmands’ Afternoon with the Bishop
ConFESt: Confirmands’ Afternoon with the Bishop
Christ, Dallas
January 13, 2-4pm
Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good conFESsion in the presence of many witnesses. – 1 Timothy 6:12
Featuring:
- A short worship service with a message from the bishop.
- A photo for each confirmation class taken with the bishop.
- A ministry fair with information and involvement opportunities from synod and ELCA ministries.
- Food, of course!
The goals are for confirmation students to:
- get to know the bishop and youth from other congregations,
- learn about our wider church and how to get involved,
- worship, and
- have fun!
Congregations will be invited to register their whole confirmation class, including teachers and adult advisers.
Click here for a Save the Date flyer. REGISTER HERE.
Seminario sobre la homosexualidad y sus diferentes facetas
Iglesia Luterana Walnut Hill estara impartiendo un seminario acerca de la homosexualidad y sus diferents facetas. Dia: Enero 26, 2019. Hora: 10am a 4pm. Lugar: 14008 Distribution Way Farmers Branch. Registrate al 214-351-6785.
(Walnut Hill Lutheran Church will be teaching a seminar IN SPANISH about homosexuality and its different facets. Day: January 26, 2019. Time: 10am to 4pm. Place: 14008 Distribution Way Farmers Branch. Register at 214-351-6785.)
Tri-Theological Conference
January 28-30
Galveston, TX
Host a “Bridging the Divide” seminar
BRIDGING THE DIVIDE: Skills for Better, More Civil Conversations in an Uncivil Society
If you would like to have better conversations around challenging issues, particularly with family members, consider hosting or attending “Bridging the Divide.” Emphases are placed upon respecting the dignity of others and self, presenting with care and integrity, honoring the insights and stories of others, and promoting relationship enhancing peace. Important biblical and theological foundations are offered at various junctures. Participants put principles into practice and hone skills by actually exploring at least one controversial topic. The seminar takes about three hours. The team of presenters is willing to travel. Bridging the Divide is a project of the Public Witness Team. Contact Laura Hunt (farmgirlfw@gmail.com) or Chuck Hubbard (cell: 214-395-6978; chuck.hubbard@yahoo.com) for more information.
ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving
SAVE THE DATE!
This Lent, you are once again invited to join fellow Lutherans to study, reflect, and give during the ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving. Journey into Lent as we explore the connections between our faith and our shared ministry to end hunger and poverty. Discover new ways to engage your congregation in the long-standing traditions and practices of Lent this year with:
- A devotional calendar with ideas for how to engage in the Lenten disciplines of self-examination and repentance, prayer and fasting, sacrificial giving and works of love.
- A weekly study with information about how your gifts to ELCA World Hunger are at work in the world.
- Additional resources, including an inspirational weekly email series and coin jar wrappers to invite children and families into the practice of giving to programs to end hunger and poverty.
A resource packet with more information and resources will be mailed to you in January, so be sure to watch your mailboxes!
Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program
Walnut Hill, Farmers Branch, is launching a Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program. Beginning February 23, 2019, from 4pm to 6pm. This a program for youth between 14 and 17 years old. Please register at 214 351-6785.
Lutheran Legislative Days and Interfaith Advocacy Day
SAVE THE DATES!
Lutheran Legislative Days – March 17-19
Interfaith Advocacy Day – March 28
2019 Prayer Partners
Our 2019 Prayer Partners list can be found online.
Upcoming Installation
The Rev. Veronica Webber Smith, called to serve Immanuel, Killeen, will be installed on January 12.
Upcoming Events
Here are leadership highlights:
Jan. 4-6: Women, Word, and Wine Retreat 2019, Briarwood
Jan. 12: Una introducción a El Proyecto de la Generosidad, Alvarado, TX
Jan. 12: Public Witness Team monthly meeting, Arlington, TX
Jan. 13: ConFESt: Confirmands’ Afternoon with the Bishop, Dallas, TX
Jan. 17: Boundaries Training, Briarwood
Jan. 26: Seminario sobre la homosexualidad y sus diferentes facetas, Farmers Branch, TX
Jan. 26-27: Men’s Lumberjack Retreat, Briarwood
Jan. 28-30: Tri-Theological Conference, Galveston, TX
Jan. 31 – Feb. 3: IGNITE: North Texas 2019 (ALDE), Grapevine, TX
Feb. 8-9: Synod Council meeting, Briarwood
Feb. 9: MEF Board meeting, Briarwood
Feb. 9: Public Witness Team monthly meeting, Arlington, TX
Feb. 16-17: Junior High Gathering & Group Dynamix, Carrollton, TX
Feb. 23: Senior Fest 2019 (ALOA), Plano, TX
Mar. 1-3: Peer Ministry (9th-12th grades), Fort Worth, TX
Mar. 9: PLMA, Spring 2019, Course 1, Briarwood
Mar. 9: Public Witness Team monthly meeting, Arlington, TX
Mar. 17-19: Lutheran Legislative Days, Austin, TX
Mar. 28: Interfaith Advocacy Day, Austin, TX
Mar. 30: Dallas Area Metro North conference retreat, Carrollton, TX
For a complete list of upcoming events in, and important to, our Synod, you can access our Calendar of Events online.