In This Edition
Timely Updates from Bishop Gronberg
A Spiritual Feast for the Journey
Reminder: Changes in Pulpit Supply Rates
Reminder: 2023 Mission Support Intent Forms
2023 Synod Assembly Registration Open
Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association
Courageous Leadership Series
Rostered Ministers Gathering
Upcoming Ordination
Upcoming Events
Prayer Requests
Roster Changes
Timely Updates from Bishop Gronberg
Dear Partners in Mission:
Please note there are changes and an addition to this weekend’s schedule, with one event moved to the following weekend:
Saturday, January 7, 11am – Funeral of Mederick Rodgers at Friendship West Baptist Church, Dallas. Bishop Gronberg will officiate.
Saturday, January 7, 1pm – Funeral of the Rev. Yvonne Kiebler at Advent-Arlington. Her obituary can be found here.
Saturday, January 7, 4pm – Ordination of Darlene Hopkins at Trinity-Fort Worth. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and participate. The color is red.
Sunday, January 8, 3pm – Closing Worship of Walnut Hill-Farmers Branch.
Saturday, January 14, 1pm – Closing Worship of King of Glory-Fort Worth. (Moved from January 7.)
All are invited to be present for these important gatherings of our Synod community. As we give thanks for the lives of those who have served as Lay and Rostered ministers. As communities make the faithful decision to end Word and Sacrament ministry at these physical locations so they can share their community and assets for mission across the church. And as we rejoice at another individual, raised up by an NT-NL congregation, has answered the call to serve as an ordained pastor in our church.
God is ever faithful to us in our griefs and joys, and it is good to be in community together.
In Mission Together:
Bishop Gronberg
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
Reminder: 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.
Reminder: 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.
2023 Synod Assembly Registration Open
Details are starting to be confirmed for our 2023 NT-NL Synod Assembly! You can find all pertinent information here: https://www.ntnl.org/event/2023-nt-nl-synod-assembly/. We will update this event webpage as we confirm additional details.
Registration is now open! Here is the direct link to register: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/6520048
2023 Synod Assembly Fee Schedule:
NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON-SITE.
Voting Member Early Bird (until March 1) = $175
Voting Member Regular (March 2 – April 16) = $225
Retired Rostered Voting Member Early Bird (until March 1) = $125
Retired Rostered Voting Member Regular (March 2 – April 16) = $150
Visitor Early Bird (until March 1) = $75
Visitor Regular (March 2 – April 16) = $100
Vendor = $250
Displayer = $150
Meals provided with registration = 2 (two) – Friday dinner and Saturday lunch
Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association
The Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association (LFCNA), formerly the Evangelical Lutheran Parish Nurse Association (ELPNA), is in the process of implementing a name change to be consistent with the more current title of “Faith Community Nurse” (FCN).
If you are unfamiliar with LFCNA/ELPNA, it began as a local FCN association in the Twin Cities of Minnesota in the mid-2000s. In 2010, working with the ELCA Churchwide office, the organization became a 501(c)3 entity under the ELCA group tax exemption. LFCNA/ELPNA is considered an Independent Lutheran organization recognized by churchwide in their annual yearbook. LFCNA/ELPNA has strived to have a presence at Churchwide gatherings since the Minneapolis Churchwide Assembly (CWA) in 2009, including at the CWA in Columbus, OH, last year.
Helpful resources:
- Roles of a Parish / Faith Community Nurse (2022)
- How to Call a Parish / Faith Community Nurse (2022)
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 January 2023:
Week One (January 4) – Coaching – Choose Your Own Adventure (breakout rooms by topic)
Week Two (January 11) – Karen Kretschmann & Nick Kiger – Story Telling Engagement
Week Three (January 18) – Deb Squires – Family & Friends Gathering
Week Four (January 25) – Bishop Mike Girlinghouse – Grief in Faith Communities
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
Rostered Ministers Gathering
Rostered Ministers Gathering
July 17-20, 2023
Phoenix, AZ
All Rostered Ministers in the ELCA are invited to join colleagues under the theme of “Rekindle the gift within you” (2 Timothy 1:6).
Let this gathering be an opportunity for you to remember, reclaim, rekindle, and revive yourself. Gathering with colleagues from across the church for fellowship, renewal, continuing education, worship, bible study, and refreshment for your spirit.
Each day will begin in worship as we center ourselves around our theme. Each morning, we will offer bible studies and keynote speakers. The afternoon hours will offer a variety of individual options from activity in the Interaction Center to workshops and caucus times.
Full details and updates can be found here: https://www.elca.org/rmg
Registration is now open: https://www.elca.org/Rostered-Ministers-Gathering/Registration (reduced rate through March 31)
Upcoming Ordination
Darlene Hopkins, called to serve Shepherd King, Lubbock, will be ordained on January 7.
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:
- Jan. 4: Courageous Leadership – Coaching – Choose Your Own Adventure (breakout rooms by topic), Zoom
- Jan. 6-8: Peer Ministry Leadership Training, Fort Worth
- Jan. 11: Courageous Leadership – Karen Kretschmann & Nick Kiger – Story Telling Engagement, Zoom
- Jan. 14: Public Witness Team meeting, Hybrid
- Jan. 18-25: 2023 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Global
- Jan. 18: Courageous Leadership – Deb Squires – Family & Friends Gathering, Zoom
- Jan. 19: Christian Unity Ecumenical Worship Service, Custer Road UMC, Plano
- Jan. 21: 2023 PLMA Graduation, Emanuel, Dallas
- Jan. 24: First Call Pastors Check-in, Zoom
- Jan. 25: Courageous Leadership – Bishop Mike Girlinghouse – Grief in Faith Communities, Zoom
- Jan. 28: A Spiritual Feast for the Journey, Advent, Arlington
For a complete list of upcoming events, you can access our Calendar of Events online.