In This Edition
Equipping Pastoral Leaders: Faithful Ministry with People of All Abilities
Introducing TLU Sunday: Celebrating Our Shared Mission
2026 Fund for Leaders Scholarships Now Open
Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest Newsletter
Cross Trails Gift of Faith Gala
Drawing Water: Leadership Reflections from Pastor Nathan Swenson-Reinhold
Transformed Listeners Initiative Workshops: Community, Gospel, and Kin-dom
December Mission Support Memo
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary Discernment Retreat
Nominate Young Musicians for Lutheran Summer Music
Join King of Glory, Dallas for Isaac’s Comedy Club
Racial Justice and Faith Certificate at PLTS
Upcoming Events
Equipping Pastoral Leaders: Faithful Ministry with People of All Abilities
Bishop Gronberg is meeting with the Region 4 bishops in Omaha Jan 5-7. While there he learned about this continuing education program for leaders. He encourages you to check it out.
All too often, persons who live with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are marginalized by the church and the world. This online course, by bringing in subject matter experts, will offer both a holistic overview and practical ministry tools to support those with IDD and their guardians and families. CEU certificate available.
January 26, Noon – 1:30 pm EST or January 29, 7 – 8:30 pm EST; No one Grieves Alone: Loss in the IDD Community
February 23, Noon – 1:30 pm EST or February 26, 7 – 8:30 pm EST; Creating Community: Worship in the IDD Community
March 23, Noon EDT or March 26, 7 – 8:30 pm EDT; Lighting a Path: Education in the IDD Community
April 27, Noon EDT or April 30, 7 – 8:30 pm EDT; Effective Choices: Behavior Supports in the IDD Community
May 25, Noon EDT or May 28, 7 – 8:30 pm EDT; Giving a Voice: Advocacy and Ethics in the IDD Community
An online seminar with Mosaic, Mondays in the afternoon or Thursdays in the evening.
Register here: https://ulsforms.wufoo.com/forms/qk54i8q17nqquw/
Introducing TLU Sunday: Celebrating Our Shared Mission
On February 1, 2026, Texas Lutheran University (TLU) will launch TLU Sunday, a new initiative in partnership with the Bishops of the Synods of Texas and Louisiana. This special day celebrates the strong connection between TLU and our congregations as we work together to prepare faithful, educated leaders for the church and the world.
Building upon engagement programs such as Presidential Visits and TLU Takeovers, TLU Sunday will deepen relationships with congregations, alumni, and friends. The goals are to:
- Increase awareness of TLU among students, alumni, and church leaders.
- Share how TLU fulfills its mission in partnership with congregations.
- Invite support for the Lutheran Advantage Scholarship and Campus Ministry.
Participation is simple and optional. Congregations that opt in will receive in early January a TLU Sunday marketing packet with a short video, sample announcements, bulletin inserts, and social media content. Churches can share these materials during worship or in their own communications—and may also invite TLU students, alumni, or parents to offer a short testimonial.
To incentivize participation, one donor from each Synod has pledged $10,000 for TLU Sunday. Our goal is for each Synod to collectively raise another $10,000 across its congregations.
If you have questions regarding TLU Sunday, please reach out to the TLU Office of Development and Alumni Relations at development@tlu.edu.
Every year, the Fund for Leaders awards approximately 30 full-tuition scholarships to future ELCA pastors and deacons who are planning to attend an ELCA seminary. In spring 2026, the Fund for Leaders will once again offer scholarships to ministry candidates pursuing seminary study.
The application window for full-tuition scholarships is open until Feb. 20, 2026.
Here are a few key facts about Fund for Leaders scholarships:
- Scholarships are no longer reserved for full-time students. Candidates who need to study part-time are welcome and encouraged to apply.
- Eligible applicants must be planning to enroll in seminary in fall 2026. Applicants must be in the process of seeking candidacy for rostered ministry in the ELCA. Fund for Leaders must receive a positive entrance decision from the applicant’s candidacy committee no later than Dec. 15, 2026.
- Current ELCA seminary students who have completed no more than one semester of coursework before the start of the 2026-2027 academic year are also welcome to apply. All applicants must be considered first-year students in fall 2026.
- Ministry candidates may begin the Fund for Leaders application process before they have been accepted to seminary. Candidates are encouraged to apply to seminary and a Fund for Leaders scholarship simultaneously. Applicants can then upload their seminary acceptance letter(s) before the application deadline.
- Recipients of Fund for Leaders scholarships may apply their full-tuition scholarship at any ELCA seminary that has offered them admission.
- Scholarships are awarded to students for the duration of their required seminary coursework, provided they remain in good standing with their seminary and in their candidacy process. They do not need to reapply each year.
If you know of promising and gifted people discerning a call to rostered ministry in the ELCA, please send them this information and encourage them to visit ELCA.org/FundForLeaders today to learn more.
Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest Newsletter
Click here to learn more about the work of the Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest and the work our Synod Gift Planner, Kirk Barret does for the synod.
Cross Trails Gift of Faith Gala
You are invited to join Cross Trails Ministries for a night of dining, dancing, fundraising, and fellowship! This annual event helps us raise the funds for Camperships and help keep camp affordable for all! This year’s event will be held on March 7th at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in New Braunfels, TX from 5pm-10pm. Tickets are on sale now!
Cross Trails is looking for event sponsors, auction items or experiences of $50 or more, and wine and liquor bottles for our Wine Pull. Please visit GiftOfFaith26.givesmart.com to purchase tickets and become a sponsor. If you would like to donate an auction item please email gala@crosstrails.org for more information.
Drawing Water: Leadership Reflections from Pastor Nathan Swenson-Reinhold
Pastor Nathan Swenson-Reinhold, NT-NL Coaching Coordinator, has written a reflection on leadership and how coaching can help.
You can read his reflections in English and Spanish here.
Transformed Listeners Initiative Workshops: Community, Gospel, and Kin-dom
The Transformed Listeners Initiative is a program from the ELCA churchwide office focusing on equipping lay and ordained leaders to be better listeners. Listening to themselves, listening to their community, and listening to God. Through listening practices, we can better proclaim and preach the Good News to a tired and weary world.
The Initiative is hosting a series of interactive workshops for lay leaders, SAWLs and rostered leaders in January and would like to invite you to attend! The theme of the workshops are Community, Gospel and Kin-dom. The workshops will be participatory Zoom session facilitated by author and theologian Sharei Green. Participates may go to just one session or all of them. Each workshop will have independent content.
December Mission Support Memo
The December 2025 Mission Support memo introduces us to the community of Radford, VA, where Christ Lutheran closed to allow for Nineveh to open. Read about this new ministry that started its work with and among the people and organizations in Radford offering the community a safe haven and house of healing for all seeking the justice, mercy and compassion of the Spirit, especially people on the margins: those suffering from addiction and their families and friends, and those seeking an affirming and inclusive faith community in the New River Valley. Find out how to partner with our ELCA Innovation team, which works closely with synods, congregations and other ELCA ministry partners as they explore new and unique ways of doing ministry. In this time of Advent — a time of watchfulness, preparation and waiting for the light of Christ to come —the Congregation and Synod Support team continues to be grateful for the ways we stay connected and for the Mission Support received that fosters these stories.
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary Discernment Retreat
Are you wondering if seminary might be right for you? Consider joining PLTS visit and discernment weekend, Signs Along the Way, March 13th – 15th in Berkeley, California. This weekend is a great opportunity to connect with others in discernment, get to know PLTS faculty, and explore what it’s like to be an online student in the MDiv, MA in Spirituality and Social Change, or Lutheran Year programs. As PLTS transitions to solely offering online study with in-person intensives, this weekend is designed for folks interested in online seminary education. PLTS covers lodging and meals during the event and can offer travel assistance for those who need it.
Visit plts.edu/signs to learn more and sign up.
Nominate Young Musicians for Lutheran Summer Music
Now is the time to nominate students for LSM 2026. Enrollment for next summer is filling quickly, and we expect most remaining spots to be filled by the March 1st Standard Enrollment deadline. At LSM, students connect advanced musical study with worship and the joy of Lutheran church music traditions. We welcome musicians on all instruments—brass, woodwinds, strings, percussion, piano, organ, voice, and harp—to study with nationally recognized faculty in a welcoming and supportive community.
LSM 2026 takes place at St. Olaf College from June 21–July 19. Know a young musician (grades 8–12) who would thrive at LSM? Nominate them today at LSMacademy.org/nominate. Questions? admissions@
Join King of Glory, Dallas for Isaac’s Comedy Club
King of Glory, Dallas launched an exciting new outreach ministry—Isaac’s Comedy Club—and the community is invited! This family-friendly comedy experience celebrates God’s gift of laughter and joy, inspired by Jesus’ words in John 16:33: “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
In partnership with Dallas Comedy Club regulars, Isaac’s Comedy Club offers clean, engaging storytelling and improv that brings people together across generations—from ages 8 to seniors. It’s a fresh way to connect, laugh, and share the good news with friends and neighbors in North Dallas.
Join us Saturday, January 10, for an evening of clean, engaging comedy featuring Dallas Comedy Club regulars, with audience participation and plenty of surprises.
Doors open at 7:00 PM | Show starts at 7:30 PM
This year’s theme: Another Year, Another Laugh!
This event is open to the community and designed for all ages—from 8 to seniors. Bring your friends, your family, and your best sense of humor!
Tickets: $10 per person | $20 for families/groups
Reserve your spot and help us fill the room with laughter!
For more information, contact communications@kingofglory.org
NT-NL WELCA January Newsletter
You can read about the happenings of our Synodical Women’s Organization here.
Racial Justice and Faith Certificate at PLTS
PLTS is offering a 6-week online asynchronous course on topics related to Racial Justice and Faith.
These classes are designed for anyone – clergy or lay, any age, any identity, any level of church involvement. No undergraduate degree is required. The cost is only $250 per course (with group and PLTS alumni discounts), and upon completion of four courses, one will receive a Certificate in Racial Justice and Faith from PLTS.
The first class, exploring Womanism and Social Justice, begins on February 9. More information is available here.
Please enroll by January 25th.
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:
- December 13: Public Witness Team Meeting
- December 18: NT-NL Youth Leader Lunch, Rejoice, Coppell
- January 2-4: NT-NL Peer Ministry Leadership Event, Calvary, Richland Hills
- January 10: Public Witness Team Meeting
- January 15: NT-NL Youth Leader Lunch, Rejoice, Coppell
- January 24: Parish Lay Ministry Academy Graduation, Good Shepherd, Irving
- January 27: First Call Pastors Check-In, Zoom
For a complete list of upcoming events, you can access our Calendar of Events online.