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Leader News: October 2014

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 October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic violence has been in the news lately, but this is a topic the church should be talking about even when it’s not affecting NFL players. The biggest ally for abusers is silence—both silence from the victims, and silence from the community.

Help make domestic violence “visible” by talking about it, praying for victims and for abusers

Send the message to any potential victims that the church is a safe place to talk about their experiences, to share their stories, to speak up and get help. Provide resources for victims of domestic violence, for friends of victims of domestic violence, for survivors of abuse to get the help and support they need.

Please visit ntnl.org/domestic-violence-resources to find resources and documents from “Safe on Sunday,” a domestic violence awareness workshop for clergy, and contact information for the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) as well as state organizations in Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

Emergency medical relief for West AfricaContinued Emergency Medical Relief Response for West Africa Ebola Crisis

As of September 24, 2014, the NT-NL Mission Area, ELCA has received $57,822 in donations for emergency relief response for West Africa. We have received generous donations from individuals and congregations within NT-NL, and also from individuals and congregations beyond our mission area. Thank you for your support!

Read more about how those funds have been used, and how NT-NL will continue to provide aid to Sierra Leone and Liberia, please visit ntnl.org/ebola-crisis. The need for medical supplies and food has not decreased; we will continue to collect donations to help the affected areas in West Africa. Your support is needed and greatly appreciated.

Please encourage your members to donate and to share the information at ntnl.org/ebola-crisis with friends and family. Thank you to those of you who have made individual donations and congregational gifts already!

2014 Bishop’s ConvocationWhite text at the top of the image reads: "Bishop's Convocation, October 27-29" Image of Dr. Rolf Jacobson. White text ta bottom of the image reads: "Turning Preaching Inside Out: Preaching & Worship as Faith Formation."

Turning Preaching Inside Out: Preaching & Worship as Faith Formation

with Dr. Rolf Jacobson

Download the 2014 Convocation Brochure here. Register now, on-site space is filling up fast!

Make sure to check out WorkingPreacher.org‘s Sermon Brainwave podcast, for a preview of Dr. Jacobson’s  ministry.

Blue text reads: "Definitely-Abled Sunday, October 5, 2014: highlighting the capabilities, issues and struggles of those who are definitely-ABLED." There is a photo of a person in a wheelchair, smiling.October 5 is Definitely-Abled Sunday

How does your congregation welcome and include people with disabilities? How do you let those who are differently-abled, and their families, know they are welcome and included?

Check ntnl.org/definitely-abled-sunday/ and mosaicindallas.org for information and resources. We will be adding helpful resources to the NT-NL Definitely-Abled page, as well as sharing stories from congregations and members.

Have a story or insight to share? Please email criss@ntnl.org!

Entrenamiento de facilitadoras y facilitadores

24-25 de octubre
Houston, TX
Presentado por LEAD (TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod)

“Es con mucho gusto que la Academia Ecuménica de Liderazgo ofrece esta oportunidad de entrenamiento de facilitadoras y facilitadores durante este otoño del 2014.”

Los participantes podrán familiarizarse con los cursos, el procedimiento, aclarar dudas, e interactuar con colegas facilitadoras y facilitadores.

Si desea participar, por favor comuníquese con su Director de Misión (DEM) o equivalente en su sínodo, diócesis, conferencia o lo respectivo en su denominación.

Para más información y para inscribirse, vea gulfcoastsynod.org/events/academia.

Mosaic’s Clergy Appreciation Luncheon Save the date!

The Dallas-area Clergy Appreciation luncheon: October 9th at noon at Kenny’s Italian Kitchen in Dallas.

Fort Worth Clergy Appreciation luncheon: October 1st at noon (location is still being determined).

For more information, please contact Lori Baum, Community Relations Manager, at lori.baum@mosaicinfo.org or 972.866.9989 x322.

Text reads: "Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center: a holy place where people experience hospitality and renew their callings in the world." The word "Spirit" is in purple; a dove outlined in purple swoops down, between the words "Spirit" and "in the Desert Retreat Center."Are you interested in leading well? Then Leading Well: Equipping for Leadership in God’s World may just be the learning event you’re looking for!

Leading Well is a three-year curriculum for leaders of vital, healthy communities of faith who wish to:

  • Explore their gifts, strengths and values and their implications for how they lead
  • Refine their capacity to work effectively with staff and volunteers
  • Practice what it means to live and lead well
  • Understand their ministry contexts
  • Take time for worship, prayer, rest and fellowship

Leading Well is being offered November 18-21, 2014 at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center (Carefree, AZ) and January 27-30, 2015 at the Duncan Conference Center (Delray Beach, FL). More details about the curriculum and schedule are available at LeadingWellInstitute.org.

The events are sponsored by Augsburg College, Portico Benefit Services, the Duncan Center, and Spirit in the Desert.


The 2015 Appointment Book (The Little Red Book) is a long-standing resource that has served Lutheran clergy for decades as a practical and handy reference. All lectionary days, ELCA festivals and commemorations are noted throughout the year, including the appropriate liturgical color.

The print edition contains space for daily entries, church celebrations and observances with colors, and areas for notes and reminders. Scripture citations for each Sunday and festival are included, plus miniature calendars for 2014 and 2016. Order here.

Download the 2015 Appointment Book data to add to your own desktop, calendar, or smartphone for free! The .ics file can be imported into Google Calendar, iCal, Outlook, and other popular calendar programs. Download here.

Resources and Opportunities: