MOSAIC: Changes in Texas
Dear Partners in Mission:
MOSAIC has been a service provider to individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families in Texas for many years. In that time congregations of NT-NL have both utilized those services as well as supported the mission and ministry of MOSAIC through volunteering and financial contributions. On Tuesday December 11th we were notified that MOSAIC is choosing to transition its services in Texas to Caregiver, Inc. Later that day I spoke with the Rev. Dr. David deFreese, former bishop of the Nebraska Synod and Vice President of Church Relations for MOSAIC, and he explained the reasons for the change, assured me that all those currently in the care of MOSAIC services would continue to have that care, and on behalf of the leadership of MOSAIC gave gratitude for the support of NT-NL congregations through the years. Continue reading this blog post by Bishop Gronberg.
Swedish Smorgasbord
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Bethel Lutheran, 10625 Farm to Market Road 600, Avoca, TX 79503
$25 per ticket (sold in advance only)
Available seating times are 5:00pm, 6:00pm, and 7:00pm
For tickets, contact Annette Wilson (325-773-2104) or Tena Tankersley (325-668-2796)
Click here for a flyer with full details.
Featured MEF Grant Recipient in 2019
The Mission Endowment Fund of NT-NL granted $80,000 in 2019 to underfunded or start up ministries in our Synod. New grants in the amount of $82,000 will be awarded in February 2020. Contact Linda Ness, mef@ntnl.org with questions.
This is the story of one of the ministries funded in 2019:
2019 MEF Grant Recipient – Mount Olive, Dallas
Mount Olive Lutheran Church, organized in 1948, has served the community for over 71 years. Located in the heart of South Dallas, the church faithfully serves the community through various outreach programs and ministries. One of the reasons for Mt. Olive existing, stated in the Purpose Statement, is to mentor and develop youth.
To further this goal, on Saturday, August 17, 2019, Mount Olive hosted its 12th Annual South Dallas Youth Conference combined with the Back to School Rally. With approximately 130 participants, (including youth and parents), the mission of this project was successfully fulfilled. A total of 105 backpacks were distributed for students in Pre-K through 12th. The major focus of this combined project was to provide youth and parents information on how to help “Save A Life Today” (SALT). Continue reading.
Featured Resources for December
Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust expresses ELCA teaching on human sexuality. The statement is grounded in the biblical witness to the relationship God establishes with creation as a model for relationships between human beings. God is absolutely trustworthy and faithful, and, therefore, with regard to sexuality, both human behavior and social structures are considered in relation to how they foster trust, commitment and protection for the flourishing and well-being of all people. In light of human sexuality as a gift and a trust, the statement considers the ways social structures and institutions shelter, sustain and protect personal, family and social relationships of love and trustworthiness.
With that as our context, we want to make you aware of these helpful resources from our full communion partners with the United Church of Christ (UCC):
Our Whole Lives, together with Sexuality and Our Faith, helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their relationships, health and behavior in the context of their faith. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. It provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but helps participants to clarify their values, build interpersonal skills and understand the social, emotional and spiritual aspects of sexuality.
Our Whole Lives is a series of sexuality education programs for six age groups: grades K-1, grades 4-6, grades 7-9, grades 10-12, Young Adults and Adults. The resources are written by professional sexuality educators and provide accurate information for parents, teachers and pastors to be used in the affirming and supportive setting of our churches.
Sexuality and our Faith is written by United Church of Christ and Unitarian Universalist Association members and is the accompanying resource used for each of the grade groups: grades K-1, grades 4-6, grades 7-9 and grades 10-12, Young Adults and Adults in the church setting.
Save the Date
Discovering Hope: Building Vitality in Your Congregation
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Gloria Dei, Lubbock
Click here to download a flyer.
Recent Blog Posts
Bishop Gronberg:
(https://www.ntnl.org/developing-leaders-thanking-supporters/ – published Dec. 7)
(https://www.ntnl.org/region-4-bishops-gather-in-houston/ – published Dec. 10)
Where in the world is?
Bishop Gronberg:
- Dec. 17: Eastern Conference Meeting
- Dec. 22: First Sagrada Familia
Pastor Totzke:
- Dec. 19: Youth Leaders lunch, Grapevine
- Dec. 22: Central, Dallas
Pastora Bañales:
- (No visits planned this week)
Upcoming Events
- Jan. 11: Public Witness Team meeting, Arlington, TX
- Jan. 18-19: NT-NL High School Gathering, Dallas, TX
- Jan. 19: Dr. Martin Luther King commemoration, Dallas, TX
- Jan. 25: ESET (SSTE) Módulo 6 (Día 1 de 5), Argyle, TX
- Jan. 25: PLMA Graduation, Arlington, TX
- Jan. 31-Feb. 1: Synod Council meeting, Argyle, TX
- Feb. 8: ESET (SSTE) Módulo 6 (Día 2 de 5), Argyle, TX
- Feb. 11-13: Ignite the Church Conference, Orlando, FL
- Feb. 15: ESET (SSTE) Módulo 6 (Día 3 de 5), Argyle, TX
- Feb. 16-18: Texas Interfaith Advocacy Days, Austin, TX
- Feb. 22: ESET (SSTE) Módulo 6 (Día 4 de 5), Argyle, TX
- Feb. 22: Discovering Hope: Building Vitality in Your Congregation, Lubbock, TX
- Feb. 22: Public Witness Team meeting, Arlington, TX
- Feb. 28-Mar. 1: NT-NL Peer Ministry Leadership Training, TBA
- Feb. 29: ESET (SSTE) Módulo 6 (Día 5 de 5), Argyle, TX
Access our full online Calendar here. Updates made regularly.
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit to Jason (jason@ntnl.org) for consideration for upcoming NT-NL News.