Christmas Message from ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton

This is a season of preparation. Let us take a moment to relax, breathe, and receive the Christmas story:

Download the English transcript. | Descarga la transcripción en español.

Merry Christmas, dear church.

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

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Traditional IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution

You can give any amount (up to a maximum of $100,000) per year from your traditional IRA directly to a qualified charity such as your congregation and/or the ministries you specify without having to pay income taxes on the money. Gifts of any value $100,000 or less are eligible for this benefit, and you can feel good knowing that you are making a difference. This popular gift option is commonly called the IRA charitable rollover, but you may also see it referred to as a qualified charitable distribution, or QCD for short.

Why consider this gift?

* If you are required to take minimum distributions, you can use your gift to satisfy all or part of your RMD obligation.

* You pay no income taxes on the gift. The transfer generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, so you benefit even if you do not itemize your deductions.

* Since the gift doesn’t count as income, it can reduce your annual income level. This may help lower your Medicare premiums and decrease the amount of Social Security that is subject to tax.

Want to know more? Contact Morgan Schmidlin, gift planner with Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest (LFSW), to discuss using your traditional IRA to support your congregation or another qualified charity. | Morgan Schmidlin, 440-785-3363 or mschmidlin@lfsw.org

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ALOA Executive Director Search

ALOA, Adult Lutherans Organized for Action, is seeking an Executive Director to lead the organization as it enters it’s 31st year of older adult ministry:

ALOA seeks a high-energy, experienced individual with a passion for older adult ministry to serve as its new Executive Director. ALOA is an inter-Lutheran organization focused on ministry for older adults. We are an affiliated social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a recognized service organization of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. We are also an affiliated member of Lutheran Services in America. ALOA is a 501c3 organization that serves as a nationwide resource to the church to strengthen ministry by and for older adults, empowering them to serve God’s mission throughout their lives. Click here for a full job description, including how to apply.

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Where in the world is?

Across a context as wide and different as NT-NL, the reality of Covid-19 is very different. As such, NT-NL synod staff are doing more in-person Sunday visits for worship and occasional meetings. However, as good stewards of time and travel dollars, we will be utilizing online meeting formats into our new hybrid future. Given the rise of breakthrough infections and in order to protect those gathered, the synod staff will choose to wear masks as is deemed appropriate unless preaching or presiding and sufficient social distancing can be provided.

Bishop Gronberg:

Jan. 7: Closing Worship, King of Glory, Fort Worth
Jan. 8: Walnut Hill, Farmers Branch
Jan. 21: PLMA Graduation, Emanuel, Dallas
Jan. 24: First Call Pastors Check-in, Zoom
Jan. 28: TLU Corporation Board
Feb. 4: Synod Council, Online

Pastor Totzke:

Dec. 1-Feb. 28: On Sabbatical

Pastora Bañales:

Jan. 19: Christian Unity Ecumenical Worship Service, Custer Road UMC, Plano
Jan. 28: A Spiritual Feast for the Journey, Advent, Arlington