2023 Synod Assembly Registration, Hotel Room Block Open
Details are starting to be confirmed for our 2023 NT-NL Synod Assembly in Shreveport, LA! 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! Please note the registration deadlines below, and NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON-SITE. Here is the direct link to register: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/6520048
2023 Synod Assembly Fee Schedule:
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
Book your hotel room here by April 16: https://ballysshreveport.reztrip.com/ext/promoRate?property=2437&mode=b&pm=true&sr=804983&vr=3
Please use this link in order for your room to count toward our contracted room block.
The synod has negotiated a significantly-reduced room rate for that Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night.
FREE Webinar: Caring for Gen Z in a Post Pandemic World
From our partners at the ELCA Youth Ministry Network:
We are excited to invite you to a special “Lunch & Learn” webinar in partnership with Springtide Research Institute and ELCA Youth Ministry.
On January 12, 2023, at 12noon (Central time), Springtide Research Institute will share their latest research on “Caring for Gen Z in a Post Pandemic World.”
For many young people, there is no normal to return to after the pandemic. Their entire lives have changed. Springtide’s pandemic research focused on what young people are experiencing, how they view the future, and most importantly, what you can do to support them. We invite you as ministry leaders and volunteers to come together for this virtual event to strengthen the ministries you are a part of and discover how we can best tend to the young people and communities we serve.
Join us as we learn together from this research and share in a brief Q&A time with our Springtide Researchers!
There is no cost for this event. It is being provided by the ELCA’s youth ministry office. Advance registration required. Zoom link will be sent upon registration.
If you have any questions leading up to the Lunch & Learn, please contact Kris Bjorke, the Interim Program Manager for Youth Ministry in the ELCA Churchwide Offices at youth@elca.org.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration
From our partners at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC):
We invite you to join us Monday, January 16, 2023 at 12:00pm Central, in celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in a day of ministry and conversation around the theme: “Where do we go from here?”
Events start with a worship service at 12 noon, followed by a panel presentation over lunch at 1:30pm. Guest Preacher Rev. Reginald Sharpe, pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church, Chicago, will preach, and music will be rendered by The Keith Hampton Singers. Panelists include: June Porter, Dwight McKee, and Santita Jackson.
Attendance is in-person or virtual. Register here: https://www.lstc.edu/news-events/events/mlkjr-23
This event is presented by the Pero Center for Intersectionality Studies at LSTC.
Featured Resources for January
The ELCA offers a place of welcome for all seeking a congregational home. Your congregations can extend an invitation to neighbors and the surrounding community through the use of these customizable communications tools. Download and use these FREE tools today.
Here is a direct link to Easter communication tools in English.
Aquí hay un enlace directo a las herramientas de comunicación de Semana Santa en español.
Save the Date
Exploring Your Call: An Online Discernment and Info Session
Saturday, January 21, 9:00-11:30am (Pacific time), Zoom
Queer and Called: A Conversation for LGBTQ Prospective Students and Allies
Thursday, February 2, 5:00-6:30pm (Pacific time), Zoom
Signs Along the Way Discernment Weekend (In-Person)
February 25-27, 10:30 am Saturday – 12:30 pm Monday, Berkeley, CA
Recent Blog Posts
Bishop Gronberg:
(https://www.ntnl.org/dia-de-los-tres-reyes/ – published Jan. 6)
(https://www.ntnl.org/remembering-mederick-and-yvonne/ – published Jan. 7)
(https://www.ntnl.org/stewardship-central-and-walnut-hill-dallas/ – published Jan. 8)
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. 14: Closing Worship, King of Glory, Fort Worth (rescheduled from Jan. 7)
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. 10: Central, Dallas, followed by NT-NL Renewal Team meeting
Jan. 12-15: ELCA Spanish Coach Training, San Diego, CA / Tijuana, Mexico
Jan. 19: Christian Unity Ecumenical Worship Service, Custer Road UMC, Plano
Jan. 21: Visioning Retreat, Central, Dallas, followed by PLMA Graduation, Emanuel, Dallas
Jan. 24: Transformational Border Ministry
Jan. 28: A Spiritual Feast for the Journey, Advent, Arlington
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. 11: Courageous Leadership – Karen Kretschmann, Nick Kiger, & Victoria Flood – 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. 22: Registration Deadline for Junior High & Senior High Youth Gathering, Plano
- 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
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 editions of our weekly news.