Message from Bishop Gronberg
Saturday, January 21, 2023, we celebrated six new graduates from our NT-NL Synod, ELCA Parish Lay Ministry Academy (PLMA). These graduates were split 50/50 between our English language track and our Spanish language track. The celebration was joyful and worshipful as Emanuel Lutheran Church; Iglesia Luterana Emanuel, Dallas welcomed us.
These six graduates are from the Metroplex as well as the Concho Valley. They will serve in congregations, assisting their rostered leaders with their new knowledge and skills. Some also potentially as Synodically Authorized Worship Leaders as the need arises. In this ministry we acknowledge the church is the baptized people of God and ministry is the ministry of the baptized. That said, we also as Lutherans uphold the importance of education and right practice. Our PLMA helps us do that. This was also the first graduation with our new Dean, Ms. Madeline Richard, herself a graduate of the PLMA.
Emanuel is a member congregation of both our Eastern Conference and our Conferencia Latina NT-NL ELCA. A parish founded by Swedish (Augustana) Lutherans over a century ago in what is now “Old East Dallas,” they have been doing bi-lingual ministry for almost 50 years when they realized their neighborhood was quickly becoming part of “el barrio.” Now as their neighborhood, living in the shadow of the skyscrapers of Big D, is changing again, they are actively discerning how they respond to this new opportunity and challenge of gentrification.
If you know someone who would benefit from the opportunity to explore theological education along with practical training for ministry in their parish, please direct them to our website and contact Dean Richards. https://www.ntnl.org/ministries/plma/
Cultivating Compassion 2023
The NT-NL Public Witness Team for Peace & Justice are partnering with the United States Christian Leadership Organization (USCLO), Charter for Compassion Social Justice Sector, and Kairos + Collaborative to offer this set of FREE online episodes and practice sessions to help Make This Your Year to Cultivate Compassion!
“You’re invited to spend 2023 growing compassion for yourself, your friends, and even those who today you might describe as enemies. We’ll interrogate our emotions, reasoning, decision-making, and more as we work to join the infinite game of building peace.”
Starting Thursday, January 26, 7:00pm Central. Access registrations for all episodes / sessions here.
Job Opening: PT Business Administrator
Calvary, Richland Hills, is looking for a part-time Business Administrator to start as soon as possible. Click here for a full job description. Bookkeeping or accounting experience required.
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
From our friends at Texas Health Pastoral Care and Behavioral Health:
A Discussion on Faith, Anxiety, and Depression: Best Practice Ideas for Faith Leaders
Monday, February 13, 12noon-1pm
Online via Microsoft Teams (login details below)
Please join us as we discuss the importance of maintaining positive mental health within your congregations. From recognizing signs of anxiety and/or depression to understanding what resources are available, we’ll cover several topics you won’t want to miss.
Presenter: Ken Jones, PsyD, LCSW
Discussion topics will include:
• Listening for signs of anxiety and depression as communicated through the lens of spiritual struggle.
• Tips for de-stigmatizing depression and anxiety within your congregation.
• Developing a collaborative relationship with faith-grounded mental health professionals within your congregation and community.
Click here for a flyer with full details.
Please RSVP and direct all questions to hazelthomas@texashealth.org.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app, or room device
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 267 258 547 11Passcode: BwGoXt
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Phone Conference ID: 618 202 832#
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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. 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. 24: Transformational Border Ministry
Jan. 28: A Spiritual Feast for the Journey, Advent, Arlington
Feb. 4: Synod Council, Online
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. 18-25: 2023 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Global
- Jan. 24: First Call Pastors Check-in, Zoom
- Jan. 25: Courageous Leadership – Bishop Mike Girlinghouse – Grief in Faith Communities, Zoom
- Jan. 26: Cultivating Compassion Session 1: Permission to Feel, Online
- Jan. 28: A Spiritual Feast for the Journey, Advent, Arlington
- Feb. 1: Courageous Leadership – Coaching – Choose Your Own Adventure (breakout rooms by topic), Zoom
- Feb. 4: Synod Council and MEF Board meetings, Online
- Feb. 8: Courageous Leadership – James Henricks – Conflict, Zoom
- Feb. 10-12: NT-NL Junior High & Senior High Youth Gathering, Plano
- Feb. 11: Public Witness Team meeting, Hybrid
- Feb. 15: Courageous Leadership – Danielle Groth and Vicky Lovell – Topic TBA, Zoom
- Feb. 22: Courageous Leadership – Larry Clark – Black Lutheran Women Making History, Zoom
- Feb. 23: Cultivating Compassion Session 2: Nonviolent Communication, Online
- Mar. 1: DEADLINE to register for Synod Assembly at Early Bird Pricing, Online
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.