Request from Assembly Host Conference

Our theme for our 2018 NT-NL Synod Assembly is “Under Construction: Transforming in Christ.” The Heart of Texas (HOT) Conference is pleased to host this event in Temple on April 27-28. As a conference, we are well aware that God continues to transform us into a new creation. God is transforming our families and our communities and our Synod.

As a way to mark this Assembly, the planning team would like to use the image and process of quilting to do something special. Quilting has a long history in many of our congregations, particularly in the HOT Conference. Lutheran World Relief quilts are known the world over as tangible signs of God’s love.

We need your help for this project. We would like to put together a quilt with a scrap of material from every NT-NL congregation and worshipping community! These scraps will be gathered to form two quilts, one of which will be displayed at the Synod offices, and the other will be auctioned at the assembly. The money will be given to transformational ministries in our synod.

This project will require a scrap from every congregation in our synod. So we need your help to do two things:

1. Please send a 12 inch square piece of scrap material of 100% cotton quilting fabric. The color scheme will be earth tones… reds, browns, creams, forest greens, etc. Not neon colors.
2. Encourage your friends in sister congregations in your conference to participate.

The material should be sent to Covenant Lutheran Church, 4202 Hickory Rd, Temple TX 76502. We are asking that they be sent in by January 31, 2018. For those who are able, we would also ask a donation of $7 to cover the cost of the remaining materials for this project (this will count as a gift to the synod).

It is our prayer that all our NT-NL congregations will participate in creating this unique symbol of our unity and diversity in Christ. We look forward to having you join us at the 2018 assembly.

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New ELCA Fund for Leaders Application Process for 2018

Do you know someone who is considering a call to ministry in the ELCA? Fund for Leaders application process is open till February 15, 2018.

The Fund for Leaders is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) that provides scholarships for future ELCA pastors and deacons who attend ELCA seminaries. In 2018, the Fund for Leaders is prepared to offer full-tuition scholarships to more students than ever before – and we need your help to get the word out!

This year, the Fund for Leaders has an open application process that allows all eligible candidates to apply online directly to Fund for Leaders to be considered for a full-tuition scholarship. These scholarships will cover the full cost of seminary tuition for the duration of coursework. Eligible candidates must apply and receive an offer of admission from one or more ELCA seminaries, must be planning to enroll full-time in the fall of 2018, and must be in good standing in the ELCA candidacy process. Recipients of Fund for Leaders scholarships may apply their full-tuition scholarship at any ELCA seminary that has offered them admission.

If you know of promising and gifted people discerning a call to rostered ministry in the ELCA, please encourage them to visit ELCA.org/FundForLeaders today to learn more and to apply. Please also display this poster and share it via email and social media networks. In doing so, you will help ensure that those God is calling to serve and to lead the church will be able to answer that call and serve as the church needs and the Holy Spirit leads.

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ELCA Chaplains

There are more than 160 ELCA pastors who, through the church’s federal chaplaincy ministries, provide pastoral care in the U.S. military, Veterans Affairs medical centers, and correctional institutions. While these are places many Americans will never experience, and some might be dangerous or isolating, ELCA chaplains are present there, providing messages of hope, forgiveness, and healing. Learn more about the work and mission of ELCA federal chaplains in Living Lutheran’s November cover story: A ministry of presence.

Congregational Communications Tools for Easter / Herramientas de comunicación congregacional para Pascua

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Save the Date

Mikah Meyer’s Stories and Songs Recital

Sunday, January 14

Cathedral of Hope, Dallas

Join NPR-featured, National Cathedral countertenor singer, Mikah Meyer, as he shares stories and songs from his world record, 3-year road trip to all 417 National Park Service sites. He was featured in Living Lutheran in August 2016: Living on a prayer: One man’s cross-country journey in honor of his father.

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Recent Blog Post

Bishop Gronberg:

Happy New Year

(https://www.ntnl.org/happy-new-year/ – published Jan. 4)

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Where in the world is?

Bishop Gronberg:

• Jan. 8-19 – Part of ELCA delegation to Installation of Bishop-elect Azer of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land

Pr. Totzke:

• Jan. 14 – Rejoice, Coppell

Pra. Bañales:

• No travel currently scheduled for this week