Thank You from MEF
“I absolutely loved this campaign and working with the folks who made the submissions. I really do feel blessed by their stories.” – Linda Ness, Executive Director
The Mission Endowment Fund (MEF) Board thanks our 20 talented submitters and the generous supporters of our 2021 fundraising campaign: Gifted and Giving… How Grace Works! You can still help us reach our goal of $40,000. We are over halfway there! https://giftedandgiving.org/donate/
All 20 inspirational video stories, plus a celebration video with a homily by Bishop Gronberg, are still available for viewing: https://youtu.be/N5VXcs-d-T8x
We are invited into silence | Somos invitados a guardar silencio
Silence: ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us that spending time in silence is a spiritual discipline, a way of being in God’s presence. Read her October column for Living Lutheran in English (We are invited into silence) o en español (Somos invitados a guardar silencio).
Featured Resources for November
November is Generosity Month
This Generosity month, Tithely wants to give back by equipping you with free resources to promote generosity within your church as well as hosting weekly giveaways.
From our friends at tithe.ly:
Generosity month is a month that promotes generosity within the local church, whether through giving, time donated, etc.
This Generosity month, Tithely wants to give back by equipping you with free resources to promote generosity.
But we also want to take this opportunity to be generous ourselves, and we will be doing that by hosting weekly giveaways all November that will help your ministry.
The first giveaway will be held this week on November 5 for AirPod Pros!
In order to be entered for giveaways, register here to enter or text GENEROSITY to (833) 525-1404.
We look forward to partnering with your ministry this Generosity Month to make a difference in communities across the globe.
P.S. Make sure to sign up for Generosity Month to gain access to free social media images, church screens, and other resources to get your church involved.
Save the Date
2021 Vine Deloria Jr. Theological Symposium
November 16-17
LSTC will partner with Other+Wise for the 13th Annual Vine Deloria Jr. Theological Symposium on November 16 and 17. The event will be offered virtually. The theme for this year’s symposium is “On Our Way to Truth and Healing.” The symposium educates seminarians, church leaders, and allies about the work of Vine Deloria Jr. and about Indigenous culture, movements, and activism. This year, symposium content will focus on the intersection between Indian boarding schools and Christian and theological education.
Click here for full details: https://www.lstc.edu/news-events/events/vine-deloria-jr
Cost = FREE
Register here: https://www.lstc.edu/news-events/events/vine-deloria-jr-registration
Recent Blog Posts
Bishop Gronberg:
(https://www.ntnl.org/gratitude-for-nt-nl-leaders-resilience/ – published Oct. 28)
(https://www.ntnl.org/reformation-weekend-2021/ – published Oct. 31)
Pastor Smith:
(https://www.ntnl.org/sermon-for-reformation-day-2021/ – published Nov. 1)
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. Until we can assure everyone in attendance at a meeting are vaccinated, in order to protect those gathered, the synod staff will continue to wear masks unless preaching or presiding and sufficient social distancing can be provided.
Bishop Gronberg:
Nov. 7: Installation Service at Zion, McGregor
Nov. 9: Speaker for White’s Chapel United Methodist, Southlake Men’s Group
Nov. 21: Retirement celebration for Rev. Gordon Illausky (Christ the Servant, Allen)
Nov. 28: Gloria Dei, Garland
Pastor Totzke:
Nov. 1-3: Region 4 Bishops’ Associates Retreat, Galveston
Nov. 7: Installation of Pr. J. T. Miller, Zion, McGregor
Nov. 13-14: Lubbock for meetings at both Shepherd King and Gloria Dei
Nov. 21: Hope, Comanche
Pastora Bañales:
Nov. 1-3: Region 4 DEM’s Retreat hosted by NT-NL Synod
Nov. 4: NT-NL Congregational Council Session
Nov. 5-8: Personal Days
Nov. 11: NT-NL Congregational Council Session
Nov. 13: Quinceanera (XV) at First Sagrada Familia, Garland
Nov. 14: New Start, Adviento, Arlington
Nov. 16: Latinx Conference Gathering, Adviento, Arlington
Nov. 18: NT-NL Congregational Council Session
Nov. 20: PLMA
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:
- Nov. 4: Transitional (Interim) Pastors monthly meeting, Zoom
- Nov. 4: Leading for God’s Future: Service on the Congregational Council – Session 3, Zoom
- Nov. 6: MEF Board meeting, San Gabriel, Alvarado
- Nov. 11: Leading for God’s Future: Service on the Congregational Council – Session 4, Zoom
- Nov. 13: Public Witness Team meeting, Zoom
- Nov. 16-17: 2021 Vine Deloria Jr. Theological Symposium, Online
- Nov. 18: Leading for God’s Future: Service on the Congregational Council – Session 5, Zoom
- Nov. 20: Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Fall 2021, Course 3, Zoom
- Dec. 2: Transitional (Interim) Pastors monthly meeting, Zoom
- Dec. 11: Public Witness Team meeting, Zoom
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.