2023 Prayer Partners
We have updated the synod Prayer Partners list for next year and uploaded it to the website. You can find that here: https://www.ntnl.org/resources/prayer-partners/.
ELCA Young Adults 2022 Impact Report
The ELCA is expanding its vision of what it means to be church and what it means to engage a population of young adults who are seeking authentic community and opportunities to serve their neighbors. Young Adult Ministry works to support and connect young adults and those who work with them.
A message from ELCA Young Adults:
Please receive a resounding “Thank You!” from the ELCA Young Adult Ministry team. The formation, connection, and voices of young adults in and around this church is stronger and louder because of you. Of course, even in 42 pages we don’t capture everything that happened this year. The work of many of our partners, including the NT-NL Synod, are a huge part of the greater vision of ELCA Young Adults.
The ELCA Young Adult Ministry Team went through a re-structure and many changes in the beginning of 2021 with the joining of the Young Adult Ministry and Young Adults in Global Mission into one team. As of October 2021, that dream actualized into a more fully staffed team and we set several ambitious goals that we thought may be possible with this new capacity.
Inevitably, God invited us into so much more than we could have planned for.
We are always happy to answer any questions you may have about the current and developing networks and programs that ELCA Young Adult Ministry stewards. We invite you to browse the Impact Report, get curious, and celebrate the ways God has worked through the leadership of young people in our Church.
As we look ahead, please share the GREAT news that the 2023 YAGM Application is open. Invite the gifted and globally minded young adults in your networks to consider applying and please introduce us. We’re so excited to join with them in their discernment.
Again, thank you for the ways YOU have impacted of the lives and ministry of ELCA Young Adults.
Featured Resources for November
Lutheran women have a long history of Bible study, discipleship, and desire to deepen their spiritual life and learn about issues.
Women of the ELCA offers FREE downloadable program resources—including many in Spanish—to help you grow in faith and engage in ministry and action:
Save the Date
A Spiritual Feast for the Journey
Saturday, January 28, 2023
The NT-NL Congregational Vitality and Renewal Team invites you to a warm and relaxing gathering to be with colleagues for fun and time away for spiritual self-reflection and renewal.
Includes lunch.
Purpose: To reconnect with God’s Spirit, Ourselves, and One Another
Goals:
- To rekindle continuous listening for and to God’s Spirit.
- To reconnect with colleagues and to better connect with our wider communities
- To engage ongoing ministry with new spiritual insight.
RSVP by January 9 to Pastor Jeff Borgwardt pastorjeff@firstlutheran.us or Pastor Irma Bañales, DEM irma@ntnl.org
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:
Nov. 19-26: Thanksgiving Family Vacation
Dec. 4: Midland Lutheran, Midland; Retirement of Pastor Bob Barndt
Dec. 10: Conferencia Latina Celebration Service at Santa Maria, Irving
Dec. 11: Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe, San Gabriel, Alvarado
Dec. 18: First Communions, Santa Maria, Irving
Dec. 18: Kyrie Pub Church, Fort Worth
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 Pastor Check-in, Zoom
Jan. 28: TLU Corporation Board
Feb. 4: Synod Council, Online
Pastor Totzke:
Nov. 22: First call pastors, Zoom
Nov. 27: Grace, Carrollton
Dec. 1-Feb. 28: On Sabbatical
Pastora Bañales:
Nov. 20-27: Personal days and Holidays
Nov. 28:Meeting with Mission Developer
Nov. 29: ELCA Mission Support Strategy Team meeting
Nov. 29: Meeting with Mission Developer
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:
- Nov. 23: Courageous Leadership – Christina Costa – How Gratitude Rewires Your Brain, Zoom
- Nov. 30: Courageous Leadership – Danielle Groth and Vicky Lovell – Reiki and Faith, Zoom
- Dec. 7: Courageous Leadership – Coaching – Choose Your Own Adventure (breakout rooms by topic), Zoom
- Dec. 10: Public Witness Team meeting, Zoom
- Dec. 14: Courageous Leadership – TBA, Zoom
- Dec. 21: Courageous Leadership – Coaching – Christmas celebration, 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.