In This Issue
Celebrating Rev. B. I. Dahl
World Hunger Domestic Grants
Young Adult Hunger Advocacy Fellowship
Annual Report for Leaders
Portico Retirement
Conversations Toward a Social Statement
Rostered Ministers Gathering Updates
Bishop’s Convocation
Small Catechism resource
Confirmation resource
Upcoming Events
Reminders
Celebrating Rev. B. I. Dahl
Rev. B.I. & Vivian Dahl with Pastor McCord
“It’s been 65 years since my ordination here at Trinity. Following graduation from Luther College and Luther Theological Seminary, I was able to choose Trinity, my home church, for this special occasion. It was a special day in 1952 that many shared with me. With the future set in the Northwest, my soon-to-be wife Vivian partnered with me. We served 3 parishes over a duration of 40 years. Upon retirement, a return to Clifton, now into our 27th year, brings us full circle. I give thanks to God for all we have experienced.” ~ Rev. B.I. Dahl
On behalf of Bishop Gronberg, Pastor McCord presented Rev. Dahl with his 65th Anniversary of Ordination certificate. The verse included on the certificate read, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which you have for all the saints.” Colossians 1:3-4
World Hunger Domestic Grants
Applications are now available for 2018-19 World Hunger Domestic Grants and due on June 30. In 2017, this program allocated a total of $691,810 to support 347 domestic projects and programs ranging from congregational food pantries to urban farms, job training, and living-wage advocacy campaigns. ELCA World Hunger-funded Domestic Hunger Grants went to projects in 4 categories:
- Advocacy: 4 programs, $11,500
- Development: 43 programs, $106,560
- Organizing: 37 programs, $78,500
- Relief: 263 programs, $495,250
Find more information here or contact Joe Young at joe.young@elca.org.
Young Adult Hunger Advocacy Fellowship
ELCA Advocacy has created a one-year young adult fellowship program in hunger advocacy with our state public policy offices. Texas Interfaith Impact will be one of the first to launch this initiative, which will include adding capacity to reach out to and work with ELCA ministries to address hunger and poverty in Texas.
The position, which is full-time, for up to one year with salary and benefits, is now live on the ELCA website:http://elca.atsondemand.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=512830.viewjobdetail&CID=512830&JID=577137.
Annual Report for Leaders
How can we be of better support to you, your worshipping community, and your ministries?
Submit a confidential report to the Bishop. We welcome this report from all rostered leaders. We desire to be in mutual and intentional relationship with you.
Portico Retirement
Want a quick overview of how to make the most of Portico’s Retirement Planning Tool? Watch this short video tutorial.
Conversations Toward a Social Statement
Faith, Sexism, Justice
June 17, 10am – 3pm
Shepherd of Life, Arlington
The ELCA wants YOUR voice and feedback! Please make plans to attend, and bring folks from your worshipping community with you. All genders are welcome. Click here for more details.
Rostered Ministers Gathering Updates
Rostered Ministers Gathering of the ELCA
August 7-10, 2017
Atlanta, GA
DUE TO AN OVERWHELMING RESPONSE AND LIMITATIONS ON SPACE, REGISTRATION CLOSED ON JUNE 1, 2017. If you have questions, please e-mail 2017RosteredGathering@elca
Bishop’s Convocation
Dates: October 15-17
Focus: Coaching for Ministry Effectiveness and Leadership
Key Goals: To provide a time away for our rostered leaders and SAWLS of worship, fellowship, and learning. The learning will be focused on informing and equipping leaders to understand the concepts of ministry coaching. Particularly the basics of how to ask good questions, reflectively listen, set goals, and achieve accountability in relationship with trusted coaches. Two morning sessions will provide this introduction and development with those interested in follow-up invited back for a session in January 2018.
Schedule: Please note the timing changes. Convocation will begin on Sunday evening and officially end at 12noon on Tuesday. However, there will be opportunity for groups to meet by conference, interest group, or to meet with staff regarding any issues you wish to discuss. Bishop and staff will remain through dinner on Tuesday evening. Lodging is available also on Tuesday night if you prefer to return home on Wednesday morning.
These changes have been made to facilitate a maximum of learning hours while also time for fellowship, worship, retreat, and learning. The cost of the convocation has been held steady this year due to these changes. Registration will open in August.
Tentative schedule posted in our online calendar.
Small Catechism resource
Augsburg Fortress has posted samples of the learner resource, facilitator guide, and original animated video for their new adult curriculum, By Heart: Conversations with Luther’s Small Catechism. Check it out, and note the sliding scale discount for bulk purchases of the beautiful 4-color learner resource.
It will be published August 15, in time for use this fall as we commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. It will also have lasting value as a resource for adult faith formation, new member class, and more, well beyond this 500th anniversary year.
Confirmation resource
WHAT IS COLABORATE?
Colaborate: Lutheran Confirmation was created by Lutheran pastors, theologians, and youth ministry practitioners who are experts in teaching critical confirmation material to young people today. These experts combined theological depth with thought-provoking questions, surprising insights, and infographics that will spark conversation with your students.
GO DEEPER WITH CONFIRMATION
In addition to thirty lessons on Lutheran history, Catechism, and what it means for your confirmands to live faithfully in the promises of their baptism, the curriculum includes thirty lessons on the Bible so that students can connect their rich Lutheran history with its biblical foundations.
CUSTOMIZE IT TO FIT YOUR CONFIRMATION PROGRAM
The curriculum is designed with flexibility in mind. You decide the order of the lessons and the focus of the content. Every time you use Colaborate you have the freedom to tailor the classes to meet the needs of your students.
START PREPARING FOR CONFIRMATION TODAY
Save over 20% when you buy the Colaborate: Lutheran Confirmation Starter Pack. It includes one copy of everything you need to start preparing for confirmation. Use the material in the starter pack to prepare for confirmation, then add enough Student Handbooks and Colaborate Lutheran Student Bibles for each student and Leader Guides for extra leaders if you need them.
Upcoming Events
Here are leadership highlights:
- Jun. 10: Public Witness Team for Peace and Justice monthly meeting
- Jun. 11-16: Building Congregational Capacity for Hispanic Ministry (Intensive II)
- Jun. 17: ELCA’s Faith, Sexism, and Justice: Conversations Toward a Social Statement
- Jun. 17: WELCA meeting of the West Texas Conference
- Jul. 8: Public Witness Team for Peace and Justice monthly meeting
- Jul. 13-16: “all anew” Women of the ELCA Tenth Triennial Gathering
- Jul. 21-23: The Bold Gathering (Lutheran Men in Mission)
- Aug. 7-10: ELCA Rostered Ministers Gathering
- Aug. 12: Public Witness Team for Peace and Justice monthly meeting
- Aug. 12: NT-NL SWO Retreat
- Aug. 19: MEF Board meeting
- Aug. 26: NT-NL SWO Board Meeting
For a complete list of upcoming events in, and important to, our Synod, you can access our Calendar of Events online.
Reminders
- The 2017 Prayer Partners list can be found at ntnl.org/2017prayerpartners.
- Please update the contact info for the person (or people) who manage your congregation’s communications!
Looking for information in past Leader News emails? Find our Leader News archives here!