This week we pray for:
Grace in Abilene (Leslie Dunlap, SAWL)
Beautiful Savior in Amarillo (Pr. Mark Galbraith, interim)
NT-NL Candidacy Committe & Candidates for Ordination
The 2015 NT-NL Prayer Partners can be found at ntnl.org/2015PrayerPartners or you can download the PDF here.
![[Image desceription: a white man with gray hair and a beard stands in front of a stove. He is wearing a white chef's hat reading "Lefse Maker" and a blue apron that also says "Lefse." He is holding up a rolling pin.]](https://www.ntnl.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2844994_orig-132x150.jpg)
Reverse Offering at Christ in Dallas
When the offering plate going around, parishioners are expected to put money in the plate… at Christ Lutheran Church in Dallas, Pr. Heidi and the Council decided to have everyone take money out in a Reverse Offering.
Find out more about the Reverse Offering here, and also make sure to read about their “Fill a Basket, Fill a Need” Project!
![[Image description: a tall Christmas tree decorated with white and gold Chrismon ornaments]](https://www.ntnl.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Chrismon2-151x300.jpg)
Thank YOU for our Chrismon Tree!
NT-NL Vice President Stephanie Varnum and especially the staffs of NT-NL and Briarwood want to thank YOU for sending us Chrismon ornaments for the mission area’s first-ever Chrismon tree!
As you can see, the tree is a beautiful addition to our chapel. Knowing that these ornaments have come from congregations throughout the mission area makes the tree all that more meaningful. (Just one more reminder of what we can do better together!)
Read how others across the ELCA are doing God’s work with their hands in Stories of Faith in Action. Have a story to share about how your congregation or ministry is living their DiscipleLife? Let me know! criss@ntnl.org.
The NT-NL Bishop Election Committee wants you to be aware of a few updates to the Bishop Election website:
- ¡Ya está disponible en español!
- Added conference meeting dates
- Naming Form for Potential Nominees now open
For more information, please visit BpElection.ntnl.org or email the Bishop Election Committee at BpElection@ntnl.org.
![[Image description: A young white woman sits cross-legged on the grass, leaning over her guitar. To her left is a young Black man sitting on the grass with his legs out in front of him, his ankles crossed. He is also playing a guitar.]](https://www.ntnl.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/4D.yagm2_.pgD_-150x150.jpg)
Young Adults in Global Mission Applications Now Open!
The ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program invites ELCA young adults ages 21-29 into a transformative, year-long journey in international service. Applications for the 2016-2017 program year are open and due on February 15 for service beginning August 2016.
Read about NT-NL’s current YAGM, David Roulston and Savanna Sullivan, here!
![[Image description: headshots of Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and William B.Horne III]](https://www.ntnl.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Confronting-Racism-2.png)
Confronting Racism: A Holy Yearning
Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016 • 8:00 CST
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton and William B. Horne II, an ELCA member from Clearwater, Fla., will continue their conversation on racism in another live webcast on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, at 8 p.m. (CST).
Please go to elca.org/webcast for more information.
Weapons in Worship: New Texas Gun Laws and Religious Properties
Beginning January 1, 2016, concealed handgun license holders will be allowed to openly carry handguns into houses of worship. Find out more about what these new regulations mean for congregations in Texas.
ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving
A challenge for Lent: can we raise $2 million for ELCA World Hunger? Go to elca.org/40days to find out more!
Celebration Worship Leader
Rejoice Lutheran Church in Frisco is looking for a new music minister for their contemporary worship service; see the Celebration Worship Leader job description here. Please contact Pr. Neil White at pastor@rejoicelutheran.com.
Coordinator of Youth Ministry
Christ the King Lutheran Church in Haltom City is looking for a new youth coordinator; see the Coordinator of Youth Ministry job description here. Contact ctkadmin@norsvpneeded.org.
2016 ELCA Grace Gathering
August 10-13, 2016 • New Orleans, LA
Find more information and register at elca.org/GraceGathering.
“God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday: September 11, 2016
Mark your calendars for the 2016 ELCA Day of Service on Sept. 11, 2016!
Upcoming Events in the NT-NL Mission Area and Beyond:
- Jan. 14, 2016: Wrestling with the Gospel: Preparing for Lent & Easter
- Jan. 14, 2016: Confronting Racism: A Holy Yearning
- Jan. 15-17, 2016: NT-NL High School Service Weekend
- Jan. 23-24, 2016: Lumberjack Retreat
- Jan. 25-27, 2016: Tri-Synodical Theological Leadership Conference
- Feb. 19-21, 2016: Peer Ministry Leadership Event
- Feb. 26-27, 2016: Congregational Council Retreat
- Apr. 22-24, 2016: NT-NL Mission Assembly
- May 29-Jun. 3, 2016: LSPS Spanish Language and Hispanic Ministry Level I Intensive
- Jun. 12-17, 2016: LSPS Building Congregational Capacity for Hispanic Ministry Level II Intensive
- Jun. 20-30, 2016: Lands of Luther Tour
- Aug. 10-13, 2016: ELCA Grace Gathering
- Sept. 11, 2016: “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday
- Sept. 17, 2016: Installation of the new NT-NL Bishop
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit them to Criss Forshay (criss@ntnl.org) for consideration for our next NT-NL News. Don’t forget to include a picture or logo! p