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NT-NL News: Week of Jan. 18, 2016

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2016 Prayer Partners

This week we pray for:

Our Redeemer in Grand Prairie (Pr. Kathi Johnson)
Resurrection in Haslett
2016 TX/LA Tri-Synodical Theological Conference

The 2016 NT-NL Prayer Partners can be found at ntnl.org/2016PrayerPartners or you can download the PDF here (updated 01/18/16).

Living our DiscipleLife

[Image description: Pr. Hubbard, a white man wearing a clerical collar, smiles in the direction of Pr. Dupree Harris, a Black woman, and another Black man who can be seen on the edge of the photo. They appear to be seated around a table, talking.]Courageous Conversations on Race

If you don’t get The Lutheran at home, you may have missed this great piece by Ann Hafften (Messiah, Weatherford), member of the NT-NL Public Witness for Peace and Justice Team, in this month’s issue of The Lutheran!

Pr. Doris Dupree Harris (St. John’s, Dallas, a predominantly Black congregation) and Pr. ChuckHubbard (Gloria Dei, Garland, a predominantly white congregation) have been leading their congregations in Courageous Conversations about Racism. Read more here.

[Image description: headshots of Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and William B.Horne III]

Confronting Racism: A Holy Yearning

Did you miss last week’s Confronting Racism conversation? Good news! You can view the recorded webcast at elca.org/webcast.

Did your congregation gather to watch the webcast (either live, or at a later time)? What were your thoughts on it? How are you engaging in these courageous, difficult conversations? If you have a story to share, please email MissionOffice@ntnl.org!

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 us know! MissionOffice@ntnl.org.

NT-NL News heading News & Opportunities

[Image description: a red cross on a white background; the cross sits on a Z-shaped line resembling a boat or waves in water. The word "OIKOUMENE" is written above the cross, curving around it.]2016 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Thursday, Jan. 21 • 7:00 p.m. CST
University Park United Methodist Church

The Dallas Area of The United Methodist Church will host an Ecumenical Celebration of the Word of God on Thursday, Jan. 21st at 7:00 p.m. as part of our observance of the 2016 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This year’s theme is “Called to Proclaim the Mighty Acts of the Lord.”

The service will take place at University Park United Methodist Church (4024 Caruth Blvd. (at Preston), Dallas 75225). The Reverend Dr. William B. Lawrence, Dean of Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University will deliver the message. A time of fellowship and refreshment will follow the service.

Congregational Council Retreat | February 26-27, 2016, Briarwood Retreat CenterCongregational Council Retreat

Feb. 26-27 • Briarwood Retreat Center

This event is designed to be useful to new and veteran congregation council members. Cost is $60, or $25 to attend Saturday only.

Register at ntnl.org/2016-congregational-council-retreat.

Attention Treasurers: New Financial Procedures!

The mission area is moving to a new system of accounting where the ELCA Mission Investment Fund will handle all of our check writing, recording of Mission Support, and financial reporting; this will save us money and make things more efficient.

A mailing from MIF’s Synod Financial Services will be coming to you soon (if you have not received it already). Please alert your financial leadership of the changes to come regarding submitting your Mission Support. The new system comes online February 1, 2016.

Please join us at Briarwood on Saturday, Feb. 27 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. for a special session on best practices for church finances and an introduction to the new financial procedures. Find more information at ntnl.org/newfinancialprocedures.

povert justice task force2016 Lutheran Legislative Event

Feb. 28-Mar. 1 • Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Austin
Sponsored by Poverty & Justice Task Force of ELCA’s Southwestern Texas Synod

Participating ELCA Synods: Southwestern Texas, Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana, Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast. Program planned by Texas Impact.

Click here to register.

Grace Gathering August 10-13, New Orleans2016 Grace Gathering

Aug. 10-13 • New Orleans, LA

The 500th anniversary of the Reformation is an opportunity to rejoice in the life-giving, liberating power of the gospel. As part of the observance, we invite you to attend the Grace Gathering, in partnership with the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

All are welcomed and encouraged to attend! Early bird registration ends January 31! To learn more and register, please visit: elca.org/GraceGathering.

LWR Fair Trade Leader GuideFair Trade Leader Guide

Thinking of starting a Fair Trade ministry? (Or, do you already have one, and would like some help?) Lutheran World Relief has a great, free resource for you called the Fair Trade Leader Guide.

Order or download it now!

Spring Seminary SamplerLutheran School of Theology at Chicago Seminary Sampler

The Seminary Sampler is a three-day visit event being held February 28-March 1 and designed to give prospective students a taste of LSTC life. Here they will have the opportunity to discern with other prospective students a call to ministry and how LSTC might be the place for them.

Housing and meals are covered, and travel reimbursement are available. For more information, visit lstc.edu/admissions/visit/sampler.

[Image description: cropped photo of a choir. We can see the back of a white man's head, and two white female faces are facing the camera, singing. They are wearing black.]Texas Lutheran University 2016 Spring Choir Tour Dates & Locations

Thursday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m. • Kinsmen Lutheran Church, 12100 Champion Forest Dr., Houston
Friday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. • St. Peter Lutheran Church, 100 N. Promenade St., Hallettsville
Tuesday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. • TLU Chapel of the Abiding Presence, 1000 W. Court St., Seguin

Learn more at tlu.edu/choirtour

Bishop Election Update

2016 Bishop Election NT-NL Mission AreaThe Naming Form for Potential Nominees is now open. Please submit names by January 31.

Meetings in conferences about election and with Potential Nominees

  • Saturday, Feb. 6, 11:30 a.m. at Grace, Abilene – Conference Out West
  • Tuesday, Feb. 16, 10:00-noon at King of Glory, Dallas – Eastern Mission Conference (new combined East Dallas and ETX-NLA Conference)
  • Saturday, Feb. 20 – Dallas Area Metro North Conference
  • Saturday, Mar. 12 – Panhandle Conference
  • Saturday, Apr. 9 at the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Mission Center at Briarwood – Metro West Conference

For more information, please visit BpElection.ntnl.org or email the Bishop Election Committee at BpElection@ntnl.org.

Mark Your Calendars:

Upcoming Events in the NT-NL Mission Area and Beyond:

Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit them to the Mission Area office (MissionOffice@ntnl.org) for consideration for our next NT-NL News. Don’t forget to include a picture or logo!