Strategic Direction, Goal Four
Called Forward Together in Christ: ELCA Strategic Directions 2025
Our strategic directions
ELCA Strategic Directions 2025 tells the story of the church we are becoming – a church that is confident about who we are in Christ and what God is calling us to do. The directions are presented in three parts: The ELCA – who we are; What unites us as church; and, Our goals and priorities.
Here’s a preview of the FOURTH goal: A visible church deeply committed to working ecumenically and with other people of faith for justice, peace and reconciliation in communities and around the world
PRIORITY AREAS FOR ACTION:
Poverty and hunger
Response to disasters and humanitarian crises
Lift up the work of ELCA-related social ministries
Advocacy and action on economic justice, racial justice, gender justice and climate justice
Call to Prayer for Leadership
Bishop Gronberg reflects on Holy Week and issues a call to prayer for leadership, especially in the NT-NL Synod. Read his blog in English at https://www.ntnl.org/call-to-prayer-for-leadership/ or in Spanish at https://www.ntnl.org/llamada-a-la-oracion-por-liderazgo/. This is part of the wider Church strategy encouraged by ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton, as noted below.
ELCA Leadership Initiative
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us, “It’s not only the job of our seminaries and universities to identify and raise up leaders in the church. This is something that belongs to all of us.” The Leadership Initiative encourages all of us to seek out and inspire gifted people in our congregations and communities to consider a call to the ministry of the gospel. If you know someone who shows a gift for ministry, help mentor and foster them. Together – pastors, deacons, lay people – we can bring the word of God to the world.
Find resources to guide discussions and offer inspiration for becoming a leader within the ELCA.
Featured Resource for April
Luther’s Small Catechism Anniversary Study Edition is now available in Enlarged Print.
Offers a translation of Luther’s explanations along with other catechetical helps, such as prayers, worship rites, and Luther’s introduction. NRSV and Evangelical Lutheran Worship texts are used for the wording of the Ten Commandments, Lord’s Prayer, Apostles’ Creed, and the included worship rites. Includes a revised introduction by Timothy Wengert and features illustrations by Roman Catholic artist Gertrud Mueller Nelson. Size: 8.5 X 11
“What Does This Mean?”
Luther’s Small Catechism and Spanish El Catecismo Menor de Lutero are also available in a FREE mobile app. Content from the Study Edition is available as an in-app purchase. Search “Catechism” in the Apple or Google app stores, or DOWNLOAD HERE.
Save the Date
Trinity Lutheran Church is commemorating 75 years of ministry in Fort Worth with a 2-day celebration, and YOU ARE INVITED!
Saturday, May 6 – Dinner and Program
Cendera Center, 3600 Benbrook Highway, Fort Worth, TX
6:00 p.m. – Cocktails & Hors d’oeurves
6:30 p.m. – Dinner & Program
Sunday, May 7 – Worship and Reception
Trinity Lutheran Church, 3621 Tulsa Way, Fort Worth, TX
8:30 a.m. – Sunday Worship
9:30 a.m. – Education Hour
10:30 a.m. – Sunday Worship
12:00 p.m. – Potluck Lunch and History Display
2:00 p.m. – 75th Anniversary Service
3:30 p.m. – Reception
Please RSVP for the events you will be attending:
Saturday Evening Dinner & Program, Sunday Lunch, Sunday Anniversary Service, and/or Sunday Reception
RSVP to Pennie Saadallah: pennie@pendean.com.
Call 817-732-1439 for more information.
Where in the world is?
Bishop Gronberg:
- Apr. 15 – Celebrating Annika’s 9th birthday
- Apr. 16 – Easter breakfast and Family Sunday, Trinity, Fort Worth
Pr. Totzke:
- Apr. 16 – Emanuel, Dallas
Pra. Bañales:
- Apr. 11 – First Sagrada Familia, Garland
- Apr. 15 – Quinceañera, Ennis
Upcoming Events
- Apr. 23: Briarwood Quarterly Brunch
- Apr. 27-28: Mission / Synod Council Meeting
- Apr. 28-30: 2017 Mission / Synod Assembly
- Apr. 29: Assembly Worship Service (open to the public)
- May 4-6: “Go Baptize, Make Disciples” Catechumenate Training Institute
- May 6: Briarwood Annual Gala
- May 13: Public Witness Team for Peace and Justice monthly meeting
- May 13: BRIDGES Book Club (joint event)
- May 20: PLMA Spring 2017 Course 3
- May 20: Mission Endowment Fund board meeting
- May 28 – Jun. 2: Spanish Language and Hispanic Ministry Intensive I
- Jun. 10: Public Witness Team for Peace and Justice monthly meeting
- Jun. 11-16: Building Congregational Capacity for Hispanic Ministry
Access our full online Calendar here. Updates made regularly.
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit to the Synod office (MissionOffice@ntnl.org) for consideration for our next NT-NL News.
Looking for information in past NT-NL News? Find NT-NL News archives here!