Draft Social Statement on Women and Justice
As you may be aware, the Draft Social Statement on Women and Justice was released on November 15. The task force hopes that every synod will have at least one hearing on the draft. Please find more information about hearings in the FAQ. A hearing for NT-NL has been scheduled for January 20 at Shepherd of Life, Arlington. More details to follow.
The ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ is releasing the draft as a crucial step in the development of a social statement that will be considered by the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Task force members hope the next 11 months of comment and conversation among people of faith will be a widespread and instructive discernment on the timely themes and commitments in the draft. Your participation is desired and encouraged.
The entire statement can be found in the first 2,750 words of the draft, what is called the Basic Statement. The FAQ about the process and the two-page overview of the content also attached are designed to help explain the draft and the process that has led to it. Questions can be directed to womenandjustice@elca.org.
Find out more here: elca.org/womenandjustice.
Be sure to check out Bishop Gronberg’s blog as well: Women and Justice: One in Christ / Mujeres y Justicia: Unx en Cristo.
Global Mission Updates
Madagascar, West and Central Africa
Throughout the region, a common strategic focus has been on theological education which is made possible through mission support dollars. Mission personnel, Rev. Linda Johnson Seyenkulo and Rev. Brian Palmer, work at the Lay Training Institute in Liberia to implement the method taught during the MWCA4MWCA preaching workshop to instruct evangelist and lay leaders on preaching law and gospel. The Evangelical Lutheran Church Sierra Leone also held a workshop for the evangelists that were not able to make it to Liberia for an additional training in this preaching style.
In Rwanda, the Rev. Kate Warn, (former) YAGM Coordinator, worked with the Lutheran Church of Rwanda to revamp their theological education ministry. One of the first sessions of continuing education for pastors and evangelist took place in the spring for Biblical and Theological Education for Leadership Development. This grant was funded in 2017 through mission support dollars and will allow the pastors to hold continuing education retreats throughout the year. One retreats’ focus was on Lutheran Identity. Rev. Andrea Walker, Area Director for MWCA, lead a session on Lutheran identity. A young female, evangelist in the group understanding the message of grace alone for the first time asked a provocative question. “If we don’t do anything to earn God’s love, why go to church?” This question lead to a lively conversation about the use of the means of grace and helped the other nineteen pastors and evangelists who have not been trained in a Lutheran context explore their Lutheran Identity.
Click here to read the full ELCA Global Mission Fall 2017 Updates report.
Church Safety Presentation
Tarrant Churches Together is hosting the Fort Worth Police Department for a presentation on church safety and active shooter scenarios on Thursday, December 7, 10:30am-12n, at Ol’ South Pancake House, 1509 S University Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76107. RSVPs are required: rickb@tarranttogether.org, as seating is limited to 85. Please include your number of RSVPs and how many of those expect to order food and/or drink at the restaurant. Questions? Call Rick at 806-584-6025.
Featured Resource for December
Holiday shopping can change lives.
Americans spend over $300 billion on Christmas shopping each year. This year, consider giving gifts that fight hunger and grow the church with ELCA Good Gifts. Select from more than 50 gifts – from goats to water filters to school fees – to help people in need. All gifts can be given in honor of friends and loved ones, and each gift comes with a free card for you to share the news. Give online and you can now personalize cards to send directly to your loved one’s mailing or email address.
Get your whole congregation involved with resources like posters, bulletin inserts, planning guides, ornaments, and coloring sheets. The gifts provide direct support to ELCA ministries that are already at work in nearly 100 countries.
Give something unexpected this Christmas.
Save the Date
Worship at the Center: Journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter
February 1-3, 2018
Austin, TX
During these days, we will worship using the services for Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Vigil of Easter, and join in reflection, study, and discussion of the cross and empty tomb, baptism and the Bible—the meaning of this journey for ourselves and the world.
Come and be refreshed in your planning and leading of these worship services that are central to our worship together as Christ’s church!
UPDATE: Our apologies for any inconvenience, but we received notice on December 5 that this event has been cancelled.
Recent Blog Post
Bishop Gronberg:
Women and Justice: One in Christ / Mujeres y Justicia: Unx en Cristo
(https://www.ntnl.org/women-and-justiceone-in-christ-mujeres-y-justicia-unx-en-cristo/ – published Nov. 29)
Where in the world is?
Bishop Gronberg:
- Dec. 4 – Upbring Judicatory Meeting, Austin, TX
- Dec. 5-7 – Region 4 Bishops Gathering, Fredericksburg, TX
- Dec. 7-8 – Leadership Retreat, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
- Dec. 10 – Procession of the Virgin of Guadalupe, San Gabriel, Alvarado
Pr. Totzke:
- Dec. 8-11 – Vacation
Pra. Bañales:
- Dec. 7-8 – Leadership Retreat, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
- Dec. 10 – Hope, Springtown
Upcoming Events
- Dec. 9: High School Service Day, DFW and Lubbock areas
- Dec. 9: Public Witness Team monthly meeting
- Through Dec. 15: Bridwell Library Exhibition: Martin Luther in the Age of Print (Perkins | SMU)
- Dec. 27-28: NT-NL Christmas Break Young Adult Retreat
- Jan. 14: Mikah Meyer’s Stories & Songs Recital
- Jan. 19-21: Junior High Gathering
- Jan. 20: Hearing on the ELCA Draft Social Statement on Women and Justice
- Feb. 2-3: Synod Council Meeting
- Feb. 10: MEF Board meeting
- Feb. 11-13: Lutheran Legislative Event
- Feb. 24: Senior Fest 2018 (AOLA)
- Feb. 25-27: LSTC Seminary Sampler
Access our full online Calendar here. Updates made regularly.
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit to the Synod office (office@ntnl.org) for consideration for our next NT-NL News.