In This Edition
Message from Bishop Gronberg
The ELCA Youth Ministry Network’s New Website
Name Gathering Initiative for Campus Ministry
Portico EmployerLink Upcoming Security Enhancements
Rooted Good is Hiring
Portico’s Being Here Podcast
Being Church and Courageous Leadership
Upcoming Events
Prayer Requests
Roster Changes
Message from Bishop Gronberg
Dear Partners in Mission:
With the establishment of the Briarwood Legacy Endowment this ministry of our synod now has the opportunity to provide significant support for our youth and youth leaders. One of the opportunities that is a priority for the coming year is the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering to be held in New Orleans, LA July 16-20 (with Myle and the tAble July 14-16).
As there has not been a gathering since 2018 this is a long awaited opportunity for many of our young people. And we want NT-NL to be well represented. It is also a very expensive proposition as registration is $375 and the cost of lodging and travel can be as much as $600. As such the Briarwood Directors have authorized the following funding for congregations to enable all our youth to attend.
Registration for the gathering opens September 15, 2023. The endowment, in conversation with NT-NL youth leaders, has made a commitment to pay the balance ($225/participant) for the first 200 participants (youth and sponsors) registered who have paid the $150 fee to the ELCA Youth Gathering. And for that first 200 the endowment will match up to $300/participant for travel/lodging. This offering of up to $525/participant represents a $105,000 investment in our young people!!! An opportunity that is unprecedented in the ELCA by a synod ministry.
The goal of offering this to the first 200 registered is to encourage your community to get organized and registered as soon as possible after the Sept 15 opening of registration. This will increase the likelihood of our synod group being able to be housed in proximity to one another. An opportunity that facilitates building of relationship. We will also be offering again a “Bishop’s Group” for those with 3 or less youth attending and no adult sponsor. For information about that please speak to Janelle Miller (Calvary-Richland Hills) as soon as possible (janellemiller@yahoo.com)
Also a reminder that for MYLE and the tAble, registration is free for the first 1,000 to do so. So if your young people qualify for those events (see FAQ here) get organized and ready to register.
We give thanks for the stewardship of Briarwood, the hard decisions your elected leaders and board have had to make, and rejoice that this abundance can be shared to make it possible for our youth to gather with young people from around the ELCA and the world. More information to come. But please get organized. Remember, we all have young people in our lives. Children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, neighbors we can invite to this opportunity to learn and serve sharing God’s love poured out in Jesus for the world. Doing this…
#InMissionTogether,
Bishop Gronberg
The ELCA Youth Ministry Network’s New Website
The ELCA Youth Ministry Network is excited to welcome you to their new website! The new site has a full range of features, is faster loading and cleaner looking. It also will allow for new opportunities for supporting each other and sharing resources that help you in your ministry. We have also transitioned to a new, more dynamic online database. If you are not yet on their membership list, you can join now and begin to make use of these resources.
To login, you will first need to set up your password. Click here to update your Password. Once updated, you can log in here, using your Username – – and new Password. While you are logged in, please complete your profile (it is searchable to help people find you)! You can even renew your dues and register for our next online event, Oasis, while you’re there.
Name Gathering Initative for Campus Ministry
Do you have young adults in your congregation who are headed to college? Help support their faith journey by connecting them to ELCA campus ministries. College-bound young adults can be connected to these campus ministries by submitting their information to this secure form. This information will go directly to ELCA Campus Pastors, who use the information to reach out to students about their ministries before classes begin in the fall semester.
You can help college students find loving faith communities of welcome and growth by connecting them to campus ministries today! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Katie Linthicum, project intern, at kalinthicum@gmail.com.
Portico EmployerLink Upcoming Security Enhancements
Portico’s EmployerLink sign-in process will be changing as part of their ongoing commitment to data security and privacy protection. If you’re a registered EmployerLink user, later this summer we’ll walk you through setting up a new way to access your account that includes two-step phone verification every time you sign in. Remember: it’s important for each EmployerLink user to create their own sign-in credentials to protect your organization from people signing in who should no longer have access — for example, when someone completes their term as treasurer or leaves the organization.
Rooted Good is Hiring
The Director of Sharing (DOS) will play a central role at RootedGood and will connect the resources and tools of RootedGood with the needs of the people and organizations we aim to serve. The DOS will serve as the primary person in the organization focused on sharing and distributing our resources with churches, church leaders, intermediary organizations, and others. The DOS will assist in building and expanding the network of relationships and partners that RootedGood has. This is a full-time position that can be carried out from anywhere in the United States. The DOS will have an opportunity to help shape and grow with this young organization as part of their fun and dynamic team!
Read the full position description and apply here.
Portico’s Being Here Podcast
In the latest episode of Portico’s Being Here Podcast – Gender Identity and the Church – host Pastor Melissa Pohlman and guest Austen Hartke discuss ways we can seek to honor the image of God found in all of us and help our church embody a spirit of welcome and acceptance. Hartke brings his perspective as a Biblical scholar and founder of the Transmission Ministry Collective to offer practical resources and theological framework for starting these important conversations.
Being Church and Courageous Leadership
ELCA Coaching has been hosting this regular online gathering since March 2020 and is taking a break for July and August.
Recordings and resources from prior gatherings can be found here: https://www.elcacoaching.org/podcasts/elca-coaching-media
Upcoming Events
With the ever-changing guidelines and recommendations in our world right now, as we maintain physical distance in social solidarity, please keep in mind these events may be moved online, postponed, or cancelled:
- Jul. 6: Transitional Pastors Meeting, Zoom
- Jul. 8: Public Witness Team Meeting, Shepherd of Life, Arlington & Zoom
- Jul. 25: First Call Pastors Check-in, Zoom
- Jul. 27: Cultivating Compassion Session 7: The Wild Edge of Sorrow, Online
For a complete list of upcoming events, you can access our Calendar of Events online.