In This Edition
Message from Bishop Gronberg
Name Gathering Project for Lutheran Campus Ministries
Trauma-Informed Conversations
Courageous Leadership Series
NT-NL Youth Gathering 2022
MYJ2 Multicultural Youth Gathering 2022
ELCA Latinx Young Adults Gathering
Upcoming Events
Message from Bishop Gronberg
Dear Partners in Mission:
With heavy hearts we heard the news last week of yet another school shooting. This time 19 dead, 4th graders like my middle child, in a school in Uvalde, TX. The epidemic of mass gun violence across our country continues. Conversation about this issue, as with many others in our deeply divided communities, so very quickly devolves into minds uninterested in change and prepared statements and demonizing of any who disagree with our positions.
Last Sunday in our gospel reading from John, Jesus prayed that those who believe in him may be one, as he and the Father are one (John 17:20-26). The reality is that throughout the Christian experience the followers of Jesus have rarely been one. From the Arian controversy to the Great Schism, to our own beloved and treasured Reformation heritage, and the history of those who call themselves Lutheran, we are not and have not been one. Yet, that is what Jesus prayed for. But it is hard to be one, and it is hard to preach to a divided people.
Our pastors are preaching in divided times. Every word can be brought up as sowing division and discord. Yet we in the Lutheran tradition value our preaching and have criteria for it. And that as theologians we often ask the question, in the face of division, and violence, and death, of why? Why did this happen? Why did God allow it to happen? This is a valuable question, but it also often leaves us stuck. Perhaps, I was challenged last Sunday, we need to ask different, coaching, questions.
Instead of why perhaps we should ask “what?” and how?” What conversation do I need to have with someone to address this division this week? What is going to get in the way of this? And how can I overcome that? If we are to be one as the Father and Jesus are one, what must we be willing to give up to make that happen and how will we do so?
In these challenging times I find this challenge worthwhile. I will, as much as anyone, avoid difficult conversation if I can. It is uncomfortable and unsettling. Yet, if I am a follower of Jesus and wish to honor this prayer he prayed for you and me 2,000 years ago, this is work that must be done. As you do this work this week know you are in my prayers and that the Holy Spirit is guiding and leading you.
In Christ,
Bishop Gronberg
Name Gathering Project for Lutheran Campus Ministries
This summer, you can be instrumental in connecting students with campus ministry by partnering with Texas-area Lutheran Campus Ministries. Campus ministries are welcoming, grace-filled, and loving spaces for young adults to continue to build up their faith, serve their community, be fed (both physically and spiritually), and so much more. And now is a vital time for communities like these – as we all continue to readjust to what “normal” means, campus ministries offer spaces for young adults to explore their faith, ask questions, lead, grow, and connect. Lutheran Campus Ministries across the state are already preparing for the next academic year by dreaming about ways to build up their students as they come together again in the fall. But, we need your help. Does your church have college-bound students? Refer them today on this secure form: https://www.luminelca.org/refer-a-student/, or email Cecie Suknaic Saulnier (csuknaic@gmail.com), the coordinator for this Name Gathering Project. The information submitted through LuMin is sent only to ELCA Campus Pastors who use it to reach out and connect with students, inviting them to campus ministry communities even before school starts in August. We are hoping to connect as many students as possible to these incredible ministries, and we are grateful for your help in this process!
Trauma-Informed Conversations
From our partners at Faith + Lead:
It’s worth noting, right up top, that trauma-informed congregations are the result of some very intentional work.
That work starts with trauma-informed conversations.
For faith leaders, lay and ordained, those kinds of conversations don’t always come easily. Walking alongside someone who is suffering, who’s been victimized, whose very identity feels up for grabs is complicated.
Our upcoming June Book Hub is a chance to wrestle with some of that complexity. Join Rev. Carla Christopher, Jennifer Ohman-Rodriguez, and Dr. Brent Strawn as they discuss:
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- Tools for conflict management, storytelling, and becoming an empathetic listener
- Ways to recognize unhealed trauma (and its impact on congregational conflict)
- Common points in ministry where sensitivity to trauma is critical
- Trauma-informed approaches to worship, preaching, and teaching
- …and so much more
It’s all happening Thursday, June 16, from 1 – 2 PM CDT. Admission is free but attendance is limited. Save my spot.
Courageous Leadership Series
Dear Faith Leaders,
ELCA Coaching is mixing things up in 2022 as we continue to experiment and learn. You are invited to join us WEEKLY on Wednesdays at 1pm Central to hear from various leaders across the Church. We will continue with our theme of COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP. We have invited various ministries to host these gatherings through this next year, so it will be different each week. There will usually be time for small groups in breakout rooms so that leaders across the church can continue to learn from each other and leave each gathering with at least one action step.
For June 2022:
Week One (June 1) – Coaching – Choose Your Own Adventure (breakout rooms by topic)
Week Two (June 8) – Matthew Cobb – Together Here Ministries
Week Three (June 15) – Dianne Johnson – Wild Church
Week Four (June 22) – Dan Bowman – On the Spectrum: Austism, Faith, & the Gifts of Neurodiversity
Week Five (June 29) – TBA
We are inviting you to bring a spirit of curiosity to these gatherings and to all aspects your life. What are you noticing? Where is Spirit moving? How might you be a part?
The login information can be found on the ELCA Coaching website: https://www.elcacoaching.org/events/courageous-leadership
Recordings from prior gatherings can be found here: https://www.elcacoaching.org/podcasts/media/series/courageous-leadership
NT-NL Youth Gathering 2022
July 7-10
NT-NL Youth will be gathering at Briarwood for 4 days of fun, fellowship, and service! This event is for any youth who were eligible for the 2022 National Youth Gathering. We will be using the 2022 Gathering Materials to center our time together. While we know we can’t replicate the experience of a National Youth Gathering, we still want to provide a space for our synod youth to gather together.
Each congregation must have at least 1 adult for every 8 youth attending.
Meals will be provided starting with dinner on Thursday through breakfast on Sunday as well as overnight accommodations. Events will start Thursday in the late afternoon and end with worship on Sunday morning.
Cost per youth: $50
This event is subsidized by the NT-NL Youth and Young Adult Leadership Funds.
Indicate your interest here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjAf7DJSQdSR3rsSinegmXE8qtfBhxXVbjB_7lPsCTUgcElg/viewform
MYJ2 Multicultural Youth Gathering 2022
MYJ2 Multicultural Youth Gathering 2022
July 21-23
NT-NL Multicultural Youth will be gathering at Briarwood for 3 full days of fun, learning, and fellowship!
This is an event primarily for youth of color. Congregations whose youth group is made up of a majority of youth of color can register all interested youth, even if they are youth of European decent. Congregations that don’t meet this criteria can register individual members. The event is open to any youth who would have been eligible to attend the 2022 National Youth Gathering.
Each congregation must have at least 1 adult for every 8 youth attending. Adults do not need to be people of color.
Briarwood will host meals starting with lunch on Thursday through dinner on Saturday as well as overnight accommodations. Events will start around 10am on Thursday and run until 8:30pm on Saturday. If you need to arrive on Wednesday and/or stay through Sunday, Briarwood is happy to host you but no meals will be provided.
Cost per youth: $30.00
This event is subsidized by the NT-NL Youth and Young Adult Leadership Funds.
Indicate your interest here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1Rug5AwxDzxEocL52qF1IowHWDZ6jPcii6M246bQyQ6A8IA/viewform
ELCA Latinx Young Adults Gathering
Save the Date!
ELCA Latinx Young Adults Gathering
August 5-7
Briarwood Leadership Center, Argyle, TX
More details forthcoming.
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:
- Jun. 1: Courageous Leadership – Coaching – Choose Your Own Adventure (breakout rooms by topic)
- Jun. 2: Transitional Pastors monthly meeting, Zoom
- Jun. 8: Courageous Leadership – Matthew Cobb – Together Here Ministries
- Jun. 11: Public Witness Team meeting, Zoom
- Jun. 15: Courageous Leadership – Dianne Johnson – Wild Church
- Jun. 22: Courageous Leadership – Dan Bowman – On the Spectrum: Austism, Faith, & the Gifts of Neurodiversity
- Jun. 29: Courageous Leadership – TBA
For a complete list of upcoming events, you can access our Calendar of Events online.