---

Featured Blog Post

NT-NL Leaders:

Four years ago my service in the office of bishop began with the murder of five law enforcement officers protecting a peaceful protest in Dallas. It was a protest of communal anger and frustration at the shooting deaths of two black men, Philando Castile and Alton Sterling, by law enforcement officers who later were either acquitted or not charged. During the protest Dallas Law Enforcement officers Lorne Ahrens, Michael Krol, Michael Smith, Brent Thompson, and Patricio “Patrick” Zamarripa were targeted and murdered by Micah Johnson. This act of domestic terror took an emotional toll on the DFW community and reminded us of the dangers law enforcement officers take on as part of their sworn duty to protect and serve all the public.

Today our nation is once again witnessing collective frustration and anger. The murder of George Floyd by law enforcement officers in Minneapolis, caught in gruesome detail, demands a visceral response from us all. This murder and the rage simmering from years of unequal treatment for marginalized communities has generated protests, many peaceful, as well as rioting and clashes between police and protesters. White supremacist groups have been seen infiltrating communities sowing additional seeds of discord and distrust in an effort to achieve their ideological ends. All of this within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic has put a particular strain on national institutions and society creating moments of intense dissonance and question.

While these moments have created immense pain and confusion, we have also seen great joy. There is great joy seeing Holy Trinity Lutheran in South Minneapolis open its doors to serve and provide respite for protesters and neighbors as have congregations in many cities. Across the country we see neighbors protecting local businesses from looters bent on destruction and then in the morning joining together to clean the streets and provide food and supplies for families. The church stands at the center of many of these actions across our country.

On Monday evening in Washington, D.C., federal and local police used force to physically clear away clergy and others from the steps of the parish house of St. John’s Episcopal Church without permission from the diocese or bishop. This action was taken to provide space for the President to have a photo taken in front of a church sign and boarded up building that had been damaged by fire during protests. As Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church stated, the President used the church for partisan political purposes in a time of deep national pain. As a pastor and bishop I could not help but be disturbed at this disrespect and lack of concern for the clergy and members of this historic congregation where every president since James Madison has worshipped.

Emotions and feelings are inflamed in this time. These dissonant scenes also show the importance of the church to both the political and civil realms of our society. While we may often feel, in our secularized world, that the church has no clear place, in this moment, with the nation engulfed in crisis, the church is a community where people turn for help or seek to be affiliated with.

Continue reading this message for NT-NL Leaders from Bishop Gronberg.

---

Update on Bishop Eaton’s Sermon for June 7

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has re-recorded her national sermon and Gospel reading to share with the church on Sunday, June 7, The Holy Trinity. The revised video is available now on YouTube (view) and Vimeo (download). Links to the written transcript and videos with subtitles are posted in the video description. They can be found in English and Spanish.

Updated worship resources for a Service of the Word are available in PDF and DOC formats. This includes updates to the Prayers of Intercession and additional resources for lament.

Finally, for those congregations encouraging home devotions, the weekly “Worship in the Home” series on our worship blog includes a link to the revised sermon.

Thank you for your hard work and understanding during this shift in direction. As we worship in many different locations across the country this weekend, may we be reminded that we, as members of the ELCA, are still one body of Christ, even when we cannot be together in person.

---

ELCA Webinar: Cultivating Generous Congregations (June 11)

Is your congregation struggling financially? Compared to a year ago, many ELCA congregations have seen a decline in total revenue. While the pandemic does not stop ministry outside the walls of our congregations, it is having an impact on financial contributions. This means both regular giving and fundraising efforts. And yet, there are congregations that have maintained or increased their giving. How do these congregations continue to be generous?

For more than a year, the ELCA has been focusing on cultivating generous congregations. Rev. Larry Strenge and his Lake Institute trained team have worked with more than a hundred ELCA congregations. This has led to three strategies – recognizing the impact of negative influences (i.e., the pandemic, scarcity thinking), cultivating generosity leaders, and developing a culture of generosity in your congregation and households.

Join Rev. Larry Strenge for a webinar to talk about these three strategies and how congregations can be proactive in nurturing generosity. This Zoom meeting will be on Thursday, June 11, at 3PM CDT.

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3199415281

Meeting ID: 319 941 5281
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,3199415281# US (Chicago)
+14702509358,,3199415281# US (Atlanta)

All Roster Leaders and lay leaders are invited. This session will be recorded and made available. If you are unable to attend on June 11, simply notify Neil.Bullock@elca.org and a link will be provided.

---

Remembering the Emanuel Nine (June 17)

As part of the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, voting members adopted a resolution designating June 17 as a commemoration of the martyrdom of the Emanuel 9—the nine people shot and killed on June 17, 2015, during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C.

Commemorate the Emanuel Nine with these worship resources, including a liturgy and a lament. | RESOURCES

---

Mental Health Support from Portico

While your work in service to others can be extremely rewarding, it can also be challenging. A Duke University study¹ confirmed that the rate of depression among the clergy they surveyed is significantly higher than the national rate. Now, with COVID-19 interrupting the ways you come together in faith and dramatically changing how you live each day, many people are currently experiencing a period of isolation and uncertainty. This could be triggering unwelcome thoughts or feelings; for some, possibly for the first time.

We want you to know you are not alone, and that Portico provides support for your total well-being, including your mental or emotional well-being. In addition to your ELCA-Primary mental health benefits, you also have access to a full suite of programs — at no additional cost — designed to help support mental health, for you as well as your covered family members. We invite you to check out the following services to see how they could help you maintain a healthy emotional life.

Build your resiliency with Being.

We invite you to check out offerings on resilience, including “Beating Burnout: A Better You, A Better Congregation” with ELCA rostered leaders, “Resiliency” with Jenny Evans, and “Spiritual Recharge: Grateful and Grounded” with Diana Butler Bass. We hope these expert-led videos will inspire healthy lifestyle changes during this challenging time.

Learn how to create a “new normal” during and after COVID-19 with Beyond Normal².

A new weekly podcast series by The Big Know, our collaborator on Being, Beyond Normal covers topics such as owning your stress response, building your resiliency, and finding purpose in times of uncertainty. You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on the Being platform.

Get completely confidential 24/7 online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy through Learn to Live.

Based on over 10 years of clinical study and proven to work as well as in-person therapy, this program teaches Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help users with anxiety, stress, depression, insomnia, and substance use. Coaching is also available via phone, email, and text, at no out-of-pocket cost to you.

Call Employee Assistance Program (EAP), if you need to talk with a counselor.

EAP by Beacon Health Options offers confidential, around-the-clock access to counselors at 800.432.5155, at no out-of-pocket cost to you. Receive up to six counseling sessions per issue, per year for concerns such as grief or depression, marriage or relationship strain, and substance use during periods of increased stress.

No one is immune to mental and emotional struggles, especially during trying times. These confidential programs are available without any judgement and with our full support, so you can more wholly care for yourself and others. We encourage you to reach out to the Portico Care Coordinators by Quantum Health at 877.851.5656 if you have questions about these programs or your individual situation.

¹https://divinity.duke.edu/initiatives/clergy-health-initiative/learning, Using Effort-Reward Imbalance Theory to Understand High Rates of Depression and Anxiety Among Clergy, Journal of Primary Prevention (2013)

²All videos, podcasts, graphics, links and other material (collectively, the “Content”) is intended for your general educational and entertainment purposes. Because of the general nature of the Content, some Content may not be appropriate for you or your situation. The Content is not legal advice, medical advice, construction or building advice, or any other type of professional or licensed advice. While we hope you find the Content useful and informative, you should seek your own professional advice when appropriate or any time you want advice specific to your own unique situation. See additional terms of use on the Being website or at thebigknow.com.

---

NT-NL Youth Facebook Group for Adult Leaders

A number of resources for the ELCA Youth Gathering have been uploaded to the Facebook group for adult leaders working with NT-NL Youth. Click on that link and ask to join. You should receive notice of approval via Facebook within 48 hours. Contact janellemiller@yahoo.com with questions.

---

ELCA World Hunger VBS: “On Earth As In Heaven”

Your community can still engage in this new program, even if you’re not meeting in person. Games, crafts, and stories are easy to adapt for kids at home. | DOWNLOAD

---

ELCA Federal Credit Union Options

The ELCA Federal Credit Union now offers a corporate credit card program and a small-loan program specifically suited to the unique needs of ELCA congregations and ministries. The ELCA Federal Credit Union World Mastercard for Ministry is a cost-effective alternative to standard corporate credit card programs, with flexible terms that include a shared/deposit-secured option. For ELCA congregations and related ministries looking to fund small projects or make purchases, the credit union also extends loans of up to $50,000 at favorable rates. Learn more here.

---

ELCA Information Security Webinar

A webinar on information security was recently presented to the ELCA churchwide organization. Watch the recording to learn how to avoid phishing email attacks, how to protect sensitive data and prevent malware infections, and what to do if your data has been breached. Find the video, slides, and FAQS at https://www.elca.org/Resources/Information-Technology#Webinars.

---

Feedback Requested on Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline

As a member of this church, you are invited to participate in a series of digital town halls to offer feedback that the Committee on Appeals can use in revising Definitions and Guidelines. To register, please click on the link below. You will be asked to indicate your first and second choices of dates. Registration will be limited to 200 persons per event and will be on a first-come-first-served basis. You will receive an email to confirm registration and to give you instructions for logging in to a session.

Town Hall Dates/Times: Register today

• Wednesday, June 3: 3 p.m. Eastern / 2 p.m. Central / 1 p.m. Mountain / 12 p.m. Pacific

• Tuesday, June 9: 7 p.m. Eastern / 6 p.m. Central / 5 p.m. Mountain / 4 p.m. Pacific

• Thursday, June 18: 3 p.m. Eastern / 2 p.m. Central / 1 p.m. Mountain / 12 p.m. Pacific

• Thursday, June 25: 8 p.m. Eastern / 7 p.m. Central / 6 p.m. Mountain / 5 p.m. Pacific

We encourage you also to participate in a brief survey that will allow you to give written feedback on Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline. The survey will be available for feedback through June 15.

---

MEF Relief Funds

Dear Partners in Mission:

The COVID-19 crisis continues to challenge and change our lives together. Many congregations have suspended in-person worship for over a month. In addition, daycares and other church ministries have been deeply impacted. Our leaders have proven themselves resilient, adaptable, and faithful to the work that we do together. While this crisis has brought challenge, it has also brought innovation and opportunity for our communities.

We are, however, only now beginning to get a fuller picture of the impact these changes are having on our congregations and their financial sustainability. Each congregation and ministry is, just like the people who make up the church, experiencing this differently. For some of our communities, the move to online worship and giving has been fairly seamless. Others are more dependent on weekly offerings from in-person worship. And within the communities, there are uneven experiences of job and income loss and stability.

Throughout this process, we have shared resources with you about how you might take advantage of governmental programs, as well as work with creditors to change loans or other obligations. Again, the experience across the synod has been uneven as each community and ministry works with their various financial institutions.

Recognizing that emergency cash flow problems might threaten benefits for employees or other vital bills, the board of the Mission Endowment Fund (MEF) of the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod has responded with an emergency loan program. Utilizing unrestricted funds and in concert with their financial advisors, they have available some funds to help communities in an emergency situation. I am grateful for their clarity of mission in that these funds are a gift for us to steward for mission and that carrying out mission and Word and Sacrament ministry in this time is critical. Information about applying for these funds are available on our website: https://www.ntnl.org/ministries/mef/.

A host of resources, including some guidelines on how communities might make decisions about coming back together, are available at https://www.ntnl.org/resources/covid-19/. I encourage you to make use of those.

In Mission Together,

Bishop Erik K. J. Gronberg