Message from Bishop Gronberg
Dear Partners in Ministry:
A unique, and dare I say, unprecedented Easter day has come and gone. We are living in the reality of COVID-19 and the variety of social and physical restrictions that places upon us. Many congregations are finding new ways to adapt and change the way they connect with the faithful. I have been consistently amazed at the adaptive solutions that have been found to our technical challenges. Stewardship is deeply on our mind as we recognize that traditional bumps in financial giving have happened at Easter. Without that, many are concerned about maintaining ministry and paying staff. These anxieties are real for our communities as we see seemingly strong financial corporations like Disney furlough tens of thousands of staff members and 16 million file for unemployment. This crisis is revealing evermore the cracks in our financial systems and the lack of preparedness we have for significant disruption to the status quo.
In previous emails, we have shared information about how congregations and churches with schools can connect with programs like the Payroll Protection Program to try to sustain staff and livelihoods. I encourage our communities to take advantage of those programs as they can. In coming days and weeks, resources for leadership development, stewardship programming, and other ways to respond to this crisis will be shared through our NT-NL communications. Our congregations and schools have multiple options and opportunities to learn and grow with their ministry partners in this time.
That said, a key ministry of NT-NL is the Church of the Damascus Road (CoDR). This ministry to those incarcerated in our state jails and those coming out of our prison system relies entirely on the donations of NT-NL members and congregations. Please continue reading this Easter Monday message from Bishop Gronberg.
Easter Message from ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton
Christ is risen indeed!
NT-NL Study for Young Adults
Are you between the ages of 18 and 39? Do you like movies? Then Holy Hollywood is the place for you! Holy Hollywood is a study offered to young adults in the NT-NL Synod every second week! The first occasion will be on April 14 at 6:30pm.
We invite you to join and watch a film together via Netflix party and participate in the conversation afterwards on Zoom (1-hour conversation). There is no commitment, you can watch the film at a different time if that works better for you, and you are not obligated to join the conversation after. Our goal is to create space for community and connection, not additional stress.
On April 14, we will be watching and discussing Ferris Bueller’s Day Off! For up to date and current information, join the Young Adults of NT-NL Synod Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2369699966655810. (Facebook account required.)
Feel free to reach out with questions and concerns by email at: YoungAdultsNTNLsynod@gmail.com.
We are praying for you already. Your presence in this community makes us all stronger.
Featured Resources for April
ELCA World Hunger Grants
ELCA World Hunger’s Daily Bread Matching Grants support congregations and their partners as they work toward a just world where all are fed. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregations with feeding ministries are eligible to participate. Apply today!
As part of the ELCA’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 200 grants will be available to eligible ministries on a first-come, first-served basis.
Once your application has been approved, you will be able to invite your congregation, networks and friends to donate. To kickstart your campaign, the funds you raise will be matched by ELCA World Hunger with a grant of $500.
We are church together, working toward a just world where all are fed.
ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants accompany congregations and their partners throughout the United States and Caribbean as they draw on the strengths of communities to address local issues such as food security, clean water, housing, job readiness, human rights, policy change, leadership development and more. Together, these ministries are part of a comprehensive approach to breaking the cycle of poverty and hunger — for good. Learn how to register and apply. (due before June 1)
Recent Blog Posts
Bishop Gronberg:
Resource: Las estaciones del viacrucis en Ingles y en Español
(https://www.ntnl.org/resource-las-estaciones-del-viacrucis-en-ingles-y-en-espanol/ – published Apr. 7)
Accompaniment: Our Partners in ELCSL in the time of COVID-19
(https://www.ntnl.org/accompaniment-our-partners-in-elcsl-in-the-time-of-covid-19/ – published Apr. 8)
(https://www.ntnl.org/maundy-thursday-bonhoeffer-pastor-scholar-martyr/ – published Apr. 9)
(https://www.ntnl.org/good-friday-greetings-and-easter-2-worship/ – published Apr. 10)
(https://www.ntnl.org/easter-sermon-video-and-spanish-text-translation/ – published Apr. 11)
Pastor Smith:
(https://www.ntnl.org/the-difficult-truths-of-holy-week/ – published Apr. 6)
(https://www.ntnl.org/maundy-thursday-reflection/ – published Apr. 8)
(https://www.ntnl.org/seeking-the-truth-of-good-friday/ – published Apr. 10)
Where in the world is?
Based on recommendations from public health officials, and to live out our call to love and protect “the least of these,” Bishop Gronberg, Pastor Totzke, and Pastora Bañales are suspending all congregational visits, in-person meetings, and travel until further notice. They will continue to meet with individuals and groups virtually. Though many buildings are closed, the church is all of us, and ministry continues.
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:
- Apr. 18: PLMA, Spring 2020, Course 2, Zoom
- May 2: ESET (SSTE) Módulo 7 (Día 3 de 5), Argyle, TX
- May 9: ESET (SSTE) Módulo 7 (Día 4 de 5), Argyle, TX
- May 9: Public Witness Team meeting, Arlington, TX
- May 16: PLMA, Spring 2020, Course 3, Argyle, TX
- May 16: Briarwood 2020 Gala: Adventure Awaits, Online Experience
- May 23: ESET (SSTE) Módulo 7 (Día 5 de 5), Argyle, TX
- May 24-29: Spanish Language and Hispanic Ministry Intensive I, Austin, TX
- Jun. 7-11: Vital Congregations – Vital Communities: Building Leadership Capacity for Latinx Ministries, Austin, TX
- Jun. 13: Public Witness Team meeting, Arlington, TX
Access our full online Calendar here. Updates made regularly.
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit to Jason (jason@ntnl.org) for consideration for upcoming NT-NL News.