2022 Synod Assembly Reference Materials
We are not offering the option of a Hard Copy of Assembly Reference Materials (previously called the Book of Reports) this year. All reports will be available online here: https://www.ntnl.org/2022-assembly-reference-materials/. Please note, there are a large number of reports we received over the past week, and those will all be uploaded by Friday. Then we will continue to add documents as we receive them.
Please also keep an eye on our event page for additional updates as we get closer to Assembly: https://www.ntnl.org/event/2022-ntnl-synod-assembly/
MEF Grant Success Story: First Longview Success Center
How the Mission Endowment Fund (MEF) Grant Recipients are CHANGING LIVES
First Lutheran Church, Longview, Texas – The Success Center
2021 AND 2022 Grant Recipient
In January 2021, out of their love for children and the sensitivity to educational setbacks which has left behind so many young people, the Success Center was launched at First Lutheran in Longview. The Success Center, providing one-on-one, individualized tutoring and mentoring, soon maxed out enrollment with 21 students. On any given Tuesday and Thursday, 17-20 students receive instruction from the 19 dedicated volunteers and support staff who give countless volunteer hours. The Mission Endowment Fund has supported First Lutheran’s ministry for two years. The Success Center is one of the many ministries which changes lives in the name of Jesus Christ.
Mr. John Parsons, Director of the Success Center, says, “When launching this program, the main goal of our tutoring center was to be highly relational and to truly care about the success of those being served in whatever unique form was needed. We have achieved this through the hard work of our tutors. Our program has made a difference.” Read the full story here.
Featured Resources for April
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.
To learn more about ELCA World Hunger and to apply, check out the resources on this page: https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Relief-and-Development/ELCA-World-Hunger/Get-Involved/Domestic-Hunger-Grants.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for updates about ELCA World Hunger.
Para obtener información sobre la solicitud en español, contáctenos en hunger@elca.org.
Application Timeline:
- Registration open: March 18, 2022 – May 6, 2022
NOTE: Applicants must be registered in ELCA GrantMaker to access the application. Allow up to three days for registration approval. If you have not registered by May 6, you will not be able to start a new application. If you have already registered in ELCA GrantMaker, you do not need to register again. Starting April 11, 2022, you can log in directly at elca.fluxx.io using the Google Chrome browser to start your application.
- Application open: April 11, 2022 – May 20, 2022
- Application review: June 2022 – October 2022
- Awards recommendations announced: November 2022
Bishop Gronberg:
(https://www.ntnl.org/texas-lutheran-university-choir-tour-comes-to-nt-nl/ – published Mar. 30)
2022 NT-NL Assembly Preacher Featured in Dallas Morning News
(https://www.ntnl.org/2022-nt-nl-assembly-preacher-featured-in-dallas-morning-news/ – published Mar. 31)
Where in the world is?
Across a context as wide and different as NT-NL, the reality of Covid-19 is very different. As such, NT-NL synod staff are doing more in-person Sunday visits for worship and occasional meetings. However, as good stewards of time and travel dollars, we will be utilizing online meeting formats into our new hybrid future. Given the rise of breakthrough infections and in order to protect those gathered, the synod staff will choose to wear masks as is deemed appropriate unless preaching or presiding and sufficient social distancing can be provided.
Bishop Gronberg:
Apr. 10: Church of Damascus Road, Jay’s Place Open House
Apr. 17: Easter Worship
Apr. 24: Our Savior’s, Norse: Retirement celebration for Rev. Bill Metting
Apr. 29: Synod Council meeting, Dallas
Apr. 29-30: 2022 NT-NL Synod Assembly, Dallas
May 13-14: Lutheran Men in Mission Board Meeting
May 15: “Getting to Know the MEF” Sunday
May 22: Hope, Springtown 40th Anniversary
Pastor Totzke:
Apr. 7: Transitional Pastors monthly meeting, Zoom
Apr. 17: Easter worship, Immanuel, Killeen
Apr. 23: Faithful Innovation training for COW conference, Calvary, San Angelo
Apr. 24: Trinity, Miles
Apr. 29: Synod Council meeting, Dallas
Apr. 29-30: 2022 NT-NL Synod Assembly, Dallas
Pastora Bañales:
Apr. 5: Ecumenical group meeting
Apr. 14: Apr. 7: Shared Ministries Evaluation (CoH, KoG, and Umoja) Apr. 9: Teaching PLMA Spanish class Apr. 10: Church of Damascus Road, Jay’s Place Open HouseMaundy Thursday service, Santa Maria de Guadalupe, Irving
Apr. 29: Synod Council meeting, Dallas Apr. 15: Holy Friday service, First Sagrada Familia, Garland Apr. 17: Easter Sunday, Santa Maria de Guadalupe, Irving, and First Sagrada Familia, Garland Apr. 19-21: Stewardship of Life Institute Board Meeting, Gettysburg, PA Apr. 24: San Gabriel, Alvarado Apr. 25: DEM’s Gathering planning team Apr. 27: Evangelical Seminary in Mexico, Zoom
Apr. 29-30: 2022 NT-NL Synod Assembly, Dallas
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. 7: Transitional Pastors monthly meeting, Zoom
- Apr. 9: Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Spring 2022, Course 2, Zoom
- Apr. 15: LAST DAY to book one of the Synod Assembly hotels as part of guaranteed room block
- Apr. 17: LAST DAY to register online for Synod Assembly (April 29-30)
- Apr. 29: Synod Council Meeting, Dallas
- Apr. 29-30: 2022 NT-NL Synod Assembly, Dallas
- May 5: Transitional Pastors monthly meeting, Zoom
- May 14: Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Spring 2022, Course 3, Zoom
- May 14: Public Witness Team meeting, Zoom
- May 15: “Getting to Know the MEF” Sunday
- May 19-21: 21st Annual Bonhoeffer Lectures in Public Ethics: Everyday Ethics for Exceptional Times, Various locations
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 editions of our weekly news.