Leadership Convocation, October 19-20

Topic: “Religious Freedom in America: Past, Present, and Future”

Speaker: Dr. Stephen Stookey, Wayland Baptist University

Dr. Stephen Stookey serves as Dean of the School of Religion and Philosophy at Wayland Baptist University (Plainview, TX).

An ordained Baptist minister, Stookey earned his Ph.D. and MDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth and his undergraduate degree in religion from Baylor University. He has taught at Southwestern, Dallas Baptist University, the B.H. Carroll Theological Institute, and the Evangelical College of Theology in Sierra Leone. An expert in American Church History and particularly concepts of religious freedom in American history, Dr. Stookey serves on the Board of Directors of the Baptist History and Heritage Society. He also has a deep passion for Luther studies and particularly Lutheran/Anabaptist relationships.

A passionate Texas Rangers and Baylor Bears fan, Stookey also is an avid photographer. His combination of expertise and rootedness in the context of the territory of NT-NL make his presentations particularly relevant for our time.

Event will be online in three sessions:

Monday, October 19, 2-4pm: Where We Are: The Climate Today

Tuesday, October 20, 10am-Noon: How Did We Get Here? History of Religious Freedom in America

Tuesday, October 20, 2-4pm: How Do We Respond? As the Body of Christ, How Do We Live and Engage This Climate

REGISTER HERE.

Early Bird Registration (by September 20):
General: $50
Continuing Education: $75 (includes follow-up conversation and certificate of completion of 8 hours of CE)

Regular Registration (September 21-October 18):
General: $75
Continuing Education: $100 (includes follow-up conversation and certificate of completion of 8 hours of CE)

* For Continuing Education credit, attendance at all three sessions + follow-up conversation (details forthcoming) is expected. *

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Truth and Healing for the Sake of Indigenous People

Please join Other+Wise and our promotional partners, ELCACoaching, New Story Festival, and Briarwood Leadership Center, for three Indigenous-centered Zoom workshops with our founder and director, Vance Blackfox. Each workshop requires advance registration.

Indian 101

Wednesday, August 19, 2020, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. CDT

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rcuCrqDwqHdYSCT9ViHImtlsHY5L6K7Wv

The general population knows very little about the Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island – even the most basic topics are often grand mysteries. This is, of course, by design, as the colonial project prioritized the complete erasure of Native peoples. Indian 101 will be a time to learn some of these basics and to cultivate a foundation for standing in solidary with Indian people across the United States.

Movements in Indian Country

Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. CDT

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsduuoqzMoGNGwQhGfzdtHTRt935gOaOdf

There are countless challenges facing Indian Country today, and Native-serving organizations are constantly working to keep up with the frontline Indigenous leaders, activists, and movements that are responding to these challenges. Unfortunately (but not surprisingly), these movements are usually unknown to the general population because non-Indigenous people either haven’t had to care or don’t know they should care. And those who do care often don’t know where to begin learning and engaging. Movements in Indian Country will provide you with a starting point for supporting a range of justice efforts in Indigenous communities.

Indigenous Thought and Theology

Wednesday, October 14, 2020, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. CDT

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pdOGupzMiH90pxGKqd86t5tYcn5JXLx6Q

Indian people have unique and beautiful ways of understanding and interacting with the world. Indigenous wisdom – as it relates to being in relationship with other created beings, Mother Earth, and Creator – should be centered in the work to provide better care for our home and relatives. Indigenous Thought and Theology will be a helpful introduction to this wisdom and ways of understanding.

These workshops are provided at no cost. Attendees are invited to offer a financial gift in appreciation for our time of learning and listening together: http://otherwise.red/donate/.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Vance at vance@otherwise.red.

For better context, we kindly ask that you watch the ELCA Coaching recording from July 8, Truth and Healing for the Sake of Indigenous People, prior to these workshops.

Click here for a flyer from Other+Wise with the above information.

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FREE Book for ELCA Leaders

We are excited and honored to offer you a FREE book in preparation for the ELCA Coaching online gathering on September 9 — What If I Said Yes? The House That Love Built — with Sarah Jackson from Casa de Paz.

The House that Love Built is the quintessential story of one woman’s questioning what it means to be an American–and a Christian–in light of a broken immigration system. Through tender stories of opening her heart and home to immigrants, Sarah Jackson shines a holy light on loving our neighbor.

If you submit your request by Sunday, August 30, a book will be mailed out on Monday, August 31, thanks to the incredible generosity of our presenter, Sarah Jackson! We recommend submitting your request as soon as possible, as we know the mail is slower in many places lately.

For those who would like to donate to this entirely volunteer-run ministry, you may do that here: https://www.casadepazcolorado.org/donate. Your tax-deductible donation helps provide visits, shelter, meals, transportation, and emotional support to those impacted by migrant detention.

You may also listen to chapter 1 of the book here: https://www.casadepazcolorado.org/book. (There’s a link at the top of that webpage.)

Excerpts from the book:

“I remember the first time a guest asked me, “Why are you doing this?” His first language was French, which I didn’t know, but his second language was Spanish, which was my second language, too. We struggled to communicate, and I had trouble finding the words to describe my faith to him. “Porque . . . porque . . .” I stammered, and finally landed on something I knew to be true: “Porque usted es mi familia.” You’re my family. That seemed about right. He nodded, smiling. I decided then it was more important that people in our care experience the love of God instead of hearing any words about God. I fell back on the old saying I’d learned as a homeschooler, something ascribed to St. Francis of Assisi: “Speak the gospel, and when necessary, use words.”

“A young man from Africa came to stay after being released from detention. After dinner, he said softly, “It feels like home here.” He had no idea how deeply those words went into me. To know we belong, to know we matter, to know we’re worthy of kindness, even from a stranger—isn’t that what we all want? When we create that kind of space—one where people feel they’re home, even for a few hours—together we experience a bit of heaven on earth. I believe that every small act of hospitality is a step forward toward Jesus’ desire: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10, NIV). When someone is treated the way God values them, we all taste something of heaven.”

We are looking forward to having Sarah with us on September 9. Mark your calendars for that Wednesday at 1pm Central. You can find that weekly login information on the home page of the ELCA Coaching website: https://www.elcacoaching.org/.

Bishop Gronberg:

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) implications for Church Employees

(https://www.ntnl.org/families-first-coronavirus-response-act-ffcra-implications-for-church-employees/ – published Aug. 11)

Good News: Serving in the midst of Pandemic

(https://www.ntnl.org/good-news-serving-in-the-midst-of-pandemic/ – published Aug. 12)

Vamos a la Granja: NT-NL Conferencia Latina Innovates with Bilingual Vacation Bible Study Online

(https://www.ntnl.org/vamos-a-la-granja-nt-nl-conferencia-latina-innovates-with-bilingual-vacation-bible-study-online/ – published Aug. 12)

Essential Workers: Nurses on the Front Lines

(https://www.ntnl.org/essential-workers-nurses-on-the-front-lines/ – published Aug. 13)

Other+Wise Trainings: Understanding Indigenous America

(https://www.ntnl.org/otherwise-trainings-understanding-indigenous-america/ – published Aug. 14)

On Campus College: Prepare a Covid-19 Quarantine Bag

(https://www.ntnl.org/on-campus-college-prepare-a-covid-19-quarantine-bag/ – published Aug. 14)

Asking Good Questions: ELEA Devotional Resource

(https://www.ntnl.org/asking-good-questions-elea-devotional-resource/ – published Aug. 16)

Welcoming a New Colleague in Eastern North Dakota

(https://www.ntnl.org/welcoming-a-new-colleague-in-eastern-north-dakota/ – published Aug. 17)

Beautiful Praise from St. Matthew, Waco

(https://www.ntnl.org/beautiful-praise-from-st-matthew-waco/ – published Aug. 17)

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Where in the world is?

The bishop and staff have resumed limited in-person travel for special events or to tape or live-stream worship. The staff will wear masks for all services and anytime they are near people, either inside or outside a facility. All synod business will continue to be conducted by Zoom, including our synod council meetings and online assembly on September 26.

Bishop Gronberg:

• Aug. 19: NT-NL Youth Leader Zoom Call
• Aug. 22: Recording Worship for St. Matthew’s, Fort Worth (for Aug. 23)
• Aug. 22: Generosity Project online with African Descent Congregations (facilitated by DEM Irma Banales)

Pastor Totzke:

• (No travel planned)

Pastora Bañales:

• Aug. 22: Generosity Project online with African Descent Congregations