The Role of the Church in Undoing Racism
The Role of the Church in Undoing Racism
March 9-10
Shepherd of Life, Arlington
As bishop of the NT-NL, I write to encourage lay and clergy to take the time to attend to this vital training and awareness work. At our 2016 Churchwide Assembly, we adopted as church a goal of offering this training in every synod so that our leaders could become more aware of the realities of systemic and institutional racism and how it impacts our ministry and lives.
This is the first offering of such a training in NT-NL in many years, and it is being offered at a deeply subsidized rate. This commitment of funds from your Public Witness Team demonstrates our synodical commitment to this work. Please register today.
In Mission Together
Bishop Erik K. J. Gronberg, PhD
ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving
The 40 Days of Giving is a way for ELCA members to support hunger and poverty ministry during Lent. Choose one of five ELCA World Hunger programs that urgently need support, and walk alongside our neighbors as they address hunger in their communities.
Projects include:
- India: Food and Agriculture
- India: Women’s Rights
- Malawi: Education and Income
- Malawi: Health and Wellness
- United States: Accompany Migrants and Refugees
Online giving is open through Easter (April 1).
Check back often – we are tracking our progress live, and new programs and projects may be unlocked if those goals are met.
Visit ELCA.org/40days to learn more about this life-saving, life-changing work, and make your gift today!
ELCA Disability Ministries
“As a church committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is called to welcome all people in all its congregations and ministries into full participation as baptized members of the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:14-26).
The ELCA social message “People Living with Disabilities” clearly states the hope that we as part of the body of Christ would work together across our various ministries, as well as in our personal lives.
All of us are disabled in some way as we stand before God. Thanks be to God, we are a church that believes God is calling us into the world — together. We don’t have to do it alone and we don’t have to do everything. We can connect with brothers and sisters to help us invite all into full participation in this church and in the world. The Disability Ministry Resource page proposes ways to connect, invite and participate.
Together we can:
- Welcome all people warmly and without hesitation. We are a church that belongs to Christ. There is a place for you here.
- Use language that honors and respects the individual person, language that always puts the person first — “person with a disability.”
- Get to know people as people — not as labels, problems, or diagnoses. Find out about a person’s interests and gifts.
- Ask if a person needs help before offering assistance.
- Encourage all people to grow in their faith and their spiritual practices, and to use their gifts for the good of the church.
Related Ministries
The ELCA relates several areas of ministry with the work of Disability Ministries. The ministries include:
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Ministries
- Mental Illness Ministries
- Deaf Ministries
- Blindness and Visual Impairment Ministries
How do our NT-NL churches serve all those in the body of Christ? Share your stories with us at office@ntnl.org.
Featured Resources for February
ELCA Youth Gathering Resources
The gathering is June 27 – July 1 in Houston, TX. Contact JanelleMiller@yahoo.com with questions.
Save the Date
April 7
April 15
Recent Blog Posts
Pr. Totzke:
(https://www.ntnl.org/faithful-leaders/ – published Feb. 19)
(https://www.ntnl.org/wisconsin-wedding/ – published Feb. 19)
(https://www.ntnl.org/discovering-more-treasures/ – published Feb. 19)
Where in the world is?
Bishop Gronberg:
- Feb. 26-27 – ELCA Coach Training
Pr. Totzke:
- Feb. 26-27 – ELCA Coach Training
Pra. Bañales:
- Feb. 26-27 – ELCA Coach Training
Upcoming Events
- Feb. 26-27: ELCA Coach Training
- Mar. 2-4: Spring Retreat for 4th, 5th, & 6th graders
- Mar. 2-4: Peer Ministry (9th-12th graders)
- Mar. 9-10: The Role of the Church in Undoing Racism
- Mar. 17: PLMA Spring 2018, Course 1
- Apr. 3-5: Pathways to Generosity: Signs of Hope
- Apr. 3-5: ACT Now! Unite to End Racism, Washington, DC
- Apr. 6-8: Pre-Gathering Event (youth)
- Apr. 20-22: Family Retreat (all ages)
- Apr. 21: PLMA Spring 2018, Course 2
- Apr. 21: 2018 Regional Interfaith Conference, Lubbock
- Apr. 27-28: 2018 Synod Assembly, Temple
Access our full online Calendar here. Updates made regularly.
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit to the Synod office (office@ntnl.org) for consideration for upcoming NT-NL News.