Ministries Affected by Storm Damage
Wednesday, June 19, Redeemer, Greenville, was hit by a storm. You can read about it in Bishop Gronberg’s blog: June Storms bring Damage to NT-NL Congregations. Bishop visited the congregation on Sunday, June 23, to meet with leaders and see the damage first hand. The congregation has insurance and are assessing future needs and work needing to be done. However, in addition to the facility damage, they also lost supplies and other items they use to support ministry. Bishop asked Pastor Debra Leone to send him information about those losses as well, and she has done so in this letter. While the facility repairs/replacement costs are yet fully unknown, Bishop has pledged $500 from the Bishop’s benevolence fund to cover 10% of their $5,000 deductible and assist with cash flow. Also, we request that individuals and congregations who would like to make a gift to Redeemer do so through the NT-NL Synod. Please clearly note the gift is for disaster response for Redeemer, and we will collect and pass through those gifts. This will simplify their accounting. Please do not send any in kind donations at this time, as they have lost their storage space.
We are grateful no one was injured in the storm and that the congregation is coming together to support each other. Additionally, ecumenical partners are stepping up and offering space so that vital ministries continue. Thanks be to God we are #InMissionTogether.
ELCA Annual Report Video
Look back at the work of the church in 2018 with the ELCA video report presented at Synod Assembly and now available to the public: VIEW | DOWNLOAD.
Lutheran Introduction to Our LGBTQ Neighbors
Reconciling Works offers this resource as a basic introduction to sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression: VIEW | ORDER
Featured Resources for July
In a holistic, whole church commitment by the ELCA, as a church in the world, AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities) was envisioned to accompany children today and in the future who are forced to flee their communities because of complex and interrelated reasons, including chronic violence, poverty, environmental displacement and lack of opportunities.
The ELCA’s 1995 social statement, For Peace in God’s World, states:
Care for the Uprooted. Tens of millions are refugees in foreign lands. At least as many are internally displaced. In unprecedented numbers people have had to flee their homes because of persecution or general violence. We support compassionate survival assistance for refugees and vigorous international protection for them. The world community has a responsibility to aid nations that receive refugees and to help change the situations from which they have fled. In our own country, we support a generous policy of welcome for refugees and immigrants. We pledge to continue our church’s historic leadership in caring for refugees and immigrants.
Because we understand each person to be made in God’s image – without distinction based on race, ethnicity, gender, economic class or country of origin – and have heard God’s call to serve the needs of our neighbor wherever they may be, we recognize ourselves to be in mission and ministry together for the benefit of all God’s people. (See also Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity and Culture, 1993).
Save the Date
Sunday, July 14 – Thursday, July 18
Dallas and Plano, Texas
Members of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada will be descending upon the Dallas area for their annual conference, to be held from July 14 to 18 at the University of Texas at Dallas. The organization is extending an invitation for the general public to participate in one or more of the five lively hymn festivals that will take place during the week at various locations. Admission to these events is free, although donations will be gladly accepted.
Where in the world is?
Bishop Gronberg:
- (No visits planned this week)
Pastor Totzke:
- Jul. 7: King of Glory, Dallas
Pastora Bañales:
- (No visits planned this week)
Upcoming Events
- Jul. 13: Public Witness Team monthly meeting, Arlington, TX
- Jul. 14-18: Hymn Festivals, Dallas and Plano (TX)
- Aug. 5-10: ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Milwaukee, WI
- Aug. 8-11: Via de Cristo weekend, Argyle, TX
- Aug. 10: Public Witness Team monthly meeting, Arlington, TX
- Aug. 12-15: Intentional Interim Training, Argyle, TX
- Aug. 17: WELCA Annual Women’s/Girl’s Retreat, Grand Prairie, TX
- Aug. 17: TUNE UP Worship Band Gathering, Sugar Land, TX
- Aug. 31: ELCA Generosity Project workshop, Keller, TX
- Sep. 8: “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday
- Sep. 9: The Church of the Damascus Road Golf Outing, Fort Worth, TX
- Sep. 13: Briarwood Golf Outing, TBA
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.