Stewardship: A Disciple’s Path
In many congregations lately, the word “stewardship” has become a way to say “we want your money.” But in Living Lutheran’s June/July lead feature, Robert C. Blezard explores the meaning of stewardship and how being a good steward is “the disciple’s path.” He writes, “The offering prayers we say every week in worship help us understand afresh that stewardship is more than whether we give our money to God’s mission in the world. It’s how we use every good blessing that God has entrusted to us on our journey of faith.” After all, Clarence Stoughton defined stewardship as “everything we do after we say, ‘I believe.’”
Read the full article here. | Download the study guide.
I’m a Lutheran: Rico Martinez Gonzalez
The June/July “I’m a Lutheran” feature, Rico Martinez Gonzalez, is an artist, a musician, and a member of Luther Place Memorial Church, Washington, D.C. Read the full article here.
Strategic Toward Authentic Diversity
How strategic and authentic is our diversity? This ELCA resource is a call for confession, reflection, and healing action. | DOWNLOAD
Featured Resources for July
Resources from ELCA Racial Justice
Explore and download a variety of resources designed to help congregations confront racism and move toward justice in church and society.
Save the Date
Monday, October 25
Mark your calendars for the annual Upbring Golf tournament at Hackberry Creek Country Club, Irving, TX! The 18-hole, four-person scramble benefits the children and families they serve through their Foster In Texas program. 8 a.m. Registration | 9 a.m. Start
Foster In Texas
Thousands of amazing children in Texas need a safe, loving home. These children have talents, dreams and incredible potential, but they need a champion to encourage their dreams and prepare them for life’s many successes. Foster In Texas connects these brave children with loving foster families who said “yes” to giving them the bright futures they deserve.
Recent Blog Posts
Bishop Gronberg:
(https://www.ntnl.org/st-lukes-richardson-and-ordination-of-nicholaus-chove/ – published Jul. 12)
Pastor Totzke:
(https://www.ntnl.org/welcome-the-rev-nicholaus-chove/ – published Jul. 12)
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. Until we can assure everyone in attendance at a meeting are vaccinated, in order to protect those gathered, the synod staff will continue to wear masks unless preaching or presiding and sufficient social distancing can be provided.
Bishop Gronberg:
Jul. 18-24: Family Vacation
Pastor Totzke:
Jul. 18: Faith, Fort Worth
Jul. 25: Grace, Abilene, and Installation of Pr. Rachel Ringlaben at Emanuel, Dallas
Jul. 31: Joint Council Retreat for Central & Bethany at Central, Dallas
Pastora Bañales:
Jul. 12-17: Vacation
Jul. 18: Santa Maria in Exile, Irving
Jul. 20: Joy, Rockwall
Jul. 21: Santa Maria MacArthur, Irving
Jul. 28: First Sagrada Familia, Garland
Jul. 29: Money Matters/Asuntos de Dinero workshop (Thrivent)
Jul. 31: First Sagrada Familia, Garland
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:
- Jul. 20: White Supremacy & Racism: Facing Reality, Taking Responsibility – Kimberlé Crenshaw, “Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex,” Zoom
- Aug. 3: White Supremacy & Racism: Facing Reality, Taking Responsibility – Enrique Dussel, “Eurocentrism and Modernity,” Zoom
- Aug. 5: Transitional (Interim) Pastors monthly meeting, Zoom
- Aug. 14: Public Witness Team meeting, Zoom
- Aug. 17: White Supremacy & Racism: Facing Reality, Taking Responsibility – Vine Deloria, Jr., “A Better Day for Indians,” Zoom
- Aug. 31: White Supremacy & Racism: Facing Reality, Taking Responsibility – Ian F. Haney López, “White by Law,” Zoom
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.