World Hunger Grants
Applications will be accepted until August 13, and awarded grants will be announced in December.
Testimonial from Shepherd of Life, Arlington:
Through the incredible vision and hard work of just a few volunteers, Shepherd of Life started a food pantry in the fall of 2015. Last year, after doing some research, we discovered that the ELCA offers financial assistance for food pantries like ours. We applied for an ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grant award and were fortunate to receive $2,500 toward our operations in 2018. With this additional money, we have the financial security to run the pantry for the rest of year. Also, with our food costs covered, we have been able to expand into other areas to help our patrons. As often as we can, we provide diapers and toiletries in addition to the food. The grant has provided a big boost for us, and we definitely plan to apply for another ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grant this year. – The Rev. Mark Hadley
Testimonial from Faith, Fort Worth:
The money from the ELCA Domestic Hunger grant went directly to WestAid, the local food pantry that Faith supports. We support with a monthly food drive, benevolence funds, and volunteer hours. I serve on the Board, and the Director of Operations is a member of Faith. There are a couple people at WestAid who are really talented at writing grant applications. This is an ecumenical community effort; there are over 25 churches that join together in support of this effort to decrease food insecurity in the area. We are planning to apply again this year. – The Rev. Janet Kraatz
Emanuel, Dallas, Receives Grant from TREC
Callie Aaker (left) and Kelcey Hamilton (center), representatives of The Real Estate Council (TREC) Foundation (of Dallas) present a $12,380.00 grant check to Pastor Cindy Carroll of Emanuel, Dallas. The TREC Foundation has been a partner and supporter of Emanuel since 2013 in the church’s endeavors to provide service to its Old East Dallas neighborhood. The TREC Foundation is the social service arm of the Dallas commercial real estate industry.
Laundry Ministry Creates Bubbles of Enthusiasm
When some Women of the ELCA groups are asked to pitch in, they bubble with enthusiasm.
That happened recently when Teresa Nygaard, mission coordinator for Church on the Street, Sioux Falls, S.D., asked women in South Dakota to contribute laundry pods and quarters to one of the church’s newest ministries.
“The Women of the ELCA have touched my heart to no end,” Nygaard said. “They just want to know how they can help.”
Nygaard travels throughout South Dakota to speak to congregations and women’s groups about the various ministries of Church on the Street, an ELCA Synodically Authorized Worshiping Community (SAWC) with people who are without homes.
Rebel Hurd, mission developer with the South Dakota Synod of the ELCA, founded Church on the Street in 2015. A candidate for ordination with the ELCA, she is currently attending seminary.
Continue reading this article here.
Featured Resource for July
“RESPONDING TO FAMILY VIOLENCE”
NEW TOOLKIT FOR FAITH COMMUNITIES
According to the Texas Council on Family Violence, 1 in 3 Texans will experience domestic violence in their life.
Faith communities can be key resources for victims of family violence. It is vital for church leadership to know how to respond when a congregant approaches them about their concerns…and it’s important for congregations to make family violence awareness part of their culture.
Texas Impact’s toolkit for congregations, Responding to Family Violence, is a great place to start. It includes information that faith communities need to be proactive:
- basic legal information like definitions
- websites and phone numbers for professional responders
- religious resources like sermon starters and prayers
- printable signs for restrooms and other public areas
- guidance from Texas religious and policy experts
Click here to download Responding to Family Violence (FREE)
The toolkit is also available in print for $20 (including postage). The print publication comes bound and 3-hole punched. To order printed copies, email emma.davis@texasimpact.org.
Save the Date
July 19-20
Join the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) for the worship services during their conference. Open to all!
Thursday, July 19
12:15 pm Opening Eucharist
6:00 pm Hymn Festival, Vespers, Compline
Friday, July 20
9:00 am Matins
3:30 pm Closing Eucharist
Where in the world is?
Bishop Gronberg:
- Jul. 8: Family Sunday, Trinity, Fort Worth
Pr. Totzke:
- Jul. 8: Faith, Wichita Falls
Pra. Bañales:
- Jul. 2-11: Vacation
Upcoming Events
- Jul. 19-20: Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) Regional Conference, Richland Hills, TX
- Jul. 19-20: Join the ALCM for Worship, Richland Hills, TX
- Aug. 11: WELCA Annual Women’s & Girl’s Retreat, Location TBA
- Aug. 28-30: “Undoing Racism” Training, Arlington, TX
- Sep. 1: Bishop Installation for the Southwestern Texas Synod, San Antonio, TX
- Sep. 7: The Bolder Board Training, North Texas
- Sep. 9: “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday
- Sep. 15: PLMA Fall 2018, Course 1, Briarwood
- Sep. 20-22: Synod Council meetings, Briarwood
- Sep. 22: MEF Board meeting, Briarwood
- Sep. 28-30: Addiction & Faith Conference, Bloomington, MN
- Sep. 29: Panhandle Fall Conference: An introduction to The Generosity Project, Wilson, TX
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.