Bishop’s Highlights of the ELCA Youth Gathering
Thank you to all congregations and leaders who supported youth attending the ELCA Youth Gathering. Especially we are grateful for all those who participated in prayer and devotional time specifically for these young people. You can read about our experiences in my latest blog: ELCA Youth Gathering #ThisChangesEverything. Special thanks to Janelle Miller, who was our synod gathering coordinator, for all her work. I look forward to seeing more of our congregations participating in 2021 when we go to Minneapolis.
She’s a Lutheran!
[Photo: Eslah Attar; Hair and Makeup: Victoria Stiles]
https://www.glamour.com/gallery/meet-glamours-2018-college-women-of-the-year
Average Wait Time = 19 Years!
Guided by the principles of human compassion and dignity, Refugee Services of Texas welcomes refugees, immigrants, and other displaced peoples and supports them in integrating and thriving in their new communities.
Founded in 1978, Refugee Services of Texas (RST) is a social-service agency dedicated to providing assistance to refugees and other displaced persons fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group – as well as to the communities that welcome them. RST provides services to hundreds of refugees, asylees, survivors of human trafficking, and related vulnerable populations from over 30 different countries of origin each year. Originating in Dallas, RST now has service centers in Amarillo, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston.
To provide their clients with employment assistance, initial housing, household goods and furnishings, case management, resources, referrals, education, and guidance to assist in establishing self-sufficient lives in Texas, RST works in partnership with volunteers, faith-based communities, social service groups, and businesses. RST is an affiliate of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS).
Refugee Services of Texas offers several ways for community members to support refugees and other displaced people. From donating, to volunteering, to voicing support and educating others, everyone has something to contribute to ensuring that our state and communities are welcoming to all.
Visit the links below to learn more about what you can do for refugees in your area and throughout Texas.
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
August 28-30, 2018
The two and one-half day “Undoing Racism” workshop presented by the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond will be offered Tuesday, August 28, through Thursday, August 30. Sessions for the first two days begin at 9:00 a.m. and end late afternoon. The Thursday session begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at noon. The workshop is worth approximately 16 hours of continuing education units.
The Public Witness team is making this opportunity available FREE of charge to those in our churches who would like to attend but find the $350.00 tuition prohibitive. The team asks those who have adequate resources to make a contribution with the possibility of not only paying for oneself but also helping to defray the costs for someone else.
REGISTER HERE. (Limited to the first 20 registrants.)
Recent Blog Posts
Bishop Gronberg:
(https://www.ntnl.org/elca-youth-gathering-thischangeseverything/ – published July 5)
Pr. Totzke:
(https://www.ntnl.org/just-a-few-of-my-closest-friends/ – published July 7)
Where in the world is?
Bishop Gronberg:
- Jul. 15: Ordination of Dr. Christopher Richmann, St. John, Coryell City
Pr. Totzke:
- Jul. 11-31: Hip replacement and recovery
Pra. Bañales:
- Jul. 2-11: Vacation
- Jul. 12: Latin@ Initiative Secondary School, Advent, Arlington
- Jul 14: Indonesian Ministry
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.