Update from Laura Slezak
Laura Slezak is the current ELCA missionary to Japan, in partnership with the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church. Here is her first update: https://www.ntnl.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Laura-Slezak-Newsletter-June-2022.pdf
Synod Assembly Bible Study with Dr. Terra Rowe
We have uploaded all three parts of the Bible study with Dr. Terra Rowe (Asst. Professor of Philosophy and Religion at the University of North Texas) from our 2022 NT-NL Synod Assembly, as well as her recommended resources (see below). The recording of the first part can be found here:
Part 2: https://youtu.be/WKauy2yrNck
Part 3: https://youtu.be/hPCX3qv8KsE
A list of recommended resources from Dr. Rowe can be downloaded here. (Word document)
We have received several requests to share the PowerPoint slides from Dr. Rowe’s presentations. We are awaiting permissions.
IRS Raises Standard Mileage Rate
The IRS announced that it is increasing the optional standard mileage rate for the second half of 2022.
Effective July 1, 2022, the standard mileage rate for ministry and business travel will increase by four cents per mile, to 62.5 cents per mile.
You can find a summary here: https://www.clergyfinancial.com/irs-raises-standard-mileage-rate-effective-july-1/
See official IRS statement here: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-increases-mileage-rate-for-remainder-of-2022
Featured Resources for June
You can choose which date
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) invites you and your congregation to infuse new meaning into the phrase welcome the stranger. Join us in celebrating the resilience and courage of refugees and migrants in America — and in your own community!
World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives.
This year, the focus will be on the right to seek safety. Every person on this planet has a right to seek safety – whoever they are, wherever they come from and whenever they are forced to flee.
Whoever. Wherever. Whenever.
Everyone has the right to seek safety.
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. Given the rise of breakthrough infections and in order to protect those gathered, the synod staff will choose to wear masks as is deemed appropriate unless preaching or presiding and sufficient social distancing can be provided.
Bishop Gronberg:
Jul. 7-10: NT-NL Youth (High School) Gathering 2022, Briarwood
Jul. 21-23: MYJ2 Multicultural Youth Gathering 2022, Briarwood
Jul. 24: 100th Celebration, Central, Dallas
Jul. 31: Installation of Rev. Erin Swenson-Reinhold, Preston Meadow, Plano
Aug. 5-6: ELCA Latinx Young Adult Gathering, Briarwood
Aug. 7-12: ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Columbus, OH
Pastor Totzke:
June 28: First Call pastors (Zoom)
Jul. 7: Transitional Pastors Meeting (Hybrid)
Jul. 10: Bethel, Ericksdahl (Avoca)Jul. 12: First Call Pastors (Zoom)
Jul. 17: Mt. Olive, DallasJul. 24: Central/Bethany Anniversary & New Beginnings celebration, DallasJul. 31: Installation of Pr. Erin Swenson-Reinhold, Preston Meadow, Plano
Pastora Bañales:
Jun. 30: Three Shared Ministries Quarterly Review – Community of Hope, King of Glory, Umoja – Fort Worth
Jul. 3: Adviento, Arlington
Jul. 8-10: Women’s Retreat, First Sagrada Familia, Garland
Jul. 11-16: Vacation
Jul. 17: Central, Dallas
Jul. 18: ELCA Candidacy Working Group, and Meeting with Mission Developer
Jul. 21: ELCA CCL Staff Meeting, Online
Jul. 23: Grace, Abilene
Jul. 24: Mount Olive, Dallas
Jul. 27: VBS at Central, Dallas
Jul. 28: Meetings with Ecumenical Group and NT-NL Renewal Team
Jul. 30: First Sagrada Familia, Garland
Jul. 31: New Hope, Keller
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:
- Jun. 29: Courageous Leadership – Jeff Linman – Topic TBA
- Jul. 6: Courageous Leadership – Dianne Johnson – Wild Church
- Jul. 7: Transitional Pastors monthly meeting, Zoom
- Jul. 7-10: NT-NL Youth Gathering 2022, Briarwood
- Jul. 9: Public Witness Team meeting, Zoom
- Jul. 13: Courageous Leadership – ELCA Young Adults – Topic TBA
- Jul. 20: Courageous Leadership – Speaker and Topic TBA
- Jul. 21-23: MYJ2 Multicultural Youth Gathering 2022, Briarwood
- Jul. 27: Courageous Leadership – Nathan Swenson-Reinhold – Team Facilitation
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.