Updates from Laura Slezak
Laura Slezak is the current ELCA missionary to Japan, in partnership with the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church. Laura regularly sends us updates on her adventures in Japan. Here is her update from May.
Mission Endowment Fund’s 2024 Grant Recipients
The NTNL’s Mission Endowment Fund recently awarded the 2024 Grant Awards!
The Mission Endowment Fund, a part of the North Texas – Northern Louisiana Synod of the ELCA, awarded grants to 19 congregations with ministries that either need a monetary boost to flourish or do not have access to financial support to even exist. This year’s recipients applied for funding for food pantries, for community breakfasts, for events to renew and to strengthen various congregational groups through education and fellowship, and for the advancement of innovative outreach.
Executive Director, Jennifer Hachmeister, recently stated that “the congregational leaders are using thoughtful, innovative ways to serve their communities. Each awarded ministry spreads God’s Word in hopeful means from the metroplex of DFW to the farthest reaches of the Synod. We are grateful that consistent donations and Legacy gifts enable the MEF to provide the grants. It’s an amazing time to be together in mission!”
For almost 30 years, the MEF has provided over $1 million in grant funding for congregational ministries within NT-NL. Legacy giving represents a significant opportunity to impact the future of our church. Accompanied with routine giving, the donations are invested, and annual dividends are distributed as grant awards.
The annual grant program begins again on October 1, 2024, with a 31-day application window. Details and guidelines can be found at ntnl.org/ministries/mef.
Featured Resources for June
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) is now Global Refuge. Their mission to welcome the stranger is still the same. To learn more about the name change, their work in 2024, and their plans for enhanced faith and mobilization work, watch their webinar.
Congregations who support Global Refuge across the country will be receiving a special mailing with Global Refuge brochures, flyers and more. Please email outreach@globalrefuge.org if you would like your congregation to be added to the list. You can also download bulletin inserts to share in your community.
World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20th 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.
Whoever. Wherever. Whenever.
Everyone has the right to seek safety.
Where in the world is?
NT-NL synod staff are excited to engage in-person on Sundays for worship. As good stewards of time and travel dollars, we will be utilizing online meeting formats in our new hybrid reality when possible. If you would like to schedule a meeting with the bishop or Synod staff please contact them directly.
Bishop Gronberg:
June 30: Camper Drop-Off, Camp Chrysalis, Kerrville
July 11-20: Leading Bishop’s Group, ELCA Youth Gathering, New Orleans
August 4: Trinity, Sherman
August 18: First United, Dallas
August 25: Rev Phil Heinz Retirement, Calvary, Richland Hills
Pastor Totzke:
Pastora Bañales:
June 25: ELCA Youth Gathering: Servant Companion Meeting, Zoom
June 27: ELCA DEM’s of Color Meeting, Zoom
June 29: Terrel, Texas
June 30: San Gabriel, Alvarado
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:
- June 25: First Call Pastor Check-In, Zoom
- July 13: Public Witness Team Meeting
- July 16-20: Youth and Young Adult Gathering, New Orleans
- July 23: First Call Pastor Check-In, Zoom
Access our full online Calendar here. Updates made regularly.
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit to office@ntnl.org for consideration for upcoming editions of our weekly news.