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NT-NL News: March 2021, Second Tuesday

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Message from Bishop Gronberg

Dear Partners in Mission:
“I give thanks to my God always for y’all because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:4, emphasis mine)
Since the historic winter storm that struck every community in our NT-NL territory congregations and individuals have been dealing with recovery efforts in a variety of ways depending on circumstance. To help them NT-NL has a disaster fund that is funded by special donation from you. And you have responded generously.

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Over $6,000 has been contributed thus far in donations from NT-NL members and across the country. We have received special donations from the Sierra Pacific Synod, Grand Canyon Synod, a WELCA group from New York, and St. Stephens, Shreveport. As those funds have come in they have already or will be shortly going out the door to support ministries and mission in #NTNL. For example with your support we were able to help Community of Hope, Fort Worth pay its insurance deductible to get the process of reconstruction moving forward.
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We also have contributed $1,000 to our Conferencia Latina relief fund which they are able to then provide support for members of the community who have lost wages in this time. That is direct service to vulnerable members of our communities in their time of need. Lots of repair and recovery to do both in homes and in congregations (also pictured here Walnut Hill, Farmers Branch and New Hope, Keller). But we do so with strength because we do so together. You can contribute to that fund here. Thank you for your generosity. #NTNL #InMissionTogether

Lutheran Disaster Response “Muck and Gut” Training

THIS Friday, March 12, 10am-12noon Central

Lutheran Disaster Response, in coordination with Upbring, are offering an online “Muck and Gut” training webinar. In the wake of the winter storm disaster, our congregations and individuals have had to do this work when broken pipes led to flooding. This training is also useful for those who would desire to serve in the wake of hurricanes. I encourage you to attend. You can find the registration form at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lutheran-disaster-response-muck-and-gut-webinar-tickets-144056983315. — Bishop Gronberg

Click here for a flyer.

Synod Assembly Early Bird Registration Deadline

Friendly reminder about the Early Bird registration date of March 14 for Voting Members:

Registration for Voting Members:

https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/3176027

Early Bird (through March 14) = $35

Regular (March 15 – April 11) = $50

Registered Voting Members will receive a Zoom Meeting login link the week of Assembly.

Registration for Sponsors:

https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/3176027

Through April 4 = $50

Sponsors will be featured at some point throughout Assembly and included on our event page. After you have registered, please contact jason@ntnl.org with your official logo, your website, and a short video (no longer than 3 minutes) or a PPT presentation (no longer than 3 minutes) of messaging and/or high-quality photos. To be included in our Assembly, you must submit your media by 9am Central on Monday, April 5.

Visitors will be able to participate via Facebook (no account required). Registration not required.

Details will be updated on the event page here: https://www.ntnl.org/event/2021-synod-assembly/.

Featured Resources for March

Race and Christianity in the United States

A VIDEO SERIES EXPLORING RACE AND RELIGION IN THE UNITED STATES

Created by Sarah Ruble, Associate Professor in Religion at Gustavus Adolphus College

Offered at NO COST to NT-NL Leaders and Worshiping Communities

ABOUT THE SERIES

Talking about race in the United States is challenging, complicated, and fraught. Even as so much of our lives are affected by race—from where we live to how we vote—we disagree about how big a problem racism is and even how to define it.

This video series provides one lens through which to explore race in the United States. Focusing on the history of black/white relations in the U.S., it considers how race and Christianity have interacted, for good and for ill. It offers a narrative that helps to answer the question “how did we get here?” I hope that by offering a look at our racial past, we will better understand ourselves and be better able to have those challenging, complicated, and fraught conversations our churches and our country need. – Sarah Ruble

ABOUT SARAH RUBLE

I am an associate professor of religion at Gustavus Adolphus College. In addition to teaching (some of the world’s most wonderful) undergraduate students, I lecture in churches and to life-long learning groups. All of that means that I spend a lot of time thinking about how to make the past accessible without making it simplistic. As both a Christian and a historian, I’m always learning, trying to figure out how to make sense of our past and what it means for us today.

Learn more about the series and about Sarah here.

Sample Curriculum: Race and Christianity Leaders Guide Introduction with Early Sessions

The full curriculum consists of eight YouTube videos that are 20 to 25 minutes each, as well as a print component that includes questions for discussions and some suggestions about other resources to consult for further exploration. The videos and downloadable curriculum are available on Sarah’s website: sarahruble.com

Here’s the direct link to the series: http://sarahruble.com/episodes/

Save the Date

Living Connected Workshop on Creation’s Gift of Land

Land is a constant under our feet, and yet, except for those who make their living from the land, we may seldom think of it. We receive all our food and material goods from land. In its broadest sense, land is the place where we live, and it connects us to all life that shares the place with us. This Living Connected workshop will explore the ways we are called to care for land and offer spiritual practices for faith-based action.

NT-NL Public Witness is offering this Living Connected workshop online twice in March 2021. The presenter is Katrina Martich, a Lutheran Deaconess and licensed environmental engineer in Texas.

Saturday, March 20, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM CST

Tuesday, March 23, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM CST

Register at katrinamartich.com for the Zoom link.

Living Connected presents creation care as a spiritual discipline, formed by using the gifts of creation in just and loving ways. Workshops are offered at a reduced cost thanks to a grant from the NT-NL Synod Mission Endowment Fund. For more information, send an email to Katrina at contact@katrinamartich.com

Click here for a flyer.

Recent Blog Posts

Bishop Gronberg:

LDR “Muck and Gut” Training

(https://www.ntnl.org/ldr-muck-and-gut-training/ – published Mar. 4)

Where in the world is?

As we continue to navigate the changing realities of Covid-19 and guidelines regarding masking and other restrictions, synod staff will be resuming some in-person events. For those, synod staff will wear masks, and we encourage all in attendance to do so as well.

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:

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 NT-NL News.