Statement of Bishop Azar Concerning U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem
A request from Bishop Gronberg:
Please read the following statement from Bishop Azar of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Bishop Azar and his church are the Lutheran presence in Jerusalem, and it is important we listen closely to the voices of those who live in these lands we call Holy. These sisters and brothers in Christ are directly impacted by these decisions, often finding themselves in the middle of difficult circumstances and ignored by the media and the Christian community worldwide. They know the challenges and complications; they live them everyday. We pray for an end to violent confrontation and rhetoric on all sides of this conflict. Particularly for our leaders to be wise in their decisions and for all involved to find ways to peaceful conversation and understanding.
http://www.elcjhl.org/statement-concerning-the-opening-of-the-u-s-embassy-in-jerusalem/
God Loves
In her May column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton writes: “Jesus loves his own and loves us to the end.” And, she notes, Jesus makes it possible for us to do the same. Read her column in English at https://bit.ly/2w8NZSe and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/2jlilYt.
Transforming Loss: Finding Potential for Growth
Denton Area Partnership for End-of-Life Care
Presents the Hospice Foundation of America (HFA)
25th Annual ‘Living with Grief’ Program
Join us for an inspirational program about positive change and action by the bereaved in the aftermath of loss. This program is 95 minutes in length, with additional 30-minute post-program discussion required for CEs.
Thursday, May 24, 2018
7:30 AM – Registration
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM – DVD program
9:30 – 10:00 am – Panel Discussion with local experts
Location: Good Samaritan Society – Denton Village, 2500 Hinkle Dr, Denton, TX 76201 | Please enter through the Administration entrance.
Cost: $15 | Snacks and refreshments will be available.
2 CEs for Nurses, Chaplains, Clergy, Social Workers, Funeral Directors, trauma counselors, hospice workers, emergency room staff, bereavement staff, police, firefighters, school staff through HFA
Click here for the registration form with full details.
Questions? E-mail DAPEC@AOL.com or call/text Ginny Hudson at 940-367-0598.
2018 Synod Assembly Summary
If you missed the summary of our 2018 Synod Assembly, including the results of our elections, you can access that information in our NT-NL News for Monday, April 30.
Featured Resources for May
Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month (also called Mental Health Month) has been observed in May in the United States since 1949, started by the Mental Health America organization (then known as the National Association for Mental Health), reaching millions of people in the United States through the media, local events, and screenings.
“The Body of Christ and Mental Illness” seeks to raise awareness of the challenges of mental illness, offer reflection and direction, and inspire action. This social message notes how mental illness makes the most basic aspects of everyday life daunting and sketches some of the challenges. These include the challenges to human dignity and difficulties in gaining access to treatment, problems that worsen existing social inequalities and lapses in the U.S. health care system.
The message puts to rest the notions that mental illness is an indicator of special sin in the family or the person suffering from it. It emphasizes the church’s role in encouraging companionship and healing, via restoration of relationships — heeding Galatians 6:2. What people with mental illness most need is time to pursue and engage in treatment, and to maintain or create relationships where they can exercise their abilities. Throughout the many forms of ministry the church provides, the church is called to confront practices that do not uphold human dignity and to offer hope and companionship, and attend to its own practices around health, its public voice, and the sensitive and thoughtful preparation of church leaders.
You can read or download the full social message on “The Body of Christ and Mental Illness.” This social message was adopted in 2012 by the Church Council of the ELCA.
You can also access A Leader’s Guide for Congregational Study: ELCA Message on Mental Illness.
Choose a theme below that resonates with you and your community and click on the bolded text for more resources:
Each year in mid-March, Mental Health America releases a toolkit of materials to guide preparation for outreach activities during Mental Health Awareness Month. During the month of May, Mental Health America, its affiliates, and other organizations host a number of activities, which are based on a different theme each year. The theme for 2018 is Fitness #4Mind4Body.
Bring Change 2 Mind, in partnership with Brandon Marshall’s Project 375, launched #StrongerThanStigma to raise awareness around the unique challenges that men face when discussing mental health, to encourage open dialogue, and to promote help seeking behavior.
#StrongerThanStigma features four inspirational male figures from professional sports leagues, television, and the music industry who have each made mental health advocacy a part of their platform. These headliners are Brandon Marshall, NFL All-Pro wide receiver for the New York Jets; Ben Scrivens, NHL goalie for the Montreal Canadiens; Michael Angelakos, lead singer of indietronica band Passion Pit; and Wayne Brady, comedian and actor. Each man either lives with a mental health diagnosis or has chosen to serve as an empathetic advocate, and shares his story and encourages men to start the conversation and end the stigma.
In 2018, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) will promote the theme of “CureStigma” throughout all awareness events, including Mental Health Month. One in 5 Americans is affected by mental health conditions. Stigma is toxic to their mental health because it creates an environment of shame, fear, and silence that prevents many people from seeking help and treatment. The perception of mental illness won’t change unless we act to change it. There is good news. Stigma is 100% curable. Compassion, empathy, and understanding are the antidote. Your voice can spread the cure. Together we can #CureStigma.
Recent Blog Posts
Bishop Gronberg:
(https://www.ntnl.org/graduation-and-celebrations/ – published May 16)
Where in the world is?
Bishop Gronberg:
- May 21-22 – Lutheran Seminary Program of the Southwest Commencement
- May 26 – Primera Comunión en Iglesia Luterana San Gabriel, Alvarado
- May 27 – Faith, Flower Mound
Pr. Totzke:
- (No visits planned this week)
Pra. Bañales:
- May 22-25 – Meeting: Director Public and Justice Women & ELCA-Latino Strategy Team, Chicago, IL
- May 26 – Latino Women’s Retreat, Briarwood
- May 27 – King of Glory, Dallas
Upcoming Events
- May 24: Transforming Loss: Finding Potential for Growth, Denton, TX
- May 27-Jun. 1: Spanish Language and Hispanic Ministry Intensive, Austin, TX
- Jun. 1-2: Building an Inclusive Church (BIC) Training, Haltom City, TX
- Jun. 10-15: Building Congregational Capacity for Hispanic Ministry, Austin, TX
- Jun. 24-27: the tAble: an ELCA gathering of youth with disabilities, Houston, TX
- Jun. 24-27: The ELCA Multicultural Youth Leadership Event, Houston, TX
- Jun. 27-Jul. 1: ELCA Youth Gathering, Houston, TX
- Sep. 1: Bishop Installation for the Southwestern Texas Synod, San Antonio, TX
- Sep. 7: The Bolder Board Training, North Texas
- Sep. 15: PLMA Fall 2018, Course 1, Briarwood
- Sep. 20-22: Synod Council meetings, Briarwood
- Oct. 14-16: NT-NL Leadership Convocation, Briarwood
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.