Message from Bishop Gronberg
Introducing NT-NL’s New PLMA Dean: PLM Madeline Richard
NT-NL Partners in Mission:
At our assembly on Saturday morning April 30th we gave thanks for the work of the Rev. Phil Heinz as our PLMA Dean for the last 5 years and his involvement in the PLMA for over 20. Thank you again Rev. Heinz for that work. We are all very grateful for you. I also introduced to you our new PLMA Dean. Madeline Richard is a graduate of the PLMA and here is what she says about herself…
WHO IS MADELINE RICHARD?
Most people expect and begin with a curriculum vitae or résumé. I prefer showing who I am rather than listing any accomplishments or skills. I am Dallas-born and Los Angeles-bred, having moved away from Dallas at age 12. I grew up in what the world knows as South-Central L.A., though I was exposed to and hung out in ALL of Los Angeles – from the beaches to the valleys. I have always considered myself as spiritual, having a relationship with God even before I was taught Bible lessons and catechism. I believe that I am a reasonable steward – giving what, when and where I can, as well as keeping my carbon footprint as low as possible, especially living in a metroplex in Texas. I see myself as an advocate, activist and civic-minded rather than political. I LOVE challenge and change, always looking to learn more and do different things. Though I don’t consider myself a ‘people person’, I enjoy getting to know other cultures and people. I believe that our experiences define us, not what we have or who we know or think we are.
I am a member of St. John LC in the old Oak Cliff area of Dallas. This is the congregation where I was introduced to the Lutheran religion by Pr. Ambrose Netzer. I was baptized and confirmed at St. Mark LC in Los Angeles by Pr. Paul Nakamura. It’s across the street from the USC campus. After high school and a couple of years of community college, I joined the United States Air Force and spent my entire six-year enlistment in San Angelo, TX, serving as a Medical Services Technician. I attended a Lutheran congregation there off and on but never changed my membership. After my military tour, I moved back to California and graduated from Fresno State University while working at St. Agnes Medical Center as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. I received a BS degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Health Care Management. Eventually, I moved back to the L.A. area and became a member of Ascension LC while Pr. Albert Starr, Jr. was the pastor.
Other than working as an LVN, I had a few positions working in health care management, taught at the elementary school level at Ascension’s church school (K-6) before working for the City of Long Beach’s Oil Properties Department and Oil Operations Bureau. I moved back to Dallas upon retirement to be my aunt’s roommate. Since moving to Dallas, I graduated from PLMA, am learning to play Standard American Competitive Bridge, languages on Duolingo, and how to write prose and poetry, joined a writing group and have a published piece.
I am an avid reader of the Fiction genre, mostly authors of color especially of the African diaspora. I take an annual international trip when health and pandemics allow, so I didn’t get to go last year. I also have a goal to visit most of the USA states that have African American museums of culture and history. There is a lot more to Madeline Richard that can’t be captured on one page.
If you want to know more, please feel free to contact me: BpGronberg@ntnl.org.
“Getting to Know the MEF” Sunday
Resources for Sunday (May 15) can be downloaded from here: https://www.ntnl.org/ministries/mef/
Lutheran Men in Mission’s Quarterly Update
You can find their latest quarterly newsletter here: https://www.lutheranmeninmission.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-04-LMM-Ambassador-Gram.pdf
Featured Resources for May
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, we join the national movement to raise awareness about mental health.
Resources from National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):
https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month
Resources from Mental Health America (MHA):
https://www.mhanational.org/mental-health-month
Resources from American Hospital Association (AHA):
https://www.aha.org/mental-health-awareness-month
May 4 is World Maternal Mental Health (Awareness) Day
Women of every culture, age, income level, and race can develop perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Symptoms can appear any time during pregnancy and the first 12 months after childbirth.
Resources from Postpartum Support International (PSI):
Recent Blog Posts
Bishop Gronberg:
(https://www.ntnl.org/wed-5-4-border-health-resources-and-staff-meeting/ – published May 4)
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:
May 13-14: Lutheran Men in Mission Board Meeting
May 15: “Getting to Know the MEF” Sunday
May 22: Hope, Springtown 40th Anniversary
Pastor Totzke:
May 6-11: Vacation
May 15: Our Savior’s (Norse), Clifton
May 21: Candidacy Committee, Briarwood
Pastora Bañales:
May 13: Latinx Young Adult Planning team
May 14: PLMA teaching May 15: Emmanuel, Granbury May 16: Judicatory Leaders Luncheon, Grace Presbyterian Mission Center, Irving TXMay 16: #3 Secondary School of Theological Education Facilitators training
May 17: Region 4 DEM’s gathering
May 19: NT-NL Renewal Team
May 22: Santa Maria, Irving, and First Sagrada Familia, Garland
May 23: #4 Secondary School of Theological Education Facilitators training
May 24: Conversation Brazilian Evangelical Church
May 26: DEM’s planning team
May 27: ELCA candidacy working group
May 28: First Sagrada Familia, Garland
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:
- May 11: Courageous Leadership – Jake Sorenson – The Big 4 Ministries
- May 14: Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Spring 2022, Course 3, Zoom
- May 14: Public Witness Team meeting, Zoom
- May 15: “Getting to Know the MEF” Sunday
- May 18: Courageous Leadership – Sara Cutter – Navigating the Gottman’s Four Horsemen
- May 19-21: 21st Annual Bonhoeffer Lectures in Public Ethics: Everyday Ethics for Exceptional Times, Various locations
- May 25: Courageous Leadership – John Martinson – Leading in a Multi-Systems World (& Staying Healthy)
- Jun. 1: Courageous Leadership – Coaching – Choose Your Own Adventure (breakout rooms by topic)
- Jun. 2: Transitional Pastors monthly meeting, Zoom
- Jun. 8: Courageous Leadership – Matthew Cobb – Together Here Ministries
- Jun. 11: Public Witness Team meeting, Zoom
- Jun. 15: Courageous Leadership – Dianne Johnson – Wild Church
- Jun. 22: Courageous Leadership – Dan Bowman – On the Spectrum: Austism, Faith, & the Gifts of Neurodiversity
- Jun. 29: Courageous Leadership – TBA
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.