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.

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“Getting to Know the MEF” Sunday

Resources for Sunday (May 15) can be downloaded from here: https://www.ntnl.org/ministries/mef/

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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

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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 40^th 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 TX
May 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