Lutheran Campus Ministries (LuMin) Denton Update
Rev. Jim Rowe recorded a message for our 2023 NT-NL Synod Assembly, and we wanted to share that with everyone. Listen to the generous and compassionate work of this ministry, following the example of Jesus and supported by YOU!
CTLM June Intensive: Latine Ministry Competence
June 1-3
Is there a growing Latine community in your area? How is your church equipping itself to enhance its cross-cultural ministry among Latine people?
You are invited to join a group of learners and practitioners wanting to enhance their cultural and ministry competency to help start or strengthen Latine and Bilingual worshipping communities. This 9-hour workshop will explore basic principles, various ministry models and best practices in the development of ministry among the diversity of Latine audiences: new immigrants, established people, and new emerging generations.
Experienced practitioners will assist participants to identify key moments or benchmarks in the journey from being a new start to becoming an organized congregation in the ELCA. In addition, participants will also learn about helpful strategies and dynamics at play in the creation and sustainability of “bilingual churches”, also called a “One Church – Two Expressions” model.
This initiative is part of an ELCA churchwide effort to “activate ourselves so that more people may know the way of Jesus and experience community, justice and love.”
Click here for a flyer with full details. | Click here to register. (Scroll down to June Intensive section.)
ELCA Young Adult Vocational Fellowship
The ELCA Young Adult Ministry is excited to announce a new program! The ELCA Young Adult Vocational Fellowship is a program that offers young adults an opportunity to discover their calling while gaining valuable professional experience. In partnership with new and existing year-long opportunities at ELCA affiliated ministries, participants are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to explore their faith and vocational aspirations, all while receiving support from a network of peers and experienced ELCA coaches. The program is designed to prepare communities and ministry organizations to welcome new, young, and diverse leaders, paving the way for a more inclusive and dynamic future. Additionally, fellows receive competitive compensation and benefits, including access to mental health resources, relocation assistance, coaching, and a small group cohort. Visit elca.org/vocational-fellowship for more information.
Featured Resources for May
All congregations are encouraged to choose any Sunday in May to share the truths about the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women using the resources provided here (scroll down to Resources). In addition, worship resources will be available for use in services on each congregation’s #MMIW Sunday. We know it will be the first time many congregation members have heard about this crisis, and we hope these resources continue to inspire conversation and learning in ministries and communities across our church. ELCA #MMIW Sunday is also a day to encourage members and guests of your congregation to wear red to bring greater awareness to MMIW. Remember to post a photo on your post social media channels using the hashtags #MMIW and #ELCA.
2023 National Week of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
The National Partners Work Group on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) and the MMIW Family Advisors are organizing a national week of action May 1-7 to call the nation and the world to action in the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women. To join in the week’s activities and raise awareness with a social media tool kit, visit the events webpage.
National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women #MMIW
Wear red and post. On May 5, we encourage you to join Native people across the United States in wearing red to raise awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Post a selfie or group picture on your social media channels using the hashtags #MMIW and #ELCA. To learn more about the National Day of Awareness and more ways to get involved, read this article from We R Native. More resources can be found on the ELCA MMIW page.
Recent Blog Posts
Bishop Gronberg:
(https://www.ntnl.org/ordination-of-sean-mcconathy/ – published May 20)
(https://www.ntnl.org/st-johns-oak-cliff-closing-worship/ – published May 21)
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 27: Primeras Comuniones en First Sagrada Familia, Garland (11am) y en Adviento, Arlington (3pm)
Jun. 4: Ordination of Frank Salvador, Holy Trinity, Irving
Jun. 10: Lutheran Men in Mission Annual Meeting, Online
Jun. 11: Service of Holy Closure, Immanuel, Posey
Jun. 16-23: Family Vacation
Pastor Totzke:
May 23: First Call Pastors check-in, Zoom
May 28: Good Shepherd, Irving
Jun. 1: Transitional Pastors monthly meeting, Zoom
Jun. 2-4: Family event
Jun. 13-14: First Call Pastors retreat, Location TBD
Pastora Bañales:
May 23: Region 9 Boundaries Basic Planning training
May 25: Spanish Coaching
May 30: Quarterly Ministry Review, First Sagrada Familia, Garland
Jun. 1-Aug. 31: On Sabbatical
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 23: First Call Pastors Check-in, Zoom
- May 24: Courageous Leadership, Leah Georges – How Generational Stereotypes Hold Us Back, Zoom
- May 25: Cultivating Compassion Session 5: The Righteous Mind, Online
- May 31: Courageous Leadership, Jill Beverlin & Jason O’Neill – Stories from the Veil, Zoom
- Jun. 1: Transitional Pastors monthly meeting, Zoom
- Jun. 7: Courageous Leadership, Coaching – Choose Your Own Adventure (breakout rooms by topic), Zoom
- Jun. 10: Public Witness Team meeting, Hybrid
- Jun. 14: Courageous Leadership, Tammy Devine & Dwight DuBois – Life of Faith, Zoom
- Jun. 21: Courageous Leadership, Speaker(s) and Topic TBA, Zoom
- Jun. 22: Cultivating Compassion Session 6: Practice – Critical Race Theory, Online
- Jun. 27: First Call Pastors Check-in, Zoom
- Jun. 28: Courageous Leadership, Speaker(s) and Topic TBA, Zoom
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.