Synod Communications Update

Going forward, please send all communications-related information to office@ntnl.org. This email address will be monitored by synod staff.

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Request: Fleece Blankets for Children Impacted by Disaster

From our partners at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota:

Camp Noah is a day camp program for elementary-aged children (grades K-5) that takes place in communities impacted by disaster. We work across the United States to help children build resiliency and move forward following disaster or trauma. Any help would be appreciated.

Camp Noah provides a lot of resources and materials to help prepare them to move forward after the disaster or trauma. Our ask right now is for Fleece Blankets. Each camper receives their own tied fleece blanket. These blankets provide comfort as children process their disaster experience and serve as a lasting reminder of their Camp Noah experience. We have had past campers share they have brought the blanket to college with them. Here are directions on how to make the fleece blankets, and here is the link to our website so you can find more information as well: Donate Goods to Camp Noah.

Thank you for considering donating to Camp Noah and helping us make a difference in these communities. You can deliver or ship all items to the Camp Noah office:
Camp Noah
709 University Avenue West
Saint Paul, MN 55104

Please contact zach.rider@lssmn.org with any questions.

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FREE Seminar: Understanding Resiliency

From our partners at the Faith & Spirituality Integration Department of Texas Health Resources:

Texas Health Resources department of Faith & Spirituality Integration are partnering again with Behavioral Health to provide an online education event on Thursday, June 8 at 12:00pm, created for Faith Community Leaders that addresses the importance of resiliency in anxious times. Not only will it benefit you in your role. It will help you encourage and nurture resiliency in the faith community you lead.

Dustin Webb, a licensed clinical social worker with Texas Health Behavioral Health, is our presenter. He will share how nurturing emotional, mental, and spiritual resiliency serves to protect us in times of crisis and anxiety. Studies conducted by the Veterans Affairs researchers show that those who have developed even the most basic spiritual practices fare better after experiencing a traumatic event. Dustin will touch on this and other important resiliency practices you won’t want to miss.

You can use the QR code on this flyer to add the event to your calendar.

You are welcome to email Hazel Thomas and Debra Sills of your anticipated attendance: hazelthomas@texashealth.org and debrasills@texashealth.org.

Here is the Microsoft Teams link to the presentation for June 8:
Join on your computer, mobile app, or room device
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 249 723 983 105
Passcode: tTu9D4
Download Teams | Join on the web
Or call in (audio only)
+1 682-273-0674,,233112035#   United States, Fort Worth
Phone Conference ID: 233 112 035#

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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:

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:

Jun. 1: Transitional/Interim pastors check-in, Zoom
Jun. 2-4: Family event
Jun. 11: Council meeting, First, Temple
Jun. 13-14: First Call Pastors retreat, Location TBD
Jun. 18: St. Paul, Crawford
Jun. 25: Ordination of Jonathan Lys, Shepherd of Life, Arlington
Jul. 6: Transitional/Interim pastors check-in, Zoom
Jul. 9: Trinity, Sherman
Jul. 17-20: Rostered Ministers Gathering, Phoenix, AZ
Jul. 25: First call pastors check-in, Zoom
Aug. 3: Transitional/Interim pastors check-in, Zoom
Aug. 4-5: Candidacy committee and retreat
Aug. 22: Transitional/Interim pastors check-in, Zoom

Pastora Bañales:

May 30: Quarterly Ministry Review, First Sagrada Familia, Garland
Jun. 1-Aug. 31: On Sabbatical