Message from Bishop Gronberg
Dear Partners in Mission:
It’s MAYCEMBER!!! If you don’t know what I mean by this it is a term coined online recently particularly by parents of school age children. Maycember is just like December with all the finals, projects, end of year activities, graduations, parties, but without the fun and festivities of the Christmas season to enjoy. Frankly, its just a lot of work for everyone.
Now, before you decide that this is just parents complaining think about all that is happening in your congregation right now. Easter was as early as it really ever is, so we got through that and assembly before May. But now there is a whole host of other activities. Perhaps confirmations, end of Sunday school celebrations, Pentecost and Holy Trinity. There is still much going on for all our leaders, rostered and lay. The last month before we move into the different rhythms of summer.
So you are probably pretty busy right now. Maybe a little worn down from the program year. That is understandable. Give yourself a breather and then try as you can to enjoy the remainder of the Easter festival and the wonder of Pentecost and Holy Trinity. It’s Maycember after all.
Together in Mission:
Bishop Gronberg
2024 Feeding Ministry Grant Opportunities
The 2024 Feeding Ministry grant opportunity, which prioritizes ELCA congregations with feeding/hunger ministries, is now accepting requests. These grants provide daily bread for neighbors experiencing hunger. Funding is meant to supplement existing food-based ministries (i.e., meal programs, food pantries, grocery delivery, etc.).
Key Information:
- ELCA World Hunger Feeding ministry grants are available to congregations on a rolling basis.
- Feeding ministries may submit a one-time request no greater than $1,000 beginning on May 1, 2024.
- In 2024, ministries feeding K-12 students over the summer or after school in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming will be prioritized.
- Learn more at elca.org/domestichungergrants.
If you have any questions, please reach out to ELCA World Hunger Program Manager, Roselle Tenorio, who can be made available for a one-on-one meeting to discuss eligibility, application process, and any other details regarding the grant, at roselle.tenorio@elca.org.
NT-NL Synodical Women’s Organization Newsletter
You can read more about the happenings of our Synodical Women’s Organization here.
Featured Resources for May
May is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Awareness Month
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.
National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women #MMIW is May 5th
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.
Where in the world is?
NT-NL synod staff are excited to engage in-person on Sundays for worship. As good stewards of time and travel dollars, we will be utilizing online meeting formats in our new hybrid reality when possible. If you would like to schedule a meeting with the bishop or Synod staff please contact them directly.
Bishop Gronberg:
May 19: Calvary, San Angelo
May 26: Advent & Adviento, Arlington
May 27-June 6: Synod Trip, Germany
June 7-8: Wartburg Seminary Board, Iowa
Pastor Totzke:
May 1-7: Vacation
May 12: Grace, Carrollton
June 2: St. Stephen Closing Worship, Shreveport
June 7-11: Vacation
June 15: Candidacy Committee, Synod Office
Pastora Bañales:
May 6-10: Vacation
May 14: DEM’s Region 4 Meeting
May 15: Adviento, Arlington
May 16: Community of Hope, Fort Worth
May 21: DEM Advisory Team
May 22: Latinx Young Adult Ministry
May 23: Spanish Coaching
May 26: Adviento, Arlington
May:27-June 6: Synod Trip, Germany
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: Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Spring Course 3, Zoom
- May 11: Public Witness Team Meeting, Zoom
- June 6: Transitional Pastors Check-In, Zoom
- June 8: Public Witness Team Meeting
- June 25: First Call Pastor Check-In, Zoom
Access our full online Calendar here. Updates made regularly.
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit to office@ntnl.org for consideration for upcoming editions of our weekly news.