Message from Bishop Gronberg: ELSCL Luther Springs Water Project
Our partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone continues to thrive and adapt. When Bishop Momoh was here in August he shared with me a vision to work for sustainability for the church. For all of its existence the ELCSL has financially been entirely dependent on mission funding from the ELCA and NT-NL Synod, ELCA.
Bishop Momoh, wisely realizing the changing realities of church finances locally and globally understands that this dependency is not healthy. They are actively teaching stewardship however the reality is the income of the people in the ELCSL also cannot be expected to support the ministry as well. So other sources of income and opportunity need to be found.
Which brings us to the “Luther Springs Water Project.” The ELCSL has access to a clean water well and with the right equipment could package that water to sell in the city (a common practice and accepted business). This project then both provides jobs for ELCSL members but also supports the work of the church.
The NT-NL synod council affirmed a gift of $20,000 for this adaptive solution and the water packaging facility is now in place and operational. As a result income is being generated, jobs provided, and the ELCSL continues to look towards a sustainable future. Grateful to God for Bishop Momoh’s foresight and our ability to respond.
Also pictured are school materials for the Willie Hunt School. Named for the late Rev. Willie Hunt who served in NT-NL for many years. This school is just one of many ministries the ELCSL provides to communities. #NTNL #ELCSL #InMissionTogether
Gathering At The Table
From Rev. Adam Stockton:
Gathering At The Table is a diverse community worshipping together in a non-traditional setting. We gather around food and engage scripture through lessons that connect with life experiences. The Table is conversation based and we worship by being in community together instead of following a traditional liturgy. All are welcome at God’s table, and by extension, are all welcome at ours too. That means you! We believe that God meets us wherever we are at and we do our best to do the same for one another. Come as you are. You are welcome. You are loved. If you are not able to join us in person, please join us online!
Visit our website at GatheringAtTheTable.org
Join our online reflection at https://youtu.be/faAaS3ejHh8
PT Director of Youth and Family Ministries
The vibrant, welcoming community at Christ Lutheran Church in Dallas is seeking a dedicated and energetic leader for our youth and family ministries. This position will coordinate and lead middle and high school activities, organize and empower volunteer educators for elementary and youth Sunday school, facilitate Vacation Bible School and other learning opportunities, as well as support the faith formation activities of our preschool ministry. This is a part-time (20 hours per week) role with the possibility of growth. Most hours are negotiable, but attendance at Sunday morning service and Sunday school is expected. Approximate pay range is $25K. Submit questions or your resume and cover letter to ymsearch@clcdallas.org. Please apply by January 12, 2023.
Featured Resources for November
Lutheran women have a long history of Bible study, discipleship, and desire to deepen their spiritual life and learn about issues.
Women of the ELCA offers FREE downloadable program resources—including many in Spanish—to help you grow in faith and engage in ministry and action:
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:
Nov. 5: Memorial service for former Bishop Phil Wahlberg, Gethsemane, Austin
Nov. 13: Abiding Grace, Southlake
Pastor Totzke:
Nov. 3: Transitional Pastors monthly meeting, Zoom
Nov. 6: Zion, McGregor, for 100th anniversary of the building
Nov. 15: Synods and Seminaries summit, Zoom
Nov. 19: Candidacy Committee, Briarwood
Nov. 20: First United, Dallas
Nov. 22: First call pastors, Zoom
Nov. 27: Grace, Carrollton
Pastora Bañales:
Nov. 1: Planning team meeting, Latine Couples Retreat
Nov. 2: Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) worship service, Santa Maria, Irving
Nov. 3: ELCA Spanish Coaching Team meeting, followed by Executive Team meeting, Santa Maria, Irving
Nov. 4-6: Latine Couples Retreat, Jelly Stone Park
Nov. 7: Meeting with Mission Developer, followed by Region 4 DEM’s meeting
Nov. 8-10: ELCA Candidacy Working Group, Chicago, IL
Nov. 12: Quinceañera XV, Santa Maria, Irving
Nov. 13: Worship service, Santa Maria, Irving
Nov. 13-15: Region 4 DEM’s and Latine Leaders Retreat, Briarwood.
Nov. 17: Meetings with Mission Developers
Nov. 19: Visioning Retreat, Grace, Abilene
Nov. 20-27: Personal days and Holidays
Nov. 28:Meeting with Mission Developer
Nov. 29: ELCA Mission Support Strategy Team meeting
Nov. 29: Meeting with Mission Developer
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:
- Nov. 2: Courageous Leadership – Coaching – Choose Your Own Adventure (breakout rooms by topic), Zoom
- Nov. 3: Transitional Pastors monthly meeting, Zoom
- Nov. 5: Celebration of Life: Bishop Philip L. Wahlberg, Austin
- Nov. 9: Courageous Leadership – Adam Stockton – PTSD and Companionship, Zoom
- Nov. 12: Public Witness Team meeting, Zoom
- Nov. 16: Courageous Leadership – Myron Herzberg – Communal Listening and Discernment, Zoom
- Nov. 19: Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Fall 2022, Course 3, Hybrid
- Nov. 23: Courageous Leadership – Christina Costa – The Importance of Gratitude, Zoom
- Nov. 30: Courageous Leadership – Danielle Groth and Vicky Lovell – Reiki and Faith, Zoom
- Dec. 7: Courageous Leadership – Coaching – Choose Your Own Adventure (breakout rooms by topic), Zoom
- Dec. 10: Public Witness Team meeting, Zoom
- Dec. 14: Courageous Leadership – Karen Kretschmann – Mission Interpretation and Story Connections, Zoom
- Dec. 21: Courageous Leadership – Coaching – Christmas celebration, 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.