Mental Health First Aid

The Rev. Amanda Ullrich and the community of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Levelland, TX, in July of 2017, lost their beloved brother Zane Timmons to suicide at the age of 16. The impact of this loss moved the church community to intentionally engage their neighbors by being a public witness for the need of mental health and suicide awareness conversation. ELCA Disability Ministry put out a request for grant proposals in the fall of 2018 to award grants using $250,000 raised as a part of the ELCA Campaign. Saint Paul Lutheran applied for these funds to support mental health awareness in the community and was approved in September of 2019. These funds were received by churchwide from church offerings with gratitude and thanks. ELCA Churchwide distributes these funds for the benefit of the entire body of Christ. This is the mission of the ELCA: God’s work. Our hands.

With the grant received, in addition to piloting other mental health programs, Saint Paul Lutheran has already helped 20 teachers and staff in Levelland schools attend Mental Health First Aid in their area. Saint Paul Lutheran has partnered with the NTNL Synod Public Witness Team for Peace and Justice to provide Mental Health First Aid and Suicide Awareness courses to anyone in the Synod remotely. Mental health is an important part of all of our lives and is especially important amidst the stress of Covid-19.

Two FREE Mental Health First Aid online training courses offered by Star Care will take place Friday, October 9, 11:30am – 5pm (adult-focused course) and Monday, October 12, 12:30pm – 5pm (tailored for individuals who work with youth). Both courses are designed for participants 18 years or older. The course requires two hours of preparation before the class and 4.5 – 5.5 hours participation online. The course gives background on mental health for your own use as well as those in your life. Upon completion, you receive a certification in mental health first aid. Like taking a first aid and CPR class, taking a mental health first aid class can help save lives. This course is an also option for continuing education for NTNL leaders.

Space is limited to 20 participants for each course. Email Pastor Amanda Ullrich at alsullrich@gmail.com by TOMORROW, September 30, to register to attend either or both courses. Pastor Amanda can also be reached at 512-636-9784 with any questions.

If you or someone you love is experiencing suicidal ideation or has questions about suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.

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Gather in Thankfulness Worship Service

Mission Endowment Fund

GATHER IN THANKFULNESS – 2020 SEEDS THAT CHANGE

Seeds that Change: “… only God makes it grow.” I Cor. 3:7

An Online Worship Event premiering on Saturday, October 17, at 10:00am on the NT-NL Facebook page

The worship service will be available after that for watching at your convenience, as well as on the NT-NL YouTube and Vimeo pages.

Access a flyer with details here.

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ELCA Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement

The ELCA Church Council has unanimously adopted a new social message: “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy.” This project was called for at the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, with an intention that it be ready to read before the national election this fall. The social message defines government as a gift from God that can also be abused and misused. It also delves into how we can view civic engagement as Lutherans.

To help dig into the text, there is a Study Guide, along with a Leader’s Guide for those facilitating groups. A Spanish translation can be downloaded here.

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Save the Date

Custodians of the Gospel: A Public Faith*

Rev. George Mason

(Producer and Host of Good God podcast, and Pastor at Wilshire Baptist, Dallas)

TOMORROW, Wednesday, September 30, 1pm

Does everything feel partisan now? Why are many church folk either disengaged from politics or not wanting it talked about in faith communities? Then when it is discussed, why do we believe there are only two, and always opposing, sides? How does fear shape our responses to the world we believe we are called to love and serve as followers of Jesus? We claim to be Christians. We are custodians of the Gospel. The church needs to do some reckoning. We are called to bear witness to a God of justice and compassion. What if our righteousness was rooted in justice in community? Come wrestle with all this with our presenter this week and move from this gathering back out into the world with a groundedness in the Gospel.

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Where in the world is?

The bishop and staff have resumed limited in-person travel for special events or to tape or livestream worship. The staff will wear masks for all services and anytime they are near people, either inside or outside a facility. All synod business will continue to be conducted online.

Bishop Gronberg:

• Oct. 1-2: Conference of Bishops, Online
• Oct 4: Ordination of Joel Hicks, St. Stephen, Shreveport, LA

Pastor Totzke:

• Sep. 29: Tri-Synodical First Call Pastors Retreat, Zoom)
• Oct. 1: Interim Pastors Meeting, Zoom)
• Oct. 4: Worship at Four Mile, Mabank
• Oct 4: Ordination of Joel Hicks, St. Stephen, Shreveport, LA

Pastora Bañales:

• (No visits planned this week)