Message from Bishop Gronberg

Continuing my series of videos leading up to our online synod assembly on Sept 26th (please be sure to have your voting members registered by Sept. 18th) we are highlighting the 50/40/10 anniversaries of the ELCA. elca.org/50yearsofordainedwomen

Today we recognize the 40th (really 41st) anniversary of the ordination of pastors who are women of color. While the first woman was ordained in 1970 it was not until 1979 that the first women of color were ordained to serve Lutheran communities in North America. We give thanks for the gifts these women have brought to our church while also acknowledging that even, and especially, today women of color wait the longest to receive calls and often serve in part time or other non-traditional calls. This is a barrier and a challenge to the growth of diversity in our church.

I also highlight today the first woman of African descent ordained in the NT-NL synod. Pastor Dorris Harris serves St. John Lutheran in Oak Cliff, Dallas. She is currently dealing with some health challenges so we invite your prayers for her as we also give deep and abiding thanks for her faithful witness and service.

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Movements in Indian Country

Please note: Advance registration is required.

An invitation from our friends at Other+Wise:

Please join Other+Wise and our promotional partners, ELCA Coaching, New Story Festival, and Briarwood Leadership Center, for the next Indigenous-centered Zoom workshop with our founder and director, Vance Blackfox.

This session will be the perfect follow-up to the webinar you attended with Vance previously [see that information below] – especially for those of you looking to grow your solidarity with Indigenous peoples.

Movements in Indian Country
Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. CDT
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsduuoqzMoGNGwQhGfzdtHTRt935gOaOdf
There are countless challenges facing Indian Country today, and Native-serving organizations are constantly working to keep up with the frontline Indigenous leaders, activists, and movements that are responding to these challenges. Unfortunately (but not surprisingly), these movements are usually unknown to the general population because non-Indigenous people either haven’t had to care or don’t know they should care. And those who do care often don’t know where to begin learning and engaging. Movements in Indian Country will provide you with a starting point for supporting a range of justice efforts in Indigenous communities.

This workshop is provided at no cost. Attendees are invited to offer a financial gift in appreciation for our time of learning and listening together: http://otherwise.red/donate/.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Vance at vance@otherwise.red.

For an introduction, you can watch the ELCA Coaching recording from July 8 with Vance Blackfox, Truth and Healing for the Sake of Indigenous People.

You can find here a flyer and social media graphic from Other+Wise with full details for this September 16 workshop, if that’s easier for inviting others.
If you post the social media graphic, please be sure to include the advance registration link and an invitation with the link for folks to donate.

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FREE Office Items for Pick Up

“I’m currently in the process of closing my small Dallas office. We have a number of items that we would be prepared to gift to the NT-NL Synod or a church in the synod that could make good use of the items. Here is a list of some of the items: 1) Two wing back chairs and end table; 2) Two 3 x 7 Ft oak book shelves; 3) one 4 x 6 ft White board; 4) one high quality Minolta color copier that also scans, faxes; 5) one Tri pod easel; 6) 1 small solid oak reception desk; 7) two or three work station printers (laser); 8) 30 or so three ring binders of various sizes; 9) several 2 and 4 door lateral file cabinets. I’m guessing I probably missed some additional items like a server and some computer work stations. Have interested parties contact me at 214-906-0750. The office is located at 12005 Ford Road, Suite 530, Dallas, TX 75234. We can arrange to meet interested parties there mutually agreeable times.” – Ron Brakke

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Save the Date

LCM Denton Presents: Socially Distant Oktoberfest

Saturday, October 24, 7pm

Since caring for our neighbors is an integral part of putting our faith into action, we know that it is our duty to hold a virtual Trivia challenge and silent auction this year. We will have more details coming soon about how the trivia challenge and auction will work, but we can share with you that the trivia challenge will expand beyond the traditional Lutheran-themed questions to include other trivia questions and that our overall theme will be Oktoberfest. And if you have any items to donate for an online silent auction, please contact Brandon Parsons (brandonparsons@mac.com) or Pastor Jim Rowe (pastor@lcmdenton.org).

Start organizing your teams and get ready for a night of fun!

Bishop Gronberg:

2019 Leadership Convo Speaker Named Harvard Fellow

(https://www.ntnl.org/2019-leadership-convo-speaker-named-harvard-fellow/ – published Sep. 9)

Giving Thanks for ELCA Schools

(https://www.ntnl.org/giving-thanks-for-elca-schools/ – published Sep. 10)

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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 live-stream 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 by Zoom, including our synod council meetings and online assembly on September 26.

Bishop Gronberg:

• Sep. 19: Lutheran Men in Mission Board Meeting, Online

Pastor Totzke:

• Sep. 17: Workshop for NT-NL Leaders who are Women, Zoom

Pastora Bañales:

• (No visits planned this week)