Dear NT-NL Leaders:

As leaders in our congregations in the best of times you are challenged to respond, adapt, and learn. Over the last 18-20 months that response, adaption, and change has come in a time of great uncertainty. In October we have a number of opportunities for you to take those responses and create learning from them. The first is our 2021 Leadership Convocation “From Reaction to Response: Changed for Good.” This opportunity is open to lay and rostered leaders and is a hybrid event, both in-person at Briarwood and also available completely online. In offering this we are as synod and Briarwood hoping to model our own learnings about best practices for hybrid events.

Another completely online event featuring leaders from across our synod is the series “Leading for God’s Future: Service on the Congregational Council” beginning October 21st focused on church council leadership. This will be a great series to help you and leaders in your congregation grow and learn from others who are doing this work.

These programs enhance and build upon established NT-NL leadership development avenues such as the Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Secondary School of Theological Education, and our continuously growing connections to coaching. This includes a grant given in 2020 by our Mission Endowment Fund to provide funds for staff and NT-NL leaders to be coached. This is another example of how the MEF is supporting leaders in our synod, and I encourage you to join in and express generosity for the “Gifted and Giving” MEF online event October 16th.

Leadership is challenging in the best of times. We are living in a difficult season. Yet God sustains us and offers us opportunity in community to grow and learn so that we can clearly proclaim the gospel. I encourage you to take part in these events offered by your synod leadership. We do this work better #InMissionTogether.

Bishop Gronberg