Dear Partners in Mission:

We are already almost a full month into the new year. It is amazing how time can both fly and also how some days can seem to last forever. The dark and cold of January has been a part of our lives. Although not as dramatic as places to our north, it still is a significant change for us who are used to regular sunlight. A good reminder of why the light of Epiphany is so vital in our lives. The light of Christ that illumines our darkness and invites us to life in Christ, the life we receive in baptism.

This past week a dear friend and supporter of NT-NL ministries claimed the promises of her baptism. Clarie Streng Broste died on Jan 26, 2024 at the age of 90. Clarie was born in Minnesota but like so many got to Texas as fast as she could. She attended Texas Lutheran College (now University) and taught school for many years in Garland, TX. Her obituary can be found here. She was a strong supporter of NT-NL ministries and of the construction of the mission center at Briarwood.

Because of her investment and support she and I had many conversations about the difficult decisions we were having to make regarding the Briarwood property. She was inquisitive, questioning and holding me accountable, and we grieved those decisions. However, in the end she was supportive when she learned how the Briarwood Legacy Endowment has and will impact our synod’s ministry. Her heart was, in my experience, always focused on the mission we were trying to achieve. To help people of all ages encounter Christ in a variety of ways and grow our passion for sharing the good news of Jesus with others.

I give thanks for saints like Clarie. Who lived their faith and were generous with the abundance God has given us. We will miss her presence in our lives but her legacy will live on in every life touched by the work we do. For her family, particularly husband Dennis Broste, we extend Christian sympathy and compassion. Thanks be to God for the life of Clarie.

In Mission Together:

Bishop Gronberg