Dear Partners in Mission:
The first weekend of October was rainy across much of our territory. Rain we have prayed for, God’s abundance on display watering the earth to bring forth abundance. We give thanks for the rain, while also recognizing that in some places it comes in amounts that cause damage and harm. A reminder that we are not the masters of our environment, although we have made decisions that impact it.
The weekend also brought opportunities to see the variety of our synod and activities. In Lubbock our Panhandle Conference met with our DEM Pastora Irma Banales to worship, share fellowship, and be together in mission. We have 12 congregations across the Panhandle conference. While they are #milesandmiles from one another, they value their time together deeply and make it a point to gather. Thankful for Pastora Irma and Conference Dean Arlen Lloyd (Oslo-Gruver) for their leadership.
On Saturday we also gathered at King of Glory-Dallas to celebrate 30 years of the NT-NL Mission Endowment Fund. We heard about how this gift to us as synod has grown from $1,000 donations made by people in faith, encouraged by former Bishop the late Mark Herbener, has grown to over $2 Million in assets and has given away more than $1 Million in grants (averaging now $90,000 a year). Jennifer Hachmeister, Director of the MEF, and her team did a wonderful job coordinating this momentous occasion. Part of the occasion was a silent action with baskets donated by folks across the synod. I was proud that my basket “An Office Menagerie” fetched $175, mostly due to the inclusion of a “No” button. Saying No being part of good leadership at times.
Sunday was the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. Known for his love of creation. Out at Messiah-Weatherford Boomer the dog was outfitted in his regalia for the occasion. Good tongue in cheek fun for the day and glad Boomer can wear a mitre so I do not have to.
Sunday I was with Central-Dallas in their beautiful sanctuary. Made all the more striking by the rain and green grass and trees outside. Central is making faithful and hard decisions about how best to steward this large facility as the congregation is no longer of size to manage the maintenance. While there is still work to be done they have engaged another congregation about how to work together to ensure the site continues to be a house of worship while allowing Central to continue to worship and be community for one another. These are conversations we are having across our synod. They are challenging but necessary as we look to be faithful and good stewards of that we have received.
October is a busy. My prayers to you and yours as you engage this time and change of season. We are…
#juntosenmision,
Bishop Gronberg