Dear NT-NL Leaders:
With five months of 2021 behind us I believe we can say without a doubt that this continues to a year of great challenge and also great opportunity. The acute challenge of the pandemic continues thus far to ease as cases of Covid-19 continue to decline across our territory. However, the challenges of living into a hybrid, changed, culture and reality continue. Yet with these challenges come opportunities, and you are living into those as well. So as we begin summer I wanted to ensure you were aware of some upcoming opportunities for you and your communities…
–2022 ELCA Youth Gathering Information Session June 3 at 10am: Youth leaders are invited to join online for information about the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering.
–Synod Re-Gathering Celebration and Worship September 11: Come join us for a day at Briarwood for food, fun, and worship. The Rev. Christopher Otten, ELCA Director of Chaplaincy, will be present with us to preach. All ages are welcome.
-The NT-NL Parish Lay Ministry Academy offers online and in fall is considering the return to in-person as demand indicates. A great way to deepen your leaders skills and knowledge. English and Spanish tracks are available.
–Leadership Convocation October 18-20: The event will be held in person and will focus on leading into our new hybrid reality.
-Gatherings at Briarwood: Briarwood is open for gatherings of congregations and groups. Please contact avery@bwtx.org to check availability.
This has been a challenging season for us all. There is much we can learn and process from this time. Pastor Kris Totzke has been trained in the Leadership for Faithful Innovation (LFI) curriculum and is available to work with your conference or congregation. Your DEM Irma Banales and the NT-NL Stewardship team are also available to you. These are ways we continue to see opportunity and hope in the midst of the challenges we face. I am grateful for all that you as leaders have done faithfully so far in 2021 and look forward to the future.
In Christ,
Bishop Gronberg