The weekend of August 7/8th was full for your NT-NL Synod, ELCA congregations and staff. On Saturday the 7th Bishop Associate Kris Totzke was in Amarillo for the installation of Leah Lawson as pastor of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church – Amarillo, TX. She then preached and presided at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on Sunday morning. Gloria Dei’s longtime pastor the Rev. Jeff Vayda retired this summer so they also are in transition.
Saturday afternoon our DEM the Rev. Irma Banales and I were present for the wedding of Pastor Moises Carrasquillo (First Sagrada Familia, Garland and Santa Maria, Irving) at Santa Maria in Irving. It was a wonderful celebration and we rejoice for Pastor and his spouse. On Sunday I was with the community Emmanuel Lutheran in Granbury, TX. Their pastor recently took a new call so they are in transition. It was good to be with them and encourage them in this time.
Lots of work continues at Briarwood. Bishop’s Associate and Briarwood Leadership Center director Robert Smith has been working hard negotiating with insurance to continue to repair damage done by the winter storm as well as continued deferred maintenance needs. With the growing numbers of Covid-19 cases there is now uncertainty again. But Briarwood continues to host the groups it can while making plans for our Sept 11th event and fall leadership events including trainings for church councils and leaders. #NTNL #BWTX #InMissionTogether