Message from Bishop Gronberg

Dear NT-NL Leaders:

Given the record temperatures we are experiencing across our territory it may not seem as though summer will ever end. However, looking at the calendar it is abundantly clear that fall activities are ramping up quickly. So I pray that you are able to have some time this month yet to relax or enjoy time away or with family. But am also fully aware that this is also a month of preparation and looking forward.

A couple things I hope you are aware of that are happening soon are…

1) Registration opens for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering in September. The Briarwood Endowment has pledged over $100,000 to assist our congregations in sending youth to this incredible event. Our synod gathering coordinator Janelle Miller will be hosting Adult Leader information sessions online on Thursday Aug 3rd at 2pm and Monday Aug 7th at 8pm. You can contact her at janellemiller@yahoo.com.

2) Our synod council and deans will meet in-person on September 8-9th at the offices at Good Shepherd-Irving. We will have a worship service Friday evening (Sept 8th) at 7:30pm that will be open to any in the synod who desire to join us. So mark your calendars and please join us.

As you prepare for the many events that will kick off this month know that the prayers of your synod staff go with you. We are as always eager to visit congregations for special events or simply to be present on a Sunday. May God bless you all in this season and as you can, stay cool.

InMissionTogether:

Bishop Gronberg

Restorative Communications Clergy Clinic

In our anxious world, clergy face more and more challenges from congregational conflict, budget cuts, changes within their congregation, and the lack of healthy laity leadership. Most clergy have little or no formal training to adequately equip them to deal with such challenging situations.

Sessions will be led by Dr. Terry Parsons and Lisa Hancock. Dr. Terry Parsons is a United Methodist Minister, licensed counselor, psychological consultant for the Perkins Internship Program, and seminar leader. Lisa Hancock is the Director of Restorative Communications and is a conflict resolution specialist and sought-after guest speaker whose work promotes dispute resolution, problem solving, team building, and decision-making.

ELCA Quality of Call Initiative for Women in Ministry Opportunities

Women in rostered ministry in the ELCA who are in or aspiring to supervisory roles to participate in the Rev. Susan Beaumont’s popular online course Stepping Up to Supervision, hosted by Faith+Lead. Stepping Up to Supervision equips you for the everyday and long-term challenges that come with leading a faith community. Discover how to harness the skills of agile leadership and management to respond to a changing cultural landscape. Gain practical skills and tools for supervising the work of others and for keeping that work aligned with the overall goals of the wider community. Sessions start August 15th, register at the Faith+Lead website. Sponsorships are available, apply here.

Feel like you’ve got way too much going on but you’re not doing enough? Tired of having your authority questioned in subtle (and not so subtle) ways in ministry? Join this series to rest in the assurance that you are already enough and to unlock your power as a woman in ministry.  Dr. Crystal Hall is leading a four-part series focused on teaching strategies for successful ministry and coaching participants through current struggles. Already Enough: Unlocking Your Power as a Woman in Ministry will meet on Tuesdays in September at 10:00am. Sessions start September 5th. Apply here for Already Enough: Unlocking Your Power as a Woman in Ministry.

If you have any questions contact Quality of Call Initiative for Women in Ministry at qualityofcallwomen@elca.org. 

Baby Grand Piano

A member of King of Glory-Dallas, Sandy Horsley, has a baby grand piano she is looking to donate to a congregation in our synod. 

For more information you can reach Sandy directly at (214) 592-6916 or by email at sandyalbright47@gmail.com