In This Edition
Message from Bishop Gronberg
The Eleventh Annual Herbener Lecture: The Psychology of Christian Nationalism
This is Wartburg – Live with Violeta Siguenza
Upcoming Events
Prayer Requests
Roster Changes
Message from Bishop Gronberg
Below is Bishop Gronberg’s Reformation Day message
Partners in Mission:
A blessed Reformation Day/All Hallows Eve to you all. Today we remember how 506 years ago a young monk asked for a disputation regarding abuses he saw in the church. The nailing of the 95 theses by Martin Luther not only changed the church but also our world forever. Luther’s intense focus was that the gospel, in its truth and purity, be proclaimed clearly. It is good today that we remember this heritage of faith and also consider what it means for us today.
The church in 2023 is continuing to go through significant changes. The realities of demographic shifts, a lack of denominational loyalty, continual mobility in communities, and a host of other issues have made doing church today drastically different than any other time in our lived history. Assumptions or best practices from even a few years ago cannot be counted on. And so the church must reform and adapt if we are to continue, in the tradition of Martin Luther, to ensure the free course of the gospel.
I experienced this willingness to adapt, to be reformed, this past Sunday, October 29th when I was blessed to be with our faithful ELCA communities in the Permian Basin. Christs Lutheran-Odessa and Midland Lutheran came together with Grace Presbyterian and St. Nicholas Episcopal for Reformation Sunday worship. Midland Lutheran made the faithful, and difficult, choice several years ago to sell their building and look for a new location for worship. They have since found that with Grace Presbyterian who has welcomed them with open arms. The new pastor at Grace, the Rev. Diane Baldwin, as well as Midland Lutheran leadership and I met on Sunday morning. There I heard a vision of two congregations being together in worship and contributing to the life of their community while retaining the clarity of each theological tradition. Encouraging this unity, without imposed uniformity, were Mother Amy Haynie from St. Nicholas and SAWL Mark Russell from Christ’s Lutheran-Odessa. All have a commitment to seeing our witness continue in this part of Texas which so desperately needs a gospel word of welcome and inclusion in a church culture, as we see across our territory, dominated by legalism and deeply partisan political ideology.
We celebrated the Reformation, worshipped together, had a trunk or treat (indoors due to the chilly and rainy weather) and even a visit from Dr. Luther (Markan Luther) himself. It was a festive and hopeful day to see these communities come together to celebrate and commit ourselves to the free course of the gospel in the world. I give thanks for all our communities this day and look forward our continued work in God’s world. We are…
#InMissionTogether,
Bishop Gronberg
The Eleventh Annual Herbener Lecture: The Psychology of Christian Nationalism
In this time of political and religious discord, having an understanding of the Christian nationalist movement is critical for the Gospel work of social justice. What attracts people to extremist views, and how can we talk with family members, friends, and congregation members who have “gone down the rabbit hole” of right-wing politics and conspiracy theories? As the 2024 election cycle draws closer, the Rev. Dr. Pamela Cooper-White will give a presentation based on her new book “The Psychology of Christian Nationalism” (Fortress Press, 2022), and engage in Q&A and discussion with participants around these critical and timely issues.
Join the Luther Center of North Texas on November 16th at 7pm at King of Glory- Dallas. Find more information and reserve your seat here.
This is Wartburg – Live with Violeta Siguenza
You are invited to join Wartburg Seminary for the second edition of their Zoom gathering of “This is Wartburg – Live!” on Monday, November 13th at 7pm. This is an opportunity to learn how and where Wartburg is showing up in the world.
In this live Zoom event, participants will hear Pastor Violeta Siguenza, the Director of Wartburg’s Centro Teológico Luterano Multicultural, discuss her own Latina identity and cultural background, and the unique challenges and opportunities she believe exists for Latine pastors and leaders in the United States. Pastor Siguenza will also discuss ways the church and institutions like Wartburg Theological Seminary help leaders overcome these challenges and thrive in public ministry and also prepare congregations to welcome them. And finally, she will discuss the role she sees the church / Wartburg can play in addressing social and economic disparities with the Latine community. Stay tuned to the end for advice for upcoming Latine leaders who are considering entering ministry or spiritual leadership, and how to support them!
Find more information and register here.
Upcoming Events
With the ever-changing guidelines and recommendations in our world right now, as we maintain physical distance in social solidarity, please keep in mind these events may be moved online, postponed, or cancelled:
- Nov 2: Transitional Pastors Meeting, Zoom
- Nov 11: Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Fall 2023, Course 3, Zoom
- Nov 11: Public Witness Team Meeting, Zoom
- Nov 28: First Call Pastors Check-in, Zoom
- Nov 30: Cultivating Compassion Session 11: Practice – Reparations, Online
- Dec 2: Upper Elementary Retreat, Abiding Grace, Southlake
For a complete list of upcoming events, you can access our Calendar of Events online.