In This Edition
Message from Bishop Gronberg
NTNL Youth Events
“Is God Calling You?” Discernment Retreat
Tending The Treasure: Best Practices for Congregational Treasurers and Leaders
Belize Journey for Women in Ministry
Upcoming Installations
Upcoming Events
Prayer Requests
Roster Changes
Message from Bishop Gronberg
Dear Partners in Mission:
This past week I had the privilege of attending the fall Conference of Bishop’s meeting in Chicago. This was the first time since Spring 2020 when all 65 bishops were able to be in attendance. No Covid related absences or other obligations pulled us away. And it was remarkable to observe the changes in the conference since I was elected in 2016. Most notably the conference is now majority bishops who identify as female. And the number of bishops who are people of color is at its highest level ever in the life of our church. These outward signs of increasing diversity also bring with it different perspectives and experiences. All of which enrich our conversation and life together.
A main conversation point at the conference was updates about the work of the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC). This commission was authorized by our 2022 Churchwide Assembly in response to memorials from synods (including NT-NL). One key point that was made time and again was that the purpose of this commission was NOT to make dramatic changes to our structure but to study and recommend to the 2025 churchwide assembly whether calling a re-constituting convention would be productive and help us move forward in mission. That is an important distinction. We often I believe think we are smaller than we actually are. But moving an institution with over 9,000 congregations and 3 Million members takes time and must be done thoughtfully.
We in NT-NL are blessed to have a member of the CRLC from our synod. Anthony Ormsbee-Hale is a member of Messiah-Weatherford. He has already been meeting with synod leaders and will be holding other listening opportunities as we move forward. I am grateful for his willingness to serve.
Finally, I want to lift up our partners in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone. They are gathering in assembly this week in Freetown at the Jubilee Center. At this assembly they will ordain 10 new pastors for service in the ELCSL. That is an incredible testament to the leadership of Bishop Momoh and the ELCSL education teams. We celebrate with them while also recognizing their need as they move forward. The water bagging/bottling campaign has proved successful and profitable enterprise. They continue to seek other ways to make their church sustainable financially. Bishop has communicated to me that they are going to lease their church headquarters property in the Aberdeen neighborhood of Freetown and relocate operations to the Jubilee Center. As you may remember this facility was a vision that was never fully completed. But Bishop Momoh believes it is the time to ensure the facility does not fall into ruin. To ensure this he has worked tirelessly to gain clear title to the property (this was an issue previously) and engineering design to ensure the building is stable. To finish out the first floor so they can use it for offices will require some capital investment. More information about this will be coming, but I am grateful for your generosity to the NT-NL and ELCSL that enables us to be partners with Bishop and the church in this work.
A blessed October to you all. Fall is here. May the temperatures follow.
Bishop Gronberg
NTNL Youth Events
If you have questions about any of the below events please email our Synod Youth Connector, Pastor Adam Stockton at adam@rejoicefrisco.com or Janelle Miller at janellemiller@yahoo.com
Register your group here for the Confirmation Fall Retreat on November 11th. Cost is $20 per person before October 25th and $50 per person after the 25th. Payment is due at the time of registration.
Register your group here for the Upper Elementary retreat for 4th-6th graders on December 2nd. Cost is $20 per person before November 1st and $50 per person after the 1st. Payment is due at the time of registration.
Register your youth here for the Peer Ministry Leadership Training on January 5th-7th, 2024. Cost is $70 per person if registered by November 1st, $130 per person after the 1st. Registration includes program, quad occupancy at the hotel, and meals. This event allows youth to attend without an adult from their congregation. A pastor or youth leader must attend with a youth in order to attend. A $50 deposit is required at the time of registration.
Register your group here for the NTNL Youth Weekend for junior and senior high youth on February 16-18, 2024. Cost is $99 if registered by December 1st, $150 per person after December 1st. Registration includes programs, quad occupancy at the hotel and meals. A $75 deposit is required at the time of registration.
The National Youth Gathering will be taking place next summer, July 16-20, in New Orleans! Registration opened on September 15th. Priority Registration runs until November 1st. During this period the total registration cost is $375, with $150 required during registration. The Briarwood Legacy Endowment has approved a grant to help our NTNL Youth attend the Gathering! The first 200 people that register from our synod will have the balance of their registration fee, $225, paid for. In addition, the Foundation will match up to $300 of fundraising dollars per person. This includes adults (1 adult for every 5 youth registered). That is $525 per person!
You can apply for funds after registering here. Funds will be distributed in 2024.
If you have 3 or fewer youth in 8th-12th grade who are interested in attending the Youth Gathering contact Janelle Miller to learn about our Bishop’s Group.
Is God Calling You?
Pastors, do you have someone in your congregation who needs to hear this?
You may already be active in leadership for your congregation, but have you been feeling that Holy Spirit tapping you on the shoulder? There are countless ways to serve as lay leaders, but there is also a need in the church for Pastors and Deacons. What does “Call” to ministry look like? We are planning to have an overnight discernment retreat from January 26-27, 2024. If you (or someone in your congregation) are wondering if it’s time to pursue ordained ministry or if it’s time to simply expand your lay leadership in your congregation, this is for you. Pastor Kris Totzke, Bishop’s Associate for Leadership Formation and Congregational Care, will be leading the retreat. Location is still to be determined based on the interest level and number of participants.
Please contact Pastor Totzke (kris@ntnl.org) if you or someone you know may be interested and you will be added to the list for future information.
Tending The Treasure: Best Practices for Congregational Treasurers and Leaders
The Southeastern Synod is hosting a training for congregational Treasurers and Financial Chairs led by ELCA Treasurer Lori Fedyk. She will be going over best practices, what to do and not to do, and important and healthy habits.
This will be held on Thursday, October 26th 6-7pm CT via zoom. Registration and links can be found here.
Belize Journey for Women in Ministry
Are you a woman in ministry leadership and looking for a time apart for renewal, learning, and connection in a beautiful location? This coming January 8-14, all women in ministry are invited to escape winter and routine and come on a journey to Belize! ConseCrate & Sunlight Tours, two woman-owned, clergy-owned businesses, are leading this time of relaxation, spiritual exploration, dwelling with others, exciting expeditions, great food, yoga, sunshine, and so much more! Deacon Michelle Walka will be guiding participants in learning and practice around the themes of rest, discernment, and creative expression along the way. It’s a continuing education and vacation like no other and there are only a few spots left. Find out more & sign up here, registration closes November 1.
Upcoming Installations
Cheryl Herreid will be installed at Christ the Servant, Allen on October 15 at 3:30pm
Mallory Morris will be installed at First United, Dallas on October 22 at 3:00pm
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:
- Oct 5: Transitional Pastors Meeting, Zoom
- Oct 7: Seeds That Change, Calvary, Richland Hills
- Oct 13-14: WELCA Conference, Grace, Carrolton
- Oct 14: Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Fall 2023, Course 2, Zoom
- Oct 14: Public Witness Team Meeting, Zoom
- Oct 24: First Call Pastors Check-in, Zoom
- Oct 26: Cultivating Compassion Session 10: A People’s History of the United States, Online
For a complete list of upcoming events, you can access our Calendar of Events online.