Partners in Mission:

A blessed Pentecost to you all! The spirit is moving amongst us in the midst of challenge and disruption. I pray this note finds you well and preparing to once again be inspired by the telling in Acts of the work of the Holy Spirit in the early church. Sending it forth throughout the world.

In our synod we are feeling the winds of the Holy Spirit as Pentecost Sunday will the the third Sunday in a row in which we will ordain a new pastor. Three pastors, raised up by the NT-NL Synod. Educated, trained, and now being sent to serve. Three pastors also raised up by the congregations they will serve.

This is a new thing the Spirit is doing amongst us. Congregations raising up leaders. Recognizing they cannot depend on other communities to send them leaders but identifying the leaders in their midst. A new things the 10 years ago we didn’t really do. But God is always about doing new things.

So this week I invite you to prayer and thanksgiving for these leaders and their congregations…

-Trenton Ormsbee-Hale (Messiah, Weatherford)

-Connie Ortega (Adviento, Arlington)

-Christine Cracchiolo (Abiding Grace, Southlake)

And as you do so look around. See the people in your midst. Wonder who, maybe you, are being called to service in the church. It may not be in your current context, the ELCA has need for pastors around the country. But it starts with the invitation, the question, to the individual.

God is moving in our midst. Disrupting our complacency and sending us forth to proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the sake of the world.

#Juntosenmision,

Bishop Gronberg