Message from Bishop Gronberg

Dear Partners in Mission:

This week we are preparing for our 2023 Synod Assembly. It will be the first time NT-NL will gather in assembly in Louisiana in many, many years. I am glad we are able to honor those who serve in that part of our territory and am gratified to see the strong registration numbers. It is going to be good to be together for worship, business, and fellowship.

As you hopefully have seen via our extensive communications last week, the sale was closed on the property owned by Briarwood Lutheran Ministries. This decision to transition Briarwood into a new way of being brings with it grief and also great opportunity. In so doing we are reminded as synod that we, like all our congregations, need to be honest in assessing our facilities and property. And remember that these physical structures are not the church, the people of God who do God’s mission are. With the establishment of the Briarwood Legacy Endowment, we will be able to fulfill Briarwood’s mission without the difficulty of continual struggles to maintain aging facilities and providing programming. Additionally, with the purchase of Briarwood by Denton County, an entity with the resources to do the needed work on the facilities, the property at 670 Copper Canyon Rd will continue to serve the community for years to come while also preserving the history of the retreat center.

I look forward to seeing many of you in Shreveport this weekend. We do so…

#InMissionTogether

Bishop Gronberg

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ELCA Truth & Healing Movement “Indian 101” Classes

Did you see our announcement last week? ELCA Launches Truth and Healing Movement

The general population knows very little about the Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island. Even the most basic topics are often grand mysteries. This is by design; for centuries the colonial project has prioritized the complete erasure of Native people. Presented by Vance Blackfox, “Indian 101” explains some of these basics to build a foundation for students to stand in solidarity with Indian people across the United States as we work together to dismantle longstanding systems of oppression.

No pre-registration is required to participate. Just click “join the class” to attend. Full details can be found here: https://www.elca.org/truthandhealing

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FREE “Coach Yourself Through Grief” Webinar Series

From the ELCA’s coach training partner Coaching at End of Life:

Coach Yourself Through Grief webinar series

Four-Session Webinar Dates (4 one-hour classes):
Tuesdays, May 9, 16, 23, and 30 at 10:00am Central

If a loved one of yours has died, then you know how painful grief can be. In the midst of this pandemic, every one of us is experiencing loss in many forms. The emotions can be overwhelming. Many feel like they are “going crazy!” Nothing helps walking the journey of grief more than having a Certified End of Life Coach by your side. But what do you do when your coach isn’t there? What happens when you forget what your Coach told you? “Coach Yourself Through Grief” is a training designed for anyone who is in the midst of grief, whether it be a death loss or a loss from this pandemic. The goal of the training is to help individuals to learn what “normal grief” looks like and to encourage them to mourn well.

Host: Dr. Don Eisenhauer | Cost: FREE | Click here for full details and to register.

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Where in the world is?

Across a context as wide and different as NT-NL, the reality of Covid-19 is very different. As such, NT-NL synod staff are doing more in-person Sunday visits for worship and occasional meetings. However, as good stewards of time and travel dollars, we will be utilizing online meeting formats into our new hybrid future. Given the rise of breakthrough infections and in order to protect those gathered, the synod staff will choose to wear masks as is deemed appropriate unless preaching or presiding and sufficient social distancing can be provided.

*** May 1-15, synod staff will be moving the offices to our new location at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2620 W Grauwyler Rd, Irving TX, 75061. If you have an emergency, please call our cell numbers. There will likely be a delay in response to emails during this timeframe. ***

Bishop Gronberg:

Apr. 28-29: NT-NL Synod Assembly, Shreveport, LA
Apr. 30: Holy Trinity, Shreveport, LA
May 7: 175th Anniversary, Four Mile, Mabank
May 8: Tarrant County Jury Duty
May 20: Ordination of Sean McConathy, Trinity, Fort Worth
May 27: Primeras Comuniones en First Sagrada Familia, Garland (11am) y en Adviento, Arlington (3pm)

Pastor Totzke:

Apr. 25: First Call Pastors check-in, Zoom
Apr. 28-29: NT-NL Synod Assembly, Shreveport, LA
Apr. 30: St. Stephen, Shreveport, LA
May 4: Transitional / Interim pastors monthly meeting and Region 4 consultation meeting, both via Zoom
May 5-9: Vacation
May 14: Immanuel, Killeen
May 18: Youth Leaders lunch, Rejoice, Coppell
May 20: Candidacy committee meeting, Good Shepherd, Irving, then Ordination of Sean McConathy, Trinity, Fort Worth
May 23: First Call Pastors check-in, Zoom

Pastora Bañales:

Apr. 25: Stewardship Preaching, ULS Gettysburg Campus Livestream
Apr. 28-29: NT-NL Synod Assembly, Shreveport, LA
May 4: St. Matthew’s, Fort Worth
May 5: Latinx Men’s Retreat planning team
May 11: Adviento, Arlington
May 15-19: Mission Developers one-on-one meetings
May 21: St Matthew’s, Fort Worth
May 23: Region 9 Boundaries Basic Planning training
May 25: Spanish Coaching
May 30: Quarterly Ministry Review, First Sagrada Familia, Garland