Message from Bishop Gronberg
Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen Indeed!! Alleluia!!! A blessed Easter morning to you all. I pray this festival day and the weeks of Easter to follow are a joy within our communities across the NT-NL Synod.
On Saturday, March 30th we celebrated the resurrection a little early at Our Redeemer, Grand Prairie as we gave thanks for the life and ministry of the Rev. Melvin Hammer. Mel, along with his spouse Hattie who survives him, served a number of NT-NL congregations over the last decades. He was a faithful leader and mentor. And as I stated in the sermon, he and Hattie showed up. They showed up for their community time and again.
So it was so gratifying to see, on Holy Saturday, a large number of clergy from NT-NL who showed up for them. Even with all the responsibilities of this weekend we knew we needed to be there. So grateful we could proclaim the resurrection promise together. And comfort all who mourn our brother Mel.
It is Easter. Death is defeated. The victory is won. We cling to that promise and give thanks for all who labored this weekend to provide Easter worship and gatherings. We are #TogetherInMission #JuntosenMision
ELCA March Mission Support Memo
This month the ELCA Mission Support Memo explores how the Central States Synod is equipping leaders through their Ministry Lab ~ an active place to ask questions, learn new ideas, work with different “tools” or resources, and experiment to see what works. They welcome anyone from anywhere to engage in the lab. You can also learn about how congregations can join in a Cultivating Generous Congregations Cohort starting in April. Read the memo here.
Featured Resources for April
The ELCA Church Council adopted a social message about climate care entitled “Earth’s Climate Crisis.” on April 20, 2023. You can access the official message here in English and aqui en Español. Drawing from existing social teaching, social messages provide theological rationale and social analysis to foster discernment and engagement on a relatively narrow social issue. This project was authorized in light of the grim contemporary situation affecting our global home and the need for fresh action on the part of this church. It draws its framing themes from several social statements, particularly Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice.
The ELCA has collaborated with ecoAmerica’s Blessed Tomorrow program, a faith community initiative that empowers climate action and advocacy. This is a program by people of faith, for people of faith, offering ideas, tools, and language that are familiar, compelling and effective in addressing climate change. It provides resources that put us on a path to a positive future while maintaining the distinct voice of the ELCA.
Blessed Tomorrow offers a campaign to help you answer the call to strengthen your congregation and care for creation in ways that are inspiring, fulfilling, and accessible. Join One Home One Future, a multi-faith campaign to strengthen vitality, relevance, and community connection across generations in local congregations nationwide. Be part of a visible effort to invite creation care and climate action, no matter if you are just getting started or already engaging.
Where in the world is?
NT-NL synod staff are excited to engage in-person on Sundays for worship. As good stewards of time and travel dollars, we will be utilizing online meeting formats in our new hybrid reality when possible. If you would like to schedule a meeting with the bishop or Synod staff please contact them directly.
Bishop Gronberg:
Apr 7: Advent, Arlington
Apr 7: Installation of Pr. Jose Rodriguez Paez, First Sagrada Familia, Garland
Apr 13: Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Zoom
Apr 14: Zion, McGregor
Apr 19-20: Synod Assembly, Santa Maria, Irving
Apr 21: First, Waco
May 5: Grace, Slayton
Pastor Totzke:
Apr 3: Interim & Transitional Pastors Call, Zoom
Apr 7: Installation of Pr. Jose Rodriguez Paez, First Sagrada Familia, Garland
Apr 14: Advent, Arlington
Apr 19: Candidacy Retreat
Apr 19-20: Synod Assembly, Santa Maria, Irving
Apr 23: First Call Pastors Check-In, Zoom
Pastora Bañales:
Apr 2-5: Director of Evangelical Mission Meeting, Chicago
Apr 7: Community of Hope, Fort Worth
Apr 7: Installation of Pr. Jose Rodriguez Paez, First Sagrada Familia, Garland
Apr 9: Director of Evangelical Mission Advisory Team Meeting
Apr 13: Spanish Parish Lay Ministry Academy
Apr 15: Advent/ Adviento, Arlington
Apr 16-18: SOLI Board Meeting, Chicago
Apr 19-20: Synod Assembly, Santa Maria, Irving
Apr 27: St. Matthew, Fort Worth
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:
- Apr 4: Transitional Pastors Check-In, Zoom
- Apr 13: Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Zoom
- Apr 13: Public Witness Team Meeting, Zoom
- Apr 19-20: Synod Assembly, Santa Maria, Irving
- Apr 22: Wartburg Choir Performance, Calvary, Richland Hills
- Apr 23: First Call Pastor Check-In, Zoom
- May 2: Transitional Pastors Check-In, Zoom
Access our full online Calendar here. Updates made regularly.
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit to office@ntnl.org for consideration for upcoming editions of our weekly news.