Message from Bishop Gronberg
Dear Partners in Mission:
In 2022 the NT-NL Synod was the first of several synods in the ELCA to send a memorial to the Churchwide assembly regarding a Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC). That memorial was overwhelmingly adopted by the assembly and the commission, made up of 35 ELCA leaders from a variety of contexts, began its work in 2023. The NT-NL Synod has been blessed to have Anthony Ormsbee-Hale (member of Messiah, Weatherford) on this commission and we are grateful for Anthony’s faithful work. As the commission was to report to the 2026 Churchwide assembly they have completed their work. Anthony’s report to us regarding that is below. The recommendations the commission is making will be considered first by the ELCA Church Council (of which the Rev. Nick Billardello, Abiding Grace-Southlake is a member) and then by the Churchwide Assembly. Again we thank all those who serve our church.
Together In Mission:
Bishop Gronberg
Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church Update
Dear Members of the Northern Texas – Northern Louisiana Synod,
I am pleased to share that the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC) has completed its two-year work, and we have submitted our final report to the ELCA Church Council. This report will be reviewed during their April 2025 meeting and subsequently made available at the 2025 Churchwide Assembly as part of the assembly materials.
For those interested in learning more about our process, I encourage you to visit the CRLC Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/elcacrlc, where you can find videos developed throughout our work. These videos include educational materials about Lutheran heritage, our constitutions and overviews of the survey results received by the Commission. Additionally, summaries of our meetings are available online at https://www.elca.org/about/leadership/church-council/crlc.
As we conclude the work of the Commission, we encourage the church to continue its efforts for renewal in all matters. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on this Commission and look forward to sharing more details and engaging in further discussions during our upcoming synod assembly.
Thank you,
Anthony Ormsbee-Hale
Seminaries of the ELCA Fireside Chat: Exploring Diaconal Ministry in the ELCA
The Seminaries of the ELCA are happy to host a Fireside Chat on April 10th at 7:00pm with Deacons Krista Anderson and Beth Anderson about Word and Service Ministry.
You can find out more information and register at this link.
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. 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:
April 13: First Lutheran, Temple
April 24-25: NT-NL Synod Assembly, Lubbock
May 4: Emanuel, Dallas
May 18: Messiah, Weatherford
May 18: Trinity, Sherman
Pastora Bañales:
April 3: DEM Advisory Team Meeting
April 6: Adviento, Arlington
April 7-11: Stewardship of Life Institute Board Meeting, Chicago
April 12: Spanish Parish Lay Ministry Academy
April 20: Emanuel, Dallas
April 25-26: NT-NL Synod Assembly, Lubbock
April 29: Latinx Couples Retreat Planning Team Meeting
Pastor Fitting-Snyder:
April 5: Dallas Area Metro North WELCA Conference, Christ the Servant, Allen
April 6: Grace, Carrollton
April 13: Gloria Dei, Garland
April 20: St. Matthew’s, Fort Worth
April 24-26: NT-NL Synod Assembly, Lubbock
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:
- April 12: Public Witness Team Meeting
- April 12: Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Spring 2025
- April 16: Synod Assembly Registration Closes
- April 25-26: Synod Assembly, Lubbock
- May 10: Parish Lay Ministry Academy
- May 10: Public Witness Team Meeting
- May 27: First Call 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.