Message from Pastor Fitting-Snyder
Advent in the In-Between: Living with Hope in Times of Transition
A liminal space is the time between the “what was” and the “what’s next.” It is a sacred threshold—the doorway between seasons—where we wait, long, listen, and often sit with uncertainty. Liminal space shows up in our personal lives: the grief after a loved one dies, the ache of a relationship that has changed, the longing for something that never came to be.
What I love about Advent is that it is the church’s invitation to dwell in that in-between. Advent ushers the church into a new year, but it does so slowly. Instead of leaping from the triumphant Reign of Christ Sunday to the joy of Christmas morning, we linger in the shadows. We wait. We hope. We listen. And we practice trusting that God meets us in the dark before the dawn.
As I have learned walking the call process with some of our NTNL congregations, the call process itself, is its own kind of Advent: a liminal season of transition, discernment, and holy waiting. Being in a call process is a journey through the “in-between.” Standing between what the life of congregation has been and what it will become. Carrying gratitude for past leadership, grief for what has changed, and hope for the future. Like Advent, a call process resists rushing. It asks of congregations to trust the Spirit’s timing. It asks congregations to listen—to one another and to God, believing that something new is being formed even when not yet fully seen.
Other transitions in a congregation’s life carry this same Advent quality: shifting ministries, new families arriving, longtime members moving away, changing needs in the community, or a renewed sense of mission. These moments stretch us. They invite us to loosen our grip on “what was” and open our hands to “what’s next,” even when we don’t yet know what shape it will take.
Advent assures us that God does some of God’s most transformative work in liminal spaces. The Christ child enters a world not yet ready. The promise of Emmanuel—God with us—comes not after everything is settled, but right in the middle of uncertainty, longing, and hope.
In whatever liminal space we find ourselves, whether personal or in the congregation, may we trust that the God who meets us in the dark is already kindling the dawn of a new day.
Advent hope to you and to our whole community in this season of holy waiting and becoming.
Peace,
Pastor Kelsey Fitting-Sndyer
Introducing TLU Sunday: Celebrating Our Shared Mission
On February 1, 2026, Texas Lutheran University (TLU) will launch TLU Sunday, a new initiative in partnership with the Bishops of the Synods of Texas and Louisiana. This special day celebrates the strong connection between TLU and our congregations as we work together to prepare faithful, educated leaders for the church and the world.
Building upon engagement programs such as Presidential Visits and TLU Takeovers, TLU Sunday will deepen relationships with congregations, alumni, and friends. The goals are to:
- Increase awareness of TLU among students, alumni, and church leaders.
- Share how TLU fulfills its mission in partnership with congregations.
- Invite support for the Lutheran Advantage Scholarship and Campus Ministry.
Participation is simple and optional. Congregations that opt in will receive in early January a TLU Sunday marketing packet with a short video, sample announcements, bulletin inserts, and social media content. Churches can share these materials during worship or in their own communications—and may also invite TLU students, alumni, or parents to offer a short testimonial.
To incentivize participation, one donor from each Synod has pledged $10,000 for TLU Sunday. Our goal is for each Synod to collectively raise another $10,000 across its congregations.
If your congregation would like to host a TLU Sunday, please identify a coordinator for your congregation then complete this form by December 19: TLU Sunday Contact Information – Fill out form
If you have questions regarding TLU Sunday, please reach out to the TLU Office of Development and Alumni Relations at development@tlu.edu.
Bishop Gronberg on POD Strangely Warmed
“There are more things that unite us than divide us.” — Bishop Erik Gronberg
On last week’s episode of POD Strangely Warmed, Rev. Daniel Hawkins welcomes Bishop Erik Gronberg of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Rev. Kenny Dickson, a United Methodist pastor serving at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Dallas. Together they explore the story and lived experience of Full Communion, a unique partnership that allows United Methodists and Lutherans to share ministry, leadership, and mission.
Through personal reflection, calling, shared faith, and a few moments of genuine humor, this conversation offers a hopeful glimpse of what becomes possible when the Church chooses collaboration over separation. In a time when division often dominates the narrative, this episode lifts up a different story, one rooted in grace, unity, and the work God is already doing among us.
You can watch the video here or listen wherever you get podcasts.
Stories from the Denton Wesley: Fall 2025
Click here to read about how Denton Wesley is supporting students and the community in Denton and surrounding areas. If you would like to learn more about Denton Wesley and how to support their ministry you can email Rev. Marianne Brown-Trigg at marianne@thedentonwesley.org.
Featured Resources for December
Our friends at Compassionate Christianity offer an extensive array of FREE resources, such as Personal Nourishment and Spiritual Practices, Family and Pastoral Resources, Compassion in Action (including a partnership with How to Heal Our Divides), and so much more:
Resources for the Compassionate Christian Community
“Inclusive, welcoming, and affirming resources, reflecting the compassion Jesus modeled for us.”
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:
December 10: NT-NL Staff Christmas Lunch
December 17: Cantor Retirement Service, Trinity, Fort Worth
December 27-January 1: Family Vacation
January 4: Central, Dallas
January 5-7: Region 4 Bishops Gathering, Omaha, NE
January 18: Central, Dallas
January 24: Parish Lay Ministry Academy Graduation Service, Good Shepherd, Irving
January 31: Texas Lutheran University Corporation Board Meeting, Seguin
Pastora Bañales:
December 10: NT-NL Staff Christmas Lunch
December 15: ELCA and SEMLA Online Spanish Coaching Team
December 16: First Sagrada Familia, Garland
December 18: ELC and UMC Fresh Expressions 2026 Planning Team
December 22-January 2: Vacation
Pastor Fitting-Snyder:
December 10: NT-NL Staff Christmas Lunch
December 14: Gloria Dei, Garland
December 21: Rejoice, Frisco
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:
- December 13: Public Witness Team Meeting
- December 18: NT-NL Youth Leader Lunch, Rejoice, Coppell
- January 2-4: NT-NL Peer Ministry Leadership Event, Calvary, Richland Hills
- January 10: Public Witness Team Meeting
- January 15: NT-NL Youth Leader Lunch, Rejoice, Coppell
- January 24: Parish Lay Ministry Academy Graduation, Good Shepherd, Irving
- January 27: First Call Pastors Check-In, Zoom
Access our full online Calendar here. Updates made regularly.
Save the Date
- April 24-25, 2026: Synod Assembly
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit to office@ntnl.org for consideration for upcoming editions of our weekly news.