Message from Bishop Gronberg
This is one of those rare years when the liturgical calendar lines up so that Ash Wednesday is on Feb 14th, St. Valentine’s Day. It may seem less rare to us because it just happened in 2018 and will happen again in 2029. However, that will be the last time it will occur this century and prior to that it had not occurred since 1945. So we get this event three times in the span of 12 years, making it relatively commonplace for us. When the multitude of clergy in the past century and those coming after us this century never did or will.
This clustering got me thinking about how easy it is in leadership to assume our experiences are normative. Because it has happened to us with some frequency we assume it is going to happen that way in the future or must have been so in the past. In so doing we can try to apply formulaic approaches to our current challenges and then wonder why they are not flourishing. Context matters and we have learned that lesson over and over again in the past four years.
Four years ago in early February my spouse and I were leading an NT-NL group on a journey through Turkey and Greece. Talking about early church leadership and leading adaptively in crisis. We could not have imagined, as we heard initial reports of cases of this virus Covid-19 growing, how our lives our that of our communities would be forever changed, and how many lives we would lose, in the coming years. How we would be forced to lead adaptively in a crisis and think differently about community and all the things we took for granted.
By and large we, the communities and leaders that make up NT-NL, have done that work. It hasn’t been easy and often it has been costly. Our relationships changed, some didn’t survive, but other new ones have been made. New ideas and practices based in what works in a particular context have taken root and many are growing new branches. Indeed, as I visit congregations I am hearing more stories of hope and possibility, along with of course challenge and grief, than I have heard the last four years.
However, as we this cluster of Valentine’s and Ash Wednesday we cannot assume we have it figured out. That it will be this way for the forceable future. No we must continue to adapt and learn if we are to be effective in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in our ever changing reality. And what doesn’t change, what never changes, is that gospel of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:8). That even on Ash Wednesday when we are reminded of our mortality, the gospel is proclaimed.
So this Valentine’s Day enjoy this unique confluence of our popular culture’s obsession with romantic love with the ashes of our mortality. And remember God’s adaptive solution to our sin and death, God’s love poured out in Christ for you and for the life of the world. Remember so you may go forth and tell the world.
In Mission Together,
Bishop Gronberg
Our Faith Journeys Daily Lenten Devotional
Lent is a poignant time in the life of a Christian, where our relationship with Jesus and the path of life we walk come into focus. We call the places where life and Jesus overlap discipleship. This is our great joy and our great challenge. We revel in the joy that God has walked our path first. God has stepped into the great unknown and shown us that nothing in this world is more powerful than his love.
This is a daily devotional that will accompany you on your Lenten journey. Whether you are in a place of joy and celebration, a place of challenge, or a time of transformation, this book is your reminder that you are not alone. While no one has been on your exact journey, others have been on similar journeys, and through
them, they found faith and love. In the book, you will find daily reflections and journeys from people who have been on various journeys of faith.
SB4 Informational Webinar for Faith Communities
After a year of managing the Courts & Ports Faithful Witness immersive program in the Rio Grande Valley, the Texas Impact Foundation received a common question, “what can we do to help?” It is essential that faith communities become knowledgeable on all things related to SB4 (88-4).
SB4 (88-4) creates the state crimes of “illegal entry”, “illegal reentry”, refusal to return to a foreign country, and goes a step further, authorizing state judges to issue deportation orders. As the bill is written, this means any “peace officer” anywhere in Texas, can arrest anyone as long as they have probable cause to believe the person entered this state through anywhere other than a port of entry.
Texas Impact in collaboration with the Texas Immigration Law Council will be hosting an informational webinar on SB4 (88-4) on February 27th at 5pm. Register for the webinar here.
Featured Resources for February
March 3, 2024
Celebrate the bold women in your life. Bold Women’s Day–observed the first Sunday of March–celebrates all Lutheran women who have acted or are acting boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ. Some women are bold in their unceasing prayers. Other women are bold in their service to those in need. Still other women are bold in their advocacy or through their hospitality. Whether we live out our bold story of faith in the workplace, family, home, or community, our faith compels us to make a difference in the lives of others. It’s all about living out our baptismal call, about being a disciple of Christ. Resources can be found here: https://www.womenoftheelca.
March 8, 2024
For International Women’s Day and beyond, let’s Inspire Inclusion. When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment. The aim of the IWD 2024 #InspireInclusion campaign is to collectively forge a more inclusive world for women. Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness about discrimination. Take action to drive gender parity. Resources can be found here: https://www.
Recent Blog Updates
(https://www.ntnl.org/our-savior-mesquite/ posted Feb 12)
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:
Feb 18: Faith, Flower Mound
Feb 27-Mar 2: Conference of Bishops
Pastor Totzke:
Feb 27: First Call Pastor Check-In, Zoom
Mar 3: Immanuel, Killeen
Mar 7-11: Vacation
Mar 16-17: Midland Lutheran, Midland
Mar 26: First Call Pastor Check-In, Zoom
Pastora Bañales:
Feb 17-18: New Council Spiritual Retreat, First Sagrada Familia, Garland
Feb 20: ELCA Congregations Lead Initiative
Feb 22: Director for Evangelical Mission of Color, Zoom
Feb 23-24: Spanish PLM Retreat, St. Raphael Retreat Center, Dallas
Feb 25: Immanuel, Killeen
Feb 29: Director for Evangelical Mission: NT-NL Advisory Team
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:
- Feb 16-18: Junior High & Senior High Youth Gathering, King of Glory, Dallas
- Feb 27: First Call Pastor’s Check-In, Zoom
- Mar 7: Transitional Pastors Meeting, Zoom
- Mar 9: Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Spring Course 1, Zoom
- Mar 9: Public Witness Team Meeting, 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.