Message from Bishop Gronberg
Partners in Mission,
In 2018 I was honored to be a part of the installation of Bishop Ibrahim Azar of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. This was a great honor for us as a synod to be included in this global event. Lutherans from across the world gathered to acknowledge and give thanks for our partners in the ELCJHL. Palestinian Lutherans who continue to be living stones of Christian Witness in the Holy Land. Particularly with their work in the occupied West Bank. Preaching the gospel, operating Augusta Victoria Hospital (the only oncology hospital for Palestinians), and doing so under constant pressure from settlers.
This past weekend Bishop Azar’s successor Bishop Imad Haddad was installed at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Jerusalem. Again a global group of leaders gathered for this important occasion. A reminder we are connected globally to over 70 Million Lutherans in the Lutheran World Federation. .
Please join me in praying for Bishop Haddad and our Palestinian Lutheran siblings in this time of transition. And for their continued work for peace and justice in the land we call Holy.
Bishop Gronberg
Parish Lay Ministry Academy Graduation
You are invited to join the PLM Academy at their graduation ceremony at Good Shepherd, Irving on January 24th at 3pm to celebrate:
Carrie Enocksen, Central, Dallas
Tom Lee, Grace, Fort Worth
Karen Oehler, Resurrection, Plano
Craig Ongley, Preston Meadow, Plano
Sherree Wood, Messiah, Weatherford
Light reception to follow.
PLMA graduates are invited to wear their collars to the ceremony. Rostered ministers are invited to vest if they desire, color of the day is green.
Global Refuge Webinar: Six Trends We’re Watching in 2026
Global Refuge is hosting a live Zoom webinar on Friday, January 23rd at 12:00pm (CT).
The New Year is here, bringing with it more immigration policy changes and dangerous rhetoric—but also powerful stories of resilience, supportive communities, and innovative solutions for refugees and other immigrants in the United States. Join Global Refuge President and CEO Krish O’Mara Vignarajah and other members of our leadership team as they explore six of the top trends they’re seeing in policy, advocacy, programming, and more. They’ll share how they’re meeting this moment in 2026 and beyond, hear from a past client with a powerful story, and offer ways for supportive communities to make a difference in the work of welcome.
The Work of Welcome
Six Trends We’re Watching in 2026
Date: Friday, January 23, 2026
Time: 12 p.m. CT
Location: Zoom
Lenten Retreat at Calvary Lutheran Church, Richland Hills
You are invited to join Calvary, Richland Hills on Saturday, February 14th from 9a – 3p (7620 Baker Blvd., Richland Hills, TX 76118) for a day of rest, reverence, and recommitment to the renewing power of the season of Lent. Calvary is welcoming The Rev. Lucille “CeCee” Mills to lead their 2026 Lenten Retreat themed “Preparing for Wilderness: Go to the Ant, You Sluggard” on the wisdom of Proverbs 6:6-8. Pr. Mills serves as Secretary of the ELCA, as well as being a certified coach, a Ventures Stewardship facilitator, a Healthy Congregations facilitator and a Bowens Family Systems theory enthusiast. Your $25 registration fee covers the cost of attendance and lunch. Financial aid is available upon request. Register here or at godshearthumanhands.org.
Pr. Mills will also be the preacher at Calvary’s Transfiguration Festival on Sunday, February 15th. All are welcome at the 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 a.m. services.
Featured Resources for January
The ELCA offers a place of welcome for all seeking a congregational home. Your congregations can extend an invitation to neighbors and the surrounding community through the use of these customizable communications tools. Download and use these FREE tools today.
Here is a direct link to Easter communication tools in English.
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:
January 24: Parish Lay Ministry Academy Graduation Service, Good Shepherd, Irving
January 31: Texas Lutheran University Corporation Board Meeting, Seguin
February 7: Synod Council, Zoom
Pastora Bañales:
January 22: ELCA & UMC Fresh Expression Planning Team
January 24: PLMA Graduation, Good Shepherd, Irving
January 25: First Sagrada Familia, Garland
January 29: Brite Divinity School: “The Foreigner Among Us” Bass Conference Center, Fort Worth
February 7: Synod Council, Zoom
Pastor Fitting-Snyder:
January 25: Immanuel, Killeen
February 1: Trinity, Clifton
February 5: Region 4 A2B and Regional Assignment, Zoom
February 7: Synod Council, Zoom
February 8: Faith, Flower Mound
February 15: King of Glory, Dallas
February 20-21: Calvary Lutheran Women’s Retreat, Calvary, Richland Hills
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:
- January 24: Parish Lay Ministry Academy Graduation, Good Shepherd, Irving
- January 27: First Call Pastors Check-In, Zoom
- February 1: Texas Lutheran University Sunday
- February 7: Synod Council Meeting, Zoom
- February 14: Public Witness Team Meeting
- February 19: NT-NL Youth Leader Lunch, Rejoice, Coppell
- February 24: First Call Pastors Check-in, Zoom
- February 27-March 2: NT-NL Youth Confirmation and High School Youth Weekend
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.