Message from Pastora Bañales

Since 2006 the Spanish speaking churches in our synod have had the need and love for the Latina Women to be together and share our sorrows and Joys. 

This past weekend 38 women from the NT-NL Synod Conferencia Latina gathered for our 19th Latina Women’s Annual Retreat at Saint Raphael Camp Retreat Dallas. 38 Women with different backgrounds, religious beliefs, social status, mental, physical, and emotional abuse. Our theme was RESCATANDO TUS VALORES CON EL AMOR DE DIOS/ ” RESCUING YOUR VALUES WITH THE LOVE OF GOD

Leaders from different churches lead Devotionals reminding us of God, how important we are as Women, how important is our Identity, our Faith, our Voice, our human being! We were anointed, Blessed and Claimed daughter of God. 

Our speakers were Linda Soto, LPC talked to us about Family Behaviors; mental health. She is a member at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Dallas and Daniela Barrios LCSW Clinical Social Worker, talked to us about Mental Emotions. She is Pastor Jose Rodriguez’s wife from First Sagrada Familia, Garland. DEM Rev Irma Banales: Talked about our values, personal Identity, Self Love, and How  God invites us to Love each other. 

We prayed, cried, and laughed. This time together helped us to reconnect and to remember the two most important commandments:  Matthew 22:37-39  Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 

We Closed our Retreat with worship service; remembering, encouraging what is needed in our lives: stay strong in our faith, having a daily relationship with God, loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. Luke 10: 41-42 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

We are grateful for Linda and Daniela sharing their gifts with the Latina Conference Women’s Retreat. We are grateful to the Mission Endowment Fund Board for their annual financial support, we are grateful to our Bishop Gronberg for his spiritual support, and we are grateful to God for creating us more precious than jewels.

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Join the Mission Endowment Fund on Saturday, October 4th at Iglesia Luterana Santa Maria de Guadalupe in Irving. This powerful evening will bring together a community of hope-filled believers committed to planting seeds of sustainable change in ministries across the synod.

Tickets go on sale in August. Find more information here.

Did you miss LSM 2025?

No problem—LSM On Demand has you covered! You’re invited to revisit over 30 concerts, recitals, and worship services from Lutheran Summer Music 2025, all available to watch in our Livestream Archive at LSMacademy.org/on-demand. From breathtaking performances to inspiring worship, there’s something for everyone—don’t miss the chance to experience it all!

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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:

July 26-Aug 2: Churchwide Assembly, Phoenix, AZ
Aug 3- Sep 1: Sabbatical

Pastora Bañales:

July 23: ELCA Memorial Response Team Meeting
July 30: Latinx Couples Retreat Planning Team

Pastor Fitting-Snyder:

July 22: First Call Pastor Check-In, Zoom
July 23: Region Four Bishop Associate’s Meeting
July 27: Faith, Flower Mound
August 7: Region Four Consultation
August 10: Resurrection, Plano