Message from Bishop Gronberg

Dear Partners in Mission:

In less than 6 weeks our church will gather in Phoenix, AZ for our our tri-annual churchwide assembly. At that assembly your elected NT-NL voting members will join with 900+ others from around our country to do the work of this expression of our church. Part of what we will do in 2025 is elect a Presiding Bishop and a Secretary for the ELCA Churchwide expression.

In preparation for these elections a pre-identification process was approved by our ELCA Church Council. In this process churchwide voting members were invited earlier this spring to identify up to three individuals they believed had the gifts for these offices. Those individuals were then contacted and offered the opportunity to let their name be known to the church and answer several questions about their experience and perspectives on leadership in the church. That material was released last week and can be found here.

Several people I deeply respect asked me if I would be willing to have my name put forward and I agreed. As you can read in the materials in the above link I believe firmly in both the external and internal call. Those individuals who encouraged me to complete the materials for the pre-identification process have extended to me the external call. I am still struggling with whether I have the internal call to this office or if this position would work for my family life. Additionally, I have a deep sense of affection for the communities of NT-NL and respect that you have called me to this office I currently hold. However, I submitted the materials faithfully trusting that God will lead and guide us.

As I have looked over the materials of the others who have faithfully put their material forward I have a few reflections…

1. We are church with faithful leaders who are willing to be bold enough to share themselves and their experience. For that we should give thanks.
2. That said, I am disappointed that only 7 individuals were willing to share these materials for the office of Presiding Bishop. I know many others were asked to put their names forward. We have a piety in our church to not be seen as “seeking an office.” This was an opportunity to be transparent that an individual might be open to this call. That would speak to a healthier church.
3. The focus on board service is misplaced. Serving as a bishop is not a board position. It is a pastoral position focused on service of the church and congregations. While the churchwide expression is an institution it cannot and should not be led as a corporate board.
4. Ultimately the first ballot in Phoenix will be the nominating ballot. No doubt there will be among the leading candidates many others than these 7 who have the support of various coalitions or organizations of our church.

We are a political body. A body of the people when we gather as assembly. I invite you into prayer for those who have been willing to be identified as well as prayer for the individual God is preparing to take this role. The next Presiding Bishop will play a pivotal role in shaping what the ELCA will or won’t be in the future. Frankly, their work will likely shape whether there is an ELCA in the future.

Thank you for your commitment to our work together. God bless you in your congregations and we are…

#JuntosenMision,

Bishop Gronberg

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Message from Pastora Bañales

The Gospel is good news for everyone—but too often, our churches struggle to reflect the full diversity of God’s people, especially when it comes to neurodiverse youth and adults. That’s why the ELCA Evangelism Network invites you to our next monthly gathering: “Creative Connections and Supportive Spaces for Neurodiverse Youth and Adults,” led by Rev. Carla Christopher, on Monday, July 28 at 3 PM EST.

This conversation will explore how congregations can move beyond accommodation into celebration—creating environments where neurodiverse individuals aren’t just welcomed but seen, heard, and empowered to lead. Whether you’re a ministry leader, educator, parent, or ally, this session will equip you with:

– Insight into neurodiverse experiences within church settings
– Practical tools for creating inclusive worship, education, and fellowship
– Creative ideas for engagement that go beyond traditional models

Rev. Carla Christopher brings a unique and deeply experienced voice to this topic. As Assistant to the Bishop for Justice Ministries for the Lower Susquehanna and Delaware-Maryland Synods, Vital Congregations Training Coordinator and a member of the Evangelism Network Leadership Team, Region 8 Coordinator for Racial Justice and LGBTQIA+ Cultural Competency Trainings, Justice Ministry Trainer with Kindling Faith at United Lutheran Seminary, Co-Chair of the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church, Speaker, consultant, and poet, Rev. Carla is also a neurodiverse leader in the church who lives with ADHD while integrating pastoral care, justice-rooted theology, and real-world strategies for neurodiverse individuals that transform theory into action.

There is much we can learn from our siblings in Christ across the nation curating sensory friendly worship and faith formation spaces. Just a few favorite ideas from neurodiverse people and faith and families/guardians of neurodiverse youth include;

1. Adjusting the environment for dimmer lighting in warmer hues and avoiding strobe effects, offering a variety of seating options that may include rocking chairs or soft cushions for comfort and sensory items like fidget toys or textured materials, controlling the volume of microphones and speakers and investing in sound equipment that minimizes distortion, and providing quieter spaces with audio/video feed for those needing a break from main spaces
2. Clear communication and preparation support that includes detailed schedules and timing of events with explanations of possibly unfamiliar terms, flexible options for engagement that may include Zoom or small group gatherings, and systems for feedback and suggestions or requests
3. Community support from trained volunteers where breaks and proactive self-care are encouraged and transparent sharing about needs and boundaries is modeled and practiced regularly

We meet on the 4th Monday of every month at 3 PM Eastern, and each gathering is open to all—pastors, lay leaders, congregants, and curious newcomers alike. Whether you’ve been with us for years or this is your first time, you and your friends are especially invited to join us as we grow together in courage, clarity, and compassion.

You and your friends are warmly encouraged to join this inclusive, inspiring space. If you have any questions or would like the Zoom information: Please contact DEM Rev. Irma Banales at Irma@ntnl.org

For more information reach out directly to Jaren Lorenz at j.lorenz@faithce.com

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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:

June 29: Grace, Carrollton

Pastora Bañales:

June 24: Annual Women’s Retreat Planning Team, First Sagrada Familia, Garland
June 26: PODER Latinx Adolescents Fall Retreat Planning Team
June 29: St. Luke’s, Richardson
June 30: Digital Spanish Coaching Training

Pastor Fitting-Snyder:

June 24: First Call Pastors Check-In, Zoom
July 6: Good Shepherd, Irving
July 12: Candidacy Committee, Zoom
July 13: Preston Meadow, Plano
July 20: Immanuel, Killeen
July 27: Faith, Flower Mound