Message from Bishop Gronberg

Dear Partners in Mission:

Today marks the 9th day of our 2024 NT-NL trip to Germany. Along with lay members from several congregations my spouse Kendra and I are also joined by seven NT-NL rostered leaders who have never had the chance to make such a trip. This is made possible in part by the Disciplelife Alive Endowment and also by the Briarwood Legacy Endowment. Providing continuing education opportunities to enrich and deepen understanding for our leaders.

This trip has been entitled “Witnessing History.” The idea is to help those who are on the trip to not spend time romanticizing Luther and the 16th century. But instead to learn from his witness and how our reformation heritage calls us to be witnesses. Witnesses who live into the greek root of this word, martyria, those who tell the story and live the faith.

On this trip we are both learning about Luther but also spending time thinking about his wife Katie and the other reformers. As well as we will be visiting Buchenwald Concentration trip, witnessing to the horror of fascism and what can happen when the church endorses Christian Nationalism. Buchenwald also was where Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German Lutheran pastor who helped found the confessing church and also participated in a plot to assassinate Hitler, was held prior to being transferred to Tegel prison where we was hung. We also spent time in Leipzig visiting the St. Nicholaus Kirke and learning about the “Pray for Peace” movement that in the 1980s spoke up for human rights in the face of communist oppression and helped bring down the Berlin Wall.

All of these experiences are to hopefully give us context and courage to witness in our lives today. To remember our faith is not to be passive and that we can make a difference. That God calls us to witness and to be different. This is not easy work. But it is our calling this and each day. I ask for your prayers for safe travel as we complete this journey.

#TogetherInMission:

Bishop Gronberg

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Synod Assembly Keynote Speaker Session 1

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May Mission Support Memo

This month the Mission Support Memo follows the journey of Parkside Lutheran Church, nestled in North Buffalo, NY, where over the last six years they have been experimenting, risking, and building connections to show “God’s doors are open for all” and all are invited to come early and stay late! You are invited to a webinar on Monday, May 20th to hear “STORY MATTERS” from Rev. Heather Roth-Johnson, a storyteller, a public speaker, a workshop leader, a writer and in general just a creative soul. Read the memo here!

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:

May 27-June 6: Synod Trip, Germany
June 7-8: Wartburg Seminary Board, Iowa

Pastor Totzke:

June 7-11: Vacation
June 15: Candidacy Committee, Synod Office

Pastora Bañales:

May:27-June 6: Synod Trip, Germany