Message from Pastora Bañales

On May 7 we started the Spring Online Spanish Liturgy led by Pastora Connie Ortega; she is a bilingual Spanish teacher at Arlington High School also serving as the mission developer for Adviento, Arlington. We appreciate her participation by teaching the Spanish Liturgy.

This class brings together leaders from across the NT-NL Synod; Central, Dallas, Hope, Springtown, Emmanuel, Granbury, Dean of the Parish Lay Ministry Academy Jeanne Heggen, Rev Alicia Thompson-Summers and our Synod Vice-President Don Heller. The Spanish Liturgy sessions are designed for those who don’t yet speak Spanish but want to expand their ministries, build deeper relationships and grow int language and cultural awareness.

At the first session we introduced the ELCA Spanish liturgy, Basic Spanish vocabulary, overview of the four sessions. Assignments were given to participants! At the second session we talked about the some of the Hispanic Religious Traditions and grammar and vocabulary. We introduced a couple of videos about: Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe celebration on December 12 (Feast of Virgin of Guadalupe and her origin story), “Las Posadas” refers to a Christmas tradition in Mexico and Latin American countries that reenacts the journey of Mary and Joseph searching for lodging in Bethlehem where Jesus could be born. The tradition involves a procession, singing, and often a piñata, celebrated in the days leading up to Christmas They take place on nine nights from December 16 to 24.

At our next two sessions we will explore the seasons of Lent and Epiphany, the last sessions the participants will present a specific Hispanic Liturgy celebration such as a Quinceañera ( XV a 15th birthday celebration for girls/boys) or Dia de los Muertos service. These traditions have spiritual meaningful ways to shape faith and community.

Thanks to NTNL Mission Endowment Fund for the grant we received to make these sessions possible! Please contact Director for Evangelical and Mission Rev Irma Banales: irma@ntnl.org if you are interested in learning more.

Fall Online Spanish Liturgy Courses

October 8, 15, 22 & 29!

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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 1: St Luke’s, Richardson
June 1: Ordination of Connie Ortega, Adviento, Arlington
June 4-7: Wartburg Seminary Board Meeting, Dubuque, Iowa
June 7: Lutheran Hymn Festival Gathering, White Rock Lake, Dallas
June 8: Ordination and Installation of Christine Cracchiolo, Abiding Grace, Southlake
June 22: Immanuel, Kileen
June 29: Grace, Carrollton

Pastora Bañales:

May 28: Online Spanish Liturgy Course
June 1: Emanuel, Dallas
June 1: Adviento, Arlington
June 2: Spanish Coaching Team
June 4: Online Spanish Liturgy Course
June 16-23: Vacation
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 1: Ordination of Connie Ortega, Adviento, Arlington
June 8: Christ, Dallas
June 8: Ordination and Installation of Christine Cracchiolo, Abiding Grace, Southlake
June 22: Trinity, Clovis and St. Paul, Levelland