Message from Bishop Gronberg

Dear Partners in Mission:

Last week marked the first time in several years we had a fall rostered/authorized leaders continuing education retreat. It was a very good time to be together to worship, learn from one another, and share fellowship. I am grateful to our Bishop’s Associate the Rev. Kelsey Fitting-Snyder and her team who put this opportunity together.

Being together reminded me of times in the past that we have had events and how these have changed over time, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Our patterns of gathering and meeting have changed as has our world. We have become as a society more divided and divisive in our politics. Leaders spend more time talking about their political opponents flaws than laying out solutions.

This reflection reminded me of January 2021 and our online tri-synodical gathering for leaders focusing on the thought of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. In particular Bonhoeffer as a Lutheran and public figure. Part of that learning was his clear thought on the relationship of the church and the state. How they provide balance and checks for one another. The church has a role and is not to attempt to create a theocracy, gaining political authority. The state also has a role to provide good government and should not attempt to manage or manipulate the church.

However, when either one fails to do its job it is the proper role to hold one another accountable. This is the situation we find ourselves in today. The failure of our national government to find a solution to fund its obligations, resulting in a shutdown, has caused harm to the people of our nation. This harm is being done while leaders point fingers at one another in an unbalanced debate, one party controls the Executive Branch and both Houses of Congress, about who is to blame.

As of November 1st vital nutrition benefits like SNAP are cancelled or underfunded. For those of us in Texas our state has an “Economic Stabilization Fund” of over $28.5M, much of which is undesignated and could be used to ensure nutrition benefits are not denied. These benefits also bring economic value as they enable the purchase of produce and other agricultural products that support our farming families.

Over 42 million Americans receive SNAP benefits. If you do not believe you personally know of anyone receiving these benefits you probably do, but the stigma of receiving assistance keeps them from revealing it. Our churches are stepping into the breach again, as they do every month. At Good Shepherd in Irving where the synod office is located we as synod staff see the daily need and the hard work this parish puts into their food pantry and feeding ministries. Service multiplied in congregations across our synod and the entire church.

In so doing we fulfill our biblical mandate to feed the hungry in our midst. We expect the same of our elected leaders and to provide accountability is the right and proper work of the church today.

#InMissionTogether,

Bishop Gronberg

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You’re invited to nominate a student for LSM 2026! Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) is a faith-based residential music academy for high school students (grades 8-12) who come together from all over the country to immerse themselves in musical excellence and build an intentional, supportive, and FUN community. LSM 2026 takes place at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN from June 21-July 19 (Full Session) or June 21-July 3 (Half Session). Priority Enrollment is open now through December 1. Nominate students at LSMacademy.org/nominate, and watch and share this LSM Experience Video to learn more!

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:

November 9: Grace, Fort Worth’s 120th Anniversary
November 16: Central, Dallas
November 22: Adult Confirmations, Iglesia Santa Maria, Irving
December 6: Texas Lutheran University: Verne Lundquist Athletic Center Dedication, Seguin

Pastora Bañales:

November 2-6: ELCA DEM’s Fall Gathering, Chicago
November 7-9: ELCA Spanish Coaching Training Team, Los Angeles, CA
November 15: Conferencia Latina Conflict Management Workshop, Santa Maria de Guadalupe, Irving
November 16: Immanuel, Killeen
November 20: ELCA and UMC: Fresh Expressions Planning Team Meeting
November 20: NT-NL DEM Advisory Team Meeting
November 20: ELCA and Mexico Spanish Coaching Digital Working Team Meeting
November 21: Conferencia Latina Thanksgiving Dinner, Santa Maria de Guadalupe, Irving
November 24-30: Vacation

Pastor Fitting-Snyder:

November 6: Region 4 Consultation
November 9: Installation of Pr. Eric Rude, Advent, Arlington
November 12: Racial Justice Training, Zoom
November 16: Faith, Flower Mound
November 18: Assistant to the Bishop Portal Training, Zoom
November 21-25: Vacation
November 30: Covenant, Temple