Message from Bishop Gronberg

Partners in Mission:

For several years St. Paul-Levelland has hosted a BBQ called “Feed Levelland.” They have in the past received support from our NT-NL Mission Endowment Fund for the program and this year I was pleased to send a gift from my Bishop Benevolence Fund for the program. Below is the report from Pastor Eric Saed…

Feed Levelland @St Paul Lutheran went beautifully this year! We stayed on-plan to serve the same number of folks. Turns out that Feed Levelland coincided with the annual Levelland Community Veterans Day Breakfast this year, so there were some people who came right over from the Mallett Event Center to get a take-home meal for later. The preliminary numbers are: 30 full briskets smoked, trimmed and chopped. 52 lbs. of sausage (a new addition this year), and a count of 367 lunchboxes went out the door.

We ran out of beans & potato salad before meat, so we gave out a number of just brisket & bread servings, too. We took in $2225 in cash donations at the door, and we are still tallying checks, pledges, and other donations but expect to triple the total. All funds will be aggregated & distributed equally to 5 local and regional hunger and social service entities. And, like every year, from “doors open” to “that’s all, folks!” was about 90 minutes.

I set up a small display to promote our Bible Based Recovery meeting and was pleased with the interest it seemed to generate, I pray we’ll see some sprouts from those seeds.

Pr Sean came over from Lockney to help out (they also donated 3 briskets to the cause) and I can’t tell you how much our folks appreciated your donation & the match from the Panhandle Conference. They were touched to know that the Synod not only knows what we’re doing, but that you’re supporting and rooting for us. I thank you yet again, it means a lot to me, too.

Here’s a couple snapshots from yesterday. Enjoy!

As always we are #TogetherInMission

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ELCA Schools and Learning Centers Open Enrollment Period

As a member of the ELEA, you get access to many benefits, one of which is insurance! In the ELEA member group, it’s now Open Enrollment for the ELEA Insurance Benefits program! The program provides valuable options like Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, Dental, and Vision coverage exclusively for employees of ELEA member organizations including church staff!

Key Details:

• Who qualifies? Any staff member working 20 hours or more per week (year-round or seasonal).
• Enrollment Information: All instructions and plan details are available on the ELEA website here: ELEA Insurance – Open Enrollment 
• Deadline: Applications are due by December 6th, 2024. Be sure to distribute the information to your team and start reviewing the options early!

If an employee is enrolling new, please have them fill out the Insurance Application (first-timers only). If an employee is making changes to their existing plan, they’ll need to complete the Change Form (existing only).

If no changes are needed, there’s nothing to do no forms required.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out directly to Jennifer Bond at Nancy Bond Insurance Services or her colleague Monica Cordeiro.

Find more information and register 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:

November 19: Wartburg Seminary Board Committee Meetings
November 21: Dallas Area Interfaith Clergy Assembly
December 1: Installation of The Rev. Kyle Symanski, Calvary, Richland Hills
December 6-9: Hosting Region 4 Bishops
December 8: Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, San Gabriel, Alvarado
December 26-January 3: Family Vacation

Pastora Bañales:

November 21: First Sagrada Familia, Garland
November 22: Thanksgiving Service and Dinner, First Sagrada Familia, Garland
November 23: Community of Hope, Fort Worth
November 25-29: Vacation

Pastor Fitting-Snyder:

November 26: First Call Pastors Check-In, Zoom