Message from Bishop Gronberg

Dear Partners in Mission:

Sunday night a fast moving line of storms crossed over the NT-NL territory. With it came rain, lightning, and thankfully very few other weather related issues. It also brought lower temps and hopefully fall is now here to stay. As we are fully into the fall activities in our churches and communities it can be hard to think about next year. Yet that is important as well. 6 months from now we will be gathering for assembly, we pray the first one in person since 2019, at the campus of Paul Quinn College in Dallas, April 29-30, 2022.

We also are planning for and working on the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering. This amazing event occurs usually every 3 years, this time delayed to 2022 but again happening in Minneapolis, MN. As we did in 2018 we will have a bishop’s group for congregations with 3 or few youth attending. We will provide the planning, adult sponsors, and transportation for a fixed cost to allow these young people to attend. Information about that and the gathering is included below.

But before we get to that, this Saturday we have a big event to celebrate and raise funds for our Mission Endowment Fund. Over the past few weeks you have seen 20 inspirational videos shared by leaders across our synod encouraging you to be generous in supporting this mission and ministry of the NT-NL synod. We are blessed to have an endowment that enables our synod to be innovative and adaptive. This resource helped us in 2020 by supporting congregations unable to get PPP loans in the wake of the pandemic. It annually supports over $80,000 in mission and ministry new offerings as well. I encourage you to take part in this online event Saturday and be generous in your gifts. https://giftedandgiving.org/

Fall reminds us to give thanks. This fall I give thanks for you and the work we do together.

In Mission Together,

Bishop Gronberg

2022 Gathering Info Sheet | Bishop’s Group info page

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A People of Hope: Until All Are Fed

You’re invited to celebrate World Food Day with “A People of Hope: Until All Are Fed,” featuring Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and guidebook author and travel TV host Rick Steves. This online benefit for ELCA World Hunger will take place on Thursday, Oct. 14, at 7:30 p.m. Central time. Special guests include the Rev. David Beckmann, who is being honored for his lifelong service to end hunger; the Rev. Rebel Hurd; Willie and Anne Langdji; and the Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla. There will also be performances by Rachel Kurtz, Peter Mayer, and the St. Olaf Choir.

As a church, we remain focused on supporting our neighbors near and far as the pandemic continues disrupting and impacting lives. At this event, you will learn about the ways ELCA World Hunger is responding. Register today.

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MEF Grant Applications

Applications (due October 31) are now being accepted for 2022 Grants to support NT-NL projects and ministries. Information is available at https://www.ntnl.org/ministries/mef/grant-application/. Contact Linda Ness for more information: mef@ntnl.org or 682-429-3446.

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Where in the world is?

Across a context as wide and different as NT-NL, the reality of Covid-19 is very different. As such, NT-NL synod staff are doing more in-person Sunday visits for worship and occasional meetings. However, as good stewards of time and travel dollars, we will be utilizing online meeting formats into our new hybrid future. Until we can assure everyone in attendance at a meeting are vaccinated, in order to protect those gathered, the synod staff will continue to wear masks unless preaching or presiding and sufficient social distancing can be provided.

Bishop Gronberg:

Oct. 17: Immanuel, Killeen
Oct. 18-20: Leadership Convo (Briarwood and Online)
Oct. 31: Confirmation Celebration, Abiding Grace, Southlake
Nov. 7: Installation Service at Zion, McGregor
Nov. 9: Speaker for White’s Chapel United Methodist, Southlake Men’s Group
Nov. 21: Retirement celebration for Rev. Gordon Illausky (Christ the Servant, Allen)
Nov. 28: Gloria Dei, Garland

Pastor Totzke:

Oct. 14-20: Vacation
Oct. 31: Walnut Hill, Farmers Branch
Nov. 1-3: Region 4 Bishops’ Associates Retreat, Galveston
Nov. 7: Installation of Pr. J. T. Miller, Zion, McGregor
Nov. 13-14: Lubbock for meetings at both Shepherd King and Gloria Dei
Nov. 21: Hope, Comanche

Pastora Bañales:

Oct. 12: NT-NL Synod Mission Developers and Redevelopers Gathering, and Leadership Formation workshop: PLMA, SSTE, TEAM program with Latinx Conference
Oct. 14: ELCA Mission Support Strategy Team, ELCA Christian Community & Leadership meeting, and ELCA Mission Developers Training (all online)
Oct. 16: PLMA
Oct. 18-20: Leadership Convo (Briarwood and Online)
Oct. 21: Meetings with pastors, ELCA Mission Developers Training, and NT-NL Congregational Council Session
Oct. 22: NT-NL Renewal Team meeting
Oct. 25: ACC Coaching Training
Oct. 26: DEM Meeting
Oct. 28: ELCA Mission Developers Training, and NT-NL Congregational Council Session
Oct. 30: Quinceańera (XV) at First Sagrada Familia, Garland
Oct. 31: Reformation Sunday, Emmanuel, Granbury
Nov. 1-3: Region 4 DEM’s Retreat hosted by NT-NL Synod
Nov. 4: NT-NL Congregational Council Session
Nov. 5-8: Personal Days
Nov. 11: NT-NL Congregational Council Session
Nov. 13: Quinceanera (XV) at First Sagrada Familia, Garland
Nov. 14: New Start, Adviento, Arlington
Nov. 16: Latinx Conference Gathering, Adviento, Arlington
Nov. 18: NT-NL Congregational Council Session
Nov. 20: PLMA