Message from Pastor Fitting-Snyder

Find the joy. 

These are the three words that are on the cover of my paper planner (yes, I still use a paper planner). I customize the front of my planner each year with words that I need to remember, and I do see these words every day. Amid the business of life, grief, and life changes – find the joy – is the reminder that we all need from time to time.

What exactly is joy? We tend to recognize it when it shows up, yet we might overlook its many forms. At times it feels like an emotion, at others a deep conviction or a daily practice. Joy can burst forth in celebration or linger quietly in the background. It unfolds in layers and shifts with the seasons of our lives. It can even mingle with other feelings—hope, grief, uncertainty, peace, or pain.

Whether in our jobs, our church life, or family life, when deadlines are pressing, we struggle to get along, and the weeks run together, finding joy is hard and takes energy, and sometimes we need others to hold joy for us when we can’t. Here is where I have found joy in call as Bishop’s associate this past month. 

The Installation of Bishop Tracey Breashears Schultz in the Gulf-Coast synod. A service filled with joy, hope and anticipating. 

The ordination and installation of Pastor Brady Wayne Fox. Our Saviour’s in Durant, the community that raised him in the faith rejoiced in this milestone and First Lutheran in Temple rejoiced as they welcomed their new pastor. 

We hosted the Tri-Synodical First call retreat at Montserrat Retreat Center in Dallas. It is a joy and privilege to walk with Pastors and Deacons in their first three years of ministry. 

I was invited to preach and help bless the animals at Messiah in Weatherford. It is hard not to find joy in the excitement of a dog, a backpack of kittens, or in the face of kids holding a snake. 

Psalm 30:5 reminds us: Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning. In our lives, there are times when joy is hard to find. The timing of joy’s arrival is often out of our control, bound to circumstance. God does not expect us to always carry joy in equal measure. Although suffering is not a prerequisite for joy, it can allow us to recognize joy in ways we might not have otherwise. Find the joy. 

Peace,

Pastor Kelsey

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The September 2025 Mission Support Memo offers a glimpse into Mary’s path from accompaniment to advocacy as a Young Adults in Global Mission in Mexico City. Mary had her sights set on YAGM from early on and was eager to engage in this ministry. She was introduced to the core values of mutuality, inclusivity, vulnerability, empowerment and sustainability, allowing her and all YAGMs to explore what it means to join ongoing ministries — to serve, to learn and to share. Learn how, through her YAGM year, Mary grew in her passion to work for justice and give dignity to all God’s children. We encourage you to also check out a new initiative of the ELCA, the Church Property Resource Hub, developed in response to requests from synod and congregational leaders for support in navigating the challenges and opportunities that buildings and land present for both congregational vitality and the broader mission of the Church.

Click here to read the September Mission Support Memo.

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:

October 19: Central, Dallas
October 26: Abiding Grace, Southlake
November 9: Grace, Fort Worth’s 120th Anniversary

Pastora Bañales:

October 16: Conferencia Latina AI Workshop, San Gabriel, Alvarado
October 17-19: Conferencia Latina Adolescents Retreat, Cedar Hill
October 23: ELCA Collective Team DEMs Meeting
October 25: Conferencia Latina Workshop: Councils, Church Secretaries, Spanish PLMA
October 26: Emanuel, Dallas
October 27-29: Rostered Minister and SAWL Retreat, Aquilla, TX
October 30: ELCA Spanish Coaching Team Meeting

Pastor Fitting-Snyder:

October 19: First United, Dallas
October 26: Salem, Rosebud
October 27-29: Rostered Minister and SAWL Retreat