Message from Pastora Bañales
What is happening in NT-NL in October?
TOGETHER in Mission- JUNTOS en Mision!
New Start Latinx Young Adult Ministry
PODER ( People of Devotion Encouraging Renaissance, started on August 2022
They started on august 2022 we invited young adults from the Latino Conference to hear them out the reason why they stopped coming to church?…
That day 35 Latino Young Adults met and had conversations among themselves. They got excited and motivated, They decided to start something according to their context and the need.
In 2024 our Synod council approved this ministry as a Synodical Authorized Outreach Ministry. They meet on Wednesdays via zoom, and on Sundays in person. They have participated doing fund raising for different non-profit organizations. They were invited by the TLGC synod to share with them how PODER does outreach. They were invited by the ELCA to the Mission Developers training to encourage other synods to do outreach among the diverse communities.
On October 3-5, 2025 they are having their annual gathering. Please continue praying for this ministry.
+ Spanish Liturgy for non-Spanish speaking people!
October 8, 15, 22, & 29, 2025
+ “CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY & COMMUNITY VITALITY” Fresh Expressions 4 Sessions:
October 18, 2025, November 15, 2025, January 24, 2026, and February 7, 2026
Click here to register for these sessions.
Blessings + Bendiciones: DEM Rev Irma Banales
Last Call to RSVP: Seeds that Change Fundraiser – October 4, 2025
Santa Maria de Guadalupe, Irving, TX
The countdown is on! The Northern Texas–Northern Louisiana Synod’s Mission Endowment Fund (MEF) invites you to join us for our annual Seeds that Change gala on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Santa Maria de Guadalupe Lutheran Church in Irving, TX.
This unforgettable evening will feature moving testimonials, joyful fellowship, and the chance to fuel ministries that bring hope and transformation across our Synod. Together, we’ve already invested more than $1.2 million in grants—and this year, with your support, we can grow the good even further.
Don’t miss it—RSVP today! Seating is limited, and we want you at the table as we celebrate God’s abundance and boldly plant seeds for the future.
Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
Santa Maria de Guadalupe Lutheran Church, Irving, TX
6pm
Reserve your place now and be part of the harvest!
RSVP & Info: mef@ntnl.org
Mission Endowment Fund Grant Applications Open October 1, 2025
Investing in Ministries That Grow the Good
“It is God who provides seed to the sower and bread for food and will also supply and increase your store of seed and enlarge the harvest of your righteousness” (2 Corinthians 9:10).
The NTNL Synod’s Mission Endowment Fund (MEF) will begin accepting applications on October 1, 2025 for its annual grant awards program.
Since its founding in 1996, the MEF has awarded more than $1.2 million to ministries across Northern Texas and Northern Louisiana, helping mission projects take root and flourish. Over the past 29 years, these grants have made a wide impact, supporting:
- Creative children’s and youth faith formation
- Prison ministry programs offering hope and restoration
- Music and worship enrichment
- Community outreach and online worship expansion
- Retreats and renewal ministries strengthening leaders and congregations
In addition to sustaining established ministries, the MEF is committed to encouraging bold new initiatives, especially those led by young adults. The Spirit often stirs new vision in the hearts of the next generation. Our call is to nurture that courage and provide the resources needed to help those seeds grow into strong and lasting ministries.
As Jesus reminds us, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed… though the smallest of seeds, when it grows, it becomes a tree” (Matthew 13:31–32). So, it is with these grants—small seeds that grow into ministries of hope, love, and transformation.
To help ministry leaders navigate the process, MEF Executive Director Jennifer Hachmeister and Grants Chair Steve Maziarz will host open Zoom forums where applicants can ask questions about guidelines and applications:
- Tuesday, September 30, 2025 @ 6:30pm — Join Zoom
- Tuesday, October 7, 2025 @ 6:30pm — Join Zoom
- Friday, October 10, 2025 @ 2:00pm — Join Zoom
For more information or application support, contact Executive Director Jennifer Hachmeister at mef@ntnl.org. During the application season, the MEF team is especially attentive to inquiries and eager to assist.
“Let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
August Mission Support Memo
The August 2025 Mission Support Memo provides a picture into the 2025 Churchwide Assembly where almost a thousand ELCA Lutherans made their way to toasty Phoenix, AZ, to gather July 28 to Aug. 2. Hear about what a joyous, thoughtful and busy week it was for the voting members who considered resolutions, memorials and social statements and also elected a new presiding bishop and secretary to lead our church for the next six years. Assembly also included a NEW ELCA Mission Support video available for all to learn what mission support does and to share with others. Each memo ends with words of gratitude and this month we express how extremely grateful we are for all the people who made Churchwide Assembly run successfully.
Featured Resources for September
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month —a time to raise awareness of this stigmatized, and often taboo, topic. September is used to shift public perception, spread hope and share vital information to people affected by suicide. The goal of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and other advocacy groups is to ensure that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.
For more information and resources for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month go to the National Alliance on Mental Illness’ website.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988, go to 988lifeline.org/chat or text NAMI to 741-741
Where in the world is?
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:
September 27-28: Celebration of Ministry of Diana Smith, Trinity, Fort Worth
October 3-7: Installation of ELCA Presiding Bishop and Conference of Bishops
October 9-11: Wartburg Seminary Board Meeting
Pastora Bañales:
September 21-24: Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference, New Orleans
September 24-27: ELCA Missional Leadership Training Conference, Chicago
September 29: Stewardship of Life Institute Board Meeting
Pastor Fitting-Snyder:
September 29-October 1: First Call Retreat
October 4: Candidacy Meeting
October 4: Mission Endowment Fund Seed’s That Change Banquet
October 5: Messiah, Weatherford
October 19: First United, Dallas
October 26: Salem, Rosebud
October 27-29: Rostered Minister and SAWL Retreat
Upcoming Events
With the ever-changing guidelines and recommendations in our world right now, as we maintain physical distance in social solidarity, please keep in mind these events may be moved online, postponed, or cancelled:
- September 23: First Call Pastors Check-In, Zoom
- September 27: NT-NL Youth Confirmation Retreat, Shepherd of Life, Arlington
- October 4: Seeds that Change Banquet, Santa Maria, Irving
- October 11: Parish Lay Ministry Academy
- October 11: Public Witness Team Meeting
- October 14: Congregation Constitutions 101, Zoom
- October 16: NT-NL Youth Leader Lunch, Rejoice, Coppell
- October 19: Lutheran Hymn Festival, Dallas
- October 27-28: Rostered Minister and SAWL Retreat, Spring Lakes Ranch, Aquilla, TX
Access our full online Calendar here. Updates made regularly.
Save the Date
- April 24-25, 2026: Synod Assembly
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit to office@ntnl.org for consideration for upcoming editions of our weekly news.