Message from Bishop Gronberg
Dear Partners in Mission:
This past weekend was full of events that demonstrate how we do this work #InMissionTogether. On Friday and Saturday your synod council met at Good Shepherd-Irving. We were in-person fully for the first time since 2019. The executive team and myself decided that while we will continue to utilize online tech for various meetings (including our February meeting where weather is often a factor) and do hybrid meetings as well, with so many new people on the council we needed to be together physically to do our work, get to know one another, and worship together.
In particular our worship together was exceptionally meaningful. To be in the beautiful space of Good Shepherd, singing and sharing the Eucharist, along with those who came from across the synod reminded us our true unity is in God’s gifts of grace poured out for us. In our meeting we had the opportunity to hear from the new ELCA Churchwide VP Mr. Imran Siddique via Zoom (using tech to connect him with us from Atlanta). Reflecting on his life journey Irman emphasized that for him becoming a Lutheran was about just that, grace. God’s grace poured out and shared. A reminder for us that we should never take that message we have for granted.
We also talked about God’s abundance being poured out by the Briarwood Legacy Endowment. Registration for the ELCA youth gathering kicks off on September 15th. If you haven’t made plans do so quickly. We are able to provide $525 in assistance for each of the first 200 youth registered. So please take advantage of that abundance. Also a reminder that youth, grades 1st-8th, attending an ELCA camp next summer can receive a 50% scholarship. It is a blessing to be able to provide these opportunities.
We do this work together. Thank you for your prayers and generous support for your congregation and our shared work. As we move into the fall season may God bless your work and ministry.
In Mission Together:
Bishop Gronberg
Seeds That Change Fundraising Banquet
We look forward to celebrating with you at our next Seeds that Change fundraising banquet! Each year, this gala offers an opportunity to celebrate our grant recipients and to raise money to support our next group of grant award recipients. This year Calvary, Richland Hills hosts our gala on October 7, 2023 at 6:30pm.
Tickets are on sale now! The cost is $45 per person or $300 per table for a group of eight (8) people. Payment accepted: Check (payable to NT-NL) or Zelle (office@ntnl.org).
Respond by email to mef@ntnl.org or by mail at :
Mission Endowment Fund
NT-NL Synod of the ELCA
2620 W Grauwyler Road
Irving, Texas 75061
Unable to attend? We hope that you open your heart and challenge yourself to donate that perfect & unique item for auction. We encourage you to look within your congregation to support small business. Purchasing a gift certificate from a fellow member to be auctioned off is fantastic way to bolster our church. Trust me, the small business owner remembers their supporters!
Sponsorship opportunities are also available! Direct Inquiries to mef@ntnl.org
We look forward to celebrating with you on October 7, 2023!
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?
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. Given the rise of breakthrough infections and in order to protect those gathered, the synod staff will choose to wear masks as is deemed appropriate unless preaching or presiding and sufficient social distancing can be provided.
Bishop Gronberg:
Sep 17th: Redeemer-Greenville Fellowship Hall Dedication
Sep 23rd: Ordination of Cheryl Herreid, Rejoice, Coppell
Sep 25th: King of Glory-Dallas 65th Anniversary
Sep 26-30th: Conference of Bishops
Pastor Totzke:
Sep 17: New Hope, Keller
Sep 23: COW Conference Gathering
Sep 24: Grace, Slaton 100th Anniversary
Sep 25-27: Tri-Synodical First Call Pastors Retreat, Gonzales, TX
Pastora Bañales:
(As she transitions back from her sabbatical, which ended on August 31, visits are being added almost daily that may not be noted in the weekly news through September.)
Sep 13-15: Stewardship of Life Institute, Gettysburg, PA
Sep 18-19: Meeting with Mission Developers and Redevelopers
Sep 20-23: Women of the ELCA Tri-Annual Gathering, Phoenix, AZ
Sep 23-24: Conferencia Latina: Couples Retreat, Burleson, TX
Sep 24-26: ELCA Candidacy Working Group, Chicago, IL
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:
- Sep 17: MEF Sunday
- Sep 26: First Call Pastors Check-in, Zoom
- Sep 28: Cultivating Compassion Session 9: Unsettling Truths, Online
- Oct 5: Transitional Pastors Meeting, Zoom
- Oct 7: Seeds That Change, Calvary, Richland Hills
- Oct 14: Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Fall 2023, Course 2, Zoom
- Oct 14: Public Witness Team Meeting, Zoom
- Oct 24: First Call Pastors Check-in, Zoom
- Oct 26: Cultivating Compassion Session 10: A People’s History of the United States, Online
Access our full online Calendar here. Updates made regularly.
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit to office@ntnl.org for consideration for upcoming editions of our weekly news.