In This Edition
Message from Bishop Gronberg: AI Webinar August 12
Support for victims of Earthquakes
Drawing Water: Leadership Reflections from Pastor Nathan Swenson-Reinhold
Upcoming Ordinations and Installations
Upcoming Events
Prayer Requests
Message from Bishop Gronberg
Dear NT-NL Leaders:
At our Synod assembly in April we highlighted the work that has been done with AI technology in our partnership with Solace and the ELCA Innovation Lab. This has resulted currently in our “Lutherbot” AI Assistant which many of you have used. 16 congregations in NT-NL now have the AI Assistant on their website and our PLMA students have utilized it as well. To learn more about AI and how it is impacting our lives we invite you to a webinar on August 12 from Noon-1pm. Information about this event is below. and the link is https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89115016117?pwd=bCX5mR9UId8SwVELT6uaaZbqI9YxVZ.1
Learn.AI: What Every Church Should Know About Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is no longer a future technology—it is already shaping how people search for information, ask questions, and engage with the world around them. That includes the Church.
Join us for Learn.AI, a free webinar designed for pastors, church staff, lay leaders, and members of NTNL congregations. Whether you’re excited about AI, skeptical of it, or simply curious, this conversation will provide an accessible introduction to what AI is, how it works, and the important questions the Church should be asking as this technology becomes part of everyday life.
Together we’ll explore:
- What generative AI is (and what it isn’t)
- How AI systems are trained and why that matters
- The opportunities and challenges AI presents for ministry
- The ethical and theological questions every congregation should be considering
- LutherBot and what makes a governed AI assistant different from commercial AI tools
The webinar will be led by Rev. Dr. Andy Morgan, Director of Faith Formation at First Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, and Director of Theological Experience and Formation at Solace. Andy has helped churches across the country develop AI fluency and discern faithful approaches to emerging technologies.
Tuesday, August 12
12:00–1:00 p.m. Central Time
Whether you’ve never used AI before or are already experimenting with it, you’ll leave with a better understanding of this rapidly changing technology and how the Church can engage it faithfully and thoughtfully.
We hope you’ll join us.
Support for Victims of Venezuelan Earthquakes
The earthquakes in Venezuela have caused much suffering. As always, when disaster strikes around the world we encourage you to supper Lutheran Disaster Response (www.lwr.org) and the amazing work they do. However, in this situation we have direct ties to those suffering through the work of Emanuel-Dallas and their connection with the Venezuelan refugee community. Below is a letter from the Emanuel Community and ways you can support. As always, we intend our work to be long term support and grateful for Emanuel’s commitment…
Dear Bishop Erik,
Thank you so much for your continued support and for always being willing to walk alongside us in times of need. We are truly grateful to know that we can count on you and on our Synod.
Pastor Irma will be visiting Emanuel this Wednesday as we gather with members of the Venezuelan community. Our congregation has been accompanying many of these families since they first arrived in Dallas, and our first priority at this stage is simply to listen to them, hear their stories, and remind them that they are not alone. We want them to know that their church family stands with them in this difficult time.
We are also planning to begin receiving donations of first aid supplies and other essential items that can be transported by airplane. Because of the logistics involved, this will be a long-term effort rather than an immediate shipment. At this time, our greatest priority is to keep the people of Venezuela constantly in our prayers while we continue discerning the most effective ways to help.
Thank you for your generous offer to include this effort in the Synod Leader News. At this point, we would appreciate inviting our churches to join us in praying for the people of Venezuela, especially for the survivors, their families, and all those providing humanitarian assistance. As our plans develop and we have more information about future shipments and specific needs, we will gladly keep you informed. We are also grateful for the possibility that the Synod Disaster Fund may be able to assist with future shipping costs.
Venezuela stands today between deep pain and enduring hope. May we continue to pray for healing, justice, peace, and for all those who continue to suffer.
Thank you again for your partnership and your faithful support.
Peace,
Blanca Illades
Emanuel Lutheran Church
Drawing Water: Leadership Reflections from Pastor Nathan Swenson-Reinhold
Drawing Water is a short monthly reflection for congregational leaders across the Northern Texas–Northern Louisiana Synod. These reflections attend to the lived realities of leadership—clarity, fatigue, conflict, discernment, and resilience. Like windmills on the plains that quietly draw life from below the surface, this series invites leaders to slow down, reflect, and remember that leadership was never meant to be carried alone.
July’s article is “Leading When the Noise Fades”. You can read the reflections in English and Spanish here.
Upcoming Ordinations and Installations
July 12, 1:30pm: Installation of Rev. Austin Nickel at St. Matthew, Waco
July 26, 4:00pm: Installation of Rev. Violeta Del Aguila-Siguenza at New Life in Christ, Duncanville
August 8, 11am: Ordination of Rebecca Chase at Preston Meadow Lutheran Church (called to Emmanuel Lutheran, Granbury)
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:
- July 6-9: Rostered Ministers Gathering, Indianapolis, Indiana
- July 11: Public Witness Team Meeting
- August 8: Public Witness Team Meeting
For a complete list of upcoming events, you can access our Calendar of Events online.