Message from Bishop Gronberg
Dear Partners in Mission:
It’s synod assembly week! I have been asked many times over the past few days if we were ready for Assembly. My response is “We will be!” This is a vital time in our life together in mission as we gather to worship, hear updates on ministry, participate in elections, and most importantly spend time together as fellow members of the community called synod.
Synod means to walk together. And that is what we do throughout the year but most visibly when we gather together at assembly. So I look forward to seeing you all there. Thank you to Advent Lutheran in Arlington and Pastor Eric Rude for hosting us. Lets get together and be inspired to Go and Make Disciples.
Bishop Gronberg
NTNL’s Mission Endowment Fund Announces 2026 Grant Award Recipients
The Mission Endowment Fund is proud to announce its 2026 grant award recipients, continuing a three-decade legacy of supporting transformative mission work and community outreach initiatives around the world.
This year’s grant recipients represent a diverse group of ministries and organizations dedicated to creating meaningful, lasting change. Through these awards, the Mission Endowment Fund reaffirms its commitment to empowering innovative projects that address spiritual, social, and humanitarian needs.
The NTNL Mission Endowment Fund also announces that applications for the 2027 MEF Grant Awards will be open from October 1 through October 31, 2026, inviting ministries and organizations to apply for funding to support impactful mission initiatives in the coming year.
In addition to recognizing the 2026 recipients, NTNL will celebrate a significant milestone, 30 years of grantmaking impact, at its upcoming Seeds that Change fundraising banquet, to be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026. This special evening will honor past and present partners, highlight stories of transformed lives, and look ahead to the future of mission-driven generosity.
“Over the past 30 years, we have witnessed the incredible ways these grants have supported ministries and communities,” said Jennifer Hachmeister, MEF’s Executive Director. “This year’s recipients continue that legacy with inspiring vision and dedication. We are excited to celebrate this milestone together at Seeds that Change.”
The Seeds that Change banquet will feature:
- Recognition of the 2026 grant recipients
- Reflections on 30 years of mission impact
- Testimonials from grant partners
- Opportunities to invest in future initiatives
Supporters, partners, and community members are invited to join in this celebration of generosity and transformation.
More information about the 2026 grant recipients, about the 2027 application process, or about purchasing tables for the Seeds that Change banquet will be announced at the Synod Assembly.
Saint Olaf, Cranfills Gap Pipe Organ Concert
Saint Olaf, Cranfills Gap, will host Ken Surley on Sunday, May 3rd at 4PM for a pipe organ concert. All are welcome.
Featured Resources for April
The ELCA Church Council adopted a social message about climate care entitled “Earth’s Climate Crisis.” on April 20, 2023. You can access the official message here. Drawing from existing social teaching, social messages provide theological rationale and social analysis to foster discernment and engagement on a relatively narrow social issue. This project was authorized in light of the grim contemporary situation affecting our global home and the need for fresh action on the part of this church. It draws its framing themes from several social statements, particularly Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice.
The ELCA has collaborated with ecoAmerica’s Blessed Tomorrow program, a faith community initiative that empowers climate action and advocacy. This is a program by people of faith, for people of faith, offering ideas, tools, and language that are familiar, compelling and effective in addressing climate change. It provides resources that put us on a path to a positive future while maintaining the distinct voice of the ELCA.
Blessed Tomorrow offers a campaign to help you answer the call to strengthen your congregation and care for creation in ways that are inspiring, fulfilling, and accessible. Join One Home One Future, a multi-faith campaign to strengthen vitality, relevance, and community connection across generations in local congregations nationwide. Be part of a visible effort to invite creation care and climate action, no matter if you are just getting started or already engaging.
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:
April 24-25: Synod Assembly, Advent, Arlington
April 26: Central, Dallas
April 28-30: Field Day PTA Captain, Westcliftt Elementary, Fort Worth
May 4: First, Longview Meeting, Synod Office, Irving
May 8: Journal of Lutheran Ethics Advisory Council
May 9: Parish Lay Ministry Academy
May 16-19: Wartburg Seminary Board of Directors
May 23: First Communions/Confirmations, First Sagrada Familia, Garland
Mary 24: Affirmation of Baptism, Trinity, Fort Worth
May 30: First Communions/Confirmations, San Gabriel, Alvarado
Pastora Bañales:
April 24-25: Synod Assembly, Advent, Arlington
April 28: Latinx Pastors Meeting
Pastor Fitting-Snyder:
April 21: Leading Worship Workshop, Baylor University
April 24-25: NT-NL Synod Assembly, Advent, Arlington
April 26-May 1: Vacation
May 3: Covenant, Temple
May 7: Region 4 Assignment Meeting
May 17: Good Shepherd, Irving
May 24: Covenant, Temple
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:
- April 24-25: Synod Assembly, Advent, Arlington
- May 9: Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Spring 2026, English and Spanish
- May 9: Public Witness Team Meeting
- May 15: NT-NL Youth Leader Lunch, Rejoice, Coppell
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.