Message from Pastora Bañales
Last week we started the Season of Lent of penitence and preparation for the Three Days of Holy Week and Easter. It is important to mention that also this month we honor Black History Month. I’m sharing the ELCA Sumud’s 2026 Lenten series, “Body of Christ”, we are invited to reflect on Paul’s proclamation that “we who are many are one body in Christ” (1 Corinthians 12).
I invite you to pray for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world. It’s been over a year our Latino families had been under persecution, and this past Sunday Mexico has suffered the loss of many innocent people through the actions of organized crime. Nevertheless, we continue sharing the good news to these communities and fulfilling the call of God to serve the foreigners, the sick and the unfortunate.
Thank you for your continued prayers for the life and mission of this church.
Black History Month, we honor the sacrifices of men and women who stood boldly for justice, equality, and freedom. Lord, bless the legacy of the ancestors. May their stories inspire us to walk in purpose, unity, and love. Help us to break barriers, uplift one another, and build a future rooted in dignity and opportunity for all. Give us wisdom to continue the work of justice.
Give us compassion to heal what has been broken. Give us faith to believe that change is possible.
May this month not only be a remembrance of history, but a celebration of culture, excellence, resilience, and hope. Praise God for our siblings in Christ around the world who are of the same loving Creator, redeemed by Jesus Christ and united in a global community of faith nourished and sustained by the Spirit. Pray that God will help us discover new ways to work together, share resources and nurture leaders to share the gospel and serve our neighbors in need — everywhere. Remember in prayer our companion churches, siblings in Christ and neighbors in Mexico, Palestine and other countries. Amen.
In the body of Christ, no member can be dismissed or deemed expendable. This series lifts especially Palestinian Christians as an inseparable and equal part of the Body of Christ, whose witness and oppression demand our attention and solidarity. Through prayer, scripture, and devotionals, we will explore how each member of Christ’s body has distinct gifts and responsibilities, yet is bound together in mutual care, accountability, and love. ELCA Sumud was honored to accompany the 2026 Bishops Solidarity delegation, and throughout this series you will hear reflections from ELCA Bishops on their experience in accompaniment, conversation, and relationship with our partners and siblings in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. In a time of profound injustice and violence in Palestine, this series calls the church to repentance from indifference, to listening across borders, and to faithful action, trusting that when one part of the body suffers, all suffer together. God calls upon the whole body of Christ to work together for justice, dignity, and peace.
This series of six devotions will be available FEBRUARY 1 on the ELCA Sumud webpage
Considering Your Call Weekend at Wartburg Theological Seminary
Learn more about Wartburg Theological Seminary’s in-person discernment weekend “Considering Your Call”. This will be in-person, on campus on March 20th-22nd. This is a time where folks who are interested in ministry leadership can have intentional space to discern their call and learn more about seminary education.
Lutheran Summer Music Deadline Approaching
Youth musicians from across the country are headed to St. Olaf College this year for the 2026 Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival (LSM). Students in grades 8-12 will be immersed in a supportive community that nurtures their musical growth, and invites them to share their musical gifts in performance and in worship. The Standard Enrollment deadline is March 1, and spots are filling fast. Do you know young musicians who would thrive at LSM? Nominate them today at LSMacademy.org/nominate, or remind them to submit a free application by March 1 at LSMacademy.org/apply.
Featured Resources for February
Celebrate the bold women in your life. Bold Women’s Day–observed the first Sunday of March –celebrates all Lutheran women who have acted or are acting boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ. Some women are bold in their unceasing prayers. Other women are bold in their service to those in need. Still other women are bold in their advocacy or through their hospitality. Whether we live out our bold story of faith in the workplace, family, home, or community, our faith compels us to make a difference in the lives of others. It’s all about living out our baptismal call, about being a disciple of Christ. Resources can be found here: https://www.womenoftheelca.org/bold-womens-day
March 8, 2026 is International Women’s Day
When we give, we gain. Together, let’s help forge gender equality through abundant giving. The International Women’s Day 2026 Give To Gain Campaign encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration. Give To Gain emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support. When people, organizations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. Giving is not a subtraction, it’s intentional multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise.
Whether through donations, knowledge, resources, infrastructure, visibility, advocacy, education, training, mentoring, or time, contributing to women’s advancement helps create a more supportive and interconnected world. What will you Give to Gain gender equality?
Resources can be found here: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/
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:
March 3-7: Conference of Bishops, Chicago, IL
March 18: Central, Dallas
Pastora Bañales:
Pastor Fitting-Snyder:
March 7: Installation of Pastor Jerry Nordsiek, Grace, Carrollton
March 8: Trinity, Clifton
March 22: Faith, Flower Mound
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:
- February 24: First Call Pastors Check-in, Zoom
- February 27-March 2: NT-NL Youth Confirmation and High School Youth Weekend
- March 14: Parish Lay Ministry Academy, Spring 2026
- March 14: Public Witness Team Meeting
- March 19: NT-NL Youth Leader Lunch, Rejoice, Coppell
- March 24: First Call Pastors Check-In, Zoom
- March 28: Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest Board Meeting
Access our full online Calendar here. Updates made regularly.
Save the Date
- April 24-25, 2026: Synod Assembly, Advent, Arlington
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit to office@ntnl.org for consideration for upcoming editions of our weekly news.