Message from Bishop Gronberg

Dear Partners in Mission:

The weekend of September 11/12th we held our synod council meeting at Good Shepherd-Irving. In this meeting we did good work planning around our new starts resolution, authorizing various roster actions, hearing about the good start we have in 2026 for mission support (THANK YOU!), and spent time in worship. We also learned more about our relationship to Lutheran Sunset Ministries in Clifton, TX and how we can support them as the only Lutheran named retirement community in Texas.

We also reflected that we were meeting on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A moment that claimed thousands of lives and changed the trajectory of our world. As we gathered we reflected on this day and its impact on us and our communities. What was most interesting is when we discussed where we were on that day. I shared that I was in my first year of seminary classes and had just dropped a prospective student at the airport only to hear 30 minutes later about the attacks. Others recalled being at work or driving to work or school. Another was in 3rd grade in a school in Northern Virginia and the teachers were instructed to say nothing to the students as many of their parents worked in government buildings around DC. Finally, another said “I was 3 years old.”

9/11 means a great deal different to us all. What struck me there is that this is what the church is to do. We are one, if not the only, organization that intentionally brings generations together. Together to worship, to learn, and to grow in service to Christ and our neighbors. While within the church there have been efforts over time to segregate the generations, at our best we are always multigenerational. Hearing from one another and the perspectives we bring. When we embrace that we can understand there is not one definitive perspective on how to interpret or experience. And that we, despite much of the rhetoric of our time, are enriched when we listen to one another.

This fall I encourage you to engage others whose perspective, for whatever reason, may be different than yours. To resist the easy calls to demonize or blame. Engage not for the purpose of talking but for listening. For in that listening we grow and we might just experience God’s presence in our neighbor.

#Juntosenmision,

Bishop Gronberg

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If you are a sponsoring organization it’s time to consider which health benefit option your organization will offer for 2027. EmployerLink Annual Enrolment opens October 1-14. Sponsored member Annual Enrollment begins October 19th.

By offering Portico’s bundled health, retirement, disability, and life insurance benefits, you help support the body, mind, and spirit of the ELCA’s rostered ministers and church staff.
Portico recognizes this year’s cost increases may require difficult decisions for many organizations. Please use their resources to help. Thank you for the important role you play in caring for those who serve.

5 Ways to Help Your Organization:

1. Share the Decision Guide and Benefit Cost Estimator on the EmployerLink Annual Enrollment Center with other decision-makers in your organization.
2. Talk with your sponsored members about which ELCA-Primary health benefit design best meets their needs: Copay or high-deductible health plan (HDHP). The four health benefit options are:
   Select Copay
   Select HDHP
   Value Copay
   Value HDHP
3. Decide on the ELCA-Primary health benefit option and any health savings account (HSA) contributions your organization will provide. The employer HSA contributions will be received by sponsored members who elect a HDHP option.
   Why make an employer HSA contribution? While optional, employer HSA contributions can help sponsored members manage their out-of-pocket costs and build savings for future health care expenses.
   If your sponsored members are waiving ELCA health benefits or are on Medicare:
   You still must make an ELCA-Primary health benefit election during Annual Enrollment. The health benefit you choose applies to:
   ELCA-Primary-eligible family members of those you sponsor
   Employees who enroll in health coverage mid-year
   Any eligible new employees called or hired in 2027
4. Mark your calendar to enter your election online Oct. 1 – 14.*
5. Encourage your sponsored members to explore their 2027 benefit options. Their Annual Enrollment period begins Oct. 19.**

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 22-26: Conference of Bishops, Chicago
September 27: Redeemer, Greenville
October 3: MEF Seeds that Change Banquet
October 4: Central, Dallas
October 8-10: Wartburg Seminary Board, Dubuque, IA

Pastora Bañales:

September 22: Planning Team: Conferencia Latina Couples Retreat
September24: New Starts Training SAWL and SAWC
September 30: DEM Advisory Team Meeting
September 30: Santa Maria, Irving

Pastor Fitting-Snyder:

September 27: St. John, Bartlett
September 28-30: First Call Retreat, Episcopal Center, Mustang Island