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Ordination/Installation of Eric Saed, Nov 14/15

| Bishop Gronberg’s Blog By

November 14/15 was a #milesandmiles weekend across our territory of NT-NL Synod, ELCA . On Saturday we celebrated a great day as Eric Saed was ordained into the ministry of Word and Sacrament. Eric was raised up by Shepherd King, Lubbock for ministry. He is another NT-NL pastor created by our lay education systems and investment in TEEM ministry. So we gathered on Saturday the 14th of November to ordain Eric and give thanks for God’s call on his life.

He will serve across state borders at Trinity, Clovis, New Mexico, and St. Paul, Levelland, TX. Eric also has connected with and grown our work with the Church of the Damascus Road prison ministry and recovery ministry for those struggling with substance abuse. So on Sunday, the 15th of November, I crossed over into New Mexico and, along with our Panhandle Conference Dean the Rev. Arlyn Lloyd (Oslo, Gruver), installed him into this role.
The territory of NT-NL is significant and impacts a wide demographic of communities. I preached at Trinity, Clovis today on the text appointed for the day. The parable of the talents. I reminded myself and the community that God’s extravagant gift of the gospel isn’t something to be buried but shared. The challenge is when we share it we never know who might show up. The call that the Rev. Eric Saed has received and our church’s openness to that call is an exemplar of that. Of the work of our Bishop’s Associate Kris Totzke in managing each candidate’s process in response to their call and that of the needs of the church. We are continuing to grow in understanding that God’s call comes to many, it is our challenge to find ways to faithfully respond.

As I drove 1,000 miles of NT-NL this weekend to be a part of these events I had much time to pray and reflect. To give thank for our Parish Lay Ministry Academy, for the TEEM program, for the investment we have made in leadership at Briarwood Leadership Center. All of these indicate our openness in NT-NL to the work of the spirit. Moving forward, even in pandemic, ordaining 6 candidates in 2020, to serve God’s church and keep our talents activated, never buried in the sand. #NTNL #BWTX #InMissionTogether