• The ELCA Draft Social Statement on Genetics.
• Many of the reports submitted to the Synod Assembly from officers, staff, agencies and institutions.
• The list of six courses being offered at the upcoming Living DiscipleLife Festival on Saturday, April 24, at the Synod Assembly in the Amarillo Civic Center.
  • Missional Congregations
  • The Millennial Generation
  • Building a Stronger Youth Ministry
  • Ethics of Food
  • Dancing in Worship and other lessons of Global Accompaniment
  • Generosity vs. Anxiety: Stewardship on the Rocks?

• Congratulations to Dr. Richard Nelson (Perkins School of Theology, SMU) who has been awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award by Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio, in recognition of his exemplary service to the church.
• Deadline: April 30.  If you complete your Health Risk Assessment (HRA) survey online at the EmbodyHealth web portal (part of the ELCA's connection to the Mayo Clinic), you can help our synodwide congregations earn a 2% discount in health premiums.  The HRA is simple and helpful -- it takes only 10 minutes -- and gets you $150 wellness dollars to use toward your out-of-pocket medical expenses.  Or you can choose not to take the HRA and throw your $150 to the wind.
• ThanksGiving Square in Dallas established the modern day observance of the National Day of Prayer.  This year's event features Dr. William Lesher as speaker on the topic, "How America's Freedom to Pray Affects the World's Freedom to Pray".  Dr. Lesher is past president of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and chair of the Pariament of Religions.  The luncheon takes place at the Tower Club in Dallas at noon of May 6.  To learn more, click here.
• The ELCA World Hunger program makes available small grants (up to $2,000) to assist hunger teams to support the work of ELCA World Hunger.  The grants can be used to fund activities such as fundraising, campaigns, educational events, advocacy efforts and/or organizing efforts.  Applications for "Volunteer Support Grants" are due by May 3.  Info contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Announcements from previous editions:

• Briarwood Retreat Center has announced plans for a Gala Dinner and Auction, For the Love of Camp, in celebration of its 15th anniversary of ministry and service in the NT-NL Synod: May 7th. Put it on your calendar.
• Support for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone:  At the Synod Assembly this April we will (1) hear from our synod's Pastor-in-Residence, Pastor Kate Warn, in a general report on her experience in Sierra Leone; (2) attend (optional) her presentation on "Global Accompaniment"; (3) use our assembly offerings to support her ministry and to help pay for shipping a container full of supplies to Sierra Leone; and (4) stuff the container full of medical equipment, carpenter tools and other items described on the special handout posted on the homepage of ntnl.org.
• The Nelson Children's Center in Denton has plans for their Caring for Kids event, Saturday, May 1.  The event benefits the abused and neglected youth at the center and will be held at the Delaney Vineyards in Grapevine.  It includes wine and Hors Doeuvres at 5:30 p.m. and a live auction at 7 p.m.
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• Exploring Seminary (an online course), Wartburg, April 5 - May 14.
• Spring Convocation, LTSGettysburg, April 20-21.
• Luther Academy of the Rockies, June 21 - July 1.
• Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, June 20-23.
• Lay School of Theology, LTSGettysburg, June 20-26 & July 25-31.
• Disability and Theology, LTSGettysburg, July 12-16.
• Center for Parish Development, July 22-24.