Dear Partners in Mission:
Today I had the privilege to sign the checks for the first batch of camp scholarships being provided by the NT-NL Synod, ELCA through our Briarwood Legacy Endowment.
Through the wise stewardship of this Endowment we are able to offer support for camping and mission trips. The endowment will pay 50% of the cost of camp enrollment (currently over $700/week) or 50% of mission trip cost (up to $350/participant). The endowment also will provide funds for congregations offering an onsite day camp run by Cross Trails or Luther Hill staff, up to 50% of the cost of the camp.
Last year the endowment provided $90,000 in such scholarships. Today we sent checks for $36,000 in our first round of funding. Congregations that submit now will receive funds May 15th. The endowment also supports clergy renewal/sabbatical grants for our leaders and other opportunities for those in candidacy. We are grateful for this gift.
Congregations can apply for these funds at https://www.ntnl.org/briarwood/briarwood-scholarship/
The investment we in NT-NL made in Briarwood continues to pay dividends for our synod. Rather than asking for financial support we are now able to generously share God’s abundance with our communities and support camping in Texas and most importantly faith formation in our congregations.
#JuntosenMision,
Bishop Gronberg