Commissioned Hymn Wins Prize
A commissioned hymn celebrating the visionary – missional leadership of The Rev. Kevin Kanouse during his term as Bishop of the NT-NL Synod, 2000-1016, has won a prize and will be presented at the LutheranArts Reformation Hymn Festival on Sunday, July 9, in Minneapolis, MN.
Proclaim the Love that Breaks Down Walls (available for purchase at this link)
Christine Kallman, Text Writer / Dan Kallman, Composer
Based on an original tune that is noble and expansive, this anthem is for SATB with organ accompaniment. After a majestic introduction, the women’s and men’s voices are featured separately. Four part writing follows, including an (optionally) unaccompanied section. A contrasting developmental verse, “Oh Spirit breathe a gentler way…” gives way to the concluding verse for unison with descanting sopranos. The text is an exhortation to unity, love, and peace.
Youth Gathering Updates
Houston, TX
June 27 – July 1, 2018
Just one year until the gathering! All worshipping communities need to turn in the name of their primary leader to Janelle (contact info below), if they have not already done so.
For group leaders: Financial assistance is available for the 2018 Gathering. The application for financial assistance opens July 15. Assistance is given based on the financial need of an individual and their family. Group leaders should apply on behalf of their young person, using the same congregational ID that they use when registering for the Gathering. Up to $300 per person may be provided. Please email the Gathering office should you have additional questions about financial assistance.
For those youth who want to go but don’t have a group, Bishop Gronberg will be leading a Synod group. Contact Janelle for more details.
Gathering Synod Coordinator is Janelle Miller (janellemiller@yahoo.com) 817-726-7031
Effective Camp Research Project
Research funded by Siebert Lutheran Foundation and others documents impact of Lutheran summer camp experience. READ THE FULL REPORT.
The Christian summer camp experience directly impacted the participants in empirically recognizable ways, and these impacts extended to their supporting networks. This is the major finding of Phase One of this project. Participants experienced real and identifiable changes that were interpreted in overwhelmingly positive terms. Parents were generally content if their children had fun and were kept safe at camp, though many expressed surprise and joy at camp’s positive impacts. There is evidence that these changes continued after the camp experience. The positive impacts varied in degree and type among the participants, indicating that camp does not have a single determinative outcome but rather a set of potential impacts. The data show…that the camp model, when faithfully practiced, opens the possibility for change in individuals and their supporting networks. The degree and duration of the impacts are unique to the individual participants and are largely dependent on their specific life circumstances. The potential impacts are directly related to the five fundamental characteristics of the camp experience:
- Camp is relational.
- Camp is participatory.
- Camp is different than home.
- Camp is a safe place.
- Camp is faith-centered.
Looking for a camp like this within our own synod?
Check out Briarwood!
Featured Resource for July
Reformation Anniversary planning and promotional tools are available on ELCA500.org. These include:
- Anniversary logo for use in official congregation and synod Reformation anniversary activities
- Anniversary ideas for developing activities
- Ideas for promotion, including samples from congregations
- Promotional PDF posters to fill in and communicate activities
- Promotional postcard for communicating the website and social media
Connect with ELCA 500 on Facebook and Twitter.
Save the Date
NT-NL Synodical Women’s Organization (SWO) Fall Retreat
October 13-15
For details and updates: https://www.facebook.com/events/774590642690679/
Women from all over the NT-NL Synod are coming together for a spiritually enriching weekend October 13-14 (with the option to stay over until the 15th), and are encouraged to bring a friend. The retreat begins Friday afternoon at 2:00.
Where in the world is?
Bishop Gronberg:
- Jul 4 – Fourth of July Worship, Four Mile, Mabank
- Jul 8 – Ordination of Matthew Schroeder, Normandale Lutheran, Edina, MN
Pr. Totzke:
- Jul 2-9 – Vacation
Pra. Bañales:
- Jul 8 – Installation of Edy Santos, Adviento, Arlington
- Jul 9 – Good Shepherd, The Colony
Upcoming Events
- Jul. 8: Public Witness Team monthly meeting
- Jul. 13-16: “all anew” Women of the ELCA Tenth Triennial Gathering
- Jul. 21-23: The Bold Gathering (Lutheran Men in Mission)
- Aug. 7-10: ELCA Rostered Ministers Gathering
- Aug. 12: Public Witness Team monthly meeting
- Aug. 12: NT-NL SWO Retreat
- Aug. 19: MEF Board meeting
- Aug. 26: NT-NL SWO Board Meeting
- Sep. 9: Public Witness Team monthly meeting
- Sep. 10: “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday (ELCA Day of Service)
- Sep. 16: PLMA, Fall 2017, Course 1
- Sep. 21-23: Synod Council meeting
- Sep. 25: “Revisiting the 95 Thesis” (Luther Center of North Texas)
- Sep. 29-Oct. 1: Junior High Retreat
Access our full online Calendar here. Updates made regularly.
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit to the Synod office (MissionOffice@ntnl.org) for consideration for our next NT-NL News.
Looking for information in past NT-NL News? Find NT-NL News archives here!