In This Edition
Rostered Ministers & Synodically Authorized Worship Leaders Fall Retreat
Mission Endowment Fund Seed’s That Change Banquet
Fall Online Spanish Liturgy Course
DEM Advisory Team Congregational Survey
NT-NL Youth September Newsletter
Gathering Expedition Registration Closes September 10
2025 Synod Assembly Videos
Portico Benefit Members Webinars
Guest Speaker Invitation from Preston Meadow
Latine Ministry Competency Workshop
Lutheran Summer Music by Anne Krentz Organ
NT-NL WELCA Newsletter
Upcoming Ordinations and Installations
Upcoming Events
Prayer Requests
Rostered Ministers & Synodically Authorized Worship Leaders Fall Retreat
What: This is a retreat for rostered ministers and SAWLs in the NTNL synod to be together. We will take time for intentional conversation, workshops lead by synod colleagues, fellowship, recreation/down time, worship with renewal of ministry vows, and open conversation with Bishop Gronberg.
When: Beginning early evening of Monday, October 27th and ending the morning of Wednesday, October 29th.
Where: Spring Lakes Ranch. 3662 Patton Lake Rd, Aquilla, TX 76622. We will be renting out the entire ranch. We will have access to the lake, kayaking, hiking trails, fishing, pickleball court, fire pit, cute farm animals, and more. To ensure the most comfortable accommodations as possible, rooms will most likely be double occupancy and each room will have access to a private bathroom (so encourage your friend to put you as their roommate when registering).
Registration:
Regular Registration Sept. 1 – Oct. 6 $250
Questions: Contact Pastor Kelsey for more information kelsey@ntnl.org
Tickets Now Available for the Mission Endowment Fund’s Seeds That Change Banquet
An Evening of Testimonies, Fellowship, and Faithful Giving
The Northern Texas–Northern Louisiana Synod’s Mission Endowment Fund is pleased to announce that tickets are officially on sale for the Seeds That Change Banquet, to be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Iglesia Luterana Santa Maria de Guadalupe in Irving, Texas.
The Seeds That Change Banquet is an evening devoted to celebrating how God multiplies the gifts we sow. Guests will enjoy delicious food, uplifting fellowship, and spirit-filled testimonies from previous grant recipients whose ministries have been transformed by the support of the Mission Endowment Fund. Their stories are living reminders of the words of the Apostle Paul: “The one who sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6).
This year’s banquet continues the tradition of celebrating bold discipleship, generous giving, and faithful service. Each gift to the Mission Endowment Fund strengthens congregations, fuels innovation, and supports ministries that share the Good News of Christ throughout the NTNL Synod. As James reminds us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17), and together, we give thanks for the ways God calls us to plant seeds of hope and transformation.
Event Details:
- What:Seeds That Change Banquet – An Evening of Food, Fellowship, and Faithful Giving
- When:Saturday, October 4, 2025
- Where:Iglesia Luterana Santa Maria de Guadalupe, Irving, Texas
- Tickets:Now available for purchase ($400 / table or $45 / individual or $80 / couple)
If you are unable to attend, you may still take part in this mission by making a direct donation to the Mission Endowment Fund. Every gift—whether given in person or from afar—helps sow seeds that will flourish into lasting ministry.
This is an evening that nourishes both body and spirit, celebrates the impact of your generosity, and sows the seeds for future generations of ministry.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Hachmeister, Executive Director at mef@ntnl.org
We will learn & have fun together by practicing Spanish language, praying, group practice, and assignments to put your learnings into action.
Target Audience: Adults (Non-Spanish Speakers) Pastors, Deacons, SAWL and Lay members
Focus: Spanish Language Skills, Liturgy Vocabulary, Hispanic Culture awareness; Religious Traditions.
Objectives:
- Introduce key liturgical vocabulary in Spanish
- Explore some of the Hispanic Religious tradition during the liturgical year.
- Practice Spanish grammar and Vocabulary
- Familiarize students with the ELCA Spanish-language liturgies.
Click here to learn more about the Spanish Liturgy program and to register.
To the Church Leaders of the NT-NL,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
As one holy church in mission together, it is the work of the DEM Advisory Team to walk alongside congregations to renew life and vitality within our communities, to encourage faithful stewardship of God’s gifts, and to expand God’s mission in the world. To that end, we offer resources and opportunities for congregations to explore their options as they discern the path of their ministries in the years to come.
To assist with that work, we seek to better understand each context in order to tailor our work to your benefit. As Paul writes, we share in one another’s joys and help one another carry their burdens, so we ask of each church council and each pastoral leader to submit answers to this survey giving a brief overview of your state of affairs.
We will use these results as part of our presentations at the Rostered Leaders Retreat in October, so request that answers be submitted by October 15th.
Link to survey: https://forms.gle/aUTk8n87Lgw2Vnsx5
Any issues with the survey, or if you would like to receive it/submit it in another format, please contact Rev. Sean McConathy by email: stmcco@gmail.com
We also invite you to contact us if you are interested in finding out how what resources and opportunities we can offer. Find us on the synod website: https://www.ntnl.org/resources/congregational-vitality-resource-manual/
We hold you and your communities in our prayers and look forward to working with you in service to the Body of Christ.
DEM Advisory Team
Click here to read about all the NT-NL Youth activities.
If you have any questions about NT-NL Youth please reach out to Maddie Franklin or Janelle Miller.
Links to resources in the newsletter:
Confirmation Retreat
Upper Elementary Retreat
NT-NL Youth Leaders Monthly Lunch
Games We Play Workshop
3rd Tuesday Conversation
NT-NL Youth Website
The Gathering Expedition is a powerful weekend retreat, designed for 8th – 12th grade youth and their adult leaders. Participants will experience space to pause, listen, grow and move. Throughout the weekend, your group will worship, wrestle with big questions and grow deeper connections. It’s a space for young people to explore how God might be working in their lives.
The Gathering Expedition is coming to Lutherhill (La Grange, Texas) on October 3-5. Registration and more information can be found here.
How much does the Expedition cost?
$175 per person. A $50 per-person deposit is due upon registering. All balances must be paid before the end of the registration period of your given experience. The registration fee covers four meals, housing for two nights and a whole lot of fun.
Cancellations received 14 days before the event are eligible for a refund less the $50 nonrefundable deposit. Cancellations received within 14 days of the event are not eligible for a refund.
Faith is on the move. Let’s go!
2025 Synod Assembly Videos
Portico Benefit Webinars
Portico Benefit Members Webinar on 9/3 at 2:00pm (CT)
Topic: Portico Benefits Members Webinar with Rev. Timothy Schroeder
Time: Sep 3, 2025 02:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Meeting ID: 882 5328 2152
Portico Benefit Employers & Treasurers on 9/3 at 6:00pm (CT)
Topic: Portico Benefits Employers and Treasurers Webinar with Rev. Timothy Schroeder
Time: Sep 3, 2025 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Meeting ID: 869 2977 2252
Guest Speaker Invitation from Preston Meadow
About the event:
Dr. Mark Allan Powell presents, “The Happiest People on Earth”
You are invited to Dr. Mark Allan Powell’s presentation, titled “The Happiest People on Earth: Motivating Gratitude & Generosity in a Community of Faith,” on Saturday, October 25, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This is part of Preston Meadow’s 40th Anniversary celebration, and one that you’re not going to want to miss!
How did a Bible professor become a popular speaker on “stewardship” (his least favorite topic)? With good humor and a high degree of self-disclosure, Bible scholar Mark Allan Powell traces his journey from being “a typical church member annoyed by annual fund-drives” to discovering a biblical pathway to gratitude and generosity. He was asked to write a book on the subject and discovered that what the Bible teaches (and what the church should teach) about stewardship is incredibly good news: less about fund-raising than about having a more meaningful life and enjoying a closer relationship with our God. It is all about being grateful and generous: grateful people, Powell says, are the second-happiest people on earth—and grateful people sometimes become generous people, the happiest people of all.
Date & Location:
Sat, 25 Oct, 2025 at 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (CDT)
(Refreshments served at 9:30 AM)
Preston Meadow Lutheran Church
6801 Coit Rd, Plano, TX 75024, United States
This is a free event. No registration required. Call 972.618.2233 with inquiries.
Live-stream will be available at PMLC.ORG/40-YEARS.
Latine Ministry Competency Workshop
Click here to learn more and register.
Lutheran Summer Music by Anne Krentz Organ
Download a new free arrangement from Lutheran Summer Music 2025 by Anne Krentz Organ: Beach Spring for solo instrument with keyboard accompaniment. Based on the well-known shape-note hymn tune, this versatile work is this year’s installment in the LSM Hymn Tune Project and can be performed either in full or as individual movements. Listen and download for free at LSMacademy.org/lsmpress
NT-NL WELCA Newsletter
Upcoming Ordinations and Installations
Brady Fox will be ordained on September 13th at 3:00pm at Our Saviour’s, Durant and installed on September 14th at First Lutheran, Temple.
Upcoming Events
With the ever-changing guidelines and recommendations in our world right now, as we maintain physical distance in social solidarity, please keep in mind these events may be moved online, postponed, or cancelled:
- September 5-6: Synod Council, Good Shepherd, Irving
- September 13: Public Witness Team Meeting
- September 13: Parish Lay Ministry Academy
- September 13: Ordination of Brady Fox, Our Saviour’s, Durant
- September 14: Installation of Brady Fox, First, Temple
- September 18: NT-NL Youth Leader Lunch, Rejoice, Coppell
- September 23: First Call Pastors, Check-In, Zoom
- September 27: NT-NL Youth Confirmation Retreat, Shepherd of Life, Arlington
- October 4: Seeds That Change Banquet, Santa Maria, Irving
For a complete list of upcoming events, you can access our Calendar of Events online.