The 2016 NT-NL Prayer Partners can be found at ntnl.org/2016PrayerPartners, or you can download the PDF here (updated 01/18/16).
One meeting left in Conferences with Potential Nominees:
- Saturday, Apr. 9, at the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Mission Center at Briarwood – Metro West Conference (1-3 pm) / Latino Conference (3-4 pm)
For more information, please visit BpElection.ntnl.org or email the Bishop Election Committee at BpElection@ntnl.org.
Camp Noah is seeking volunteers for their Texas summer camps
Click here for more information: Congregational Volunteers – TX
The Lutheran becomes 
The March issue of The Lutheran will be the last under this name. Beginning with the April issue, the magazine will be called Living Lutheran and have a new look.
You can continue to expect a cover story and features that lift up the mission and ministries of our church. You can expect to receive news, information, and resources. Some departments will continue while new ones will be added, including a family page, featured resources, and digital media. The website will include articles from the print edition and original content, such as blogs and breaking news. It will not have a paywall.
From our brothers and sisters throughout the ELCA:
“In the midst of Lent, our neighbors cry out with weary hearts as heavy winds, floodwaters and tornadoes have affected many regions of the U.S., especially Louisiana and Texas. We anticipate more devastation in the days and weeks ahead….
Your gifts to respond to these U.S. spring storms through Lutheran Disaster Response will work to bring God’s hope, healing and renewal to those who have been affected. Together, we stand with synods, congregations, pastors and Lutheran-affiliated social ministries as we work together to respond….
Gifts designated…will be used in full (100 percent) until the response is complete to help disaster survivors recover and rebuild their lives. Your generous offerings of prayer and financial support will help address the unmet needs of those affected.
Join [us] in prayer and partnership, and use this bulletin insert in your congregation to help spread the word and support those who need rest.”
Read how others across the ELCA are doing God’s work with their hands in Stories of Faith in Action. Have a story to share about how your congregation or ministry is living their DiscipleLife? Let us know: jason@ntnl.org.
Have You Taken Your Health Assessment?
The start of a new year reminds Portico health plan members and spouses to take their health assessments by logging into their My Portico accounts. Completion of the assessment earns you $150 in wellness dollars, with the opportunity to earn $250 more in follow-up activities. Taking the assessment also helps the mission area reach its 65% participation goal, saving your congregation 1% in health contributions.
Board of Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest elects officers
(L to R: Belinda Schmidt, Rodney Rueter, Deanna Christensen, Pam Vetter, John Edward Dellis)
Click here for more information: NewsReleaseMarch2016
Administration Matters
Do you receive this newsletter from the ELCA? Subscribe here.
There is an incredible amount of information in the March 2016 Issue alone. Topics include crime prevention, data security, taxes, the Energy Stewards Initiative, and more!
Don’t miss the Fortress Spring Book Sale!
Save 50% on nearly 2,000 titles now through March 31!
SPOTLIGHT: A Multi-Faith Discussion Guide for the Film
The movie Spotlight offers a glimpse into the investigation by reporters from The Boston Globe as they uncover the history and scope of child sexual abuse by priests in the Archdiocese of Boston. This reporting, and their subsequent stories, led to a Pulitzer Prize for The Globe, and broke open a world-wide scandal involving thousands of clergy and tens of thousands of victims.
The film offers a wonderful opportunity for faith communities to openly discuss the impact of child sexual abuse and address the steps that we can take to ensure safe communities for children and others who are vulnerable.
To that end, FaithTrust Institute has created a multi-faith discussion guide, focusing on four themes that are relevant to faith groups. They also included text studies for communities to explore how these traditions discuss individual and community responsibility.
Join FaithTrust Institute on April 6 for a free one-hour webinar about SPOTLIGHT & how faith communities can use the film to explore important issues.
Download the discussion guide, as well as other resources, for free.
Texas Lutheran University
2016 Spring Choir Tour
Under the direction of Dr. Douglas R. Boyer, director of the TLU School of Music and Choral Activities, the TLU Choir, Women’s Choir and Kantorei Chamber Choir will perform in three locations in April:
- Kinsmen Lutheran Church, 12100 Champion Forest Dr., Houston – April 7, 7:30 p.m.
- St. Peter Lutheran Church, 100 N. Promenade St., Hallettsville – April 8, 7:30 p.m.
- Chapel of the Abiding Presence, TLU – April 12, 7:30 p.m.
All performances are free and open to the public; no tickets are required.
Conversations on Creation
The mission of Lutherans Restoring Creation is to promote incorporation of care for creation into the full life and mission of the church, working in five areas: worship, education, discipleship, building & grounds, and public ministry/advocacy.
The Lutherans Restoring Creation team invite you to a series of web meetings to talk about creation. Planned as regular monthly meetings, usually held the last Sunday of each month, conversations will be on topics both environmental and theological. Recent meetings were on the State of the Land (Feb. 28) and the State of the Plants (Mar. 13). Upcoming meetings:
- Apr. 24, 6:00 pm – Ben Johnson & Kathryan Hokamp – State of the Animals
- May 29, 6:00 pm – Colby May – Energy Conservation
Please contact Lisa Brenskelle if you would like an invitation to the meetings.
The 500th anniversary of the Reformation is an opportunity to rejoice in the life-giving, liberating power of the gospel. As part of the observance, we invite you to attend the Grace Gathering, in partnership with the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Early registration pricing available through April 30.
Upcoming Events in the NT-NL Mission Area and Beyond:
- Apr. 3: Sunday Brunch at Briarwood
- Apr. 5-7: Young at Heart Retreat
- Apr. 9: Metro West Conference / Latino Conference conversations with Potential Nominees for Bishop
- Apr. 22-24: NT-NL Mission Assembly
- May 14: Briarwood Gala
- May 29-Jun. 3: LSPS Spanish Language and Hispanic Ministry Level I Intensive
- Jun. 12-17: LSPS Building Congregational Capacity for Hispanic Ministry Level II Intensive
- Jun. 20-30: Lands of Luther Tour
- Aug. 8-13: ELCA Churchwide Assembly
- Aug. 10-13: ELCA Grace Gathering
- Sept. 11: “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday
- Sept. 17: Installation of the new NT-NL Bishop
- Oct. 17-19: 2016 Bishop’s Convocation
- Oct. 31: Lutherans, Catholics plan joint commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit them to Jason O’Neill (jason@ntnl.org) for consideration for our next NT-NL News. Remember to include a picture or logo.