Vision for Briarwood
Last month, a group gathered at Briarwood to welcome the new Director and find out more about the future of the Leadership Center at Briarwood.
Here is The Rev. Robert Smith’s message to Briarwood supporters:
Dear friends,
It is a great pleasure to be with you here today at Briarwood. It is good to see so many faces I know, and even better to make the acquaintance of new friends.
We are gathered here to celebrate our shared commitment—to the thriving, sustainable mission of Briarwood as a camp, a retreat center, and as a leadership center as well as to the love of God in Christ Jesus that we encounter in different ways when we are here together in this space.
My goal in this short time speaking with you is to share a little about where I think Briarwood is headed. What I say here is more of a conversation starter rather than a definitive plan. I am always eager to hear constructive feedback and new ideas. And even if your ideas have been around for a while, share them with me again because I’m new!
Click here to continue reading.
Fit and Faithful
Living Lutheran‘s January cover story looks at how wellness programs enrich and extend congregations’ ministries. By participating in these programs, parishioners can improve their health, build community, and grow in their faith. From yoga to cardio activities to exercise drumming and more, this story covers the many ways wellness programs are becoming important parts of congregational life. Read the article and participate in discussion with a corresponding study guide.
Vote for Briarwood
Time to vote Briarwood the best Summer Camp in Flower Mound for 2019! Click on the link in the previous sentence or on the image above, go to Flower Mound, fill out the brief survey, and add Briarwood Retreat Center as your favorite summer camp. Voting closes March 15.
Featured Resources for February
Lifting Up and Supporting Women
Bold Women’s Day—observed annually on the fourth Sunday of February—celebrates all Lutheran women who have acted or are acting boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ. Some women are bold in their unceasing prayers. Other women are bold in their service to those in need. Still other women are bold in their advocacy or through their hospitality. Whether we live out our bold story of faith in the workplace, family home or community, our faith compels us to make a difference in the lives of others. It’s all about living out our baptismal call, about being a disciple of Christ.
Click here and scroll about halfway down the page for additional resources.
March 8 #BalanceForBetter
Better the balance, better the world. How will you celebrate women’s achievements on Friday, March 8, while calling for a more gender-balanced world?
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. International Women’s Day has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. Click here for more information, links to planned events, resources, and more!
Save the Date
Recent Blog Posts
Wondering what’s going on with your synod staff? Where are they, and what are they up to? Be sure to read their blogs on a regular basis and stay informed.
Bishop Gronberg:
(https://www.ntnl.org/tri-synod-tri-theo-in-galveston/ – published Feb. 4)
(https://www.ntnl.org/ignite-alde-and-alea-conference/ – published Feb. 6)
(https://www.ntnl.org/elca-young-adults-and-pmlc-plano-in-mission-together/ – published Feb. 7)
Lutherans amongst Horned Frogs (Brite Ministers week with Dr. David Lose)
(https://www.ntnl.org/lutherans-amongst-horned-frogs-brite-ministers-week-with-dr-david-lose/ – published Feb. 9)
Pastor Totzke:
(https://www.ntnl.org/a-return-to-christ/ – published Feb. 4)
(https://www.ntnl.org/bishops-associates-gather-in-south-carolina/ – published Feb. 6)
Pastora Bañales:
(https://www.ntnl.org/congregational-vitality-training-las-vegas/ – published Feb. 7)
Where in the world is?
Bishop Gronberg:
- Feb. 16: NT-NL Black History Month Celebration, Mt. Olive, Dallas
- Feb. 16: Sanctuary Dedication, Walnut Hill, Farmers Branch
- Feb. 17: Trinity, Wichita Falls
- Feb. 17: Parish Lay Ministry Academy (PLMA) Graduation, Calvary, Richland Hills
Pastor Totzke:
- Feb. 17: Church Council, Gloria Dei, Garland
Pastora Bañales:
- Feb. 16: NT-NL Black History Month Celebration, Mt. Olive, Dallas
- Feb. 17: Parish Lay Ministry Academy (PLMA) Graduation, Calvary, Richland Hills
Upcoming Events
- Feb. 16: Black History Month Celebration, Dallas, TX
- Feb. 16-17: Junior High Gathering & Group Dynamix, Carrollton, TX
- Feb. 17: PLMA Graduation, Richland Hills, TX
- Feb. 23: Senior Fest 2019 (ALOA), Plano, TX
- Feb. 24: Bold Women’s Day
- Feb. 25-26: Anchor Church Conference, Richland Hills, TX
- Mar. 1-3: Peer Ministry (9th-12th grades), Fort Worth, TX
- Mar. 8: International Women’s Day #BalanceForBetter
- Mar. 8-10: Upper Elementary (4th-6th grades) Spring Retreat, Briarwood
- Mar. 9: PLMA, Spring 2019, Course 1, Briarwood
- Mar. 9: Public Witness Team monthly meeting, Arlington, TX
- Mar. 14-17: Via de Cristo, Briarwood
- Mar. 17-19: Texas Lutheran-Episcopalian Legislative Event, Austin, TX
- Mar. 28: Interfaith Advocacy Day, Austin, TX
- Mar. 30: WELCA Dallas Area Metro North conference retreat, Carrollton, TX
Access our full online Calendar here. Updates made regularly.
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit to the Synod office (office@ntnl.org) for consideration for upcoming NT-NL News.