Your NT-NL Synod, ELCA council is met the weekend of February 8-9th. Our Friday evening began with the executive team meeting. Then dinner together for those physically present. We convened our meeting later that evening with some joining in via Zoom. I began with a report to set the vision for our time together. Focusing on the realities of how we are being called into new things. Exciting times with the new director of the Briarwood Leadership Center and the opportunities ahead of us. The challenges of decreased mission support in 2018 (we were down $70,000 in mission support over the year) and what they means for us in staffing and investments. After committees met on finance, nominations, and constitutions.

When the committee meetings were done we adjourned to the quail run lodge for fellowship and enjoyed a lovely fire on a chilly evening. It is important that our leaders have time together to discuss, bond, and enjoy one another as people. The work the synod council does is so very important. But it is also important that we care for one another as sisters and brothers in Christ.

Saturday morning we continued our meetings. Including time together with the board of the Mission Endowment Fund. I have asked their board to meet at Briarwood twice a year in conjunction with the Synod Council. The MEF and the work of the synod council are so critically bonded together. It is vital that we have shared priorities, know what the others are thinking, and most of all recognize we are #InMissionTogether.

The Briarwood Leadership Center then that afternoon welcomed Dr Andy Root (Professor of youth and family ministry at Luther Seminary) to talk about faith formation in a secular age. Synod council and Mission Endowment Fund board members as well as others from NT-NL Synod, ELCA are taking advantage of this opportunity to stretch and grow our understanding of our world and how to share the good news. Challenging and difficult yet hopeful conversation.

Synod Council, MEF Board Members, and I pray all our rostered and authorized leaders as well as lay leaders are committed to being learning leaders. This time together helps us grow and learn and build up the ministry we share. #NTNL #InMissionTogether