This week we pray for:
Hope in Midland (Pr. Becky Hand)
Advent in Arlington (Pr. Joel Burkholder, Pr. Marc Hander)
Lutheran Sunset Ministries
The 2015 NT-NL Prayer Partners can be found at ntnl.org/2015PrayerPartners or you can download the PDF here.
Volunteer Day at Briarwood
Saturday, May 30
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Lunch will be provided along with the good feeling that comes from helping a life changing ministry!
If you would like to help please email jean@briarwoodretreat.org.
Save the date!
2016 Tri-Synodical Theological Conference
January 25-27, 2016
Arlington Convention Center, Arlington TX
Pavestone Blitz: the Return of the Bricks!
Thought you had missed your chance to leave your mark on the Great Cloud of Witnesses Walkway? Well, think again!
4×8 bricks are available to be personalized in honor or memory of a loved one, up to 3 lines of text, with or without a logo. Find out more here or download the paver order form here! Order deadline is May 31.
World Malaria Day 2015
The people of NT-NL have now raised $152,046.33 out of our commitment of $160,000. We have less than $8,000 to go!
We are so close to meeting our goal! Let’s help make malaria history! Find more information and resources to use in your congregation at ntnl.org/malariaday2015.
Looking for ELCA Malaria Campaign resources? Find them here!
There is a new way to raise funds for ELCA World Hunger. Design an individual or team event that’s all your own, set a goal and invite friends and family to lend support.
Join the fun! Create your own event and help us create a world where all are fed.
Applications for the Domestic Hunger Grants, funded by ELCA World Hunger, are now available.
Visit elca.org/domestichungergrants for more information.
Download the May 2015 ELCA World Hunger Go and Do News here.
Every year, many of our congregation’s high school seniors venture out to their first year in college, which tends to be the hardest and most challenging during their studies.
As Lutherans, we take our baptismal commitments to our youth and young adults very seriously. It is important that we connect our graduating high school seniors with their local campus ministries that are there to support them.
We encourage your congregation to submit names to The Name Gathering Project, as we work together to support the faith development of our youth and young adults. Please submit names from now until July 15.
Claiming Your Vocation for Life
September 20-23, 2015
A Learning for Life Event at
Briarwood Retreat Center in Argyle, TX
Hosted by Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest
The Claiming Your Vocation for Life Retreat will provide reflection and guidance for all the baptized in living out your Christian vocation in the next stage of life. This includes those contemplating major life transitions of all kinds, both individual congregation members and church professionals: retirement (“third chapter” of life), job changes, family transitions, next calls, and other life transitions.
Reflection and guidance will be provided through: worship, Bible study, renewal, spiritual practices workshops, individual or group spiritual direction, financial planning, and revival.
Wartburg Seminary is launching a new opportunity for continuing education for rostered leaders AND individuals in congregations: Learning is for Life. Seminary is for Everyone.
One of the newest elements of Learning for Life: Seminary for Everyone is the Exploring Faith Online Courses that will begin in June.
Entry Level Courses are designed for individuals wishing to explore matters of faith and theology at a deeper level. Advanced Level Courses are perfect for rostered leaders or those who have studied theology before.
We invite you share this flyer with individuals or rostered leaders in your synod and consider promoting the Exploring Faith Courses in your synod newsletters. Individuals may participate as a group or on their own. Classes start in June and more classes will be held this fall.
Visit www.wartburgseminary.edu/exploringfaith to learn more!
Click here to read a message from Bishop Mike Rinehart of the TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod about the February fire at the Quba Islamic Institute in Houston.
Sunday, June 28
1:30-8:00 p.m.
Briarwood Retreat Center.
Join other high school youth from the NT-NL Mission Area for a special presentation by TLU professor Dr. Phillip Ruge-Jones, Bible storyteller, who will bring the book of Mark to life.
The cost for this amazing presentation has been covered; $5 per person suggested donation is to help cover the cost of dinner. Register here!
Nepal Earthquake Congregation Resources
Thank you for spreading the word in your congregation about the work Lutheran World Relief is doing in response to the earthquake in Nepal. We will update our resources with information about LWR’s response as necessary, please go to lwr.org/nepalearthquake/resources to find congregation resources.
To donate to LWR’s Nepal earthquake relief efforts, click here.
A multi-denominational training event for contemporary worship musicians.
Find out more at http://tuneupgathering.org/
ANNOUNCING: The next ELCA “weeklong” Community Organizing Training
WHEN: August 9 to August 14, 2015 (Sunday evening through Friday afternoon)
WHERE: ELCA Churchwide Offices at The Lutheran Center in Chicago, 8765 W. Higgins Rd.
COST: $550 (fee includes training, lodging and meals, but NOT travel)
WHO: Anyone, lay or rostered, who wants to develop further as a leader and engage as the church in the public arena
Mark your calendars, spread the word, and stay tuned for more details and a registration link, coming soon!
Please note the mission office’s new address:
680 Copper Canyon Rd.
Argyle, TX 76226
Phone: 940-241-2099
Please note we will be discontinuing the use of the P.O. Box; all mail will need to come directly to the above address.
There are still giving opportunities available! Please visit NTNL.org/donate-now for more information on the new special gifting and naming opportunities for the Mission Center at Briarwood.
Upcoming Events in the NT-NL Mission Area and Beyond:
- May 30: Volunteer Day at Briarwood
- Jun. 7-12: Building Congregational Capacity for Hispanic Ministry (LSPS)
- Jun. 7-12: 2015 LSPS Level II Intensive: Misión en comunidad / Mission in Community
- Jun 13: Public Witness for Peace & Justice Team June Bible Study
- Jun. 28: Storybook Beginning
- Jul. 11: Public Witness for Peace & Justice July Bible Study
- Jul. 15-19: 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering: Rise Up Together!
- Sep. 13: “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday
- Sep. 29: Table Talk: The Use of the Means of Grace with Pastor Kevin Strickland
- Oct. 9-10: NT-NL Synodical Women’s Organization Retreat
- Oct. 17: MEF “Seeds that Change” Dinner
- Oct. 26-28: 2015 Bishop’s Convocation with special guest Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton!
- Nov. 2: Portico Pre-Retirement Seminar
- Nov. 3: Portico Early/Mid-Career Financial Wellness Seminar
- Jan. 24-26, 2016: Tri-Synodical Theological Leadership Conference
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit them to Criss Forshay (criss@ntnl.org) for consideration for our next Briefings. Don’t forget to include a picture or logo!