A Congregational Newsletter Insert from the Northern Texas- Northern Louisiana Synod, ELCA - October 2007

For Serious-Minded Young Adults
The NT-NL Synod is sponsoring a trip to Sierra Leone, West Africa, for 12 post-high school young adults, age 18-29.  The trip takes place during Holy Week, March 14-25, 2008, and will include visits in the Lutheran churches there, visits with youth from the churches, shopping, service projects, and in general an eye-opening encounter with a different culture in a land recently torn by war.  The cost will be about $3,000.  Congregations are urged to encourage and financially support worthy young adults in this adventure of a lifetime.  For further information, contact the host of this trip: Bishop Kevin Kanouse (BpKevinKanouse@ntnl.org).  First-come, first-served; sign up soon!

Campus Ministry’s Centennial Celebration
Join in the fun of a Trivia Contest with the bishop, a table décor contest, and a silent auction in support of Lutheran Campus Ministry: Sunday, Nov. 11, 5-8 p.m. at King of Glory, Dallas.  Info contact Campus Pastor Celene Welch (PastorCWelch@msn.com; 817.269.1229).

Brakke Elected
The ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Chicago in August elected Becky Brakke (King of Glory, Dallas) to serve a six year term on the ELCA Church Council.  The Council meets three times a year between Churchwide assemblies to carry on the work of the ELCA.  Congratulations, Becky!

Goal Team Leaders Begin Work
The synod is fortunate that six among us have agreed to take primary leadership in accomplishing the six goals of the synod’s Strategic Priorities.  Pastor Marc Hander of Redeemer, Greenville (Goal A: Congregational Renewal), Pastor Paul Krupicka of St. Matthew, Waco (Goal B: Youth and Family), Pastor Chuck Hubbard of Gloria Dei, Garland (Goal C: Peace and Justice), Pastor Ryan Mills of Our Redeemer, Grand Prairie (Goal D: Lutheran Identity), Mr. Jim Level of Trinity, Fort Worth (Goal E: Generous Hearts), and Pastor Jane Mar of Emmanuel, Granbury (Goal F: Strengthening Partnerships).  Each will form a team of people – including members of the NT-NL Synod Council and the synod staff – to work with them to accomplish the goal the synod has adopted.

Lutheran Disaster Response is in the region hit by Hurricane Katrina for the long haul.  In the two years since the catastrophe, LDR has coordinated 30,120 volunteers who worked a total of 1.5 million hours cleaning 6,000 homes and helping rebuild another 1,700 homes.  Three-thousand kids affected by the storm have participated in 60 LDR camps.  The Lutherans can help!  Info contact http://www.LDR.org.

FYI… October Emphasis: The Lutheran Foundation & the Mission Endowment Fund

Generosity plus: Zion, McGregor, has been instrumental in helping the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sierra Leone purchase a vehicle for the church’s use, and Bethany, Dallas, is funding the construction of a second new cabin at Briarwood.  Wow!

The next Spread the Spirit’s Fire event to help equip and energize leaders in congregations is set for Bethel, Avoca, on Oct. 13.  The event is repeated on Nov. 3 at Our Redeemer, Grand Prairie. 

Youth Gatherings: mark your calendars now for the two annual gatherings of NT-NL Youth – the Jr. High Event on Nov. 9-11, 2007, and the Sr. High Event on Jan. 18-20, 2008.

The third annual Seeds That Change Dinner/Fund Raiser in support of the synod’s Mission Endowment Fund takes place Sunday, Oct. 21 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Richland Hills.  It’s a festive evening of dinner, entertainment and program, including a silent and live auction.  Info contact Hattie.Hammer@att.net.

The Synodical Women’s Organization plans a retreat at Briarwood on Oct. 5-8.  Info contact Edie Fife, Registrar (efife@sbcglobal.net). 

The Princeton Review named Texas Lutheran University “Best in the West” for the fifth consecutive year this year.  Meanwhile, U.S. News and World Report, which has regarded TLU as a regional school in the past, now ranks it as a national liberal arts college.

“The NT-NL Synod will Grow Disciples of Jesus by Affirming our Evangelical Lutheran Identity.” (Synod Assembly, 2007)
This is the fourth of six goals adopted by the synod assembly for the coming five years.  It is an acknowledge-ment that our discipleship must include a clear sense of identity and purpose.  How well can we explain or share the powerful heritage of faith and life that is what it means to be “Lutheran?” Through study (beginning with the new resource, Lutherans Read the Bible) and through public witness (being more visible in our communities) we hope to grow and help others grow as well.  Support our DiscipleLife efforts; info contact http://www.NTNL.org/gmcmenu.asp.