The NT-NL Synod is a community of congregations, members, lay and rostered leaders.  And within our community there is a lot to know and a lot that is taking place.  This bulletin board is one way to keep abreast of what is happening within the synod. A partial listing is offered below. If you have a specific announcement you wish to see posted here, please contact Stan.Meyer@ntnl.org for assistance.

Vital Congregations - Just Communities
A Workshop at Briarwood

Could your congregation step forward with greater confidence into public life? Here is a “workshop that teaches skills that are essential both in cultivating leadership and in addressing issues of the broader community,” said Pr. Chuck Hubbard (chair of the Public Witness DiscipleLife Team). The three-day workshop takes place at Briarwood on Nov. 20-22. At the workshop you will learn the principles, practices and arts of organizing for public action.

Info Contact: Vital Congregations information

Scholarships for Seminarians
Providing for our Future Leaders

The cost of attending seminary ~~ which once was paid for in large measure by the denomination and synods ~~ has shifted to the seminarians themselves. Many students complete their college and seminary studies with debt in excess of $30,000. The NT-NL Synod recently gave $450 gifts to each of 11 seminarians as a token of our synodical support. The synod is also moving to expand its Scholarship Fund by investing in the ELCA`s Fund for Leaders in Mission which will professionally manage the endowment on our behalf and enable us to give scholarships to students from our synod. This seminary scholorship fund will soon have a corpus of $15,000, but it will serve us well if that amount climbs rapidly. Your support is welcome.

Info Contact: Fund for Leaders: Leadership Rising (matching gifts program) and information regarding the NT-NL Synod’s Fund for Leaders in Mission

Build with the Bishop
Thrivent Builds with Habitat

Through an alliance with Habitat for Humanity, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is providing $208,436 to build 4 homes in North Texas. Thrivent members and area Lutherans are building the homes alongside the partner families. The homes are located in Plano (this one’s completed), McKinney and Fort Worth. Volunteers of all kinds are needed to make some big dreams come true for a family in need of a decent place to live. Construction volunteers do not need to be experienced. You’ll be surprised what you can do with a little instruction! For those who don’t want to swing a hammer, people are needed to provide lunches, give devotions, serve as a “host” at the construction site and pray for the families and volunteers. Another way to help is by making a donation for construction materials or sponsoring a fund raiser. Thrivent members and area Lutherans have raised over $20,000 towards the $32,000 goal which is 10% of the total cost of all four homes. An additional $12,000 is needed and your church can help. A $20 donation will provide 4 framing studs! The Fort Worth homes are located on the city’s northside off of I-35 at 28th street. Construction begins on September 9 with a framing blitz through September 13. The Bishop and staff are part of the construction crew on September 10! After that, construction will be every Saturday through early December. The McKinney home begins September 6 and continues every Saturdays through November 15.

Info Contact: Karen LiBassi; 1-866-525-7017.

Medical Mission to Sierra Leone
Providing Supplies and Personnel

The synod’s next mission trip to our companion church – the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone – will launch a medical clinic there. The site and leadership for the clinic have already been secured. Supplies are being gathered in advance of the trip. We hope to fill one side of a shipping container with medical supplies (equipment and supplies, not drugs). Please review the list and be prepared to deliver them on Oct. 11 to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Farmers Branch. A medical mission trip early next year will be comprised of doctors and nurses from the NT-NL Synod. Information about the medical mission trip in 2009 is available on our web site.

Info Contact: List of Medical Supplies and information regarding Plans for the Mission Trip. For more information contact the chair of our Companion Synod Committee Debbie Lemon.

Mission Endowment Fund Grant Application
Available on the Synod Web Site

The NT-NL Mission Endowment Fund is making its 2008 Grant Application form available in both PDF and MSWord format. Both are available on this web site under "Documents" or by clicking below. The MSWord version can be completed on your word processor; the PDF version can be printed and completed on a typewriter or by hand. The Grant Application is due by October 30, 2008. You can email the completed form to Hattie Hammer, Executive Director, or mail to the synod office. Grant applications and guidelines for applying will be mailed to each congregation early in August.

Info Contact: Application (MSWord); Application (PDF); or contact Hattie Hammer (972.296.3703)

4th ANNUAL DINNER / FUND RAISER
NT-NL Mission Endowment Fund

You are Invited to Dinner The 4th Seeds That Change Dinner/Fund Raiser sponsored by the Mission Endowment Fund NT-NL Synod takes place on Saturday, September 27th, from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 1210 W. Belt Line Road, Richardson, TX. Individual tickets are $30 ($5 for the meal; $25 donation). A table for 8 persons is $200 ($40 for meals; $160 donation). The evening will include a silent and a live auction as well as entertainment, food and fellowship. Do plan to join us for an evening of FUN and help grow the FUND! Can You Help Make it a Success? The Mission Endowment Fund NT-NL Synod Board of Directors is seeking donations for the silent/live auction to be held at the Dinner/Fund Raiser. Can you provide something for this event? We are looking for items that will be purchased and the funds be used to grow the Endowment Fund. Items that have been donated in the past include: handmade quilts (any size); arts and craft items; baby items; books; art works; tickets for sport events, concerts, plays etc.

Info Contact: Hattie Hammer, MEF Executive Director (972-296-3703).

Martin Marty to Speak
King of Glory, Dallas

You are invited to hear Dr. Marty Marty (professor, historian, theologian, writer and commentator), professor emeritus of the University of Chicago. Sunday, September 28, 7 p.m. -- "Religion in the Voting Booth" Monday, September 29, noon -- "Collisions of Faith: the Risk of Hospitality" (includes lunch). Both events will be at King of Glory, Dallas, have a nominal cost or donation and require prior reservations since there will be limited seating. Watch this announcement for further information.

Info Contact: Sharon Chapman

Alfred Gorvie Scholarship program
Leadership for Sierra Leone

Please consider supporting a special project of the Companion Synod Committee. We have brought to this country a young adult of the ELCSL with the goal of enrolling him in a two year school to receive information technology training. The skills and knowledge he will gain will be a huge asset to the ministry of the ELCSL. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, we brought Alfred Gorvie to the U.S., believing that the financial pieces would fall into place. The Holy Spirit gave us the will to act in faith, and is now showing us the way. Alfred is at Briarwood Retreat Center for the summer, observing and evaluating the summer camp program. His application process for the IT school is underway. On behalf of the Companion Synod Committee, I am asking for your support of Alfred’s room and board and tuition costs (including books). Tuition, books and fees are anticipated to be $5,300 per semester, a total of $20,000+ for the entire two years. We do not know at this point what room and board costs will be. Your gift may be mailed to the NT/NL Synod office, clearly designated for “The Alfred Gorvie Scholarship Fund”.

Info Contact: Alfred Gorvie Scholarship program

POWERLAB VBS Materials
Available to a congregation

The complete curriculum, decorations, and professional set for the VBS materials: "PowerLab: Discovering the Miraculous Power of Jesus" are available. Pick up from Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Grand Prairie, after June 27. Contact Pastor Ryan Mills for more details.

Info Contact: Pastor Ryan Mills

Personal and Private Documents to Shred?
Free service available from Mosaic in Dallas

Mosaic is in the initial stages of offering a document destruction (shredding) program. They offer to pick up documents from churches that need to be destroyed. The service is free of charge. The work is directed by Mr. DarronBrewer, Vocational Coordinator at the Dallas Mosaic Vocational Center.

Info Contact: Darron Brewer

Lorenz Wins Prestigious Award
Texas Lutheran University

Texas Lutheran University senior Dirk Lorenz has been selected to receive a prestigious Rossing Physics Scholarship from the ELCA Foundation through the Rossing Fund for Physics Education Endowment. A physics major from Chemnitz, Germany, Lorenz is a teaching assistant in the TLU physics lab, a math tutor, a member of Alpha Lambda Delta honor society, and in the TLU Honors Program. He is one of three students attending liberal arts colleges and universities that are related to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) who will receive a $10,000 Rossing Physics Scholarship for the 2008-2009 academic year. This is the second time a TLU student has been selected for the very competitive Rossing Physics Scholarship, now in its fourth year. Samantha Hoffmann, a 2007 TLU graduate, was an inaugural Rossing Physics Scholar.

Info Contact: Texas Lutheran University

NT-NL Young Adult on Mission Trip to India
ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission Program

Rebecca Mehl, a member of New Hope, Keller, has been choosen to serve in the state of Kerala, India, for the next full year to teach English, lead Bible studies, and to work with the "untouchables" and others. Learn more about her, her adventure and the way you can support her financially by clicking on the information sheet below.

Info Contact: Rebecca Mehl’s Mission Trip

Doing a World of Good
Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest

Each year we are remidned of the generous, thoughtful, and caring people who left gifts for Briarwood and the NT-NL Synod and its ministry in their life estate through the Lutheran Foundation. Gifts for 2007 totaled $26,155 for Briarwood and $46,450 to NT-NL Synod. Since 1994, Briarwood has received $138,656 and NT-NL Synod $528,538 for ministry to help our synod expand its various missions. Without this help, some of the extra programs would not be available. If you are interested in the possibilities of leaving some of your legacy for future ministry contact the Lutheran Foundation at 1-800-424-0447. The consultation is free.

Info Contact: Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest

Chaplain Position Opening
Lutheran Sunset Ministries, Clifton

Lutheran Sunset Ministries, formerly Clifton Lutheran Sunset Ministries, is inviting applications for a full time chaplain position. The chaplain will be responsible for campus wide chaplaincy services to residents in nursing care, assisted living, retirement living and the supervision of a part time chaplain. Qualifications include ELCA clergy or in fellowship with the ELCA, four quarters of CPE, chaplaincy experience preferred. Sunset is a 54 year old ELCA affiliated SMO and is in the process of completing a major building project. Applications and requests for information are invited through June with the hope of filling the position by September, 2008. Please send your resume and/or requests to Rev. Cal Goerdel, Lutheran Sunset Ministries, P.O. Box 71, Clifton, TX 76634; 254-675-8637 Ext. 240.

Info Contact: Rev. Cal Goerdel, CLSH Executive Director

Mileage Rates for 2008
IRS Rate now 58.5 cents for business use

The IRS recently updated the optional standard mileage rates for 2008 used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning July 1, 2008, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (including vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be: 58.5 cents per mile for business miles driven. During fhe first half of 2008, ths rate was 50.5.

Info Contact: Clergy Financial Inc.

VBS Materials Available
"Avalanche Ranch"

Ready-to-go VBS supplies for Group Publishing`s "Avalanche Ranch". Includes curriculum, DVDs, decorations, and professionally-designed set. Set includes actual chuck-wagon and life-size painted figures of each VBS character. Must pick up! Available from Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Grand Prairie.

Info Contact: Pastor Ryan Mills; 972.642.5683.

Stewardship of Creation
Promoted by Texas Impact

Texas Interfaith Power and Light (TXIPL) is part of a national movement with branches in 23 states devoted to helping people of faith recognize and fulfill their responsibility as stewards for creation. To achieve this goal, IPL has created Shop IPL which offers an array of inexpensive, energy efficient products, including compact fluorescent light bulbs, rechargeable batteries, programmable thermostats, educational kids’ books, solar ovens, water faucet aerators, and more at competitive wholesale prices. We want to make it as easy as possible for people and faith communities to take concrete steps toward preserving our environment.

Info Contact: Shop IPL

The 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering
New Orleans, Louisiana

Start planning (it’s not too early): the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering event will be in New Orleans July 22-26 under the theme Jesus, Justice and Jazz.

Info Contact: Sign up for the Youth Event newsletter

Help in a Disaster
Red Cross Online Training

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded the American Red Cross a grant to offer a training program that will increase awareness of Weapons of Mass Destruction / Terrorism incidents. The program is for non-governmental and volunteer groups. The goal is to help people respond to the humanitarian needs following WMD/T incidents. You can take the training online.

Info Contact: Red Cross Training

Our Shared Ministry
2008 Calendar of Emphases

During 2008 the NT-NL Synod honors each of the following agencies and institutions for their partnership with us in mission and ministry. We are thankful for their work, and we urge all congregations and synod members to support them in their work on our behalf: JANUARY: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sierra Leone FEBRUARY: NT-NL Synod`s DiscipleLife Emphasis MARCH: Clifton Lutheran Sunset Home and Mosaic APRIL: Region IV Seminaries: LSTC, LSPS, Wartburg MAY: Briarwood Lutheran Ministries JUNE: Texas Conference of Churches and Louisiana Interchurch Conference, JULY: ELCA Vision for Mission AUGUST: NT-NL Synod Campus Ministry Fund SEPTEMBER: Texas Lutheran University OCTOBER: NT-NL Mission Endowment Fund and Lutheran Foundation of the SW NOVEMBER: ELCA World Hunger Appeal DECEMBER: Lutheran Social Services

Info Contact: Calendar of Emphasis

Worship Works
New Web Resource

The synod`s Worship Committee has put together a new web site to provide resources and information about worship forms and worship planning. The site is especially important now as the ELCA begins to introduce the new worship resource, Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Use this site to learn more, but also as a place to log in your questions and comments. You can access the site from the NT-NL Synod`s home page or by clicking on the link below.

Info Contact: Worship Works