Today’s episode, hosted by Katie Morgan, features a conversation with Dr. Mark Mayfield who was our keynote speaker at our 2024 NADCE Conference “Making Space.” Katie and Dr. Mark go over some of the highlights of the conference. They dive a little deeper into the points of clearing, creating, and cultivating and how those three things can help us with awareness and growth in our personal and professional lives. We hope this conversation does two things: remind you of the conference (or show you what you missed) and give you tools to work toward a healthy version of yourself. Dr. Mark says, “When we are mentally, emotionally, spiritually, relationally, and physically healthy, those around us will have a better chance of becoming healthy too.”

The National Association of Directors of Christian Education (NADCE) is pleased to offer this Lent podcast devotion for your encouragement during Lent and Easter. We are thankful for DCE Maria Devenport and her willingness to contribute by recording today’s devotion. Maria serves as Minister of Youth and Families at Redeemer Lutheran in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Our devotions this Lent season center around the theme of Songs of Lament. This theme will consider who Scripture is filled with cries. The cries of the enslaved for freedom. The cries of mothers for their children. The cries of soldiers under attack. The cries of the sinner at their fallen humanity. In the darkness of Lent, we too cry "Lord, have mercy!" Our Lord Jesus comes to us in the midst of our tears and welcomes our laments. With mercy and compassion, He hears our prayers and transforms them into a melody of praise through His great sacrifice. The Psalmists declares how the story will end: "Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:15). An Easter morning in Jerusalem and the great day when the Morning Star returns.

NADCE regularly offers podcasts that focus on topics in ministry as practical resources for those serving in the Lutheran church as DCEs. Our hope is that our podcasts will encourage those listening in their calling and equip and strengthen them in their ministry area.

To learn more about NADCE we invite you to go to nadce.com to see the benefits of membership which include joining us at the Tent of Meeting and Emmanus Table online community groups, receiving our Quarterly publication, and getting a discount to our Conference that just finished in Houston, Texas.

The National Association of Directors of Christian Education (NADCE) is pleased to offer this Lent podcast devotion for your encouragement during Lent and Easter. We are thankful for DCE Michael Leapley and his willingness to contribute by recording today’s devotion. Michael serves at St. Paul's Lutheran in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Our devotions this Lent season center around the theme of Songs of Lament. This theme will consider who Scripture is filled with cries. The cries of the enslaved for freedom. The cries of mothers for their children. The cries of soldiers under attack. The cries of the sinner at their fallen humanity. In the darkness of Lent, we too cry "Lord, have mercy!" Our Lord Jesus comes to us in the midst of our tears and welcomes our laments. With mercy and compassion, He hears our prayers and transforms them into a melody of praise through His great sacrifice. The Psalmists declares how the story will end: "Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:15). An Easter morning in Jerusalem and the great day when the Morning Star returns.

NADCE regularly offers podcasts that focus on topics in ministry as practical resources for those serving in the Lutheran church as DCEs. Our hope is that our podcasts will encourage those listening in their calling and equip and strengthen them in their ministry area.

To learn more about NADCE we invite you to go to nadce.com to see the benefits of membership which include joining us at the Tent of Meeting and Emmanus Table online community groups, receiving our Quarterly publication, and getting a discount to our Conference that just finished in Houston, Texas.