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Above the Fog
PLTS Newsletter
August 2009 |
| Greetings!
We are counting down the days before our students, both new and returning, arrive on campus. In the meantime, there are still many things afoot. |
| Founders' Day and Seminex Celebration |
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September 23, 2009
Building Cultures of Trust
The Rev. Dr. Martin E. Marty, Keynote Speaker
 The Rev. Dr. Martin Marty will be the keynote speaker at Founders' Day, September 23, 2009. We also gather to celebrate and remember the important history of Seminex. Please join us!
9:30 - Registration and coffee
10:00 - Keynote presentation
11:15 - Eucharist
12:30 - Lunch, award presentations
1:45 - Q & A
Christ Seminary-Seminex Celebration
2:30 - Hymn Fest and organ music
3:15 - Refreshments at the President's residence
5:30 - Seminex celebration banquet
Click here for more information .
Rooms are reserved at LaQuinta Inn in Berkeley for $74 plus tax. Call (510) 849-1121 and ask for the PLTS rate.
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| Luther Lecture 2009 |
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November 4, 2009
Finding a Credible Faith -- the Passion of Christ and Luther's Struggle to Believe
 Please join us in welcoming Dr. Guy Erwin as this year's Luther lecturer.
It is commonplace that the young Martin Luther wrestled with Scripture and his own demons to arrive at the distinctive understanding of faith and grace and salvation that we now call "justification by grace through faith." But what did Luther really understand by "faith"? Incorporating often overlooked sources, this lecture will relate Luther's emerging theology to his ongoing spiritual formation in its Augustinian monastic devotional setting, and give a more fully-rounded picture of his "Reformation breakthrough."
Dr. R. Guy Erwin holds the Gerhard and Olga J. Belgum Chair of Lutheran Confessional Theology at California Lutheran University. He is currently also chair of the newly-founded Department of Languages and Cultures and has a joint appointment in the departments of Religion and History. Dr. Erwin teaches survey courses on the history of Christianity. He also holds seminars in medieval, Reformation, and early modern history and theology, including courses devoted to the life and thought of Martin Luther and to St. Augustine's City of God.
Schedule of Events
9:30 - Registration & Refreshments
10:00 - Luther Lecture
11:30 - Divine Service
12:45 - Lunch
1:30 - Conversation
Click here for more information . |
| Refreshing News |
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 They came from the north bearing brushes and brawn, talent and tape. They came dressed to paint, but not the town red. Last year, they painted Sawyer's main rooms. This year, it was Beasom Hall that needed their love, and love it they did. They painted some rooms in the dorm to warm up, and then they turned their attention to the entrance and hall. By the time they were finished two days later, the place looked brand new.
A year ago they started an "epidemic of improvement," because after the crew from Saint Luke Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon, finished their work, all kinds of good things have happened on campus. For starters, St. Luke left a handsome check on their way out the door that was used to refinish the Sawyer floors. Then, a crew from Lutheran Church of the Incarnation in Davis carved and installed a new entrance sign. Later, Augustana Lutheran Church of Portland offered to purchase new furniture for the Sawyer Dining Room (which is being delivered as I write!) and now, thanks to Pastor David Knapp and his daughter, Skyler, Joan Bridgman, Dr. Roger Wicklund, and Vern and Brad Johnson, Beasom Hall has that fresh paint smell, and just in time for the residents to return! Throughout the year, David Wall of San Jose has been up the hill to do some gardening here and there and everywhere.
Little by little, the campus is being refreshed, thanks to the generosity and skill of these gracious congregations and volunteers.
Not a speck of interest or effort is ever wasted at PLTS. Every ounce of love and support is sipped and savored. The seminary is growing stronger every day, thanks to all who invest in it. |
| Dr. Martha Stortz in Turkey |
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 In May, Dr. Marty Stortz went on a pilgrimage to Turkey as a guest of the Pacifica Institute, a Turkish-American organization interested in "intercultural dialogue."
As she discovered on the way, the travel directly relates to her ATS research grant on pilgrimage. She wrote an extensive and informative travelogue of her trip, which we are presenting in weekly installments.
For the latest installment, click here. To read from the beginning, click here. |
| High on a Hill. . . |
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 PLTS hired Goats R Us to eat the underbrush on the hillside, reducing the fire hazard on campus. It was the most exciting three days we can remember for a while. Utilizing their eating skills helps us keep PLTS "green" and keep costs down.
President Anderson's grandaughter, Julia Febos, took this picture. You can see more photos here. |
| Graduate Updates |
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Karla Halvorson (MDiv 2007) and James Jerpseth (MDiv 1996), along with Kristopher and Anna Jerpseth, are pleased to announce the birth of Elsa Karla Halvorson Jerpseth on July 29 at 7:34 pm. Both Elsa and Karla are doing well. All early reports say Elsa is healthy, happy, squirmy and VERY hungry.
Ryan Hersch (MDiv 2003) and his wife, Adriana, welcomed their first child, Sebastian Axel Hersch, on Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at 6:45 pm. Ryan is currently serving as the transformation pastor at Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley, Arizona, and is studying for his Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Mission and Leadership through Luther Seminary.
Joel Langholz (MDiv 2009) was called as associate pastor of First Lutheran Church in Saint James, Minnesota, and was ordained on August 8, 2009.
Jennie Lightfoot (TEEM 2009) was ordained on August 13, 2009, and is serving One in the Spirit, Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Karen Matuska (MDiv 2009) was ordained on August 8, 2009, and is serving as associate pastor at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spearfish, South Dakota.
Kelly Nelson (ne� Ayers, MDiv 2009) celebrated her ordination on August 9, 2009, shortly after her marriage to Derek Nelson (GTU PhD 2006). Kelly is was called to Twelve Apostles Lutheran Church, Saegerstown, Pennsylvania.
Chris Ode (MDiv 2009) ordained in late June, is serving Evangelical Lutheran Church of Chinook in Chinook, Washington.
Sarah Schaaf (MDiv 2009) was ordained on August 1, 2009, and is serving her first call at Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Waldo, Ohio.
Your Name Here -- please keep us up to date with your whereabouts and happenings here. |
| Job Opportunity |
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PLTS is seeking a director of development. The successful candidate will be a creative and energetic professional who is knowledgeable about major gifts solicitation, seminary relations and also the Lutheran Church, its theology and organizational structure. Rostered church professionals (ie Associates in Ministry, Youth Ministry Directors, and ordained clergy) are encouraged to apply. Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary is an equal opportunity employer
The full job posting can be found here. | |
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