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Above the Fog
PLTS Newsletter
April 2010 |
| Greetings!
Christ is risen! PLTS wishes you a joyful Eastertide. |
| Hein-Fry Lecture 2010 | |
On Wednesday, April 21, 2010, PLTS will host the twentieth annual Hein-Fry Lecture. The lecture series continues to engage with the Book of Faith initiative. This year, the topic is "Hearing the Word: Teaching the Bible in the Parish and Beyond."
 The lecture at PLTS will be given by the Rev. Dr. Richard P. Carlson, Philip H. and Amanda E. Glatfelter Professor of New Testament Language, Literature, and Theology at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg. His presentation will consider how God's saving plan unfolds first as divine utterance and then as divine enactment in the gospel of Luke. In particular, three crucial texts, Luke 1:26-38; 5:1-11; 24:1-11, will be examined to discover how the announcement of God's actions seem like silly, impossible nonsense from a normal human perspective, and yet what divine agents utter will be enacted no matter what."
Dr. Carol R. Jacobson, PLTS Associate Professor of Practical Theology: Youth and Family Ministry and Christian Education, will give a response entitled "I've Heard This Story Before": Teaching our Children to Read the Bible. The day will begin at 9:30 am.
The fee for early registration is $20 ($10 for students). Early registration closes on April 19th. You can register early and pay online here. On-site registration is $25. |
| Intern Models Christian Stewarship | |
Pastor Mark Olson of Hope Lutheran Church in Walker, Minnesota, shared this story about PLTS student Ellen Ayres, who is serving at Hope as intern this year.
"Recently Hope paid off its building, a million-dollar venture that began almost twelve years ago. A few weeks ago, there was less than $100 on the debt. As our records secretary noted this, Ellen said, 'I could pay that.' And so she did. Imagine that! Our intern paid off the building! This was not done to sound a trumpet, or draw attention to herself. Just a servant responding to a need/ opportunity as it arose." |
| PLTS Student Awarded Fellowship | |
 Kirsten "KD" Dumke, PLTS student, has been awarded a Summer Fellowship by the Beatitudes Society. Kirsten will be serving at California Interfaith Power and Light in San Francsico.
KD is part of the 2010 class of 26 Summer Fellows who will serve as interns at social change organizations in Washington, DC, the San Francisco Bay Area, Atlanta, and Chicago. Summer fellows will serve at selected agencies from June 7 to July 30, 2010. They will also participate in weekly theological reflection sessions facilitated by a local mentor following a curriculum exploring the links between social change advocacy and progressive Christianity. The students will be awarded a cash stipend by the Beatitudes Society to help cover summer living expenses.
The Beatitudes Society develops and sustains emerging Christian leaders at seminaries and divinity schools who will: advocate for justice, compassion and peace; reclaim a Christianity that welcomes all people, especially those at the margins; and articulate a Christianity that dares to speak and act for our fragile planet and our most vulnerable citizens.
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| The Power of Endowments | |
The endowment class and staff teachers with Pastor Kautz, second from left in back row. | Thanks to a gift from the Lutheran Community Foundation and the support of the seminary, students at PLTS have an opportunity to learn each year about the power of endowments. This year, seven students spent four Saturdays learning about how a mature stewardship program for any congregation includes an endowment component. On April 14, the class culminated with a presentation for the community and area church leaders. The Rev. John D. Kautz, Senior Pastor at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, made the keynote presentation to inspire and encourage those present to establish or fortify their congregational endowments. For more information about how to establish an endowment in your congregation, contact Joel S. Wudel, Vice President for Seminary Relations, at jwudel@plts.edu. |
| A Week of Renewal: Summer 2010 |
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Come to a Week of Renewal at PLTS
June 28 - July 2, 2010
You are invited to a week of renewal, including classes, worship, stimulating conversation and restorative time in the company of old and new colleagues in ministry and lay people interested in theology. Set between the Bay and Tilden Park, the Week of Renewal at PLTS is summer school with stimulating classes in the morning and more.
COURSES
"Luther's Dilemma: The Struggle Between the Truth of the Gospel and the Bonds of Christian Love" Jane Strohl, Associate Professor of Reformation History and Theology "Ecology and Faith: How Green is the Gospel?" Mark Brocker, parish pastor, Bonhoeffer scholar, and lecturer, PLTS faculty "Theology from the Margins in the United States" Moses Penumaka, Assistant Professor of Contextual Theology, and Director of the TEEM Program
"Unleashing the Power of the Bible for Teaching and Preaching" Steed Davidson, Assistant Professor of Old Testament
For more information about costs, housing, and the schedule, for the full course descriptions, and to register, please visit our website. | | Broadening my Experience at PLTS | |
A Reflection by First-Year Student Emily Weller
 In April of my first year of seminary, I can look back on almost a year of experience at PLTS. Coming here has certainly been a transformational experience for me. I've undergone many transitions, and though I have recognized my call to pastoral ministry from a young age, the reality of seminary has made this call real for me. My first semester presented me with a plethora of challenges. Having grown up in Ohio and attended college at Valparaiso University in Indiana, moving to the west coast meant many changes: transitioning from college life to life at seminary, becoming accustomed to the community in Berkeley after years in the Midwest, finding new niches and new friendships far from what had always been home. Though these changes certainly challenged me for some time, I am now able to call PLTS my home, and to reach out to the close-knit community around me. I wanted to come to PLTS to get out of my context, and to prepare for ministry in a location that offered new people and ideas. I saw a lot of value in broadening my experience as I prepared for ministry. I have come to appreciate PLTS so much for this very reason. In addition to challenging coursework and the fellowship of other students, I have grown to love the Bay Area and all that I can learn from experiencing church in the west, and the many innovations and gifts it incorporates. After this semester draws to a close, I will be facing a summer of Clinical Pastoral Education at the University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago. I've done my research so far, talking to other students about their own experiences and consulting my future supervisor for information. But I also know that nothing will completely prepare me for both the challenges and the blessings that this summer will bring. While I am anxious about what I will experience, I also know that CPE will bring a particular richness to my theological education. Peace and blessings to you all in this Easter season! |
| In Memoriam | | |
 Linda Giesy, who with her late husband Sam was a generous supporter of PLTS, died on March 19, 2010 at home in Aliso Viejo, California. Born on November 17, 1916 in Birch Run, Michigan, she graduated from Saginaw High School in 1935 and worked as a financial manager for Benjamin & Mast shoes. She resided in Michigan for 40 years, and moved to La Jolla, CA in 1956 and to Laguna Woods in 1968. Mrs. Giesy traveled the world and enjoyed life to its fullest. She loved watching her favorite sports, USC football and LA Lakers basketball, or keeping in touch by sending emails. She was loved and admired by all for her strength, zest for life and dedication to her family.
Linda is survived by her son and daughter, seven grandchildren, her sister and brother, several nieces and nephews, and a host of loving friends. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at Reformation Lutheran Church, 15750 Magnolia Street, Westminster, CA 92683. A celebration luncheon will follow the service.
Norman and Joanne Kettner | Joanne C. Kettner lost her battle with pancreatic cancer on Sunday, March 28, 2010. She was born January 7, 1930, in Elgin, Illinois, to Fred and Laura Dehmlow. She was baptized at St. John's Lutheran Church in Algonquin, Illinois on February 9, 1930; confirmed there March 29, 1942, and married Norman W. Kettner in the same church on June 12, 1951. Joanne is survived by her husband Norman (of 58 years), her brother, her nephews, three great-nieces and two great- nephews. Norman and Joanne have established scholarships at Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana, and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Both schools have recognized their contributions with various awards. Wanting to help others in death as she did in life, she donated her body to the University of Utah medical school donor program. A memorial service of worship to the God who created her, the Son who redeemed her and the Holy Spirit who sanctified her was held at Mount Tabor Lutheran Church in Salt Lake City on April 10, 2010.
 Hans Petersen, a former student at PLTS, was killed in a fall from a roof while installing solar panels on April 7, 2010. He was 30. Hans was the son of the Reverend Glenn C. and Carol Petersen, and the brother of Thea and Carl. Glenn (MA 1974) is the senior pastor of Central Lutheran Church in Anchorage, Alaska. A 2002 graduate of Oberlin College, Hans entered PLTS as an MDiv student in September, 2006. Hans was a student at PLTS for a year and a half before going on leave from study. He was assigned to University Lutheran Chapel in Berkeley for his teaching parish experience, and continued to participate in parish life there until his death. A funeral was held on Sunday, April 11, at University Lutheran Chapel in Berkeley. Joel S. Wudel, Vice President for Seminary Relations, wrote a tribute to Hans, which you can find here.
Blessed be the memory of these servants of God! |
| Updates | | |
Jim Goldsmith (MDiv '88) has taken a position with the Siera Pacific Synod as Assistant to the Bishop and Director for Mission Support.
Ted Niemi (MDiv 1996) and his wife Kristin announce the birth of their son, Kurt Enger Niemi.
Robyn Provis (MTS 2003) will graduate next month from the Episcopal Divinity School in Minneapolis with a DMin degree.
Aana Vigen (MA 1996) was promoted to associate professor with tenure at Loyola University Chicago.
Raymond Waespi (MDIV 2008), after serving as interim pastor at a local congregation for about a year and a half, was ordained at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lafayette, California, on February 27th. He was installed as the mission developer pastor at Good Shepherd South Asian Ministry in Fremont, California, on March 7th. In addition, he continues his work in the ministry and education outreach in Chichicastenango, Guatemala.
Your Name Here-- please keep us up to date with your whereabouts and happenings here. |
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