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Above the Fog
PLTS Newsletter
July 29, 2010 |
| Greetings!
Despite the name of this publication, during the summer in the Bay Area we rarely emerge "above the fog" here on our Berkeley hilltop. On most days we don't see the sun until early afternoon, and some days not at all.
Luckily our summer has been brightened by some wonderful visitors. Members of Our Savior's, Lafayette, spent a few days here and painted the entrance to Sawyer Hall.
This week we welcomed a youth group from Sharon Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota, who are here with their pastor, David Eppelsheimer (MDiv 2002).
Graduate Kris Dietzen (MDiv 1987) is staying at PLTS and celebrating her 50th birthday in Berkeley while taking a class at the GTU.
On a sad note, we learned of the death of beloved William Philips earlier this month. Many grads grew to love Bill and Ailie, as they were fed by their hands in the kitchen here on campus. The community was also fed spiritually and emotionally by their presence. Their welcoming smiles would warm one's heart on the foggiest of days! Bill was the father of Tim Philips (MDiv 1987), internship supervisor and past board member. |
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"Refreshing, restful and right on target. The Week of Renewal was the best event I've been to in more than a decade." - Wesley Dunbar, Elroy, Wisconsin
 Twenty-four students attended our first annual Week of Renewal here on the PLTS campus. Dr. Steed Davidson taught a class called "Unleashing the Power of the Bible for Teaching and Preaching" and Rev. Mark Brocker taught "Ecology and Faith: How Green is the Gospel?" The schedule also included fellowship, worship, and free time.
A big thank you to Dr. Herbert Anderson for his visionary leadership.
"This was truly a week of renewal for me -- spiritually, theologically, socially, and physically. What a gift to be able to muse about the Bible with colleagues, to be encouraged and inspired by the professor, and to have the time to consider and reflect upon my ministry." - Kathryn Gulbranson, Corte Madera, California
 The dates for next year are June 20-24, 2011. The week will follow the same format, with morning classes and afternoons free for a variety of activities, including optional seminars.
Two faculty are already determined. Dr. Chris Scharen (MA 1995, MDiv 1996), a faculty member of Luther Seminary, will teach a class called "Pop Culture, Preaching and Worship." Dr. Jane Strohl will teach an annual Luther seminar entitled "Luther's Dilemma: The Struggle between the Truth of the Gospel and the Bonds of Love."
"The Week of Renewal was fantastic. Just the right blend of study, a chance to interact with colleagues, and time to explore the beauty of the Bay Area. It was truly a renewing week." - Tim Philips, Fountain Valley, California
Plan now to join us next summer! |
Founders' Day: September 29, 2010 | |
Ecology, Theology, and the Church: A Liturgical Manifesto - The Rev. Dr. H. Paul Santmire  How is the Church to respond to today's global ecojustice crisis? This presentation cautiously steers around both the torrents of crisis-talk and the urgent claims of environmental ethics on the life of the Church. The argument focuses on the Church's own liturgy, and on the Eucharist in particular, with this manifesto: unless the Church's own liturgy is right, ecologically, the Church will not be fundamentally equipped to respond to the greatest crisis of our times. To this end, several proposals are made for liturgical renewal.
A Lutheran pastor with experience in academic, inner-city, and metropolitan settings, the Rev. Dr. H. Paul Santmire has also pursued a scholarly vocation in the discipline of ecological theology and environmental ethics for more than forty years.
The schedule of events will be announced shortly. Registration is now open; click here. |
Celebrate 10-10-10 With Us! | |
 On October 8, 1910, a handful of people founded the lone seminary in the West at St. James Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon. They believed that the church of the West needed leaders prepared in the West, so they struck out in faith to start a seminary. The seeds they planted then have grown into a tree that has borne fruit for the church for a hundred years. This October 10, 2010, we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of PLTS, and we invite you to celebrate with us. If you are in the Portland area, plan to join us for a special banquet on Saturday evening, October 9, and again for the Bach Cantata at St. James at 5:00 pm on Sunday. (More information is coming soon.) But you don't have to be in Portland to celebrate with us. You can make 10-10-10 a PLTS Sunday in your church. Lift up the stories of faith and courage that gave birth to your congregation. Find those faithful and courageous people who sustain the ministry in your community and celebrate their contributions. Make 10-10-10 a "Faith and Courage Sunday," and use the occasion of our birthday to celebrate the years of service your church has provided. For 100 years, God has blessed the work of PLTS. During that time, more than 1,500 pastors and leaders have gone forth to love and serve the Lord. What's your story? How has God blessed you and your church? Who are the faithful and courageous ones who have inspired you? Join us on 10-10-10 in celebrating faith and courage throughout our church. |
PLTS Welcomes Arielle Driscoll | |
 On July 12, 2010, Arielle Driscoll began her time among us as the new Admissions Associate. Arielle recently relocated from the Boston area with her husband, Pete, and dog, Wally. She graduated from Boston University in 2005 with a BS in Journalism and began her career in communications at a Boston non-profit for child welfare. Growing up on the campus of St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, where her father, an Episcopal priest, is a school chaplain. Arielle, too, felt called to the field of education and worked in communications and college counseling, respectively, at the Noble and Greenough School and Worcester Academy before moving to the Bay Area. Arielle is a baptized and confirmed member of the Episcopal Church. She says, "The words of the Bible, the many voices of our Christian tradition, and the gestures of our worship give us a rich common vocabulary for our faith and life. To me, what makes a great church community is when all persons bring their individual relationships with God and, together, share their unique perspectives to enrich the lives of those around them." Please greet and welcome Arielle to PLTS this summer and fall as opportunities present themselves. |
| Unusual Admissions Application Denied | |
Deer Student,  We regret to inform you that your application for admission has been denied. We cannot accommodate students with antlers or cloven hooves. We do, however, welcome you to enjoy the local flora.
Sincerely,
the PLTS Admissions Office |
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The Reverend Ruben Escobar (BTEM 1993) died on Saturday, July 3, 2010 at the age of 55.
Rev. Escobar was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala. He graduated from high school in Guatemala and attended Community College in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was ordained on April 17, 1994, at Misi�n San Pedro, St. Peter Lutheran Church in Santa Ana, California. On August 19, 1995, Pastor Escobar married Raquel Escobar. He subsequently graduated with a degree in Christian Counseling from Carolina University of Theology in 1998.
Rev. Escobar served as Associate Pastor of Hispanic Ministry, Misi�n San Pedro, St. Peter Lutheran Church in Santa Ana, California from 1994 to 1997 and as Senior Pastor of Iglesia Luterana El Buen Pastor, Salinas, California from 1997 until late 2007.
He is survived by his wife, Raquel and four children; Dennis, Carolynn, Brianna and Chelsea.
A memorial service was held on July 8, 2010, at Christ Lutheran Church, West Covina, California.
Blessed be the memory of this servant of God. |
| Updates | | |
Justin Brock Baxter (MDiv 2009, MA 2010) was ordained on his birthday, June 27, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Bowling Green, Ohio, and began his ministry on July 1 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Merrillville, Indiana. His wife Katie is pursuing several active leads for employment in college administration. Parents-in-law Rev. David and Linda Bringman from Trinity, Alameda were there, and Brian Stein-Webber (MDiv 1984) preached the sermon. A strong thunderstom at the time worship started didn't deter attendance, nor enthusiasm. Bishop James Stuck from Indiana/Kentucky and Bishop Marcus Lohrmann from Northwest Ohio were present.
Judy Brennan (MDiv 2004) and her husband Daniel welcomed their second child, Heidi May, on December 15, 2009. Judy is currently working as interim pastor at First Lutheran Church, Louisville, Kentucky.
Margie Hershey, a TEEM student was ordained July 10th, 2010 at American Lutheran Church in Bison, South Dakota.
Susan Langhauser (MDiv 1990) was recently honored by the Associated Church Press for excellence in the Devotional category for her March 2009 story in The Lutheran entitled, "Lenten Nest: What Will You Add to These 40 Days of Waiting for New Life?"
Jennie Lightfoot (TEEM 2009), pastor of One in the Spirit, St. Paul, and a member of the Lake Superior Band of Ojibway Indians, spoke at the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church, USA, July 4-10, Minneapolis, Minnesota. She joined a distinguished panel of ecumenical partners, including a Jewish rabbi and the director of a Muslim organization in the United States.
Kim Osborn (MDiv 2000) recently returned from a tour of Germany and Austria, which included visiting many of the Luther sites. To read more about it, go to www.PK2Germany2010.blogspot.com.
Adrienne Strehlow (MDiv 2009) received and accepted a call from Ocean Park Lutheran Church on the Long Beach Peninsula in Washington State. She was ordained on July 27th and will begin her ministry on August 1.
Peggy Yingst (MDiv 2003) was installed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Brattleboro, Vermont on June 27, 2010.
Your Name Here -- please keep us up to date with your whereabouts and happenings here. |
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