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Above the Fog
PLTS Newsletter
April 2011 |
Greetings!
We hope that this issue of Above the Fog finds you well. Blessings on your Lenten journey.
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Wednesday Morning Live |
"Wednesday Morning Live" was the theme for the Endowment Laboratory's class presentation to the PLTS community, and was it ever. There was singing, there was dancing, there was laughter and there was learning as the class summoned its cumulative talent and re-presented the material of the eight-week program on congregational stewardship. The Endowment Laboratory is a "hands on" learning experience made possible by a grant from the Lutheran Community Foundation in Minneapolis. The class functions both as a class and as an endowment committee for the $100,000 fund that is entrusted to them. A good portion of the time is spent learning the key features of a mature congregational stewardship program. The seminarians also learn key concepts about how to incorporate endowments and endowment education into their congregation's mission. They are then informed and prepared to make decisions about how to disperse the earnings from the fund. By giving the students this experience today, we help them prepare for the stewardship opportunities they will one day surely face. If you want more information about how to start an endowment program in your congregation, contact Joel Wudel at PLTS, or visit the ELCA website. |
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Hein-Fry Lecture: April 27, 2011
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Hearing the Word: Lutherans Read the Bible with the Ecumenical World
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Dr. Justo González |
The Bible is an inclusive word and those who share in its messages are related to each other, whether they want to be or not. Other Christians around the world have positive ways of experiencing the Bible from which Lutherans can learn, and Lutherans have an opportunity to share their experiences of the Bible with those around the world. The Hein-Fry lecture on April 27 will give us an opportunity to enter into dialogue with a variety of Christians beyond US Lutheranism about engaging the Bible through global and ecumenical perspectives.
For more information and to register, click here.
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Holy Week at PLTS |
Come join in the preparations and festivities of Holy Week at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary: Holy Monday April 18, 2011, 1:00 pm A service of Mid-day Prayer Holy Tuesday April 19, 2011, 1:00 pm A service of the Word Holy Wednesday April 20, 2011, 11:00 am This service concludes the Season of Lent with Confession of Sin, Declaration of Forgiveness with Affirmation by the Laying on of Hands, Word, and Lord's Supper. Maundy Thursday April 21, 2011, 1:00 pm This begins the Three Days with Word, Footwashing, Lord's Supper, and Stripping of the Table to Psalm 22. Good Friday April 22, 2011, 12:00 noon This continues the Three Days with lessons and canticles in adoration of the Crucified God, Jesus Christ. Easter Vigil Saturday, April 23, 2011, 8:30 pm In preparation for the celebrations of Easter Day, this vigil continues the Three Days with Service of Light, Service of Readings, Renewal of Baptismal Promises, and the First Eucharist of Easter. A festive reception with refreshments will follow the vigil service. All are welcome! |
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Meet a Seminarian:
Sara Wilson, MDiv Student |
 Sara's call to ministry began twelve years ago on a mission trip in Appalachia.
A lifelong Lutheran, Sara always enjoyed church and got really excited when Intern Brian organized an intergenerational mission trip to Kentucky when she was sixteen. "It was the first time I really understood what God's love looked like. Our group built a rock retaining wall so that the heavy summer rains would not wash away the homes that were being built. Everyone was so thankful and grateful for something that I would have taken for granted. I learned that God calls us to do ministry in places and at times that we never expect." Sara has been "hooked" since then. During her senior year of high school, she participated in a work study program that allowed her to be the Student Youth Director at her church part time. In addition to planning programs at Dekorra Lutheran in Poynette, Wisconsin, she organized an interdenominational high school youth group in the community. Sara attended Carthage College, affiliated with the ELCA, where she was President of the Christian Ministry Council and served on the Campus Pastor call committee. After graduating in 2005 with a degree in social work, she moved to California, where she spent four years working at an HIV/AIDS organization. Her experience as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer, Director of Development, and Interim Executive Director showed her that we really are God's hands in the world. In 2008, she attended a Cursillo weekend and knew it was time to go to seminary. Currently in her second year of the Master of Divinity program at PLTS, Sara is looking forward to internship in the fall and following her passion for mission development work through the Evangelism and Justice concentration. She says, "Someday I hope to help congregations transform themselves into places that are truly open and integral parts of the communities they serve." In the future, Sara also hopes to develop wellness ministries that promote holistic health. |
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Week of Renewal 2011: June 20-24, 2011
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 You are invited to a week of renewal with classes, worship, stimulating conversation and restorative time at PLTS. Enjoy the company of old and new colleagues in ministry and lay people interested in theology in the beautiful setting between the Bay and Tilden Park. The Week of Renewal at PLTS offers stimulating classes in the morning and afternoon and much, much more.
Course Descriptions
"Broken Hallelujahs: Preaching and Worship that Listen to Pop Culture's Cries"
(Morning Option 1)
Dr. Christian Scharen is Assistant Professor at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, where he teaches worship and practical theology and writes about popular culture. Dr. Scharen is a graduate of PLTS and the GTU.
"Rethinking Paul: A Lutheran Perspective" (Morning Option 2)
Dr. David Balch is Professor of New Testament at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and the Graduate Theological Union.
Paul's theology is critical for many issues facing Lutherans today. We are challenged to rethink Paul in relation to his interpretation of the Mosaic Covenant (Genesis vs. Exodus), "bound conscience" in I Corinthians 8-10, Visual Representations of Death in Roman House Churches and the Eucharist in I Corinthians 11, and gender, sex and marriage in I Corinthians 6-7, 11, 14.
Transformed by Those Who are "Other" Than "Us" (Morning Option 3)
Dr. Karen L. Bloomquist, Bellingham, Washington, served until recently as Director of the Department for Theology and Studies, The Lutheran World Federation, Geneva. She was previously Director for Studies in the ELCA (Church in Society) and is a PLTS graduate.
Dare we as churches risk being transformed...through relationships with those whose culture, views and practices are alien to ours? This is the challenge for local congregations that are part of a global communion like the Lutheran World Federation. How is this boundary-crossing central to what evangelism and justice-seeking are about? How can we as churches bear an alternative public witness in a world marked by polarizing injustices and divisions?
"Luther's Dilemma: The Struggle Between the Truth of the Gospel and the Bonds of Christian Love" (Afternoon)
Dr. Jane Strohl is the First Lutheran, Los Angeles/Southwest California Synod Professor of Reformation History and Theology at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.
The Lutheran style of theology and ministry is like a Chanel suit: unmistakable, surprising and timeless. And graceful to be sure, but cut to accommodate rancor and division from the beginning. How can our tradition wear well in these days?
"This was a grace-filled, life-giving week that was renewing in every way. The community experience was a delightful surprise! I've already put it on my calendar for next year. A huge success!" - Ruth Sievert
For additional information about fees for tuition, room and board, and to register, click here.
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Holy and Glorious - Lent Devotional
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 PLTS annually publishes a Lent devotional with Luther Seminary, our partner in the Western Mission Cluster.
The students, faculty and staff of our two seminaries will be in prayer with you through the season of Lent. These short reflections are written by members of our communities for your reflection, edification and prayer. They share the vision behind Lent; that is, a vision of a Holy God who goes to the cross out of love for you. May these devotions guide you through this Lenten season and, in a small way, express all of our gratitude for the many ways you support us through all the seasons of the year.
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| Updates | |
Dawn Gregg, MDiv 1991, writes, "After my installation and nearly 20 years as an Intentional Interim Pastor in the Oregon and Eastern Washington/Idaho synods, on January 20, 2011, I was installed as pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Albany, Oregon."
Hyonho Hong, MDiv 2010, was ordained on December 13, 2010, at Church of Dream Builders in Anaheim, California, where he is serving as pastor.
Jason Lukis, MDiv 2010, was ordained on March 21, 2011.
Lowell Nelson, TEEM 2000, has been called to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bellevue, Nebraska, and will be ordained on April 10th.
Erik Samuelson, MDiv 2005, MA 2006, has joined Trinity Lutheran College in Everett, Washington, as campus pastor and director of spiritual and vocational formation.
Your Name Here -- please keep us up to date with your whereabouts and happenings here. |
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