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 LSTC E.PISTLE
 
May 2008
Monthly News for Alumni and Friends
LSTC.
Greetings!

May is a time of transition at LSTC. Graduates are sent into the church and the world to proclaim the good news of God's love in Jesus Christ. Students move into internships or clinical pastoral education. Colleagues retire or move on to other opportunities.
 
Dirk van der Duim stepping from the Font.During the last chapel service of the year at LSTC, worshipers are invited to take off their shoes and socks and walk through the font toward the chapel doors. It's a joyful celebration, as we remember how we are bound together by baptism in the body of Christ as we go out into the world to be God's servants in new places.
 
Please pray for the class of 2008, for the classes of 1958 and 1968, who will celebrate significant anniversaries the weekend of commencement, and for all students and colleagues as they are equipped for new ministries in the months ahead.
 
Thank you for your partnership in preparing leaders for the church,

Jan Boden
Director of Communications & Marketing

How LSTC worked and what I learned

By Rich Mannel,
M.Div. Class of 1972
 
There is the factual history of how LSTC came into existence which you can read on the web site.  Then there is the history of what was actually involved in making LSTC work.  I sometimes wonder if the administration and staff of LSTC during those early years get the credit they deserve for literally holding LSTC together during those difficult times. 

LSTC Student, 1968.
When I arrived at LSTC in the fall of 1968 the administration, faculty, staff and Middlers had had one year of experience in Hyde Park.  The Juniors were there for the first time as were the Seniors who were returning from internships and had left campuses that were now closed.  Besides just getting to know their colleagues, the faculty, students, and staff and their families were getting used to new homes, new neighborhoods and new schools.  Not only was everyone out of their comfort zone - there seemed to be no comfort zone to get into.
 
 
Funds named in honor of retiring professors
 
LSTC Professors Ralph Klein and Mark Bangert have shaped thousands of minds and hearts. They came to LSTC from the Seminex tradition as pioneers and trailblazers, and continued to nurture the next generation of church leaders at LSTC for 25 years.
 
At the end of this academic year, they will both retire from full-time teaching. LSTC celebrates the generations of church leaders formed by their faithful witness.

As a tribute to their leadership and faithfulness, LSTC has established endowed funds honoring Mark Bangert and Ralph Klein. 

 
 
Equipping the Saints for Ministry.
 
Reaching, Preaching & Teaching
 
May 21, 2007 was an important date in Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago history. LSTC announced its $56 million Comprehensive Campaign to the public.

My colleagues and I are talking to the friends and the alumni of LSTC about our campaign. We are letting them know how important their support is to the future of LSTC and for the future of excellent leadership within our church.
 
The Advancement Team is available to come to your synod or church to preach or do a temple talk about role of the seminary in the life of the church and the process for becoming a Lutheran pastor or church worker. We are eager to educate, motivate, and help equip more leaders for our church.

We would welcome the opportunity to give your congregation reasons to support LSTC.
 
Dale T. Nettnin
AVP for Advancement
LSTC
828-612-3902 cell
dnettnin@lstc.edu
 

News you should know

Church history and worship professors named
The LSTC board of directors have elected the Rev. Dr. Peter Vethanaygamony as assistant professor of church history and the Rev. Benjamin Stewart as assistant professor of worship, effective July 1, 2008. For full news releases.

Pastor Terry Baeder to serve as Interim Dean of the Community
Rev. Dr. Terry Baeder.The Rev. Dr. Terrence "Terry" Baeder, has accepted a two-year appointment as interim dean of the community at LSTC starting July 1, 2008. Pastor Baeder has been serving at Zion Lutheran Church, Tinley Park, Ill., since 1999, where he supervised a number of LSTC's Ministry in Context students. He has been a member of the LSTC board of directors since 2000.  Read more.

Youth in Mission hosts Rachel Kurtz Concert on June 15
Rachel Kurtz.Vocalist and musician Rachel Kurtz will perform in concert Sunday, June 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the Augustana Chapel at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. LSTC's Youth in Mission Program for high school youth is sponsoring the public concert. The concert is free and open to the public. Groups may call 773-256-0725 to reserve seats. Concert poster & more about Rachel Kurtz
 
 Keep current with Currents in Theology and Mission
 
Art from the April 2008 Currents.Looking for preaching resources? Are you wondering what colleagues and theologians are thinking and writing about? Curious about what's happening with ecumenical and interfaith relations? Or are you seeking stimulating reading to stir your mind as well as your heart? You'll find it in Currents in Theology in Mission.
 
For over 35 years, Currents and Theology in Mission has given its readers resources for ministry in articles that are substantial yet accessible.

Read the lead article from the April 2008 issue and learn how to subscribe.
Quick Links
 
 

 
Alums brave storm to gather in Rockford

On Friday, April 25, about 20 LSTC alumni/ae braved a tornado watch and storm to gather for a celebration of the seminary at Cliffbreakers Hotel in Rockford.  They represented graduating classes from 1949 to 2002 and hailed from several different legacy seminaries (Maywood, Augustana, Seminex) as well as LSTC.

Alumni shared their fondest stories and memories of their seminary days as they shared a meal and drinks. Jessica Nipp, director for advancement, told them about LSTC's campaign, "Equipping the Saints for Ministry." Two of LSTC's board members, the Rev. Susan Davenport of the Board of Directors and Randy Schneider of the Board of Trustees, spoke about their passion for the ministry of LSTC.

The alums who gathered for this event had a wonderful evening together.  If you'd like to host an Alumni/ae reception in your area, get in touch with your Advancement officer by contacting Ruth Ann Deppe at 773-256-0712 or rdeppe@lstc.edu.

Gospel Choir Concert detail.
 
LSTC' s 2008 Gospel Choir Concert - View the photos.
 

 
Save the Dates:
 
LSTC's Women's Day 2008 -
Sept. 27
9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
 
 
LSTC's 2009
Leadership Conference.
 
 
Youth in Mission "Pastoral Care For Youth" Conference April 20-22, 2009


 
 

GoodSearch: You Search...We Give!

Just by using Goodsearch  LSTC receives donations!
GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!
Contact Information - Send us Your Stories
 
Thank you for your notes and positive responses after receiving the first E.pistle. Your stories of ministry are the most important part of this e-newsletter. You are invited to share stories of your own ministry and how your time at LSTC has helped you do what you do. I look forward to reading your stories and sharing them here.

If you haven't already confirmed that you'd like to continue receiving the E.pistle, please click on the confirm link. If you do not get a response, forward your E.pistle to me and I will be able to confirm the link for you. I need your forwarded email to do this. If you already confirmed, there's no need to do so again.

Jan Boden
Director of  Communications & Marketing
773-256-0744
jboden@lstc.edu