Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago logo.
 LSTC E.PISTLE
 
August 2008
Monthly News for Alumni and Friends

Planters at LSTC's east entrance.

Greetings!
 
Classes at LSTC don't begin until after Labor Day, but students are returning to campus from internship and new students are settling into housing. "Transition to LSTC" begins on August 24 for new students. All-student orientation begins a few days later.
 
If you're an alumnus, you'll recall the excitement and the feeling of dis-orientation of coming to a new place or back to a familiar place filled with unfamiliar faces. The week of orientation provides students practical information and introductions as well as opportunities to share our stories and begin to re-form the ever-changing community that is LSTC. It is a reminder, especially to those of us who have "stayed put," to look with new eyes, to listen carefully, and to extend hospitality to one another.
 
LSTC invites you back to campus for a wealth of events this fall, beginning with a stewardship workshop for preachers and ending with the Chapel Music Series Advent lessons and carols service. Come, be refreshed and inspired.
 
We are grateful for your partnership in the ministry of equipping women and men to be leaders in the church. Please remember LSTC and those who study and serve here in your prayers and the prayers of your congregation.

Blessings on your ministries,
 

How Easy is it to be Green?

by Benjamin Sheets
M.Div. Class of 2008


Benjamin SheetsWhile in seminary, I worked on a brochure for ways in which individuals in the LSTC community could strive toward "green" living.  It was titled "It's That Easy Being Green."  I was motivated to create it after hearing Dr. David Rhoads give a lecture on how our care of creation is an essential part of living our Christian life in response to God's abundant grace. 
 
I remember Dr. Rhoads sharing about the time he woke up from a dream and shouted "I'm a mammal!" Humans are mammals too.  We are created alongside other animals on the sixth day.  So our stewardship of creation is not over creation, but within creation.  Dr. Rhoads' lecture and continued discussion of care of creation helped me realize the importance of caring for what God has provided. 

I'm now 6 months into my first call in the middle of Wisconsin. I have to say, I've been surprised.
 
 
 
Moving Beyond Belief
to faith in action
 
by Heather Wallace
Coordinator, Youth in Mission

Beyond Belief image."(You are called) to go out into the world and use your gifts and blessings to benefit others: You have a strong passion for what you do and then you use that in many ways."  This is how one youth describes her experience in Youth in Mission's  (YIM) Beyond Belief program at LSTC.

Beyond Belief is a week-long Chicago service opportunity available year round. Most groups choose to participate in July and August. Youth leaders and pastors are able to create a week that fits the needs of their youth both financially and spiritually. LSTC offers minimal-cost housing at the Youth Center for up to 28 people.

YIM also provides service project contacts such as the Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC), Willfeed/Peace Kids Caf� in Englewood, and the Alliance for the Great Lakes Beach Clean-up.  [ Read more about Beyond Belief. ]

 
 
 
Equipping the Saints for Ministry.
 
 
 
 

 

Planned Giving:
Good news for your family;
Good news for your seminary
 
As Lutheran Christians, we give thanks to God for the abundance of gifts that we have received. In gratitude for these gifts, many LSTC alumni and friends give generously to their congregations, their seminary and other organizations during their lifetime-planned giving can help us to continue this legacy with our estates.

One way to perpetuate a legacy of grateful giving is through a planned gift to LSTC. A "planned gift" is any gift that requires consideration of a donor's personal financial and estate circumstances, and which involves the advice of financial planners.
 
There are several estate planning instruments that can help you to make the "ultimate gift" to your family and to your favorite church organization(s), including LSTC. These possibilities include a Charitable Remainder Trust, a charitable gift in your will, a life insurance policy, a Charitable Gift Annuity, and many others.  Each giving instrument has separate rules and advantages and is appropriate for individuals in different circumstances.
 
With the help of a planned giving instrument, many ELCA pastors approaching retirement have enough funds in their Board of Pensions account to serve them in their retirement years, provide for their family after their death, and make a substantial gift to their seminary.    Read more.
 
Jessica Nipp
Director for Advancement
[email protected] 
 
News you should know
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
There is still time to submit nominations for our 2009 Outstanding Alumni - By September 1.

Each year LSTC honors four to six alumni who have distinguished themselves in faithful service to the Gospel and to the body of Christ. Download the Nomination form.
 
 
Seminary Sampler: "Taste of LSTC"
is accepting reservations for October 26-28, 2009 - Spread the word!  Read all about it.
 
Quick Links 
 
 Chapel Music Series logo.
 
 
Grunewald Guild pottery. 
 
 
 
 
 
Equipping the Saints Homepage
 

 
Upcoming Reunions
 
Class of  1978 Reunion
Pastor Dan Ward is organizing a 30-year reunion for the Class of 1978 in October at LSTC. Dan would like to hear from classmates to help determine the best date.
Contact him at 845-452-1550 or email
[email protected].

 
35th Anniversary of Christ Seminary-Seminex.

On June 23 -25, 2009, LSTC will host the 35th anniversary celebration of Christ Seminary-Seminex. Save the date now and RSVP to Jessica Nipp at [email protected] or by phone at 319-541-3066. Your suggestions for the event are welcome. 

Class of 1969
reunion in planning stages.
  

 Join classmates and their spouses at LSTC to get reacquainted and to share your memories of your year at LSTC. Contact Jessica Nipp at [email protected]. or 319-541-3066 for more information or to join the planning team.
 
Classes of 1959:
50-year reunion
in May 2009

Fifty year graduates of LSTC's predecessor schools will be honored at commencement on Sunday, May 17. All 50-year graduates are invited to a dinner in their honor and time to share their ministry stories on Saturday, May 16. For more information, please contact Ruth Ann Deppe at 773-256-0710 or [email protected].
  


 
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.
Contact Information
 
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
[email protected]