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Like a family
 by Jessica Nipp M.Div. Class of 2002 I had a pretty exciting first call, to be sure. I was serving in Wittenberg, Germany-the cradle of the Reformation. It was the town of Martin Luther, Katharina von Bora, Philip Melanchthon, Johannes Bugenhagen, Lucas Cranach. It was the home of the church where Martin Luther nailed (or maybe mailed) his 95 Theses, and the other church where he preached upwards of 3,000 sermons. I was surrounded by the late and the great of our Lutheran heritage!
But my second call... well, this one's even better. Here at LSTC, I'm surrounded by the students, staff and faculty who devote their lives to nurturing (and becoming!) the next generation of leaders for our church. It's my privilege to be in relationship with so many of our alumns and friends who support the ministry we do. Even more so than in Wittenberg, I now serve in the crucible of the Reformation, where lives are shaped and re-formed, minds are expanded, and God is praised. |
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News you should know...
 LSTC alumnus, the Rev. Paulos Phembukuthula Buthelezi, (2004, Th.M.) elected bishop of the South Eastern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa (ELCSA)
His consecration will take place on February 8, 2009 in Umpumulo, South Africa. Pastor Buthelezi had been studying for a doctor of philosophy degree in world mission, cross-cultural, and interfaith studies when he returned to South Africa in 2006 on church and family matters.
Sara Trumm named program coordinator for A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice at LSTC
 "Sara brings a wide range of experiences and talents to A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice," said CCME's director, the Rev. Dr. Michael Shelley. "With her help, CCME will be able to hold more educational events and develop a strong presence on the web where we will share interfaith resources."
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Good financial news for you and LSTC
On October 3, 2008, President Bush signed the $700 billion economic bailout bill (H.R. 1424, The Financial Rescue Package), which includes a two-year extension of the IRA Rollover provision.
The provision exempts from taxable income any funds transferred ("rolled over") from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to a charitable organization. The act provides that a person age 70 ½ or older may withdraw up to $100,000 each year from their regular or Roth IRA and give it to a public charity without paying income tax upon the withdrawal. An IRA rollover under this law accomplished by the end of this year will qualify for all or part of the IRA owner's required minimum distribution for 2008.
It is wise to consult tax professionals if you are contemplating a gift under the revised law. Please feel free to call the Advancement Office at (773) 256-0712 with any questions.
Although this information may not be applicable to you, please consider sharing it with friends and relatives for whom it may be beneficial in their own personal philanthropy. Read more...
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2009 Distinguished Alumni
Four LSTC alumni will be recognized for their outstanding ministry at the annual alumni banquet on February 10 at the seminary.
Pastor Melody Eastman, (1986, M.Div.), will receive the Excellence in Parish Ministry Award for her deep passion for ministry and her ability to create an environment where everyone's gifts for ministry are used.
The Rev. Dr. Martin E. Marty, (1952, M.Div., Concordia, St. Louis; 1954, S.T.M., Maywood), will receive the Faithful Servant Award. Marty's extraordinary service to the church ranges from a decade as a parish pastor to teaching at the University of Chicago Divinity School for 35 yearsand thousands of articles.
Dr. Monica Melancthon (1995, Ph.D.) will receive the Theological Education in the Global Church Award for her scholarship as a feminist theologian and her leadership at Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute, Chennai, India.
The Rev. Dr. Fred Strickert (1975, M.Div., Christ Seminary-Seminex) will receive the Global Mission Award for his passion for global mission and his work to help students develop an understanding of the impact of the gospel throughout the world.
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Ralph Klein lecture on Martin Luther and the Bible now available as podcast
 "Reading the Old Testament with Martin Luther - or without him!", the Rev. Dr. Ralph Klein's 2008 Lutheran Heritage Lecture delivered at the Lutheran School of Theology on October 20, is now available as a podcast.
In the lecture, Klein examines how Luther's views on biblical exegesis in general and the Old Testament in particular have radically shaped the understanding of the Bible in churches subscribing to the Augsburg Confession.
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 Youth in Mission Opportunities
New Youth in Mission video available online
"There are some things that you can't fully grasp until you go into the world and see it," said Adina LaFare, a 2008 participant featured in the new Youth in Mission video that introduces Serving Christ in the World. The three-week vocational exploration experience is for current high school sophomores and juniors who want to earn about God, themselves and ways they can use their gifts in service to others. Watch the video.
Serving Christ in the World in 2009 will be held June 13 - July 4. The application deadline is February 18, 2009. YIM offers a second opportunity, Beyond Belief, designed for high school youth groups to participate in week-long service trips. Youth groups may come any time of year. Read more. . .
Week-long J term course, Urban Youth Ministry, will be offered for a second year by Youth in Mission and LSTC. Youth ministry workers, outdoor ministry program directors, seminarians and clergy will benefit from the classroom and field experience offered by this course. Urban Youth Ministry, will be offered January 5-9, 2009, led by the Rev. Lawrence J. Clark, a veteran of urban youth ministry, and the Rev. Joy McDonald Coltvet, and using a wide range of consultants from various ministry settings. Read more. . .
Pastoral Care for Youth: a conference for Youth Ministry workers on April 20-22, 2009, will feature keynote speaker the Rev. Dr. Robert Dykstra. Dykstra is professor of pastoral care at Princeton Theological Seminary. Pastoral care workshops will be offered for youth who have experienced boundary violations, for children of substance abusers, for teenage girls dealing with body image disorders, for those who experience the "isms" of prejudice, and for youth who are grieving family members or peers. Read more. . .
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Opportunities at LSTC
Biblical Foundations of Stewardship
Saturday, November 15.
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Dr. Audrey L. S. West, and the Rev. Dr. Ralph W. Klein, at LSTC.
Grow in your call to proclaim God's Word:
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Upcoming Reunions
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 jnipp@lstc.edu or by phone at 319-541-3066.
Class of 1969
reunion May 16, 2009
Join classmates and their spouses at LSTC to get reacquainted and to share your memories of your year at LSTC. Contact Jessica Nipp at jnipp@lstc.edu. or 319-541-3066 for more information. Read more.
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 rdeppe@lstc.edu.
Save the Dates:
LSTC's 2009
Leadership Conference.
Make a Gift to LSTC
Just by using Goodsearch LSTC receives donations!
GoodSearch.com is a Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate.
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"Connections" Gift Shop:
Special Offer
Free Shipping with this Coupon
In addition to our LSTC emblem specialty merchandise we have:
and
Find a perfect holiday gift
Mention this offer and that you are an E.pistle subscriber when placing your order and shipping will be free!
(This Special Offer good through Dec. 15, 2008.)
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