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Our World's Need for Faith, Hope and Love: What I learned on my J-Term immersion experience
 by Joy Alsop M.Div. senior With eleven other ELCA seminarians (three from LSTC), I began the January term immersion experience at the Lutheran Center in Mexico City. There the staff there taught us about the culture, the communities and the sites we would visit.
We traveled to many tourist sites such as the National Palace, cathedrals, ancient pyramids, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and canals. Then we spent six days in the city of Cuernavaca where we visited local and indigenous communities and spent one night with a family that lived in the area. Through all of these experiences we learned about, explored, and discussed Mexican history and culture, and the topics of globalization, immigration, politics, militarization, food sovereignty, environmental issues, and solidarity economics.
Once I returned home, it took me only a few days put all of my things away, do the laundry, tidy up the house, and get caught up on e-mails. On the surface it appeared that everything was back to normal. But the question that I kept asking myself was "What exactly is normal?" It seems that my "normal" had changed. I had experienced and learned about many things that before I only knew by name or not at all (which is embarrassing to admit).
I now know what the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is and its severe negative effects on the Mexican people. I know that because.... Read the rest of Joy's Story |
What LSTC Did For Me...
by L. George Detweiler
M.Div. Class of 1974
Lead Pastor - First English Lutheran Church
LSTC provided a challenging and supportive environment for me to learn the theological and practical tools I needed for pastoral ministry. Professors Fuerst, Braaten, Swanson, and Lesher stand out as those who challenged me and made me grow in the years before my graduation in 1974.
The Chicago area was a vast and exciting environment in which to learn. As someone who had spent his previous years on the East Coast, Chicago was a revelation. It opened to me the world of Scandinavian and LC-MS congregations and their traditions, about which I knew nothing prior to coming to LSTC.
The friendships formed at LSTC were the deepest ones I had experienced. Some of them have endured to this day and have helped to shape who I am.
Why I support LSTC...
Theological education is crucial to producing pastors who are able to interpret the good news of Jesus Christ for the present and future. Our Lutheran emphasis on holding together Word and sacrament, law and gospel, and grace and faith remains vital to the ecumenical conversation about passing on the tradition of faith we have received. I see giving to LSTC as a way to ensure the transmission of our Lutheran heritage and I intend to make a legacy gift to support it. |
New Alumni Directory to Commemorate LSTC's Sesquicentennial
LSTC's oldest legacy seminary, Augustana Seminary, opened its doors in 1860. That makes the year 2010 our Sesquicentennial (150th) Anniversary. In honor of this milestone, we have timed our newest LSTC Alumni Directory to be released in the Fall of 2009.
LSTC is working together with the Harris Connect company to collect the information we need in order to update our database and make these directories available to you. Harris Connect updates alumni/ae information, produces and sells the directory. LSTC participates by communicating with you about the project and providing initial alumni/ae contact information to Harris. Here is a timeline of the directory project:
-March 2009: Email from Harris inviting you to fill out database information online. (Many of you have received this e-mail already.)
-May- June 2009: Communication from Harris (letter, postcard or e-mail) inviting you to call a toll-free number and speak with one of their representatives, who will ask you for more information about yourself. (We will publish this information in the LSTC directory, but we will not share it with any other agency.)
-June-July 2009: Those of you who have not yet called the toll-free number will receive a phone call from Harris Connect, requesting more information for your directory listing.
-September 2009: The LSTC Alumni/ae Directory will be delivered to those of you who choose to purchase it. All of our alumni/ae will be listed in the directory regardless of whether you choose to purchase a copy.
Your cooperation with the information-gathering process will ensure the success of the directory project. We want to stay in touch with you! If you have any questions about the LSTC Alumni/ae Directory, please visit our website ( LINK TO DIRECTORY Q&A) or contact Jessica Nipp at 773-256-0690 or jnipp@lstc.edu.
Thank you!
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| Coming up at LSTC...
Student Symposium on science and spirituality at LSTC on May 1
Graduate students from U.S. seminaries and universities gather at LSTC on May 1 to explore the dimensions of the relationship between God/the Sacred and the world. The free symposium is sponsored by the Hyde Park Religion and Science Society and LSTC's Zygon Center for Religion and Science. Sessions begin at 9:30 a.m. The symposium ends with an evening plenary address by clinical psychologist and philosopher of religion Dr. James W. Jones (Rutgers University). To register visit www.zygoncenter.org.
Learn how to build mission and ministry in anxious times from Peter Steinke on May 2Internationally known church consultant, the Rev. Dr. Peter L. Steinke, is the keynote speaker and workshop leader for the day-long stewardship conference, "Building Mission and Ministry in Anxious Times," at LSTC on May 2. The conference is sponsored by LSTC's Tithing and Stewardship Foundation, the Metropolitan Chicago Synod stewardship committee and Kairos Christian Resource Development Group. For more information or to register call Bernadine Gibson at LSTC (773-256-0710) or Steve Homberg at Metro Chicago Synod (773-248-0021) or register online at www.mcselca.org/stewardship2009.html
Zygon Journal and Zygon Center honor Philip Hefner
May 8-9, Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science and the Zygon Center for Religion and Science will hold a symposium, "Where Are We Going? Zygon and the Future of Religion and Science," to honor the Rev. Dr. Philip Hefner on his retirement as editor of Zygon Journal.
Philip Hefner provides the opening keynote address on May 8 at 7 p.m. Ursula Goodenough and Gregory Peterson will make plenary presentations on May 9. Zygon Journal's next editor, Willem B. Drees, will present the final keynote address. The symposium concludes with a banquet honoring Phil Hefner. For more information or to register, please visit www.zygonjournal.org, email Zygon@lstc.edu, or phone 773-256-0671.
Leadership, preaching, Bible, evangelism, and theology courses offered this summer
This year, LSTC is testing a new way to do summer session. Instead of all courses offered during two weeks in June, courses will be offered the third week of May, the first week of June, and the third week of June. The courses are open to those interested in the topics and for continuing education credits.
May 18 - 22, Allan Rohlfs will lead "Compassionate Confrontation: Leadership Skills for Conflict Negotiation," and Craig A. Satterlee will teach "Preaching and Pastoral Care: Wedding, Funerals, Baptisms and More."
June 1 - 5, Edgar Krentz will teach "The Gospel of Luke."
June 22 - 26, Phyllis Kersten will lead "Christian Education as Evangelism, and More: Fresh Ways to Tell the Old, Old Story."
June 23 - July 10, Linda Thomas and Pamela Lightsey will teach "Womanist Theology."
For more information or to register, contact Lynne Hubers at 773-256-0689 or lhubers@lstc.edu. |
Student Phon-a-thon an Ongoing Success
Last month, LSTC kicked off its first student phon-a-thon in recent memory. Twelve current LSTC students called alumni/ae and friends of the seminary to invite their support for our Annual Fund and student scholarships. A generous matching grant from LSTC's Board members (Board of Directors, Alumni/ae Board, Board of Trustees) multiplied the success of the program.
 During the two weeks of the phon-a-thon, you- our LSTC friends and graduates- made 441 pledges to the seminary! We were thrilled to welcome dozens of brand-new donors to LSTC, and to reestablish our relationship with past donors as well. The donations that we received will enable us to strengthen our Annual Fund and to restore $80,000 to the student financial aid budget, which had been cut by about $150,000 in response to falling endowment values and budget concerns. Your generosity will be directly experienced by our students, and we are very grateful to all of you who made a pledge to this year's phon-a-thon.
We're not finished with our fundraising efforts, however. Some of the phone numbers in our database were out of date or incorrect, and some of you were not home when we called you. Of course, we don't want you to miss this chance to pledge your support to LSTC and to our students! One of our students will continue the phon-a-thon calling, getting in touch with many more of you in the coming weeks. If you have been expecting a call and do not receive one, please let us know. We'd love to hear from you!
LSTC's commitment to its students never declines, even when the stock market does; and so we are diligent in inviting you to partner with us as we nurture, educate and support the next generation of leaders for the wider church.
Jessica Nipp, Director for Advancement |
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News you should know...
LSTC declares 2009-2010 Earth Year at LSTC
One of the greenest seminaries in the United States for the last 20 years, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago will observe Earth Year during the 2009-2010 academic year. The entire community will focus on care of creation including sustainability, environmental justice, congregational activism on behalf of the earth, and theological themes related to creation.
"Earth Year will be LSTC's first theme year, with the purpose of fostering engagement between the seminary and issues confronting the world," said Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs Kathleen D. "Kadi" Billman. "Observing a theme year focused on our care of the earth allows us to challenge ourselves to even greater engagement through our ministries with this urgent need." [ Read more] Dr. Luis N. Rivera-Pagán will preach at 2009 LSTC commencement
Dr. Luis N. Rivera-Pagán, professor emeritus of ecumenics at Princeton Theological Seminary, will preach at the 149th commencement of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago on Sunday, May 17, 2009. Dr. Rivera-Pagán's scholarship focuses on the history of the Latino church, particularly the 16th century debates about the conquest and colonization of the Americas and on a theological reading of Latin American literature. He has been a mentor to important Latino/a and Latin American scholars. [ Read more]
The Rev. Dr. Richard Luecke to receive LSTC's Confessor of Christ Award
The faculty of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago has chosen the Rev. Dr. Richard H. Luecke to receive the 2009 Confessor of Christ Award. The award will be presented on Sunday, May 17, and the school's 149th commencement ceremony. The award is given, by vote of the LSTC's faculty, to a Christian individual who provides a witness to Christ Jesus and the Gospel by selfless service to others. [ Read more]
Rhoads featured in Seeds for the Parish
David Rhoads, professor of New Testament, was featured in the March-April issue of Seeds for the Parish. In the lead story, "This is not a fad," Rhoads shares what the Bible has to say about environmentalism, how congregations can play a role in caring for the earth, and how LSTC is a green seminary. Read the article and find other care of creation resources. | |
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Opportunities at LSTC
Join us for an organ recital by Thomas Wikman
Tuesday, May 5
12:20-12:50 p.m.
Augustana Chapel
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CCMEPJ sponsors:
Global Conversation
"Our Roots are Here, Our Harvest is Peace"
Monday, April 27
12 noon -1 p.m.
in the LRWC
Daoud Nassar, Palestinian Christian farmer with Bill Plitt and Mark Braverman,
Founders of Tent of Nations
Interfaith Emphasis
Coffee Break
April 29:
Vinati DeVane (Buddhism)
4-5 pm in the CCME Meeting Room.
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2009 Commencement of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Sunday, May 17
2:30 p.m.
Eucharist and Commencement
The Rev. Dr. Luis N. Rivera-Pagán, Preacher
Saint Thomas the Apostle Church
5472 S. Kimbark Ave.
Reception immediately following in the LSTC Refectory
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Upcoming Reunions
35th Anniversary of Christ Seminary-
Seminex.
On June 23-25, 2009, the Seminex contingent at LSTC invites you to join us for the 35th anniversary celebration of the founding of Seminex.
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 773-256-0712 or rdeppe@lstc.edu.
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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