Benjamin M. Stewart will be installed as the Gordon A. Braatz Assistant Professor of Worship on Wednesday, September 23, 11:00 a.m., in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC.

Our Equipping the Saints for Ministry Campaign continues with renewed focus for its final year.  The 2009 fiscal year closed with campaign progress of $7,565,393, bringing the total raised to $42,215,469.  With less than $14,000,000 to go, we are closing in on our goal of $56,000,000.
 
Despite the economic conditions facing the country, our alumni/ae and friends have continued their high level of support for LSTC.  Most importantly, unrestricted dollars to the Annual Fund were up 4% over last year; quite an achievement given the financial situation facing many Americans.  We are extremely grateful for the commitment that you continue to show for the seminary during these tough economic times.
 
During this final phase of the campaign, we are emphasizing giving to the Annual Fund for current use dollars, student scholarships, and planned gifts.  Gifts to these areas will help ensure LSTC's financial sustainability and strengthen its role in developing church leaders.  We thank you for your continued support.

 

LSTC Fund Cash        $11,745,918
LSTC Fund Pledge     $8,343,399
Annual Fund Cash      $20,678,838
Annual Fund Pledge   $   1,447,313

Total                            $42,215,469

 

Four LSTC students receive prestigious fellowship awards from The Fund for Theological Education
 
First-year Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago master of divinity students Christine Anderson, Sarah Rohde, and Nathan Sutton have been recognized by The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) as young leaders who demonstrate exceptional gifts for ministry. They will each receive a $2,000 to $5,000 Congregational Fellowship award for tuition and living expenses from FTE which matches support from their nominating congregations.
               

Second-year master of divinity student Carolyn Albert received a $10,000 Ministry Fellowship stipend to cover educational and living expenses and to fund a self-designed ministry project. [Read more]

Travel with LSTC Professors Esther Menn and Ray Picket to the "World of the Bible"

From January 5 - 18, 2010, you can be part of an in-depth travel seminary that will explore ancient sites and current struggles in the Holy Land. LSTC Old Testament Professor Dr. Esther Menn and LSTC New Testament Professor the Rev. Dr. Ray Pickett will co-lead this tour for students, alumni, pastors, and others eager to join a pilgrimage of study, archaeology, and faith reflection.

Travelers will journey to the Galilee, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jerusalem to visit sites holy to Christians, Muslims, and Jews. They will establish connections with their sisters and brothers in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) and hear many voices reflecting on the current situation, including leaders of peace and reconciliation movements.

Cost of the tour, including round-trip air fare, accommodations, breakfast and dinner, ground transportation and luggage handling, is $3,449 (shared rooms. Add $420 for a single room.)

A special three-day extension is available to St. Katharine's, a stone-built village at the foot of Moses' Mt. Sinai campsite in Egypt. Cost for the extension is $645.

Reservations for limited spaces should be made immediately by sending a deposit of $395 to Group Travel Directors. For a detailed brochure for the tour, see http://www.gtd.org/post/pdfbrochure/100105.pdf

 

Experience The Epic of Creation at LSTC
This fall, hear the story of our origins from a religious and a scientific perspective. The free lectures, sponsored by the Zygon Center for Religion and Science,  are Monday evenings, 6:30 - 9:30, from September 14 - December 7. For more information, visit http://www.zygoncenter.org, email zcrs@lstc.edu, or call 773-256-0760.
 
Through courses, conferences, and lectures, ZCRS relates religious traditions and scientific knowledge to gain insight into the origins, nature and destiny of humans and their environment to realize the common goal of a world in which love, justice, and responsible ways of living prevail.
 
           
Jazz at the Sem on September 27 kicks off Chapel Music Series at LSTC
Hear jazz bass player Kurt Schweitz and musicians from Chicago and Minneapolis as they explore musical narratives.  The quartet's music is steeped in the rich traditions of jazz and heavily influenced by the sounds of contemporary music. The 4 p.m. concert in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC, 1100 East 55th Street, is free. A freewill offering will be gathered. Read about the full series at: www.lstc.edu/music/

 

See details above, right column.

 
 

 

Experience a taste of LSTC at the October Seminary Sampler
For those considering seminary studies, LSTC offers a two-and-a-half day opportunity to visit Chicago and Hyde Park, sit in on classes, worship with the community, and talk with faculty and students. Be part of the Seminary Sampler October 25 - 27 to explore your call to professional ministry in the church. For more information about attending Seminary Sampler, contact the Office of Vocation, Admissions, and Financial Aid at 773-256-0726 or visit
http://www.lstc.edu/prospect_stud/visit/sampler.php.
 
Stewardship and Social Justice workshop sponsored by the Tithing and Stewardship Foundation
A one-day workshop on Stewardship and Social Justice will be offered on Saturday, October 31 from 9:00 am-3:00 pm on LSTC's campus. Keynote speaker will be Raymond Pickett, LSTC Professor of New Testament. This workshop is offered for pastors and other congregational leaders, particularly those serving on stewardship teams and church councils.
 
Programs offered through the Tithing and Stewardship Foundation at LSTC promote the practice of proportionate giving, encouraging greater spiritual growth in the sharing of all our talents and gifts.
 
Cost: $10/person or $25/ congregation