|
Reporting from Bolivia Pastor Justin and Kari Eller are first-time missionaries serving in La Paz, Bolivia. 
They tell their story in the form of a "Q & A."
What do you do as missionaries in Bolivia?
Kari: Justin and I work with local pastors, youth leaders, national missionaries, and women to explore what it means to be a Bolivian Lutheran in their Aymara context. As missionaries we accompany, encourage leadership development, help promote self-sustainability, co-educate, and learn from our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our work here is mostly within the Office of Mission in the Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Boliviana (IELB, Bolivian Lutheran Church); however, we also assist other offices with various projects and events. [ Read more ]
|
|
Students thank donors on "Tuition Run-out Day"
If LSTC were funded by tuition alone, it would have to close its doors on October 6.
Tuition accounts for only 13 percent of LSTC's operating budget. The remaining portion of the budget is funded through our endowment, facilities-sharing agreements, support from the ELCA and the synods of Regions 4 and 5, and most of all the Annual Fund, which depends on the generosity of our alumni and other donors. If tuition were LSTC's only source of income, we'd only make it 13% of the way through the school year.
 The LSTC Advancement Office declared Tuesday, October 6 "Donor Appreciation Day" and invited students, faculty and staff to write thank-you notes to LSTC's "Top 2,000" donors. They wrote cards after chapel and at afternoon "recess," where they could have a 13% slice of pie. |
Two New Murals at LSTC
During the summer, some of LSTC's neighbors transformed a plain but very public wall into a colorful spot along University Avenue. Summer art camp teachers Susan Carton and Julie Vassilatos supplied the design and the paint. Twelve kids supplied the energy to create a mural on the theme "Big."
Inspired by the art camp mural, children participating in the summer missionary orientation at LSTC added a mural of their own, "We are one world" to sum up their experience. It points to LSTC's ties and commitment to the worldwide church.
|
Do you know someone who is considering seminary studies?
 Seminary Sampler, October 25 -27, gives those considering seminary a taste of classes and life at LSTC with others who are discerning their call to professional ministry. For more information and to register. |
Upcoming Interfaith Events
Interfaith event to explore parallels in Lebanon, U.S.
On October 26, Drs. Mary Mikhail and Muhammad Sammak, will discuss Christian-Muslim relations in Lebanon and the United States. This discussion is co-hosted by LSTC's A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice, McCormick Theological Seminary's Continuing Education Program, and the Presbytery of Chicago. It will be held from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. in the McCormick Seminary Common Room, 5460 S. University, Chicago. For more information call Sara Trumm at 773-256-0708.
Play reveals what lies beneath the veil
A one-woman play, "Unveiled" by Rohina, will be presented on November 12 at LSTC at 7:15 p.m. Five Muslim women in a post-9/11 world serve tea and uncover what lies beneath the veil. A pre-performance reception at 6:30 p.m. includes samples of the five teas featured in the play from Todd and Holland Tea Merchants. Middle East music will be performed by members of Bulbul Ensemble. A discussion with the playwright will take place after the play. Open to the public, a $5 donation is suggested for non-students. For more information contact Sara Trumm at strumm@lstc.edu or 773-256-0708.
"Sounds of Faith" features music from three faiths
Hear sacred and paraliturgical sounds from the three Abrahamic traditions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, at "Sounds of Faith," a concert at Rockefeller Chapel, 59th & Woodlawn, Chicago, on November 15, starting at 5 p.m. Sponsors of the program hope that experiencing the sounds of one another's faith will lead people to mutual understanding and peaceful interaction. LSTC's A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice supports this program put on by Harran Productions Foundation in collaboration with Rockefeller Chapel and Religious Life at the University of Chicago.
More Opportunities at LSTC "Sounding the Sacred V" concert presented by CUBE
On October 25 at 4:00 p.m., CUBE, Chicago's premiere contemporary music ensemble presents "Sounding the Sacred V," part of the Chapel Music Series at LSTC. The program includes "Jizo" for clarinet, cello and piano; a new work by Elizabeth Start; and "The World Within," by Howard J. Buss. Tickets are $15, available at the door. Students are free. October 31 Stewardship Workshop looks at Jesus as a vision for an alternative lifestyle
 LSTC Professor of New Testament, Ray Pickett, will explore stewardship in terms of the biblical themes of restoration and covenant renewal. Focusing on Gospel narratives, particularly from Luke, that present the story of Jesus as a vision of an alternative lifestyle that challenges social systems and negative cultural practices, we will relate the biblical theme of restoration to the multiple environments of our lives - nature, neighborhood, parish, and home.
The workshop will be held Saturday, October 31 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 1100 East 55th Street. A $10 per person ($25 per congregation) fee includes lectures, presentation materials, lunch, and a gift. The Tithing and Stewardship Foundation is sponsoring the workshop.
Larry Rasmussen will deliver Lutheran Heritage Lecture on Lutherans and care of creation
 Renowned theologian, Dr. Larry Rasmussen, will present LSTC's annual Lutheran Heritage Lecture on Thursday, November 5 at 11:30 a.m. The free public lecture, "Waiting for the Lutherans" will be in Room 350 at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 1100 East 55th Street, Chicago.
The lecture is part of the seminary's "Earth Year at LSTC: 2009-2010" observance. For more information contact Robert Saler at rsaler@lstc.edu. Manz Celebration November 6, 7, 8 at LSTC and St. Luke's LSTC celebrates the ministry of legendary organist and improviser Paul Manz in a gala weekend of music-makin November 6, 7, and 8. Offerings gathered at the concerts will benefit the Ruth and Paul Manz Organ Scholarship. Friday, November 6 at 7:30 p.m. past winners of the Ruth and Paul Manz Organ Scholarship Competition will present a recital played on the Ruth and Paul Manz Organ in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC, 1100 East 55th Street, Chicago. Freewill offering. For more details on the Manz Scholarship. Saturday, November 7 at 10:30 a.m., Dr. John Schwandt of the University of Oklahoma and the American Organ Institute will hold a master class in liturgical organ improvisation at LSTC. To register, email dschwand@lstc.edu. Registration fee. |
|
Alumni take note! Excellent resource available to you through JKM Library
Back when you were in seminary, you had access to one of the best theological libraries in North America - the JKM Library. One of the things that made JKM so good was its extensive periodical collection. In the last few years many of the journals became available online, so you could find, obtain and print out full-text article from your home or office.
The premier database for full-text online articles in religion is called ATLASerials of ATLAS. This database contains full articles form 140 major religion and theological journals, including Christianity Today, Christian Century, Interpretation, Worship, Lutheran Quarterly, Currents in Theology and Mission, and Zygon. JKM subscribes to ATLAS and so you have access to them all if you are a currently enrolled student.
But alas! The nano-second you graduate, licensing law prohibits JKM from granting ATLAS access to you, except on a clumsy article-by-article basis. Until now!
JKM (and LSTC/McCormcik), through the auspices of The American Theological Library Association and Lilly Endowment, Inc., offer YOU, the alumni of LSTC, free access to ATLAS and all of its wonderful full-text articles from this and the next two academic years! It's one of the benefits of being our alum!
How can you participate? It's simple: phone or email Chris Wenderoth, the director of the JKM Library, at 773-256-0735 or cwenderoth@jkmlibrary.org, for the username and password of ATLAS. Then, log on . . .and read. | |
|
|
Quick Links
LSTC News Releases
Check out LSTC's new Centers websites:
|
|
Earth Year at LSTC 2009-2010
For more than 20 years, LSTC has been one of the greenest seminaries in the United States. It will deepen and share that commitment with the church through activities focused on care of creation during Earth Year at LSTC starting in August 2009.
Earth Year will be LSTC's first theme year, with the purpose of fostering engagement between the seminary and issues confronting the world.
Mark your calendars and plan to attend the following Earth Year events at LSTC:
Dr. Larry Rasmussen will deliver annual Lutheran Heritage Lecture at LSTC
(See more details below in More Opportunities at LSTC.).
Read more about Earth Year Events
at
An events page, Earth Year at LSTC, is posted on Facebook. To find the page, type "Earth Year at LSTC" in the Facebook search box. |
|
Reunions
Classes of 1960 Reunion Groups to Meet in 2010
The Classes of 1960 will join at LSTC on May 15 and 16, 2010, during Commencement Weekend.
Mark your calendars and watch for more information to come.
Classes of 1985, 2000, and 2005
You're invited to a special reunion dinner and recognition on Monday, February 8, 2010.
A reunion dinner for the Classes on 1985, 2000, and 2005 will be held on February 8, 2010, in conjunction with the 2010 LSTC Leadership Conference.
Graduates from LSTC and all other predecessor institutions, along with their spouses, are welcome to attend. This will be a great opportunity to reconnect with former classmates! Those interested in attending should complete an RSVP form by December 20, 2009.
Please contact the Advancement Project Assistant, Cuttino Alexander, at advprojects@lstc.edu with any questions. Special rates are available at the Fairfield Inn Midway reunion participants. [ Read more.] Class of 1970
LSTC is pleased to host the Class of 1970 Reunion April 28-30, 2010.
The highlights of the reunion will include a luncheon and banquet on Wednesday, a presentation on the present and future of LSTC, a tour of the LSTC Rare Book Room, and a chance to meet and worship with current students.
Graduates from LSTC and all predecessor institutions, along with their spouses, are invited to attend the celebrations. Come and see how LSTC has grown in the last 40 years!
Those interested in attending should complete an RSVP form by February 1, 2010. Please contact the Advancement Project Assistant, Cuttino Alexander, at advprojects@lstc.edu with any questions.
Special rates are available at the Fairfield Inn Midway reunion participants. [ More information]
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. | |
Maybe Chicago can rally around a plan for something more lasting and permanent than the Olympics. On the last day of September, Naomi Davis, a local environmental activist, presented an Earth Year at LSTC lecture which laid out another vision for transforming where we live in a way that will provide lasting value to the community. [ 
