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Prologue: A Nebraska Adventure
 by Matthew Stuhlmuller LSTC M.Div. student While visiting family and friends over Christmas break in sunny, warm southern California, people would often ask me what my plans are for the new year. When I told them that I would be traveling to Nebraska in January, I would often receive an incredulous look in reply and a sentiment along the lines of "Why the heck would you want to go there?"
You see, I come from a very different land. Now granted, I'm sure that Californians have just as many stereotypes about Nebraska as Nebraskans have about California, but all stereotypes of beaches and palm trees aside, my little area of the state, Orange County, is about as urban and densely populated as you can get.
Located about 30 minutes outside Los Angeles, Orange County is technically a suburb of LA, but LA suburbs are more like cities unto themselves, with one city squashed right up next to another with little to no green space in between. My hometown, Fullerton, has a population of about 130,000, and that's pretty normal size for where I come from. Needless to say, southern California is about as different than rural Nebraska as you could imagine.
So why the heck would I want to go to rural Nebraska in January?
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| 2010 HEIN-FRY LECTURE AT LSTC
"Hearing the Word: Teaching the Bible in the Parish and Beyond" presented at LSTC
On Thursday, February 18, Dr. Mary Hess, associate professor of educational leadership at Luther Seminary, will explore various ways Lutherans have taught the Bible. She delivers the 2010 Hein-Fry Lecture on the theme "Hearing the Word: Teaching the Bible in the Parish (and Beyond)" at 1 p.m. in LSTC's Common Room, 1100 East 55th Street. The Rev. Dr. Ray Pickett, LSTC professor of New Testament, will respond to Dr. Hess's lecture.
The lecture is free and open to the public. An LSTC faculty member will respond to the lecture and facilitate a question and answer session. [ Read more ]
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| CONFERENCE FOR YOUTH MINISTRIES WORKERS
Youth in Mission sponsors "Sacred Stories: Youth Faith Formation in an Interfaith World"
 "Sacred Stories: Youth Faith Formation in an Interfaith World," Youth in Mission's second annual youth ministry workers' conference, on April 12-14, 2010, at LSTC, will help youth ministry workers find and develop new approaches to interfaith issues facing our youth.
The conference's keynote speaker will be Hannah McConnaughay, Program Associate in the Outreach Education and Training Department of the Interfaith Youth Core.
Conference registration is open through - March 12, 2010. Fees are $80/person until January 15th and $90/person beginning January 16th, plus housing and transportation costs.
[ Read more ]
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Opportunities at LSTC
In addition to the Hein-Fry Lecture, and Youth in Mission Conference, LSTC offers a wide range of educational and musical events beginning the first week of February. To learn more about each of these events, visit the links at http://www.lstc.edu/events/
- Lunchtime Manz Organ Series Concert with Thomas Wikman -- February 2, 12:20 p.m.
- Future of Creation Lectures -- Tuesday evenings, February 2 -- May 4, 6:30 p.m.
- "Experience the Gospel of Mark" told by Tracy Radosevic -- February 3, 6:30 p.m.
- Romantic Songs for Soprano and Piano -- February 14. 4:00 p.m.
- Lunchtime Manz Organ Series Concert with Thomas Wikman -- March 2, 12:20 p.m.
- Seminary Sampler -- March 14 - 16
- "Shared Earth: An Interfaith Conference on the Environment" -- March 18-19
- Music for Trumpets and Organ -- March 21, 4:00 p.m.
- LSTC Gospel Choir Concert -- April 11, 4:00 p.m.
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LSTC faculty and staff show increasing generosity
In calendar year 2007, the staff and faculty of LSTC donated $35,000 to the seminary. Then some committed donors presented the LSTC staff and faculty with a generous matching challenge: for each of the following four years, any employee giving beyond that $35,000 would be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $25,000 per year.
The faculty and staff gamely took on this challenge, doubling their giving in 2008 to $70,000 and easily earning the first $25,000 match! In 2009, employee giving was maintained at the increased level, thus realizing the second consecutive $25,000 match. In all, LSTC employees were responsible for nearly $200,000 in donations over the past two years. LSTC is grateful to its staff and faculty, not only for their dedicated service to LSTC's mission, but also for their generosity and commitment in giving. |
Rossing provided biblical message of hope during climate change summit
"God is mourning on behalf of the earth rather than cursing it," said the Rev. Dr. Barbara Rossing during her session of the public seminar, "Creation and the climate crisis," presented in Copenhagen during the United Nations climate summit in December.
Rossing sees the Book of Revelation as a wake-up call and a warning of the logical consequences of human actions if their course remains unchanged. Rossing was part of the Lutheran World Federation delegation to the U.N. Climate Change summit.
[ Read more ] LSTC to celebrate 150th Commencement on May 16
Nearly 70 students will graduate from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago when it holds its 150th commencement ceremony on May 16, 2010. Although LSTC has existed for only 48 years, it counts its number of graduating classes beginning with its oldest predecessor school, Augustana Lutheran Seminary.
Pastor Susan K. Ericsson will be the preacher at the commencement service to be held at 2:30 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 5472 South Kimbark, Chicago. [ Read more ] |
Has your e-mail address changed??
We get email updates from many of you and make then changes before sending the next E.pistle. But each time we send the E.pistle, we get bounce backs from email addresses that are no longer valid.
If your email address changes, please either make the change from the "Update Profile/Email Address" link at the bottom of the newsletter (where you see the Constant Contact logo in the lower right hand corner). Or you can send me an email at jboden@lstc.edu and I will update your address.
You may also choose to unsubscribe by clicking on that link at the top of the e-newsletter. Thanks!
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Please Note
JKM Library no longer able to accept used-book donations
Due to constraints on staff time, the JKM Library is no longer able to accept used-book donations. This policy went into effect on December 21, 2009.
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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!
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.
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My favorite LSTC connection to Nebraska Synod is happening right now. For the last several years, Nebraska Synod has hosted a rural immersion for LSTC students. It's a real eye-opener for students who have known only suburban or urban congregations. During the trip some students discover that small town and rural ministry is their calling. All of the students who go are grateful for the warm hospitality shown them by their hosts.
