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"E.tcetera ..."
Three new bloggers have joined the team that writes
our seminarians' blog:
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Mission Statement
The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago forms visionary leaders to bear witness to the good news of Jesus Christ.
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It takes a village to form a pastor
Kurt Hendel preached. Ben Stewart presided. Bishop Ray Tiemann presided at the ordination. Classmates and colleagues came to rejoice. And the pastor and people of New Life Lutheran Church in Bolingbrook, Illinois, hosted their member Bridget Thien's service of ordination on January 28. Clearly, it takes a village to form a pastor.
On that sunny Saturday morning, scores of "New Lifers," as they call themselves, set aside their weekend chores and kid-carting duties to support Bridget and welcome her as a new pastor in the ELCA.
After the service, I got to share a meal with a few congregation members. They told me how proud they were of Bridget. I learned that she was not the first person from their congregation who had become a pastor. It clearly helps to have a village that looks for and encourages those gifts in its members.
So here's my challenge to you this month. Is there anyone you know who would make a good pastor? Talk to them about it.
If they are still in high school, encourage them to participate in Serving Christ in the World [link]. If they are in college or older, encourage them to come to Seminary Sampler at LSTC or visit at a time works for them.
Pastor Bridget Thien will be installed at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elgin, Texas, on February 26. Echoing the festivities at New Life, St. Peter's will hold a reception to celebrate their new pastor. And the mutual formation of pastor and community will continue as they worship and serve together in faith.
Blessings in your ministry -
Jan Boden Director of Communications and Marketing |
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Frederick W. Danker, professor emeritus of New Testament, dies
Frederick W. Danker, Christ Seminary-Seminex Professor Emeritus of New Testament at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), died February 2, 2011, in St. Louis, Mo. He was 91 years old.
Professor Danker is known as one of the world's premier classicists and Greek lexicographers. He is best known for his thorough revision of the English version of Bauer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature published by the University of Chicago Press in 2000. In 2009 he published The Concise Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (University of Chicago Press). Both works are considered indispensable to students and scholars of Greek. [ Read more. ]
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Tributes to Fred Danker
Pastor Greg Kaufmann, Seminex alum and a member of LSTC's board of directors wrote, "His gifts as my teacher, both at Concordia Seminary and then Seminex, were among the reasons I chose to focus on the role of Pastor as Educator. Along with Ralph Klein and the late Bob Smith, Fred shaped how I did my Biblical work, and why. Thanks be to God for their faithful service."
Dr. Ralph Klein, Christ Seminary-Seminex Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, wrote, "Fred was a fantastic scholar, editing the premier Greek lexicon to the New Testament. He was also a person of incredible energy and caring. When I was considering graduate work in 1961, I consulted Fred (then Professor Danker of course). His advice: Go to someplace where something is going on.
"I last saw Fred, just before Thanksgiving in 2011. We were at the Society of Biblical Literature meeting in San Francisco and Fred was there to give--at 91--a lecture on Syriac lexicography. Never too old to teach and learn."
Pastor Arthur Bergren, (1995, M.Div.; 2007, D.Min.) wrote on LSTC's Facebook page, "Heaven's library just got richer."
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A Good Place to be -- Vance Blackfox writes about LSTC
Vance Blackfox (2012, M.A.T.S.), a blogger for the Living Lutheran, writes about being the only Native student at LSTC, and the community he has found here. Read his article.
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News from LSTC Six named 2012 LSTC Distinguished Alumni
The 2012 Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago Distinguished Alumni Awards honor six leaders who have shaped and are reshaping ministry in the church. They are the Rev. David M. Carlson, Excellence in Parish Ministry Award; Bishop David L. deFreese, Called to Lead Award; the Rev. Ralph E. Eckard, Faithful Servant Award (posthumously); Bishop Donald P. Kreiss, Witness to the World Award; the Rev. Francisco Javier Goitía Padilla, Specialized Ministry Award; and the Rev. Kyle A. Rouze, Emerging Voice Award. An awards ceremony and reception will be held on Monday, March 19, at 5:30 p.m. in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC, 1100 East 55th Street, Chicago. [ Read more. ]
Bread for the World President to preach at 2012 Commencement
The Rev. Dr. David Beckmann (Christ Seminary-Seminex, 1974, M.Div.), president of Bread for the World, will preach during the 2012 commencement. LSTCs 152nd commencement will be held Sunday, May 13, 2012, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 5472 S. Kimbark Ave., Chicago, at 2:30 p.m. [ Read more. ] |
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Youth in Mission Registration deadline is Feb. 24
Young leaders in your congregation will benefit from Serving Christ in the World, the theological and vocational immersion designed for current high school sophomores and juniors. Please encourage them to apply for YIM's next Serving Christ in the World session, June 16-30, 2012. Participants engage in theological discussions, workshops, site visits, and worship at LSTC and will travel to Mexico City and Cuernavaca, Mexico for a six-day multicultural immersion experience. [ Read more ]
To learn more about the program: Visit YIM website.
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Explore emerging ministry, sustainability at March Leadership Series
Nadia Bolz-Weber and Linda E.Thomas explore identity and context for your ministry
On March 19, you'll learn about emerging ministry and what type of ministry will work in your context as Nadia Bolz-Weber and Linda Thomas present the Leadership Lectures, "Identity and Context." Cost is $75 for the day. Register by March 12. [ Read more ]
Valpo Graduate School of Business will help you make your organization sustainable
On March 20, a faculty member from Valparaiso University's Graduate School of Business will lead the half-day workshop, "The Role of Business in a Faith-Based Organization." This free workshop is designed for clergy and other church professionals. You'll learn management skills to help your organization be sustainable so it can achieve its mission. Register by March 12. [ Read more ]
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 Frank Sinatra comes to the Augustana Chapel
The Bobby Schiff Trio performs Jazz at the Sem featuring a program of Sinatra songs on Sunday, February 19 at 7:00 p.m. in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC. For more than 35 years, both in Chicago and Los Angeles, Bobby Schiff has performed and collaborated with such greats as Mel Torme, Peggy Lee, Bobby Rydell, Marvin Hamlisch, and a host of others.
He currently works in Chicago as vocal arranger and accompanist. The concert is free. A freewill offering will be gathered. For more information contact Daniel Schwandt at dschwandt@lstc.edu.
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Scherer Lecture looks at influence of missionaries in Sudan
On Tuesday, February 21, at 4:00 p.m., Dr. Heather J. Sharkey will trace the influences of 20th century missionaries in Sudan, including the effect of the schools they started and the engagement of women in religious and public life. She will show how the influences persist today in the aftermath of Egypt's Arab Spring and the break-up of Sudan following the South's secession. The lecture is free. [ Read more ].
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Annual Fund gifts up 20% -- help meet the challenge
Alumni and friends are making a great response to the Annual Fund Helge Matching Grant Challenge. By December 31, giving to the Annual Fund was up 20% over last year! Thank you!
But we're only part of the way toward meeting the $500,000 challenge by June 30, 2012. Your new (never given to the Annual Fund), renewed (gave previously, but not in 2010-2011) and increased (gave in 2010-2011, but could increase the amount) will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Helge Matching Grant.
Imagine what that will mean for students at LSTC: more dollars available for scholarships, keeping tuition low, and charting a more sustainable future for LSTC.
To learn more, visit the annual fund webpage or give online.
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Dr. Oswald Bayer to deliver Heritage Lecture
On March 26, the Rev. Dr. Oswald Bayer, professor emeritus of systematic theology at the University of Tübingen, Germany will present the 2012 Lutheran Heritage Lecture, "A Public Mystery." The free public lecture begins at 11:30 a.m. in LSTC's Common Room.
Dr. Bayer says, "The word of God, which remains forever (Is. 40:8), enters the public realm, apocalyptically, and yet it remains a mystery. The mystery is that of the divine name, which unlike all other mysteries, especially the agonizing mystery of evil and the hardness of heart, is not a riddle that once solved is put aside. It is the mystery of the eternally rich, living and therefore inexhaustible God." [ Read more. ]
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 Rare Books website expanded
Visit and bookmark http://collections.lstc.edu/ to explore LSTC's rare book collection. Dr. Ralph Klein, Christ Seminary-Seminex Professor Emeritus of Old Testament has recently expanded the website for the collection.
Wish to share your library with a student?
Ralph Klein is willing to serve as a middle person between retiring or retired pastors who wish to bequeath their libraries and the students who would welcome adding the books to their collection. Contact Dr. Klein at rklein@lstc.edu.
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Opportunities at LSTC
February - African Descent Heritage Month: Slave Routes: Crossing Oceans
Feb. 19, 7:00 p.m. - Chapel Music Series - Jazz at the Sem with Bobby Schiff Trio
Feb. 19-21 - Seminary Sampler
Feb. 21, 4:00 p.m. The 2012 Scherer Lecture by Dr. Heather J. Sharkey
March - Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month
March 19, 9:00 a.m. - Identity and Context - Leadership Lectures by Nadia Bolz-Weber and Linda E. Thomas
March 20, 9:00 a.m. - noon - The Role of Business in a Faith-based Organization
March 26, 11:30 a.m. - The Lutheran Heritage Lecture by Dr. Oswald Bayer
April - European-American Heritage Month: The Water Is Wide.
April 12-13, (Thursday 6:45 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m.) - World Mission Institute , "Christians in the Middle East" - Dr. Peter E. Makari
April 15, 2:30 p.m. - Sacred Texts Conference at Faith United Methodist Church, Orland Park, Ill.
Apr. 15, 4:00 p.m. - Chapel Music Series - LSTC Gospel Choir Concert
Find more information about these and other events at the LSTC web calendar.
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