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"E.tcetera ..."
Follow LSTC Bloggers this summer on our
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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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Answering the call
We're eager to get to know our new president-elect, James Nieman. But before we pull out the party paraments and begin the honeymoon with our new leader, we need to give prodigious thanks to Interim President Philip Hougen.
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Diane & Phil Hougen |
Phil has told us, "When I retired as bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod, I thought that I would like to serve on LSTC's board." He got that and a whole lot more the last several years. And I know I can speak for my colleagues on this: we are enormously grateful that he was willing to give so much more than he bargained for.
Over the last two years, first as acting president for six months while President Echols was on sabbatical, and, for the last year as interim president, Phil has inspired us and reined us in. He has made difficult decisions to strengthen the seminary he loves. He has explored and forged partnerships to benefit both parties. He has been part of the community in worship, in our fun, and of course, in meetings (because that's what we do best!)
Most importantly, he has told us the truth in love about ourselves and our circumstances and reminded us that it's not about us, but how God is acting through us.
Thank you, Phil, (and thank you, Diane) for answering this call and fulfilling it so well.
Blessings,
Jan
Jan Boden
Director of Communications and Marketing
jboden@lstc.edu
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In media res
James Nieman offered these remarks to the LSTC community after
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James Nieman, LSTC president-elect |
being elected as the seminary's next president on May 14, 2012. During his visit to LSTC on April 26, he preached on Acts 3.12-19, a text that begins "in medias res," in the middle of things. [Listen to/read the sermon.]
"I am humbled and thankful for the confidence of the search committee and now the board of directors in selecting me to be the next president of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. This is the best call in the Lutheran church because I get to lead this fine school during these promising days amidst your outstanding company. I am so glad that our paths have crossed like this, in medias res, and I eagerly look forward to the opportunity to work alongside you in serving the mission of this seminary, or, if I may say it now, our seminary." [Read more]
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News from LSTC
LSTC now RIC
At its May 2012 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) passed a resolution to make LSTC a Reconciling in Christ seminary. [Read more]
Vance Blackfox appointed director of Youth in Mission
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Vance Blackfox
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The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago has appointed Vance Blackfox (2012, M.A.T.S.) as director of Youth in Mission, starting June 6. He has served as director of youth ministries in congregations in Chicago, California, and Texas. "Vance's experience and gifts will be a tremendous asset to Youth in Mission's programs, particularly the vocational discernment program, Serving Christ in the World," said Interim President Philip Hougen.
[Read more]
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We're almost there... help meet the Matching Gift Challenge
Although we didn't have the entire 12 months to make the Helge Matching Gift Challenge for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, thanks to your generous gifts, we are 80% of the way to reaching the $500,000 goal for the year. That is right on target for the time we had -- but with your help, we can get to 100% of the challenge.
If you make a new, renewed, or increased gift to the LSTC Annual Fund by June 30, 2012, your gift will be matched dollar for dollar.
What does "new, renewed, or increased" mean?
New means that you've never given to the LSTC Annual Fund. If you give now, every dollar you give will be matched.
Renewed means that you gave to the LSTC Annual Fund as recently as as June 2010, but not since then. Maybe you gave during the Equipping the Saints Comprehensive Campaign, but have not been able to give since then. Make a gift now, and every dollar you give will be matched.
Increased means that you faithfully give to LSTC's Annual Fund each year -- and here's the real challenge -- if you can increase the amount you gave before June 2011, that amount will be matched dollar for dollar.
Thank you for your generosity! You can give online right now.
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Pastor Tim Brown on young adults and liturgy
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Pr. Tim Brown |
Alumnus Tim Brown (M.Div. 2009), pastor of Luther Memorial Church, Chicago, was a guest on Chicago Public Radio's Eight Forty-Eight program on May 30 to talk about church attendance by young adults. [Read the WBEZ background story and listen to the podcast]
Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid of Chicago's Downtown Islamic Center gave a Muslim perspective on young adults in worship.
Tim's blog post "'Doing Church Differently' or 'Spare Me the Hip'" on The Reluctant Xtian, led to the invitation.
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New LSTC staff
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Ben Randall |
Ben Randall, LSTC's director of food services, took his place at the grill on May 22. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University (in education) and of the New England Culinary Institute. Ben has worked as a chef and manager for restaurants in Chicago; Traverse City, Mich.; and Houston, Texas. He currently teaches classes at Sur La Table Culinary in Naperville, Ill. He has many specialties, but loves Puerto Rican cuisine.
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Emily Volkema |
Emily Volkema, advancement assistant - development support, is a 2010 graduate of DePaul University with a B.A. in public relations/advertising and a minor in professional writing. She has held jobs and internships with Hotel Intercontinental, K Grace Childcare, Inspiration Corporation, and United Way of Metro Chicago, where she did event planning, public relations, advancement, and administrative support. Emily is a lifelong and active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Wheaton, Ill.
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New Interfaith resources for your congregation
Complimentary copies of a six-DVD series, "Discover Islam" are available through A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice or through your synod. Discover Islam-USA, the producer of the series, has made the gift available. Contact Sara Trumm at strumm@lstc.edu or 773-256-0708.
A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice in collaboration with the ELCA Consultative Panel on Lutheran-Muslim Relations, Consultative Panel on Lutheran-Muslim Relations has developed a study guide for use with the series, authored by Carol Schersten LaHurd, Ph.D. The guide seeks to provide an interpretive framework, exploring how we, as Christians, might best approach and better understand each of the topics covered by the short DVDs in the series. Download the study guide at http://www.elca.org/ecumenical/.
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Save the dates
Sept. 5, 11 a.m. - Opening Convocation and LSTC's 50th Birthday Party
Oct. 7, 4 p.m. - Benefit for the Albert "Pete" Pero Jr. Multicultural Center
Oct. 27, 1:30 p.m. - Inaugural Weekend Event - panel discussion and inaugural lecture
Oct. 28, 4:00 p.m. - Installation of LSTC President James Nieman, Rockefeller Chapel [Read more]
Nov. 8 - Kristallnacht observance
Nov. 12 - Veterans' Day event
Nov. 15-16 - Pre-SBL Conference
Nov. 26 - Heritage Lecture - Monica Melanchthon
March 11, 2013 - Leadership Lectures & workshops -- Talking about Faith in an Interfaith World
May 20 -- LSTC Distinguished Service Award Dinner and 50th Anniversary Celebration at the Chicago Cultural Center
For more information about LSTC events see our Events Calendar.
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Follow LSTC on Twitter @LSTChicago
And check out recent LSTC photo albums and more on Facebook:
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