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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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Nick
"Hey! You causing trouble?" that's what Nick Spehar would say and then add, "I'm gonna keep my eye on you!" His voice permeates the walls at LSTC - after all, he's been part of this place since November 1967, just two months after the building opened its doors. He knew every nook and cranny of it and all the good hiding places for things that needed to be portioned out rather than pillaged (i.e., a new shipment of LSTC letterhead).
On Saturday, July 7, Nick died of an apparent heart attack while watering a garden during the 100-degree heat wave. His family members were out of town, but neighbors knew to call LSTC because they knew that this was Nick's other family. His nephew tells us that LSTC, the students, faculty, staff, and alumni were what Nick lived for. When he wasn't busy in his own considerable garden at home, he was planning what needed to be done at LSTC.
At the service of prayer and remembrance held on July 9, Dr. Richard Perry remembered Nick the theologian - the man who was faithful, dutiful, and welcoming. Every plant and every person in this community flourished under Nick's care. Nick's teasing, or just a nod of his head as you passed in the hall meant you were all right with him.
Ralph Klein said to me, "It's the end of an era at LSTC!" and it surely is. But let's hang on to what Nick gave us: being no-nonsense while sharing a great sense of humor, always being ready to help, and knowing how to relate to everyone from bishops to little children.
Oh, how we will miss this man. May light eternal shine upon Nick!
Jan Boden
Director of Communications and Marketing
jboden@lstc.edu
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Inaugural weekend Oct. 27-28
 Mark your calendar now for the inauguration of James Nieman as LSTC's seventh president.
Saturday, Oct. 27, 1:30 p.m. Panel discussion featuring Dr. Nancy Ammerman, professor of sociology of religion at Boston University, known for her study of congregations, and Dr. Bonnie Miller-McLemore, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of Pastoral Theology and Counseling at Vanderbilt University, a leader in pastoral and practical theologies; and the Rev. Dr. Michael Burk, bishop of the ELCA's Southeastern Iowa Synod. and a third panelist to be announced. Recent LSTC alumni will serve as respondents to the panelists.
James Nieman will present an inaugural lecture following the panel discussion and response.
A public reception follows the event.
Sunday, Oct. 28, Installation Service at Rockefeller Chapel, 5850 S. Woodlawn, Chicago
3:30 p.m. Pre-service music
4:00 p.m. Installation Service, ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson will preside. The Rev. Dr. Barbara Lundblad will preach.
Reception at LSTC immediately following the service.
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 Many Voices, One Story --
LSTC's first 50 years Yep, it's true, LSTC turns 50 this year! And we will be celebrating in many ways throughout the 2012-2013 academic year with the theme, "Many Voices, One Story." Most of the regularly scheduled lectures and events will have a 50th Anniversary theme - you can find some of those opportunities listed below. You'll be able to learn about LSTC's history in a special section of the web site and share your own voice on a "Many Voices, One Story" Facebook page - coming in August. |
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In Memoriam
L. Dale Lund, (Augustana, 1945, M.Div.) who served as the first dean of faculty at LSTC died on July 14 at the age of 93. As dean from 1965-68, he oversaw the shaping of the school's curriculum and integration of a combined faculty. In 1968 he was elected president of Midland Lutheran College and served for 13 years. Read more.
Randall Lee, (Christ Seminary-Seminex, 1982, M.Div.; 1983 S.T.M.; LSTC, 1985, Th.M.; 1992, S.T.D.) who was assistant vice president of development at LSTC in the 1980s, died on July 4. He went on to serve as the executive assistant to the ELCA secretary and as ELCA Director of Ecumenical Affairs and Inter-religious Relations. Read more.
Todd Murken (1985, M.Div.; 1998, Ph.D.), pastor of Holden Lutheran Church, Mt. Morris and Wild Rose, Wis., died July 7 from injuries sustained in a bicycling accident. Read more.
Ruth VanDemark (1999, M.Div.), pastor of Wicker Park Lutheran Church, died June 23 from metastatic breast cancer. Pastor VanDemark was also an accomplished attorney who practiced law in Chicago from 1976 - 2002, combining that vocation with her seminary studies and her ordained ministry. Read more.
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Helge Annual Fund Challenge helps your gift do more
This month, Mark and Kathy Helge have renewed their Matching Gift Challenge to everyone who contributes to LSTC's Annual Fund. To encourage you to make a gift to the Annual Fund, the Helges will match new, renewed, and increased contributions.
That means if you've never given to the LSTC Annual Fund, every dollar you give will be matched. Or if you gave to the LSTC Annual Fund as recently as June 2010, but not since then, every dollar you give will be matched. Or if you faithfully give to LSTC's Annual Fund each year and can increase the amount you gave before June 2011, that amount will be matched dollar for dollar.
But there's even more good news to this year's challenge. If you responded to the Matching Gift Challenge after it was announced in November 2011 and want to contribute again, whatever was matched on your most recent gift will be matched again this year!
If you gave a new gift of $100 to LSTC between November 2011 and June 2012, it was matched 100%. If you give $100 to LSTC between July 2012 and June 30, 2013, it will be matched 100%. The same applies for the amount matched on renewed and increased gifts.
Your generous gifts to the Annual Fund make a difference every day for every students, faculty and staff member at LSTC. Thank you for your generosity!
You can give online right now.
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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 fto receive your copy.
A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice in collaboration with the ELCA 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 Concert 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 - The Binding of Isaac - Genesis 22
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
For more information about LSTC events see our Events Calendar.
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New: LSTC Photos
Check out our new photo albums on SmugMug
Follow LSTC on Twitter @LSTChicago
And check out recent LSTC photos and more on Facebook:
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