| Join our list |
 |
|
|
Above the Fog
PLTS Newsletter
March 2013 |
Greetings!
 Lent - a time to wander; a time to pray; a time to slow down.
These messages invite us during our forty day Lenten journey to explore God, faith, and life in new and deeper ways. From the classroom to the parish, to hospitals, colleges, non-profits, corporations, and our homes-everywhere we are and go-we are learning about God's grace and what it means to be disciples of Jesus, called to share abundant love with our neighbors throughout the world. The stories this month are sure to ignite your spirit with curiosity and wonder about the glorious love God is sharing through some faithful stewards of the Gospel, like you.
Enjoy and may you be blessed always!
Sara L. Wilson, M.Div '13
Office of Seminary Relations
|
Rev. Marvin Jonasen ('94) Publishes First Novel
| |
 Rev. Marvin Jonasen ('94) announced the publication of his first fictional work, written under the pseudonym J .K. Laumar. The title of the book is The Hug: A Journey Through the Inside Passages of the Human Heart:
"Set on the passenger ferry traveling through the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska, The Hug: A Journey Through the Inside Passages of the Human Heart is a love story that explores the inside passages of the human heart, and the depths of human emotions, for two individuals in their mid-50's who, after years of pain and hurt resulting from abuse, betrayal, death, dishonesty and divorce, stumble into one another - complete strangers - and begin a journey together in which they discover that they are able to love and be loved, despite their fears of being hurt again. Filled with heart-wrenching memories of sadness as they reflect on their pasts, contrasted with playful scenes of happiness experienced in moments of joy and laughter that neither thought possible, the story engages two hearts that are struggling to let down the self-imposed walls of fear that pain brings so they can trust again, and not allow themselves to be forever imprisoned by fear."
The book is available on Amazon.
|
| Wellness: Unexpected Therapy | |
By Wren Gray-Reneberg
Office Manager, Seminary Relations
 This month we continue our New Year series on wellness because truly, in order to live a balanced, satisfying, and whole life, all areas of our humanity need to be addressed, including our emotional well-being. One resource that often goes under the radar, but can produce some incredible results is our furry friends (or scaly or feathered). Read more about how pets can be a source of joy & comfort »
|
In Memoriam: Rev. E. Dale Click
| | |
Rev. Dale Click- or "Pastor C", as he was fondly called-died on Sunday, February 17 in Thousand Oaks, California. Dale was preceded in death by his wife, Bunny, and survived by two sons, Barry and Dean Click. A memorial service will be held at a later time at Ascension Lutheran Church, Thousand Oaks with burial of the cremains to follow in Enon, Ohio.
|
| Annual Endowment Lab: A Unique Course | | |
 PLTS was pleased to host the annual Endowment Lab in February. This year's pilot model included the welcoming of 22 congregation members who joined students taking the course, which was condensed into two days. Together, they learned about abundant giving for mission projects, saving for the future, and investments. Participants went home with tangible resources, new knowledge, and energy to either start an endowment or help their current fund go to the next level. We really appreciate the generous financial support of the ELCA who awarded PLTS a Stewards of Abundance grant to make this possible, and Thrivent, who gave the lead gift to help establish a $100,000 endowment fund at PLTS so students can get real experience in managing an endowment. Special thanks to Joel Wudel from ELCA Mission Investment, Gregory Jahnke from Thrivent, and Professor Tom Rogers for his leadership!
|
|
Remembering The Rev. Edward and Winifred May
| | |
Edward May and Winifred Matters were both born and baptized in St. Paul, Minnesota. Edward attended Concordia College there, and then Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. Winifred married Edward the month he was ordained, in January of 1945. Their first call was to Vanport City, Oregon, a city that was later destroyed in a flood. In 1947, they founded Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Portland. During the Portland years, children Stephen, David, Lawrence and Virginia were born.
Read more about the lives of Edward & Winifred May »
|
Remember the Future Society
| |
On March 2, 2013, PLTS held its most recent Remember the Future brunch. This event is for all persons who either are including PLTS in their estate plans or for those who would like to learn more about the possibility.
This year, we honored persons and couples who left estate gifts to PLTS since July 1, 2012. They are the Rev. Edward and Winifred May, the Rev. Arthur and Joan Sorensen, the Rev. LeRoy and Ellie Futscher, Emmy and John Anderson, Robert and Dorothy Faust, Gordon and June Aspengren, and Alice and Clarence Meyer. Remembrances of them were shared, and several family members were present.
We also acknowledged Tom Kling, whose establishment of the Kling Endowed Scholarship Fund occurred at the end of last year. And we are also grateful to family and friends of the Rev. Dennis Mower, who established a Memorial Book Fund in his name this past month.
Participants also heard an exciting seminary report from President Phyllis Anderson and learned about the importance of geography (!) from student body president Christa Compton.
To learn how you can become a member of the Remember the Future Society, please contact the Rev. Brian Stein-Webber at bsteinwebber@plts.edu or 510-559-2711.
|
Student Spotlight: Brian Rajcok ('15)
| | |
 Brian Rajcok (MDiv. '15) grew up in Connecticut and joined the PLTS community this spring as an exchange student from Luther Seminary. In St. Paul, Minnesota, he was the Teaching Parish Student at Zion Lutheran Church where he experienced worship and ministry in a diverse setting. Under the mentorship of Pastor Nirmala Reinschmidt, he learned about the power of prayer. "I couldn't believe it. She would pray and God would answer. She prayed that more children would come to church and before long, a college student showed up wanting to know if the church would let her begin a mentoring program for kids. A weekly after school homework help program began and now there are lots of kids who come to church, sometimes without their parents!" Children comprise about 50% of those in worship each week at Zion.
Read more about Brian's journey to PLTS »
|
|
Connect with PLTS!
| | |
Stay updated on the latest news & events from PLTS!
Keep us up to date with your whereabouts and news with
|
|
Donate Today!
| |
 Your generous support of PLTS helps to ensure that the future leaders of the ELCA church are well equipped to enliven the church, serve the world, and advance the frontiers of theology.
To make a donation to PLTS, please click here, or send checks to: PLTS Annual Fund, 2770 Marin Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94708
|
|
|
