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Dear friends of the seminary,
We are about to finish the first full year of being part of California Lutheran University. For that relationship, I give much thanks.
Imagine the personnel in Thousand Oaks being plenty busy with managing the University and its several extensions in southern California. Then think of many of them, especially in the business and advancement and human relations offices and religion office and campus ministries all being told that they must do everything they can to make our mutual transition work.
I can tell you that, without exception, those personnel have been gracious and helpful, enabling all of us here in Berkeley to become better at what we do. They have given good guidance and have been very patient in the process.
President Chris Kimball has remarked how the people of the University have been very excited to now have a seminary as part of the whole. The presence of PLTS in Cal Lutheran greatly strengthens religious identity, brings new possibilities for collaboration and, not unimportantly, creates a presence in northern California. So, as PLTS board member Frank Espegren says, all components of the University's name are being strengthened: California - Lutheran - University.
Our merger came at an excellent time in the life of the seminary, and now that we are approaching Christmas, we can see that we have been enjoying a year-long gift. And so we are grateful.
We also give thanks for the critically important support that you all give to the direct support of PLTS and its work. Calendar year-end gifts are part of our life support. I encourage you to give generously toward preparing students to become pastors and leaders in the ELCA and beyond, by responding to our latest appeal, by December 31. You will literally be bringing light to our world.
In celebration of the incarnation,
Rev. Brian Stein-Webber
Director of Seminary Relations
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IRA Rollover
| |  If you are planning on or are interested in rolling over a gift from you IRA, please note that the Senate passed HR 5771 on December 17th, and the president is likely to sign it before the weekend. Unlike in the past, this bill DOES NOT extend to January 31st. That leaves a small window to complete this type of gift. Remember, this is for those of you who are 70 1/2 years of age and the maximum to rollover is $100,000.
Please contact your IRA custodian to prepare the rollover, as that may take several days to complete. This bill is NOT a law just yet, but it is important to give your custodian adequate time to process the rollover before the year ends.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Director of Planned Giving at CLU, Rich Holmes. He may be reached at [email protected] or (805) 493-3831. |
Alum Symposium on Ministry in the West
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There are still spots available!
On January 20-22, 2015, the Alum Association of PLTS will hold a Symposium on Ministry in the West. Participants will engage in a process of presentation, group discussion and reflection, during which resources and expertise inherent in the group will rise to match the interests of the group. After the primary presentations, this model allows participants to structure the agenda and network solutions.
Major themes for the event are: Sharing the Gospel in the 21st century, especially with younger adults; and Living the Gospel outside of the congregation.
We are pleased to have two highly-qualified presenters: Shauna Hannan, PLTS Professor of Homiletics; and Alexia Salvatierra, co-author of Faith-Rooted Organizing.
 The event goes from lunch on Tuesday the 20 th until lunch on Thursday the 22nd.
Cost of the retreat, not including housing, is $155 for PLTS alums and $175 for others. The fee covers three lunches and one dinner.
If you are interested, please contact Chelsea Pell at 510-559-2735 or [email protected] for more information or to receive a registration form.
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Executive Skills for Pastors Event
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Spirit in the Desert, Carefree Arizona January 12-16, 2015
For the past two years California Lutheran University has  sponsored a continuing education event for rostered leaders of the ELCA entitled, "Executive Skills for Pastors, learning from the world of the MBA."
This five-day event features faculty from the Cal Lutheran School of Management focusing on areas of strategic planning, use of social media, budgeting, leadership, and non-profit management.
Now in partnership with Spirit in the Desert, California Lutheran University will offer this program in Arizona. The dates for this event are January 12 to 16. We will begin with lunch on Monday the 12th and end with lunch on Friday the 16th.
The cost including room, board, and materials is $875. The cost for commuters is $550.
Questions may be addressed to Rev. Arne Bergland at [email protected] or Spirit in the Desert at [email protected].
Register now before it fills up.
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6thAnnual Week of Renewal: June 22-26, 2015
SAVE THE DATE!
You are invited to join new and old colleagues in ministry for a Week of Renewal on the PLTS campus in Berkeley. Nestled in a beautiful setting between the Bay and Tilden Park, it's the perfect place to plan your five day retreat and continuing education getaway.
Enjoy classes, worship, stimulating conversation, theological reflection, and restorative time. Most evenings are free and make a perfect opportunity to explore the greater San Francisco Bay area. Stay tuned - information about courses, tuition, housing, and more will be available early in 2015.
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The Advent Blues
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Played and sung by Pastor John W. Soyster at Mount Cross Lutheran Church in Camarillo, CA on December 7th, 2014.
Well I look all around me and what do I see? People everywhere are puttin' up their Christmas trees. Cards are being stamped and sent to one and all, then every chance they get they go and hurry to the mall.
The carols they are a blarin' in every public place; The TV's thrown' gift ideas right up into my face. The harder merchants work at makin' their big sale the more I want to run and hide. From this season I want to bail! I've got the Advent blues!
The halls are getting all decked out with bows and bits of holly, and everywhere I turn I'm asked if I am feeling jolly. But I am not the only one who feels a little down: The same things's goin' on inside my old friend, Charlie Brown. We've got the Advent blues!
Now I can turn my back on this Xmas commercial trap just as fast as I can fling away this old red Santa's cap. But something 'bout this season brings a tear into my eye: Remembering good times gone by and how the time does fly.
When I was young and wearin' pj's that still had feet, Christmas was a magic, perfect time - not just merely neat. But now I'm grown, with grandkids of my own, yet I always have this Fear that their memories of this season will fall short of the goal I set Every year. I'm feelin' Advent blue.
By now I'm down, I'm sad, I'm glum; my hopes about to shatter, when I hear the Prophet Isaiah calling to out me from his 40th chapter he tells me I'm like faded grass; like a weed that needs a whack. I have to tell you truly: I was sliding from blue to black.
I'm blue because I realize that my generation- Its's just like people of ev'ry time and each and ev'ry nation. It's human nature brings me gloom; in God's eyes we're like skunks. No wonder folks are runnin' scared and hidin' by getting drunk.
So many folks are lost, alone; they've wandered off God's path; With hearts weighed down, their faces frown, afraid of getting wrath. The weight of shame some live with - it's an awful, crushing load. 'Tis easy to lose one's hope of ever finding the that right road. I've got the Advent blues! Have you got the Advent blues?
But wait a minute! A voice cries out and starts to stir my heart. "Make nice and straight a way for God. You'll do it if you're smart." God's love is coming down the road to fix up lives that are bent. And so you will not miss it, turn around. In other words, Repent!
He's coming with great power; He's coming with great glory; He's coming not to punish but to wrap us in his story. He calls to one, he calls to all: "Look up, the kingdom's near." He calls to one, he calls to all: "Look in; the kingdom's here."
In these dark days of winter, there's hope, that's what we're told; It's God who tells us this and well, God's word's as good as gold. The promise we hold, the promise I sing, is one day we will stand. With heads held high, with pride - no shame - before the Son of Man.
Whoever made this choice of color had a real good reason, this hue is really just the thing to capture depth of season. No matter how black the clouds may be that gather over you, they will part - you'll see - and reveal to you a sky that's oh so blue.
I'm glad that Advent's blue! Aren't you glad that Advent's blue? Oh, yeah!
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Alum Updates
| | Eric Huseth, MDiv '13, has been called to Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Bonner, Montana as pastor. He will be ordained on January 31, 2015 at Westwood Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Casey Tinnin, MTS '11, was ordained in the United Church of Christ on December 7 at College Avenue Congregational Church in Modesto, California and has been called to continue his position in Youth and Family Ministry at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Auburn, California. |
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Amy Austin
Amy Austin, MDiv '05, died on June 26, 2014, after many treatments for recurring cancer. Her single call was as pastor to United Emmanual Lutheran Church in Russell (Milberger), Kansas starting in 2007. She resigned her call due to serious health issues and then lived in Newberg and Sherwood, Oregon, near to the congregation where she was ordained, Joyful Servant Lutheran Church in Newberg.
Rev. William Hampton
October 8, 1935-November 12, 2014
 William Hampton was born in Inglewood, California, and was introduced to the Lutheran faith through Chapel of Peace Lutheran School. He learned to play the organ at Inglewood High School and later received a BS in Education from the University of Southern California. While in college, he earned his keep playing the organ at the Culver City Roller Rink. He attended PLTS and graduated in 1961, simultaneously attending Naval Officer Candidate School, being commissioned as an ensign.
Pastor Hampton's first call was as assistant pastor/principal at First Lutheran School in Pomona, California. He was then called to active duty as a chaplain, assigned to the 3rd Bn/26th Marines, with duty in Viet Nam (notably including the Khe Sahn siege in Quang Tri province), and then as Chaplain for the Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. At the completion of duty, he became a graduate student at California Polytechnic University at Pomona.
In 1970, Pastor Hampton became pastor at Hope Lutheran Church in Mojave, California. Later, he added preaching stations in the cities of Boron and Lake Los Angeles. He made the 225-mile round-trip for over forty years.
In between, Pastor Hampton was the founding Principal of Lutheran High School in La Verne, overseeing development of buildings, student body and programs. He also was the General Director of the Pomona Valley YMCA for several years.
He was a tireless evangelist for the Society of the Holy Trinity. He organized financial support for a number of Lutheran ministries in Indonesia the provided medical care, scholarships and pastoral care. He led the effort to provide the cathedral of the Lutheran Church in Kenya with a first class organ, hymnals and vestments. He served thirty years of commissioned service in the USNR, retiring with the rank of Navy Captain, doing his reserve work at El Toro MCAS or Camp Pendleton. He was awarded the Bronze Star (with Valor) and a Purple Heart.
Rev. Ron Johnstad
January 13, 1937-January 30, 2014
Ron was born in Whitehall, Wisconsin, and spent his growing up years with five siblings on their family farm outside Pigeon Falls,
Wisconsin.
 He could swing a hammer, harness a horse, milk a cow. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, playing baseball and football, and at the age of 13 got a gold medal in ski jumping. In addition, he enjoyed playing the drums, piano and guitar, and had a great baritone voice. Leaving high school early, Ron joined the Air Force, then attended Waldorf and Luther Colleges, where he played fullback on the football team, as well as singing in men's quartets. He married Mary Ellen Olson in 1961, and together they raised children Mark and Heidi. Ron attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, then accepted a call to serve in the wide open spaces of Montana, where he could hunt, fish, ski, and ride horses with abandon. He served Shields River Lutheran Church in Wilsall, American Lutheran Church in White Sulphur, American Lutheran Church in Livingston and Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Billings. Ron received his D.Min from PLTS in the 70s. Ron's last call was at Mount Hope Lutheran Church in El Paso, Texas, and he and Mary Ellen retired to Paradise Valley, Montana. Ron's parishioners remember him as a skilled preacher, approaching his sermons with discipline and intellect and challenge. He was also a faithful shepherd and great adventurer. Rev. Erman Mays October 20, 1925-November 12, 2014  Erman Mays was born in Woodbury, New Jersey and his family moved to Staunton, Virginia during his school years. After a further move to Los Angeles in 1942, Erman enlisted in the US Army Air Corps, serving in Guam. He attended technical school and became employed by North American Aviation. He was married to Clara in 1949 in Lynwood, California, and the two of them raised three children, Karen, Ken and Kirk. In 1955, they moved to Palo Alto, California, where Erman was an engineer for Hiller Helicopters. Erman had a change of vocation when he attended and graduated from PLTS in 1966. He took a call to Christ Lutheran Church in Medford, Oregon and then to St. Peter Lutheran Church in Tillamook, Oregon. He ended his working years as a contract draftsman at Caterpillar Tractor in Dallas, Oregon. Erman and Clara served as foster parents for many years. Upon retirement, they moved to Yachats, Oregon, where Erman built their home and they enjoyed the beach. Erman built model airplanes and taught the craft to children at the community center. They were active at Atonement Lutheran church in Newport, Oregon and later at Trinity Lutheran Church back at Dallas.
Rev. James Miley
February 18, 1936-November 26, 2014
 James Edward Miley was born in 1936 in Minneapolis, the youngest of four brothers. His family moved to Sacramento where Jim graduated from high school, afterward attending Wittenburg University and PLTS, graduating from the latter in 1962. He was ordained and then proceeded to serve eight congregations in the West, including - but not limited to - Our Redeemer in Simi Valley, St. James in Redding, St. Stephen's in Palmdale, St. Michael in Sun Valley and Mt. Cross in Camarillo (all of those in California). In 1991, Jim became ELCA Region 2 Coordinator, with offices in Las Vegas. He was also Region 8 Coordinator for some years, until his retirement in 2003. He and his wife Avis moved to Bellingham, Washington, where Jim served as interim pastor at Our Savior's and Christ the Servant congregations there. He died on November 26, 2014. Pastor Jim was very talented at getting things done, and was known for telling his congregations, "We have a great bunch of people here and we are going to go places!" He had the habit of rising early and maintaining a positive attitude. People have commented on his generous heart and his boundless energy. Jim is survived by his wife Avis, his brothers Frank and David, his five children: Robert, Jeffrey, Kari, James and Stephen, ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
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Attention Thrivent Members!
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There is still time! Your simple vote can
help our seminary fund - click here to direct your Thrivent Choice dollars to PLTS. We are grateful for you and appreciate the generosity of Thrivent Financial.
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Donate Today!
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 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
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