The snow is melting in Chicago and we're thinking of summer!  Now is the time for high school youth to apply for Youth in Mission summer programs.

Under the direction of Vance Blackfox, Youth in Mission has expanded and redefined its programs. Starting this year, three different journeys are planned for youth entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school. The programs focus on mission, cultural immersion, social justice, and theology.

Sophomores will begin their program in Chicago on July 28. After four days of orientation, they will travel to Oaks, Okla., to the heart of the Cherokee nation. The Oaks Indian Mission and Eben Ezer Lutheran Church will be their hosts as the youth gain greater understanding of Cherokee Nation culture. Back in Chicago, they will reflect on their experience and prepare to return to their own communities on August 11.

Juniors will travel directly to Austin, Texas, and the Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest on July 7. After several days of orientation, the group will travel to Eagle Pass, Texas, where they will be hosted by Iglesia Luterana San Lucas. There they will focus their attention on immigration issues. They will return to Austin for a few days of reflection before returning to their communities on July 21.

Seniors will travel to Chicago for four days of orientation beginning June 14. Then they will fly to Mexico City and travel by bus to Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. Working with CREAR, the group will gain a new perspective on history, politics, and economics from the "other side of the border." They will return to Chicago for several days of reflection before heading back to their own communities on June 30.

Twenty participants will be selected for each program. The registration fee for the program is $500, which covers housing, meals, and travel to and from program sites. Participants must cover their travel costs to and from Chicago or Austin. Seniors traveling to Mexico need a valid passport.

Learn more or apply here. Application deadline is March 31.

News from LSTC 

Robert L. Conrad, LSTC professor emeritus of educational ministry, dies

The Rev. Dr. Robert L. Conrad, Christ Seminary-Seminex Professor Emeritus of Educational Ministry at LSTC, died at his home in Iowa City, Iowa, on Wednesday, February 27, 2013. In addition to serving as professor of educational ministry, Dr. Conrad was director of the doctor of ministry and extension education programs at LSTC from 1983 until his retirement in 1998. A memorial service was held on March 9. at Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City, Iowa. [Read more about Bob Conrad]

Come on April 14 at 4 p.m. for a spectacular afternoon of praise and music at the 25th Anniversary Gospel Choir Concert in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC. 

In addition to LSTC's Gospel Choir led by Dr. Keith Hampton, you'll hear the Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church Choir, Cross Lutheran Church Youth Praise Team, Getayawikal (God Knows) Ethiopian Group, Noah I. Brown and Company, the Shekinah Lutheran Church Praise Team, the St. James Industrial M.B. Church Praise Team, and the Luther College Gospel Choir. 

Admission is free, but a freewill offering will be gathered to support The Grover Wright and The Rev. Carole A. Burns Scholarships. Choir alumni interested in singing should contact Patricia Bartley at

This week at LSTC 

Fifth annual Student Symposium on Science and Spirituality AND LSTC Academic Forum

The Student Symposium on Science and Spirituality is a free one-day conference designed to provide an interdisciplinary and interfaith forum for graduate, professional, and ministry students to engage in collaborative conversations and professional networking with faculty mentors. Students present papers during the morning and keynote presentations are from 3 - 5:30 p.m.

This year's Academic Forum provides an opportunity for 16 LSTC students from every degree program to present their scholarship at sessions that meet from 9 - 11 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Keynote speakers for the afternoon are Ronald Numbers, Hilldale Professor Emeritus of the History of Science and Medicine at University of Wisconsin-Madison; Grace Wolf-Chase, Astronomer at the Adler Planetarium, Associate, University of Chicago; and Thomas Jay Oord, Professor of Theology and Philosophy, Northwest Nazarene University.

Link to Zygon Center Website // Download PDF with complete schedule.

Lutheran Choir of Chicago comes to LSTC

On March 17 at 4 p.m., the renowned Lutheran Choir of Chicago will perform their program for Lent, "The Lamb: Grant Us Peace" in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC. Tickets ($10) are available online at www.lutheranchoirofchicago.org.

Senior Class Gift Fundraisers 

The LSTC Class of 2013 will be holding a series of fundraisers throughout April to raise money for its class gift. Reflecting two things the class deeply cares about, their gift will be split between Lenten vestments and paraments  for the Augustana Chapel and The Green Zone. You are invited to all of these events: 

April 3 - Family-Friendly Variety Show (time to be announced - watch LSTC's Facebook page)

April 12 - The Prom, "LSTC: Still Classy after 50 Years" at 8 p.m. in the first floor of the west wing at LSTC. It's a formal affair with a live band, appetizers, wine bar, and a silent auction. Tickets are $25.

April 20 - 5K Run or Walk "Running through the Ages" along Lake Michigan, starting at Promontory Point. Registration is $12 in advance or $15 the day of the race. 8:30 a.m. registration, race starts at 9 a.m.

To purchase tickets or register, contact Ashley Hochhalter at ahochhalter@lstc.edu

Two Stewardship Conferences at LSTC in April 

Between Economy and Ecology

April 6, 9 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

This free stewardship event is for seminarians, pastors, and leaders in ELCA congregations. You'll learn about solar power at Luther College from James Martin-Schramm and how to launch a small-scale solar energy project at your home or church. The free lunch will be made from locally grown and organic ingredients. Afternoon workshops focus on energy efficiency and green practices. LSTC's Green Zone, the Tithing and Stewardship Foundation and Stewards of Abundance are sponsoring this event. RSVP to greenzone@lstc.edu.

Faithful Living & Joyful Giving

April 27, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

What the Bible teaches about stewardship is surprisingly good news. Bible scholar Mark Allan Powell shares his journey from being a notoriously bad steward to discovering the biblical pathway "from duty to delight." This workshop will help you identify tools and insights to continue the stewardship journey, lead members to see biblical stewardship differently, understand that stewardship is about enjoying a closer relationship with God. It is not just about fundraising - it is a way of life. Registration is $30 before April 15, then $35 at http://www.mcselca.org/what/stewardship/conference.php. Fee includes lunch and a copy of Powell's book, Giving to God. Sponsored by the Metropolitan Chicago Synod and LSTC's Tithing and Stewardship Foundation.

Upcoming Events: 

Many Voices, One Story: LSTC Now and into the Future 

NOTE DATE CHANGE:

President Nieman's "state of the seminary" talk and forward glimpse of LSTC's future, originally scheduled for April 11,  will take place in fall 2013. Watch for the date in the E.pistle, on LSTC's web site and in the 2013-14 events calendars.

Eighth Annual Sacred Texts Conference

Sunday, April 21, 2013, 2 - 5 p.m.,scholars from the three Abrahamic traditions and those who attend discuss together the topic "Human Diversity: Blessing or Curse?" from the perspective of the scriptures of each religion. This year's conference will be held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1234 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, Ill. 

James Wind to preach at LSTC's 153rd Commencement

Sunday, May 19 at 2:30 p.m. 58 students will graduate from LSTC's five degree programs. The Rev. Dr. James Wind, president of the Alban Institute, will preach.
The Eucharist service and commencement will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 5472 South Kimbark Ave. 

Theologian and leader in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Germany (EKD), Dr. Margot Kässmann, will be speaking on "Challenges of the Reformation Jubilee 2017" at LSTC on Wednesday, June 5 at 2 p.m. This lecture and ecumenical responses will mark the beginning of LSTC's celebrations of the Reformation Jubilee and LSTC's relationship with global Lutheranism. A tour of LSTC's Rare Book Collection will feature works of Luther and other 16th Century Reformers.

Opportunities at LSTC      

March - Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Mar. 15, 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Fifth Annual Student Symposium on Religion and Science

Mar. 17, 4 p.m. - Lutheran Choir of Chicago Concert $

April - European-American Heritage Month

April 3 - Family-friendly Variety Show - Sr. Class Fundraiser $

April 6, 9 a.m. - Between Economy and Ecology Stewardship Conference

April 12, 8 p.m. - "LSTC: Still Classy after 50 Years" Prom - Sr. Class Fundraiser $

April 14, 4 p.m. - LSTC Gospel Choir 25th Anniversary Concert

April 20, 8:30 a.m. - "Running through the Ages" 5K Sr. Fundraiser $

April 21, 2 p.m. - Eighth Annual Sacred Texts Conference at Our Savior's Lutheran Church

April 22 - Earth Day American Indian/Alaskan Native Worship

April 27, 8:30 a.m. - Faithful Living & Joyful Giving Stewardship Conference $

May 19, 2:30 p.m. - 153rd Commencement at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church

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