During those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, LSTC hardly ever kicks back. It's the time when Director of Building Services Mike Huckelberry and LSTC's construction and cleaning crews move into high gear. This summer has been even busier than usual.

Some projects were planned and others came as a surprise. Who knew that the air conditioning system would quit during the hottest week of Chicago's cool summer or that we would get grants of over $185,000 to improve energy efficiency in LSTC's apartments? But the building crew got right on top of that problem and that opportunity. See News below for more on the energy grant.

Meanwhile, there was the planned project of getting the west wing ready for the JKM Library staff to move back in and open the library for regular daily hours when school starts. JKM staff and student workers are doing the heavy lifting on the move this week. Welcome back to where you belong, JKM! You can read more about Christine Wenderoth's vision for the library in the latest Epistle. (Photo: JKM Staff Chris Wenderoth and Barry Hopkins with student worker Katherine Tuttle moving periodicals.)

And back in housing, apartments vacated by students who graduated or went on internship were refurbished. Some needed only a fresh coat of paint and a good cleaning. Others got new bathrooms and kitchens. And others got a makeover down to the studs. This small but mighty crew is amazing.

We've got the crazy and maybe the hazy days of summer covered. We'll have to try again on the lazy bit next year. Students are moving in - this summer is over! 

I invite your prayers and support for LSTC's ministry as we welcome students to campus and begin a new year of grace in this place.

Jan Boden

Director of Communications and Marketing

 jboden@lstc.edu

P.S. Thank you to all who responded to the E.pistle survey in last month's newsletter. An amazing number of you like what you've been receiving, but you also gave lots of good suggestions on what else you'd like to see. I will add those topics to the editorial plan - and I invite you to share stories of your ministry.

Podcast: Pero Multicultural Center conversation

about race 

In response to President Obama's call for communities to talk about race, the Albert "Pete" Pero Multicultural Center hosted a conversation on July 23. We watched President Obama's July 19 statement about Trayvon Martin and the verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman. Pastor Kevin Baker (2012, M.Div.) and Mr. Louis Martin, a civil rights attorney, made presentations and Dr. Linda Thomas facilitated the conversation. Guests and members of the community shared their own experiences and responses. Listen to the sessions here. (Photo: Atty. Louis Martin, Pastor Kevin Baker, and Dr. Linda Thomas)

News

Class gifts lead to large grants for energy efficiency improvements

Gifts for environmental sustainability from the classes of 2008, 2010, and 2013 have catalyzed grants of over $185,000 for energy efficiency improvements at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC). The classes raised and donated nearly $10,000 toward the enhancements, which will be completed by September 2013. [More]

New book edited by alumni honors Vítor Westhelle

Churrasco: A Theological Feast in Honor of Vítor Westhelle is a collection of essays by a wide range of theologians from around the world on the occasion of Westhelle's sixtieth birthday. Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago alumni Dr. Mary (Joy) Philip and Dr. John Arthur Nunes edited the collection along with Dr. Charles M. Collier. It is available from the Pickwick Publications, and imprint of Wipf and Stock 

[More] (Photo: Mary "Joy" Philip, Vitor Westhelle, and John Nunes)

Stewards of Abundance and Stewardship Partners

The August issue of The Lutheran includes the second in a series of articles about the economy of theological education and Stewards of Abundance grants made to ELCA seminaries. With part of its two-year grant, LSTC paired 14 stewardship partners (alumni, board members, local pastors) with students as they worked on their theological and financial commitment to personal stewardship. The program was available to any student who was interested. Students identified to be most at risk of graduating with a large amount of debt were required to be part of the program and also received a modest scholarship.

Stewardship Partners were not required to be financial experts and received training as part of the program. Students and their Stewardship Partners met four times a year for one-on-one sessions. A grant from the Tithing and Stewardship Foundation will keep the program going at LSTC during the coming year.

If you would like to serve as a Stewardship Partner, please contact Laura Wilhelm at lwilhelm@lstc.edu or 773-256-0741.

Scherer Lecture: Christian Presence and 

the Syrian Civil War   

Dr. Mary Mikhael presents the annual Scherer Lecture on Sept. 24 at 4 p.m. in LSTC's Common Room. Since the outbreak of the civil war in Syria, Dr. Mikhael has been interpreting the consequences of this tragedy for the Syrian and Lebanese people, particularly the Christian communities. She will examine the conditions in Syria and the global Christian response to the mind-boggling misery there. The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information contact Dr. Peter Vethanayagamony at pvethana@latc.edu.

Cacophony! A worshipful benefit for the 

Pero Multicultural Center 

Diversity, variety, eclecticism, change - vital and true when the church pursues their harmony - but often they give us cacophony. Yet in this noise there is a music, a poetry, a power that is so magnificent it inspires, challenges, and excites all who hear it.

Come to the Augustana Chapel at LSTC, 1100 E. 55th St., on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 4 p.m. when the Albert "Pete" Pero Multicultural Center presents their annual benefit - CACOPHONY! - a powerful worship service with music, dance, bread and wine - and languages from all over this wonderful, colorful church of all times and places. A free-will offering will be collected to benefit the Center's programming for the year, and a reception with music and food will follow. More information.  

When Charles Featherstone was an M.Div. student at LSTC, he began  writing songs based on Bible stories, ones that explain Lutheran theology, some he sang as children's sermons and even ones that paid tribute to LSTC faculty and staff. He's amassed quite a collection that you can listen to and watch on YouTube. You may also hear some of those songs and maybe even some new ones in person. Charles will be performing at the first ever Lion & Lamb Festival in Fort Wayne, Ind., Aug. 31 - Sept. 1. 

Godspeed and congratulations

LSTC Gift Officer Rachel Wind (2010, M.Div.) said her farewells to us on August 7. She will be the new director of the ELCA's Fund for Leaders in Mission. We are grateful for her good work for the last three years advancing the mission of LSTC. We wish her all the best in her new position. We can't think of a person better-suited to the task of inviting support for seminary students at a churchwide-level.

Hymn Festival celebrates ELCA's 25th anniversary  

"Come Share the Spirit: A Hymn Festival Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the ELCA" will combine area church choirs, instrumentalists, and congregational singing on Sat., Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. LSTC President James Nieman offers reflection and commentary. Cantor to the Seminary Community Daniel Schwandt leads the music at the Augustana Chapel at LSTC.

Invite someone you know to LSTC's Seminary Sampler

Who do you know that makes you say, "She (or he) would make a good pastor"? Invite them to attend LSTC's Seminary Sampler Oct. 20 - 22. They'll get a feel for what seminary life is like, meet students and faculty, attend chapel, explore Hyde Park, learn about candidacy and financial aid - and do all this with others who are discerning a call. They may register online here or call 773-256-0726.

Interfaith events

This fall, A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice is collaborating with McCormick Theological Seminary, First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville on interfaith dialogue programs. It also hosts the annual celebration of Ashura with Noah's Pudding and welcomes interfaith and international students for a Thanksgiving feast. Learn more here.

Need a challenge?

Let us challenge you: Isn't it time you made a gift to LSTC's Annual Fund?A generous donor has agreed to match new and renewed gifts. If you've never made a gift before ALL of it will be matched.. If you're a regular donor to the fund, give more than you did last year and that amount will be matched. Such a deal!

We can make it easy. You can make a gift online right now.

Lutheran Heritage, Mexican Ancestry and the Future of the ELCA

The Rev. Dr. Javier "Jay" Alanis, executive director of the Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest, will present the Lutheran Heritage Lecture, "Lutheran Heritage, Mexican Ancestry and the Future of the ELCA," at LSTC on November 19 at 11:30 a.m. It is free and open to the public. The Lutheran Heritage Lecture Series is designed to provide a contemporary perspective on the Lutheran tradition.

Save the date: Seminex 40th Anniversary

2014 marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of Christ Seminary-Seminex. Alumni, friends, and faculty are invited to come to LSTC June 17-19, 2014, to celebrate. If you'd like to be part of planning this gathering, contact Mark Van Scharrel at mvanscha@lstc.edu.

I don't have an estate, do I?

If you are an adult who owns property (e.g., real estate, life insurance, IRAs or qualified pensions), you have an estate and can plan gifts for your favorite ministries when you die.

Isn't planned giving something that only rich people do? No! You give from your estate at death for the same reason you give from your income while you're living. Many gifts from small estates can have a tremendous impact for ministries and charities. Planning such gifts can help you and your family put your possessions in perspective and witness to your faith and values.

How can I learn more? Your attorney, accountant or other financial advisor can assist you. Other excellent resources are available by contacting Mark Van Scharrel, vice president for advancement at LSTC, at 773-256-0676 or at mvanscha@lstc.edu. You may also visit the

Opportunities at LSTC       

Sept. 3 - Fall Semester begins

Sept. 3, 12:15 p.m. - Manz Organ Series Recital

Sept. 4 - Opening Convocation - Joint Worship with McCormick Theological Seminary

Sept. 9, 5 p.m. - Pero Multicultural Center "Treasures of Peru"

Sept. 19, 4 p.m. - Hispanic Heritage Month Conversation and Meal

Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m. - Hymn Festival Celebrating ELCA's 25th Anniversary

Sept. 24, 4 p.m. - Scherer Lecture by Dr. Mary Mikhael

Oct. 1, 12:15 p.m. - Manz Organ Series Recital

Oct. 13, 4 p.m. - Pero Multicultural Center Benefit Concert

Oct. 14, 10 p.m. - 2nd Annual Pero Multicultural Center Lecture

Oct. 14, 11:30 a.m. - Multicultural Workshop: Christian Education

Oct. 17, 4 p.m. - Arab/Middle Eastern Heritage Month Conversation and Meal

Oct. 20 - 22 - Seminary Sampler

Oct. 21, 4 p.m. - "Defamation"

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