Saints and Thanksgiving

Jan Muller

Who are those behind-the-scenes saints that make things oh-so-much better for you? On All Saints Day, LSTC got to say thank you to one of its behind-the-scenes saints. Her name is Saint Janette. She and her husband, Saint Ernie, have been supporting LSTC students in myriad ways for over 30 years.

Janette Muller's connection to LSTC goes back to her father, an Augustana Seminary grad. She learned about service and thanksgiving from him and from other mentors. Jan's and Ernie's giving began modestly and grew to service on LSTC's Board of Directors and the Foundation Board. Jan has been serving continuously on one or the other board since 1984.

She and Ernie understand the value of an endowment to provide long-term support for an organization. Twenty-seven years ago, Jan helped create the LSTC Foundation to establish and grow an unrestricted endowment fund. Starting from zero, it is now worth over $22 million.

Jan has led the Foundation Board since its first meeting in 1991. Now she has decided that it is time to let someone else have a chance to lead that group. She didn't want any fuss or any speeches, but LSTC  needed to say thank you. Her response to the brief tribute at a dinner in her honor was to ask those present to support LSTC. She said, "The ELCA needs LSTC."

Jan has assured us that she and Ernie will continue to come to all of the major events at LSTC. Meanwhile, they will keep witnessing to the good news of Jesus Christ in dozens of other ways, including a prison ministry and in service to their congregation in Moose Lake, Minn.

Thank you, Saint Janette (and Saint Ernie), for leading, for leading by example, and for your incredible generosity of the time, talent, and treasure that God has entrusted to you.

Blessings,

Jan Boden

Director of Communications and Marketing

jboden@lstc.edu

P.S. It's easy to make a gift to LSTC's endowment fund online or by contacting Mark Van Scharrel at mvanscha@lstc.edu or 773-256-0676.

How the work of the church has changed

Art Miller

Pastor Art Miller

Joyful Beginnings Lutheran Church

Tyler, Texas

Having been in ministry 60 years, I am now attempting to start a mission congregation in Tyler, Texas. The work of the pastor has changed drastically. The pastoral purpose in my ministry has been twofold: to nourish the members of the church and to share the good news of the Gospel with others.

I have gone through five building programs during my ministry. Two were in a Kansas City suburb, Raytown, Mo.; one was in Loveland, Colo.; and two were in Pueblo, Colo.

The method to reach others has changed drastically. During the first half of my ministry, it was relatively easy to reach persons who were not members of a congregation. One could canvass an area, advertise in the local newspaper, and the message could be shared rather easily. Today, our culture has drastically changed people's needs and desires. Read more.

LSTC Alum helps "get the church moving"

Monica Villarreal (2011, M.Div.) is the ELCA/ North American member of the Lutheran World Federation Steering Group for its Young Reformers Network. Over the next four years, the LWF Youth Programme wants to involve tens of thousands of young people in its member churches in projects related to the Reformation Anniversary. Read more.

Nov. 19 Lutheran Heritage Lecture to examine border crossing in an age of border walls   

Javier "Jay" Alanis

The Rev. Dr. Javier "Jay" Alanis, executive director of the Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest (LSPS), will deliver this year's Lutheran Heritage Lecture, "Lutheran Heritage, Mexican Ancestry and the Future of the ELCA." The free public lecture is on Tues., Nov. 19 at 11:30 a.m. in the LSTC Common Room, 1100 E. 55th St., Chicago.

Alanis will draw on his own experience as the son of immigrants as he examines crossing borders in our time of border walls. He will talk about how LSPS approaches theological education in our current context of militarized borders. Read the news release here. 

American Indian & Alaska Native Symposium to be named in honor of Vine Deloria, Jr. 

The 4th Annual American Indian & Alaska Native Symposium runs Nov. 12 -14 at LSTC with a variety of events including basket making, a presentation by Rev. Gordon Straw, Native flutes and drumming, and much more. This event concludes on Thursday evening with an Indian Taco dinner followed by a ceremony renaming the symposium in honor of LSTC alumnus Vine Deloria, Jr. For a full list of events with times, please visit the Multicultural Center site.

Podcasts available of Pero Lecture and Workshop   

Last month, the Rev. Dr. Soong-Chan Rah delivered the 2nd Annual Albert "Pete" Pero Jr. Lecture and led the workshop "Leading Multicultural Congregations." Dr. Rah is Milton B. Engebretson Associate Professor of Church Growth and Evangelism at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, and the author of The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity (IVP Books, 2009). The podcasts are available here.

Calendar features LSTC faculty in "natural habitat"

Kurt Hendel

In collaboration and cahoots with the LSTC faculty, the senior class has put together a 2014 calendar, "LSTC Faculty in their Natural Environment." You'll enjoy seeing Dr. Hendel with his arm around his bust of Luther and Dr. Ben Stewart digging a green grave. This full-color, 12-month calendar features those and 10 other pictures of faculty letting their passions and interests shine. It is now available for pre-order by emailing Christie at canderson@lstc.edu. Cost is $15 plus $3 shipping (within the continental U.S.). Proceeds support the 2014 Senior Class gift.

Get a glimpse inside LSTC

Have been wondering what life is like for students? Read the new LSTC blog, "The Window: A Glimpse into life at LSTC" 

Seminary Sampler Night

Do you know someone who should consider seminary" They can come to a one-night "mini-sampler" on Nov. 20 at LSTC. They'll share a meal and worship, talk with faculty and current students and find out about academics, candidacy and financial aid. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. It is designed primarily for commuter and local prospective students, but all are welcome. Find out more or register at here or call 773-256-0726.

Christian-Muslim Interfaith Dialogue Series continues

On Wednesdays from 7 to 8:45 p.m. (Nov. 13, & 20),discuss interfaith hospitality, hot topics in Christian-Muslim relations, and building relationships through our sacred texts at First Presbyterian Church, 219 West Maple Ave., Libertyville, Ill. A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice, McCormick Theological Seminary and First Presbyterian Church are sponsoring the conversations. On Nov. 20, a light supper will be served at 6:30 p.m. Advance reservations are requested. Please call the church office (847-362-2174) or contact Rev. Roberta Dodds Ingersoll at roberta@boxp.net.

Order your 2014 Watanabe Calendar

The 2014 design, "Noah's Ark"

Advent Lessons and Carols

On Sun., Dec. 1 at 7:00 p.m., LSTC welcomes the season of Advent in word and song. Cantor Daniel Schwandt, the LSTC Cantorei and friends lead this beloved seminary tradition. Held in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC, 1100 E. 55th Street.

Annual Fund Love

You've heard this before, but we just can't say it often enough: if you want to do a lot of good for LSTC, make a gift to the Annual Fund. It's the amazing fund that does it all: it funds faculty and staff positions, it provides grants to students in need, and it pays those ever-present utility bills. Your gifts to the Annual Fund have a huge and direct benefit for every student, faculty and staff member at LSTC.

What's more, through June 2014, your Annual Fund gift could qualify to be matched by a generous anonymous donor. Find out how and make a gift here.

Thank you!

Save the Dates

Bach for the Sem

Bach for the Sem will be on Sun., Jan. 12, 2014, at 4 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 W. Division, River Forest, Ill. Dr. Mark Bangert has been leading this annual benefit concert for 20 years and he's decided to make this one his last. "I've accomplished what I envisioned. This event has come of age. Now it's time to open up the opportunity for other things to develop - other ventures similar to this one that others may wish to do," Bangert says.

The program will include Part 6 of Bach's Christmas plus "the best of" recent concerts. Tickets will be available soon by calling 773-256-0712 or emailing Emily Abrahamson at eabrahamson@lstc.edu. ($20 in advance/$22 at the door; $10/$12 for students and seniors.)

Youth in Mission hosts The CONFERENCE

On Sat., Jan. 11, 2014, Youth in Mission will host The CONFERENCE for youth ministry professionals. "Demographics and Diversity" starts at 9 a.m. and will end at 5 p.m. Lunch is provided. The CONFERENCE is free with registration. Please email youthinmission@lstc.edu with the names and email addresses of those attending along with the name of the congregation.

4th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

Join the LSTC community on Mon., Jan. 20, 2014, for the 4th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration hosted by the Albert "Pete" Pero Jr. Multicultural Center. The Rev. Dr. José David Rodríguez will preside. A special meal in the Refectory follows the service. Please RSVP to Dr. Cheryl Pero at cpero@lstc.edu.  

At 1:30 p.m., that day,  the Pero Multicultural Center offers a workshop on multicultural worship. All the day's events are free and open to the public.

Leadership Conference/Seminex 40th Reunion

The Leadership Conference and the 40th Reunion of Christ Seminary-Seminex are being combined into one event on June 17 - 19, 2014. The tentative title is "Difficult Decisions in Difficult Times" using Seminex as model for examining that topic.

Opportunities at LSTC       

November - American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month
Nov. 12 - 14 - 4th Annual American Indian/Alaska Native Symposium

Nov. 19, 11:30 a.m. - Lutheran Heritage Lecture

Nov. 20, 4:30 p.m. - Seminary Sampler Night

Dec. 1, 7 p.m. - Advent Lessons and Carols

Jan. 11, 9 a.m. - The CONFERENCE

Jan. 12, 4 p.m. - Bach for the Sem at Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest, Ill.

Jan. 20, 11 a.m. - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration

Jan. 20, 1:30 p.m. - Multicultural Workshop: Worship

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