In This Issue
Our joy be all with music crowned
In memoriam
Esther Menn begins tenure as LSTC dean
LSTC Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
African Descent Heritage Month
March Seminary Sampler
Valparaiso University April Wordfest at LSTC
Fear Not: Risk, Ministry and the Gospel
New Year, Mid-year
Opportunities

 
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Mission Statement


The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago forms visionary leaders to bear witness to the good news of Jesus Christ.   
  

    

 

Our joy be all with music crowned

 

Concert-goers sang those words as  Bach for the Sem ended on January 12 at Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest, Ill. Under Mark Bangert's direction, chorus and orchestra had delighted us with the familiar strains of portions of Bach's Christmas Oratorio, new arrangements of traditional carols, and contemporary works, including Robert Hobby's "Epiphany Carol," composed for and first performed at the 2011 concert. You may listen to two brief portions of hymns on LSTC's YouTube channel

 

Bach for the Sem has been Professor Emeritus Bangert's baby from the start. This year, as the event reaches its 21st year, he told us that it had come of age. "I've accomplished my goals for this project," he said. "It's time to open up the opportunity for new things to happen."

 

Mark Bangert has always made Bach for the Sem about both Bach and the Sem. In recent years, proceeds from the concert have supported the music ministry at LSTC, specifically the fund named in Mark's honor to endow the position of Cantor to the Seminary Community.

 

In this year's program, Mark writes that the patterns we learn from "doing Bach" naturally lead to acts of generosity. "This is a generosity that begins in the evangelist's narrative, continues as meditative aria, comes wrapped in the hymns from saints of old, moves us to risk a mighty sound together, and inevitably morphs into generous hearts and lives. To 'do Bach' is to trust the generosity of God, to be confident about what comes next and therefore to invest these patterns in the training of future leaders for the church."

 

We give thanks to God for Mark Bangert's generosity and all we have learned by "doing Bach" with him for 21 years. We look forward to the new things to come.

 

In peace,

 

Jan Boden

Director of Communications and Marketing

[email protected]

 

In memoriam

 

On New Year's Eve, President Nieman delivered unspeakably sad news to the LSTC community. Leander Rufus Vethanayagamony, the 24-year-old son of faculty member Dr. Peter Vethanayagamony, had died in a car accident the day before. A memorial service for Leander Rufus Vethanayagamony will be held on January 25 in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC. Pre-service music begins at 10:30 a.m. Worship begins at 11 a.m. followed by a luncheon. If you are able to attend, please RSVP for the luncheon to Pastor Joan Beck at [email protected].

 

The Vethanayagamony family has established a scholarship in memory of Rufus. Gifts may be sent to LSTC, with "Rufus" in the memo line of the check. A gift may also be made online here, noting "Rufus" in the gift designation box. 

 

 

Esther Menn begins tenure as LSTC dean and vice president of academic affairs

 

Esther Menn

"I look forward to new responsibilities and joys as Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs, at what feels like a kairos moment in LSTC's history. Our confidence remains grounded in the good news of Jesus Christ, as we seek new ways to witness and serve our vulnerable world so loved by God," says Dr. Esther Menn, the Ralph W. and Marilyn R. Klein Professor of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, as she begins her tenure as LSTC Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

 

She adds, "The current curriculum revision by LSTC's excellent faculty, with its emphasis on the church's public witness today, is an example of innovation for the sake of the gospel. I sense that LSTC is living ever more fully into its identity as an inclusive and dynamic center of theological education for the ELCA and for all God's people.

 

"As I move into the Dean's Office, I encourage you to pray with me especially for the students, that their engagement in LSTC's degree and certificate programs equip them generously for their vocations as pastors, teachers, administrators, youth leaders, and people of strong faith in all walks of life."

 

Her installation service will be held in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC on Wednesday, February 5 at 11 a.m. Dr. Esther Menn, began a five-year term on January 1. Read more.  

 

 

LSTC Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

 

Join the LSTC community on January 20 for the 4th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration hosted by the Albert "Pete" Pero Jr. Multicultural Center.

 

The event begins with a special multicultural-themed worship at 11 a.m. followed by a complimentary luncheon and guided conversation on the subject of multicultural worship and the way it impacts congregations. LSTC's Director of the Advanced Studies Program Jos� David Rodr�guez will preside and the Rev. Liz Mu�oz ,social justice advocate and associate priest at St. James Cathedral, will preach. After worship, stay for the luncheon and discussion. Attendees will be asked to share their experiences of the worship, and talk about ways that multiculturalism might (and might not) work in their own contexts. All are welcome!

 

Attendance is free, but please RSVP to reserve your space. Email Dr. Cheryl Pero at [email protected] or Francisco Herrera, Center Program Assistant, [email protected].

 
 

LSTC in the news

 

Listen to what Dr. Mark Swanson has to say about the state of interfaith relations in Chicago during a recent Chicago Public Radio panel discussion here.

 

LSTC was the only seminary featured in a Religion News Service article on composting. Read what Barbara Rossing has to say here .


 

African Descent Heritage Month Events    

 

February is African Descent Heritage month. Join us for on-campus events sponsored by the Albert "Pete" Pero Jr. Multicultural Center. Contact Director Cheryl Pero at [email protected], See Opportunities, below, for a list of events.  

 


March Seminary Sampler

      

On March 2 -4, prospective students can get a taste of seminary with this 2 1/2-day visit to LSTC and the Hyde Park neighborhood. They'll learn about candidacy, scholarships, and financial aid, attend classes and chapel, and have a chance to talk with students and faculty. Learn more here  or contact Scott Chalmers at [email protected]

 

 

Valparaiso University April Wordfest at LSTC

     

Prize-winning essayist Eula Biss is the guest author for Valparaiso University English Department's April 3 Wordfest at LSTC. Valpo alumni and guests are invited for appetizers and wine starting at 7 p.m. Eula Biss will read from her work at 8 p.m. A dessert reception and book signing follow the reading. Registration is $15 per person, half price for currently enrolled Valpo, LSTC, ACTS, and U of C students. The registration deadline is March 13. Call Martin Buinicki, associate professor of English and Walter Friedrich Professor of American Literature at 219-464-5320 or email [email protected].

 

 

Fear Not: Risk, Ministry and the Gospel

 

Leadership 2014 LSTC's 2014 Leadership Conference will be held June 18 -19. Come on June 17 to be part of the 40th anniversary celebration of Christ Seminary-Seminex. Distinguished Alumni Awards will be presented on June 18. Watch for more details on our website.

 

New Year, Mid-year    

The calendar rolled over to 2014, but we're just at mid-year in the academic calendar. It's a time when your gifts to the Annual Fund make a huge difference at LSTC. Plus, until June 30, your gift may be matched by the Matching Gift Challenge. To learn more about how your gift keeps LSTC working and seminary affordable, visit us here. Thank you for your partnership in forming leaders for the church!

 


Opportunities at LSTC       

 

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

Jan. 20, 12:30 p.m. - Multicultural Workshop: Worship

Jan. 25, 10:30 a.m. - Memorial Service for Rufus Vethanayagamony

February - African Descent Heritage Month

Feb. 3, 2 p.m. - Film, "Memphis to Montgomery"

Feb. 3, 4 p.m. - Tea and Treasures of Africa

Feb. 5, 11 a.m. - Installation of Esther Menn as Academic Dean

Feb. 19, 4 p.m. - African Descent Conversation and Meal

Feb. 21 - Multicultural Workshop: Support

March - European Descent Heritage Month

Mar. 2-4 - Seminary Sampler

Mar. 3, 4 p.m. - Tea and Treasures of Europe

Mar. 19, 4 p.m. - European Descent Conversation and Meal

April - Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Apr. 3, 7 p.m. - Valparaiso Wordfest $

 

For more information about LSTC events see our Events Calendar.

 

 

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