Esther Menn begins tenure as Dean

Esther Menn

On Wednesday, February 5, President James Nieman installed Dr. Esther Menn as the Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs at LSTC. Yes, your read about Dr. Menn in the last E.pistle, but a new dean is such a momentous event in the life of the seminary that it bears repeating. Dr. Menn is only the seventh dean in LSTC's fifty-one-year history.

"People aren't sure whether to congratulate or console me when I tell them that I am the new dean," Menn said in her remarks following the rite of installation. She assured us that she is "very, very happy to be LSTC's new Academic Dean" and that she is looking forward to all the new things LSTC is ready to begin. She is especially excited about the new curriculum that LSTC will launch this fall.

She will continue to develop LSTC's considerable strengths - the excellent faculty; its academic program; its commitments reflected in its Centers; connections with local churches through field education; partnerships with area seminaries, the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education (SCUPE), and the University of Chicago; and its worship life and community -  in the years to come.

As she concluded her remarks last week, Menn invited the community to pray for LSTC and especially for its students preparing for vocations as leaders in the church.

I invite your prayers for our school's new Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs and the ways that she will lead and bless LSTC, its faculty, students, and staff during her tenure.

Blessings,

Jan Boden

Director of Communications and Marketing

jboden@lstc.edu

African-Descent Heritage Month Events

Conversation on Race - Keeping with President Obama's invitation to communities to be in conversation about race, the Pero Multicultural Center will host a conversation on Thurs., Feb. 20, 4-6:30 p.m. in the LSTC Refectory. Dinner included. RSVP to Dr. Cheryl Stewart Pero at cpero@lstc.edu or 773-256-0774 and to receive materials to prepare for the conversation.

LSTC African American students are planning an African American worship experience in chapel on Mon., Feb. 24 at 11 a.m. All are invited.

The acclaimed movie, "12 Years a Slave" will be shown at LSTC on Tues., Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. in Room 350. This event, sponsored by the African American students at LSTC is free and open to the public.

LSTC community mourns Mark Thomsen

On January 20, the Rev. Dr. Mark Thomsen died following a three-month battle with cancer. Dr. Thomsen served as director of the Ph.D. and Th.M. programs at LSTC from 1997-2006. During the final two years of his tenure at LSTC, he also served as director of the Chicago Center for Global Ministries. We are grateful to have benefited from his wisdom and collegiality.

"Mark Thomsen was a theological giant, whose consummate organizational and networking skills brought into practice a new understanding of mission within the ELCA and the global Lutheran world," said Dr. Esther Menn, dean and vice president for academic affairs at LSTC. More 

Seminary Sampler and Seminary Sampler Night at LSTC

Encourage someone you know to explore their call and to get a taste of life at LSTC, March 2-4, at Seminary Sampler. Can't take two days out of a busy schedule? Come to an abbreviated evening session on April 23, starting at 4:30 p.m.. Contact Scott Chalmers at schalmers@lstc.edu or 773-256-0727 or see the web page.

Winter Farmer's Market at LSTC

LSTC's Green Zone and Faith in Place will host a Winter Farmer's Market at LSTC on Sat., March 15, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. This market will feature locally-produced honey, jams, and baked goods along with whatever winter produce is available. It's a family-friendly event with activities for children and cooking demonstrations for adults. For more information, contact Amy Westphal at greenzone@lstc.edu.

Fear Not: Risks, Ministry, and the Gospel

Make your plans to attend the Christ Seminary - Seminex 40th Anniversary Celebration on Tues., June 17, starting at 2 p.m. with a keynote address. A reception and dinner that evening will round out the celebration. On Wed., June 18, the Leadership Conference uses the Seminex experience to look at  risks, ministry, and the Gospel. The 2014 LSTC Distinguished Alumni Awards will be presented that evening at 5 p.m. The morning of June 19 is reserved for class reunions and concludes with worship at 11 a.m. Watch the LSTC web site for details.

From LSTC's Centers

The Future of Creation lectures Mondays at LSTC

Zygon Center for Religion and Science invites you to Monday evening lectures from February thru April. Each week, two experts examine key elements for developing effective, equitable, and sustainable responses to environmental degradation. The free lectures are at 6:30 and 8 p.m. in Room 208 at LSTC. See details for each week here, email zcrs@lstc.edu or call 773-256-0670.

The Bible and Qur'an course offered in Waukegan, Ill.

Professors Ghulam-Haider Aasi and Mark Swanson will teach this popular course at the Islamic Foundation North in Waukegan, Ill. The course will meet Sundays, March 16, 23, 30 and April 6, from 2-4 p.m. For details contact Sara Trumm at strumm@lstc.edu or 773-256-0708.

Multicultural Service and Witness Conversation

Part Four of the Multicultural Conversations sponsored by the Albert "Pete" Pero Jr. Multicultural Center will be held at LSTC on Fri., March 21 from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in Room 350. This session will draw on the wisdom of the gathered community to explore multicultural service and witness in the church. Admission is free. Contact Dr. Cheryl Stewart Pero at cpero@lstc.edu or Francisco Herrera at fherrera@lstc.edu for more information.

Mitri Raheb to speak about "Faith in the Face of Empire"

The Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, Palestine, will visit LSTC on April 1. At 11 a.m. he will preach in chapel. At noon, in Room 350, he will talk about faith in the face of empire, the topic of his new book, and Bright Stars of Bethlehem, the non-profit organization he leads,. All are invited to attend. For more information, contact Sara Trumm at strumm@lstc.edu or 773-256-0708.

Essayist Eula Biss at LSTC for Valpo Alumni Wordfest

Prize-winning essayist Eula Biss will read from her work at a special Valparaiso University Alumni Wordfest Event on Thurs., April 3 at LSTC. Valpo extends an invitation to Valpo alumni and their guests, and to the wider LSTC community. The evening begins with light appetizers and wine at 7 p.m. The reading starts at 8 p.m., with dessert and book signing afterwards. Tickets are $15 per person. Register by March 13 by calling Martin Buinicki, Friedrich Professor of American Literature, at 219-464-5320 or email  Biss.Event@valpo.edu.

LSTC Guild Spring gathering in Schaumburg

On April 5, the LSTC Guild, which is dedicated to assisting LSTC's international students, will hold its Spring gathering at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 119 W. Wise Rd., Schaumburg, Ill. Registration begins at 9:30, with brunch at 10 a.m., followed by a program led by LSTC international students. Cost is $10. Please contact Guild President Jean Nye at advancement@lstc.edu for more information.

Support students like Chris     

Chris Michaelis

"Connecting the gospel to what we do matters a great deal in the Northern Texas/Northern Louisiana Mission Area," Chris Michaelis says. "People want to know why our faith matters. LSTC is uniquely positioned to address that by offering many great opportunities to live out the gospel."

Growing up in a suburban area, Chris was aware of social justice issues. But living and studying in Chicago is making them part of Chris' calling.

"Being confronted by the realities of society in Chicago - you struggle with that. You see the whole spectrum here, from people living under a bridge to the extravagant wealth of downtown Chicago. It makes me wonder how the church can address the very real gap between both ends of the spectrum."

When he graduates, Chris wants to return to Texas and connect what he's learning with his suburban roots.

Your gift to LSTC's Annual Fund supports every student at LSTC. Until June 30, your gift could be matched. To learn more about this and how you can support Chris and other seminarians at LSTC, visit the web page. 

Opportunities at LSTC       

Feb. - April - 6:30 p.m. Mondays: ZCRS Future of Creation Lectures

February - African Descent Heritage Month

Feb. 20, 4 p.m. - Pero Multicultural Center Conversation about Race

Feb. 24, 11 a.m. - African American worship

Feb. 25, 6 p.m. - Film: "12 Years a Slave"

March - European Descent Heritage Month

Mar. 2-4 - Seminary Sampler

Mar. 15, 9 a.m. - Winter Farmer's Market

Mar. 21, 10:30 a.m. - Multicultural Service and Witness Workshop

April - Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Apr. 1, noon - Mitri Raheb presentation

Apr. 1, 12:20 p.m. - Manz Organ Series Recital

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

Apr. 13, 4 p.m. - 26th Annual LSTC Gospel Choir Concert

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