The man behind the site

"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!" Web Manager Roger Bottorff's wish that we NOT hold a retirement party for him makes me think of that famous line from "The Wizard of Oz."

Roger's work "behind the curtain" has kept LSTC's web site going for over nine years. He will retire June 30, and while I can fulfill his wish about the party, I cannot ignore the man behind our web site.

During my first years as Communications Director, the learning curve felt like the Viper Roller Coaster. I needed help -- especially with LSTC's web site. Budget restrictions meant that the web manager position had to be less than 20 hours a week. I wondered and worried how I'd find someone for such a part-time job.

Not a month later, an alum told me of someone who was seeking a part-time job as a web manager. To my amazement, when I met with Roger, he said that it was just what he was looking for. LSTC's web site and my stress level improved immediately. Roger had exactly what we needed in a web manager: an amazing attention to detail coupled with an understanding of LSTC's ethos. What a gift this has been to the seminary!

Unlike the other man behind the curtain, Roger is grounded in authenticity not illusion. His good work helped tell LSTC's story to prospective students, alumni, donors, and the world in an attractive and compelling way.

The detail of managing a web site can be tedious and difficult work. Roger worked with colleagues from almost every office at LSTC, from Admissions to the Zygon Center. We tapped his expertise not only about our own site, but about blogs,YouTube, and ever-evolving electronic media.

Thank you, Roger, for your dedication, faithfulness, and creativity. May your garden grow (unmolested by bunnies); your photos please you; your paintings and prints keep you looking at the world in fresh ways. We are so grateful that you shared your gifts with us!

Blessings,

Jan 

Jan Boden

Director of Communications and Marketing

jboden@lstc.edu

Commencement 2014 photo album

They did it! Fifty-five students graduated  from LSTC's  six degree programs on May 18. Enjoy photos from the154th Commencement.

News from LSTC

LSTC honors six distinguished alumni/ae

On June 18, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago presented the 2014 Distinguished Alumni/ae Awards to six of its outstanding graduates. This year's leaders demonstrate community engagement, leadership in mission, vision for the future, and new theological perspectives. Recipients of the 2014 awards are the Rev. David G. Abrahamson, the Rev. Dr. Keun Soo Hong, Diaconal Minister Jessica Nipp Hacker, the Rev. Diane Dardón, Bishop Gerald Mansholt and the Rev. Dr. James Thomas. Read more 

What does it mean to be a "public church"?

Richard Perry

Cultivating competencies for leadership in a public church is at the heart of LSTC's new curriculum. During the morning of Monday, May 19, members of the LSTC faculty along with the school's Board of Directors met for conversation about what it means to be "public church." 

President Nieman, faculty members Ben Stewart, Barbara Rossing, Richard Perry, and Lea Schweitz, and special guest, Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, gave their perspectives during the session. Listen here.    

In April, LSTC alum Pastor Monica Villarreal and Lutheran World Federation Secretary for Youth Caroline Richter came to campus to introduce us to the Global Young Reformers Network (GYRN). Villarreal (2011, M.Div.) is the North American representative on the GYRN Steering Committee. 

The Steering Committee is made up of one young adult from each continent plus two creative team members. VIllarreal was chosen because she is the only congregational redeveloper in the ELCA who is under 30. She is pastor at Salem Lutheran Church in Flint, Mich.

With the theme, "Liberated by God's grace. Freed by God's love to change the world," Global Young Reformers Network is a three-year project linked to the 2017 observance of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. GYRN will promote sustainability, gender justice, and increase the paticipation and visibility of LWF youth in the organization and its initiatives. 

"Although the Global Young Reformers Network defines itself as being for young adults between the ages of 18 and 30, it is not limited to people in that age range," Villarreal said.

Based in Scripture and Luther's writings, the Young Reformers want to gather the most urgent questions for young Lutheran today. "We are inviting young adults to upload video to our site, answering the questions, what are you freed from and what are you freed for." Richter said.

Watch the LWF Youth page and blog for updates and to participate.

Give before June 30 to have your gift matched

• New - If your first gift to LSTC was June 1, 2011 (or anytime since then), 100% of your gifts this year will be matched dollar for dollar.
• Renewed - If you "got back on board" and started giving again to LSTC since June 1, 2011, your gifts will be matched again this year dollar for dollar.
• Increased - If you've increased your giving the last two years, your "increase" will be matched dollar for dollar again this year.

Travel in January 2015

LSTC tour to the Holy Land

Explore the Land of the Bible with LSTC Professors Esther Menn and Barbara Rossing January 6-19, 2015. This trip has been highly praised by students, alumni and friends who have made the journey with Drs. Menn and Rossing. Approximate price for this 14-day trip is $3800. Includes airfare from Chicago, double occupancy lodging at church guest houses, daily breakfast and dinner, transportation and entrance fees. Registration deadline is September 10, 2014. For more details, please email Esther Menn at emenn@lstc.edu.

Ecumenical pilgrimage to Cuba

You are invited to join an ecumenical pilgrimage to Cuba in January 2015. The hosts are LSTC alum the Rev. Dr. Craig Mueller and Ernest Vasseur, who was born in Cuba. A Cuban tour guide will accompany the group for historical and cultural highlights in Havana, a day at Varadero, and excursions to the ecumenical seminary in Matanzas. The trip will facilitate people-to-people conversations with Cubans. As a group with an educational purpose, it is legal and authorized by the U.S. and Cuban governments. Several optional educational forums will be offered in Chicago during 2014 to help prepare for the trip. Go here for more information and to receive updates about the trip.

Be a tither

By changing your life insurance and/or retirement plan beneficiary designation to distribute 10% of you estate as a gift to ministry, you can be a tither. The LSTC Endowment Fund greatly appreciates any and all planned gifts that strengthen ministry for future generations. Contact Mark Van Scharrel, Vice President for Advancement at mvanscha@lstc.edu or 773-256-0676 to learn more.

Eric Law workshop at LSTC   

Eric Law

On Sat., Sept. 6, "Grace Unbound," a workshop led by Eric Law, will be held at LSTC. Participants will experience practices and processes that support sustainable missional ministry. For more than 20 years, Eric Law has worked with congregations on processes for intercultural communications that facilitate collaboration between groups that might otherwise keep their distance. The workshop runs from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Registration, including lunch and materials, is $15. Register by August 25 with the Rev. Paula Stecker at paula.stecker@live.com.

Looking ahead

"Matthew's Gospel for the Reformation" lecture by Timothy Wengert

The Rev. Dr. Timothy J. Wengert will present a free public lecture, "Matthew's Gospel for the Reformation: 'The Messiah...Sent and Manifested'" on Fri., Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC. Dr. Wengert is co-editor, with Robert Kolb of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, of the English edition of The Book of Concord. His English translation of Luther's Small Catechism is widely used throughout the ELCA.

Bishop Eaton to preach at LSTC

On Mon., Sept. 8, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will preach during 11 a.m. worship in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC. All are welcome.

Music that Makes Community Workshop

Music that Makes Community renews ancient ways of singing together, sharing music as people did before music or words were written. At LSTC, Sept. 25-28, Music that Makes Community will lead guided and collaborative learning sessions that will get you "off the page" and deepening the spirituality of your worshiping community through singing. Everyone present at the workshops will be both learner and teacher. Until Aug. 1, registration for the three days is $25 for students, $110 per person for groups of three or more, $125 per person for two people from the same congregation, and $150 for individuals. Visit the website to learn about the event at LSTC.  

For more information and links to video, visit the main sites here or here.  

Seminary Sampler

Considering seminary? Need to know more? Come to Seminary Sampler Oct. 26-28 to meet faculty, students, and others discerning a call to ministry. You'll be able to sit in on classes, learn about financial aid, talk with faculty, and worship with the LSTC community. Housing and meals provided. Visit here to learn more or to sign up.

Opportunities at LSTC       

Sept. 3, 11 a.m. - Opening convocation

Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m. - Timothy Wengert lecture, "Matthew's Gospel for the Reformation: 'The Messiah. . . Sent and Manifested'

Sept. 8, 11 a.m. - ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton preaching in Augustana Chapel

Sept. 13 - Green Zone "Art & Activities"

Sept. 25 - 28 - Music that Makes Community Workshops (register online here)   

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