Forgive yourself      

Monday morning I woke up in a panic. Did I send the final approval on the radio ads? I hadn't heard any of them. I didn't, did I? How could I be so stupid!

As I beat myself up on the way to work, the words "Forgive yourself," spray painted on a concrete underpass near 75th Street, jumped out at me. What unlikely lay minister had painted that word of grace above the swirling graffiti that filled the rest of that concrete wall? Who was it for? Me?

In chapel yesterday, we began the service with the Order of Confession and Forgiveness. "We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves." There are all those things I have done and all those I have left undone. 

I can only forgive myself by knowing that God forgives me. Otherwise I'll just keep beating myself up. I need God  to hold my hands, keep me still and say through the words of a pastor, a passage of Scripture, a hymn, a friend, "You are forgiven. Forgive yourself."

I am filled with hope when I see and hear the leaders formed here, at LSTC, knowing that they will go out -- that you have gone out -- to say those words, countless times, to so many others who need to hear them, too.

And the radio ads? By some grace, they were running all along.  

Peace,

Jan Boden

Director of Communications and Marketing

jboden@lstc.edu

Manz Organ 10th Anniversary Concert Nov. 14 

Internationally acclaimed recitalist, teacher, and recording artist, organist Wolfgang Rübsam will perform a recital in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Ruth and Paul Manz pipe organ in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC on Fri., Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Email tickets@lstc.edu or call 773-256-0690 to reserve your tickets. Download the poster.

Alumni, Native American community lead class and symposium

by Erin Koster

Vine Deloria Jr.

As an author and a public figure in the Native American community, Vine Deloria Jr. is one of LSTC's most famous alumni. Now, he is the focus of a class happening this fall at the seminary.

LSTC Alum Gordon Straw is leading the class. Straw is a member of the Brothertown Indian Nation, which has roots in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Long Island. Currently Program Director for Lay Schools of Ministry, Straw has served as a pastor, as well as a program director for American Indian/Alaska Native Ministries for the ELCA. He also assisted LSTC with the creation of a Native American ministry emphasis for master's degree students.

"I have a great love for LSTC in that way. I also think that LSTC has been at the forefront with Native American studies relating to ministry," he said.

Stickball at LSTC

Straw also has a link to Deloria himself. The two exchanged letters and when Deloria passed away, Straw published an article in his memory in LSTC's Epistle magazine. Inspired by the article, Vice President for Advancement Mark Van Scharrel worked with Straw and Deloria's wife, Barbara, to nominate Deloria to receive a Distinguished Alumni Award. The  "Peace and Justice" award was presented posthumously in 2008.  

Straw draws on Native American styles of teaching to lead the class. He has invited guests from the Kateri Center and local Native American leaders to teach portions of the course.

"One of the things that is important in learning experiences in the Native community is that it's the community teaches, not just individuals. It's less about is the person having the credentials to teach. It's more about how the community is represented in the course," Straw said.

The main focus of the class was the Vine Deloria Jr. Symposium, which took place Nov. 6-7. Alum Vance Blackfox coordinated the symposium with Straw, the Kateri Center, the Oaks Indian Mission, and the Pero Multicultural Center. It featured Cherokee language workshops, stickball, an Indian taco dinner, a screening of Native Nations, presentations by the Kateri Center and by Blackfox, and more.

Straw believes that Deloria would be honored by the symposium and class. "One of the things he impressed on me in our correspondence is that it was rare for him to find people who take his ideas seriously. I think that would be a reason why he would be happy to see this happening," Straw said.

News from LSTC

Three faculty receive first Herman Innovation Fund grants

LSTC has awarded the first two Lyn C. and Stewart W. Herman Jr. Fund for Innovation in Theological Education grants to proposals that will strengthen the seminary's focus on preparing leaders for a public church.

Barbara Rossing, professor of New Testament, and Lea F. Schweitz, associate professor of systematic theology for religion and science and director of the Zygon Center for Religion and Science, received a grant to train faculty in the use of social media to develop a public teaching voice and shared blog. Joan L. Beck, Cornelsen Director of Spiritual Formation and pastor to the community received a grant to train faculty in gathering oral history, a skill that they will then be able to teach their students. Read more. 

Now you can watch videos of Professor Richard Perry Jr.'s inaugural lecture, "Engaging Public Sphere(s)"  and Professor Emeritus Philip Hefner's Albert "Pete" Pero Jr. Lecture, "Religion, Science and the Common Good".

One of the great joys in supporting seminary students and seminaries is knowing that our graduates will each impact thousands of lives, bearing the message of God's love and grace from cradle to grave, in every season and circumstance of life, with neighbors of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

Your gifts to the Annual Fund help provide generous scholarships to our students. Your gifts to the LSTC Endowment help both current and future students.

It is essential that we continue to work together to subsidize most of the cost of seminary education, keeping tuition as low as possible, since students still have considerable costs for "all the things that we need to support this body and life," as Luther puts it in the catechism. Beyond the portion of tuition each student can afford to pay, they still have "all these things," including housing and food, transportation, insurance, clothing, books, medicine, etc. To make a gift online, go here.

Thank you for helping make seminary financially accessible for current and future students.

Coming up at LSTC

Syria: The Real Face of the Crisis, Beyond Media Hype

Dr. Zaher Sahloul, a Syrian physician living in Chicago will share stories of everyday Syrians and help us to become aware of the practical ongoing issues on Thurs., Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. Dr. Sahloul serves on the Advisory Board of LSTC's A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice. He is presently involved in providing support and health care whenever possible in his homeland. 

Advent Lessons and Carols            

LSTC welcomes the season of Advent in word and song at 7 p.m. on Sun.,Nov. 30. President James Nieman, Cantor Daniel Schwandt, and the LSTC Cantorei lead this beloved seminary tradition.

Manz Organ Series Concert

Mary Gifford, Interim Cantor, Augustana Lutheran Church of Hyde Park, presents a 30-minute free recital on the Ruth and Paul Manz Organ in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC at 12:15 p.m. on Dec. 2.

View other upcoming events at LSTC on the events page.

Making a significant gift to ministry can increase your bottom line!

By making a gift to the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in exchange for a charitable gift annuity, you receive an income tax deduction and annuity payments for life. Plus, part of each payment is tax-free. Call Mark Van Scharrel at 773-256-0676 or email mvanscha@lstc.edu.

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