Light for the way 

I was not thrilled last Wednesday when I got an email from my pastor with the subject line: The meeting is on! In Chicago the temperature that day reached a whopping 8 degrees with a wind chill of -25. The evening was predicted to be even colder and windier. Area schools were closed but church committee meetings go on.

Truthfully, this committee inspires me. We're working with LSTC alum Dan Schwick of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois on a process called "Setting the Table." Our purpose is to identify a human need in our community and to develop ways for our congregation to sustainably respond to it. It is one way my congregation is living into the call to be "public church." 

We've met with a variety of community leaders to learn about needs and resources. As a result, it seems that the Holy Spirit is calling us to become a source or resource for peacemaking and restorative justice in the community. But we're uncertain what that will look like and how the congregation will do it.

Our next step, last Wednesday, was to take part in a peace circle led by a conflict resolution specialist. She asked each of us to bring a "talking piece," something special to us that we would be willing to share.

We took our seats in a circle of chairs and couches, unsure about what we were doing. On the floor in the middle of the circle was a cloth with several objects our guest had brought.

She began by explaining how a peace circle works, then picked up her talking piece. It was a used baptismal candle. She shared why it is special to her and how it connects her to our congregation. Then she handed the unlit candle to the person next to her and invited him to share his talking piece.

Our "circle keeper taught me about context that evening. Using a symbol that had meaning for us, she entered our world, established trust, and put us at ease. An unlit candle provided light and a path to make our way into a new and uncomfortable process.

Our committee is still in that uncomfortable place of not knowing the details of what we're going to recommend to the congregation. But on that cold, dark night an unlit candle provided some light for the way.

May the light of Christ continue to guide you this year,

Jan Boden

Director of Communications and Marketing

jboden@lstc.edu

Intern helps congregation go green   

Photo: Sustainable Atwood

Even on internship, Stacy Gahlman-Schroeder is caring for creation. She helped her internship congregation realize a dream of getting its power from solar energy. In December, 18 solar panels were installed at Zion Church in Madison, Wis.

"The project was three years in the making," Gahlman-Schroeder says. "I was lucky enough to be part of helping it become a reality."

The panels became available through a local nonprofit, Sustainable Atwood. They had been donated by Madison Christian Community, which decided to replace its 12-year-old solar system when they replaced the church's roof last spring. Zion Church members had worked with a local solar developer, Kurt Reinhold, and Sustainable Atwood as they researched adding solar panels to their building. Reinhold suggested that installing the used panels could be the ideal solution for Zion.

Although the panels are a dozen years old, they still operate at close to 95% of their original power rating. They will save 200 pounds of CO2 from entering the atmosphere every day and provide a witness to the neighborhood of caring for creation.

Zion Intern Gahlman-Schroeder facilitated the solar project with Reinhold. She says, "I grew up enjoying the beauty of Wisconsin's rivers and landscapes. We are caretakers of God's creation. Our actions affect people locally, globally, and for generations to come. That's one reason why helping Zion continue its greening initiatives is part of my internship."

News from LSTC

Jennifer Thomas joins LSTC Advancement Office

In December, the Rev. Jennifer J. Thomas (1998, MDiv) joined the LSTC Advancement Office as a Gift Officer. She will lead the seminary's alumni strategy and work with donors at all gift levels. Read more.  

Fifth Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration

The Albert "Pete" Pero Jr. Multicultural Center at LSTC will present the fifth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Mon., Jan. 19 in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC. Worship begins at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. M. Wyvetta Bullock preaching and Pastor Tom Gaulke presiding.

After worship there is a free luncheon and presentation by the Rev. Dr. David Lowry, pastor of St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Chicago, "The Local Parish and the Common Good." To attend the luncheon, please RSVP to mc@lstc.edu. Download the poster.  

LSTC a partner site for Trinity Institute Conference

January 22-24, the Albert "Pete" Pero Jr. Multicultural Center at LSTC will host the broadcast of the Trinity Institute's 44th National Theological Conference, Creating Common Good: A Practical Conference on Economic Equality.Presenters include Dr. Cornel West, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Barbara Ehrenreich and Robert Reich. They will offer strategies for developing a more just economy and instill the confidence to take action for social change.

LSTC is the only Illinois partner site for the Trinity Institute Conference.Participate for free at LSTC, but  registration is required. Contact Dr. Cheryl Pero at mc@lstc.edu.

Learn more about the conference and the sessions at LSTC  from the news release and poster.

Herbert Anderson (Augustana, 1962) published his 14th book in September. It is The Divine Art of Dying: How to Live Well While Dying, co-authored with Karen Speerstra. It has received outstanding reviews in the public press and by individuals. Published by Divine Arts Publishing, it is available online here or on Amazon.

Do you know someone who is or should be considering seminary? Encourage them to come to the Spring Seminary Sampler March 1-3 to meet faculty, students, and others discerning a call to ministry. Prospective student sit in on classes, learn about financial aid, talk with faculty, and worship with the LSTC community. Housing and meals provided. Go here to learn more or to sign up. Or call Sampler Coordinator Amy Westphal at 773-256-0726.

Are you a Pillar?

 

The pillars of our seminary's main building are a distinctive architectural feature of LSTC. They provide essential support. 

Today, LSTC needs to develop a different kind of pillars. Not pillars made of steel and concrete, but rather pillars of financial support to establish essential endowments.

As a friend or alumn of LSTC, you are invited to become a pillar of support for your seminary.

Pillars of the Seminary may use a variety of ways to plan gifts for the seminary. Including LSTC in a will or trust, or as a beneficiary on a 403(b), 401(k), IRA or a life insurance policy are easy ways to become a pillar of support.

If you would like to know more about becoming a Pillar of the Seminary, we can provide you with a confidential, no obligation consultation to explore which methods are most appropriate for you to plan your gift to LSTC from your estate. This way, you can be certain that your estate plan will meet your personal, family and charitable objectives.

As a Pillar of the Seminary, your legacy will provide the future support necessary to develop and sustain the quality theological education for pastors and other leaders that is the hallmark of LSTC.

To learn how you can become a Pillar of the Seminary, please contact the LSTC Advancement Office at 773-256-0710 or advancement@lstc.edu. 

Save the date for the 2015 Leadership Conference

LSTC's 2015 Leadership Conference will take place on campus June 16-18. The topic is inclusivity in the ELCA. After more than 25 years, we are a far less diverse denomination than we want to be. What are the barriers to being a more inclusive church? What are the challenges? And what are your ideas for overcoming them? Watch for details next month.

Opportunities in February & March

See many more LSTC opportunities and events here .  

Connect with LSTC:

Follow LSTC on Twitter @LSTChicago