Keep talking, keep listening. /  Spring Seminary Sampler / At the Intersections: The Public Body of Christ/ Gudina Tumsa Theological Forum/ Tour of Lutherland with Kurt Hendel
February 2016 E.pistle
Keep talking, keep listening

Last month I read two books simultaneously: Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (published in 1952), and Between the World and Me by Ta'Nehisi Coates (published in 2015). At times I felt like I was reading the same story told in two voices. How could so little have changed in 63 years?

By now you've seen or heard about the Pew Foundation 2014 Religious Landscape Study. It
Carter G. Woodson, Father of Black History
presents a stark picture of the racial divide among U.S. mainline Protestant churches. Nearly 30 years after its formation, the ELCA is still 4 percentage points away from our blushingly modest goal of a denominational demographic of at least 10% people of color and people whose primary language is other than English. How could so little have changed in 28 years?

Today, "We Talk. We Listen. Conversations about Diversity," the blog that LSTC faculty member Linda Thomas edits, shared a post by LSTC alum Jason Chesnut, "The Reason Why White People Are Called to Celebrate Black History Month." Read it, along with the ones by the Rev. Ronald Bronner Sr. and Harvard Stephens Jr.  to understand why so little has changed.

I urge you also to read "Twelve Years a Lutheran: Some Peculiar Legacies of a Peculiar Institution" by LSTC Dean of the Chapel Harvard Stephens Jr. in the Fall/Winter issue of CrossAccent: Journal of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. He writes about the divide within the Lutheran church after the US Civil War and its lasting legacies. Dr. Stephens also looks to our liturgies as a means to bring about a change in our church.

This month, Black History Month, keep talking, and especially keep listening.

Blessings,

Jan Boden, Director of Communications and Marketing, jboden@lstc.edu

Think you need to have a degree in religious studies to come to seminary? Think again! Come to the Spring Seminary Sampler February 28-March 1 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.

Seminary Sampler Night, designed for commuter and local students will be Mon., April 11 from 4:30 - 8:30 p.m.

To learn more or to sign up visit www.lstc.edu/admissions/visit/ or contact Scott Chalmers at schalmers@lstc.edu.
Samantha Nichols
At the Intersections: The Public
Body of Christ

Since last fall, Samantha Nichols (MDiv junior) and other LSTC students, alumni, faculty, and staff have been part of Moral Mondays Illinois demonstrations calling for an equitable solution to the eight-month long budget impasse in Illinois.

LSTC alum Caryn D. Riswold follows Nichols' Twitter posts and invited her to write about faith and social justice for her blog for Patheos.You can read it here.

For details about the Gudina Tumsa Theological Forum, see the news release or contact Samuel Deressa at sderessa001@luthersem.edu. Download a poster. 

Martin Luther
March 1 deadline for Hendel tour of Luther sites

Kurt K. Hendel, professor emeritus of Reformation history at LSTC,is leading travel seminar commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

Martin Luther: Witness of the Gospel starts in Berlin, Germany, on May 31 and ends in Frankfurt on June 8. Per person cost, without airfare is only $1,650. It includes accommodations, motor coach, all  tour entrance fees, 15 meals, and a multilingual tour director. Download the brochure.

Full payment is due by March 1.
Dr. Martin J. Lohrmann
"Faith. . .and Good Works!" Lutheran Heritage Lecture

The annual Lutheran Heritage Lecture, "Faith. . .and Good Works! The Formation of the Lutheran Church through J. Bugenhagen" will be presented on March 14 at 11:45 a.m. by Dr. Martin J. Lohrmann, assistant professor of Lutheran confessions and Reformation heritage at Wartburg Theological Seminary.

How did Lutheran reformers turn theological convictions into practical realities? Over several decades, the Rev. Dr. Kurt Hendel, Bernard, Fischer, Westberg Distinguished Ministry Professor Emeritus of Reformation History at LSTC, has studied this aspect of the Reformation, leading to his monumental translation and publication of 2-volumes of Johannes Bugenhagen's writings. This lecture illuminates Johannes Bugenhagen's skills at organizing churches in the 16th century and considers the implications of his work for global Lutheranism in this early 21st century. The lecture also lifts up Dr. Hendel's legacy as a scholar and teacher of this often-overlooked side of Reformation history and Lutheran church life. This free event at LSTC is open to the public. Read the news release. Download the poster. 

Currents now online

You loved it in print, now get it online! Currents in Theology and Mission, the journal published quarterly by LSTC and Wartburg Theological Seminary, went digital in January. Dr. Kadi Billman, Craig Nessan and Samuel Giere edit the journal. Barbara Lundblad edits Preaching Helps. Get yours here.
Student callers Sarah, Alex, Chris,
and Sara
LSTC calling

You could be one of the hundreds of alumni to receive a call from Sarah, Alex, Chris, or Sara. They are calling to reconnect and, yes to ask you for a gift to the LSTC Annual Fund. Thank you for answering their call.

You can help students answer their call by making a gift online right now right here. Thank you!
Rossing sighting

Although she is on sabbatical, New Testament Professor Barbara Rossing let us know that she appears in a Canadian documentary, "Hell: A Survivor's Guide," which aired earlier this month on Canadian television. You can watch it here.
Pillars of the Seminary are people like you

One simple way to plan to give a gift to LSTC after your death or the death of your surviving spouse is by beneficiary designation. If you own a life insurance policy on your life, you can designate the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago to receive a percentage of the death benefit of your policy. It is as simple as asking for a form from your agent and making a change of beneficiary designation naming LSTC to receive any percentage from 1% up to 100%. A simple and significant way to insure LSTC will remain strong for generations to come.

Learn more by contacting Clyde Walter at cwalter@lstc.edu or calling 773-256-0714.
2016 Leadership Conference and Distinguished Alumni/ae Awards
Public Church, Public Leaders: Women in Leadership

Public church includes the congregation and all the mission we do together in the world around us. We are called to do public church together. We are better together.
 
Tuesday, Oct. 11 thru Thursday, Oct. 13, come to LSTC to learn from an eclectic group of public church leaders who are national leaders for young adults, refugee resettlement, charity, and advocacy. You will gain a network of powerful women leaders while you discover actionable steps for engaging people in ministry to make a difference in the world. Build community with friends and alumni at the alumni/ae dinner on Tuesday night. On Wednesday night, celebrate the 2016 LSTC Distinguished Alumni/ae at an awards presentation and reception.

Cost will be $175 for the full conference and alumni/ae dinner; $100 for Wed. only; $100 for 2013-2016 LSTC graduates; $25 for alumni dinner. No charge for Distinguished Alumni/ae Award ceremony and reception. Registration begins in May.

Details here. Contact Jen Thomas at jthomas@lstc.edu.
Vitor Westhelle
Listen to faculty and student sermons

Hear recent sermons by Vitor Westhelle; James Nieman, president; Harvard Stephens Jr.; dean of the chapel and pastor to the community; Klaus-Peter Adam, associate professor of Old Testament, and other faculty, and fine sermons by senior MDiv students, too.
More Opportunities at LSTC

All opportunities are held at LSTC, 1100 E. 55th St., Chicago, and are free unless otherwise noted.
 
LSTC Academic Forum
What are those seminary students really studying? On Feb. 19, hear original research from LSTC students in every degree program at the annual Academic Forum Presentations begin at 9 a.m.

Manz Organ Series Concert
On Mar. 1, Stephen Betancourt, assistant director campus ministry and director of liturgical music, Loyola University, Chicago, presents a 30-minute free recital on the Ruth and Paul Manz Organ in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC, begins at 12:15 p.m.

Manz Organ Series Concert  
Jay Peterson, organ associate, Christ Church Episcopal, Winnetka, Ill., presents a 30-minute free recital on the Ruth and Paul Manz Organ in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC, 1100 East 55th Street, Chicago, Apr. 5 at 12:15 p.m.
 
28th Annual LSTC Gospel Choir Concert  
Don't miss this annual event on Sun., Apr. 10 at 4 p.m. The concert features area gospel choirs and praise dancers along with the LSTC Gospel Choir, led by Dr. Keith Hampton. A freewill offering will be gathered.
 
Seminary Sampler Night  
Can't make it to a full three-day Seminary Sampler? Are you a local student who is thinking about part-time studies or commuting to seminary? Seminary Sampler Night, from 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Apr. 11, is designed for you. Visit http://www.lstc.edu/prospective-students/visit/sampler/ to learn more or to sign up. Or contact Scott Chalmers at schalmers@lstc.edu
 
Manz Organ Series Concert  
Andrew Paul Fredel, director of music, Gethsemane Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, Minn., presents a 30-minute free recital on the Ruth and Paul Manz Organ in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC, 1100 East 55th Street, Chicago, May 3 at 12:15 p.m.

Events and opportunities
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago | 773-256-0700 | www.lstc.edu 
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