From Nicaragua to Iowa: Youth Speaking Against Violence
Pastor Rob Dotzel, University of Iowa Lutheran Campus Ministry
Since 2010 Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Iowa has been taking spring break trips to Nicaragua. In 2010 and 2012 we visited a town on the north side of Lake Managua known as San Francisco Libre, where we worked with a remarkable group of young adults called La Red de Jovenes Contra Violencia/The Youth Network Against Violence. The group was first formed in 2008 by United Methodist missionary Nan McCurdy of Managua under the auspices of the Women and Community Association of San Francisco Libre. Today they have grown to include 46 youth and young adults from villages all across the municipality of San Francisco Libre who regularly conduct workshops and training sessions for children and teens that address issues of domestic violence, sexual exploitation, gender equality, and how to protect oneself from sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.
|
On the 50th Anniversary, Read Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s
"Letter from Birmingham Jail":
The Response from Christian Churches Together and their Challenge to Churches in the 21st Century
Christian Churches Together
"While the context today is different, the call is the same as in 1963- as followers of Christ to stand together, to work together and struggle together for justice."
On April 16, 1963 (50 years ago this week), Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote a "Letter from Birmingham Jail" - a response to a letter written by 8 clergy, bishops, and a rabbi urging an end to his non-violent protests, marches, and speeches. Dr. King's response laid out his vision for a church as an agent of God's peace and justice. We are deeply moved by the key themes of Dr. King's letter and lift them up anew that they may again challenge our churches and nation.
Click to read Dr. King's Letter:
http://www.ministrylink.org/mediafiles/cctresponse.pdf
|
Senior Adult Retreat at Lutheran Summer Music
Megan Hasche, Administrative & Communications Assistant for
Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival
Lutheran Music Program, home of the Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival in Decorah, Iowa, announces a five-day lifelong learning retreat for older adults in conjunction with Lutheran Summer Music. The 2013 Senior Adult Retreat will take place July 17 to 21, 2013, and is supported through a partnership with Illinois-based Lutheran Life Communities. Retreat participants will attend workshops, Bible studies, and seminars, immerse themselves in LSM's culminating student recitals and concerts, and join the LSM community for worship. Registrations are now being accepted from adults ages 55 and older for the Senior Adult Retreat, which will coincide with the LSM Festival Week activities. From the Southeastern Iowa Synod, The Rev. Wayne Weissenbuehler and The Rev. Susanne Smith will be part of team leading the program. Read More
|
Rethinking Evangelism: Faithful Witness in a New Apostolic Era
July 22-24, 2013 at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN
Rethinking Evangelism will focus on reclaiming evangelism as a central practice for Christians today. "Many church members today recognize that evangelism is vitally necessary for the church to have a future amidst widespread decline. At the same time, few prospects provoke greater dread and discomfort. This conference offers an opportunity to reframe evangelism in a grounded, holistic, accessible way for a new apostolic age," said Dwight Zscheile, assistant professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary, and a keynote presenter. Read More
|
