By Paula Schlueter Ross Former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon will be sorely missed by fellow members of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Carbondale, Ill., according to Rev. Robert Gray, the congregation’s pastor. Simon, a member of Our Savior since 1974, was especially…

Lutheran schools will play a major role in the Synod’s Ablaze! initiative to bring the Gospel to 100 million unreached people by 2017, says Terry Schmidt, associate director of school ministry with the Synod’s Board for District and Congregational Services. …

By David L. Mahsman The Synod’s Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM) Dec. 13 reaffirmed three earlier opinions that the Synod may not expel a member who, in the performance of official duties, follows the advice and counsel of his or her…

Retired Air Force General John A. Shaud of Springfield, Va., has been chosen to receive the Silver St. Martin of Tours medal in recognition of exceptionally meritorious service to the nation and the church. The medal, to be presented during…

A number of resources – most of them free — are available to help congregations observe “LCMS World Mission Month” in January. Theme of the monthlong mission celebration is Ablaze!, in recognition of the Synod’s Ablaze! initiative that seeks to…

The new site, launched Dec. 18, consolidates more than 20 individual departmental web sites, including LCMS World Mission, LCMS World Relief, the President’s Office, Higher Education, Black Ministry, and District and Congregational Services. Since the site was last updated in…

Registration remains open for the 2004 National LCMS Youth Gathering, July 24-28 in Orlando, Fla. Gretchen Jameson, communications manager for the Gathering and its sponsor, LCMS Youth Ministry, said that mailed-in registrations will be accepted “on a space-available basis,” as late…

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, will inaugurate its new graduate-level deaconess program Jan. 19 with special events on campus featuring officials of President George W. Bush’s administration. Jim Towey, deputy assistant to Bush and director of the Office of Faith…

Representatives of the Missouri Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met Nov. 11 for their first formal theological talks since both church bodies elected new leaders in 2001. “We sat down and talked about the hard questions…

Representatives of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the International Lutheran Council (ILC) have agreed that their organizations should maintain contact and continue to talk with each other. LWF and ILC representatives met Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 in Jarvenpaa,…

Nominating ballots–2004 Convention The official nominating ballots for the offices of President, First Vice President and other Vice Presidents have been mailed to every member congregation of the Synod according to the list of member congregations maintained by the Synod’s…

Concordia University, Austin, Texas, seeks applicants to fill faculty positions in the disciplines listed below. Enrollment and budget projections will determine which positions are funded for the 2004-05 academic year.  Each candidate should possess a minimum of a master’s degree…

The Board for Mission Services (BFMS) is seeking nominations for director for ministry to the Armed Forces (MAF).  The director for MAF reports to the executive director of the BFMS and consults with and is accountable to the Ministry to…

JOHN H. HOYER, Cleveland, Ohio, has applied for reinstatement to the Minister of Religion -Ordained roster of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. CARRIE (DECKARD) HOSHAW, Circle Pines, Minn.; SCOTT KLOETZKE, Shoreview, Minn.; and ANGELA K. SCHAUER, Spencer, Iowa, have applied for…

Two 16mm projectors (ELMO 16-CL Bell & Howell 2592); one Tiffany Pro-Corder System II for cassettes; 28 Gateways to Algebra and Geometry (McDougal Littell, copyright 1997, 1994, 1993); Rick Schneider, Lutheran High School of Dallas; (972) 279-4488; rickschneider@lhsdfw.org. Altar paraments…

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