The Center for U.S. Missions in Irvine, Calif., sponsored its first workshop on “behavioral interviewing” in January.  The event was so successful the center is considering offering it again, if enough people are interested. The three-day seminar was led by Dr.…

The 20-member Next Generation Task Force has found that only one in three of the 18,000 teachers in schools operated by Synod congregations are Synod-certified.  The task force is recommending steps to increase that ratio. The task force, appointed by…

An “Open Arms” Leadership Conference, focusing on starting congregations with childcare ministries, will be held April 30-May 2 at Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church in Alpharetta, Ga., site of the Synod’s first “church-planting-with-childcare” model. This year’s conference, sponsored by the…

Meditations on Divine Mercy, new from Concordia Publishing House, offers a contemporary translation of Lutheran theologian Johann Gerhard’s Daily Exercise of Piety. Written in the early 1600s, Gerhard’s work is a collection of more than 40 prayers written to comfort…

With re-issue of the movie “Luther” already booked for almost 100 locations this winter, it will continue “in theaters as long as there is a demand,” said Dennis A. Clauss, the film’s executive producer. Clauss, who also is church and…

Registration remains open for the 2004 National LCMS Youth Gathering in Orlando, Fla., with a late-registration fee of $50 to be added for those who register after Feb. 28.  The registration fee before that date is $225 per participant. Gretchen Jameson, communications…

Young people and their adult leaders from 23 Missouri Synod partner churches around the world are expected to attend the 2004 National LCMS Youth Gathering, July 24-28 in Orlando, according to Gretchen Jameson, communications manager for the Gathering and for…

Rev. Don Phelps wore two “helmets” at the Feb. 9 fire that destroyed the building at 327 S. Main Street in Sycamore, Ill. — as chaplain for the local fire department and as pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, whose…

Praying in Jesus’ name Regarding my decision to pray in Jesus’ name at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting (“Letters,” Oct. ’03): I am concerned that some Christian leaders believe that keeping the right and left kingdoms separate…

Note: Reporter cannot accept notices about items offered for sale or that people wish to purchase. Items described as “Wanted” or “Available” are sought or may be obtained for shipping costs only. Wanted Christian Faith and Life, Cambodia-English booklet by…

Two new publications are available via the free, Web-based LCMS e-News subscription service: “Mercy Notes,” produced by LCMS World Relief and Human Care, provides news, information and resources on government and social issues from a Lutheran perspective. “New LCMS Hymnal,”…

A new Lutheran Family Ministry Network (LFMN) is being formed to help family-ministry practitioners stay in touch and to help LCMS District and Congregational Services — Family Ministry develop resources for them, says Rev. Jeffery Schubert. Schubert, director of LCMS…

Even though Lutheran Blind Mission has moved into its own storefront location, about five miles from its former site at the Synod’s International Center in St. Louis, the ministry continues to offer free resources and other services for blind and…

Children’s, educational and devotional items — including gift books for Easter, confirmation, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day — are among more than 150 new and current products featured in Concordia Publishing House’s “Spring 2004” catalog. New Easter books for children…

Lutherans can help the tens of thousands of injured and homeless after the massive Dec. 26 earthquake that left as many as 34,000 people dead in southeastern Iran. Lutheran World Relief (LWR), Baltimore, and its church and non-governmental partner organizations…