Asian partners share plans for `Ablaze!`

By Karin L. Semler HONG KONG — Leaders from LCMS partner churches in Asia described how they are embracing the vision of Ablaze! during the first-ever Asia Ablaze! Summit, held here Nov. 25-27. More than 280 Lutheran workers — including…

COP continues discussion of `nurturing relationships`

By Roland Lovstad Synodical procedures and responsibilities for professional workers, including disciplining pastors, calling commissioned ministers, and overseeing lay ministers, occupied the agenda of the Council of Presidents, meeting Nov. 14-17 in Palm Springs, Calif.  The council heard a presentation…

CTCR: `Care, not kill` applies to all human embryos

By Roland Lovstad “Always to care, never to kill” is a principle that applies to all human embryos, even those developed outside the womb through scientific methods such as in-vitro fertilization, concludes a new report from the LCMS Commission on…

Leaders focus on joint ministries, theological discussions

At their semi-annual meeting held in Baltimore Oct. 28, leaders of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) focused on joint ministries in international relief and development, welfare of refugees, and human services. …

Formal talks bring LCMS, AALC closer to fellowship

Representatives of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod  and The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) this fall took part in the first of two theological discussions that could lead to the establishment of altar and pulpit fellowship.   The AALC is…

People in the news

Rev. Dean Wachholz of Saline, Mich., and Jay De Beir, Aurora, Ill., joined the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) staff this fall. Wachholz, 60, is vice president of the Agency Services Division of Capital Funding Services (CFS), the capital fund-raising…

Attack on teens in Indonesia touches other Christian schools

Students and teachers at the Sekolah Pelita Harapan (SPH) Christian high schools in Jakarta, Indonesia, were 1,000 miles away from the violence in the Central Sulawesi province — violence that took the lives of three teenage girls who were attacked…

Official notice: district audits

The audits and summary budgets of the Synod’s 35 districts have been completed and are available upon written request. Write or contact your District Office directly.  The address of each district is published in The Lutheran Annual. Posted Dec. 1,…

Requests for Reinstatement

LEONARD E. RIDDLE, Marion, Ohio, has applied for reinstatement to the Minister of Religion-Ordained roster of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.  KATHLEEN BRANDT, Indianapolis, Ind.; JOHN BRITTON, Wood Dale, Ill.; SHARON FRYDENDALL, Costa Mesa, Calif.; BARBARA L. RITTENHOUSE, North Hills, Calif.;…

Conference-goers say LFL`s faith-based message makes a difference

“These people are brilliant,” said Sarah Fields of Hobart, Ind., as she summed up for Reporter her impressions as a first-time participant at Lutherans For Life’s (LFL) 2005 national conference Nov. 11-13 in St. Louis. Sarah, with 2-year-old daughter Anna in…

Synod rejoins Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogue

Synod President Gerald B. Kieschnick says he is pleased that the Synod, which participated in the first nine rounds of dialogue between Lutherans and Roman Catholics in the United States, has been invited to send two participants to Round XI…

First bioethics conference offers `lots to chew on`

Many of the more than 300 participants say they hope the first national bioethics conference sponsored by three Lutheran pro-life organizations is not the last. “These aren’t abstract and obscure issues about things going on in some faraway Petri dish. …

Commentary: How might Alito affect the balance of church-state issues?

By Kevin Leininger Jay Sekulow of the American Center for Law and Justice — perhaps the best-known opponent of the ACLU’s crusade to strip manger scenes and other religious expressions from the public square — calls Supreme Court nominee Samuel…

CHI gives awards for work in 2004

Dr. Karl L. Barth of Wauwatosa, Wis., received Concordia Historical Institute’s (CHI) Distinguished Service Award during CHI’s annual awards banquet Nov. 3 at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. The Institute, which is the Synod’s Department of Archives and History, is located on…

Items wanted, available

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 The Lutheran Hymnal and an altar to…

Board of Directors accepts Martinez`s resignation

During its Nov. 17-18 meeting in Indian Wells, Calif., the Synod’s Board of Directors accepted the resignation of Julie Martinez — one of its members — and called for Synod leaders to develop a “comprehensive plan” before the next Synod…