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…

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…

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. …

By Joe Isenhower Jr. Lee Brandt says the information he gets at events like this year’s Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) Fall Leadership Conference in California is “amazing.” Brandt, 34, was one of some 700 participating at the conference Nov. 18-20 in…

Redesigning their Web site and making virtually all district information available online has “opened up a whole new world” for webmaster Pam Krog and members of the Synod’s Iowa District East. Pastors comment “all the time” about how the new site…

Dr. Roy K. Holm, who served 22 years as president of Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) Central District, died of pneumonia Nov. 25 at a hospital in Regina, Saskatchewan.  Holm, 69, had battled cancer for the past five years. A public memorial…

Vicar Paul Pal, a Sudanese ministry leader in Columbia Heights, Minn., and a student at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, died Nov. 14 in a car accident while traveling from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to his home in Columbia Heights. Pal, 37, was…

Scholar and journalist Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto joined the faculty of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in November as scholar in residence and director of the new Concordia Seminary Institute on Lay Vocation.  In the post, Siemon-Netto will offer seminars, lectures, and…

John Daniels, former executive director of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League, died of cancer Nov. 10 at his home in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada.  He was 76. A memorial service was held Nov. 15 at Bethel Lutheran Church, Sherwood Park; a…

The 2005-06 Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Handcraft Project catalog — featuring hundreds of handmade items from artisans around the world — is now available. Included in the full-color catalog are food and home-decor items, baskets, crosses, jewelry, Christmas ornaments, nativity sets,…

“In Life, in Death, Abide with Me” is the theme of the new “Life Sunday” materials from Lutherans For Life (LFL).  The materials are produced annually to assist congregations in observing “Life Sunday,” which marks the anniversary of the Roe…

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, will present its annual Symposia Series Jan. 17-20.  The series includes: the 21st Annual Symposium on Exegetical Theology, which will explore “Justification in the Scriptures: Old and New Challenges to ‘The Doctrine upon which the…

A statement released by the bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya (ELCK) — critical of the Swedish church whose missionaries helped start his own church — has drawn a letter of support from the president of The Lutheran…

The College of Liberal Arts and Science at Concordia University at Austin, Austin, Texas, seeks applicants for a full-time position in communication.  The position will begin January or August 2006.  The successful candidate will teach Communication Technology, Media Production, Media…

LCMS World Relief/Human Care is accepting donations toward emergency relief for the millions affected by the Oct. 8 earthquake that killed an estimated 80,000 people in South Asia — mostly in Pakistan, and for survivors of flooding and landslides in…

Orange Lutheran High School Online (OLO) is seeking credentialed and experienced Lutheran high-school teachers who are interested in teaching Web-based, eight-week courses (see related story). Training in using the school’s online system is provided. For information, click here or contact Director Patty…