Fall 'PRAY' event planned

As the Synod’s newly elected leaders begin their service in a church body that is facing structural changes, another PRAY2010 event is planned for Oct. 21-22 in St. Louis. The first PRAY event was held last fall, and two others…

Concordia — New York gets CPH bookstore

Concordia Publishing House opened its newest campus bookstore Sept. 2 at Concordia College — New York, Bronxville, N.Y. CPH also operates stores at Concordia University campuses in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Chicago; and Seward, Neb., as well as at the two…

CTCR’s creation-care report to be mailed to churches

“Together with All Creatures: Caring for God’s Living Earth,” the Commission on Theology and Church Relations’ (CTCR) report “on the responsible Christian stewardship of the environment,” is being mailed in late September to all congregations and rostered church workers. Adopted…

Ballots on constitutional amendments mailed

The official ballots for two proposed amendments to The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod Constitution were mailed to LCMS congregations Sept. 15. The amendments were adopted by delegates to the Synod’s 64th Regular Convention, meeting July 10-17 in Houston. To take effect,…

Harrison installed as 13th LCMS president

By Adriane Dorr ST. LOUIS — The installation of Rev. Matthew C. Harrison as the 13th president of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod was, in his own words, “an amazing, humbling day.” Pondering both the number of people who were in…

Boards elect chairmen, officers

During meetings Sept. 9-11 in St. Louis, the LCMS Board of Directors and the new Boards for National and International Mission elected officers to serve three-year terms. Elected by the Board of Directors were: Dr. Robert T. Kuhn, LCMS president emeritus, of Oviedo,…

Anglican head rebuts famous scientist on Big Bang

LONDON (RNS) — Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has flatly dismissed famed scientist Stephen Hawking’s claim that gravity, not God, was responsible for creating the universe. Hawking, a retired professor at England’s Cambridge University and best-selling author, insists in his…

Three years on, Creation Museum is evolving

PETERSBURG, Ky. (RNS) — Ken Ham, the Australian-born creator of the Creation Museum, looks around the throng of about a thousand guests on a hot, August morning and notes that “for a Tuesday, this is not a bad crowd.” In…

World Mission offers free resources for 'Mission Month'

LCMS World Mission is offering free online videos and resources that are designed to help congregations, schools and Bible-study groups celebrate “Mission Month” in October — or at any time of the year. “Your congregation may have a tradition of…

'Lutheran Education Journal' now online

The Lutheran Education Journal, formerly known in print as Lutheran Education, is now a Web-only publication. First published in 1865 as Evangelisch-Lutherisches Schulblatt (Evangelical Lutheran School Paper), the Journal is designed for Lutheran educators.  It includes articles about research on…

Chicago summit to explore urban ministry

Anyone interested in urban ministry is invited to attend the second annual Chicago Urban Ministry Summit, Oct. 1 at Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill. The summit is sponsored by Chicago Urban Missions, an LCMS mission society.  It will explore…

Sem plans conference on classic languages

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, is offering a conference Oct. 1-2 on “Lutheranism and the Classics.” The conference is intended for pastors, educators, professional classicists, Latin students and their teachers, and anyone who is interested in the ancient languages of…

Scharr is new Southern Illinois District president

Rev. Timothy J. Scharr was installed as president of the Southern Illinois District Aug. 29 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Nashville, Ill. Scharr, 52, succeeds Rev. Herbert C. Mueller Jr., who was elected as LCMS first vice president at the…

CPH celebrates sale of one-millionth hymnal

Lutheran Service Book, the hymnal released by Concordia Publishing House in 2006, has sold one million copies, according to the Synod’s publisher. “People need a way to give voice to their faith. There are three core books that can do…

Commentary: Confirmation — more than a 'graduation'

By Marvin Bergman By now, the newness of school supplies may be wearing off. Well into their first month back in classrooms, students are already counting down the days to Christmas break.  But in confirmation classes, young Lutherans show no…

Wendorfs co-author 'LWML Sunday' materials

Revs. Kenton and Nathan Wendorf — the husband and son of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League President Janice Wendorf — are the authors of this year’s “LWML Sunday” materials. Rev. Kenton Wendorf is senior pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Grafton,…