Dr. Michael J. Stelmachowicz, who served more than 40 years as an LCMS educator and education executive, died in his sleep Dec. 30 at a retirement home in Wauwatosa, Wis.  He was 82. A funeral service was held Jan. 6…

Lutheran Disaster Response is encouraging Lutherans to heed the advice of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during “National Influenza Vaccination Week,” Jan. 10-16, to “protect yourself, your family, and your community by getting vaccinated” against the H1N1…

A new seven-member Task Force on Theological Implications of ELCA Human Sexuality Decisions appointed by Synod President Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick is being asked to develop a “theological statement that addresses issues of biblical authority, especially in matters of human…

More than 30 people representing 18 LCMS mission agencies and congregational groups that sponsor mission work in Sudan, East Africa, met Dec. 14-15 in Omaha, Neb., to share information and better coordinate their efforts. The goal of the third biennial…

The Synod’s two seminaries — Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne — are making a collection of more than 1,100 educational videos available on their Web sites. The videos were originally part of the Distance Education Leading…

The Children’s Christian Concern Society, an LCMS mission organization, is starting new work in January in Cuba and Cambodia. “For 30 years, we depended entirely on the Lord, as we couldn’t officially function as a church,” said Rev. Ishmael Laborde,…

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has given the Synod a $1.1 churchwide grant for Synod projects, programs, or events. Two representatives from Thrivent’s Heartland Regional Office in St. Louis were at the LCMS International Center Dec. 16 to present a check…

“The Creator’s Tapestry:  Scriptural Perspectives on Man-Woman Relationships in Marriage and the Church” is the title of a 76-page report adopted by the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations at its Dec. 10-12 meeting.  It is the commission’s latest…

By Linda C. Hoops “We are committed to support this family, no matter what it takes.”  These are the words of Rev. Donald C. Porter, pastor of Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Ind. The family he is talking…