LCMS Japan relief takes aim at 'invisible disaster'

By Sarah Schafer Four LCMS staff members who traveled to Japan Nov. 7-11 report that life in Tokyo has returned to a sense of normalcy following the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster that hit the country in March.  But they add…

Bishops welcome dialogue with Obama as concerns remain

BALTIMORE (RNS) — The standoff between the White House and the nation’s Catholic bishops over gay marriage and other hot-button issues may be easing after a quiet Oval Office meeting between President Obama and the head of the U.S. Conference…

Requests for Reinstatement (December 2011)

HENRY ROBERT SCHRIEVER, New Hyde Park, N.Y., and ROLF D. PREUS, Mayville, N.D., have applied for reinstatement to the Ministers of Religion — Ordained roster of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. LAURIE (SCHELCHT) PIERINI, Palatine, Ill., and LARRY L. FINKE, Winona,…

Pressure Points (December 2011)

With Dr. Bruce Hartung Q: I write this question to you anonymously. … I am scared. My church job is in jeopardy and this is why. I am getting more and more anxious about going to work. Every day frightens…

Items wanted, available (December 2011)

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. Notices may be sent to Karen Higgins at…

Catholic college sues over contraception mandate

(RNS) — A small Catholic college has sued the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), saying a new requirement to provide contraceptives contradicts the school’s religious beliefs. Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C., said Nov. 10 that the mandate, ordered…

Official Notice Regarding Audits

The audits and summary budgets of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund and The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod Foundation have been completed and are available upon written request. Please direct your request to: Lutheran Church Extension Fund Sunset Corporate Center 10733 Sunset Office…

N.Y. clerk who refused gay marriage licenses wins re-election

LEDYARD, N.Y. (RNS) — The town clerk in Ledyard, N.Y. — who drew national attention after refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples — won re-election on Nov. 8. Incumbent Rose Marie Belforti, a Republican, defeated Ed Easter, of Aurora,…

Positions (December 2011)

The following institutions of the Concordia University System are seeking candidates for positions: Concordia College — New York, Bronxville, N.Y., seeks to fill faculty positions in business; communications (part-time). Concordia University, Irvine, Calif., seeks to fill faculty positions in theology…

LAMP pilot Steven Dreher dies in plane crash

The Rev. Dr. Steven L. Dreher of Salida, Colo., a missionary pilot with the Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots (LAMP) in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, was killed when his 337 Cessna airplane crashed shortly after takeoff Nov. 10 in Alamosa,…

Conference informs, encourages mission-minded students

By Paula Schlueter Ross “How beautiful … are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation” (Isaiah 52:7). Students from six of the Synod’s 10 colleges and universities nationwide attended this…

Asia conference emphasizes Christian education, service

A record number of some 280 educators from a dozen countries gathered in Hong Kong Oct. 20-21 for the Asia Lutheran Education Association’s (ALEA) fourth conference, under a theme that emphasized the importance of Christian service connected with Christian education. Among…

Higher Things schedules four 2012 conferences

Registration is open for four Higher Things youth conferences next summer — June 26-29 at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C.; July 3-6 at Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, Mo.; July 10-13 at Concordia University, Irvine, Calif.; and July 17-20…

Symposium to eye theology, youth ministry

The practical application of theology to youth ministry will be the focus of “Youth Ministry 2012” (YM 2012) — LCMS Office of National Mission — Youth Ministry’s yearly symposium for lay and professional youth workers. It is planned for Jan.…

CPH offers book by breast-cancer survivor

In the new Concordia Publishing House book in a word — quiet little thoughts about God, author Heidi Floyd reflects on being diagnosed with breast cancer when she was pregnant with her fourth child. Each chapter begins with a single word…

LWML hits $100 million milestone

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League announced Oct. 26 that it has received $100 million in mites since the organization’s founding in 1942. The milestone includes funds from the 40 LWML districts nationwide as well as those received on the national…