Minnesota South elects Nadasdy as new president

The Rev. Dr. Dean W. Nadasdy is the new president of the LCMS Minnesota South District.  Delegates to the district’s 76th convention, meeting June 14-16 at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minn., elected him president on the second ballot.  As…

Ohio convention re-elects Cripe president

Delegates to the LCMS Ohio District’s 20th convention, meeting June 14-16, re-elected the Rev. Terry Cripe as district president and, among major resolutions, made a substantial financial commitment in support of Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Mich. With “Enriched in Every…

Yeadon elected new president of New England District

The Rev. Timothy Yeadon, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in New Hartford, Conn., since 1985, is the new president of the LCMS New England District. Yeadon, who formerly served as first vice-president of the district, was elected on the first…

Saxon Memorial to host bluegrass festival

The historic Saxon Lutheran Memorial in Frohna, Mo., will host its Second Annual Bluegrass Music Fest on Saturday, June 30. The event starts at 10 a.m. and ends after dark with a fireworks show. Frohna is located in Perry County, Mo.,…

Southern's Schultz re-elected to fourth term

Delegates to the 2012 LCMS Southern District’s 73rd convention re-elected the Rev. Kurtis D. Schultz of Slidell, La., on the first ballot to his fourth three-year term as district president.   The convention, June 14-16 in Metairie, La., had as its…

Mark Kreklau, husband of LWML president, dies

Mark Kreklau, husband of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League President Kay Kreklau, died June 13 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, N.D., with his family by his side. Kreklau, 70, died of recently diagnosed lung cancer. A celebration of his life was held…

North Wisconsin delegates elect Lueck to presidency

The Rev. Dwayne Lueck of Wausau, Wis., is the new president of the LCMS North Wisconsin District.  Delegates to the district’s 50th convention, meeting June 10-11 in Rothschild, Wis., on the third presidential ballot elected Lueck — who served the…

Wille re-elected in South Wisconsin

The Rev. Dr. John C. Wille of West Bend, Wis., was elected to his third term as president of the Synod’s South Wisconsin District at the district’s 53rd convention, June 10-12 in Mequon, Wis. Also re-elected were: the Rev. David B.…

Supreme Court tosses 'Christian candy cane' case

WASHINGTON (RNS) — An appeal over Christmas sweets turned bitter June 11 when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the so-called “Christian candy cane” case. The case out of Texas has become a rallying point for conservative Christians concerned about…

Evangelicals press Congress on immigration

WASHINGTON (RNS) — Evangelical activists are pressing Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform plan — a tricky election-year issue that conservatives’ Republican Party allies have been reluctant to take up. The so-called “Evangelical Immigration Table,” which includes evangelicals Jim Wallis…

Religious leaders ask HHS to broaden birth-control exemption

(RNS) — A coalition of nearly 150 religious leaders, led by conservative Protestants, have petitioned the Obama administration to broaden the exemption that allows churches and some religious organizations to avoid a controversial new mandate that all health care insurers…

Nebraska District re-elects Sommerfeld

The Rev. Dr. Russell Sommerfeld of Seward, Neb., was elected to his fourth term as president of the LCMS Nebraska District by delegates to the district’s 17th convention, meeting June 8-9 at Concordia University in Seward.  Delegates also elected four…

Atlantic's Benke elected to eighth term

The Rev. Dr. David H. Benke, pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, N.Y., was elected to his eighth consecutive term as president of the Synod’s Atlantic District during the district’s 58th convention, June 8-9 in Bronxville, N.Y. Benke…

Rocky Mountain elects Anderson new president

Delegates to the 2012 LCMS Rocky Mountain District convention, meeting June 7-9 in Denver, elected the Rev. Allen D. Anderson of Boulder, Colo., as the district’s new president. This was the 49th convention of the district, which covers Colorado, New Mexico…

Kansas District re-elects Kohlmeier president

The Rev. Keith Kohlmeier was re-elected to his fourth term as president during the 71st regular convention of the LCMS Kansas District, held June 7-9 in Topeka. Kohlmeier, 59, a resident of Topeka, Kan., was elected on the first ballot of…

Photographer to appeal same-sex wedding decision

WASHINGTON (RNS) — Attorneys for a Christian wedding photographer say they will appeal a New Mexico court decision that ruled she violated anti-discrimination laws by refusing to photograph a lesbian commitment ceremony. The case has become a cause célèbre among some…