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LCMS Communications

Items available (Sept. 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…

Pressure Points (Sept. 2011)

With Dr. Bruce Hartung The conversation about pastoral transitions continues.  To follow this conversation, please see the July and August columns. Following are six readers’ comments. Separation does result in experiencing the stages of grief. … [and] after 1.5 years…

CPH offers Walther Commemorative Medallion

In honor of the bicentennial celebration in October of the birth of the Synod’s first president, the Rev. Dr. C.F.W. Walther, Concordia Publishing House is taking pre-orders for a 3-inch bronze commemorative medallion. The front of the medallion features Walther’s…

PALS provides lifeline to pastors during 'critical' first years

By Paula Schlueter Ross The transition from seminary (where students enjoy ready friendships and camaraderie) to congregation (a sometimes lonely place with a host of daily challenges) can be difficult for new pastors. There are church finances to deal with,…

Sem to host concert in memory of Robert Bergt

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will host a special concert in memory of Rev. Robert Bergt, the late conductor and music director of the seminary’s “Bach at the Sem” concerts and its artist-in-residence. The concert is planned for 3 p.m. Sept.…

Commentary: Reflections on the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly

By Herbert C. Mueller Jr. At the invitation of the Rev. Dr. Mark Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), I attended the second half of the ELCA’s 12th Churchwide Assembly, held Aug. 15-19 in Orlando,…

Retreat helps strengthen college for new school year

By Kim Plummer Krull As students prepared to start classes at Concordia College, Selma, Ala., on Aug. 17, administrators and faculty say work they tackled earlier in the month will help the country’s only historically black Lutheran college continue to…

ELCA adopts statement on genetics, resolutions for future

By Linda C. Hoops The 2011 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), meeting Aug. 15-19 in Orlando, Fla., adopted a social statement on genetics and a series of resolutions from an ELCA task force charged with…

Religious leaders battle Alabama immigration law

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) — Alabama religious leaders have filed statements in federal court expressing their concern that a new immigration law would interfere with the practice of their religion and Christian mandates to minister to all people. Bishops in the…

Illinois Catholics lose fight over adoptions, foster care

(RNS) — An Illinois judge has ruled that the state can terminate adoption and foster care services with Catholic Charities, saying the church-run agency has no “recognized legal right” to a state contract. Circuit Judge John Schmidt ruled Aug. 18…

Madrid priests allowed to lift excommunication for abortion

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Catholic priests at World Youth Day (WYD) celebrations in Madrid will be specially empowered to lift the excommunication of anyone who seeks forgiveness for having undergone or assisted in an abortion. The special authorization from Cardinal…

LCMS missionary Karen Roemer dies

Karen Roemer, LCMS missionary and regional business manager for Eurasia, died Aug. 14 in Germany after a long battle with cancer.  She was 55. A funeral service is planned for 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 19, at the cemetery in…

LFL conference emphasizes 'Adopted in Christ' theme

“Adopted in Christ” was the theme and primary focus as nearly 200 pro-life Lutherans gathered Aug. 5-6 in Irving, Texas, for the 2011 national Lutherans For Life (LFL) conference. Irving is between Dallas and Fort Worth. Registrants came from across…

Rast installation set for Sept. 11

The Rev. Dr. Lawrence R. Rast Jr. will be installed as the 16th president of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind., during the Opening Service for the seminary’s 166th academic year on Sunday, Sept. 11. The service will take place…

WLI plans information meeting in St. Louis

The Women’s Leadership Institute (WLI) is holding an “information meeting” from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at Concordia Publishing House in St. Louis. The meeting — which includes a light meal and beverages — is free and…

CPH releases 'survival guide' for stepfamilies

More than 30 million children live with a stepparent in so-called “blended families,” according to Concordia Publishing House.  Although each blended family has a unique set of circumstances, each also faces similar challenges: Where should we live? Should we change…