The first of 18 different postcards updating congregations about their role in necessary procedures leading up to and including their 2012 district conventions and the 2013 Synod convention will be arriving in their mail early this month. The postcards from…
Lutheran college fairs planned for fall
Nine Lutheran college fairs are planned for Midwestern sites this fall. Representatives from Lutheran colleges and universities nationwide will be at the fairs to share information and answer questions. Sponsored by the Lutheran Educational Conference of North America (LECNA), the…
Official Notice — Colloquies (Sept. 2011)
REV. ERIC ASH, Monroeville, Pa., has submitted an application for the Pastoral Colloquy Program through The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. Correspondence regarding his application should be directed within four weeks after publication of this notice to: Reverend Herbert C. Mueller Jr.,…
Requests for Reinstatement (Sept. 2011)
CHRISTOPHER JOHN IRELAN, Arlington Heights, Ill., has applied for reinstatement to the Ministers of Religion–Ordained roster of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. SARAH KATHERINE JOHNSON, Four Seasons, Mo.; RACHEL BRAUNERSREUTHER, Tomball, Texas; KIMBERLY A. NEWMAN, Sterling Heights, Mich.; and RHONDA A.…
Positions (Sept. 2011)
Lutheran Services of Georgia, a statewide social services agency with an annual budget of over $12 million, is searching for a chief executive officer (CEO) to succeed its retiring CEO. The ideal candidate should have a proven record of strategic…
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…
