God’s Light in Gotham’s Darkness is a new, downloadable Bible study from Concordia Publishing House that’s based on the popular Batman film, “The Dark Knight.”® The six-session study connects and contrasts main themes from the movie with Scripture and Lutheran…
LWML exceeds mission goal for 2007-09 biennium
The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League has exceeded its 2007-09 mission goal of $1.7 million by $75,730.17, according to President Janice Wendorf. “In the midst of these uncertain times, God’s people have responded and supported the mission goal of the LWML…
Wheat Ridge awards grants for sabbaticals
Wheat Ridge Ministries of Itasca, Ill., is awarding grants totaling $46,000 to support sabbatical experiences for professional church workers from nine congregations, including four from The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. According to Wheat Ridge, “sabbatical leave for rest and renewal is…
Concordia, Mequon, to host parish-nurse conferences
Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, is hosting two training conferences for parish nurses, congregational health workers, pastors, and others interested in congregational health. The 17th annual “Concordia Conference for Parish Nurse and Congregational Health Ministries” will be held May 28-29 under…
Registration opens for LFL conference
Under the theme “Celebrating the Abundant Life” (John 10:10), Lutherans For Life (LFL) will hold its 2009 national conference July 24-25 at the DoubleTree Westport Hotel, St. Louis. Registration is open now, by mail or online at its Web site,…
Young adult Servant Event to help hurricane survivors
Registration is open to young adults (post-high-school age through their 30s) for a May 31-June 5 Servant Event to help Gulf Coast residents recover from storms that have devastated their property, beginning with Hurricane Katrina in late August of 2005.…
Materials help congregations mark 'Pastoral Ed Month'
May is designated “Pastoral Education Month,” when congregations can emphasize the pastoral ministry in a variety of ways — from recruiting seminary students, to retaining current pastors, or encouraging continuing education. In an e-mail “blast” to congregations and ordained and commissioned…
Task force to address domestic violence, abuse
By Sarah Schafer LCMS World Relief and Human Care gathered together church workers and lay professionals March 13-14 in St. Louis for the first meeting of the LCMS Task Force on Domestic Violence and Child Abuse. The 14-member task force —…
Plans to offer healthcare coverage to sem students
Concordia Plan Services (CPS) has announced it will offer healthcare coverage to students (and their families) at the Synod’s two seminaries — Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind. According to a CPS press release, the plan,…
LHF starts Elisa memorial fund
February’s Reporter included an article about the Jan. 1 death of Rev. Andrew Mbugo Elisa, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudan. Rev. Elisa died as the result of an aggressive brain-stem tumor. Survivors include his wife, Linda, and…
Drop in endowment income forces cuts at sem
Faced with a $4 million operating deficit and a decrease in income next fiscal year, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is offering early retirement incentives, delaying some maintenance, freezing salaries, and tightening program budgets. “I am not happy with this unexpected…
Illinois, Indiana churches to host CTS Kantorei
The Concordia Theological Seminary Kantorei, Fort Wayne, Ind., will begin its 2009 Easter tour on April 15, with performances scheduled for eight congregations in Illinois and Indiana through April 26. The Kantorei, a 16-voice choir of students studying to become…
Lutheran Blind Mission resumes production of 'Witness'
After a four-month hiatus, the Braille, large-type, and audiocassette versions of The Lutheran Witness are back in production, thanks to a grant from LCMS World Relief and Human Care. “I was surprised and overwhelmed with joy when I got the…
Sem to host apologetics retreat
Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind., is hosting a retreat on “Contending for the Faith in the Twenty-First Century” May 1-2. The retreat will offer presentations on topics such as atheism, Islam, and the historical and practical implications of a…
LCMS, ELCA leaders discuss sexuality report
ST. LOUIS — Leaders of the two largest U.S. Lutheran church bodies met March 24 in St. Louis for the 32nd regular meeting of the Committee on Lutheran Cooperation. During the half-day meeting, representatives from The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and…
COP looks at how Synod assists congregations for mission, ministry
With discussion of “Church in a Post-church Culture,” to a historical perspective on structure, to proposals for restructure, the Feb. 21-24 meeting of the LCMS Council of Presidents looked at several facets of how the Synod assists congregations in effective…
