Lutheran World Relief (LWR), Baltimore, is offering three “study visits” early next year that are designed to give participants a firsthand look at the relief and development organization’s overseas work: On LWR’s “Coffee Project Trip to Nicaragua,” Jan. 5-14, participants…
Concordia, River Forest, adds `Chicago` to name
While “Concordia University” will remain the legal name of Concordia University in River Forest, Ill., beginning Aug. 21 the university will be known publicly as “Concordia University Chicago.” The new moniker was adopted by the university’s board of regents after a…
Reps at AALC-LCMS talks recommend fellowship
Representatives of The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) and The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) have unanimously recommended that the two church bodies proceed toward altar and pulpit fellowship. Their recommendation came July 13-14 in St. Louis during the fourth…
Central Illinois re-elects Bueltmann
Delegates to the LCMS Central Illinois District’s 55th convention, July 9-11 in Springfield, Ill., re-elected Rev. David J. Bueltmann of Springfield to his fourth term as district president. Bueltmann, 64, was re-elected on the first ballot. Also elected were: Rev. Donald F.…
Nine Concordia University students evacuated from Israel
Nine Concordia University students from three U.S. campuses who were taking part in an archeological excavation in Israel have left the country because of rocket blasts in Tiberias — seven miles across the Sea of Galilee from where the students…
Schultz re-elected in Southern District
Rev. Kurtis D. Schultz of Slidell, La., was re-elected to his second three-year term as president of the Synod’s Southern District during the district’s 71st convention, July 6-8 in Baton Rouge, La. Schultz, 53, was elected on the first ballot.…
David Rittmann, Shanghai school headmaster, dies
Dr. David F. Rittmann, head of school at Concordia International School Shanghai and a pioneer in Lutheran international education, died of a heart attack July 4 in Camano Island, Wash. Rittmann, 63, had recently been treated for heart problems in China,…
LCMS housing corporation begins first fiscal year
July 1 marks the start of the first fiscal year of operation for the LCMS National Housing Support Corporation (NHSC), the charitable and education organization established by the LCMS Board for Human Care Ministries to assist LCMS congregations, districts, social…
Pacific Southwest re-elects Stoterau president
On the first ballot, delegates to the LCMS Pacific Southwest District convention, June 25-27 in Irvine, Calif., re-elected Dr. Larry Stoterau of Orange, Calif., to his third term as district president. Stoterau and other officers were installed during the convention. Elected…
`Acts` ministry stresses outreach through kindness
Jeff Van Beaver has a suggestion for outreach-focused congregations: Try a “random act of kindness” this summer. It will probably make people smile and will provide a witnessing opportunity to boot, he says. And, it doesn’t have to be a grand…
Seminar aims to equip families
A one-day “Hope for Families” seminar set for Oct. 7 in Chicago “will equip congregation leaders, individuals, and families to serve and witness in the home, church, and community,” says Kay Meyer, founder and president of Family Shield Ministries. Family…
Staff explores implications of CTCR opinion on adoptions
By Roland Lovstad LCMS staff at national and district levels are emphasizing careful, evangelical considerations as they explore the implications of an opinion from the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) that placement of foster or adopted children into…
CTCR: Placing children in homosexual contexts is contrary to doctrine
Placing of foster or adoptive children into homosexual households would be contrary to the LCMS doctrinal position, according to an opinion by the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR). The opinion was posted June 21 on the CTCR Web…
Conference to provide support, training for emergency chaplains
By Kim Krull Fires and other disasters make front-page news, but the work of chaplains who serve in such situations often goes unnoticed. That’s one reason LCMS World Relief/Human Care is hosting a first-time conference to provide support, training, and…
New journal focuses on deaconess ministry
The LCMS deaconess ministry is the focus of Mercy Works, a quarterly journal that debuted this spring with a mailing list of some 45,000. LCMS World Relief/Human Care is publishing the journal to raise awareness of deaconesses and opportunities for…
CTCR study to have input from male, female invitees
Eight men and eight women will be invited to participate in two consultations with the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) as it gathers input for completion of its comprehensive study of the Scriptural relationship of men and women.…
