Lutheran congregations, schools, and organizations have until Sept. 15 to apply for a total of $5.5 million that the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation will give in its Charitable Gifting Initiative grant program for 2006. The initiative is a “a…
LFL sets 2006 conference to attract more families
Lutherans For Life’s (LFL) annual national conference moves from fall to summer this year — July 14-16 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa — to make it easier for whole families to attend. Registration is open now, by mail or online (click here), where…
Communications board appoints Strand to top post
David L. Strand in April accepted the LCMS Board for Communication Services’ (BCS) appointment as its full-time executive director. Vicki Biggs and Joe Isenhower Jr. also accepted the board’s appointments as manager of Public Affairs/Media Relations and managing editor-Reporter, respectively…
Mission board issues 28 calls, appointments for missionaries
By Paula Schlueter Ross Dr. Robert Roegner, executive director of LCMS World Mission, still remembers how bad he felt in December 2002, when 28 overseas missionary “unit,” or family, positions were eliminated because of dwindling funds. Roegner called the missionaries individually to…
Dr. Alfred Fremder, sem professor, dies
Dr. Alfred L. Fremder, professor emeritus at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, died April 19. He was 86. A funeral service was held April 25 at Tree of Life Lutheran Church in Garland, Texas. Fremder served as professor emeritus at the seminary from…
Transcript of astronaut`s message
Here’s a transcript of Astronaut Jeff Williams’ voice-mail message to his pastor, Rev. John Kieschnick: “Pastor K, this is Jeff Williams calling from the ISS [international space station]. I thought I might catch you Sunday morning on the way to church. “I…
Donor offers `challenge grant` to seminary
A family who wishes to remain anonymous has offered a “challenge grant” of up to $200,000 to Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, to encourage gifts designated for student financial aid. The donor has pledged to give one dollar for every dollar…
Seminaries offer promotional materials to congregations
The Synod’s two seminaries have produced promotional materials designed to help congregations hold a “Seminary Sunday” to call attention to pastoral education and seminary support. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, last month mailed a packet of materials to all LCMS congregations…
New DVD offers information about the LCMS
What’s a “synod”? Are Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod congregations only in the state of Missouri? What do Missouri Synod Lutherans believe? Those questions — and lots of others — are answered in “Some Things Never Change,” a new 12-minute DVD from…
Astronaut boards space station, 'phones home'
By Paula Schlueter Ross Astronaut Jeff Williams had barely settled into his “home away from home” on the international space station when he gave his pastor a quick phone call. Launched via a Russian Soyuz rocket March 29, Williams and cosmonaut Pavel…
Fort Wayne seminary offers workshops for organists
Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, is offering three workshops for church organists: “Level I,” to be held June 26-30, includes a daily one-hour session on the “theology of worship,” plus instruction on service playing, hymnody, the church year, music for…
Seminaries offer summer workshops, courses
The Synod’s two seminaries are offering a total of 29 workshops and courses this summer at off-campus locations nationwide. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is sponsoring a dozen workshops for pastors, professional church workers, and interested lay people: “Journey with Jonah,”…
Sourcebook offers stained-glass information on CD
Sourcebook 2006: Your Guide to Architectural Stained and Art Glass is now available free on compact disk. The publication is produced annually by the Stained Glass Association of America for use by architects, congregations, liturgical consultants, and other professionals active…
LCMS World Relief commits nearly $12 million for hurricane relief
By Kim Krull As weather-watchers warily brace for the official June 1 launch of this year’s hurricane season, LCMS World Relief/Human Care announced totals that reflect the devastation as well as the Christian care and concern sparked by last year’s…
Outreach Institute set for July in St. Paul
The sixth annual “Outreach Leadership Institute” will be held July 13-15 at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minn. Theme of the institute will be “Christian Outreach on the Move — North America Ablaze!“ The institute is sponsored jointly by the Oswald Hoffmann…
Board, commission reps share ideas at Summit
Some 85 people — most of them representing Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod boards and commissions — heard speakers and brainstormed ideas for coordinating and collaborating efforts around the church body’s “One Mission … One Message … One People” vision during the President’s…
