“There is no safe place. America is not a safe place,” says Erin Alter, placement counselor for LCMS World Mission. But the Synod’s mission board takes every precaution to ensure the safety of its missionaries, she adds: “We really take the…
Thrivent, Habitat join for home-building effort
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity announced in late January that they are working together to build up to 312 homes this year — “a nationwide effort to create additional homeownership opportunities with low-income families,” according to a…
Get free resources for `Concordia Sunday`
The Synod’s Board for University Education is offering congregations free materials to help them celebrate the blessings of Lutheran higher education on “Concordia Sunday,” April 30. The annual observance highlights the value of a Lutheran education and calls special attention to…
People in the news
The following people have accepted new positions with LCMS-related organizations. Rev. Phillip Pledger will be installed in March as executive director of Lutheran Braille Workers (LBW) Inc., Yucaipa, Calif. Pledger has served the past 10 years as pastor of Good…
Fort Wayne sem offers retreats for youth, adults
Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, is hosting two upcoming retreats: one for youth and one for adults: “The Lord’s Prayer,” to be held April 28-30, is designed for youth who are receiving confirmation instruction in their own congregations. The retreat…
St. Louis seminary plans alumni reunion
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is inviting alumni from graduating classes ending in a “1” or a “6” to its annual alumni reunion, set for May 30-June 2 on the seminary campus. Also invited are the spouses and widows of alumni…
Planners set fees for Youth Gathering
Registration fees are set for the 2007 LCMS National Youth Gathering, and plans are under way for a first-time adult component of the Gathering. The registration fee for those attending the Youth Gathering or its concurrent program for adults is…
New `Wellness Team` supports church-workers` health
A newly formed Synod “action team” met for the first time in late January to look into ways of strengthening support and working together for the health and wellness of the Synod’s professional church workers. The eight-member “Wellness Alliances Action Team,”…
CTCR gives opinion on videotaped consecration
Using video to consecrate Communion elements for home groups cannot be condoned or encouraged, according to the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR). Approved during the commission’s Feb. 16-18 meeting in St. Louis, the opinion responded to a district…
Letters to the Editor (March)
Commentary comments The author of the January “Commentary,” Dr. David Adams (“Same-Sex Marriage: A Cautionary Tale”), has my utmost respect in his position at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. However, I believe it is our duty as members of both kingdoms…
North Dakota re-elects Harvala
The 100-some voting delegates to the LCMS North Dakota District convention, meeting Jan. 22-25 in Bismarck under the theme “Rekindle the Zeal,” re-elected on the first ballot Rev. Larry Harvala of Carrington to his third term as district president. North…
Missouri District elects Mirly president
Delegates to the 16th convention of the Missouri District, Feb. 9-11 in Lake Ozark, Mo., elected Rev. Ray Mirly of Olivette, Mo., to his first term as president. Mirly, the district’s first vice president and senior pastor of Immanuel Lutheran…
Leland Stevens, former periodicals editor, dies
Dr. Leland R. Stevens, executive editor of Reporter and The Lutheran Witness from 1979 to 1984, died Jan. 27 after suffering an apparent heart attack at home in Allen, Texas. He was 76. Dr. Stevens’ ministry included 20 years as a…
LEA honors outstanding educators for 2006
Rev. William Ameiss, president of the LCMS Northern Illinois District, with offices in Hillside, Ill., has been named recipient of the Lutheran Education Association’s (LEA) 2006 Christus Magister (Christ the Master Teacher) Award. LEA also announced that 12 educators are…
Mission society seeks cyclists for fund-raiser
Registration is open for “Biking Across Kansas,” an annual weeklong recreational rally for cyclists. The Children’s Christian Concern Society (CCCS) is asking for volunteers to take part in the rally to raise funds for its ministry. The bike trek is…
Registration opens for Black Ministry Convocation
Planners for this year’s Black Ministry Family Convocation, set for July 19-23 at Concordia College, Selma, Ala., believe the historical significance of the site will attract more convocation participants than in past years. “We’re going to the cradle of Black…
