By Kim Krull As Gulf Coast residents prepared to assess damage from their second hurricane in less than a month, many no doubt echoed the weariness of Lutheran school principal Lois Rost. “Everywhere I looked there was wreckage,” said Rost,…
Districts need cleanup teams
For information on how to volunteer for hurricane cleanup and repair work in the LCMS Southern and Texas Districts, see the LCMS World Mission and LCMS World Relief/Human Care Web sites. At this time, the Southern District is seeking teams, each…
Five hurricane-damaged churches may face demolition
Five LCMS congregations’ church buildings in the area hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina may have to be demolished as a result of damage from the storm — this according to Rev. David Lewis, the Southern District’s coordinator of District Disaster…
CTCR report addresses human embryos
“Christian Faith and Human Beginnings,” a report concluding that human embryos, beginning with conception, are the unfolding of a unique human life, was adopted by the Commission on Theology and Church Relations at its meeting Sept. 22-25 in St. Louis.…
October Letters
Discernment takes time My letter concerns the encouragement mentioned in last month’s story on the Model Theological Conference in Scottsdale that laypeople be adept at judging doctrine. A layperson does not come up out of the baptismal water judging doctrine…
Youth Ministry to announce if Gathering stays in New Orleans
LCMS Youth Ministry will announce no earlier than Oct. 7 if New Orleans is still the site for the 2007 LCMS National Youth Gathering, says Rev. Terry Dittmer. Dittmer is director of LCMS District and Congregational Services (DCS) — Youth Ministry,…
Hoffmann put focus on Christ, say memorial speakers
Dr. Oswald C.J. Hoffmann, religious broadcasting pioneer and honorary speaker of radio’s “The Lutheran Hour,” who died Sept. 8 (2005) in St. Louis after a brief illness, likely would have appreciated the words of LCMS President Gerald B. Kieschnick at…
Oswald Hoffmann in his own words
In his 1996 autobiography, What More Is There to Say but Amen, Dr. Oswald C.J. Hoffmann shared his thoughts about fame — and faith. Here’s an excerpt: “I never tried to play the hero in positions I held or in any…
St. Louis seminary offers free `Bach at sem` concerts
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is beginning its 14th season of “Bach at the Sem” concerts featuring presentations of J.S. Bach’s music by The American Kantorei under the direction of Robert Bergt. The concerts are free and open to the public,…
Synod is reaching more blind people than ever
By Paula Schlueter Ross Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod congregations now sponsor 31 Outreach Centers for the Blind, and 10 more centers are poised to open later this year, according to Rev. Dave Andrus, executive director of Lutheran Blind Mission, an LCMS mission…
Materials still available for `LWML Sunday`
Even though many LCMS congregations were expected to observe “Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Sunday” on Oct. 2, the suggested date, it’s not too late for those who haven’t yet planned such an observance. Congregations may celebrate “LWML Sunday” any time,…
Fairow, Snow join World Mission
Rev. Greg Fairow of Iowa City, Iowa, and Rev. Scott A. Snow of Rockford, Ill., have joined the staff of LCMS World Mission. Fairow, 46, began serving Aug. 29 as deployed “campus mission catalyst.” His responsibilities include working with the Lutheran…
People in the news
Dr. Richard Bimler, president of Wheat Ridge Ministries, Itasca, Ill., has been chosen to receive this year’s “Wittenberg Award.” The Washington, D.C.-based Luther Institute presents the annual award for outstanding service to church and society. Bimler has served as president of Wheat…
New relief plan supports hard-hit Southern District
LCMS President Gerald B. Kieschnick and Rev. Matthew Harrison, executive director of LCMS World Relief/Human Care, announced Sept. 8 a new plan to better assist and support congregations and church workers in the Synod’s hard-hit Southern District in the aftermath…
LCMS pastors take part in Lithuanian groundbreaking
Dr. Gary Arp, president of the LCMS Iowa District East, and Dr. Charles Evanson, a faculty member at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, who teaches in Lithuania, took part in a groundbreaking and cornerstone-dedication service July 30 in Palanga, Lithuania.…
Call for nominations: Director of Mission Networking
The Board for Black Ministry Services plans, coordinates, and expands the activities in Black Ministry with the various judicatories of the Synod, including districts and local congregations. In addition, by special assignment of the Board of Directors, it recruits Black…
