By Kim Plummer Krull As the struggles continue for many Superstorm Sandy survivors in the Northeast, two LCMS districts are joining forces with the Synod’s national office to share a special Christmas gift of help and hope with families who are…
Missionaries, children welcome retreat with others 'who understand'
By Kim Plummer Krull Swimming in the pool. Eating yummy Thai food. Being with Dad, who travels to other countries for work. Those are some things Emma Hanson, 12-year-old daughter of LCMS career missionaries Rev. Carl and Chenhsi Hanson, says…
LWML offers Christmas cards
The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Christmas card for 2012 depicts Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. The inside of the card features quotes from three corresponding Christmas carols — “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” “Christ the Savior is Born” and “We Three Kings”…
LCMS university system records record growth for 20th consecutive year
This fall’s total CUS enrollment in both graduate and undergraduate programs increased 4.1 percent – from 28,421 in fall 2011 to 29,597 this year, an increase of 1,176 students.
Seminary seeks campaign director, planned gift officer
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, seeks to fill two full-time positions: The campaign executive director manages all aspects of campaign planning and execution for a five-year fundraising effort to secure funds for the seminary’s annual operating budget, facilities expansion and enhancements,…
Commission suggests ways to keep closer eye on lavish ministries
(RNS) — A special commission created by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) has called for clearer Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and greater involvement among donors to address “outliers” among congregations and other nonprofits that are not being…
Fresh from LCMS training, Filipino Lutherans put ‘Mercy in Action’
By Kim Plummer Krull Just days after taking part in an LCMS disaster-response training conference for the Asia Pacific region, Filipino Lutherans are preparing to use that “Mercy in Action” guidance to help devastated families in their typhoon-battered country. “What…
Court upholds Indiana's ban on secular wedding officiants
(RNS) — A federal court in Indiana has rejected atheists’ requests to preside at wedding ceremonies, saying only clergy or public officials are licensed to solemnize marriages. A lawsuit filed by the Indiana chapter of the Center for Inquiry (CFI) argued…
Former rector of nation's largest Episcopal church becomes Catholic
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) — The former rector of the nation’s largest Episcopal church has become a Roman Catholic. The Rev. Larry Gipson was dean of the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham from 1982-94 and rector at St. Martin’s Episcopal…
Historical Institute presents awards for 2011
Concordia Historical Institute (CHI) presented “Awards of Commendation” to 22 historians Nov. 8 for exemplary accomplishment in the field of American Lutheran history during 2011. The awards were in the categories of “Journal Articles,” “Major Publications,” “Organizational Histories,” “Congregational Histories”…
Harrison shares Advent message in new video
LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison shares an Advent message to the church in a new video. Advent is the season of preparation for Christmas that began on Dec. 2 this year and ends on Christmas Eve. “Jesus promises in Advent…
Disaster-response training helpful, say partner-church reps
By Megan Kincaid “Mercy in Action” was the theme as more than 50 participants from nine countries attended the disaster-response training conference for The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s Asia Pacific region Nov. 27-29 in Hong Kong. Conference leaders Rev. Glenn F.…
Typhoon Bopha strikes Philippines; LCMS ready to assist
By Kim Plummer Krull As congregations prepared to gather for Advent services on Wednesday, Dec. 5, the Rev. John A. Fale, associate executive director of LCMS Mercy Operations, asked for prayers for people in the Philippines who are mourning loved…
Campus atheists score big funding from Wisconsin university
(RNS) — An organization of student nonbelievers is likely to receive $69,000 from the University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW), the largest grant from an institute of higher learning ever awarded to a nontheistic, student-led organization. The grant’s size marks a milestone for…
Charitable giving up, but Sandy, tax changes expected to impact year-end donations
(RNS) — The recession continued to affect how much Americans gave to charity last year, and the triple whammy of Superstorm Sandy, a national election and the looming fiscal cliff may cut how much we donate in the crucial final…
LCMS President sends Advent blessings
Video message released in preparation for Christmas
