With Dr. Bruce Hartung Two questions with similar concerns came to “Pressure Points” over the last two months. Those questions and my answers follow. Q: There are few polite ways to tell you what is going on in our church. We…
Items wanted, available (May 2012)
Note: Reporter cannot accept notices about items offered for sale or that people wish to purchase. Items described as “Wanted” or “Available” are sought or may be obtained for shipping costs only. Notices may be sent to Jennifer Duffy at…
Mill Neck releases third Bible story book for deaf
The third of 12 Bible story books combining written language, artwork and illustrated sign language to teach hearing and deaf individuals is available from Lutheran Friends of the Deaf (LFD), a ministry of the Mill Neck Family of Organizations, which…
New book details history of Lutheran Heritage Foundation
The Rev. Robert Rahn, founder of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF), has written a 330-page book that traces the development of the organization from its beginnings in Russia to its present-day work in Africa and Southeast Asia. The book’s title, Jesus…
Sattgast re-elected in South Dakota
Delegates to the 59th convention of the LCMS South Dakota District elected President Rev. Dr. Dale L. Sattgast on the first ballot to his third three-year term. The convention met April 18-21 in Sioux Falls, S.D., under the theme “Called into…
Minnesota North re-elects Fondow
At the LCMS Minnesota North District convention, meeting April 16-18 in Alexandria, Minn., delegates re-elected on the first ballot the Rev. Dr. Donald J. Fondow of Park Rapids, Minn., as district president. Fondow, 58, was re-elected to his fourth three-year term.…
Vatican orders crackdown on American nuns
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The Vatican has launched a crackdown on the umbrella group that represents most of America’s 55,000 Catholic nuns, saying that the group was not speaking out strongly enough against gay marriage, abortion and women’s ordination. Rome also chided…
Catholic bishop 'overwhelmed' by Lutheran support
By Paula Schlueter Ross Roman Catholic Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades told news reporters he was “really overwhelmed” when a group of some 250 people — mostly pastors and members of Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod congregations in the Fort Wayne, Ind., area —…
'Painting face of Christ' in tornado-ravaged communities
By Kim Plummer Krull Three days after a tornado slammed into Creston, Iowa, so fast that emergency management officials had no time to sound warning sirens, the Rev. Jonathan C. Watt said people are “so grateful that God had mercy and…
Sems offer continuing-ed courses for pastors, laypeople
The Synod’s two seminaries are offering continuing-education courses in various cities, beginning in April. The courses are designed for pastors, commissioned ministers and laypeople, and Continuing Education Units are available. Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind., is offering 23 courses: April 24-26…
CPH leaders accept Baldrige National Quality Award
By Sarah Schafer Concordia Publishing House (CPH) received the 2011 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award April 15, culminating an 11-year journey toward earning the nation’s highest presidential honor for performance excellence through innovation, process improvement, customer focus and visionary leadership. LCMS President…
Prayer, resources available for 'World Malaria Day,' April 25
A special prayer and other resources are available online to help Lutherans observe “World Malaria Day” on Wednesday, April 25. Malaria — a preventable disease — kills one child every 60 seconds in Africa. In a single 24-hour period — one…
Woodward, Okla., member homes damaged in deadly twister outbreak
By Kim Plummer Krull The Rev. Gregory Brown spent part of Sunday morning, April 15, checking on members of Trinity Lutheran Church, Woodward, Okla., after a deadly tornado outbreak in the Midwest that caused at least five reported fatalities in Woodward and…
Global Lutheran church bodies' representatives meet
By Kim Plummer Krull Sharing of plans to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017 was among the many updates addressed when representatives of the International Lutheran Council (ILC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) gathered March 27-29 in…
Congregation shares Christ's love after Texas twisters
By Kim Plummer Krull As Dave Ricks, a member of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Arlington, and the congregation’s Disaster Care committee, checked on congregants the day after the powerful April 3 tornadoes in North Texas, he came across a man sitting…
LFL national conference planned for Aug. 3-4 in Chicago
Under the theme “Equipping the Saints For Life” (based on Eph. 4:11-12), Lutherans For Life (LFL) will hold its 2012 national conference Aug. 3-4 in Chicago. Registration is open now at the LFL website at www.lutheransforlife.org. The event is open…
