By Sarah Schafer “I’m standing in a parking lot here in Marysville and in every direction I look, there’s not a single house or building that hasn’t been damaged somehow,” LCMS Indiana District President Rev. Dr. Daniel P. May said Monday,…
Tornado update: Reporting LCMS congregations spared, assessment under way
By Sarah Schafer According to early reports Saturday, March 3, LCMS congregations and members were spared by the severe storm system Friday that produced dozens of tornadoes across 10 states, killing 35 in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Alabama, and resulting…
Mission boards hear priorities, continue policy work
By Joe Isenhower Jr. and Elizabeth M. Truong ST. LOUIS — The LCMS Boards for National and International Mission heard reports of priorities from Synod mission executives and continued their primary work of developing policies during their Feb. 3-4 meeting…
Armed forces ministry recognized for supporting employees
The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod’s Ministry to the Armed Forces is one of 15 organizations named as a 2011 “Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award” nominee for the St. Louis area. The award is the highest recognition given by the U.S.…
Tornado relief volunteers: Call first
Editor’s note: At this writing (6 p.m. Central on Friday, March 2), LCMS Disaster Response staff have contacted congregations in Alabama, Indiana and Kentucky. About half of them have confirmed no major LCMS damages or fatalities from March 2 storms…
National Mission grant funds 700 audio Bibles
A $35,000 grant from the Synod’s Office of National Mission to Lutheran Blind Mission (LBM) is being used to purchase and distribute 700 digital audio Bibles. The Talking Bibles are “very blind-friendly,” according to the Rev. Dave Andrus, LBM executive director,…
Storms pummel Midwest, LCMS churches spared
LCMS churches and members in Kansas, southern Missouri and Illinois seem to have escaped major damages in a deadly Feb. 28-29 storm that killed 12 people and injured more than 100 others. The Rev. Glenn Merritt, director of LCMS Disaster Response,…
Mahnken joins CPS as chief marketing officer
Glenn Mahnken, former senior vice-president of marketing and customer support with the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF), has joined Concordia Plan Services (CPS) as its chief marketing officer. In his new post, he is responsible for the oversight of CPS education,…
Jones, Buuck fill posts with LCEF
Becca Jones and Tom Buuck began filling two leadership positions with the Lutheran Church Extension Fund’s St. Louis office in early January. Jones became senior vice-president, Marketing and Customer Support, on Jan. 4, in the post that became vacant when…
Karner spotlights 'real issue' behind controversial mandate
By Kim Plummer Krull LCMS Life and Health Ministries Director Maggie Karner said she hopes her participation in a Feb. 27 panel discussion in Washington, D.C., helps spotlight what she calls the “real issue” behind the controversial mandate recently issued by…
COP commends Harrison, issues resolution of support
By James Heine ST. LOUIS — At its regular meeting Feb. 18-21, The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod Council of Presidents (COP) commended Synod President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison for the statements he made in response to the recent United States Department of…
Harrison calls for prayers in Lenten video
LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison shares Lenten blessings through a video message to the church where he encourages believers to use Martin Luther’s method of praying: instruction, thanksgiving, confession and prayer, or “ITCP.” He encourages church members to lift…
Karner to address religious freedom concerns in Washington
By Kim Plummer Krull LCMS Life and Health Ministries Director Maggie Karner will participate in a panel discussion Feb. 27 in Washington, D.C., spotlighting what many Americans call religious-liberty violations in the wake of the recent government mandate on health insurance…
N.J. lawmakers approve gay marriage, but veto looms
TRENTON, N.J. (RNS) — Even as Gov. Chris Christie’s threat of a “swift” veto looms, gay-rights activists are celebrating after the state Assembly voted on Feb. 16 on a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in New Jersey. With supporters imploring lawmakers…
British High Court rules against prayer at town meetings
LONDON (RNS) — A British High Court justice has triggered dismay and anger across England and Wales with a recent decision that declares prayers at town hall meetings are against the law. Justice Duncan Ouseley ruled Feb. 10 that local government…
Sparks fly as House GOP blasts contraception mandate
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Exhibit A in the fight over President Obama’s mandate for religious institutions to provide insurance coverage for contraception: a ham sandwich. At a hearing Feb. 16 convened by House Republicans to cast opposition to the mandate as a…
