By Glenn Fluegge Yesterday morning I sat at my desk and wept. I do not cry often, but I could not help myself. I had just received news that Rev. Dr. Wilbert Kreiss had died during the night while attending the…
Free school marketing webinar set for Nov. 9
Lutheran-school educators and administrators are invited to join in a free live webcast to help with their schools’ branding efforts Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 4 p.m. Central time. This 50-minute webcast episode — the first of four to be offered in…
LCMS leaders meet with congressmen, senators in D.C.
By Adriane Dorr LCMS leaders met with representatives on Capitol Hill Oct. 27 and took part in the first-ever Lutheran Services in America Day at the White House Oct. 28. On the first day of their visit to Washington, D.C., the group…
Harrison urges workers’ well-being in new video
In his third and final monthly video message supporting the Synod’s What a Way initiative, LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison urges pastors, teachers and other rostered LCMS church workers to use that initiative’s resources for their well-being. …
Resources available for LCMS World Relief Sunday
Resources are available to help congregations recognize LCMS World Relief and Human Care (WR-HC) Sunday on Nov. 20. Available for free downloading from WR-HC’s website — at www.lcms.org/worldrelief — are black-and-white and color versions of a bulletin insert, a four-part…
Congress considers conscience rights in health care
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Catholic and other Christian health care providers got their day in Congress Nov. 2 at a hearing Republicans called to denounce an Obama administration rule that requires insurers to cover contraception. The rule, part of the health care…
Anglicans won't allow civil partnerships in churches
LONDON (RNS) — The British government said Nov. 2 that same-sex couples will be allowed for the first time to use churches to seal their civil partnership vows, starting in December. But the directive added that no religious group will be…
Partnerships to aid Asian flood victims
Many caught in the worst monsoon-fed flooding to hit Southeast Asia in 50 years will receive relief supplies made possible through collaborative efforts of LCMS World Relief and Human Care (WR-HC) and Lutheran partners in Thailand and Cambodia. Two initial emergency-relief…
Faith, political leaders find out how far food stamps go
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Religious leaders and members of Congress this week are getting a firsthand taste of what it’s like to eat on $4.50 a day as part of the “Food Stamp Challenge.” In the challenge, participants try to live for…
Bishops warn Congress on threats to 'freedom'
WASHINGTON (RNS) — U.S. Catholic bishops dispatched their new point man on religious freedom to warn Congress on Oct. 26 that religious people risk being labeled as “bigots” without greater conscience protections. Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport, Conn., chairman of a…
Pope convenes interfaith summit, but prayer is optional
ASSISI, Italy (RNS) — Pope Benedict XVI hosted some 300 representatives of world religions here on Oct. 27 for an interfaith summit on justice and peace, with distinct changes made to the event first convened 25 years ago by Pope…
Concordia — New York to host 'One-Day Seminary'
Concordia College — New York, Bronxville, N.Y., has planned two events featuring LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison. Beginning at 7 p.m. on Nov. 4, Harrison will host a Town Hall Meeting. He will be available to meet attendees and…
LCMS provides $10,000 grant for Turkey earthquake relief
LCMS World Relief and Human Care (WR-HC) has made available a $10,000 emergency grant to help meet basic needs of survivors of the massive 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Turkey the afternoon of Oct. 23. The grant is already making possible…
CUS enrollment hits new record high of 28,421
By Paula Schlueter Ross Fall enrollment at the Synod’s 10 colleges and universities continues to climb, hitting an all-time high this year of 28,421 — an increase of 967 graduate and undergraduate students, or 3.5 percent. This marks the 19th consecutive year…
Higher Things schedules two November retreats
Higher Things — an LCMS Recognized Service Organization — is holding two retreats in November. The first of those, titled “Jesus: The Real Deal,” is set for Nov. 4-5 at Zion Lutheran church in Storm Lake, Iowa, for youth in Grades…
Seminary offers Advent preaching workshop
Concordia Theological Seminary is offering its annual Advent preaching workshop Nov. 8-9 on its campus in Fort Wayne, Ind. The workshop will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 8, and from 8…
