New This Week

Congregations vote to delay Synod convention

The measure was approved by over 90%, with more than 60% of the Synod’s congregations participating in the vote.

Obituaries
Obituary: Dr. Carl Flentge Schalk, professor, Concordia University Chicago

Dr. Carl Flentge Schalk, composer and retired professor of church music at Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill., died on Jan. 24 at the age of 91.

LCMS leaders participate in scaled-back D.C. March for Life

On Jan. 29, several LCMS leaders joined approximately 100 pro-life leaders from across the country in a mostly virtual, livestreamed March for Life.

Egger called as 11th president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

The Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Egger, Gustav and Sophie Butterbach Professor of Exegetical Theology and chairman of the Department of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (CSL), has been called to serve as the 11th president in CSL’s 182-year history.

Synod offers technology grants to congregations

The deadline to apply for a grant is April 5.

Bull to serve as 11th president of CUNE

Dr. Bernard D. Bull, who currently serves as president of Goddard College in Plainfield, Vt., will begin his tenure at CUNE in August.

Obituaries
Obituary: Rev. John Arthur Moldstad Jr., president, Evangelical Lutheran Synod

The Rev. John Arthur Moldstad Jr., president of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, died in Madison Lake, Minn., on Jan. 29.

Life conference goes virtual this year

The conference, set for March 19–20, will include both live sessions and on-demand videos, as well as the opportunity to engage with speakers through question-and-answer sessions. 

March for Life ‘Moving the Movement Tour’ stops in Fort Wayne

The Jan. 16 event, sponsored by LCMS Life Ministry, was one stop on the March for Life Chicago’s “Moving the Movement Tour,” which connected participants across five Midwestern states in a series of pro-life car rallies and caravans.

Concordia College New York announces plan to cease operations, sell campus

On Jan. 28, Concordia College New York (CCNY), Bronxville, N.Y., and Iona College, New Rochelle, N.Y., issued a joint press release detailing the closure of CCNY in the fall of 2021.

MDFL holds virtual gathering on wide range of topics

Congregation members, workers and leaders from across the LCMS listened, shared and learned during the Making Disciples for Life gathering held via Zoom the evenings of Jan. 11–14.

Synod provides facts and counsel on COVID-19 vaccines

On Jan. 21, LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison sent an email to all workers on the Synod roster addressing questions and concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines.

Campus clips – Wellness, vocation, technology

Updates from LCMS colleges, universities and seminaries.

Finnish Lutherans declare fellowship with LCMS

The decision came during the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland’s annual meeting, held on Nov. 14, 2020.

New PALS resource especially for pastors’ wives

The resource, titled “Faith to Follow: Transition from the Call to the Church,” was written by Kate Meadows, a second-year pastor’s wife in South Dakota.

COP navigates ongoing impact of COVID-19

The LCMS Council of Presidents conducted its fourth meeting of 2020 (its third via Zoom video conference) on Nov. 16–18, with discussion of the pandemic’s impact on the church dominating the meeting.