In a decision announced Monday, June 4, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in favor of Masterpiece Cakeshop owner/artist Jack Phillips. In 2012, Phillips, a Christian, declined to design a wedding cake for a same-sex couple, stating that to do so would violate his religious convictions.
New This Week
Obituary: Rev. Paul Weber, former Ohio District president
The Rev. Paul A. Weber, who served as president of the LCMS Ohio District from 1982 to 1988, died May 27. His funeral service is set for 11 a.m. on Monday, June 4.
Movie review: ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’
The latest entry in the Star Wars universe works best if the audience avoids thinking too much and simply enjoys it for what it is: a straightforward, double-crossing heist film that introduces some beloved characters in a safe and appealing way.
Candidate placement headlines COP meeting
The LCMS Council of Presidents (COP) met April 21–26, traveling from St. Louis to Fort Wayne, Ind., to place pastoral and commissioned candidates, elect new leadership and work through matters of ecclesiastical supervision.
Blue Ribbon Committee on Lutheran Schools wraps up work
The LCMS Blue Ribbon Committee on Lutheran Schools was created by the Synod in convention in 2013 and directed to continue its work in 2016. It will report its findings and recommendations at the 2019 Synod convention in Tampa, Fla.
Register now for prison ministry conference
Registration is open for “Captive Souls … Mercy for All,” a Synodwide prison ministry conference set for Aug. 17–18 at the Hilton St. Louis Airport.
Texas Lutherans provide quick response to shooting
On May 18, a shooter opened fire on students and faculty at Santa Fe High School, ultimately killing 10 people and injuring 10 more.
Fire guts historic Milwaukee church, pastor sees ‘tremendous opportunity’
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Milwaukee was destroyed by the four-alarm fire on May 15, but there were no injuries.
Seminaries offer summer learning opportunities
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind. are offering a series of summer workshops — open to pastors, church workers and laypeople — in various locations across the country.
LCMS members play key role in passing Iowa fetal heartbeat bill
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed the bill — which prohibits most abortions once a heartbeat is detectable by ultrasound — on May 4. Previously in Iowa, most abortions were permitted up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.
CPH book focuses on helping the needy
In a book about caring for the poor, LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison takes the example of St. Paul and applies it to today’s church.
In the May ‘Lutheran Witness’: Children are blessings
The May 2018 edition of “The Lutheran Witness” includes an overview of Lutheran K-12 education in America by Heather Smith and contributions from well-known voices including the Rev. A. Trevor Sutton, the Rev. Dr. Peter Scaer and Adriane Heins, former LW managing editor.
Campus Clips – May 2018
Concordia University Chicago alumnus James Connelly named one of 10 Illinois “Teacher of the Year” finalists in Illinois. Concordia University Texas team claims LCEF National Student Marketing Competition. Concordia University, Nebraska, women’s soccer players doing mission work with Urban Plunge.
From the Mission Field – May 2018
Leaders of six Lutheran church bodies, three seminaries and five Bible institutes gathered with over 40 other theologians and church workers at the Concordia The Reformer Mercy Center and Seminary in Santiago, Dominican Republic. In Kenya, Britt Odemba is celebrating five years of service as an LCMS career missionary.
Denninger re-elected president of LCMS Southeastern District
The Rev. Dr. John R. Denninger of Springfield, Va., was elected on the first ballot to his third term as president of the Southeastern District during the district’s 38th convention on May 10-12 in Hickory, N.C.
Lange elected to first term as California-Nevada-Hawaii president
The Rev. Michael R. Lange of Brentwood, Calif., was elected on the third ballot to his first term as president of the LCMS California-Nevada-Hawaii District during the district’s 71st convention, May 11–12 in Sacramento, Calif.
