The combined 2016 fall enrollment of 35,717 for the Synod’s 10 colleges and universities falls for the first time in 24 years.
News

Pro-life icon Jean Garton memorial set for Jan. 21
The co-founder and president emeritus of Lutherans For Life died Dec. 23 at the age of 87.

Betty Duda, 84, was former LWML president
The Synod leader died peacefully Dec. 24, after entering hospice care a few days earlier.

Movie review: ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’
Director Gareth Edwards has made a film that looks and feels like “Star Wars,” but may be too intense for young children.

Board’s top challenge: helping God’s people marshal kingdom resources
“Finances are first and foremost on everyone’s heart,” LCMS Board of Directors Chairman Rev. Dr. Michael L. Kumm says during the Board’s Nov. 17-18 meeting in Schaumburg, Ill.

COP tackles wide range of topics at November meeting
Topics discussed by the LCMS Council of Presidents include ecclesiastical supervision, calling pastors on candidate status, immigration and seminary concerns.

KFUO program eyes secularization of Christmas
This trend is the topic of discussion for Worldwide KFUO’s next “Free to be Faithful” program at 2:30 p.m. (Central time) on Dec. 21.

Special mission journal explores LCMS membership decline
Demographic reports in this special December “Journal of Lutheran Mission” explain the main reasons behind the decline and offer suggestions for reversing the trend.

Living boldly: Keynote speakers inspire at LCEF fall conference
Lutheran Church Extension Fund’s annual conference takes place Nov. 18-20 in Schaumburg, Ill., under the theme “Live Boldly.”

RSTM conference looks toward future of national mission
The Rev. Mark Wood is among speakers sharing resources at the recent National Rural & Small Town Mission Conference in Wichita, Kan.

Providing spiritual care after deadly Tennessee fires
St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sevierville, Tenn., and its pastor use resources from LCMS Disaster Response to meet the spiritual-care needs of victims.

Legal-resources webpage debuts at LCMS site
Under five tabs, the new webpage currently offers 31 documents.

Dec. 14 webinar focus: caring for youth in crisis
“Facing Trials Together: Walking Together in Christ,” with Heather Ruesch, is set for 1 p.m. Central time on Wednesday, Dec. 14.

Photo essay: Powerful Moments — A Year in Review
Nine photos taken during 2016 illustrate how God has been at work worldwide through The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

Registration opens for Jan. 24-25 Multiethnic Symposium
The Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, event explores how the church should engage in ethnic ministry and what it means to become a truly multiethnic church.

Symposia Series, Jan. 17-20, to mark Reformation anniversary
Concordia Theological Seminary presents its annual symposia on exegetical and confessional theology on its campus in Fort Wayne, Ind., and in a live webcast.