In response to questions raised following the recent news stories about the Rev. Robert Morris of Newtown, Conn., we encourage everyone to read Pastor Morris’ statement and President Matthew Harrison’s pastoral letter for themselves.
Statements & Letters

Kollbaum named Missouri Synod’s ‘Rural and Small Town Mission’ director
The Rev. Todd E. Kollbaum has accepted the call to serve as director of Rural and Small Town Mission for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). He will begin serving in this role April 1.

Vacation Bible school program to benefit Missouri Synod disaster response
ST. LOUIS, January 23, 2013—Mission offerings collected through the new Concordia Publishing House (CPH) vacation Bible school (VBS) program for 2013, “Tell It on the Mountain – Where Jesus Christ is Lord,” will benefit a special fund of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) that aims to help those suffering from a disaster.

Lutherans mark 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade
ST. LOUIS—January 22, 2013—Lutherans are marking the milestone 40th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion by participating in the national “March for Life” and attending the first-ever Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Life Conference Friday, Jan. 25, and Saturday, Jan. 26, respectively, in Washington, D.C.

LCMS President sends Epiphany blessings Video message released
ST. LOUIS, January 16, 2012—The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison sends Epiphany blessings to the church in a video message.

LCMS Illinois district presidents sign letter supporting traditional definition of marriage, religious freedom
ST. LOUIS—January 4, 2013—In advance of an anticipated vote in the Illinois Senate on a same-sex “marriage” law, the three Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Illinois district presidents joined Roman Catholic, Muslim and Mormon church leaders in signing an open letter to Illinois lawmakers in support of the traditional definition of marriage and religious freedom.

LCMS provides $551,500 in grants for Sandy relief
ST. LOUIS, December 21, 2012—The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has released $551,500 in grants to help in the Superstorm Sandy relief effort, including $200,000 that is being used for a special Christmas initiative.

LCMS President offers new translation of Martin Luther’s book on praying
ST. LOUIS, December 19, 2012—The Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), has authored a new translation of Martin Luther’s brief essay on prayer, called A Simple Way to Pray.

STL neighborhood boosted by grant dollars, plans for new housing
ST. LOUIS, December 11, 2012 – The historic College Hill neighborhood on St. Louis’ north side is getting a $50,000 boost through a Wells Fargo grant program designed to help stabilize and revitalize neighborhoods hard-hit by the economy.

National Lutheran Schools Week resources available
ST. LOUIS, December 6, 2012—Resource materials designed to help The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) schools celebrate “National Lutheran Schools Week” Jan. 27-Feb. 2 are now available free online.

LCMS university system records record growth for 20th consecutive year
This fall’s total CUS enrollment in both graduate and undergraduate programs increased 4.1 percent – from 28,421 in fall 2011 to 29,597 this year, an increase of 1,176 students.

A Statement on Recent HHS Decision and Religious Freedom
We are deeply distressed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) recent decision to require nearly all private health plans, including those offered by religious employers, to cover contraceptives.

LCMS President Harrison reacts to unanimous U.S. Supreme Court ruling in support of Hosanna-Tabor
The Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), issued the following statement in reaction to the United States Supreme Court historic 9-0 decision today in favor of an LCMS church and school in Redford, Mich.

A Statement Regarding Discussions with NALC
Our initial dialogue with NALC representatives has been a rather joyous surprise. Bishop Bradosky and the men who joined him in our time together have been profoundly molded by the cross and years of suffering as their former church body slipped further and further from the Word of God.

A Hopeful Lamentation: A Statement on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11
On Sunday, September 11th, 2011, the world will stand still as the first post-9/11 decade comes to a close. As I pause to pen this note to the church, I’m flooded with a swirl of disparate and even conflicting thoughts and feelings.