The 2010 Convention Workbook will be in the mail by May 1 to this year’s LCMS convention delegates and alternate delegates, lay members of Synod boards and commissions, and all remaining rostered LCMS church workers, says Synod Secretary Dr. Raymond…

From now through May 21, Thrivent Financial for Lutheran members at least 16 years old can vote to distribute $1 million among 10 national charitable organizations, including two LCMS ministries. And, if at least 350,000 Thrivent members cast their votes,…

Dr. Richard C. Dickinson, a longtime Black ministry leader in The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, died April 17 of cancer at his home in St. Louis.  Dickinson, 85, was diagnosed with the disease about 14 months ago. A funeral service was held April…

By Linda C. Hoops A statement released March 23 addresses the decisions on human sexuality made by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at its 2009 Churchwide Assembly. Titled “Theological Implications of the 2009 ELCA Decisions,” the 10-page statement was…

The offering for this year’s National LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans will support community renewal and reconstruction projects in that city’s area and a new grant program to help youth groups reach unchurched youth. The Gathering will take place…

A fire that began during a thunderstorm on the morning of April 6 caused extensive damage to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Harvard, Ill.  Pastor Michael Pfingsten told Reporter the roof over the altar area had visible flames when he…

Thanks to a Milwaukee-based outreach media ministry, LCMS chaplains will be distributing 600 MP3 players pre-loaded with four biblical messages to servicemen and women overseas. “Time of Grace” is a non-profit organization founded in 2001 whose goal is to “share…

Opening its season March 1, the Saxon Lutheran Memorial (SLM), located in Frohna, Mo., about 100 miles south of St. Louis, has several events planned for the year.  Coming up April 24-25 will be a spring mini-festival, craft fair, and…

Beginning Tuesday, April 13, Reporter Online offers more religion news in a regular section called “Periscope: Religion news from around the world.” “Periscope” was a feature in The Lutheran Witness magazine in years past that offered condensed versions of religion…

(RNS) — To the untrained eye, the graceful lilies that arrive on church altars each year on Easter Sunday are a familiar symbol of resurrection and renewal.  Like poinsettias on Christmas, it just wouldn’t be Easter without them. But for…

NEW ORLEANS (RNS) — The ritual of washing feet has a deep-seated tie to Holy Week, a symbol of the humility Jesus showed in performing the act for His disciples the day before His death. Craig Taffaro, president of St.…

WASHINGTON — After more than 400 years of German immigration to the United States, the German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA has opened the first national German-American Heritage Museum as the newest addition to the museum circuit in Washington, D.C.…

(RNS) — The number of churches that reported a drop in giving due to the sour economy rose nearly 10 percent last year, according to a new survey. In 2009, 38 percent of churches reported a decline in giving, versus…

Dr. Richard C. Dickinson is the recipient of the first “Lifetime Achievement Award” given by the Synod’s Black Clergy Caucus.  The award was presented by caucus members Feb. 4 at Dickinson’s home in St. Louis. Dickinson, 85, served the Synod…

“This event in Chile is far worse than ever imagined,” said Rev. Glenn Merritt, director of Disaster Response with LCMS World Relief and Human Care (WR-HC), who arrived in Chile March 19 with WR-HC’s Rev. Carlos Hernandez to assess earthquake…

Representatives from the LCMS and its partner church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti, were among dozens of people who spoke at the funeral of the man known as “the father of Lutheranism in Haiti,” Dr. Doris Jean Louis. Dr.…