By Joe Isenhower Jr. Rev. Philip Wottrich, pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Covington, La., says three other pastors on a relief team sent by the Synod’s Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support (CMGS) and LCMS World Relief/Human Care after Hurricane…

“All that has transpired will change the face of the Southern District,” President Kurtis Schultz told the Council of Presidents (COP) meeting.  “Many have lost all things except the mercy and grace of God.  And that’s all we need.” While Schultz…

Care and supervision of church workers — including hurricane relief, lay worker training, new worker placements, and military reserve chaplains — occupied major segments of the Sept. 17-21 Council of Presidents (COP) meeting in St. Louis.  The COP includes presidents…

The three Missouri Synod members of the United States Congress thanked Synod members for their response to Hurricane Katrina in a Sept. 14 letter. They are Senator Conrad Burns of Montana; Congressman David Reichert, Washington; and Congressman John Shimkus, Illinois.  Their…

By Joe Isenhower Jr. “The unprecedented outpouring of Christian love and generosity of our people is phenomenal,” said Rev. Matthew Harrison, executive director of LCMS World Relief/ Human Care, as he summed up the Synod’s response to Hurricane Katrina. “Congregations…

Even though many LCMS congregations were expected to observe “Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Sunday” on Oct. 2, the suggested date, it’s not too late for those who haven’t yet planned such an observance. Congregations may celebrate “LWML Sunday” any time,…

By Paula Schlueter Ross Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod congregations now sponsor 31 Outreach Centers for the Blind, and 10 more centers are poised to open later this year, according to Rev. Dave Andrus, executive director of Lutheran Blind Mission, an LCMS mission…

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is beginning its 14th season of “Bach at the Sem” concerts featuring presentations of J.S. Bach’s music by The American Kantorei under the direction of Robert Bergt. The concerts are free and open to the public,…

In his 1996 autobiography, What More Is There to Say but Amen, Dr. Oswald C.J. Hoffmann shared his thoughts about fame — and faith.  Here’s an excerpt: “I never tried to play the hero in positions I held or in any…

Dr. Oswald C.J. Hoffmann, religious broadcasting pioneer and honorary speaker of radio’s “The Lutheran Hour,” who died Sept. 8 (2005) in St. Louis after a brief illness, likely would have appreciated the words of LCMS President Gerald B. Kieschnick at…

LCMS Youth Ministry will announce no earlier than Oct. 7 if New Orleans is still the site for the 2007 LCMS National Youth Gathering, says Rev. Terry Dittmer. Dittmer is director of LCMS District and Congregational Services (DCS) — Youth Ministry,…

Rev. Greg Fairow of Iowa City, Iowa, and Rev. Scott A. Snow of Rockford, Ill., have joined the staff of LCMS World Mission. Fairow, 46, began serving Aug. 29 as deployed “campus mission catalyst.”  His responsibilities include working with the Lutheran…

LCMS President Gerald B. Kieschnick and Rev. Matthew Harrison, executive director of LCMS World Relief/Human Care, announced Sept. 8 a new plan to better assist and support congregations and church workers in the Synod’s hard-hit Southern District in the aftermath…

Dr. Richard Bimler, president of Wheat Ridge Ministries, Itasca, Ill., has been chosen to receive this year’s “Wittenberg Award.”  The Washington, D.C.-based Luther Institute presents the annual award for outstanding service to church and society.  Bimler has served as president of Wheat…

Dr. Gary Arp, president of the LCMS Iowa District East, and Dr. Charles Evanson, a faculty member at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, who teaches in Lithuania, took part in a groundbreaking and cornerstone-dedication service July 30 in Palanga, Lithuania.…

Lutheran Senior Services (LSS) seeks a chaplain.  Lutheran Senior Services has a long history of providing premium residential care for older adults.  This is a new position for an experienced chaplain to serve two new LSS continuing-care retirement communities located…