LSTC Epistle, Winter/Spring 2011, Vol. 41, No. 1

EPISTLE LSTC

WINTER/SPRING 2011

Magazine of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

Alumni and friends move comprehensive campaign beyond its goals

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Frequently, when I think about the ministry and mission of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) and its calling to form visionary leaders to bear witness to the good news of Jesus Christ, the image of a large dot surrounded by three concentric circles comes to mind.

The large dot at the center of the image represents the women and men who, claimed in baptism and led by the Holy Spirit, have come to LSTC to prepare for service in the church as pastors, diaconal ministers, deaconesses and associates in ministry. The seminary exists to provide leadership for God’s people and they are central to its ministry and mission.

The circle that most closely surrounds our students denotes the critical and important role of the faculty. In many respects, faculty members are LSTC’s most precious resource because they journey with students in teaching and learning the faith and its implications for God’s people today. Faculty form and shape students for congregational and other settings and their academic, scholarly and ecclesiastical wisdom are invaluable, and I give thanks for it.

The second circle surrounding students and faculty is composed of administrative and staff colleagues who support LSTC’s vibrant and vital work of formation for ministry. Whether it is the maintenance staff attending to building matters, Information Technology personnel keeping the seminary’s computers operating, the Finance Office handling LSTC’s business affairs or the Advancement Office inviting support, these colleagues ensure that faculty and students are able to fulfill LSTC’s central calling. Their service is essential, and I give thanks for it.

The third circle that surrounds everything calls forth the witness of the Scriptures that “For as in one body we have many members, and all members do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another (Romans 12:4-5).” For me, the third circle includes all of LSTC’s partners in this ministry (alums and friends) whose involvement, leadership, prayers and generous support enable and sustain the seminary. Their contributions in liberality (Romans 12:8) are foundational for its continuing ministry and mission, and I never cease to be profoundly grateful for such faithful stewardship.

For many decades, Richard A. Hoefs (see page

Richard A. “Dick” Hoefs

38) was a dedicated member of this third circle, and LSTC thanks Almighty God for his life and witness. He was LSTC Treasurer at the time of my election as president and I came to know him well. I will always remember with fondness the several summer overnight trips that I made to Dick’s Green Lake, Wis., condo to play golf, share a meal and have good conversation. I will always remember his emphasis on the importance of sincere prayer to God before the board made significant institutional decisions. I will always remember his generous personal stewardship throughout his relationship with LSTC that extended to a wonderful estate gift. And I will always remember the words that he always used to conclude his emails and letters. They were “Peace & Love.”

Thanks be to God for Dick Hoefs and his spirit of generosity that is shared by LSTC’s partners in ministry for the sake of supporting the formation of visionary leaders to bear witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ. As always, I am deeply grateful for your partnership.

Blessings and Best Wishes,

James Kenneth Echols President

FEATURES LSTC

EPISTLE

Winter/Spring 2011 • Volume 41 • No. 1 The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, forms visionary leaders to bear witness to the good news of Jesus Christ.

Vision statement LSTC seeks to build up the body of Christ and work for a world of peace and justice that cares for the whole creation.

Visit www. lstc.edu or call 1-800-635-1116 for more information about LSTC’s programs, conferences and special events.

Christie and Larry Tietjen lead a toast at the Equipping the Saints Campaign Close Celebration.

Editor Jan Boden

Rebecca Sheridan and Katy Harder at the Equipping the Saints Campaign Close Celebration

Designer Ann Rezny Contributors Jan Boden James Kenneth Echols Cheryl Hoth Jessica Houston Jana Howson David Lindberg Ben Stewart

LWF President Bishop Munib Younan will speak at 2011 Commencement

Communications and Marketing Advisory Committee David Abrahamson Mark Bangert James Kenneth Echols Joy McDonald Coltvet Janette Muller Durk Peterson Tom Rogers Mark Van Scharrel LSTC Board of Directors Michael Aguirre Joyce Anderson Myrna Culbertson Susan Davenport Gregory Davis Melody Beckman Eastman Kimberlee Eighmy James Fowler Trina Glusenkamp Gould, Secretary J. Arthur Gustafson Kathryn Hasselblad-Pascale Philip Hougen, Chair Greg Kaufmann John Kiltinen Mark Klever Susan Kulkarni Michael Last Roger Lewis Ling Li Gerald Mansholt Sandra Moody Harry Mueller, Treasurer Peggy Ogden-Howe Durk K. Peterson Melinda Pupillo Gerald Schultz Sarah Stegemoeller, Vice Chair Harvard Stephens Jr. Keith Wiens Jean Ziettlow

3 News from LSTC

4 LSTC recognizes distinguished alumni 5 Changing the politics of hunger: David Beckmann and Bread for the World

16-37 2009–2010 Donor Report

38 In Memory of Richard A. Hoefs

39 Robert Tobias memorial

by David Lindberg

Departments

by Jan Boden

President’s message inside cover

Opportunities at LSTC

7 Beyond contemporary and traditional

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Faculty notes

40

By Ben Stewart

Class notes

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9-15 Equipping the Saints for Ministry: LSTC’s first comprehensive campaign exceeds goals

Transitions 48

The LSTC Epistle is published three times a year by the Communications and Marketing Office.

Printed on FSC certified paper with soy-based inks

Cover: LSTC student Christina Garrett thanks alumni and friends at the Equipping the Saints for ministry Campaign Close Celebration.

Photo credits: Jan Boden, Tricia Koning, Monica Villarreal, Rachel Wind

Opportunities at LSTC Stewarding Your Financial Future Conference at LSTC April 30

Online conversation will explore Christian response to economic disparities

The Metropolitan Chicago Synod and the Tithing and Stewardship Foundation at LSTC will host “Stewarding Your Financial Future—Insights for Congregations and Individuals” on Saturday, April 30. Polly Bergerson and Robert Buschkemper are the keynote speakers and workshop leaders. Both have worked with the ELCA Foundation, individuals, and congregations on financial wellness, planned giving, and stewardship.

Cost for the conference is $30 per person.

Register online at www.mcselca.org or contact Steven Homberg at the Metropolitan Chicago Synod at shomberg@mcselca.org or 773-248-0021. Lunch is included in the registration fee.

Workshop topics include Financial Stewardship, Planned Giving Ministry in Your Congregation, and Leave a Legacy.

This June, Dr. Carol Schersten LaHurd will lead an online conversation called “Wealth and Poverty in the Bible and American Culture.” Through biblical texts and ecclesial documents, participants will explore the question “What difference does it make to Christians that economic disparities continue to widen in the United States and around the globe?”

Enrollment is limited to 15 people. Cost of the month-long course is $100 per person. To enroll contact leadershipconference@lstc.edu or 773-256-0741.

Carol Schersten LaHurd is instructor in world religions at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. She was professor of biblical studies and Islam at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn.; at Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, N.C.; and at Fordham University, New York City.

She is the author of many articles on biblical and interfaith topics. Dr. Schersten LaHurd holds degrees from Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill.; the University of Chicago; and a Ph.D. in religious studies from the University of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Reunions for the classes of 1961 and 1971 planned for Commencement weekend Catch up on stories, share meals, and worship with members of your class May 14-15 at your class reunion at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

Class members and their spouses are welcome to join in the festivities. They are invited to be special guests at the 2011 LSTC Commencement, where they will be honored for their years of ministry.

Members of the Class of 1961 from Augustana Theological Seminary, Central Lutheran Theological Seminary, Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary (Maywood), Grand View Seminary, and those who identify themselves with Christ Seminary-Seminex may contact Ruth Ann Deppe at 773-256-0757 or rdeppe@lstc.edu for more information or to register.

Members of the LSTC Class of 1971 and those who identify themselves with Christ SeminarySeminex may contact Rachel Wind at 773-256-0690 for more information or to register.

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News from LSTC LWF President, Munib Younan, to preach at 2011 LSTC commencement

him back to LSTC, and having the chance to benefit from his wisdom and insights.”

Bishop Younan, who was elected LWF president in July 2010, and his wife, Mrs. Suad Yacoub Younan, are making a week-long visit to the Chicago area. In addition to their time at LSTC, Bishop Younan and Mrs. (Suad) Yacoub Younan will speak at several peace and justice events at area congregations, and visit with Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) headquarters.

The Peace and Justice Events are on Sunday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m., at Lutheran Church of the Atonement, 909 E. Main Street, Barrington, Ill., and on Tuesday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 200 N. Catherine, La Grange, Ill. Bishop Younan will preach at Grace Lutheran Church’s Sunday worship at 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. on May 22.

All are invited to hear and meet Bishop Younan.

Bishop Younan has served as bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) since January 1998. He is the third Palestinian to hold the office. Bishop Younan has studied in Palestine, Finland, and the United States. He holds a master of arts in theology from Helsinki University. He is the author of Witnessing for Peace: In Jerusalem and in the World (Augsburg Fortress Press, 2003), and co-founder of the Council of Religious Institutions in the Holy Land.

by Jana Howson, M.Div. junior The Rt. Rev. Dr. Munib A. Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) and president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), will return to the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, where he had studied in the Bishop Munib A. Younan late 1980s, to preach at the school’s 151st commencement on Sunday, May 15, 2011. The worship service and commencement will take place at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 5472 South Kimbark Avenue, Chicago, at 2:30 p.m.

“We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to have Bishop Younan speak at this year’s commencement service,” said LSTC President James Kenneth Echols. “We look forward to welcoming

Wear your LSTC pride!

There’s now a way to stock your wardrobe with LSTC logo apparel and other accessories like duffel bags, backpacks, headgear and more. Like many other institutions of higher learning, LSTC has partnered with an “eStore” provider to make it possible for us to offer high-quality items—including sweatshirts, t-shirts, hoodies, fleece items, and much more.

The items featured on the LSTC eStore will be available with embroidered logos at any time, but there will also be occasional sales which will allow us to offer items printed with a silk-screened logo for an even lower price.

Look for the LSTC gear at www.estoresbyzome.com/ LutheranSchoolofTheologyatChicago.php and show your school spirit!

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100-year old alumnus among LSTC’s six Distinguished Alumni for 2011 to people with developmental disabilities, Pastor Gosswein “has developed a unique worship, called a Kingdom Party, that relays a solid gospel message in a festive, celebratory and fun format,” notes the nomination. By providing religious training to staff members and inviting people to get involved in their own faith, he has “led people with no faith background to belief and has led believers to a deeper understanding of God’s love.”

To celebrate his 100th birthday in 2010, Pastor William Berg did one of the things he loves to do most—he talked about Jesus and the Holy Spirit in a sermon preached on Pentecost, his favorite church holiday. Pastor Berg graduated from one of LSTC's predecessor schools, Augustana Theological Seminary, in 1937. He is also one of six Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago 2011 Distinguished Alumni who were honored at an awards ceremony and banquet on April 4 at the school. (See photos on page 47.)

The Rev. Tony Metz, a 2007 M.Div. graduate, received the Emerging Voice Award. Pastor Metz serves Immanuel Lutheran Church, George, Iowa, and Hope Lutheran Church, Sioux Center, Iowa. He is commended for bringing together two congregations that had entered into a shared ministry agreement just months before calling him. The nomination cites Pastor Metz’s excellent relational skills, “the gist of rural ministry at its very best, relational to the core, grace filled and powerfully modeling a shepherd’s love for the flock.”

2011 LSTC Distinguished Alumni The Rev. Mark A. Anderson, assistant to the bishop, Northeastern Iowa Synod, received the Called to Lead Award. His work with Barnabas Uplift, an interfaith social ministry network which seeks to eliminate poverty in Iowa, his faithful response to recent human and natural disasters in Iowa, and his commitment to youth ministry in the synod, were cited as three major areas where Pastor Anderson has provided exemplary leadership. He received an M.Div. in 1989.

The Rev. Vernon A. Victorson, pastor of the oldest congregation in the ELCA, First Lutheran Church, Albany, N.Y., received the Excellence in Parish Ministry Award. Pastor Victorson has served four parishes in New York and is known for his excellence in preaching and pastoral care. Ministering within his congregations’ contexts, he has helped start a homeless shelter at one of them and engages in strong ecumenical work to develop cooperative ministries. He earned an M.Div. in 1971.

The Rev. William Berg, a 1937 graduate of Augustana Theological Seminary, received the Faithful Servant Award. After serving as a parish pastor, Pastor Berg took a position with the central office of the Augustana Synod in 1951. Pastor President Echols recently visited Pastor Berg Berg returned to to present his Distinguished Alumni Award. parish ministry at Augustana Church in 1965. After he retired, he and his wife, Marta, traveled the world for 14 years on behalf of Lutheran missions. Pastor Berg is writing his eighth book.

The Rev. Dr. Paul Weber, director of the sacred music program at Lenoir-Rhyne University and of its A Capella Choir, received the Special Ministry Award. A member of the first graduating class of Christ Seminary-Seminex (1974), Dr. Weber has contributed to both the ELCA’s Evangelical Lutheran Worship and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s Lutheran Service Book. His leadership at LenoirRhyne University has resulted in national attention for both the sacred music program and A Capella Choir. Dr. Weber holds master’s degrees from Yale University, (in composition), and Washington University (in organ performance and composition).

He earned the doctor of musical arts in choral conducting from the University of Iowa.

The Rev. John Gosswein, a 1976 graduate of Christ Seminary-Seminex, is pastor of Family Church of Christ, Kearney, Neb., and received the Witness to the World Award for his work as chaplain at Mosaic at Bethphage Village, Axtell, Neb. In ministering

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Changing the politics of hunger: David Beckmann and Bread for the World

by Jan Boden David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World, is stuck in Chicago traffic when I arrive for our conversation. LaVida Davis, a Bread for the World regional organizer, lets me know that Beckmann is on the way. “There’s a lot going on with him and with Bread for the World right now,” she says.

David Beckmann addresses a group in Chicago, October 2010.

That’s an understatement.

In 2010 Beckmann received the World Food Prize for his work with Bread for the World. Among organizations working to alleviate hunger, it’s the equivalent of a Nobel Prize. This honor has given him, in his words, “one heck of a pulpit” to share the call to action. In just a few months’ time, he’s been on more than 60 radio programs and several television programs, reaching millions of people with Bread for the World’s vision for ending poverty and hunger.

In October 2010, Beckmann published a new book, Exodus from Hunger: We Are Called to Change the Politics of Hunger, which chronicles progress made to eliminate hunger and poverty and the opportunity that now exists to change the politics of hunger in the United State and around the world.

faith and economics begins in baptism. Before I was aware of what was going on, I knew that my parents loved me and that Jesus was mixed up in that. My parents also loved other people. They developed in me a robust conscience. That is deep within me because of my parents.”

“Now, God wakes me up in the morning and says to me, ‘Okay, you’re not that great, but I have a job for you to do today.’ That’s how my ministry is grounded in the grace of God. I do not think guilt moves people. People who are really motivated have an experience of the abundance of God. They are moved to faith in a radical way.”

Bread for the World’s approach with politicians and other leaders is respectful and it gets results.

“We talk to people the way we talk to one another in church. We’re clear with elected officials and civil.

Bread for the World is better than just about any group at getting people to work together.”

Called as a “missionary-economist” As a member of the first graduating class of Christ Seminary-Seminex, Beckmann faced the same difficulty as many of his classmates: finding a call.

Beckmann decided that he wanted to learn more about the connection between faith and the economy. “I was called by the congregation where I did my vicarage, First Lutheran Church, Omaha, Neb.,” he says. “My call papers say ‘missionary-economist.’”

A Lutheran World Federation scholarship allowed him to study at the London School of Economics. He then spent a year in Bangladesh with the Lutheran World Federation World Service.

Beckmann received a job offer from the World Bank and accepted a one-year contract, eager to learn about macro-economic systems. “I thought I’d be there for three years,” he says. He stayed for 15.

While at the World Bank, he began to write about faith and the economy. He also started the World Bank’s work with faith-based and non-governmental agencies to alleviate poverty. “Now there are 120 people at the World Bank who work on this,” Beckmann says with a grin.

“When Art Simon, founder of Bread for the World, decided to retire, I thought that this was the job made for me. I took a huge pay cut to do it—

Grounded in the gospel David Beckmann arrives and apologizes for being late. His humble demeanor—the antithesis of a politician’s persona—makes him seem an unlikely person to be working with the power brokers in Washington, D.C. As he begins to talk about what Bread for the World does, Beckmann’s sense of mission is clear. So is his commitment to the gospel.

“The credo of Bread for the World begins, ‘God’s grace in Jesus Christ moves us to help our neighbors,’” he says. “For me, the connection between

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and it’s been wonderful. You know, I’ve been doing this for 20 years. I feel like I’m picking up steam.”

Beckmann’s call with Bread for the World is now through the ELCA Church Council.

stricken countries make an even greater impact because in a country where the average per capita income is $400, $20 makes a huge difference.”

He says it’s not always a matter of providing more money. Over the last several years, Bread for the World has helped make U.S. foreign assistance more effective. Beckmann is also encouraged by the Obama administration’s comprehensive strategy to end world hunger. “This is the first such strategy since Kennedy’s administration. There are ways we can help poor people without spending more money.”

“Everyone wants change,” Beckmann says.

“But where is this change going to come from? The gospel of Jesus Christ is about the best place. God is calling people to get off the couch and get our nation more serious about reducing poverty. This is what I believe God is calling us to do right now.”

Changing the politics of hunger In his new book, Exodus from Hunger: We Are Called to Change the Politics of Hunger, Beckmann first shares the good news of the tremendous progress made to eliminate hunger. “Forty years ago, 55,000 children died each day from hunger-related causes.

Today, that number has been reduced by half,” he writes.

Beckmann sees this progress as a direct result of faith in action. The book continues with a call for more action on the part of people of faith.

“It’s possible for us to eliminate hunger in the U.S. and in the world,” he says. “It’s a matter of political will. A lack of political will is a lack of spiritual will. On Sunday morning, 25% of Americans are in church. And they need to let politicians know that they want to hear how we’re going to eliminate hunger—what we’re going to do to eliminate poverty.”

“Whenever our nation has tried to reduce poverty, we have succeeded. But we just haven’t sustained the efforts to eliminate it. We have better prospects now than we’ve had in 20 years for making big policy changes for poor people. God is calling us to change the policies that affect the hungry and those in poverty. It’s what God wants us to do. It’s good for the economy. It’s good for foreign relations.”

To learn more about Bread for the World and how you can help change the politics of hunger, visit www.bread.org. Follow the “Store” link at the top to purchase Beckmann’s book.

Dr. Ray Pickett LSTC professor of New Testament will review Exodus from Hunger in an upcoming issue of the LSTC Epistle.

God is calling us to reduce poverty Beckmann answers concerns about the budget deficits by pointing out that the cost of ending hunger in America would amount to a small fraction of the federal budget. “Dollars sent to the most poverty-

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Beyond traditional and contemporary

by Ben Stewart, Gordon Braatz Assistant Professor of Worship I love to go to worship while I’m on vacation.

Sometimes I’ll get up extra early to catch services at two different churches. I think it’s something of a miracle that we can walk into an unfamiliar building near, say, Glacier National Park, and suddenly be greeted by the life-giving Gospel, witness the peace of the Christ erupting into the room and shared among all, and have strangers feed us freely with the bread of life. When on vacation, these most treasured mysteries occur on unfamiliar ground, among strangers.

However, I am sometimes faced with a dilemma when I check the worship schedule at a church.

Many churches divide their services between two bins: “traditional” or “contemporary.” When I have to choose between those two options, it’s something like a lose-lose situation.

Those two labels say as much about what is not going to happen in worship as what will actually happen. The service labeled “contemporary” would probably not allow much of the assembly’s singing to be heard over the band, and would probably avoid singing, for example, the stunning new hymn,

Dr. Ben Stewart, Gordon A. Braatz Assistant Professor of Worship

Holy God, Holy and Glorious, ELW 637 (even though it was written in 2001, more recently than many hymns sung in services labeled “contemporary” today). A “traditional” service, on the other hand, would probably not have the assembly praying with arms upraised, with the presider praying a eucharistic prayer extemporaneously (even though such patterns are ancient).

In the end, these two categories of worship— intended to help the church enact a richer cultural diversity of worship—may ironically leave our worship more culturally impoverished. Both sides of the divide end up excluding rich treasures.

At LSTC, we’ve been studying a different set of lenses for examining worship and cultural diversity.

These lenses, developed in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1997 by a group of theologians and liturgical scholars from around the world, challenge us to look for four dimensions in all Christian worship: The transcultural dimension of worship includes those things shared by Christians in wor-

Daniel Schwandt, cantor to the seminary community, and members of the LSTC Gospel Choir, lead the Gospel Acclamation in worship.

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nity at Taize, France. In the 1980s and 1990s, many Christians from around the world began singing freedom songs from South Africa as a way of praying in solidarity with brothers and sisters struggling against apartheid.

Finally, Christian worship always carries a countercultural dimension. The equal dignity shown to all in baptism and at the Lord’s Supper— homeless, rich, poor, stranger, long-time member, sighted, blind—challenges both the deference and degradation that cultures assign to their varied members. And such ritual equality calls the church to live by such a vision outside of its ritual life and buildings, too.

These four categories may help us move beyond a segregated approach to worship that leaves worship culturally impoverished. Rather, with Nairobi’s categories in mind, we may be opened to a deeper and broader worship life that keeps communion with our ancestors in faith; honors local arts, languages, and needs; nurtures respectful connections across the global Christian community; and proclaims the astonishing, challenging Reign of God in the midst of cultures still groaning with the birth pangs of God’s new world being born.

ship around the world and throughout time. These marks of Christian worship include readings from the Bible, celebration of the Lord’s Supper, baptism in water, a human gathering, the proclamation of forgiveness in the name of Christ, and prayers to God in thanksgiving and intercession for the needy.

The contextual dimension of worship is concerned with the way in which Christian worship is localized. One simple example is the way in which the scriptures are translated into local languages, rather than remaining in the original Greek and Hebrew of the scriptures. Or, a local musician in Appalachia may set hymn texts to bluegrass music. Another example is the way that some Christians share rice (instead of wheat bread) at Holy Communion, because rice is the local staple food, and wheat bread is seen by many as a foreign, imported food. It makes sense in this local context to know Jesus Christ as the “Rice of Life.”

The global and multicultural nature of the Christian communion deepens the cross-cultural dimension of worship. A congregation of mostly life-long Chicagoans in Hyde Park may sing the lovely 20th century hymn written among the Ikalahan people from the Philippines, “Lord, Your Hands Have Formed” (ELW 554), as well as a traditional Russian Orthodox Kyrie (ELW 155). Or a community of small-scale farmers in Ecuador may sing recent hymns from the ecumenical commu-

The Nairobi Statement on Worship and Culture is available for download at http://www.worship.ca/docs/ lwf_ns.html.

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Equipping the Saints for Ministry campaign exceeds goals Its ambitious goal of increasing support to the Annual Fund by 10% each year would provide a strong core of the day-to-day operating funds for the seminary and ensure that tuition and housing costs remain at a reasonable level for students.

Reaching the $30 million goal for gifts to endowed funds would increase LSTC’s long-term strength in academic programs through endowed chairs and guarantee new and consistent funding for student scholarships.

“LSTC and the type of education and practical experience that students receive here are crucial to the future of our church,” says the Rev. Dr. Philip Hougen (1969, M.Div.; 1978, D.Min.), who is chairperson of LSTC’s board of directors and served as a co-chair of the Equipping the Saints for Ministry campaign. “In our increasingly globalized world, people of faith want to know how God is calling them to respond to the many issues that affect all of us. LSTC graduates are well-prepared in the basics of parish ministry; they have experienced other cultures and other faiths, and have deepened their own spiritual practices. They are effective and visionary leaders for the church.

“Through the generosity and faithful support of many partners, LSTC has been strengthened in its mission of equipping the saints for ministry.”

My Monday 8 a.m. class is Lutheran Confessions with Dr. Kurt Hendel…

Although the first class was like a whirlwind, with a lot of German names and places—from a German teacher on top of that—I was excited for this immersion back into the Lutheran faith, after having been away from undergrad studies for a time. I am excited to be Lutheran. I am always more excited to be a Christian, but the chance to really wrestle with the origins of my faith body have me pumped up and ready to go. With a professor who seems so excited after years of teaching this class and who has lived through important transitions in the Lutheran and Christian movements, I know that I am in for a treat.

Alexis LaChapelle, M.Div. junior, January 31, 2011 (the first day of classes) student blogger for “Taste and See at LSTC” http://tasteandseelstc.blogspot.com/ It was students like Alexis that LSTC’s administration and board had in mind when they began the seminary’s first comprehensive campaign, Equipping the Saints for Ministry. The campaign was designed to strengthen what the seminary does best: form well-equipped, effective leaders for the church who bear witness to Jesus Christ in a world in need of peace and justice.

President Echols and LSTC students thank guests at the Equipping the Saints for Ministry Campaign Close Celebration.

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For the coming generations The Jordan River was the LSTC group’s first stop one chilly January morning as they continued their tour of the Holy Land.

“Are there any pastors here?” asked a group of students from an evangelical Christian high school in the U.S. also staying there.

Two of the young men in the group wanted to be baptized in the Jordan River.

“They were really hoping for a male pastor,” said Peggy OgdenHowe, (1997, D.Min.) pastor of Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Denton, Texas, who was with the LSTC travelers. “The male pastor in our group declined to do it, and I stepped forward to offer my help.” The high schoolers accepted. Ogden-Howe, who had not anticipated wading in the river, quickly changed into one of the white robes available at the shore for just such occasions.

“One of the chaperones from the other group helped me as I Pastor Peggy Ogden-Howe baptizes a young man in the tried to recall as much as possible of the Order of Baptism from Jordan River. Photo by Monica Villarreal the ELW,” she recalled. “Then members of the LSTC group and the high school group decided to join in with an affirmation of their baptisms. It was a good thing I was so caught up in the spirit of the moment. I barely noticed how cold the water was! It was the experience of a lifetime!”

On that journey to the Holy Land, Pastor Ogden-Howe got to know LSTC students and faculty members, Esther Menn and Barbara Rossing, who led the tour. “I could see the quality and commitment of the people who are dedicated to preparing leaders for the church,” she said. She was impressed by the “amazing gifts of the people at LSTC who are making sure that the gospel of Jesus Christ is passed on from generation to generation.”

Her experiences at LSTC as a student, as a member of the board of directors, and as a participant in the study tour have inspired her and her husband to increase their annual gifts to LSTC and to include the seminary in their estate. Ogden-Howe says, “I have seen how important the people and the place, together in partnership, are for how LSTC prepares leaders.”

Exceeding the goals

“When a school begins a campaign of this size, doing something it has never done before, the goal is daunting. We faced the added challenge of a major downturn in the world’s economy, which made us wonder if we could come close to reaching the goal.

Thanks be to God for generous and faithful partners in this ministry who capture the vision of LSTC and support it with their financial gifts, their time, and their prayers. Because of them, Equipping the Saints for Ministry was a success and LSTC’s ministry is stronger,” said President James Kenneth Echols.

“We are grateful.”

Mark Van Scharrel, knowing President Echols’ love of golf, set up an informal tracking system for campaign progress. In a shallow cardboard box, he put 56 golf balls on one side of a divider. “Each time the gift total passed another $1 million, we moved one golf ball to the other side of the divider. It was great to be able to get all of the golf balls moved to the ‘gifts’ side of the divider.”

When the $56 million comprehensive campaign ended on June 30, 2010, gifts and pledges exceeded the $26 million Annual Fund goal by over $289,000 and the $30 million LSTC Fund (endowment) goal by over $22,000. In the midst of a challenging economy, friends and alumni gave generously to ensure that LSTC will continue to fulfill its mission by attracting excellent students and faculty.

Vice President for Advancement Mark Van Scharrel used golf balls to track progress on the comprehensive campaign.

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Alumni total giving increased 300%

Strong Annual Fund support makes LSTC’s mission possible. Thanks to Annual Fund gifts, teaching and learning at LSTC remains lively and graduates are going out to serve the church and world.

Prior to the campaign, alumni giving and participation supporting LSTC was low—just 15%. “To say we underestimated the potential of LSTC alumni is a gross understatement,” Van Scharrel said. “The dramatic increase in alumni giving is one of the most gratifying aspects of the success of Equipping the Saints for Ministry. This tells us that even greater potential exists for support.”

The number of alumni who contribute to LSTC grew an average of 10% each year of the campaign.

Supporting students through scholarships Scholarships awarded to students provide additional assistance for tuition, books, and living expenses.

Alumni, friends and congregations created new and innovative scholarships and grants, most of them endowed and some of them designated for particular types of students or purposes. Equipping the Saints for Ministry added • $1,400,000 in endowed scholarships for masters level students • $400,000 scholarship dollars for Th.M. and Ph.D. students Congregational scholarships for students grew by 7% each year of the campaign.

Making seminary affordable — LSTC Annual Fund During the four-year public portion of the campaign, over 300 students graduated from all of LSTC’s degree programs. Most of these graduates are serving congregations around the country, some are teaching in colleges and universities. Others have returned to their countries of origin as teachers or leaders in their denomination, others are serving as missionaries.

One of the big ideas that LSTC tried to communicate during the campaign was the seen and unseen costs of seminary education.

“We discovered that many people didn’t understand how seminary education is funded,” said Van Scharrel. “Some people assumed that the church still covers the costs of seminary for students, as they had when LSTC was founded in the early 1960s.

Others thought that the costs are covered by tuition.

Both of those sources contribute to funding a seminarian’s education, but neither comes close to covering the cost. That’s why support from congregations and individuals is crucial. Simply put, LSTC can’t fulfill its mission without those partners.”

Tuition funds only 13% of LSTC’s expenses.

One could say that every student at LSTC receives the equivalent of a $25,000 scholarship. That’s how much more tuition each student would pay per year without the support of the ELCA, LSTC’s supporting synods, congregations, foundations, and individuals.

INCOME

Photo courtesy of ELCA Global Mission

Justin (2009 M.Div.) and Kari Eller are pastoral team educators in La Paz, Bolivia. They wear many hats as they accompany, assist and learn from local church leaders. Theirs is truly a team ministry.

Kari’s monthly e-newsletter (http://karieller.weebly. com/) keeps mission partJustin and Kari Eller ners updated on their work.

“At LSTC, I had influential professors who inspired me to think and theologize outside the box,” Justin says. “They taught me to not be limited by my own worldview, how to be present with people, ask intentional questions, and listen to those answers with authenticity. My classes gave me many tools; I am now teaching from the notes from many of my classes! LSTC gave me the space to experiment with various aspects of Lutheran tradition, liturgy, theology, and preaching, allowing me to see that our faith as Lutheran Christians can be lived out in a wide array of expressions.”

While Justin feels LSTC prepared him well, he believes that “being a missionary can only be learned by being a missionary; it is more than a position, it is a lifestyle. One lesson that I will always carry with me from LSTC is the courage to trust in my vulnerability. This piece has helped me grow in my identity as a pilgrim pastor, that is to say, one who walks with others through their life and faith journey.”

ALLOCATION 13% Development & Fundraising

26% Endowment 5% Other 13% Tuition

21% Wider Church 35% Annual Gifts

16% Institutional support

60% Instruction/ Academic Support

11% Student Services

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Finney Family Scholarship “I got the idea for a scholarship from my spiritual director,” says Jack Finney (1965, Maywood, M.Div.).

“She had taught for many years at Mundelein College before it became part of Loyola University. Her students started the scholarship in her honor and she told me that it is a wonderful legacy because it just keeps on giving.”

When Jack and his wife, Jan, retired they also got an idea from their financial advisor. “He told us that we no longer needed the life insurance policy I had. Our children were on their own and doing well. I no longer needed to be concerned about providing for them.

That policy, worth about $17,000, became the initial gift for the scholarship.”

The Finney Family Scholarship will be fully funded at $100,000. Jack contributes to it each year from the dividend on an inheritance left to him by his mother.

“Jan’s parents and my parents were products of the Great Depression. One of their achievements was that they were able to give an inheritance to their kids.”

The Finneys realized that they did not need all of their inheritance. Each of them had enough in their pension funds and savings to have a comfortable retirement.

“Our parents didn’t leave anything to charities,” Finney said. “We decided that we wanted to

start scholarships. Jan has done that at Wittenberg University and the one at LSTC is my project. If the scholarship fund isn’t at $100,000 when I die, there are provisions in my will to complete the gift.”

Before the Finneys moved to Stoughton, Wis., to be near their daughter and grandchildren, Pastor Finney served as a spiritual companion to many LSTC students. “I miss that connection to LSTC,” he says. “I thought about putting some kind of designation on the scholarship related to spirituality, but I think it’s most important that the scholarship can be given to anyone who needs it.”

The Finney Family Scholarship is already making seminary more affordable for students. Finney asked that dividends from the fund be used to award scholarships, even as he continues to grow the corpus.

Master of divinity student, Brian Schmidt, received the first Finney Family Scholarship in 2009. He is now on internship at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Palos Heights, Ill. Every bit of assistance helps and encourages students as they make their journey through seminary.

Assistance from congregations, synods, and alumni mean that students will either not have to take out loans or will keep loans to a minimum.

Preparing leaders for the sake of all people

Endowed positions also provide financial flexibility to the seminary by freeing up annual budget dollars that would be spent on personnel costs.

Equipping the Saints for Ministry added two endowed faculty chairs to LSTC. The Harold S. Vogelaar Chair in Christian-Muslim Studies and Interfaith Relations, endowed by Gerald and Karen Kolschowsky and the Gordon A. Braatz Chair in Worship bring to nine the total number of endowed chairs at LSTC.

Two suitcases, determination, and the hopes of their home churches are what international students bring with them when they come to study at LSTC. They come from India, South Korea, Tanzania, Thailand, Burma, Ethiopia, Palestine, Guyana, and many other countries. LSTC’s history and reputation for preparing leaders for the whole church extends back to its predecessor schools. Equipping the Saints for Ministry was able to provide $100,000 in new scholarships per year for Th.M. and Ph.D. students at LSTC. Financial assistance to U.S. and international students allows students to concentrate on their studies and complete their programs in fewer years, sending them out to share the good news of Jesus Christ with other eager students.

Creating a legacy Equipping the Saints for Ministry inspired hundreds of alumni and friends to include LSTC in their estate plans, creating a legacy that helps the church look to the future with hope. The total dollar amount of outstanding planned gifts grew 75% from $20 million to $35 million. The number of outstanding planned gifts increased by 25% from 325 to 405 during the comprehensive campaign.

“LSTC’s friends and we, as advancement staff, learned a great deal over the course of the campaign about the types of planned, or legacy, gifts that are possible. This type of gift can be made by any-

Strengthening LSTC’s ministry of teaching Students are attracted to LSTC because of its strengths. Endowed positions ensure that LSTC will always have strength in the areas of expertise for which it is known. In recent years, more and more students have come to LSTC because of its strength in interfaith relations, spiritual formation, and worship.

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one, not just people with huge estates,” said Dale Nettnin, assistant vice president for advancement and regional gift officer. “It’s a matter of deciding what kind of legacy the person wishes to leave.

Many people find that their children are financially secure. That frees them to think about other ways they would like to share the gifts they have been given during their lifetime.”

LSTC will benefit from a variety of planned gifts that range from outright gifts, being included in a will or trust, being designated as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement account, or being part of a lifetime income gift such as a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust.

Worship is central The Rev. Dr. Gordon Braatz believes that worship nurtures and enlivens one’s faith and that the traditions and rituals of worship provide stability for our lives.

Dr. Braatz acted on that belief by creating the Gordon A. Braatz Chair in Worship at LSTC. The Rev. Dr. Benjamin M. Stewart was inaugurated as the Braatz Associate Professor of Worship in September 2009.

“The Braatz Chair guarantees that the teaching of worship will continue to be a priority at LSTC,” says Braatz Professor Ben Stewart. “The inauguration of the chair, in the midst of a really difficult economy, made the gift of the chair that much more a Stewart thanks Dr. Braatz after being sign of generosity Ben installed as the Gordon A. Braatz Assistant and vision.”

Professor of Worship in September 2009.

Places to grow After the economic downturn that began in 2008, LSTC revised the scope of Equipping the Saints for Ministry, deciding to focus on endowed gifts that were unrestricted or designated for scholarships or faculty chairs. It postponed fundraising goals for capital projects such as modernization of the main building’s heating, cooling, and lighting systems.

Danker Fellowships assist future teachers In 1948, after serving as parish pastor for 11 years, William Danker became the first Lutheran missionary to post-war Japan. He and his wife, Elizabeth, and their children spent the next eight years in Japan, where he founded the Japan Lutheran Church. After his death in 2001, his family said he considered this his proudest professional accomplishment.

From 1956 until his retirement in 1994, Bill Danker taught missiology, first at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, then at Christ Seminary-Seminex, and finally at LSTC. While at Concordia, he and Elizabeth founded the Center for World Christian Interaction. Part of the center’s mission was to provide financial support for international students.

To continue helping prepare international students for teaching minMary Tororeiy istries in their countries of origin, the Dankers established the William J. and Elizabeth M. Danker Fellowship. The fellowships are awarded annually to students based on need and merit. The awards, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000, assist students with a variety of needs including books, computers, or travel expenses related to their research.

Mary Tororeiy, from Kenya, is one of 14 Danker Fellows for the 2010-2011 academic year. “I am studying Old Testament,” says Pastor Tororeiy, who began her studies at LSTC in fall 2010. “There is no one at the seminary of the Kenyan Anglican Church with a Ph.D. in Old Testament.” She will fill that need after she completes her degree.

Transition to life in Chicago was a challenge for Pastor Tororeiy. She left behind her husband, parents, friends and colleagues. Tororeiy arrived in Chicago with only two suitcases filled with clothes and books. She traveled for over 24 hours via Turkey; there are no direct flights from Kenya to Chicago. Sanchita Kisku, an LSTC Ph.D. student in missiology, met Tororeiy at the airport. “The welcome, the friendliness of the community and the professors have made it a ‘soft landing,’” Tororeiy said.

With a love of the Old Testament, a passion for teaching, and a desire to finish her studies as quickly as possible, Tororeiy successfully completed a full load of classes during her first semester on campus. She said, “Sometimes the work feels overwhelming, but when that happens, I think about the end product of this work and I smile. I am focused on returning to Kenya to teach in the seminary there.”

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boring to her because Garrett made it sound cool. The next day Garrett began gathering information about the candidacy process and applying for seminary.

“I chose LSTC because of the vast resources it offered. Being neighbors with many other seminaries in Chicago and having the ACTS program in place would surely be beneficial. As a summer intern at the churchwide office, I was able to listen to stories from LSTC alumni about how amazing the professors are… and it’s true!…My experience of LSTC has been one of community… whether it’s having a potluck dinner with 20 people, meeting as a study group, or being able to see a smiling face in the library as I try to gather resources for a research paper. The LSTC community has been supportive and caring during my time of discernment and continuing to listen to God’s call.

“When I graduate from LSTC, I hope to work in parish or campus ministry, preaching the Gospel in a way that people can deepen their faith and understand Christ’s love for them, especially for our lost generation of young adults. I am more than certain that LSTC will assist in providing me with the tools and experience I need to minister to God’s people.

On behalf of all of the students at LSTC, we thank you for your financial support, your prayers, and your personal commitment to empowering seminary students to make a difference in our church and in our world.”

Before that decision became necessary, LSTC received a $1 million gift from the Christopher Family to fund engineering and design planning costs for the JKM Library. That engineering and design plan has become part of a comprehensive modernization plan developed in 2010 for all of LSTC’s buildings including a redesign of the JKM Library. LSTC’s board of directors received and endorsed the plan at its recent Executive Committee meeting.

“LSTC is long overdue for the kind of modernization outlined in the plan,” said President Echols.

“We need to provide the best possible environment we can for teaching and learning. That includes classrooms, public spaces, housing, and the worldclass library we are privileged to have on our campus.”

The seminary is already talking about what its next campaign might look like to ensure that LSTC will continue to form visionary leaders to bear witness to the good news of Jesus Christ.

Listening to God’s call

At the November 12, 2010, Campaign Close Celebration, first year master of divinity student Christina Garrett told the audience that seminary wasn’t what she had in mind for herself when she was growing up as a member of St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Lisle, Ill. As a biology student at Augustana College (Rock Island, Ill.), she traveled to Ghana to study animal behavior. “God sent me a sign that was impossible to ignore—malaria," she says.

This was God’s opportune time for me to reevaluate what I was doing with my life, hinting that it would not involve animal behaviors.”

Augustana’s campus ministry opened up the world of youth ministry to Garrett. She considered attending seminary right after college, but decided to work as a youth minister at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of All Saints in Fox Lake, Ill. There she continued to hear God’s call to attend seminary.

The turning point came one day when a girl Garrett was Christina Garrett, Sarah Rohde, Chris Honig, and Cuttino Lewis lead a psalm during worship. tutoring in the Pentateuch told her that the Bible was no longer

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Thank You Lord! seminary, it would not have been possible without the guidance of the Campaign Steering Committee.

In addition to Campaign Steering Committee Co-chairs Philip (1969, M.Div.) and Diane Hougen and Larry and Christie Tietjen, other members of this key group were David Abrahamson (1974, M.Div.), Joan Baker, Roger Lewis, Kathryn Nolte (2001, M.Div.), David Stock, James Thomsen, and David Wegge. Thank you, members of the committee, and thank you Lord for them!

Finally, I thank the Lord especially for the perseverance, stewardship and work of Larry and Christie Tietjen and Philip and Diane Hougen. When they were invited to step forward and provide leadership for the campaign, they did not hesitate. They generously and willingly made their commitments to the campaign. And they invited others personally and through hosted events to participate. Their faith and witness to Jesus Christ was truly inspiring and encouraged us. While I have expressed my gratitude to them privately, I rejoice in being able to express that here publicly. Thank you, Lord for the service of Christie, Diane, Larry and Philip!

It has been said that “we know not what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.”

May the God of our crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ, continue to hold, guide and go with the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. And, thank you Lord for you have been so good to us!

In the rich and wonderful worship resource This Far

By Faith, produced by our sisters and brothers in Christ of African descent in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod, the first two verses of hymn # 293 state:

Thank you, Lord, thank you Lord, Thank you, Lord, I just want to thank you, Lord.

Been so good, been so good, Been so good, I just want to thank you, Lord.

These words of faith-filled gratitude embody my abiding appreciation for the successful completion of the Equipping the Saints for Ministry comprehensive campaign. Thank you, Lord!

I thank the Lord for all of you who gave generously and sacrificially of your financial resources in order to form visionary leaders to bear witness to the good news of Jesus Christ. In a world of inhumanity and injustice, servants of the Gospel and the ministry of the church do and can make a critical and loving difference in promoting God’s way and will. Even as I thank you for your partnership, I hum in my spirit the words, “Thank you, Lord” and “Been so good.” The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago is indeed blessed by you.

I also thank the Lord for those whose strong and visionary volunteer leadership contributed abundantly to the successful completion of the comprehensive campaign. While Mark Van Scharrel, vice president for advancement, and his advancement and other colleagues deserve overwhelming praise for this significant accomplishment in the life of the

Blessings, James Kenneth Echols President

President Echols thanks Equipping the Saints for Ministry Campaign co-chairs, Philip and Diane Hougen and Christie and Larry Tietjen.

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Planting seeds for LSTC’s future

by David Wegge, chairperson of the LSTC board of directors 2006-2009 we will work to nurture their growth and harvest much fruit in the future. The Equipping the Saints for Ministry campaign built a firm foundation for future fundraising in the life of LSTC.

When we started discussing LSTC’s comprehensive campaign and were considering a goal in the $40 – 60 million range, I was skeptical and a little uneasy.

I had many thoughts about LSTC setting a campaign goal. I wanted us to set a goal that would stretch us, get us close to where we needed to be financially and also one that would be reasonably realistic and attainable.

Our preliminary research suggested that the $40 -60 million was attainable. I was skeptical because 1) LSTC had never mounted a comprehensive campaign, 2) $56 million was at the high end of what we thought we could achieve, and 3) while we have a large alumni base, unlike most other academic institutions, a seminary typically does not produce alumni of great wealth. So I thought $56 million may not be attainable, but I thought it would certainly motivate us to achieve beyond what we may have thought we could achieve.

Then enter faith!

One of God’s gifts to us is faith. As we entered the campaign, I had great faith in the leaders at LSTC to achieve the goals of this campaign. I believed we had the right people in the right places to bring about success. President Echols has remarkable skills when it comes to connecting with all of our stakeholders and motivating them to serve. He was the perfect spokesperson for our campaign. We were also blessed by the strong and engaged leadership of Larry and Christie Tietjen and Phil and Diane Hougen. Finally we had the fine work of the LSTC Advancement team of Mark Van Scharrel and his associates; they were very successful at implementing the campaign plan.

I have always felt that LSTC’s strengths as a seminary are perfectly aligned with the trends that are occurring in the world around us. The marks of LSTC are critical in today’s world: global, multicultural, urban, ecumenical, interfaith and university related. These marks guide all that LSTC does. I have always felt that the leaders LSTC produces for our church are needed more than ever.

Finally, when reflecting on the campaign, I think that even if we hadn’t quite reached our goal of $56 million it would have been a success. It was our first comprehensive campaign and I look at all of our activities related to it as “planting seeds, harvesting the fruit.” We planted many seeds and

David Wegge served on the LSTC board of directors from 1998 – 2009, representing the East Central Synod of Wisconsin and Vocation and Education. He chaired the board 2006 – 2009 and was a member of the Comprehensive Campaign Steering Committee. Dr. Wegge is professor of political science at St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wis.

David and Susan Wegge at the Campaign Close Celebration

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“Peace & Love, Dick” In memory of Richard A. Hoefs

by Jan Boden Relations. “That started me on the board path,” Hoefs said. He served on approximately 20 boards since then, including Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, the Midwest Committee for International Economic Development, the Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and Opportunity International.

Serving where he could be useful Dick Hoefs was born and raised in Beaver Dam, Wis. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1950 with a degree in business administration. Dick Hoefs served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force in the Korean War. In 1952, he married Barbara Schmock.

In 1950 Hoefs joined the accounting firm Arthur Anderson, specializing in international taxes. He was made a partner in the firm and remained with them until his retirement in 1985. In 1960, Hoefs earned a law degree from DePaul University.

When asked about a vision for his life, Hoefs said, “My vision was to do what was needed where I could best be useful. Over the years, there have been things that I’ve thought I’d like to be involved with—and I just turned it over to God. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t, but in retrospect, I can see that it always turns out for the best.”

Dick Hoefs at the kickoff of the Equipping the Saints for Ministry Comprehensive Campaign

On November 25, 2010, Dick Hoefs died after several months of declining health. He is survived by son Robert (Debra), daughter Nancy Connelly (Brendan), seven grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara. A funeral service was held at All Saints Lutheran Church, Fitchburg, Wis., on December 2.

Anybody who received a note or email from Richard Hoefs, LSTC’s longtime treasurer, will recognize his characteristic closing. Whether it was news about his family or the work he was doing with Opportunity International, or a letter sharing his advice and opinions about problems facing the seminary, Dick always closed his messages the same way, with the phrase “peace & love.”

“God put me on this path” A prayerful man of deep faith, Richard A. Hoefs, known to all as “Dick,” believed that God put him on the path to be of service as a director for a variety of organizations. In the 1960s, when he was working as an international tax accountant for Arthur Anderson, a friend invited him to become part of the newly formed Chicago Council on Foreign

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Robert Tobias, 1919 – 2010

Walking on…ahead

by David Lindberg, professor emeritus of world mission and world religions I count it as a personal privilege to have an opportunity to share some personal remembrances of Dr. Robert Tobias. We were colleagues on the LSTC faculty from 1964 when he first began teaching on the Rock Island campus, and we stayed in touch throughout our retirement years.

Finding his place among the Swedish Americans

Dr. Robert Tobias and President James Kenneth Echols in 2006

Transition in a continuum of transitions

For more than 100 years the faculty of the Augustana Seminary had been comprised of Swedish Americans.

The arrival of this Disciples of Christ professor of ecumenics from Indianapolis created quite a stir.

We knew that he was a personal friend of our first LSTC president, Dr. Stewart Herman, because they had worked together in World Council of Churches refugee and relief programs after World War II. We also quickly learned of his special interest in Greece and the Eastern Orthodox Church because Southeastern and Eastern Europe had been his special responsibility.

But despite his urbane bearing and impeccable suits, there was no indication that he felt as though he was to the manor born or that the Quad Cities were less respectable than the capitals of Europe.

We saw the movie, Zorba, the Greek, together. I can still recall Bob’s delight in one of the opening scenes where Zorba laughs at a graduate student’s efforts to get his books out of the rain. Zorba then encouraged the student to dance in the rain as they waited on the pier for their boat. On our faculty, Bob’s dashing red velvet doctoral hat and robe from the University of Geneva in Switzerland did make him seem like a Zorba to our staid formality in our academic processions!

One of the mysteries about Bob’s integration into Lutheranism is whether we adopted him or whether he adopted us. There is little doubt that he felt at home in Swedish Lutheranism and its American expression in the Augustana Synod. He was at first a guest professor in ecumenics from 1964 to 1967 and then was called as an associate professor of ecumenics and symbolics in 1968.

In response to that call from the LSTC Board, he was ordained as a Lutheran pastor on March 24, 1968, at Grace Lutheran Church in Kenosha, Wis., by the president of the Wisconsin Upper Michigan Synod of the LCA, the Rev. Theodore E. Matson.

One of Bob’s administrative gifts was planning, especially long-range planning. I wrote the first draft of my obituary in 1974 as part of an exercise in the D. Min. program called Lifework Planning. Bob, of course, was mapping out his own future in this life and beyond by that time, culminating in his 2005 publication, “Our Human Condition: Wrestling with Finality and Mystery.” The subtitle is: “A synopsis of reflection on death, not as finality, but as a transition in a continuum of transitions.”

In fact, were I to sum up Bob’s life and theological outlook, I would choose the word “continuum.”

The Church was never just a denomination or even “merely” catholic! To him, it always also included the Church Triumphant, and we all only await the time of our transition into it.

His interest in this world was a physical one beginning with the smallest conceivable particles—the quarks—as he loved to call them, until encompassing the whole universe and whatever lay beyond—“Beyond the Sunset”—as he liked to say.

He loved the sky, piloting his own plane, and on Lake Michigan, sailing his own boat. He even built a giant tree swing over a nearby ravine to enjoy with his family.

Native Americans—and Bob often spoke of their values—title their obituary notices in the newspaper using the phrase, “Walking On…” In Bob’s case, in deference to his plans for the future, I would just add the word “Ahead . . . “ Bob’s widow, Trudy, used a quotation from Eleanor Roosevelt (whom Bob had met, by the way) to remember Bob: Many people walk in and out of our life. But only true friends will leave footprints on your heart.

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FACULTY NOTES Klaus-Peter Adam, associate professor of Old Testament, spoke November 1, 2010, on the “Biblical View of Creation” for the annual Zygon Centersponsored class and lecture series, The Epic of Creation. He preached for the German service at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Naperville, Ill., on December 5.

Adam presented “Biblical Basis for Welcome” for Lutherans Concerned at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Oak Park, Ill., on February 19, examining gender roles in texts from the Old Testament and how to “undo gender” when addressing GLBTQ issues.

Joan Beck, Cornelsen Director of Spiritual Formation and pastor to the community, led a retreat for the women of Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock, Ill., on January 8, 2011, on the topic “Prayer as Home and Path.”

She preached at Lebanon Lutheran Church, Chicago, on January 30.

Mark Bangert, John H. Tietjen Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Ministry: Worship and Church Music, directed the 17th Annual Bach for the Sem benefit concert held at St. Luke Church, Chicago, on January 9, 2011. The program included the second part of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and new works by Robert Bucklee Farley and Thomas Gabriel.

Kadi Billman, John H. Tietjen Professor of

Pastoral Ministry: Pastoral Theology, published a review of Trauma Recalled: Liturgy, Disruption, and Theology by Dick G. Lange (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2010), in Theology Today, (October 2010).

Frederick Danker, Christ Seminary-Seminex Professor Emeritus of New Testament, has contributed his extensive personal and professional library to Heritage Christian University, Florence, Ala. His library includes more than 2,600 books, 2,000 journals, and 700 files. Heritage Christian University has created a special collection of lexicons of New Testament Greek.

James Kenneth Echols, president, hosted the Association of Theological Schools’ meeting of the African American Seminary Presidents and Deans at LSTC on January 11.

He also spoke about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the men’s breakfast at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Naperville, Ill., on January 15. Echols preached at LSTC’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. community communion service in Augustana Chapel on January 17. The event was sponsored by LSTC’s Multicultural Center and CORE’s Community of Color Committee. He was the guest preacher at Trinity Lutheran Church, Park Forest, Ill., on January 23.

Philip Hefner, professor emeritus of systematic theology and senior fellow,

ZCRS, served as a consultant for a task force of the ELCA “Living into the Future Together” project.

Hefner presented “Ethics in Science,” a University of Chicago discussion for Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, and university faculty on November 10, 2010, at Unity Temple in Oak Park, Ill. Learn more at http:// news.uchicago.edu/news. php?asset_id=2171.

On November 17, Hefner presented “Evolution and Theology,” a lecture for the biology and theology departments of North Park University. He led the adult forum, “Science, Human, Life, and Christian Faith,” at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Munster, Ind., on November 21 and 28.

On December 6, Hefner presented “The Epic of Creation—What Does It Mean?” for the Zygon Center-sponsored course and lecture series, The Epic of Creation.

Hefner published “Teilhard’s Spiritual Vision of the Mystical Milieu,” in The Legacy Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, edited by James Salmon and John Farina (Paulist Press, 2011). Two of his articles have been published in Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science, “Embodied Science: Recentering Religion-and Science,” appeared in March 2010; “Discerning the Voice of Zygon: Identity and Issues,” appeared in the June 2010 issue; and his review of The New Sciences of Religion: Exploring Spirituality from the Outside In and Bottom Up by William Grassie appeared in the December 2010 issue.

Hefner’s article, “Which

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Grace? Which Tradition?” was published in Dialog: A Journal of Theology, (Summer 2010).

Kurt Hendel, Bernard, Fischer, Westberg Distinguished Ministry Professor of Reformation History, led an adult forum series, “North American Colonial Christianity” at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Munster, Ind., on October 31, November 7 and November 14.

Hendel served as Scholar in Residence at St. Armands Lutheran Church in Sarasota, Fla., from January 6-20. In addition to preaching, he led the adult forums “Luther’s Spiritual Quest” and “Luther on Marriage and Family.” He also gave two lectures, “Is there Salvation Outside the Church?” and “Faith Active in Love: A Lutheran Vision of the Christian Life.” On January 23 Hendel preached at Ashburn Lutheran Church, Chicago.

In February, Hendel presented a series of adult forums at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hinsdale, Ill.

Ralph Klein, Christ Seminary-Seminex Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, participated in a panel discussion and made the presentation “Isaac Kalimi, The Retelling of Chronicles in Jewish Tradition and Literature, A Historical Journal” at the Annual Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature in Atlanta, Ga., in November.

He also presented “Early Bibles in America” at the October 2010 meeting of

FACULTY NOTES the Chicago Society of Biblical Research.

In late 2010, Klein taught the course “Introduction to the Old Testament” in Bloomington, Ill., for Synodically Authorized Ministers in the Central/ Southern Illinois Synod.

He led adult forums at Westminster Presbyterian, Munster, Ind.; at Redeemer Lutheran, Hinsdale, Ill.; and at Trinity Lutheran, Park Forest, Ill. Klein made two presentations at the annual Bishops Academy of the ELCA, January 7-8 in Tampa, Fla., “Authority and Role of Scripture in Decision Making of the ELCA, I: General Principles; II: Test Cases.”

Klein conducted tours of the LSTC Rare Books Collection for eleven groups during the second half of 2010.

Klein published “The Chronicler’s Theological Rewriting of the Deuteronomistic History: Amaziah a Test Case,” in Raising up a Faithful Exegete.

Essays in Honor of Richard D. Nelson, edited by K. L. Noll and Brooks Schramm, (Winona Lake, Ind.: Eisenbrauns, 2010). His review of First and Second Kings by Marvin A. Sweeney appeared in Currents in Theology and Mission, (October 2010).

Edgar Krentz, professor emeritus of New Testament, presented “Preaching Matthew in Year A” for the Lutheran School of Theology in St. Louis, Mo., a ministry of the Metropolitan St. Louis Coalition of ELCA Congregations, on October 21, 2010.

Ray Pickett, professor of New Testament, presented a lecture series on Paul at Advent Lutheran Church in Madison, Wis., October 29-30, 2010. He made presentations on studying the Gospel of Matthew to members of the Montana Synod of the ELCA, November 11 – 13, 2010.

Pickett wrote the Introduction to Luke-Acts and Empire: Essays in Honor of Robert Brawley (Eugene, Ore.: Wipf and Stock, 2010) edited by David Esterline, David Rhoads, and Jae Won Lee.

Krentz taught a four-week adult forum on 1 Peter, “On Creating Identity” at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Munster, Ind. from January 9–30.

David Lindberg, professor emeritus of world mission and world religions, was one of the featured scholars at the Covenant-Augustana Symposium, November 5-6, 2010, at North Park University. The topic of the symposium was “Augustana Synod and the Covenant Church: Contact, Conflict, and Confluence 18602010.”

Esther Menn, Ralph W. and Marilyn R. Klein Professor of Old Testament and director of Advanced Studies, presided at the Scripture in Early Judaism and Christianity session at the Society of Biblical Literature Meeting in Atlanta, Ga., on November 20, 2010.

On February 25, Menn presented “Jewish Christian Relations” for the Christ College, Valparaiso University, honors course on interfaith relations.

Richard Perry, associate professor of church and society and urban ministry, delivered the opening keynote address, “Dimensions of a Whosoever Church: John 3:16-17: When Jesus says, ‘Whosoever believes in me,’ what does he really mean?” at Deepening the Welcome: Living out Jesus’ Welcome for GLBTQ People in Our Congregations on February 19 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Oak Park, Ill.

David Rhoads, professor emeritus of New Testament, co-directed a training workshop for Lutherans Restoring Creation at the Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center, Oregon, Ill., on October 1-2, 2010. Representatives from five synods (Oregon, New England, Greater Milwaukee, Southeastern Minnesota, and TexasLouisiana Gulf Coast) gathered for training to bring care for creation into the congregations of their respective synods.

With his spouse, Sandy Roberts, Rhoads presented their essay: “Justification

by Grace: Shame and Acceptance in a County Jail” at a conference in Lincoln, Neb., October 24–26.

Rhoads published, with Sandy Roberts, “Justification by Grace: Shame and Acceptance in a County Jail” in The Shame Factor: How Shame Shapes Society, Robert Jewett, editor (Eugene, Ore.: Wipf and Stock).

His article, “Stewardship of Creation,” appeared in

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Clergy Journal 2010. His chapter, “Performance Events in Early Christianity: New Testament Writings in an Oral Context,” appears in The Interface of Orality and Literacy: Speaking, Seeing, Writing in the Shaping of New Genres, edited by Annette Wrissenreider and Robert B. Coote (Mohr Siebeck, 2010). Rhoads’ essay,“What is Performance Criticism?” appears in The Bible in Ancient and Modern Media: Story and Performance edited by Holly Hearon and Philip Ruge-Jones (Eugene, Ore: Wipf and Stock, 2009).

With David Esterline and Jae Won Lee, Rhoads edited Luke-Acts and Empire: Essays in Honor of Robert Brawley (Eugene, Ore.:Wipf and Stock, 2010). His article, “Biblical Performance Criticism: Performance as Research” in Oral Tradition in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam edited by Werner Kelber and Paula Sanders (Oral Tradition, 25/1) is available at http://journal. oraltradition.org/issues/25i/ rhoads.

Rhoads serves as the series editor for the Wipf and Stock Biblical Performance Criticism.

José David Rodríguez, Augustana Heritage Professor of Global Mission and World Christianity and professor of systematic theology, published, with Carmen M. Rodríguez, Martín Lutero Descalzo: Meditaciones Sobre La Identidad Luterana Desde el Contexto Latinoamericano (Santo Domingo, República Dominicana, 2010)

Barbara Rossing, professor of New Testament,

gave the Wallace Moore lecture on February 13 at the First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette, Ill., where she also preached.

Rossing participated in a Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion as part of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting in Washington, D.C. February 17-20.

Craig Satterlee, Axel Jacob and Gerda Maria (Swanson) Carlson Professor of Homiletics, has been elected vice president of the North American Academy of Liturgy (NAAL) at its January 2011 meeting in San Francisco. In 2012, he will deliver the keynote address and assume the presidency of the organization. NAAL is an ecumenical and inter-religious association of liturgical scholars who collaborate in research concerning public worship.

Satterlee presented “Preaching Cycle” in Houston, Texas, on October 2; in Columbus, Texas, on October 29; and in New Orleans on November 2. He preached twice and led a conversation with people in New Orleans on “Listening to the Gospel.”

Satterlee presented “Preaching the Christmas Cycle” during the Central Iowa Continuing Education Forum of the ELCA’s Southeastern Iowa Synod in Ankeny, Iowa, on November 9. He presented “Preaching Advent” at the Tri-State continuing Education Forum at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, on November 11 and “Preaching, Worship, and Disability” at Kvalificerad Fortbildning Predikan

in Uppsala, Sweden on November 13 – 17.

January 6-9, Satterlee presented “Learning to Picture God from Those Who Cannot See” in the Word in Worship Seminar at the annual meeting of the North American Academy of Liturgy in San Francisco, Calif. January 24 – 27, he was at the ELCA Region 7 First Call Theological Education event in Malvern, Pa., where he made a presentation on spiritual leadership and gave three lectures on the theme “Cruciform Leadership in a Time of Urgency.” He participated in the midwinter meeting of the 2010-11 Teaching and Learning Colloquy for Mid-Career Theological School Faculty hosted by the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion on Mustang Island, Texas, January 27-30.

Satterlee published the essays, “Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10), 11-14: Homiletical Perspective,” “Isaiah 52:13-53:12: Homiletical Perspective,” and “Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24: Homiletical Perspective,” in Feasting on the Word: Lectionary Commentary Series, Year A, Vol. 2, edited

by Barbara Brown Taylor and David L. Bartlett, (Louisville, Ky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010). His “Preaching Helps: Advent Preaching” appeared in Currents in Theology and Mission (October 2010).

Satterlee published “One in the Apostles’ Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking of Bread and Prayer: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2011,” in Ecumenical Trends, (November 2010).

His chapters, “Helping the Congregation Support

Those Preparing for Baptism,” “Helping the Congregation Support the Newly Baptized,” “Using Welcome to Baptism,” “Preaching About Baptism,” “Baptismal Vocation,” “Parts of the Baptism Service,” appear in Washed and Welcome: A Baptism Sourcebook, ed. Suzanne K. Burke, (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2010).

Satterlee contributed Who Cares If Anyone Responds to the Sermon? Preaching for the Joy of It!” to http:// www.svenskakyrkan.se/ default.aspx?id=638777.

Satterlee’s video presentations, “The Homiletic Task,” “Preaching and Worship,” “Holiday Sermons,” “Witnesses,” are part of Living Worship: A Multimedia Resource for Students and Leaders, James F. Caccamo, Todd E. Johnson, and Lester Ruth, (Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2010).

Two of Satterlee’s articles appeared in the October – December 2010 issue of Liturgy, “Liturgical Preaching: Introduction,” and “Patristic Principles for Post-Christendom Preaching.”

Lea Schweitz, assistant professor of systematic theology/religion and science and director of the Zygon Center for Religion and Science, chaired the business meeting of the Science, Technology, and Religion Group at the American Academy of Religion 2010 Annual Conference on October 31 in Atlanta, Ga. At that same conference and for the same group on November 1, she presided over the panel discussion “The Challenges of the Modern Sciences for Jewish Faith.”

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Michael Shelley, dean and vice president for academic affairs and director of A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice, along with Carol Schersten LaHurd, Mark Swanson, and GhulamHaider Aasi, led a threeweek adult education series January 16 – February 6 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Naperville, Ill. With those same colleagues and Michael Trice, he helped lead an adult education series from February 1 – March 1 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Naperville, Ill.

Ben Stewart, Gordon A. Braatz Assistant Professor of Worship, preached at Grace Lutheran Church, LaGrange, Ill., on October 24, 2010. He presented “Christian Theology and Practice in an Age of Ecological Emergency” for the Adult Education Series at Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest, Ill., November 7 and 14, 2010.

In January 2011, Stewart presented “Waters of New Life: Theological Orientation through Engagement with Local Watersheds” at the Ecology and Liturgy Seminar of the North American Academy of Liturgy in San Francisco, Calif. He served as worship leader, preacher and presenter at the Byberg Preaching Workshop in Cannon Beach, Ore. Stewart was also a presenter and worship leader at the Rocky Mountain Synod’s Worship at the Center: Lent and the Three Days event in Boulder, Colo.

On February 3, Stewart presented “Trends in the

Liturgies of Lent and the Three Days” for the Near West Conference of the ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod.

Stewart’s article, “Water in Worship: the Ecology of Baptism” appeared in the February 2011 issue of Christian Century.

Mark Swanson, Harold S.Vogelaar Professor of Christian-Muslim Studies and Interfaith Relations and associate director of A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice, presented “Qusta ibn Luqa: His Significance in the History of ChristianMuslim Relations” at the Middle Eastern Christianity Consultation of the American Academy of Religion 2010 Annual Conference on October 30, 2010.

With Carol Schersten LaHurd, Michael Shelley, and Ghulam-Haider Aasi, Swanson led a three-week adult education series January 16 – February 6 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Naperville, Ill. With those same colleagues and Michael Trice, he helped lead an adult education series from February 1 – March 1 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Naperville, Ill. On February 19, Swanson led a day-long session at First Lutheran Church, DeKalb, Ill., for the Northern Illinois Synod’s Diakonia Program.

As Christian Arabic section editor of ChristianMuslim Relations: A Bibliographical History, Volume 2 (900-1050), David Thomas and Alex Mallet, eds., (with Juan Pedro Monferrer Sala, Johannes Pahlitzsch, Mark Swanson, Herman Teule, and John Tolan), (Leiden and Boston:

Brill, 2010), Swanson was responsible for about onethird of this 750-page volume. He wrote 14 entries for the section. Volume 3 or the work is due out in 2011. Work continues on Volumes 4 and 5.

Swanson published “Apology or its Evasion?

Some Ninth-Century Arabic Christian Texts on Discerning the True Religion” in Currents in Theology and Mission (October 2010).

He was featured in Amy Frykholm’s article, “Double Belonging: One Person, Two Faiths,” in The Christian Century, (Jan 25, 2011) and an article by Diana al-Daba’, “Interview of the Week” in Rosa alYousif, (Jan 22, 2011), an Egyptian political and cultural magazine. It is available at http://www.rosaonline.net/Weekly/News. asp?id=101316

Rosanne Swanson, director of field education and lecturer, pastoral care, was elected to a two-year term on the Steering Committee of the Association of Theological Field Educators to plan the association’s 2013 meeting in Williamsburg, Va. LSTC continues to be a leader in theological field education.

Linda Thomas, professor of theology and anthropology, chaired the business meeting of the Womanist Approaches to Religion and Society Group at the American Academy of Religion 2010 Annual Conference on October 31, 2010, in Atlanta, Ga.

Mark Thomsen, retired director of advanced studies and visiting professor

of world missions, with Harold Vogelaar and Dr. Ghulam Haider Aasi, published “Twenty-Five Years of Christian-Muslim Work at LSTC, 1985–2010” in Currents in Theology and Mission (October 2010).

Peter Vethanayagamony, associate professor of church history, preached and presided on October10, 17, 24, and November 7, 2010, at Lebanon Lutheran Church, Chicago. He preached and presided on February 6 at Resurrection Lutheran Church, Channahon, Ill. Vethanayagamony published the article, “St. Anna Sarah Kugler” in Lutheran Forum (Winter 2010).

Vethanayagamony’s book, It Began in Madras: The Eighteenth Century Lutheran Anglican Ecumenical Ventures and Benjamin Schultze was published by ISPCK, New Delhi (2010).

Harold Vogelaar, professor emeritus of world religions, published, with Mark Thomsen and Ghulam Haider Aasi, “Twenty-Five Years of Christian-Muslim Work at LSTC, 1985 – 2010” in Currents in Theology and Mission (October 2010).

Vítor Westhelle, professor of systematic theology, was the coordinator and one of the main presenters at the Deuses e Ciencias na América Latina at USACH (Universidad de Santiago de Chile), October 29 – November 1, 2010. He was a theological presenter at a congregation-based organizing event in partnership with the Multicultural Ministries Program unit of the ELCA held at the ELCA Churchwide Offices,

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December 3–6.

Westhelle’s article, “Justification as Death and Gift,” appeared in the Lutheran Quarterly, (Autumn 2010).

Westhelle’s essays “Liberation: I Dogmatics,” “Liberation Theology: II Systematics -Fundamental Theology,” “Liberation Theology: II Systematics— Dogmatics,” and “Liberation Theology: II Systematics—Ethics” appear in Religion Past & Present, ed. by Hans Dieter Betz et al., (Leiden: Brill, 2010).

IN MEMORIAM Terry Berg 1945 – 2010 Class of 1972

Norbert Kabelitz 1929 – 2010 Concordia Seminary Class of 1954

Henry B. Kleinert 1917 – 2010 Central Seminary Class of 1953

Pastor Berg was ordained in 1972 into the Lutheran Church in America. For the next 35 years he served congregations in Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin. He also led Habitat for Humanity ministries with congregations in Wisconsin.

Pastor Berg retired in 2007, due to illness. He enjoyed time with his beloved wife of 27 years, Karen, their children and grandchildren. He died on November 14, 2010, surrounded by his family.

Pastor Berg is survived by his wife, Karen; sons John (Sarah Stumme), David (Robyn Ohashi), and Stephen (Chi Obiorah); four granddaughters; a brother, and extended family. A funeral service was held on November 18 at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in West Bend, Wis.

The Rev. Dr. Norbert Kabelitz was known among the Lutheran community for his sense of responsibility and sacrifice, to the point of imprisonment, for his beliefs and deeds.

Ordained in 1954, “Pastor Norbert” served congregations in Minnesota, Indiana, Florida and for 22 years led Redeemer Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City.

Dr. Kabelitz was given the Vilona P. Cutler Award for outstanding service from the Urban League. Christ Seminary-Seminex awarded him an honorary doctorate.

He died on July 20, 2010 in Oklahoma City. A memorial service was held July 24 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Edmond, Okla.

Pastor Kabelitz is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lois, their five children, 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

After jobs as an orchestra conductor; at the Madison, Wis., YMCA and the state YMCA camp; as an Arctic survival instructor and in the seed corn business, Henry Kleinert was called to ministry. He served two Methodist congregations while attending Central Seminary. While serving congregations in and near Madison, he continued graduate studies in psychology at the University of Wisconsin. He became campus pastor at UW Eau Claire and later chaplain of Midland College, Fremont, Neb.

Pastor Kleinert served as president of American Bethesda Corp., in Minnesota, a non-profit group that designed retirement communities. He served several other congregations in Minnesota before retiring in Texas, where he served as interim and assistant pastor to several congregations.

Pastor Kleinert died on October 11, 2010. He is survived by his second wife, Gerry Reeves Kleinert, a sister, a daughter, four grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. A memorial service was held at Central Lutheran Church, Dallas, Texas, on October 16.

Alejandro Garcia-Rivera 1951 – 2010 Classes of 1984 (M.Div.), 1992 (Th.M.), and 1994 (Ph.D.) Dr. Garcia-Rivera, professor of systematic theology at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, Calif., was originally trained in physics. His scholarship bridged the disciplines of science, art and religion. In 2010, he received the Graduate Theological Union’s highest honor presented to a teacher, the Sarlo Excellence in Teaching Award.

He also received the President’s Special Recognition Award at Santa Clara University. He published a number of articles and several books.

His final book is The Garden of God: A Theological Cosmology (Minneapolis, Minn: Fortress Press, 2009).

Dr. Garcia-Rivera died December 13, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn, and two daughters. Services were held on December 19 and 20 at St. Leander’s Church in San Leandro, Calif.

Karlo Keljo 1922 – 2010 Suomi Class of 1946 A native of Finland, Pastor Keljo excelled even in high school, serving as valedictorian of his class in Queens, N.Y. He was ordained in 1946 and continued his studies at Northern Illinois University and the Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary while serving parishes. After completing his doctorate at Princeton Theological Seminary, Dr. Keljo taught at Suomi Seminary, LSTC and Hartwick College.

He served parishes in Brooklyn, N.Y.; Detroit, and Ishpeming, Mich. After retirement he studied at the University of Helsinki and founded the Northern Great Lakes Lay School of Mission. He was awarded a doctor of humane letters from Finlandia University in 1996.

Pastor Keljo died on October 18, 2010, at the age of 88. A memorial service was held at Kensington Place in Columbus, Ohio, on October 23.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eunice, three children, and six grandchildren.

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Esther Schmidt 1944 – 2010 Class of 2000 Diaconal Minister Esther Schmidt attended seminary after a career as a registered nurse. She served as chaplain at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, Wis., before retiring in 2010.

Esther and her husband, Jerry, were very committed lay leaders in Greater Milwaukee Synod’s Mount Meru Coffee Project.

After battling cancer for more than 30 years, Esther died on October 25, 2010. She is survived by her husband, Jerry; two sons, Karl (Signe) and Daniel; two grandchildren; her mother and three sisters; extended family and many friends. A memorial service was held October 30, 2010, at Trinity Lutheran Church, West Bend, Wis.

CLASS NOTES 1949 Wolf D. Knappe (Maywood, S.T.M.; 1977, S.T.D.) has published a translation of the German biography of Wilhelm Loehe by Erika Geiger, Wilhelm Loehe, 1801-1872 (St. Louis, Mo.: Concordia Publishing House). It is available from Concordia or on Amazon.

Loehe was instrumental in sending hundreds of pastors to North America for service in German congregations. He was the founder of Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, and of Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa.

1950 Kenneth Dale (Augustana, M.Div.) has published his seventh book, A Mosaic of Musings: Daily Thoughts for People on the Way (Kirk House Publishers, Minneapolis). Dale provides insights on theological and practical subjects arranged in the daily readings.

Thirteen of his paintings illustrate the book. Dale resides at Pilgrim Place in Claremont, Calif.

Carolyn Schneider (M.Div.) published her first book “I am a Christian”: The Nun, the Devil, and Martin Luther (Fortress Press) in August 2010. The book uses a story Martin Luther told about a nun who drives away the devil by saying, “I am a Christian.” It explores what that confession meant to Luther, who used the story to encourage people suffering despair; who the nun might be historically; and how the story might still be useful to people today.

Schneider is associate professor of theology at Texas Lutheran University.

TEEM, associate professor of Latino Theology and Mission, and director of theological education for Emerging Ministries Program at the Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest, led “Crossing Borders: cultural, pastoral and geo-political,” an event sponsored by the Saint Paul Area and Minneapolis Area Synods held at Luther Seminary February 10 – 13, 2010. He and Javier Alanis (1998, Th.M.; 2002, Ph.D.) preached and conducted seminars and workshops in area churches. They were accompanied by two TEEM Latina pastors who serve along the U.S.- Mexico border.

1998 Javier Alanis (Th.M.; 2002, Ph.D.) interim director of the Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest, led “Crossing Borders: cultural, pastoral and geo-political” at Luther Seminary on February 10–13, 2010.

In this event sponsored by the Saint Paul Area and Minneapolis Area Synods, he and Eliseo Perez-Alvarez (2000, Ph.D.) preached and conducted seminars and workshops in area churches.

2001 Scott Bacon (M.Div.) is now pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, Canton, Ohio. He continues to lead a Sunday evening children’s service at Zion Lutheran Church, Wooster, Ohio.

2002

1969 Erwin M. Smuda (Concordia, St. Louis, M.Div.; 1989, D.Min., Concordia) was installed as long-term interim pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Youngstown, Ohio.

1974 Frank Showers (M.Div.) has been pastor of United by Faith Lutheran Church in Evergreen Park, Ill., since June 2010. Pastor Showers was featured in an article in the October 22, 2010 Southtown Star newspaper.

Drs. Javier Alanis, and Eliseo PerezAlvarez with LSPS intern Caleb Crainer in Minneapolis

They were accompanied by two TEEM Latina pastors who serve along the U.S. – Mexico border.

2000 Eliseo Perez-Alvarez (Ph.D.), coordinator for

David Trexler (M.Div.) is one of 18 Indiana pastors selected to participate in the Wabash Pastoral Leadership Program, sponsored by the Lilly Endowment at Wabash College. This two-year program invites pastors with five to 10 years of experience to participate in a program of leadership development and pastoral reflection. Trexler is pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Highland, Ind. 2003 Timothy Knauff (M.Div.) is one of 18 Indiana pastors selected to participate in the Wabash Pastoral Leadership Program, sponsored by the Lilly

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Endowment at Wabash College. This two-year program invites pastors with five to 10 years of experience to participate in a program of leadership development and pastoral reflection. Knauff is pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in South Bend, Ind. 2004 Bob Bryan (M.Div.) has been selected as the new Director of Prison Ministry for the Nebraska Synod. He will be pastor of Followers of Christ congregation inside the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln, Neb. Pastor Bryan has been the pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hartington and Trinity Lutheran Church in Crofton since 2004.

2006 Anthony Bateza (M.Div.) has two new roles: as father to Austen Everett Bateza, born to Anthony and Cynthia on December 29, 2010; and as a student in the Ph.D. program in Christian Ethics at Princeton Theological Seminary. Bateza continues to serve as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Uniondale, N.Y. Peter Perry (Th.M.; 2009, Ph.D.) was a responder to Dr. Larry Rasmussen’s presentation on “Biblical Images of Walls” at the October 29-30, 2010, Arizona Ecumenical Council’s Donohoe Forum, entitled “Whitewashed Walls? People of Faith Dialog about Biblical Walls, Environmental Boundaries and the Arizona Border.” He presented the paper, “Disputing Enoch: Relevance Theory,

Intertextuality and Matthew 24:36-44” at the Intertextuality and the New Testament seminar at the Society of Biblical Literature annual meeting in Atlanta, November 20 – 23, 2010.

On December 7-8, he spoke on “Hope, Endurance, and Gratitude in the Book of Revelation” as the Bible study leader for the Grand Canyon Synod Retired Rostered Leaders Retreat.

Perry’s article on the Book of Revelation was featured on the front page of the Oxford Biblical Studies Online website: http://www. oxfordbiblicalstudies.com.

2007 Elonda Clay (Th.M.), presented “The Curious Case of Oprah the Zulu: DNA Ancestry, Celebrity Narratives of Genetic Return, and Motherland Utopias” at the African Diaspora Religions Consultation of the American Academy of Religion 2010 Annual Conference on October 31. She presented “These Gods Got Swagger: God Games, Gameplay, and the Digital Performance of Hip-Hop Culture in User-Created Machinima” in the session on “What’s This ‘Religious’ in Hip-Hop Culture?: Shifting Theories and Methods in the Study of African American Religion” at the American Academy of Religion 2010 Annual Conference on November 1.

2008 Paul James (P.J.) Malin (M.Div.) was featured in a story in the December 3, 2010, Southtown Star. P.J. has been pastor of Cross of Glory Lutheran Church in Homer Glen, Ill., since June 2008.

Adam Miller-Stubbendick (M.Div.) has been pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church, Jamestown, N.Y., since October 2010. He and spouse, Jordan MillerStubbendick (2008, M.Div.) were featured in a story in the November 29, 2010, Jamestown Post-Journal.

serve as pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church, Delphos, Ohio, where she was installed on February 6, 2010.

Rob Saler (Th.M.), published a review of Luther and the Beloved Community

by Paul R. Hinlicky in the September 2010 issue of The Cresset.

Jordan Miller-Stubbendick (M.Div.) is pastor of St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Bemus Point, N.Y.

2010 Adam Berndt (M.Div.) was ordained and installed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Arlington Heights, Ill., on December 19, 2010.

Adam has been called to serve as associate pastor for children, youth and family ministries.

Sarah Roemer (M.Div.) is now the transformational ministry pastor of Spirit of Life Lutheran Church in the Olalla community of Port Orchard, Wash. She was installed on December 12, 2010.

Kimberly A. Vaughn (M.Div.) was installed as associate pastor of St. Stephen Martyr Church, Canton, Ohio, on November 14, 2010. She began her service at the congregation on October 1, 2010.

2009 Joy Alsop (M.Div.) and her husband welcomed their first child, Axel Ames Alsop, into the world on December 30, 2010.

Joy is associate pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Belvidere, Ill. Justin Eller (M.Div.) and his spouse and ministry partner, Kari, were featured in a story in the January 8, 2011, Salisbury Post (Salisbury, N.C.) about their work in Bolivia.

Angela Khabeb (M.Div.) was ordained on January 11, 2010, at Augustana Lutheran Church, Omaha, Neb. Bishop Marcus Lohrmann of the Northwestern Ohio Synod presided. Angela is called to

Jennifer Fisher (M.Div.) was ordained on February 27 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Schaumburg, Ill. Daniel Hille (M.Div.) was ordained at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Goldsboro, N.C., on February 26. The Rev. Dr. Craig A. Satterlee led worship and presided, the Rev. Ronnie L. Church Jr. preached, and Bishop Leonard Bolick, North Carolina Synod, led the Rite of Ordination. Dan has been called as pastor by St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Avon, Conn.

Laura (M.Div.) and Matthew (M.Div.) Kamprath were ordained on January 16 at Grace Lutheran Church, Champaign, Ill. They were installed as pastors at St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church, Campbell Hill, Ill., on January 23 by the Rev. Dr. Jacqueline LindenSchade (1984, M.Div.; 1990, D.Min.), assistant to the bishop, Central/Southern Illinois Synod.

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Jeff Mikyska (M.Div.) was ordained at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Arlington Heights, Ill., on December 19, 2010. Jeff has been called as pastor of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Aurora, Ill. Dana O’Brien (M.Div.) was featured in an article about her ministry at Atonement Lutheran Church, Racine, Wis., in the Racine Journal Times newspaper. O’Brien is leading a second site of the congregation, Atonement West, which holds services at the Sturtevant Sportsplex.

Niveen Sarras (Th.M.) was featured in a story in the La Crosse Tribune on October 22, 2010. Sarras, who is from Palestine, spoke at Viterbo University, the University of WisconsinLa Crosse and English Lutheran Church, La Crosse, Wis., about her experiences as a Lutheran in Palestine.

Michelle Werner (M.Div.) was ordained on January 22 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, East Lansing, Mich.

She has been called to serve as associate pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Livonia, Mich., where she was installed on January 23.

2011 Elisabeth Zant (finished M.Div. will graduate May 2011) has been called as pastor of Eden Evangelical Lutheran Church, Munising, Mich. She was ordained on January 15, 2011, at Grace Lutheran Church, Elroy, Wis.

Pastors William Berg and Leman Olsenius, the two oldest living graduates of Augustana Seminary, have combined service of over 145 years in the ordained ministry. Photo courtesy of Hilton Hammer Mark Van Scharrel, Distinguished Alumnus Pastor John Gosswein, and his spouse, Judy Gosswein

Distinguished Alumnus Pastor Mark Anderson and spouse Beverly

Distinguished Alumnus Pastor Victor Victorson and his spouse, Kay

Distinguished Alumnus the Rev. Dr. Paul Weber and President Echols Distinguished Alumnus Pastor Tony Metz

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TRANSITIONS (AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS) Nettnin named AFP Outstanding Fundraising Professional Dale Nettnin, LSTC assistant vice president for advancement and regional gift officer, was named the 2010 Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Northwest North Carolina Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

The award recognizes a fundraising professional who has at least five years’ experience as a fundraiser and who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and professionalism in the area of fund development.

Dale was honored at a luncheon at the Catawba Country Club in Newton, N.C., on November 17, 2010.

Farewell and Godspeed LSTC thanks Sally Richardson for her work with the seminary on financial reporting and audit support services. She has worked part time with the LSTC Finance Office since 2000, commuting between Chicago and her home in Minneapolis. She concluded her service at LSTC on February 28. We wish her God’s blessings.

Welcome Sharon Davis of Quatrro FPO Solutions is working with the LSTC Finance Office to provide financial reporting and audit support. She began working with LSTC on January 3.

Accomplishments Jessica Houston, assistant vice president for advancement, was on the panel, “Is There a Best Way to

Run Your Shop?” in the Advancement Services Emphasis Sessions and led a roundtable discussion entitled “Linking Advancement Services with Development” at the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Region V Conference held in Chicago, December 12-14, 2010. Jan Boden, director of communications and marketing; Kimberly Bryant, advancement assistant; and Rachel Wind, regional gift officer, also attended the conference

In Memoriam

We give thanks to God for the life and witness of staff member Anthony “Tony” Rounds, who died Sunday, March 13. Tony began working at LSTC in July 1999 as a part-time dishwasher in the cafeteria and in the maintenance department as a custodian.

Tony courageously battled epilepsy throughout his earthly life of 59 years. A small stroke this winter slowed him down, but he was recovering and expecting to come back to work soon.

Kristin Johnson, Youth in Mission program coordinator, served as a presenter at the La Crosse Area Synod’s ConFEST event, an annual festival gathering of the synod’s confirmation students, held on October 20, 2010, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sparta, Wisconsin.

Approximately 300 confirmation students and adults gathered to worship, experience different forms of prayer, and learn about many church-related resources and organizations.

Tony Rounds

Tony served as a deacon at his local church, Brainerd Community of Christ, on South Throop Street in Chicago. His “homegoing” service was on Saturday, March 19, at Gatling Funeral Home in Chicago.

He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Lillie; his mother, two sisters, in-laws, and many nieces and nephews.

Joy McDonald Coltvet, director of admissions, contributed the cover photo and accompanying poem to The Little Lutheran (January 2011) and The Little Christian (January 2011).

Daniel Schwandt, cantor to the seminary community, was the music and worship leader for the Byberg Preaching Conference January 17-19, 2011, at Cannon Beach, Ore. He collaborated with LSTC’s Gordon A. Braatz Assistant Professor of Worship Ben Stewart.

Schwandt also played a recital as part of the Manz Organ Series at LSTC on December 7, 2010. He led the International Hymn Fest at Faith Lutheran Church, Glen Ellyn, Ill., on February 13, 2011, to benefit the Advanced Studies program at LSTC.

Dale Nettnin, assistant vice president for advancement and regional gift officer, taught two sessions of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts course, “Development.”

In January he spoke to the first-year graduate students about major gifts. In March he led a session on capital campaigns. Nettnin has been teaching these sessions for five years.

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Sara Trumm, coordinator for A Center of ChristianMuslim Engagement for Peace and Justice (CCME) attended the ELCA Global Mission Gathering Training, January 13-15.

Sara was also trained as a One Chicago, One Nation 2011 Community Ambassador, January 15-17. This program is developed in partnership with The Chicago Community Trust (CCT), Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC), and Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN).

Clockwise from upper left: Ph. D. student Ishaya Gajere (at right), talks with friends of LSTC at the International Hymn Festival held at Faith Lutheran Church, Glen Ellyn, Ill., in February; Maxwell Street Klezmer Band member, Alex Koffman, steps up to the microphone for a solo during the Salaam Shalom Music Project performance at LSTC; the Rev. Dr. Dora Arce-Valentin delivers the Hein-Fry Lecture at LSTC; panelists Dr. Susanne Scholz, Perkins School of Theology, Denver, Colo.; Dr. Ken Stone, Chicago Theological Seminary; Dr. Bonnie Flessen (2010), Carthage College, Kenosha, Wis.; and LSTC Associate Professor of Old Testament Klaus-Peter Adam lead a lunchtime forum on masculinity and the Hebrew Bible, students perform a dance number from the spring musical on the story of Solomon.

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Calendar of Events All events are at LSTC unless otherwise noted. Check www.lstc.edu/ events for details.

May 4 11:00 a.m. Final Eucharist of the school year 14-15 Reunions for the classes of 1961 and 1971 15 2:30 p.m. 151st LSTC Commencement at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Bishop Munib Younan preaching

16 Maymester classes begin. See www.lstc.edu/academics/courses/ maymester.php for more information.

June All month “Wealth and Poverty in the Bible and American Culture” online conversation led by Dr. Carol Schersten LaHurd. Fee: $100.

Contact leadershipconference@lstc. edu for details.

11 Youth in Mission’s Serving Christ in the World program begins

20 ACTS D. Min. in Preaching residency begins August 25 Returning Students’ Retreat begins 28 Transition to Seminary Retreat for new students 31 Orientation begins September 6 Fall Semester begins