As we enter into this season of Epiphany, the Luther Seminary community is in prayer and discernment about Luther Seminary’s vision and key strategic areas of work for the future flourishing of our mission to educate pastors and leaders to serve the church and world. Our seminary pastor selected Scripture readings from 2 Corinthians 4 for us to pray our way into communal discernment about priorities. I am struck by the opening verse: “Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.” As winter tightens its grip, the holiday parties seem a distant memory, the Christmas bills arrive, church attendance dwindles and balancing budgets requires hard choices, it can be easy to lose heart. This reading reminds us that Christ comes to lighten our way in the midst of times and places where life seems perplexing.
Sometimes it can be helpful to journey with others to help us see the light of Christ so that we do not lose heart. We invite you to note the ways through the Lay School offerings and Mid-Winter Convocation that you can join with others to listen to God’s word and work in the world to strengthen you for ministry and “not lose heart.”
Another way to not lose heart is to celebrate with those who have weathered the vicissitudes of faith and ministry in their own callings. Highlights of a few who will be honored later this month at the Mid-Winter Convocation are noted in this issue. There are so many more whom we could honor but these faithful leaders represent a dimension of God’s faithfulness to these folks as they follow God’s call.
Given national and local tensions around racial and systemic injustice, it can also be easy to lose heart. We invite you to join in ongoing conversations on our campus as we pray, think and act together on ways, by God’s mercy, we need to listen and respond. Nekima Levy-Pounds, professor of law at St. Thomas University, will join us on MLK Jr. Day along with Pastor Paul Slack of New Creation Church in Minneapolis.
Welcoming two new colleagues this month brings fresh energy and hopefulness to our mission. The Rev. John Puotinen begins service as a philanthropic adviser. He is a Luther alum, brings strong experience and has a deep commitment to this ministry. We also will welcome The Rev. Dawn Alitz as our new Director of Lifelong Learning. She brings vision, wisdom and experience in faith formation, leadership and parish ministry.
In the weeks ahead, I invite your prayers and ponderings on these verses in 2 Corinthians and the ways that, for you, God’s mercy makes a difference and empowers you to not lose heart.