Posted by Christian Scharen on 12/12/2013 12:35 AM
A Family Practice
Our family is a “sit at the table together” family. As Lutheran Christians, we own the fact that we are often thought of as the branch of Christians ‘prone to excessive singing,’ as one Episcopalian friend puts it. And our family is no exception. Rarely a day goes by that we don’t join in song at breakfast and dinner, giving thanks to God for good gifts and recalling our connection and duty to those who scrap by with little or nothing. We have small …
Posted by Steve McKinley on 12/12/2013 12:30 AM
We’ll give up when the snow comes, but until then our dogs Hobbes and Abby and I take a three mile walk each morning at 6 a.m. We all get exercise. They deal with bodily functions. I get my mind stretched listening to Morning Edition on public radio. We’re all ready for breakfast when we get home.
The other day I heard a particularly interesting story. It was an interview with Ron Heifetz, Professor of Leadership at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. (http://www.npr.org/2013/11/11/230841224/lessons-in-leadership-its-not-about-you-its-about-them …
Posted by Kathryn Ostlie on 12/12/2013 12:25 AM
I’d sung it many times in my young life. When we sang I Love to Tell the Story at my grandfather’s funeral, it stayed in my head and in my heart; I didn’t understand or even appreciate it then. I do now. I’m aware of how important stories are to the Christian community and to me. Our lives are woven together and it’s the stories we tell about ourselves, about our community, and about our lives of faith which make up the warp and weft of our shared life.
In that vein, …
Posted by awinebrennerpal001 on 12/12/2013 12:20 AM
Seamus Heaney was a Northern Irish poet, playwright, peace activist, and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. From his own perspective amid Northern Irish political conflict, Heaney penned "The Cure at Troy" as a tribute to Nelson Mandela and an indictment of apartheid in South Africa. Heaney passed away on August 30 2013 and was followed less than four months later by Nelson Mandela himself on December 5 2013. It seems appropriate to share Heaney's poem for Mandela for this month's Ministry in …
Posted by Contextual Learning on 12/12/2013 12:15 AM
Rufus grew up in Liberia, became a refugee during Liberia's political unrest, and lived in the Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Ghana before immigrating to the United States in 2004. Today, he is a Luther Seminary MDiv and serves as the Intern Pastor at Como Park Lutheran with Pastor Martin Ericson. In this column, Rufus shares his experiences interning in a culturally unfamiliar context.
I see my internship as an opportunity for me and the Church for us to get to know each other, understand each other, …
Posted by awinebrennerpal001 on 12/12/2013 12:10 AM
Step 1: Apply
Because many congregations need to approve the application at a January annual meeting, the site application deadline is January 31, 2014. However, we are happy to receive applications at any time – the earlier the better!
Please find “Expectations for Internship Sites,” “Financial Matters,” and the application form itself at the following link: http://www2.luthersem.edu/contextual_learning/internship/for_congregations.asp.
When you are preparing your …
Posted by awinebrennerpal001 on 12/12/2013 12:05 AM
All Teaching Congregations Reflection Questions are due on December 17!
Students: As always, we will need two sets of Reflection Questions: one from you and one from your mentor pastor. You can access these via the FE 4021 coursepage. They can be submitted via online survey or via electronic or hard copy.
These Reflection Questions are intended for you and your mentor pastor to engage in thoughtful, compassionate, reflective conversation, so please begin them now!
Posted by awinebrennerpal001 on 12/12/2013 12:00 AM
Check out our new Cross-Cultural Education options!
Urban Plunge
Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta
January 11 - January 22 2014
The Urban Plunge is an annual urban immersion experience that offers a realistic and practical look at systemic issues which are problematic in our society. Participants will have the opportunity to view urban life and cities as places of the arts, learning, music, entertainment and commerce. Plunge participants will discover how urban areas are frequently purveyors …
Posted by Contextual Learning on 12/11/2013 11:55 PM
A new CPE unit is now available!
Take one class this Spring and complete one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education during the Spring Semester!
Fairview CPE is offering three options for the Spring Semester CPE:
1. Fairview Ridges/Ebenezer Ridges (Burnsville)
2. Fairview Southdale Hospital (Edina)/Ebenezer Minneapolis campus
3. University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview (Minneapolis)
All programs will begin orientation during the week of January 27 and be completed by May 23. Students …
Posted by Contextual Learning on 12/11/2013 11:50 PM
Two of our congregational partners have new job opportunities available!
Kids Choir Director
Shepherd of the Hills, Edina MN
Shepherd of the Hills, a growing, community-focused congregation is seeking a children's choir director. Our Elementary age students gather on Wednesday evenings at 6:15 for 30min of art followed by 30min of music. The hour-long program is called, "WAM" (Worship, Art, Music). In addition to Wednesday evenings the kids choir is scheduled to offer a musical piece in worship on …