[DistUpd] September 24

[District Updates]

Update for September 24
A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE!

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Lutheran schools are a tremendous blessing to the students, their families, and the community in which the school sits. Many of the students and teachers in the Lutheran schools of Nebraska are developing mission eyes to see the fertile mission fields surrounding them. Examples from around the District show how Lutheran schools are teaching the students to be missionaries, both in their communities and around the world.

Each year the Nebraska District schools are invited to take part in the "Hearts for Jesus" project as designated by the principals. This project alternates between a District ministry and a mission project outside of the District. The 2008-2009 project goes overseas to help Nebraska missionaries who are currently serving internationally. The missionaries chosen were Al and Eileen Turner, Dr. Al and Sandy Schmidt, and Sharon Owens.

Al and Eileen Turner serve in Cambodia, where they will be working with kids and health care projects.  Eileen is originally from Pierce, Nebraska. Dr. Al and Sandy Schmidt will be serving in Hanoi, Vietnam, where they will start Vietnam's first ever Lutheran school. The Schmidts are from Seward, Nebraska. Sharon Owens serves as the director of the ESL Center in Macau, and supervises the three English Centers in Mainland China. Sharon formerly served at the University Lutheran Chapel in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Children also learn to be missionaries in their own communities through community outreach projects. One school principal describes their activities in this way:

"Every fall we hold a community service day where all grades go out in the community to help individuals with yard and house work -- raking, cleaning off gardens, washing windows, painting, picking up litter -- even the Kindergarteners participate by picking up buckets of pine cones for a congregation member. On May 1 we make and deliver 300 May baskets door-to-door in the community. At Christmas, the 5th- 8th grades pack food boxes for the 85+ members of the congregation and deliver some of those in person when they go Christmas caroling."

These are just some examples of ways Lutheran schools in Nebraska are becoming more missional, equipping students and their families to be lifelong witnesses for Christ.

For more information on Lutheran schools in Nebraska, or for ideas on how your school can include a mission focus, contact Don Weber, Lutheran School Superintendent, at the District Office, 888-643-2961 or donw at ndlcms.org<mailto:donw at ndlcms.org>. A listing of Lutheran schools in Nebraska is also available online at http://www.ndlcms.org/locator/schools/index.html.


*        Prayer Requests
*        Rural Ministry Conference Scholarships Available
*        Fall Pastors' Conference Registration Materials Available
*        Managing Pension Investments in Turbulent Times - A Message from Concordia Plan Services Management
*        Hurricane Ike Update/Response Options
*        Lisa Knoepfel Named "Teacher of the Year"
*        Pacific Hills Reformation Festival
*        Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska Recognizes Faith in Action
*        Empower Your Members to Share Christ through "Equipping to Share" Workshops
*        Concordia Publishing House Warehouse Sale Comes to Nebraska


PRAYER REQUESTS
Family of Rev. Donald Boettcher - We join with the family of Rev. Donald Boettcher, who was called to glory Monday, September 22. Pastor Boettcher served the congregations of Immanuel, Spencer and Christ, Lynch prior to his retirement. Please remember his family in your prayers, asking our heavenly Father to give them an extra measure of His peace and comfort at this time.

Seminary student Kyle and Kristen Fittje - Please lift up in prayer Kyle and Kristen Fittje, as well as many others in St. Louis and other communities as they recover from flash flooding that took place earlier this month. Seminary student Kyle Fittje and his wife Kristen lived in a basement apartment that was seriously affected by the flooding. They lost nearly everything and do not have flood insurance. The seminary has put in place efforts to help this couple, as well as another seminary couple in the same situation. For more information on how you can be involved, contact Nichole at the District Office. Kyle is a member of Immanuel Lutheran in Columbus, and he and Kristen are Concordia, Seward, graduates.

Pastor Brian and Renata Ketelsen - We join in prayers of thanksgiving with Rev. Brian and Renata Ketelsen at the birth of Noah Daniel Nicodemus Ketelsen, born Tuesday, September 23. Both mother and baby are doing well, and we praise God for this gift of new life He has granted these parents. We look forward to welcoming this little one into the family of God through his Holy Baptism this coming Sunday. Pastor Ketelsen serves the congregations of Faith, St. Edward, and St. John, Cedar Rapids.


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RURAL MINISTRY CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
The first 10 congregations from the Nebraska District that register a pastor and a lay leader who attend the Rural Ministry Conference at Mahoney State Park near Ashland on November 6-8 will receive a $100 scholarship to help offset the registration fee. To receive the scholarship, registrants should contact Connie at the District Office, 888-643-2961 or connieb at ndlcms.org<mailto:connieb at ndlcms.org>, before registering for the conference. The registration deadline for the conference is next Tuesday, September 30.

For more information on the conference itself, visit http://www.spife.org/Index.asp?PageID=9486. Remember, to be eligible for the scholarship, contact the District Office before registering for the conference.


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FALL PASTORS' CONFERENCE REGISTRATION MATERIALS AVAILABLE
Pastors in the District should have received registration materials for the upcoming Fall Pastors' Conference last week by email or by U.S. mail. Pastors are encouraged to visit the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/pastors/index.html to view and print conference materials. If you are a pastor in the District and you did not receive an email notice or a paper copy in the mail, please contact Kim Hofer at the District Office to request a copy. She may be reached at 888-643-2961 or kimh at ndlcms.org<mailto:kimh at ndlcms.org>.

The fall conference will be held at Midtown Holiday Inn, Grand Island, on October 27-28. The registration deadline is Friday, October 10.


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MANAGING PENSION INVESTMENTS IN TURBULENT TIMES - A MESSAGE FROM CONCORDIA PLAN SERVICES MANAGEMENT (released September 18 - www.concordiaplans.org<http://www.concordiaplans.org/>)
Volatility in the investment markets can cause a great deal of concern to the participants in any pension plan. This may be true of those employers and workers enrolled in the Concordia Retirement Plan (CRP) and the Concordia Retirement Savings Plan (CRSP).

In these turbulent times, it is important to keep in mind key attributes about the structure and management of the CRP and CRSP.


 *   Single Focus:  Delivering on Promises Made
Unlike many corporate pension plans, the Board of Directors and staff are not concerned with corporate earnings or taxation when making decisions regarding pension plan funding or investments.  Our single focus is on standing behind the promises made to plan members.


 *   Strong Funded Position
The CRP was in a strong funded position going into these turbulent times.  This means the plan is well situated to "weather the storm".


 *   Long Term Horizon
The CRP's outlook is long-term, not short-term.  History shows us that the markets will fluctuate, in fact, market fluctuations provide opportunities especially for those who are investing for the long haul.


 *   Board Expertise
The LCMS handbook calls for specific skills sets for the CPS Board of Directors/Concordia Plans Board of Trustees.  Specifically, the board must have at least 4 members with experience in the management of benefit plan investments.  The Synod board has appointed such experts to the CPS board.


 *   Sound Investment Process
The Investment Committee of the board follows a disciplined process in determining how CRP assets will be invested (asset allocation) and in selecting firms to manage segments of the portfolio.

With respect to the CRSP, the individual funds are selected by MorningStar, and for those who choose to take advantage of the service, individual asset allocation is performed by ProManage.  Both of these firms have proven track records in their respective areas.



 *   External Consultants
The board and staff are supported by the investment consulting firm of Ennis Knupp (EK).  EK is a recognized leader in the area of institutional investing of plans such as the CRP.

In addition, the board is supported by Towers Perrin, a recognized leader in actuarial and benefit consulting.


 *   Diversification of Assets
 The strong investment discipline, the expertise of the board, and the advice of external consultants result in a CRP portfolio that is well diversified.  Diversification of plan assets is critical to maintaining a well-funded, prudently managed pension fund over the long term.  This diversification has served the CRP well in previous storms as well as the current storm.


Current economic conditions do cause concern.  To further compound the problem, we are in a national election season and so the political rhetoric only adds to the confusion.  Plan members and other stakeholders, however, can be assured that the seven factors listed above result in professional, experienced, and prudent management of the assets entrusted to the Concordia Plans Board of Trustees.

James F. Sanft
President and CEO

Thomas J. Neely
Senior Vice President, Finance
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Investment Officer


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HURRICANE IKE UPDATE/RESPONSE OPTIONS
Dr. Lou Jander of the Texas District shared the following Hurricane Ike update on September 17:

Things are humming as we gear up to do longer term responses to the needs following Hurricane Ike. We continue to hear from congregations and members regarding damage.  More and more we are hearing from the areas where people evacuated.  Here's what we have heard most often:


 *   Roof damage (shingles, leaks, sections of roofs gone)
 *   Fences down
 *   Water around windows and doors
 *   No electricity
 *   Difficulty getting gas because the electricity is not available to pump the fuel (some people have waited over two hours)
 *   Without electricity, many grocery stores, banks, etc. have yet to open
 *   Water in homes and churches (some with as much as 16 feet)

The Texas District and LINC Houston have been partnering in managing the information for volunteers, sites needing work, housing equipment, and providing locations for food drops around the area.

The Golden Triangle (Orange, Beaumont, and Port Arthur and locations in between) is still recovering and many are just now beginning to return.  The area between Port Arthur and Orange received a great deal of "storm surge" along with the winds.  We've heard of homes being destroyed and many filled with water.  I will be traveling to that area on Thursday to get a firsthand look.  Plans are underway to provide early assistance in the clean-up.

Some of our congregations have been out in their communities assisting people in the work of tree removal, general pick-up of all types of stuff, and providing ice and food.  Praise God for all those who have stepped out at this time to provide needed help and care.

Lutheran Social Services of the South has been right by our side as we seek to assess and respond to the various needs in the entire area of Southeast Texas.  We value their partnership.

People who wish to share their interest and desire to volunteer in different capacities of clean-up can go to the following site to "register" your intent and availability:
http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2d46ya0fl8buty5/a001fl8f2l8a/questions

Right now we are busy responding to needs and organizing for continued support for the entire area.  I'm really thankful for the support of the Texas District, LINC Houston, Lutheran Services of the South, and LCMS World Relief and Human Care.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support. Continue to watch the Disaster Blog<http://disaster-reports-response-relief.blogspot.com/>.


The following story was shared via LCMS News (no. 50 - September 19)
As hurricane-weary Houstonians continue to clear debris, repair their homes, and stand in long lines for food, ice, and gasoline, LCMS members opened relief distribution centers to serve as "points of blessings" in the nation's fourth largest city.

"We want to help our congregations help their members and also reach out to their communities' needs," said Rev. Mark Junkans, executive director of the Lutheran Inner-City Network Coalition (LINC) Houston, who, in partnership with the LCMS Texas District, is operating the primary relief headquarters at the LINC Mission Center (www.linchouston.org<http://www.linchouston.org>). "This is a chance to be points of blessings in our community."

Immediately after Hurricane Ike battered the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana on Sept. 14 and propelled a destructive trail through the Midwest, LCMS responders quickly moved to provide emergency help despite widespread power outages and limited communication. By Sept. 18, the Category 2 hurricane had claimed 51 lives and nearly 2 million people remained without power across Texas. Ike caused the greatest property damage in Southeast Texas, notably the "Golden Triangle" (Orange, Beaumont, and Port Arthur) and Galveston, areas where damage assessments are just now beginning.

In the greater Houston area, 20 LCMS churches sustained damage, including:

 *   a toppled steeple and water damage at Mount Olive Lutheran Church.
 *   exterior damage and soaked carpeting at Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
 *   roof damage and water in the sanctuary at Centro de Fe y Esperanza.

"Everyone I've talked to has some damage, from something as minor as fence damage or shingles blown off to collapsed ceilings and flooded homes," said Dr. Lou Jander, Texas District mission and ministry facilitator who also serves as the district's disaster response coordinator. "Probably 65 to 70 percent of our [LCMS] members [in Southeast Texas] have been affected in some way."
News from the hard-hit Galveston Island south of Houston has been limited. But Rev. Alan Taylor shared information he received about Ike dumping a foot of water in the St. John Lutheran Church sanctuary and flooding two other church buildings.

After surveying St. John members to ensure they were preparing for the storm, Taylor and his family followed mandatory evacuation orders and fled Galveston. Nearly a week later, the pastor was awaiting permission to return home. Most St. John members, he said, likely sustained property damage. "I've spoken by e-mail with two of the families who lost their entire homes," Taylor said via e-mail from his evacuation post in San Antonio.

In addition to damaged homes and churches, Ike also wreaked havoc on the budgets of pastors, teachers, and staff at Lutheran ministries and social services programs. About 25 LINC missionary pastors in Houston depend solely on weekly worship offerings for their salaries. "Since no offerings are coming in right now, they are hurting," Junkans said. Lutheran Social Services of the South (LSSS) staff who work in programs such as foster care in Houston, at the Krause Children's Center in Katy (which evacuated children and sustained roof damage), and disaster response in Port Arthur are dealing with unexpected evacuation expenses on top of personal property losses.

But while hurricane survivors tackle storm-related challenges, LCMS ministries and individual volunteers are responding with shipments of relief supplies, manpower, and prayers.
Even before Ike hit the Gulf Coast, LCMS Southern District President Kurtis Schultz contacted the Texas District "assuring us of prayers and support and offering any available resources," Jander said. "After [Hurricane] Katrina, they [the Southern District] have done this before and know all about needs."

By Sept.16, volunteers from the Southern District's disaster response arm had arrived in Houston. Also en route were shipments of generators and non-perishable foods, sent by LCMS World Relief and Human Care (WR-HC) in partnership with Orphan Grain Train. WR-HC is coordinating Ike relief efforts on behalf of the Synod and striving to raise an initial $550,000 to meet the immediate needs of LCMS members and their communities. Those donations to the Synod's mercy arm will help cover the salaries and benefits of affected church workers, collaborative work through Lutheran Disaster Response and LSSS, and other emergency relief needs in the Texas and Southern districts.

"This is a massive disaster with lots of urgent needs spread across a broad area," said Rev. Glenn Merritt, WR-HC's director of disaster response. On Sept. 16, both Merritt and Rev. Carlos Hernandez, WR-HC's director of districts and congregations, were making plans to travel to Texas to offer assistance in meeting physical and spiritual needs, working with congregations to reach out to their members and communities.

Beyond Texas, Ike's remnants caused power outages and flooding in the Midwest where many communities are still reeling from earlier storms. Lutheran Church Charities issued an appeal for volunteers to assist in Northern Illinois. (Learn more at www.lutheranchurchcharities.org<http://www.lutheranchurchcharities.org>.)

In an official statement issued by Rev. Gerald B. Kieschnick, the LCMS president urged fellow Lutherans to offer monetary and volunteer assistance for "recovery efforts that have now begun and, without doubt, will continue not only in the days and weeks ahead, but into the months and years ahead."

"It is my prayer and belief that the response of love and care by the people of congregations of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, which has already begun in many cases, will be generous and overflowing, as is the love of God in Christ," Kieschnick said in the statement.


Thrivent Financial for Lutherans shared the following notice of their disaster response efforts for the victims of Hurricane Ike.
Through the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Disaster Response Program, we are extending a call for help to our chapters and members, providing them with two avenues to respond:

 *   Through the National Chapter Response, Thrivent Financial members can form chapter service teams locally to raise/collect funds to help those in need as a result of Hurricane Ike. For every $2 raised, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will contribute an additional $1, up to a total of $250,000.

Chapters will forward the money they raise to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, and we will direct all funds to Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) and the WELS Committee on Relief, who will distribute the funds using their established processes to best meet the needs of those affected by the hurricane. Thrivent Financial will accept contributions for this effort through Dec. 15, 2008.


 *   Through the Regional Chapter Response, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is allocating an additional $250,000 of Care in Regions(r) funds among the regions in the affected areas (mainly Texas and Louisiana). Members in the affected regions can form chapter service teams to hold fund-raisers, appeals/collections, and service activities to help those impacted by the hurricane.

As part of the Care in Regions program, each region's Lutheran Community Services (LCS) Team will inform their chapters of eligible recipients for these response activities.


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LISA KNOEPFEL NAMED "TEACHER OF THE YEAR"
"As far as Lisa Knoepfel knew, her family was coming to Fremont for a golf tournament. But there was more to the trip than that. Her family had gathered to surprise her when she was honored as Walmart's Teacher of the Year in Fremont on Sunday."

This is the beginning of an article in the Fremont Tribune sharing the wonderful news of this award. Lisa teaches at Trinity Lutheran School in Fremont, and was nominated at the local Walmart store by a former student who wrote about Mrs. Knoepfel as a "super hero."

The full article is available online on the Fremont Tribune website for a limited time. To read the entire article, visit http://www.fremonttribune.com/articles/2008/09/22/news/local/doc48d7c2592811f588522500.txt or search from the home page, www.fremonttribune.com<http://www.fremonttribune.com/>.


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PACIFIC HILLS REFORMATION FESTIVAL
Pacific Hills Lutheran Church in Omaha (90th and Pacific Streets) will once again host an Omaha-area Reformation Festival on Sunday, October 26, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Rev. Dr. Bill Moorhead, senior pastor of Pacific Hills, will be the preacher. Barbara Fremder, M.M., will be the cantor. Special music will be provided by the Concordia University, Nebraska, A Cappella Choir. Contact the Pacific Hills church office for more information at 402-391-9625.


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LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES OF NEBRASKA RECOGNIZES FAITH IN ACTION
Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska held its annual Faith in Action dinner Sunday, September 7, at the Georgetowne Club in Omaha to recognize those whose actions demonstrate their commitment to faith-based values and principles.

A. William "Bill" and Leona Kernen of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Omaha received the Douglas E. Parrott Faith in Action award for a lifetime of Christian service to children, families, education, and the community; Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Fremont received the Community Partner of the Year award for the time, talent, and treasures generously given by its members to the Fremont Building Families Boutique; and Dina Haqi, an Iraqi refugee, received the Volunteer of the Year award for her commitment and service to the Lutheran Family Services refugee program.

Lutheran Family Services is a faith-based, statewide human care agency serving over 35,000 individuals through 30 programs in the areas of behavioral health, children's services, and community services. For information, please visit www.lfsneb.org<http://www.lfsneb.org/>.


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EMPOWER YOUR MEMBERS TO SHARE CHRIST THROUGH "EQUIPPING TO SHARE" WORKSHOPS
A Lutheran Hour Ministries Equipping to Share workshop is a four-hour training session that teaches Christians how to relate their faith to those they interact with on a daily basis. Participants learn how to identify "mission moments" (situations where the Gospel can quickly and easily be shared). They then learn how to share their faith in an effective and non-threatening way.

As LHM's Coordinator of Equipping to Share, Sarah Guldalian says, "The most important thing to remember in a mission moment is: it's not about you. The mission is God's, the message is God's, and the power is God's! So, we can get over ourselves and trust God to do the work."

A man from Missouri attended an Equipping to Share workshop on a Saturday, and God immediately put him in a situation to use what he learned on Sunday afternoon. He was at the local shooting range practicing when an employee of the range asked if they could talk before he left. The employee said, "Al, I know you're a Christian, and there are some things I really need to talk to you about. You see, my wife of 30 years left me last night. I have no friends. I have no family. I need someone. I need some help."

Al listened to him talk and told him how Jesus had helped him through rough times. He also suggested that he read the Gospel of John before bed. Through Al's pastor and others at his church, the man found a support group and a psychologist to confide in. He is also making steps toward adult confirmation and baptism.

Al says, "God truly works in mysterious and marvelous ways, and I thank Him for this marvelous opportunity!"

Your church or school can host a workshop this fall or next spring. For more information about Equipping to Share workshops, call 1-800-944-3450, ext. 4144, or send an e-mail to sarah.guldalian at lhm.org<mailto:sarah.guldalian at lhm.org>.

Congregations that participate in the Fan into Flame campaign may consider using a portion of their local outreach gifts to cover the cost of this training.


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CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE WAREHOUSE SALE COMES TO NEBRASKA
Concordia Publishing house brings its Warehouse Sale-the largest sale of the year-to the campus of Concordia University, Nebraska. The sale is open Friday, October 24, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, October 25, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

During this time, excess inventory from Concordia Publishing House is offered at deep discounts.  Sale items include books for children and adults, teaching resources, and more.

The Concordia Publishing House Warehouse Sale is located in the Janzow Campus Center on the Concordia University campus in Seward. For more information about the Warehouse Sale, call 1-402-643-7405.


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The weekly Email Update is a resource offered to all in the Nebraska District to share information and to enrich the ministry God has called you to. Please continue to share information you feel would be of interest to others and let us know if there is any other way we at the District Office can be a resource to your ministry. Items for inclusion in the Update may be sent to communications at ndlcms.org<mailto:communications at ndlcms.org>.

Blessings,
Nichole Hetz
Nebraska District LCMS
Director of Communications
1-888-643-2961
nicholeh at ndlcms.org<mailto:nicholeh at ndlcms.org>
www.ndlcms.org<http://www.ndlcms.org/>

* Please Note: The inclusion of items in the Update from outside sources is for informational purposes only. Inclusion of such items does not constitute District endorsement.


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