[cid:image001.jpg@01CA1B61.6E81F9F0] August 12, 2009 In this issue: Greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father. As many families are preparing for the start of another school year by purchasing school supplies, buying new school clothes, and beginning new school-year routines, children in Sudan will be learning in a very different way. Imagine walking to school every day, sitting down on a tin coffee can under a large shade tree where a small chalkboard is propped up, and being one of 500 students being taught by one of eight teachers at the school. While this may sound very different from any school we might imagine, it is the reality for more than 1,300 students who learn in the Lutheran schools in the Upper Nile Region of Sudan. These schools, part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudan, provide children with a good education, as well as teach them about their Lord Jesus Christ who loves them and cares for them. The Nebraska District is pleased to be ministry partners on this mission field through LCMS World Mission. More information on the Lutheran church in Sudan is available on the District website ([1]www.ndlcms.org), as well as the LCMS World Mission website ([2]http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=6745). Nebraska District congregations and schools are invited to be mission partners by adopting one of these schools and providing a roof for shelter or government-mandated uniforms for the students. More information and adoption agreements are available on the District website at [3]http://www.ndlcms.org/ministries/district/agreements.html and through Gary Thies. § [4]Prayer Requests § [5]Rev. Don Becker Honored as Outstanding Mentor § [6]Teachers' Conference Location Change § [7]Faith, Humboldt, Featured in Fan into Flame Newsletter § [8]Upcoming Orphan Grain Train Convention Registration § [9]Seminary Receives Accreditation for Online MA in Deaconess Studies § [10]Updated Mission Central Speaking Schedule § [11]Jesus Our Savior Lutheran School Dedication Service § [12]Theological Symposium: "Science and Theology: New Questions, New Conversations" § [13]Nebraska Lutheran Women's Missionary Leagues Accepting Grant Applications § [14]CPH Offers Women's Devotional Materials on Sale in August § [15]New Spanish Materials Offered by CPH PRAYER REQUESTS The family of Dr. Herman Glaess - Please lift up in prayer the family of Dr. Herman Glaess, who was called to heaven Saturday, August 8. He served the Church for many years as an educator, both as a teacher in the classroom and instructor at the college level. As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Glaess served as an organizational consultant, trainer, and motivational speaker to businesses, trade associations, utilities, and educational institutions across the United States. He also served as president of the Lutheran Education Association. A memorial service was held for Dr. Glaess Tuesday, August 11, at St. John, Seward. We ask the Lord to grant his family peace and comfort at this time of loss. [16]Back to top REV. DON BECKER HONORED AS OUTSTANDING MENTOR Rev. Don Becker of Minden was honored by the TeamMates Mentoring Program, founded by Tom and Nancy Osborne, at the TeamMates Annual Partnership Meeting in July. As part of the meeting, outstanding TeamMates matches were honored. Rev. Don Becker (mentor) and Richard Parton (mentee) of Minden were recognized for excellence in mentoring. Pastor Becker serves at St. Paul, Minden. The mission of the TeamMates Mentoring Program is to positively impact the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential. The TeamMates Mentoring Program was founded in 1991 by the Osbornes to provide support and encouragement to school-aged youth. [17]Back to top TEACHERS' CONFERENCE LOCATION CHANGE Teachers and administrators, please note the change in location for the fall Teachers' Conference. This year's conference will be held at Trinity Lutheran School in Grand Island, with the high school track to be hosted by Heartland Lutheran High. The committee is at work on registration materials, and packets will be sent to schools later this month. Please note, the conference will be in Grand Island on October 22-23, and not in Norfolk as originally planned. Contact Carol Oetting in the education department at [18]carolo@ndlcms.org or 888-643-2961 with questions. [19]Back to top FAITH, HUMBOLDT, FEATURED IN FAN INTO FLAME NEWSLETTER Last spring, the members of Faith, Humboldt, heard about the opportunities for supporting mission work both locally and internationally through the Fan into Flame effort. The congregation committed $5,000 to the campaign during a vacancy period. After their new pastor arrived, they shared their vision of participating in Fan into Flame and the pastor "got on board." Today, the congregation's commitments exceed $13,000, and they continue to explore the possibilities for outreach work in their community, through their congregation, and in their own lives. The story of Faith, Humboldt, and the work the Lord is doing through these people is shared in the July/August 2009 issue of Update News, the Fan into Flame newsletter. You can read an electronic copy at [20]http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=11976. If you would like paper copies to distribute in your congregation, contact Nichole Hetz at the District Office, [21]nicholeh@ndlcms.org or 888-643-2961, to request the appropriate number. [22]Back to top UPCOMING ORPHAN GRAIN TRAIN CONVENTION REGISTRATION The Orphan Grain Train Convention will be held September 18-19 at Lutheran High Northeast in Norfolk. Full registration information, as well as details on the convention, are available at [23]http://www.ogt.org/index.php/events/convention. The registration fee is $45 per person before September 1, and $50 per person after that date. While you are at the Orphan Grain Train website, take time to read the series of six articles written and published in the Norfolk Daily News about the ministry of Orphan Grain Train. Follow [24]http://www.ogt.org/index.php/ourstory/news_full/orphan_grain_train_ featured_in_norfolk_daily_news_series/ to read the articles. [25]Back to top SEMINARY RECEIVES ACCREDITATION FOR ONLINE MA IN DEACONESS STUDIES The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) has granted preliminary approval to Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, for a Master of Arts (MA) in the Deaconess Studies program, which will be delivered through a combination of electronic distance learning and on-campus intensives. "Many women serve in roles involving diakonal work and aspects of spiritual care without having had formal theological training at the graduate level. Concordia Theological Seminary (CTS) is delighted to be able to honor their diakonal work by providing an opportunity for these women to study theology at an advanced level and gain an MA so that they can be certified as deaconesses," said Dr. Arthur Just, Director of Deaconess Studies at the seminary. The full-time degree can be completed in two and a half years, but students may opt to take courses on a part-time basis. The curriculum will be structured to take into account the experience and workload of the students. The degree will include a rigorous program of theological study, together with training in practical, diakonal skills. Full-time students will take two online courses in each of the Fall and Spring quarters and two two-week intensives in each of the Winter and Summer quarters. All students will also participate in fieldwork. Women admitted to this program must have the following: * Completed a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent. * Been a member of a congregation in The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, ordinarily for a minimum of two years prior to admission. * Served at least five years in a congregation or institution where their work has included an element of spiritual care (e.g., parish nurse, care ministry in a congregation, etc.) and will continue to serve in this way throughout the course of their study. While CTS has been carrying out distance learning pastoral training programs since the mid-1990s, this is the first time that an online program for women, leading to an MA and certification as a deaconess, will be offered. It is anticipated that the first students will be enrolled for the Fall 2009 quarter. "The approved online MA in Deaconess Studies demonstrates the commitment of the seminary to providing creative ways to teach deaconess students the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need for diakonal work in their specific context." said Dr. Lawrence Rast, Academic Dean at CTS. You are invited to find out more about the MA in Deaconess Studies by e-mailing CTS at [26]deaconess@ctsfw.edu, or calling Dr. Arthur Just, Director of Deaconess Studies (260-452-2138) or Dr. Cyndy Lumley, Associate Director of Deaconess Studies (260-452-2225). [27]Back to top UPDATED MISSION CENTRAL SPEAKING SCHEDULE The following special events are planned at Mission Central near Mapleton, Iowa. Gary Thies invites everyone to come and hear these wonderful folks talk about their work around the world. All speaking events are in the barn at Mission Central, and the newest additions to the speaking list are in red. For more information on Mission Central or on these special events, visit the Mission Central website at [28]www.missioncentral.us. August 15 - Amy Kashenov - Kazakhstan at 2:00 p.m. only August 22 - Vicar Heath and Aunnee Trampe - Riga, Latvia at 1:00 p.m. only August 29 - Ashley Effken - Czech Republic at 1:00 p.m. September 2 - Anna Horkey - China at 7:00 p.m. September 16 - Rev. Matt Heise - Georgia, Russia, and Mongolia at 1:00 and 7:00 p.m. Mission Central now has a Facebook page! Those interested in viewing this page may follow the link from the Mission Central homepage, [29]www.missioncentral.us. [30]Back to top JESUS OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN SCHOOL DEDICATION SERVICE Everyone is invited to join Jesus Our Savior Lutheran Outreach in Winnebago for the dedication service of their new education building and celebration of the start of a new school year on Sunday, August 23, at 4:00 p.m. Jesus Our Savior Lutheran Elementary School will begin its first school year this fall, while Jesus Our Savior Lutheran Preschool will begin its 12^th year of early childhood ministry. We thank the Lord for the blessings He has showered on this ministry in the past, and we ask that He will continue to bless the teachers and students as they begin a new school year. [31]Back to top THEOLOGICAL SYMPOSIUM: "SCIENCE AND THEOLOGY: NEW QUESTIONS, NEW CONVERSATIONS" Pastors and theologians tend not to have much formal training in science. Scientists tend not to receive much formal education in theology. Yet the two disciplines are often asked cross-disciplinary questions like: How do our understandings of the creation of the universe jive between science and Christian theology? How do scientific theories such as quantum mechanics point toward or away from God's creative hand? How should Christians take care of the world's environment? Are our brains programmed to seek and worship God? How should Christians view new technologies like in vitro fertilization or stem cell research? In an effort to help pastors and laypeople think through such questions, Concordia Seminary is pleased to announce its 20^th Annual Theological Symposium to be held Sept. 22-23 under the title "Science and Theology: New Questions, New Conversations." While the Symposium will keep its relevance as a time for theological discussion among pastors, this year's Symposium will also feature opportunities for high school and college science instructors, as well as other laypeople, to talk about the interplay between science and theology. The primary plenary speakers will all be scientists from diverse backgrounds. Dr. Daniel Botkin, professor emeritus at the University of California, Santa Barbara, has been called "one of the preeminent ecologists of the 20th century," noted for the advancement of computer simulations and satellite remote sensing in the study of forests. He has written numerous articles, software programs, and books, including No Man's Garden: Thoreau and a New Vision for Civilization and Nature. Dr. Mario Beauregard is a professor of neurobiology at the University of Montreal, most noted for his research and book The Spiritual Brain: A Neuroscientist's Case for the Existence of the Soul. Dr. Benjamin Schumacher is a physics professor at Kenyon College in Ohio and author of a textbook on relativity titled Physics in Spacetime. Schumacher is credited with inventing the term "qubit," the unit of measurement in quantum information theory. Each scientist's plenary will be followed by a response from one of Concordia Seminary's faculty exploring the theological implications of the presentation. Other sectional speakers include Dr. Del Ratzsch, professor of philosophy and science at Calvin College and author of the book The Battle of Beginnings: Why Neither Side Is Winning the Creation-Evolution Debate; Dr. Angus Menuge, professor of philosophy and science at Concordia University Wisconsin; and Dr. Robert Weise, Concordia Seminary professor and The Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis Chair in Pastoral Ministry and the Life Sciences. Other sectionals on a wide variety of science-theology topics are also being planned. Those interested in these issues are also encouraged to take part in the Seminary's Alumni Read, which this year is renowned scientist and theologian John Polkinghorne's book, Science and Theology: An Introduction. Following the Symposium, Dr. Victor Raj, mission professor of exegetical theology and assistant director of the Institute for Mission Studies, will present the 2009 Witness Workshop. The Sept. 24-25 workshop will explore "Hybrid Spirituality." This workshop in four sessions will address the challenge Christians face in their everyday lives and witness as they live and work among people who are looking for the best from everywhere to quench their spiritual thirst. Major issues will be identified and Christian responses will be presented within the Scriptural framework. Parish pastors, district and synodical officials, Seminary and Concordia University students and faculty and interested laypersons are encouraged to attend. One CEU is available for attending the Symposium. Registration fees are as follows: $130 by September 8 (includes Tuesday evening buffet); $140 after September 8. Day registration: $70 by September 8; $80 after September 8. Session Registration: $35 by September 8; $40 after September 8. Witness Workshop: $35. For more information and/or registration information, contact the Office of Continuing Education and Parish Services at 314-505-7486 or [32]ce@csl.edu, or visit the Seminary's website at [33]www.csl.edu. [34]Back to top LUTHERAN WOMEN'S MISSIONARY LEAGUES ACCEPTING GRANT APPLICATIONS Applications for mission grants for the 2010 conventions of the Nebraska District LWML South and North are now available from local LWML society presidents. The vice president of Gospel Outreach for each district may also be contacted. For LWML South, contact Deanna Dowding at 154 East Moffit, Seward, NE, 68434; 402-643-3148; or [35]deanna.dowding@yahoo.com. Applications may also be found on the LWML South website at [36]www.lwmlnesouth.org. The deadline is December 15, 2009. For LWML North, contact Monica Ebmeier at 87161 574 Ave., Laurel, NE, 68745; 402-256-3553, or [37]monica_ebmeier@yahoo.com. The deadline is January 1, 2010. An individual member, society, zone, district board, or synodical board may submit grant proposals, and grants should: § Emphasize extending the ministry of the Word. § Fit into the plans and projections of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. § Be current and ready for implementation. [38]Back to top CPH OFFERS WOMEN'S DEVOTIONAL MATERIALS ON SALE IN AUGUST Concordia Publishing House (CPH) announces special pricing throughout August for ten of its top-tier women's resources, found at [39]http://www.cph.org/women. The offer is a response to the challenge extended by the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML), the women's auxiliary organization of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, at the 33^rd Biennial LWML Convention held last month in Portland, Oregon. At the event, LWML President Janice Wendorf challenged all attendees to make a commitment to be "in the Word, honoring a daily appointment with the Father and His Word; of the Word, made over by the Holy Spirit, forgiven and restored; walking with the Lord, totally confident of Christ's presence in serving and living." CPH participated with a full presence at the event that included a store featuring women's resources centered around its "A Good Place" campaign. Dr. Bruce G. Kintz, CPH's President and Chief Executive Officer greeted the convention and pledged support, "We stand ready to partner with LWML in new ways as you reach out in your congregations and communities and around the world to boldly proclaim the Good News. There is so much more we can do for the sake of our Savior, and we can accomplish much when we walk together." Customers can shop ten "best" CPH women's ministry products at [40]http://www.cph.org/women through August 31, and save 20%, with no minimum purchase. Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of a great offer to purchase outstanding resources for their women's Bible study group or for individual use. Concordia Publishing House has been steadily growing its line of Bible study and devotional resources for men and women. Products are available for large and small group format, and for individual use. Many products offer a DVD component and discussion guides. [41]Back to top NEW SPANISH MATERIALS OFFERED BY CPH Spanish Music Downloads Concordia Publishing House ([42]http://www.cph.org) (CPH) now has Spanish music available for purchase at iTunes, Amazon, and other select digital music stores. Concordia Publishing House offers a wide variety of children's songs, instrumental and choral arrangements, and hymns. "Editorial Concordia is honored to be able to present all of our Spanish albums on iTunes," said Marcia Wilhelm, Marketing Manager of Multilingual Resources. "The music that is on iTunes has been available in the past only with other resources and never sold separately." "Editorial Concordia, [43]http://editorial.concordia.org, is the Hispanic division of Concordia Publishing House and it focuses on three areas of service: Christian education, theological education, and mission. They offer over 300 resources, from Vacation Bible School programs to exegetic commentaries, in Spanish. "Spanish iTunes came about as an opportunity for the multilingual department to provide our customers with the ability to download Spanish music from anywhere in the world," said Wilhelm. "These songs are great for all ages and cultures and we are excited that our Hispanic customers can now access them online." Visit your favorite online music store and search for Concordia Publishing House to see the list of available downloads. First-Ever Biography of Spanish Reformer Editorial Concordia, the Spanish division of Concordia Publishing House (CPH), announces the release of the biography Casiodoro de Reina, Patriarca del Protestantismo Hispano. Casiodoro de Reina, Patriarca del Protestantismo Hispano (Casiodoro de Reina, Patriarch of Hispanic Protestantism), by Raymond S. Rosales, is the first known effort to gather the writings of monk and Spanish reformer, Casiodoro de Reina. The book follows the events of his life and focuses on his passion to share God's Word with Spanish-speaking people. "Casiodoro de Reina, Patriarch of Hispanic Protestantism is an excellent biography of a central figure who played a vital role in translating the Reina-Valera Bible," says Marcia Wilhelm, marketing manager of CPH multilingual resources. "The Reina-Valera is a Spanish translation of the Bible, first published in 1569." Find more information about this book at [44]Casiodoro de Reina, Patriarca del Protestantismo Hispano, or order it online at [45]www.cph.org or by calling 1-800-325-3040. [46]Back to top Summer (and back-to-school) blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 1-888-643-2961 [47]nicholeh@ndlcms.org [48]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. References 1. http://www.ndlcms.org/ 2. http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=6745 3. http://www.ndlcms.org/ministries/district/agreements.html 4. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#prayer 5. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#becker 6. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#teachers 7. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#humboldt 8. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#ogt 9. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#deaconess 10. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#speaking 11. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#school 12. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#symposium 13. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#lwml 14. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#women 15. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#spanish 16. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 17. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 18. mailto:carolo@ndlcms.org 19. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 20. http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=11976 21. mailto:nicholeh@ndlcms.org 22. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 23. http://www.ogt.org/index.php/events/convention 24. http://www.ogt.org/index.php/ourstory/news_full/orphan_grain_train_featured_in_norfolk_daily_news_series/ 25. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 26. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/deaconess@ctsfw.edu 27. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 28. http://www.missioncentral.us/ 29. http://www.missioncentral.us/ 30. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 31. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 32. mailto:ce@csl.edu 33. http://www.csl.edu/ 34. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 35. mailto:deanna.dowding@yahoo.com 36. http://www.lwmlnesouth.org/ 37. mailto:monica_ebmeier@yahoo.com 38. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 39. http://www.cph.org/women 40. http://www.cph.org/women 41. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 42. http://www.cph.org/ 43. http://editorial.concordia.org/ 44. http://www.cph.org/cphstore/product.asp?category=&part%5Fno=166324&find%5Fcategory=&find%5Fdescription=&find%5Fpart%5Fdesc=casiodoro+de+reina 45. http://www.cph.org/ 46. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090812/7169e01e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 47. mailto:nicholeh@ndlcms.org 48. http://www.ndlcms.org/