Evangelical Lutheran Synod

September 2015 President’s Newsletter

Dear Fellow Workers in Christ’s Kingdom:
How is your energy level? We hope each of you has had time in the summer to relax and to recharge your batteries as we enter into another busy season when church and school activities mark the calendars. Checking our schedules, may we be reminded what it’s all about: serving our gracious Lord and ministering to the precious souls he has placed around us. Since in Christ we have victory – as the Apostle Paul calls it in his first letter to the believers at Corinth – there is reason to move forward with banner raised! No matter the assignments, challenges and joys set before us, we go ahead with this prevailing encouragement: “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58).
 

Blessings in our dear Redeemer,

John A. Moldstad

 

 

Progress in Discussions with the CLC
On August 21 representatives of the Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLC), the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS), and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) met in Mankato, Minnesota for their third round of doctrinal discussions. It is a joy to report that the nine participants agreed to a revision of the 1990 document entitled “Joint Statement Regarding the Termination of Fellowship.” This document will now be sent to the CLC Board of Doctrine, the ELS Doctrine Committee, and the WELS Commission on Inter-Church Relations for their consideration.
 
Agreement on this document does not imply full agreement on all the controverted matters. There still are a number of significant issues to discuss, and another meeting has been scheduled for November 13. But this agreement is a good first step in overcoming the differences between our synods.
 
Presumably the “Joint Statement” will be made public in the future, but at this point the appropriate committees from each synod are reviewing the document without public distribution. Prayers are welcomed that God will continue to guide this process for good.
Bethany Lutheran College Opening
New faculty and staff members were installed at the opening worship service at our Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minnesota. Pictured here are (from left): Michael Dunn (Head Coach, Cross Country and Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field); Sara Traylor, M.A., R.N.; Nicholas Cook (ESL and International Recruiter); Carrie Pfieifer, Ed.D. (Education); Nicholas Hauman, Ph.D. (Sociology); and Gene Pfeifer, Ph.D. (President).

(photo courtesy, D. Norris)

 
Blessings to Jayden
Bethany recently hosted 23 visiting students from United International College (UIC) in Zhuhai, China. The visitors were here for Bethany’s Summer Study Program, a one-month, six-credit program where students take a sociology course in addition to either a video production or psychology course. On the last full day they were on campus, one of the students, Jayden Carter, was baptized in Trinity Chapel by Bethany Chaplain Don Moldstad. Glory be to God!
 
Students Enrolled in our Chilean Mission
English as Foreign Language classes resume shortly in Linares, Chile. Our teacher, Chelsea Dietsche, reports that 40 students have registered, and more are expected. She teaches English at United in the Faith Lutheran Church, and her program draws prospects toward the congregation.
 
Building Projects in the Works for Home Missions
Pastor Brad Kerkow serves Hope Lutheran Church – Cedar Park/Leander, Texas. He reports that enthusiasm of the congregation is high as final plans are being drawn for a new sanctuary, adjacent to the existing parsonage. Vicar Dan Ruiz leads a Bible study for the women at Hope on Tuesday mornings. Three youth from the congregation attended the LYA convention at Bethany Lutheran College this summer. Check out the web site for Hope at http://www.hopeaustin.com. Hope’s Facebook page is at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Hope-Lutheran-Church-Cedar-Park-TX/111470368965139.

Hope Lutheran in Farmington, Minnesota, is served by Pastor Dan Oberer. Building plans for this Hope congregation also are moving forward. The second design has been reviewed by the board and a modified design is in the works. Three new members were added to the congregation in July; another two families are in adult instruction. You can check out what else is going on at Hope at http://www.hope-farmington.com, which includes videos of Sunday sermons. Hope’s Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/hope.farmington.
 
Synodical Handbook
The updates from the 2015 Synod Convention have been incorporated in the synod’s Handbook. The new version is available online at https://www.els.org/download/administration/Handbook.html. There are also download links for the epub and pdf on that page.
 
Thanks to Paul

We are grateful to the Rev. Paul Madson (right) for having served 13 years as our synod’s archivist. The ELS Archives are located in the library area of our Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary at 6 Browns Court, Mankato, Minnesota. The Rev. Theodore Gullixson (left) has consented to serve as our new archivist.

 
Upcoming Events
Did you know that the synod calendar is online: https://www.els.org/about/calendar/? If you want to view synod events on your own electronic calendar, the ical subscription address is: https://www.google.com/calendar/ical/elsynod%40blc.edu/public/basic.ics.
 
September 9 – Synod Review Committee
September 13 – Installation of the Rev. Rodney Flohr at Gloria Dei Lutheran (Cold Spring, Minnesota)
September 13 – Installation of the Rev. Gene Lilienthal at Our Savior’s Lutheran (Bagley, Minnesota)
September 14 – Circuit 7 Fall Pastors’ Conference
September 17-18 – Circuit Visitors’ Conference
September 19 – Women’s Mission Society Rally in Bowling Green, Ohio
September 20 – 150th Anniversary of Lake Mills Lutheran (Lake Mills, Iowa) 
September 20 – Installation of the Rev. Peter Heyn at Peace Lutheran (Deshler, Ohio)
September 22 – Missions Advancement Project, Inc.
September 26 – Women’s Mission Society Rally in Brewster, Massachusetts
September 26 – Women’s Mission Society Rally in East Grand Forks, Minnesota
September 26 – Women’s Mission Society Rally in Lakewood, Washington
September 27 – 10th Anniversary of King of Grace Lutheran (Waukon, Iowa) 
September 28-29 – Board for Education
September 30-October 2 – General Pastoral Conference
October 3 – Women’s Mission Society Rally in Parkersburg, Iowa
October 4 – 100th Anniversary of Manchester Lutheran (Manchester, Minnesota)
October 4 – 125th Anniversary of Hartland Lutheran (Hartland, Minnesota)
October 10 – School Dedication at Christ Lutheran (Port St. Lucie, Florida)
October 13 – Synod Review Committee
October 17 – Women’s Mission Society Rally in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin
October 20 – Board for Christian Service
October 24 – Women’s Mission Society Rally in Golden Valley, Minnesota

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