Recharging with Grace
Grace Place Lutheran Retreats offer church workers and their spouses an opportunity to recharge spiritually, physically, and emotionally.
Helping Blind People See Jesus
Over the past 85 years, The LCMS’ ministry to blind and visually impaired people has evolved from simply producing materials to training blind missionaries.
A New Era
Our Synod is engaging 21st-century mission with an international force.
The ‘Genius’ of Luther’s Thinking
The ancient Romans called the spirit that guides something and gives it its character a “genius.” [Luther’s] view of God and human beings served as the “genius” for his thinking.
World Mission Includes the U.S.
Distinctions between U.S. and international missions are diminishing, says Dr. Robert Scudieri, LCMS World Mission associate executive director of National Mission. “In the 21st-century, we should be thinking about this as a circle, with immigrants to the United States reaching back to their homelands and then receiving gifts of talents and treasures for their work here.”
Click here to read the story and further explore this concept.
Seven brides!
Audrey Kletscher Helbling’s “Something Old, Something New” (June/July 2008) brought back memories of our wedding dress. However, our dress never had “something new.” Our dress remained the same for all of our weddings. When Mom and Dad Brandt bought the dress, they never dreamed that it would be worn seven times! … by Evelyn (Brandt) …
Defining parameters
I greatly appreciate Rev. Kevin Palmer’s letter (August 2008) in which he acknowledges “the first time [he could] remember seeing a pastor prominently displayed [on the magazine cover] wearing the full Eucharistic vestments.” Rev. Palmer went on to applaud the accompanying comment of the featured pastor, Rev. Dien Ashley Taylor, “on the need for a …
Confronting mental illness
I was pleased to see the Family Counselor column, “Confronting Suicide,” in the August 2008 Lutheran Witness. Thank you for covering so sensitive an issue. As one who suffers from severe major clinical depression with suicide ideation, I applaud the answer that Theresa Shaltanis gives. Families suffer along with their loved ones who have a …
Simple gifts
“Shedding Some Light” in the August issue reminds us of the importance of a nativity set in our home at Christmas. Does your church give gifts to the poor at Christmas—toys, food, or clothing? Why not purchase an inexpensive nativity set at a craft store or dollar store and add it to the family’s gifts? …
A wrong note!
Your article in the August issue on inspiring children to make music in the church was well done for the most part. I saw the DVD that was produced by the Commission on Worship and have only positive things to say about it. However, I take issue with you bringing into the article the “decline” …
Preventing child abuse
“What about the Children” in the August issue reminded me that a few years ago one of our congregation members, Baker Kittelson, in cooperation with Director of Christian Education Bob Brantsch, was instrumental in forming a Prevention of Abuse of Children (PAC) Committee, which resulted in a policy manual for our congregation. I would invite …
God’s design for marriage
Christopher Mitchell’s article, “God’s Design for Marriage” (August), was very good and a much-needed perspective of God’s will for our married lives. However, Dr. Mitchell misquoted when he wrote that “one holy catholic and apostolic church” comes from the Apostles’ Creed. It is, as Dr. Mitchell would agree, from the Nicene Creed. Thank you, Dr. …