Dear Fellow Workers:
All Saints’ Day greetings to you!  As we treasure the Gospel emphasized by Dr. Luther, we rejoice over the fact that faith in Christ alone has transported many souls into eternal paradise.  While looking forward to one day joining the saints above, we now eagerly proclaim God’s declaration of holiness for sinners through the holy life and atoning death of His Son.  

Once again, I am providing an update on various activities throughout our synod.

Seminary Call
On October 25, 2005, the Board of Regents extended a call to Prof Michael Smith to serve as full-time professor of New Testament at our Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary.  Prof. Smith currently teaches Greek and Religion at our Bethany Lutheran College.  He also has been serving as an adjunct professor in the seminary.  Please pray for Prof. Smith as he deliberates this call.

Installation
The Reverend David Jay Webber was installed at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Scottsdale, AZ, on October 16. For the past 8 years, he has served as rector of St. Sophia Ukrainian Lutheran Theological Seminary in Ternopil, Ukraine.

Correction
The newsletter incorrectly reported that a church building was being rented by the King of Grace congregation in Waukon, Iowa. The church building which King of Grace Lutheran Church dedicated on October 2 was purchased by the congregation.

Resignation
Rev. Robert Lawson Sr. has resigned from the clergy roster of the ELS.  Rev. Lawson is presently enrolled in the colloquy program for the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.

The Sunday School children at Our Savior’s Lutheran in Elderon, WI, sang for Mission Festival on October 9, 2005.  Pastor Tosten Skaaland serves at Elderon.

Wilson Colloquy
On Friday, October 14, 2005 Pastor James D. Wilson successfully completed a colloquy with our synod's Colloquy Committee. Pastor Wilson serves Resurrection Lutheran Church of Coos Bay, Oregon, an independent congregation of about 35 souls.

On October 23, 2005, Bethany Lutheran of Port Orchard, WA, celebrated its 60th Anniversary.  Former pastors, the Rev. Van McCollough (second from left) and the Rev. Carl Wosje (third from left) participated in the day’s celebration.  Rev. Tony Pittenger (right) currently serves the parish.

ELS Bright Spots
Our home mission in North Mankato, MN, had 210 in attendance this past Sunday.  Peace continues to take in new members and is using its preschool as an outreach tool.  At present there are 30 children enrolled in the school.  

Recently an ELS member donated $10,000 as seed money to help move forward the important education initiative for our synod known as Lutheran Schools of America.  

This past month members of the Board for Foreign Missions traveled to our mission fields in Peru and Chile.  The Chile field experienced the highest turnout it has ever had at a General Reunion.  Over 90 attended the meeting in La Cisterna.  

Ministry Matters
On October 11, 2005, the presidium (president and vice-president) sent a response to Circuit 8 as requested by this year’s Synod Convention. You can find the response on our website: www.evangelicallutheransynod.org. We pray that all pastors and congregations may be moved to see and acknowledge that the statement adopted in 2005 entitled, “The Public Ministry of the Word,” is a scriptural confession of the blessed doctrine of the Public Ministry instituted by our Lord.

Board for Stewardship Announcement
Our congregations are encouraged to submit their annual Synod Offering Projections (SOP) for the coming year.  As you plan a budget for the new year, please consider remitting an estimated projection slip for the congregation’s synodical contribution to the chairman of the Board for Stewardship (dprussow(at)yahoo.com).  

2006 LYA Convention
Please check our website for the announcement concerning the location of the 2006 Lutheran Youth Association convention.

Prayer Requests
Pastor Henry Gieschen of Cape Girardeau, MO, is in need of our prayers as he continues to adjust to his recent liver transplant. His recovery is progressing well, however he is currently experiencing a low-grade fever.

Todd Johnson, the brother of Prof. Chris Johnson at our Bethany College, was killed recently in a building accident.  He leaves behind a wife and two young children.  Let us keep the Johnson family in our prayers.

Address Changes
Rev. Daniel Faugstad: danieln(at)redred.com
Rev. Nathan Krause: nckrause1(at)verizon.net

The Board of Regents for Bethany Lutheran College and Seminary

President’s Activities
November 1—Board for Home Missions
November 7—ELS/WELS teleconference
November 8—Board of Trustees
November 11—Synod Review Committee
November 13—Lakeland, Florida (Twentieth Anniversary)
December 5-6—Doctrine Committee

In Christ’s saving grace,

John A. Moldstad