Dear Fellow Workers:
Before heading to Ukraine for a two-week teaching session at the seminary in Ternopil, I would like to share some news about activities in our synod.

Peru Earthquake Assistance
“With the recent devastation in Peru the Board for Christian Service is sending financial aid to support the needs of those dealing with this terrible earthquake. We feel it would be proper to inform our members that they too can help and participate in the relief effort for our fellow Christians in Peru. The earthquake was of extreme magnitude. From the reports we have been able to receive from the area, our brothers and sisters in Christ are safe. However, homes were lost. The adobe houses in that part of the country do not do well under these circumstances. Our synod's Board for Christian Service is sending some financial help. We are extending to you the opportunity to help your brothers in Christ in this time of need. You may send your gift to the Board for Christian Service at 6 Browns Court, Mankato, MN 56001. Identify it as ‘Peruvian Earthquake.’” - Rev. Richard Fyffe, Board for Christian Service, chm.

New MAP Directors
In the month of August, the Board of Trustees appointed the following people to serve on the Board of Directors for Mission Advancement Project (MAP): Mr. David Ewert, 1-year unexpired term; Rev. Michael Smith, 3-year term; Mr. Marlin Goebel, 3-year term; Rev. William Kessel, 2-year term. Mr. Dan Browning was appointed in 2006 and has two years remaining on his term. Mr. Kermit Traska (TOF) and Rev. Steven Petersen, our ELS Mission Counselor, serve as advisory members to the MAP Board.

MAP was organized in 1999 as a subsidiary of the ELS Board of Trustees. It regularly reports to the Trustees and was incorporated to seek “support for the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and for organizations which promote the core charitable and religious objectives of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, provided that such organizations are within the purview of IRS code 501(c)(3).” Three entities receiving regular major funding through MAP are Thoughts of Faith, Helping Hands and LMSI (India mission).

 

Reformation Lectures
The annual BLC Reformation Lectures will be held October 25–26, 2007. This year our theme will be: The Life and Work of Paul Gerhardt. The two lectures will be: “Paul Gerhardt: Pastor and Theologian,” by Professor Gaylin Schmeling, Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary, Mankato, MN and “Paul Gerhardt: Hymn Writer,” by Dr. Carlos Messerli, director of the Luther Summer Music Institute.

Installation at Cottage Grove, WI
On August 12, 2007, the congregation of Western Koshkonong Lutheran, Cottage Grove, WI, installed its new pastor, the Rev. Thomas Heyn (WELS). Pastor Heyn is familiar to many in our synod, having attended our Bethany College in the pre-seminary “Mequon Program.” He also has assisted in vacancies over the years in the Madison, WI area. The Rev. Brad Homan served as liturgist for the afternoon service, the Rev. Mark Bartels was the preacher, and the Rev. Jonathan Madson conducted the rite of installation.
 
Pastor Thomas Heyn, his wife LaRue and family are pictured at right.

Prayer Requests
Recently we received news that Declan Johnson, the infant grandson of Pastor Bill and Patty Mack, passed away at his home in California. Our prayers go with the family as they mourn his loss, but as they also trust in the Lord's providential care and rejoice in the baptismal grace that has connected him to the blessings of our resurrected Savior Jesus Christ. A memorial service was held on Saturday, August 25 at Faith Lutheran Church in Oregon, Wisconsin.

Please pray for our Peruvian brothers and sisters in the faith as they recover from the powerful earthquake. Thank God also for sparing the lives of those connected with our mission.

Our condolences and prayers go with the family of Herman Anderson, who recently passed away in Mankato, Minnesota. Herman was the father of Paul and Judy Helland, formerly of our Bethany College. Herman was a dear friend and supporter of our synod.

Retirement Announcements
After serving St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Detroit, Michigan, for the past 20 years, Pastor Larry Vinton has announced that he will be retiring and that the final service for the congregation will be held on September 30. We want to thank Pastor Vinton for his many years of service and we wish Larry and Betty God’s richest blessings as they move to their new home in the Marietta, Georgia area. We also want to express our thanks to the St. Matthew congregation for its many years of faithful support for our ELS, especially various mission projects.

Pastor Thomas Zeller has announced his retirement. He and his wife Jean will be moving to the Sioux Falls, SD, area. Tom has been serving Our Savior’s in Roseau, MN. The congregation at Roseau will temporarily receive pastoral services from Rev. Nile Merseth in East Grand Forks, MN.

Women’s Mission Society Rallies
N. Minnesota – September 29 – Calvary Lutheran, Ulen, MN
Pacific Northwest – September 29 – Redeemer Lutheran, Yelm, WA
Iowa – October 13 – Richland Lutheran, Thornton, IA
Michigan – October 13 – Gloria Dei Lutheran, Saginaw, MI
Wisconsin – October 20 - First Trinity Lutheran, Marinette, WI
Minnesota – October 27 – Our Savior’s Lutheran, Princeton, MN
Florida – November 3 – Peace Lutheran, Lakeland, FL
California-Arizona – March 1 – Redeember Lutheran, Scottsdale, AZ

President’s Activities
September 3-14 – teaching at St. Sophia Seminary in Ternopil, Ukraine
September 18 – Synod Review Committee
September 19 – Regents/Trustees Subcommittee
September 20-21 – Circuit Visitors’ Conference in Burnsville, MN
September 23 – preach for school dedication at Peace, Kissimmee, FL
September 24 – BLC Women’s Auxiliary Day
September 25 – MAP Board for Directors meets via teleconference
September 28 – WELS CICR and ELS DC meeting in Milwaukee, WI
October 1– Board for Evangelism meets at King of Grace, Golden Valley, MN
October 2-4 – ELS General Pastoral Conference at Days Inn, Bloomington, MN
October 10 – preach in chapel at Bethany Lutheran College
October 11-12 – Board for LSA meets in Mankato, MN
October 18 – Synod Review Committee meets in the synod conference room
October 21 – preach at Faith Lutheran in Oregon, WI
October 25-26 – BLC/BLTS sponsors the Reformation Lectures
October 28 – preach at ELS/WELS Reformation service at 4 p.m., Ames, IA

May God’s peace through the work of his Son be with you,

John A. Moldstad