General Pastoral Conference Meets in Minneapolis

About 100 ELS pastors and professors met in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the 2007 General Pastoral Conference. Papers were presented on the word “Ministry” as used in the New Testament, “Practical Interpretation,” “Paul Gerhardt” and “Refocusing a Congregation on Its Mission.” Four shorter presentations were given in break-out sessions. The Rev. James Braun served as chaplain. The Rev. Glenn Obenberger preached at the communion service held at Heritage Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Rev. Michael Smith was re-elected to a 3-year term as conference secretary, and the Rev. Kenneth Mellon was re-elected to the Conference and Program Committee. The 2008 conference will be held on October 7-9 in Minneapolis.

St. John’s, Frankenmuth, Opens a Preschool

On Sunday, September 2, Mrs. Misty Parker was installed during the morning worship service as the first preschool director and teacher at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Frankenmuth, Michigan. The St. John’s Preschool began classes on September 4 with six students. The preschool has classes for 3-year-olds two days a week and for 4-year-olds three days a week.

Kissimmee Dedication

On September 23, 2007, Peace Lutheran Church and School of Kissimmee, Florida, was blessed by the Lord to celebrate two milestones at a special 4 p.m. worship service: its 15th anniversary as a congregation and the dedication of a new classroom expansion.

The Rev. John Moldstad, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, preached for the service using 2 Timothy 2:1 as his text under the theme, "Be Strong in the Grace Here at Peace." The Reverends Mark Wold and Gregory Sahlstrom served as lectors, and the Rev. Herbert Huhnerkoch served as liturgist. The children of Peace Lutheran School and Sunday School and the adult choir of the congregation provided special music during the service.

Following the service, the new and remodeled classroom space served as the dining area for a dinner served by the Circle of Peace women's group and the anniversary committee.

Call for Nominations

The following positions will be elected at the 2008 convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Nominations or communication regarding these positions must be received by January 1, 2008. Send correspondence to Leroy W. Meyer, 1038 S. Lewis Ave., Lombard, IL 60148.

• Board of Trustees: 2 positions (clergy or lay)
• Board of Regents: 3 positions (lay)
• Doctrine Committee: 2 positions (clergy or lay)
• Board for Home Missions: 3 positions (clergy or lay)
• Board for Foreign Missions: 3 positions (clergy or lay)
• Board for Evangelism: 2 positions (clergy)
• Board for Lutheran Schools of America: 3 positions (clergy or lay)
• Board for Parish Education and Youth: 3 positions (clergy or lay)
• Board for Publications: 2 positions (clergy)
• Board for Christian Service: 2 positions (clergy or lay)
• Committee on Worship: 2 positions (clergy or lay)
• Board for Stewardship: 2 positions (clergy or lay)
• Equalization Committee: 1 position (clergy)
• Planning and Coordinating Committee: 1 position (lay)
• Synod Review Committee: 1 position (clergy)