Life Together Magazine Spring 2010

Farewell toPresident LarsonPAGE 2

RememberingBenPAGE 4

CommencementHighlightsPAGE 8

SUMMER 2010 WARTBURG THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

2 LifeTogether | Summer 2010 www.wartburgseminary.edu

President’s Perspective

President Larson—Duane—brother in Christ, you have served this seminary faithfully for 11 years as its 12th president. You have given us new words to voice the particular vocation of this place as a“communitarian” context for theological study, forming “valued leaders” for the church’s mission.You have made us better known as a strong residential seminary with global commitments and a globalreach. We know you as a leader with an expansive vision of our distinctive place in the service of God’scause. These past few years you have carried the burden of financial constraints and difficult decisionsin the effort to steward the legacy, gifts, and calling of this place into the future. You have taught in theclassroom and been a strong advocate for students. You have been a pastor to us through the tragicevents of 9/11 and most recently the Haiti earthquake, which brought death into our very midst. Youhave joined us in the prayer and praise of daily worship and taken your turn in preaching and presidingat the Lord’s table. You have enjoyed and contributed to the fellowship of this place, including anoccasional riff on your guitar. We are deeply grateful for all of your efforts on our behalf. God hasblessed you in this community, and God has blessed us through you.

We send you forth now with prayers for you in your new life with Joen, and in a time of rest and reflection, and in a calling that will take shape in God’s time and wisdom.

Some of us at Wartburg Seminary have been thinking about Die Sendlinge thesedays. That’s the German for “The Sent Ones.” By this phrase Wilhelm Loehe characterized the emissaries he sent to the United States, who eventually foundedWartburg 156 years ago. And those who graduated from Wartburg in its early years,

too, were called the same. “The Sent Ones.” Thephrase still works for us, as Dean Craig Nessanrecently wrote with regard to the Loehe tradition.

Wartburg Seminary’s is the tradition of “LifeTogether” and “The Sent Ones.” The most uniquefacet of our way of forming leaders for Christ’schurch is the intensity of our dedication to LifeTogether. The dedication is equaled in the intensityof our mission-mindedness: that every graduatewould be sent from this beloved gathering place tolead and shape similar communities of faith and lovethroughout the world.

We did just this at commencement ceremonies inMay, as 51 students received certificates and diplo-mas, their passports as “The Sent Ones” to faithcommunities near and far. What a celebration it was,

too, as we remembered Ben Larson’s dedication to ministry, commended three mili-tary chaplains for their lifelong dedication to a unique and needed ministry, andcharged the graduating class to go forward under their class verse of John 13:34,“Love one another, just as I have loved you.”

With thanksgiving to God forPresident Duane Larson’s service toWartburg Theological Seminary thefollowing is from the May 13, 2010

Chapel Sending Service:

www.wartburgseminary.edu LifeTogether | Summer 2010 3

TogetherSummer 2010, Vol. 15 No.1Wartburg Theological Seminary333 Wartburg PlacePO Box 5004Dubuque, IA 52004-5004Phone: 563-589-0200FAX: 563-589-0229www.wartburgseminary.edu

The Rev. Dr. Duane H. Larson, President

Janelle Koepke, EditorInterim Vice President, Mission Support

Amy Speed, DesignIndigo Design Company

Kalen M. Barkholtz, Contributing WriterMaster of Divinity Class of 2010

Life Together is a publication ofWartburg Theological Seminary for ouralumni and friends. Permission is grantedfor additional use in congregations.

Founded in 1854 and located in Dubuque,Iowa since 1889, Wartburg TheologicalSeminary is one of 8 seminaries of theEvangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Mission StatementWartburg Theological Seminary serves themission of the Evangelical Lutheran Churchin America by being a worship-centered community of critical theological reflectionwhere learning leads to mission and mission informs learning. Within this community, Wartburg educates women andmen to serve the church's mission asordained and lay leaders. This mission isto proclaim and interpret the gospel ofJesus Christ to a world created for communion with God and in need of personal and social healing.

inside this issue

on the coverThe copper doors of Grossmann Tower and Fritschel Hall were sculpted byEva Leo. Eva was the wife of Wartburg professor Paul Leo who came toAmerica as a refugee from the Nazi purges in the 1930’s. Eva regularlyinstructed a number of students in German and provided a superb exampleof working for peace and justice in the public arena. Eva Leo died in 1998,leaving her passion for the work of God’s mission imprinted on the doors ofWartburg Seminary. The copper doors sculpted by Eva Leo based onMathew 25 remind us of the heart of ministry and theological education.

2 President’s Perspective

4 Remembering Ben

5 St. Joseph’s Home:Rubble and Resurrection

7 First Call Story

8 Commencement

10 Living Loehe Awards

I believe our beloved graduates will assume that charge every day as they dailyremember their baptisms. And we with them. And will we pray for them and theones who come after them? Will we provide and find the support needed for themto study in the special way of “The Sent Ones” so well-shaped in Life Together atWartburg?

As I prepare to leave this chapter of my ministry to and with Wartburg, I am deeplygrateful in the knowledge that, notwithstanding large changes coming to all theo-logical education in North America, Wartburg’s dedication to gathering and sendingin our unique and celebrated way will be supported passionately in prayer and dol-lars. I give thanks for the thousands of you who share Wartburg’s vision and convic-tions. I give thanks for the many who so sacrificially give of themselves further intime and talent to help steward the governance, teaching, and communal life ofWartburg. And I give the deepest thanks for the students who have come to here,gone from here, for the many yet who will come and be sent. How blessed is thelong line of “The Sent Ones.”

All of you are part of this blessed and long parade, led by Christ’s Holy Spirit. It hasbeen such a gift to me to be part of it; and will be a greater gift yet as you continuewith it.

Sincerely, Your brother in Christ,DUANE LARSON, PRESIDENT Wartburg Theological Seminary (1999-2010)

11 TEEM Graduate

12 The Centers

14 Faculty/Staff Updates

15 Alum Updates

18 Writer’s Group

19 God’s Calling

Benjamin Judd Ulring Splichal Larson

February 27, 1984 - January 19, 2010

I will sing to the Lord

as long as I live;

I will praise my God

while I have my being.

P S A L M 1 0 4 : 3 1 - 3 3

Benjamin Judd Ulring Splichal Larson, 25, died in the earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010.Ben, his wife, Renee Splichal Larson, and his cousin, Jonathan Larson, all three WartburgTheological Seminary students certified for ordination, were in Haiti learning from and walking withthe people of the Eglise Lutherienne d’Haiti (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Haiti). Renee and Jonwere able to escape after the top two floors of a six floor building of the St. Joseph’s Home forBoys (up the mountain from Port-au-Prince) collapsed upon them all. Ben was buried in the col-lapsed ceiling on the resurrection dance theater floor and died after singing a verse of a hymn.After spending the night in a trash-filled lot with faithful, singing and praying, surviving and dyingHaitians, Renee and Jon safely returned to Minneapolis on Friday, January 15.

Ben was born February 27, 1984 in Storm Lake, Iowa. His early years were near Waterville, IA,Rochester, MN and then La Crosse, WI. He is a graduate of Central High School, La Crosse, WI,and of Luther College, Decorah, IA. Ben was to graduate this May from Wartburg TheologicalSeminary, Dubuque, IA. Ben married Renee Splichal on December 29, 2007 in Garrison, ND.

As an infant Ben was wrapped in the arms of God in the waters of baptism, and from those waters,his life was an outpouring of love and joy, laughter and play, in response to God first loving Ben.Ben’s love of God, walking in accompaniment, passionately loving others, listening and learningfrom those who are poor across the globe, drove his serving.

Music oozed out every fiber of Ben’s body. His passion was tosing Global songs of faith with the people of God. He playedguitar, mandolin, trombone, cello, piano and any other instru-ment he could get his hands on. Ben picked up drumming—African and Latin rhythms especially. He sang in Central HighSchool Robed Choir and Grand Central Station show choir. Hesang in Luther’s Nordic Choir for three years. But all who knewhim loved when he picked up a guitar and sang one of thehundreds of songs he had written. Ben also loved playing tabletennis, baseball, and football. He was a diehard Vikings fan,always saying, “This year they’re going to the Super Bowl.” Heenjoyed canoeing, hiking and outdoors, in-the-woods activities.Ben was always playful, ready for some fun.

Ben expressed his music, joy, and love for God through theEvangelical Lutheran Church in America. Lifting up the new wor-ship book of the ELCA, the ELW, Ben promoted inclusive and

expansive language for God and human beings and was strengthened for service through liturgyand hymnody. With an appreciation of the all encompassing body of Christ, Ben proclaimed unitynot uniformity, and paid close attention to those who were excluded and disenfranchised, drawingthem into the body through the Spirit with transformational love. Driven by the Gospel, Ben chal-lenged people to be mission driven by entering into deep theological discussions that reachedbeyond division into the Word through which all came into being. We give thanks to God for theincredible joy of knowing Ben. His laughter, playfulness, passionate heart for those who are hurt-ing was manifest in his daily life. He delighted in the privilege of serving and knowing God, layingout his life in joy. Christ’s light radiated through Ben and pointed people to God’s love.

One cannot think about Ben anymore apart from the thousands of Haitians who died in this deadlyearthquake, who are the poorest of the poor in this hemisphere. In his young death his life joinsthe bodies of the poor. In the Haitian rubble Ben’s life joins these dear beloved people of God: allthose parents crying for their children; young widows calling out for their husbands; new orphanssearching for their parents.

Ben is survived by his wife Renee Michele Splichal Larson, his grandmother Marilyn Larson ofPrairie du Sac, WI, his parents Judd and April (Ulring) Larson of Duluth, MN, his sisters, Katie (Seth)Larson Ode of Lauderdale, MN and Amy (Peter) Larson Calhoun of Salt Lake City, UT, his nephewPaul Ode, his niece Rachel Calhoun, a soon-to-be-born niece, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, George “Judd” Larson and Joseph “Joe” Ulring, anda grandmother, Aleta (South) Ulring.

Thank you to all who have posted memories, photos, music, and videos, and have held prayer vig-ils in honor of Ben and his love for us all. The family asks that memorials be directed to the ELCADisaster Response for Haiti, ELCA Global Mission for the Eglise Lutherienne d’Haiti (www.fbsyn-od.com), St. Joseph’s Home for Boys (www.heartswithhaiti.org). A travel scholarship has beenestablished at Wartburg Theological Seminary in honor of Ben. See page 6 for details.

Benjamin Judd Ulring Splichal Larson’s Obituary – January 19, 2010.

Ben and Renee

Remembering Ben

It’s a step back, but also a step forward. Since 1985, the St. Joseph’s Family, founded by a dedicated brother from Mother Teresa’sOrder, has been rescuing abandoned orphans and former child slaves, a few at a time, and building with them a community ofcare and affirmation, blessed to be a blessing for other young Haitians. One of the visible signs of that community was the Homeitself – the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys. Over 25 years, they built it, story upon story, filling it with their art and dance, worshipand welcome – inviting others to stay and share in their life and love for Haiti. January 31 was to be their 25th anniversary, and abig celebration was planned – a homecoming for the grown young men who are now Haitian leaders, as well as for many otherswho have visited, worked and journeyed with them over the years.

On January 12th their beautiful home was destroyed, and the boys of St. Joseph’s were back on the street, shakenin body and spirit, surrounded by the remains of their lives and plans. In the midst of this horror, founderMichael Geilenfeld led them back to a familiar place. Miraculously, the first house they shared as a family back inthe 80s – literally right next door to the home they built – had survived the quake with minor damage. And theowner was willing to sell – anxious to leave a neighborhood that now lay largely in ruins. So the 22 young menof St. Joseph’s now have a new home that’s also their old home. With less than half the space, three storiesinstead of seven, and only the furniture they could salvage from the rubble – they are grateful to be alive, andready to move forward.

By Christopher deForest

Photos: Renee Dietrich, St. Joseph Family www.heartswithhaiti.org

MichaelGeilenfeld

St. Joseph’s Home:RUBBLE AND RESURRECTION

Wartburg Theological Seminary students Benjamin Judd Ulring Splichal Larson, his wife, Renee SplichalLarson, and cousin Jonathan Larson were staying at the St. Joseph Home for Boys in Haiti during J-term,while teaching and studying the Eglise Lutherienne d’Haiti (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Haiti).


Demolition of the existing St. Joseph’s Home for Boys.

Travel ScholarshipEstablished in Honor ofBenjamin Judd UlringSplichal Larson

A scholarship has been establishedat Wartburg Theological Seminary tohonor the life and ministry ofBenjamin Judd Ulring SplichalLarson. The endowed travel scholar-ship fund will provide culturalimmersion scholarships to futureWartburg Theological Seminary students for travel to developingcountries. In establishing this schol-arship, Ben’s family hopes that stu-dents will build relationships asthey accompany individuals throughtheir J-term travel and be enlight-ened by the Spirit and called to mission for service in the churchthroughout the world.

If you would like to make a contribu-tion to this scholarship fund, pleasecontact Wartburg TheologicalSeminary, Office of MissionSupport.

Rev. Dr. Chad Johnson, pastor of Abiding Hope Lutheran Church, a congregationalpartner with St. Joseph’s Family through the Haitian Timoun Foundation (HTF),recently returned from a visit. “It’s a mix of emotions…It’s eerie and sad, to see thebroken concrete everywhere and consider all the life and memories of that place.But you can also sit in the old courtyard, surrounded by the plants salvaged from thewreckage, and feel new life emerging from the rubble.”

Being a guest house was a major source of income for the St. Joseph’s Family, as wellas the primary way that many first enter into their life and ministry, even if just for aday. Now, with little room and resources stretched thin, you’d think they would dis-courage visitation. Just the opposite. They still welcome guests – especially thosewho are strong enough for heavy labor – to join them in the inescapable task ofbusting up and clearing away debris. Working visitors can stay free of charge, butunlike before the earthquake, food is much more scarce – mostly just fruit, and cleanwater. And the work is difficult, and can be dangerous. Even so, Pastor Johnson saysthat Abiding Hope and HTF are organizing working groups to visit St. Joseph’s andother worksites in Haiti in the coming months. They are also planning to offer a J-term immersion trip for seminarians in 2011.

The debris-clearing work at St. Joseph’s is a sign not only of the new life rising fromthe rubble, but the new hope growing in the hearts of Haitian young men who nowrun the St. Joseph’s Family. Four years ago Michael turned over leadership to BillNathan, 25, who grew up in the Home, the first boy to graduate from high school,and also an internationally acclaimed drummer. Nathan was the only St. Joseph’sresident significantly injured in the quake, and his inspiring story has been told

throughout the news media. Nathan has led St. Joseph’s to renew itslife-giving partnership with the local community, by employingneighbors to help with the rubble removal – providing vital incomeand positive action that’s bringing new hope and dignity to shockedand shattered lives. It will take a long time and much effort just toclear away the rubble – but St. Joseph’s is already looking towardsplans to rebuild on the same spot that once held only destructionand death.

On January 31, St. Joseph’s did indeed mark their 25th year – with a mixture ofmourning and hope, sadness and promise. Michael Geilenfeld summed up theirdirection that day – and for the days to come – with this quote from Ralph WaldoEmerson: “Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no pathand leave a trail.”

For more news on St. Joseph’s Family, please visit www.htflive.com orwww.heartswithhaiti.org.

Bill Nathan

6 LifeTogether | Summer 2010 www.wartburgseminary.edu


“Trial by fire.” I have heard thatphrase more times than I would liketo count in reference to my first fewyears in ministry. These past threeyears have been an incredible jour-ney that have stretched me in waysthat I never imagined when I leftWartburg for the great unknown ofWichita, Kansas.

I felt a definite sense of call to thecongregation and people of God atReformation Lutheran Church, butif I had known what these first fewyears would hold, I may have donemy best to ignore it. My first call,like many others, has not been quitewhat I had expected. I had acceptedthe call to serve as the associate pas-tor, but after just a little over twomonths, the senior pastor resignedfor personal reasons, and life andministry changed for me. I wasalready dealing with that greatlearning curve that comes with firstcalls, and with only a quarter-timeinterim senior pastor, I often had adifficult time finding my footingwith the extra responsibilities on myplate. A new senior pastor, LowellMichelson, was called about tenmonths later, and it seemed thatministry in this place would returnto normal, if there is such a thing inministry. Many of those days inbetween were overwhelming, butthe stress of those days pales incomparison to what was to follow.

On May 31, 2009, just as we beganour Pentecost Sunday worship, Dr.

George Tiller, a member of ourchurch and great support to myministry here, was murdered in thenarthex with a single gunshot. Asmy colleague tended to George andto his family, I did the only thing Icould think to do. I took a deepbreath, said a quick prayer, and Iled. I continued to lead worship,including preaching my sermon,until an usher informed me that thepolice needed us to evacuate thechurch because it was a crime scene.

This past year has been filled withmoments of deep sorrow, great joy,and amazing grace. Helping to leada congregation through such a hor-rific violation of our church homeand church family has stretched andchallenged me beyond belief. Andyet, I was uplifted by the incredibleways in which the people ofReformation pulled together, sharedGod’s love and witnessed to Christin the midst of this crisis.

Over these past three years, I havefrequently joked that I couldn’t waituntil our three year retread, whenmy seminary class would gathertogether and have a great conversa-tion about the things we needed toknow for ministry that were and

were not covered in seminary. I wassure I could come up with quite thelist. Granted, it was a list I hopedno one else would ever need toknow. However, as I thought aboutthat list, I realized that there werecountless ways in which Wartburghad prepared me to be a pastor inthese challenging situations and amgrateful for the ways the Wartburgprofessors and staff and my class-mates encouraged me to claim myown voice and my own pastoralidentity. Being authentic to who Iam in the midst of great challengeshas been essential.

This April, time for retread finallyarrived. It was fantastic to be backat the castle with classmates andprofessors, as we all shared our ownstories of the joys and challenges ofministry. In the midst of all of thosestories, I was reminded once againand shared with them how extreme-ly blessed I feel to be serving in thiscommunity of faith. Christ’s pres-ence with me and with the peopleof Reformation has been visibletime and again, and there have beenamazing moments of grace andgospel proclamation in the midst ofthese crazy days as we move forwardin grace and hope.

Trial By Fire, My First CallPASTOR KRIST IN N IETZEL

WTS Class of 2007Associate PastorReformation Lutheran Church, Wichita, KS

“On May 31, 2009, just as we began our Pentecost Sunday worship, Dr. George Tiller, a member of our church andgreat support to my ministry here, was murdered in thenarthex with a single gunshot.”

Commencement Weekend 2010

On Sunday, May 16th, Wartburg Theological Seminary

honored fifty-three degree and certificate candidates at

commencement exercises at St. Joseph the Worker

Church in Dubuque. A posthumous degree for

Benjamin Ulring Splichal Larson, Wartburg Seminary

student who died in the earthquake in Haiti on January 12th,

was among those awarded. The Rev. Bonnie Hagedorn

Jensen, a renowned theologian in global mission,

delivered the commencement address.

Senior Class Gift

The Class of 2010 has chosen to con-

tinue the tradition of the Senior Class

Gift at Wartburg Theological Seminary.

This year’s senior class has committed

nearly $17,000 in pledges and gifts

toward two projects. Pledges and gifts

will be designated toward replacing of

the bronze doors into Fritschel Hall and

making them handicap accessible as

well as towards the replacement of

appliances in apartments and homes

on-campus with energy efficient models.

This gift will certainly improve life

together at Wartburg – thank you Class

of 2010!


Class of 1960: Front Row (From left to right) Earl Peters, Richard Jensen, Delvin Hutton, RussellRudolf, Richard Beckman, Bob Vogel. Back Row (From left to right) Vernon Bigalk, HarrisSonnenberg, Marv Roloff, Jim Carr, Marvin Behrens.

Class of 1970: Front Row (From left to right) Jim Gronewold, Lewin Clefisch, Olaf Lidums, TonyIngle, David Zellmer, Jim Jensen. Back Row (From left to right) Richard Druckrey, Dell Sailer, MartinLieber, Gary Lorenz, Bill Straka, Ken Ahntholz, Gary Hansen, Stephen Cornils.

40/50 Year ReunionMembers from the classes of 1970 and1960 celebrated their forty and fifty-yearreunions over commencement weekend.Classmates and spouses gathered onSaturday for a time of reacquainting andreminiscing and were honored during thecommencement exercises on Sunday.

Renee Splichal Larson receives diplomas forboth she and her husband Benjamin JuddUlring Splichal Larson after a heartfeltmoment of silence in honor of Ben.

Erik Olson embraces Professor Jim Bailey following the commencement ceremony.

HOMECOMING

SAVE THE DATE!

October 21st & 22nd, 2010

In a letter of congratulations to thethree recipients, former presidentGeorge Herbert Walker Bush writes,“In peacetime and in time of war, military chaplains of all religiousdenominations have worked together toprovide our service members with comfort, support, and opportunities forworship….We Bushes heartily saluteReverend Koeneman, ReverendSchmeling, and Reverened Griffith forthe many acts of faith, courage, andsacrifice that they made during theirdistinguished careers…Congratulations, too, to WartburgSeminary for recognizing the impor-tance of military chaplaincy by endow-ing a scholarship fund for militarychaplaincy students.”

Living Loehe Award Recipients Recognizedfor Service as Military ChaplinsThe Living Loehe award is presented to persons in distinguished service to andthrough the church. This year, Living Loehe awards were awarded at Wartburg’s156th Commencement to Rev. Dr. Al Koeneman, ’59, Rev. Dr. John Schmeling, ’68,and Rev. Harry Griffith, ’68.Each was recognized fortheir military chaplaincyservices during their ministry.

Living Loehe Award Recipients: From left to right: Rev. John Schmeling, Rev. Dr. Al Koehneman,and Rev. Harry Griffith.

Rev. Dr. Al Koeneman’s naval careerbegan in 1967 following his second call.His military chaplaincy has involved along list of appointments includingChief of Chaplains Special ProjectsOfficer, Chairman of ProtestantReligious Educations Board, and SeniorChaplain of USS Carl Vinson. Withinthe scope of his duties, Al did muchwork with hospital chaplaincy andassisted in the development of mentalhealth and drug rehabilitation pro-grams. A distinct notation in his careerwas his service as pastor to George andBarbara Bush during their time in theWhite House.

Rev. John Schmeling served 33 yearsin the Army Reserve, 30 of those yearsas a military chaplain. He received theBronze Star for combat action duringthe Gulf War and the Legion of Meritin 1995, among other awards. He wasknighted in 2002 though the EnglishRoyal House at Windsor. In theUnited States he then became affiliatedwith the Knights of Templar, one of theoldest Knight organizations in theworld. In 2010 he was appointed aKnight Templar Ambassador to theUnited Nations in Vienna, primarilyworking for peace as a negotiator onnuclear and refugee issues. He nowserves in an advisory capacity to the19th Illinois District CongressmanJohn Shimkus.

Rev. Harry Griffith was accepted whileat seminary into the Navy TheologicalStudent program and received his com-mission as an Ensign in 1976. ChaplainGriffith was recalled by his nationalchurch body to serve as a parish pastor.After three years in parish ministry,Chaplain Griffith received ecclesiasticalendorsement to return to active duty in1981. The next 28 years he served as amilitary chaplain on Naval and Marinemilitary bases across the United Statesand was deployed throughout theworld, including service in Iraq from2006-2008. Chaplain Griffith has beengranted many awards, among them, fiveMeritorious Service Medals, one SilverStar and four Bronze Stars. ChaplainGriffith currently serves on the FederalChaplaincy Endorsing Committee ofthe ELCA.

www.wartburgseminary.edu10 LifeTogether | Summer 2010


Jay Denne, one of this year’sTEEM graduates, shares his experi-ence of the TEEM program atWartburg. Theological Educationfor Emerging Ministry, or TEEM,provides alternative preparation forthose who will provide pastoralministry in emerging ministry con-texts. These contexts include ethnicspecific, multicultural, inner city,rural, and deaf communities.Candidates are nominated by theirsynods and approved by the ELCA.Coursework is completed throughweekend and weeklong intensives aswell as online courses. Flexibility inscheduling allows candidates forordination who are qualified by reason of age and prior experienceto remain connected to their ministry contexts as they completeseminary courses.

Q: How has the format of theTEEM program enabled your fur-ther preparation in the ministry?

A: Wartburg's TEEM program isvery flexible in terms of allowingstudents to take classes as theirschedule allows, as well as allowinga mixture of online classes and shorton-campus intensive classes.Because of this flexible scheduling, I could remain in my current ministry context and maintain mycurrent job without relocating. My context is unique because, for a period of time at least, I am plan-ning on continuing the practice oflaw while serving a congregation.Therefore, part of my program wasto explore the concept of bi-voca-tional ministry. During CPE and

internship, I was able to explorehow I can make it work given thevarious commitments of my time.

Q: How has your theologicalreview panel (now called CapacityAssessment Panel) aided you inyour discernment/candidacyprocess?

A: The theological review panelworks with the synodical candidacycommittee to ensure that we havereceived the core education neces-sary to effectively serve as a pastorin the ELCA. Sometimes, I havesensed that people might think thatTEEM is an easy way to becomeordained when compared to the traditional route. It is not. Beforeentering the TEEM program, I wasfamiliar with the the demands ofgraduate college courseworkbecause I have a law degree andtook some classes from anotherseminary, and I have found that theTEEM classes are just as demand-ing. Plus, our real life experiencedoing ministry in our respectivecontexts provides valuable opportu-nities for learning.

Q: As a TEEM candidate, how didyou experience being a part ofthe Wartburg community?

A: The faculty and staff atWartburg go out of their way tomake sure that TEEM students area part of the community - when weare on-campus, we have the oppor-tunity to meet the faculty and otherstudents, as well as to worship andsocialize together. When we are

not on campus together, the onlineclasses are not impersonal at all -there is a considerable amount ofinteraction between the faculty andstudents, as well as discussionbetween students.

Q: What most excites you as youanticipate ordained ministry inthe ELCA?

A: The TEEM program hasemphasized that we are called andsent to do God's mission in theworld. Mission is not somethingthat only happens in other countries-we are called to be a part of God'smission wherever we are. Thedecline in population in rural areashas forced us to think of new waysto do ministry there, and Wartburghas helped me think of ways to be apart of God's mission there, asopposed merely being an overseerof the status quo. We are not beingsent to maintain the status quo, butto equip the people of God to be apart of the mission of God in theirvarious stations of life. The Wordand the Sacraments are the nourish-ment that propels the people to goforth bearing the Gospel, and I amexcited to be a part of that.

For more information please contact:Kristine Stache, Adjunct Professor ofDistributed EducationDirector of WTS TEEM Program(563) [email protected]

TEEM Graduate Shares His ExperienceJAY DENNE


Wartburg SeminaryCelebrates the 20th Anniversary ofNamibian Independence

On Sunday, March 21st Wartburg,through its Center for GlobalTheologies, celebrated the 20thAnniversary of Namibia’s Independenceand the seminary’s partnership with theNamibian people. Festivities included alecture by speaker RalstonDeffenbaugh, worship, and banquet.Keynote speaker, Deffenbaugh, hasworked for three decades withLutheran organizations concerned withinternational affairs, advocating exten-sively for human rights. In 1975-76,during the South African occupation ofNamibia, he served with LutheranWorld Federation in Namibia. In1989-90, the year of transition toNamibian independence, he acted onbehalf of LWF as legal advisor to theNamibian Lutheran Bishops, advisingthe bishops and the Council ofChurches in Namibia on the electionsprocess and on relations between theUnited Nations and the South Africans.

Additionally, Deffenbaugh served as aninformal consultant to members of thecommittee drafting Namibia’s constitu-tion. His lecture recounted the power-ful story of the Namibian people andthose who stood in solidarity with themas they struggled for freedom.

The lecture was followed by worship.Prayers of thanksgiving were offeredfor God’s liberating work and themomentous occasion of 20 years ofNamibian independence as well asprayers for the well-being and peace ofNamibia and all nations. Worship con-cluded on a hope-filled and joyous noteas the assembly sang together, “We areMarching in the Light of God.”

Several in attendance had been a part ofthe movement at Wartburg Seminaryto stand together with the people ofNamibia. Wartburg’s partnership withNamibia began in the early 1970’s withSelma and Abisai Shejavali. Through

hearing theirstories of suffering anddegradationunder theapartheidsystem, manyon campuswere movedto accompany them and the people ofNamibia in their struggle for freedom.This grassroots movement on campus,which grew to national and internation-al recognition, spread to Lutheran andother ecumenical congregations acrossthe USA. Attendees of the celebrationwho had been involved in Wartburg’spartnership with Namibia shared theirmemories during the banquet. Alsoexpressed was the present call of theWartburg community and all of God’speople to strive for justice and healingin the world.

Center for Youth MinistriesWartburg Theological Seminary continues to partner with Vibrant Faith Ministries to offer severalYouth and Family Ministry Certification Schools each year. This biblically and theologicallyinformed training event is for lay and ordained people working in youth and family ministries andoccurs over the course of several months in both face to face instruction and online coursework.Three Youth & Family Ministry Certification schools were held this year in Vero Beach, Florida,Flathead, Montana, and Wartburg Theological Seminary. Future dates are January 6-13, 2011,Lutherhill Bible Camp in LaGrange, Texas and September 28-October 4, 2011, WartburgTheological Seminary. For more information or to register contact Jim LaDoux at 877-693-7196 [email protected].

Wartburg Youth Leadership School (WYLS) continues for its 11th year this summer! HighSchool students from across the country will gather on Wartburg’s Campus at the end of Junefor 10 days of worship, study, adventure and leading. Led and guided by Wartburg’s students andfaculty, this event will help high school students look at their gifts for leadership and explorewho God has created them to be.

Wartburg Seminary’s High Ropes Adventure Course is open and available for groups of all agesand sizes to spend time together learning and growing. Contact CYM at 563-589-0220 for infor-mation on how to utilize this resource within your congregation’s ministry goals.


2010-2011 Lectures:SEPTEMBER 16, 2010

Dr. John Lyden

OCTOBER 21, 2010Dr. Brian Jones

NOVEMBER 18, 2010Dr. Craig Satterlee

FEBRUARY 24, 2011Dr Charles Campbell

APRIL 7, 2011Dr Craig Nessan

On the night of January 10, 2009, a firedestroyed the sanctuary of New Hope LutheranChurch in Clinton Iowa. Originally, the planhad been to move forward with rebuilding.However, following a year of challenges, thechurch’s council voted to accept the recommen-dation of Bishop Michael Burke for New Hopeto close. While closing the church was a pro-found loss for the members of New Hope, the

congregation was able to vision beyond existing circumstances as they imagined howbest to serve others in their community with their remaining resources. Thechurch’s office area, which was spared from the fire, is being donated to a newEpiscopalian church starting up in the vicinity, and the now empty lot where thesanctuary once stood will be converted into a park. Nearly $800,000 of insurancefunds had been allocated to the church for rebuilding. The church resolved toredistribute the funds to 45 different organizations, most of them in ClintonCounty, Iowa. This decision was based upon the congregation’s desire to continuetheir life together by giving to the community. One of the grateful recipients ofNew Hope’s generosity was Wartburg Theological Seminary.

“What a gift for the members of New Hope to bring new life and hope to otherministries of the church and community, even as they grieve the loss of their ownchurch. This truly is a unique opportunity for this congregation to have an impacton the missions and ministries of so many local organizations,” said Janelle Koepke,Interim Vice President for Mission Support at Wartburg Theological Seminary.

Wartburg and many other organizations are benefitting from the ability of New Hopeto recover a sense of mission at a time of great loss. New Hope Lutheran Church istruly demonstrating its namesake as it discovers new hope in the midst of tragedy bygiving to others. Their thoughtful discernment and creative stewardship is an inspira-tion to all communities of faith seeking to live out God’s mission in the world.

Source of Data and Photo: Clinton Herald, January 8, 2010

Congregation Shares “New Hope” In Midst of Loss

Save The Date!The 30th Annual Rural Ministry

ConferenceMarch 6-8, 2011

The work of CTL highlights the creativeweaving together of people, passions andresources. Wartburg continues to live outits call to prepare leaders for service inrural congregations, with Dr Kris Stachecoordinating academic opportunities thatallow students in a variety of on-campus

or online situations to move towards certification or ordination. The on-campus

presence of Rev Joan Fumetti as theDirector of CTL brings a global dimensionto our rural emphasis. Joan’s full-time callis to the Foods Resource Bank where sheworks to link farmers around the world tocreate lasting solutions to hunger throughprograms carried out by Lutheran World

Relief and additional ecumenical partners.She represents Wartburg in her travels

with FRB and draws on her pastoral expe-rience in rural congregations in providingdiscussion opportunities for seminarians

with an interest in rural ministry.

GOD AND THE WORLD IN CHRIST: THE CHRISTIAN NARRATIVEDuane Priebe, WTS Professor of SystematicTheology

ENGAGING THE GOSPELS—PERSPECTIVESON FOLLOWING JESUSDr. James Bailey, WTS Professor Emeritus ofNew Testament

BEYOND MAINTENANCE TO MISSIONDr., Craig Nessan, WTS Academic Dean andProfessor of Contextual Theology

For more information about these coursesvisit www.wartburgseminary.edu

NEW! Online Continuing Education Courses> 8 week online courses for lay leaders, pastors, or anyone interested in LifeLong Learning. > Taught by Wartburg professors> Cost is $250 per course> Classes begin September 13


Norma Cook Everist,Professor of ChurchAdministration andEducational Ministry,recently returned fromteaching in Uppsala,Stockholm and Gothenburg,

Sweden. She also spent a month lecturing,preaching and leading workshops in Coloradoand Nebraska. She will be teaching full timeat Wartburg this fall. Her recent publicationsinclude a chapter, "Integrative TheologicalFormation" in Theological Practices ThatMatter, published by the Lutheran WorldFederation.

Samuel D. Giere, ’97,Assistant Professor ofHomiletics, announces hisbook, A New Glimpse of DayOne: Intertextuality, Historyof Interpretation, andGenesis 1.1-5, was pub-

lished (Berlin: Walter de Gruyter) as part ofBeihefte zur Zeitschrift für die neutesta-mentliche Wissenschaft in December 2009.He has also contributed recently toWorkingPreacher.org and had the pleasureof preaching at the Epiphany Eve worshipservice and lecturing, along with Prof. DanOlson, for the Winter Pastors' Academy ofthe Evangelical Lutheran Church in Iceland atSkálholt in January 2010.

Susan Ebertz, AssistantProfessor of Bibliographyand Academic Research &Director of Reu MemorialLibrary, was a co-leader ata Round Table on “Keepingthe Balance in Small

Libraries” at the Annual Conference of theAmerican Theological Libraries Association,June 16-19. She will be attending the “2010Convocation of Teaching Theologians “Whatdoes it mean to be the church: the ELCAand the ELCIC in the 21st century” August 7-9.

Craig Nessan, ’78,Academic Dean andProfessor of ContextualTheology, has written a newbook, Shalom Church: TheBody of Christ asMinistering Community to

be published by Fortress Press this summer.He will also be an ELCA delegate to theLutheran World Federation Assembly inStuttgart, Germany in July, co-leading a BibleStudy on July 27 on the theme, Give Us ThisDay Our Daily Bread.

Thomas Schattauer,Professor of Liturgics andDean of the Chapel, wrotethe paper, “Loehe onCommunio and the Lord’sSupper,” for HistoricalResearch Seminar, North

American Academy of Liturgy, Milwaukee,Wisconsin, January 7-10, 2010.He was also plenary presenter with JamesNieman, “On Bodies and Christian Funerals,”Institute of Liturgical Studies, ValparaisoUniversity, Valparaiso, Indiana, April 12-14.Recently published was his 2008International Loehe Society paper,“Reclaiming the Christian Assembly asCommunio: The Significance of the Lord’sSupper in the Work of Wilhelm Löhe,”Worship 84 (2010): 219-236 [also publishedin Dietrich Blaufuß, ed., Wilehlm Löhe: Erbeund Vision (2009)]. He will also be the plena-ry presenter on worship and mission,Partners in Evangelical Worship training event(ELCA), Christ the King Lutheran Church,Houston, Texas, June 22-24, 2010. He isseminar leader with Steve Edwins,“Architecture and Engagement: The WordExperienced,” Conference on Worship,Theology, and the Arts, St. Olaf College,Northfield, Minnesota, July 19-23, 2010. Andwill present on liturgy and life passages, First-Call Theological Education, SoutheasternMinnesota Synod (ELCA), September 17, 2010.

Kristine Stache, AssistantProfessor of Youth & YoungAdult Ministries, had anessay published this pastfall titled, “Leadership andthe Missional ChurchConversation: Listening in

on What Leaders in Four DenominationalSystems Have to Say,” in the book TheMissional Church and Leadership Formation:Helping Congregations Develop LeadershipCapacity published by William B. Eerdmans.

Rev. Ginger Anderson-Larson, ’84, CoordinatorContextual Ed, has beencalled by the people of St.John Lutheran Church, Olin,and Zion Lutheran Church,Wyoming, Iowa, to be their

pastor. Her ten years of service at Wartburgwill conclude on July 31. By invitation of theWartburg faculty, she will be teaching theJanuary 2011 course “Spiritual Pracitices”.She has also been asked to serve again as apresenter for the Grace Institute of SpiritualFormation in August of 2011 on the topic of“Spirituality and Personality”.

Faculty/Staff Updates

Introducing Interim President Dr. David Tiede

The Board of Directors of WartburgTheological Seminary have appointed Dr. David Tiede as Interim Presidentbeginning July 1, 2010. Dr. Tiede is currently the Bernhard M. ChristensenProfessor of Vocation at AugsburgCollege. A graduate of St. Olaf College,Luther Seminary, and Harvard University,Dr. Tiede is President Emeritus andProfessor of New Testament at LutherSeminary.

Rita Dudley, Board Chair said, “Dr. Tiedehas graciously accepted the offer to leadthe board during a transition period thatwill set new directions for WartburgTheological Seminary.”

Dr. Tiede comes to Wartburg TheologicalSeminary with much recognition in theo-logical education for his expertise in gov-ernance and board empowerment. Hewill serve as an advocate for Wartburg’sstrengths and continue to build relation-ships internally and externally for thegood of the institution. The interim presi-dency begins as current President DuaneLarson begins his retirement at the endof June.

He is blessed to be married to Martha,and their two children have brought themthe joy of seven grandchildren.

“Wartburg Seminary’s voice and vocationin forming valued leaders is critical tothe future of the ELCA. The board’sunderstanding of this ethos brings energyto our future planning. We look forwardto working with Dr. Tiede in proactiveways to re-shape Lutheran theologicaleducation in the next ten years,” saidBoard Chair, Rita Dudley.


’38Rev. Fred J. Landdeck died December 10,2008. He served congregations in Rockwelland Dubuque, IA; Fond du Lac and Boscobel,WI; Simi Valley, Pomona, and Tiburon, CA. Healso served during World War II as a Navychaplain and later as executive director of theBrotherhood of the American LutheranChurch.Rev. Bruno Schlachtenhaufen died March31, 2009 in Sun Prairie, WI. He servedAmerican and St Paul, Rockwell City, IA; St Paul, Ottumwa, IA; Firth, Waterloo, IA;Decorah, Decorah, IA; and Trinity, Loyal, WI.He served as Bishop in the Iowa District ofthe American Lutheran Church, Des Moines,IA, and was Church Director for the SeminaryAppeal for the T.A.L.C. seminaries.

’42Rev. Richard Fruehling died November 13,2009 in Beatrice, NE. He served congrega-tions in Glenvil, NE; Le Mars, IA; founded con-gregations in Tucson, AZ; Hastings, NE. Heserved at Zion near Pickrell, NE; was chaplainat the Martin Luther Home in Beatrice, NEfrom 1968-1981 until he retired in 1981. Heserved as the visitation pastor at St. John,Beatrice, NE for 26 years.

’44Rev. Rudolf C. Andersen died October 24,2008. He served Immanuel, Kimball, SD; St Paul, Stickney, SD; St John, White Lake,SD; Trinity, Madera, CA; First, Ontario, CA; OurRedeemer, Sherman Oaks, CA until he retiredin 1984.Rev. Louis Fabrizius died August 18, 2009.He served parishes in Midlothian, IL; Loganand Phillipsburg, KS; Windsor, CO; SierraVista, AZ; Bakersfield, CA.

’45Rev. Harry F Stief died June 2, 2009 in CA.He served St John, Akron, IA; Grace,Anaheim, CA; Chaplain, Martin LutherHospital, Anaheim, CA.

’46Rev. Marvin Grunke died August 31, 2009 inSt. Paul, MN. He served in various capaci-ties on the staff of Lutheran Social Servicesfor 34 years.

’48Rev. Herman (Tex) Mansur died February 8,2010 in San Antonio, TX. He served inPapua New Guinea where he established theBanz mission station in the WesternHighlands. After 20 years of service the familyreturned to the US. Tex served LutheranSocial Services in Minneapolis, MN as aPastoral Counselor for 20 years.

Rev. Roland Wittrock died February 11,2010 in Spokane, WA. He was a member ofthe “Wartburg Men’s Quartet” while attendingseminary. He served Good Hope, Gideon &Pilgrim, all Lind, WA; American, Kellog, ID;American, Fremont, CA; Trinity, Brookings, OR;First, Ellensburg, WA; Our Saviour, Lebanon, OR.

’51Rev. Reid Neve died March 11, 2010 inSavannah, MO. He served in the UnitedStates Navy and was a Parish Pastor andChaplain in Nebraska, Iowa and Colorado;after retirement he served as an interim andvisiting pastor and was a major fundraiserwith Habitat for Humanity. Rev. Clifford Paulsen died April 26, 2009 inFairmont, MN. He served congregations inOakland, CA; Royal, IA. He served as theadministrator at St John’s Lutheran home inAlbert Lea for 15 years.Rev. Raymond A. Martin Ph.D. died August4, 2009 in Dubuque, IA. He taught atWartburg College and for 12 yrs at theGurukul Theological Seminary in Madras,India. He taught at Wartburg TheologicalSeminary from 1969-2000, continuing as pro-fessor emeritus after his retirement.

’53Rev. William A. Anderson died January 18,2008. He served Christ, Georgetown, TX;Christ, Waco, TX.Our sympathies to Rev. Eldor Fruehling onthe death of his wife, Florence.Rev. James W L Keller died April 27, 2009.He served St. John’s, Jamestown, ND and atparishes in Denver, CO; Greeley, CO andHonolulu, HI.

’54Rev. Raymond Ehlers died November 27,2009. He served St Paul, Hedrick, IA; StPaul, Hildreth, NE; St John, Nashua, IA; Trinity,Ellsworth, IA; St Paul, Monona, IA; and StPaul, State Center, IA. He retired September 1,1991.Our sympathies to Rev. Marvin Goll on thedeath of his wife, Lavonne.Rev. Norman Richard Jole died March 18,2010. He served Faith, Cuba City, WI;Abiding Savior, Milwaukee, WI; Central,Edgerton, WI; Hope, Wautoma, WI. He retiredin 1995 from full-time ministry but continuedto guest preach and officiate at occasionalweddings and funerals.Dr. Wilfred Sager died April 28, 2009. Heserved Abiding Savior, Corpus Christi, TX;Grace, Albert Lea, MN, and Prince of Peace,Arlington, TX. He served as regional youthdirector in Dallas, TX and in Sioux Falls, SD.He designed the stained glass theology forthe new sanctuary at St Martin’s in Austin, TX

and assisted in organizing the Center forEffective Living in Albert Lea, MN. He was atherapist with Lutheran Social Services andwith the Center for Christian PsychologicalServices. Together with his wife Addy, theydeveloped the Sanctus Marriage EnrichmentMinistries program.

’56Rev. Robert F Rodewald died October 16,2009 in Surfside Beach, SC. He served as aLutheran minister until his retirement in2006. Dorothy Wangen, spouse of Rev. RichardWangen died January 23, 2010. She wasalso a sister to William Weiblen, formerPresident of Wartburg Seminary.

’58Rev. Frank Benz was one of the presentersfor Luther Seminary’s TheoProb continuingeducation program. It was his second invita-tion to that retreat in Winter Park, CO.Rev. Frank & Joyce Benz celebrated their50th wedding anniversary June 20, 2009.Frank was a professor of the Old Testamentfor 33 years at Wartburg. Frank and Joyce areboth graduates of Wartburg TheologicalSeminary. Rev. A. Duane Manson died May 25, 2009.He served Alvord, Alvord, IA; Ossian andStavanger, Ossian, IA, and as first chaplainand development director for Luther ManorNursing Home, Dubuque, IA. Since retiring heserved as an interim and supply pastor, pub-lished the Large Print Book of Worship for thenursing home setting, and served as a cruisechaplain with Norwegian Cruise Line.

’59Rev. Robert Douglas DeYoung diedNovember 26, 2009 in Greeley, CO. Hisserved congregations in Dickinson, ND;Omaha, NE; Grand Junction, CO; Parker, CO;Mt Prospect, IL; Humble, TX, and Dallas, TX.Three of these congregations were missionstarts. Our sympathies to Rev. Walter Hed on thedeath of his wife, Charlotte.Dr. Paul Jersild former Dean at WTS hasbeen recently published by Fortress Press.Entitled “The Nature of Our Humanity: EthicalIssues in Genetics and Biotechnology”, itaddresses such issues as biological evolu-tion, intelligent design and creationism, scien-tific materialism, and reductionist views ofhuman nature. In the second part of thebook Jersild turns to ethical issues, includingthe prospect of genetic enhancements tofashion an “ideal” human being, and effortsto extend indefinitely the human life span.Dr. Audrey R. Chapman, Professor of MedicalHumanities and Ethics at the University of

Wartburg TheologicalSeminary Class Notes

Connecticut Health Center, cites the book asoffering “a lucid and insightful interpretationof the relevance and challenges of recentdevelopments in genetics, molecular biology,and stem cell research for theological anthro-pology.”Rev. Russell Miller died November 21, 2009in Beaver Dam, WI. He served St. John,Avoca, WI; First, Beaver Dam, WI. Though heretired in 1996, he served as interim at St.Paul, Sugar Island, WI.Our sympathies to Rev. Willis Moerer on thedeath of his wife, Betty. She died April 15,2010.Rev. Ronald Retzlaff died December 22,2008. During his ministry he served StMatthew, Galena, IL; Trinity, Waterloo, IA andHoly Redeemer, Warren, MI, and as chaplainat Providence Hospital, Southfield, MI. Hewas retired in Rochester, MI where spouseLaVerne now resides.In the Spring 2009 issue we incorrectly statedRonald retired in Rochester, MN, rather thanRochester MI. Also, we incorrectly spelled hiswife’s name. The correct spelling is LaVerne. Wedeeply regret reporting inaccurate information.

’61Rev. Le Roy T Remmers died July 6, 2009.He served parishes in Bateman and Cadott,WI from 1961-1967; St. John, De Pere, WIfrom 1967-1975; Chaplain and DevelopmentCoordinator at Woodside Lutheran Home,Green Bay, WI from 1975-1981; Senior Pastorat Calvary, Green Bay, WI from 1981-1985and Assistant to the Bishop in the formerAmerican Lutheran Church, NorthernWisconsin District for three years; and itssuccessor in the East Central Synod ofWisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Churchin America until 1994. He then returned toSt. John, De Pere, WI where he served aspastor until his retirement in September2000. Following his retirement he served asa part time Chaplain at Good ShepherdServices, Ltd. of Seymour, WI from 2006-09.Lee was passionate about living his faith andactively participated and held leadershiproles in numerous community organizations.He served as the first Secretary/Treasurer ofthe original Housing Authority in the city of DePere, WI, was a recipient of the Roses for theLiving Award from the De Pere, WI RotaryClub, and the People Helper Award from theBrown County Commission on Human Rights.He is a past president of the Brown CountyMental Health Association and the IrwinDickinson PTA. While at Woodside he wasresponsible for developing the WoodsideOaks Retirement Complex for older adults.He served two terms as Secretary on theExecutive Committee for the former NorthernWisconsin District of the American LutheranChurch.Rev. Wayne Weissenbuehler has accepted acall to Faith, Burlington IA.

’62Rev. Henry G Flessner died January 5, 2009in Harlan, IA. He served congregations inLake Andes, SD; Cambridge, IA; Nevada andEl Dorado Springs, MO; Ord, NE; SiouxCenter, IA. He served as Chaplain at theNevada State Hospital in Nevada, MO. He

was an active EMT and started a successful24/7 “Call for Help” Center. Most recently hehad served as Visitation Pastor at Immanuel,Harlan, IA and Bethlehem, Jacksonville, IA.He retired in 2007.

’63Dr. Duane Matz died August 17, 2009 inMinneapolis, MN. He began teaching atAugustana College in 1968. In 1994 hebecame the first recipient of the Frederick C.Kohlmeyer Distinguished Teaching professor-ship. He was also the Chair of the HistoryDepartment.

’65Rev. Jim Cherry was named the NationalSmokejumper Association Volunteer of theYear in 2008. Cherry led three trail andstructure rehabilitation projects in 2008,rehab of a bunkhouse and lookout at SeeleyLake, MT, and a trails project in Minnesota’sBoundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Hehas served on the NSA board since 2000, isa dedicated fundraiser for the Trail Project,raising over $10,000, and has driven over15,000 miles in support of NSA activities inthe last year. Cherry retired from the ministryin 1996 but comments that his volunteerwork, “infuses me with life, with energy”. CORRECTION!!! In the previous issue of LifeTogether we stated that Nita Eckert, wife ofRev. Charles Eckert was deceased. We deeplyregret reporting this false information.

’68Rev. Dr. Phillip Baker retired from LutheranTheological Southern Seminary as Professorof Missiology and Evangelism. He is current-ly serving as the ELCA Asia-Pacific RegionalRepresentative for Theological Education,Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Our sympathies to Rev Steven Myers on thedeath of his wife, Connie.

’69Rev. Daniel J Litzer died May 24, 2009. Heserved Trinity, Stevens Point, WI; OurSaviour’s, Bremerton, WA; Lutheran Church ofthe Master, Pasco, WA; Bethany, Spanaway,WA. He retired in 2007.Rev. Keith Tomlinson retired in June 2009;the last 21 years of his ministry were aschaplain at Bartels Lutheran RetirementCommunity, Waverly, IA. Keith and Ginny havemoved to Kaukauna, WI, where some of theirfamily lives.

’71Rev. James Rasmussen died October 16,2009. He served congregations in Goodland,KS; McCook, NE; Littleton, CO; Pewaukee, WI,and Fort Collins, CO. He also served on theInstitutional Review Board at Poudre ValleyHospital.

’77Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl has accepteda call to serve as Coordinator of the LutheranMalaria Initiative, and the HIV and AIDSStrategy for the ELCA. She formerly servedas two terms as Bishop of the South DakotaSynod. Rev. Charles W Haertel died November 20,2007. He served Our Savior, Almira, WA; St.Jacobs, Jackson Center, OH; Emmanuel,

Salem, OH; Zion, Bridgewater, SD; and LooneyValley, Houston, MN.

’78Rev. Wayne Ellingson has accepted a newcall to St Paul, Garnavillo, IA. He previouslyserved Emmanuel, Grafton, IA.

’80Our sympathies to Rev. Jerry O’Neill on thedeath of his wife, Denise.

’81Rev. Bill Gruenstern has accepted a call toChurch of Our Saviour, Fond du Lac, WI.Rev Laura Schwerin, PhD currently serves asManager of Mental Health at the HazeldenFoundation’s Springbrook location inNewberg, OR. A licensed psychologist andordained Lutheran pastor she lives with herhusband, John Cimral, and sever-year-old twins,Nathaniel and Juliana, in Lake Oswego, OR.

’84Dr. David Jarvis-Schroeder has accepted acall at Brandt, Tipp City, OH.

’85Rev. Dr. Scott Beebe has accepted a call atMt of the Holy Cross, Vail, CO. He previouslyserved for 19 years as senior pastor atLutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, Littleton, CO.

’86We give thanks for Rev. Elizabeth Liggett’ssurgery recovery.

’87Rev. Don Kieser Dovre has accepted a call toFirst, Conroy, IA.Rev. Barbara Kopperud has accepted a callto Prince of Peace, La Crescent, MN. Shepreviously served Wanamingo, Wanamingo,MN.Rev. Tim Muehlbrad has accepted a call toSt Paul, Yorktown, TX.

’89The board of directors of the Lutheran Schoolof Theology elected Rev. Dr. RaymondPickett to be professor of New Testament,effective September 1, 2009.

’90Dr. Rev. Linda Walters recently returned fromplaying solo organ concerts in Austria, W.Germany, Hungary, and Romania (Transylvaniasection). Her favorite performance was St.Stephens’ Cathedral in Vienna, Austria whichis the world’s largest church pipe organ at17,388 pipes. She is Principal Organist atSt. Mary’s Cathedral of Cheyenne, WY andmental health therapist at two regional hospitals.

’91Rev. Jennifer Andreas has accepted a call toLord of Life Lutheran Church, Ames, IA.Our sympathies to Rev. Phil Jorgensen onthe death of his father.Rev. David Kebschull has accepted a call toSt John American, Cedar Falls, IA

’95Rev. Kurt Hansen has accepted a call to NewHope, Farley IA.Rev. Ronald Roberts has accepted a call toEast Clermont, Clermont, IA.



’96Rev. Gary G. Heaton has accepted a full timechaplain at Medcenter One Medical Center inBismarck, ND.Rev. Brian King has accepted a call toNazareth, Cedar Falls IA. He previously servedBethany, Iowa Falls, IA.Rev. Rodney Nordby has accepted a callthrough ELCA Global Mission to serve aslong-term missionary in Papua New Guinea.He previously served St Peter, Sheboygan, WI.Rev. Tom Opoien has accepted a call toCuster Lutheran Fellowship, Custer, SD.Rev. Christopher Staley accepted a call toTrinity, Ellsworth, IA. He previously served StJohn, Luana, IA.

’99Rev. Thomas Meyer has accepted a call to StPaul’s La Crosse, WI. He previously served StJohn’s, Marion, WI. Rev. Susan Sheffer-Meyer has accepted acall as the Interim Pastor at Living HopeLutheran, Ettrick, WI.Our sympathies to Rev. Kim Wills on thedeath of his father-in-law.

’01Rev. Yvonne Marshall has accepted a call toOur Savior’s, Council Bluffs, IA. She previous-ly served Chris & Trinity, Sedalia, MO.Rev. Jane McChesney has accepted a call toFirst and Tabor, Rockford, IL She previouslyserved Calvary, New Windsor, IL Rev. John Backman died November 13,2009. He served Salem, Peoria, IL and St.Timothy Evangelical, Wyoming, IL.Rev. Amy Engebose has accepted a call toBethel, Green Bay, WI.Ms. Karen Green died May 30, 2009. Shetaught music in Outlook, MT. She beganchurch ministry in Fairview, MT with her hus-band Rick. They moved to Joliet, MT wheretheir ministry continued. Karen was anaccomplished musician and played manyinstruments, although viola was her favorite.She played in the San Jose symphony, in pitorchestras for shows in New York andDubuque, string groups all over the country,and countless churches. Congratulations to Rev. Jan Rippentrop andher husband Steve on the birth of theirdaughter, Ana Ruth. Rev. Nancy Solomonson has accepted a callto St John and Hauge, Decorah, IA

’03Rev. Laura A Koppenhoefer was awarded theLilly Endowment National Clergy RenewalProgram for her sabbatical titled, “Notes onthe Journey; My Garden, Gethsemane, andGermany.” Her sabbatical will run from May1, 2010 to July 31, 2010.Rev. Richard Likeness has accepted a call atGrace, Glen Ellyn, IL. He previously servedLutheran Church of Good Shepherd, Rockford, IL.Our sympathies to Rev. Jackie Swanson onthe death of her husband, Richard, on May26, 2010.Our sympathies to Rev. Kay Wold on thedeath of her husband, Keith, on November24, 2009.

’04Joel Bradtke was consecrated May 16, 2009.

Rev. Daniel Gerrietts has accepted a call toTrinity, Mason City, IA. He previously servedChrist the King, La Mars, IA.Rev. Karen Goltz has accepted a call toTrinity, Moville, IA.

’05Rev. Mark Kvale has accepted a call toWashington Prairie, Decorah, IA

’06Rev. Sandi Olson Decker currently servesEmmanuel, Rockford, IL.Rev. Nate Liedtke has accepted a call toNew Life, Norwalk, IA.Patsy Polilli was commissioned February 29,2008.

’07Arlo Cairo was commissioned June 28,2009. Rev. Deena Laird died April 20, 2008 due tocomplications from surgery. She was servingSt Peter, Arenzville, IL and St John, Bluffs, IL.Rev. Andrea Myers was ordained September12, 2009. She accepted a call to Grace,Albert Lee, MN.Rev. Elizabeth Retz was ordained September18, 2008. She accepted a call to Edgewood,Fruitport, MI.Rev. Britt Vickstrom accepted a call atLutheran Church of the Redeemer,Plattsburgh, NY. She previously served StStephen Martyr, Canton, OH.

’08Sister Elizabeth Castner (Conway) had herConsecration on May 21, 2010.Rev. Steven Cox was ordained July 3, 2008.He accepted a call to St Paul, Burton, TX.Rev. Lee Liverance was ordained April 13,2008. He accepted a call to Our Saviours,Iron Mountain, MI.Rev. Lori Liverance was ordained April 13,2008. She accepted a call to Our Saviours,Iron Mountain, MI.

’09Rev. Paul Amlin was ordained September 5,2009. He accepted a call to Faith, Marion, IA.Rev. Melvin Antonio was ordained May 24,2009. He accepted a call to St John,Bishop, TX.Rev. Adam Barnhart was ordained June 7,2009. He accepted a call to Gloria Dei, Butte,MT.Rev. Becky Beckmann was ordained May 3,2009. She accepted a call to Shell Creek,Newman Grove, NE.Rev. Craig Brown was ordained January 17,2010. He accepted a call to First CedarRapids, IA.Rev. Toby Burk was ordained July 3, 2009.He accepted a call to Emmaus, Kennard, NE.Rev. Hilary Burns-Kite was ordainedSeptember 26, 2009. She accepted a call toSt Peter, Garnavillo, IA.Rev. Catherine Daharsh was ordained June28, 2009. She accepted a call to Gilbert,Gilbert, IA.Rev. Elizabeth Davis was ordained July 5,2009. She accepted a call to Our Savior’s,Page, ND; Redeemer, Hope, ND; and Trinity,Ayr, ND.Rev. Jeffery Davis was ordained July 8, 2009.He accepted a call to Our Savior’s, Page, ND;

Redeemer, Hope, ND; and Trinity, Ayr, ND.Rev. Amanda Esping was ordained June 5,2009. She accepted a call to Lyman CountyParish, SD.Rev. Jacob Fain was ordained July 12, 2009.He accepted a call to Christ, El Campo, TX.Rev. Robert Garton was ordained June 30,2009. He accepted a call to Concordia,Crosby, ND.Rev. James Havard was ordained June 21,2009. He accepted a call to Littlefork,Littlefork, MN.Rev. Christopher Heller was ordainedFebruary 28, 2010. He accepted a call toBethany, Woodhull IL.Rev. Judith Johnson was ordained August 30,2009. She accepted a call to Elim, Hooper, NE.Rev. Timothy Koester was ordained on June21, 2009. He accepted a call to St Mark,Bloomfield, NE.Rev. Timothy Krick was ordained May 31,2009. He accepted a call to Christ the King,Combined Locks, WI.Rev. Joshua Martyn was ordained February 6,2010. He accepted a call to Eden, Riverside,CA.Rev. Nathan Metzger was ordained June 3,2009. He accepted a call to Our Savior,Plainview, NE.Rev. Jeffery Nicla was ordained July 6, 2009.He accepted a call to St Olaf, Devils Lake, ND.Rev. Susanne Orlopp was ordained July 7,2009. She accepted a call to St John,Jamestown, ND.Rev. Ryan Pederson was ordained May 31,2009. He accepted a call to Grace,Harlingen, TX.Rev. Carol Reed was ordained April 17,2010. She accepted a call to Peace,Holbrook, AZ.Rev. Jon Richter was ordained August 2,2009. He accepted a call to StBartholomew, Trenton, NJ.Rev. Vicki Sauter was ordained June 19,2009. She accepted a call to Immanuel,Amboy, IL.Rev. Delvin Strecker was ordained April 26,2009. He accepted a call to Our Savior,Norway; Amana Scadia; Ada, Courtland;American Belleville, KS.Rev. Dale Topp was ordained June 20, 2009.He accepted a call to Christ, Wisner, NE.Rev. Harold Vanicek was ordained July 12,2009. He accepted a call to St Paul andZion, Fredericksburg, TX.Rev. Michon Weingartner was ordained June28, 2009. She accepted a call toAugustana, Minot ND.Rev. Tobi White was ordained August 14,2009. She accepted a call to Our Saviour’sLincoln, NE.Rev. Beverly Wolff was ordained November23, 2008. She accepted a call to St John,Cushing, IA.

’10Rev. William Peterson was ordained April 18,2010. He has accepted a call at GoodNeighbor Parish, Herington, KS.


God’s people are people of the Word.We are comforted, challenged, andstrengthened by the words of Scripture.Words speak to us in metaphor andevocative images, allowing us to lookforward to God’s new creation inChrist. Words stud our hymns andprayers and tell the stories we holddear. Seminary students and otherswrestle with words as they struggle toname their experience of God and formtheological questions. It’s no wonderthat many seminary students have devel-oped a love for words and language.

It came to the attention of KalenBarkholtz that many students, like her,loved words and shared an interest increative writing. In February, thePersistent Voice sponsored a poetryreading on campus. From the turnoutand conversations spurred by the event,

it became evident that there was muchcreative energy among students in thearea of writing poetry and prose. Inresponse to that energy, Barkholtzinvited students to form a writinggroup. The group meets weekly toparticipate in creative writing exercisesand to share works-in-progress. Thegroup members enjoy fellowship, poet-ry, and word-play. While participatingin the group might expand preachingand scholarly writing, the group’s focusis primarily to nurture and encouragecreativity. The group gives studentswho are usually graded on their writinga chance to express themselves withoutany pressure. Not surprisingly, muchthat comes from the creative writingexercises is related to seminary courses.The following pieces were written bygroup member Erik Grayvold inresponse to a writing prompt.

WartburgWritersGroup

EveLongingly, she looks back.

No more freedom, no more safety.Pain would be her friend now.

Her daughters would face danger from her sons.Is hope all lost?

ElizabethAm I craving sweet oranges?

I crave the sweetness of honey.Why with this fruit of life do I crave sweetness?

Will he crave sweet things?Will he give sweet things?

Or will he proclaim something even sweeter?

DanielRun? Why run?

I pray in my room everyday.I have no fear, but I am not a fool.Is not a lion a child of God as well?

My brother would not hurt me!

Pastor Peter Boe learned through DNAresearch that he and his brother (late Rev.Thomas Boe, d. 1/14/02) are linked toJews in Belarus. His story, including whathe remembers of his mother and earlychildhood, the events leading to his adop-tion, and eventually his study at Wartburg,are recorded in an autobiographical sketchin the Wartburg Library.

Pastor Boe’s early memories include beingtransported to the children’s home atBaldone, Latvia, due to the illness of hismother and hunger, in 1942/43. He andhis brother remembered their mother, butwere never able to piece together whathad become of their father, excepting ofone memory. Pastor Boe recalls sittingone time on the lap a young man, report-edly his father. When Boe later discov-ered his connection to Jews in Belarus, helearned it was likely that his father wasengaged in a partisan group that made itpossible for thousands to escape impris-onment and extermination by the Nazi’s.The dramatic plight of the Jews in Belarusto escape the Nazi’s attempt to wipe out,confine, or enslave all Jews throughout

Europe during WWIIis vividly depictedin the recentlyreleased (2009)DVD Defiance.The group ensuredthe safety and pro-tection of Jews hiding in the Peralazforests. Similarrefugee communi-ties during the

Holocaust often did not accept those whowere vulnerable due to sickness or age,but this partisan group refused to turnaway anyone seeking refuge. The movieDefiance tells the story of the partisanfighters as they struggled to provide asafe haven.

Pastor Boe understands his story to be apart of a greater story to which we allbelong. He states in his 1965 reflection,“If we truly believe in Jesus Christ, thenthere is very much that we have in com-mon—the same Lord Jesus Christ, thesame Love, the same Grace, the sameFather, and same Spirit, the sameForgiveness, the same knowledge of Him,and the same Word.”

Pastor Peter BoeFinds Connection in Recent Movie


I was raised in the Roman Catholic faith, and from the time I was a young girl, I feltGod was calling to me a life of ministry. I recall times when I would secretly bringhome the Daily Missal, scrounge up some grape juice and an ice cream cone (justthe cone – it was a great substitute for the bread), and “celebrate Mass” for myBarbie dolls. As I grew, I became increasingly interested in matters of faith and evenfor a time considered entering a convent.

I attended Catholic schools from first through 12th grade, and during that time Iwas fortunate to have teachers and classes that encouraged me to read the Bible.The more I read, however, the more I began to question what I’d been taught. Atthe age of 17, after studying scripture and undergoing much soul-searching, I madethe decision to leave the church. I’d found I disagreed with the church’s stand onsalvation, and I also felt at odds with the proscribed roles for women in the church.

There followed many years of experimenting (along with my parents) with variousChristian denominations, including Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian. I attended aBaptist college where I majored in English and minored in Biblical languages. At thetime I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my degree, but I had a vague notionthat perhaps I might be able to secure an editorial position with the Southern BaptistSunday School Board. But even that didn’t seem to be what God was calling me to do.

While in college, I was blessed with a professor of Greek who recognized my calland encouraged me to the extent he could. Although as a Baptist woman I could notbe ordained, he nevertheless invited me to “teach a lesson,” a useful euphemism forpreaching to my peers. But as much as I valued these experiences, I was also not yetready to act on them. During that time my father’s health began to decline, and Iassumed the role of his caregiver (in addition to my mother). So I chose to take adifferent career path, concentrating on developing my freelance writing portfoliowhile supporting myself with various secretarial positions.

During this time, we moved to Janesville, Wisconsin, where we began attendingGood Shepherd Lutheran Church. We became members and enthusiastically beganBible classes there. This reawakened my passion for ministry, but as Dad’s health gotworse (he had chronic kidney failure), so too did Mom’s (heart disease, kidney fail-ure), and I knew I had more work to do caring for them. So I concentrated on doingthat with God’s help. On my own I know I never could have handled it, but thoseexperiences taught me in concrete ways how to depend on God.

Mom and Dad both died in 2006, and after allowing myself a period of grief, I thenbegan to reconsider my call. In 2008, I began the process for candidacy for ordina-tion. Since then I've faced many joys and struggles, but I know that Christ is withme now, as he always has been.

God’s CallingB Y M D I V S T U D E N T L I S A K O N Z E N

Do you recognize

gifts for ministryin someone you know?

Tell them about us!

Considering Your CallConference on Ministry

This weekend at WartburgSeminary is designed to helpindividuals explore a call to

life in ministry.

Nov. 13-15, 2010 or March 19-21, 2011

Exploring Seminary 6 Week Online CourseLearn more about seminarystudy and discerning a call

to public ministry withProfessor Craig Nessan.

Distance Education/Residential Program

This program includes onlineand on campus intensive

courses taken over a two yeartimeframe to fulfill the first

year of degree program curriculum requirements for

the Master of Divinity, Masterof Arts, and Master of Arts

in Diaconal Ministry.

For more information on allevents, classes, programs contact

our Admissions Office:(563)589-0203 or 1-800-225-5987

[email protected]

333 Wartburg PlacePO Box 5004Dubuque, IA 52004-5004

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Life Together Magazine Spring 2010

Documents

Transcript of Life Together Magazine Spring 2010