Archives for 2024

In this devotion, Steve Molin ‘75 M.A., ‘82 M.Div. prays to be filled with grace to share. Read today’s God Pause.

The Office of Academic Affairs is sad to announce Arlene Flancher will be moving on from her role as Project Coordinator and Counselor on the Admissions Team to take a new position at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Arlene has deeply impacted students through her work with Children, Youth, and Family Ministry, advising students in the Professional MA programs, working with the Stewardship Leaders program, and most recently in her work with the Admissions team. Arlene brought a unique set of capacities to her role. She loves spreadsheets almost as much as she loves equipping leaders. She is as gifted at tackling complex projects and leading international travel groups as she is telling little people about Jesus and helping leaders discern their callings. We will miss her and wish her well as she returns to congregational ministry. Please join us in celebrating Arlene on Monday, September 9 from 8:30–10 a.m. in Bockman Hall 116. Bagels and coffee will be served.

Terri Elton, Dean of Academic Affairs
Andy Root, Professor of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
Jessi LeClear Vachta, Director of Enrollment
Grace Pomroy, Director of Stewardship Leadership Program

At our most recent All Hands meeting, we announced that teams for the Give Day faculty/staff prize are going to be a little different this year. Instead of departments competing against one another, we have randomly assigned all faculty and staff members to teams of about 20. The team assignments have been emailed out, so check your inbox for an email from semrel@luthersem.edu with your team assignment. If you did not receive an email with your team assignment, please reach out to the Seminary Relations team at semrel@luthersem.edu and we will add you to a team. The first team to reach 100% participation will win the faculty/staff prize! Go to giveday.luthersem.edu to find out more and make your gift early starting on September 11.

In this devotion, Steve Molin ‘75 M.A., ‘82 M.Div., encourages us not to confuse what we do with who we are. Read today’s God Pause.

During the week of September 3-6, the Admissions Team will be working from home due to high-noise construction in the Olson Campus Center scheduled for the same week, but will plan to attend already-scheduled in-person meetings. Thank you for your patience as we navigate building construction. Questions? Email Jessi at jleclearvachta002@luthersem.edu.

How can we live well in community even when our ideas differ? The political climate in the United States seems to have shifted in recent years, with political tensions and divisions intensifying more regularly. One outcome of these divisions is the “othering” of individuals, which can hinder efforts to build just and equitable communities.

At Luther Seminary, we are committed to educating Christian public leaders who can effectively guide congregations in a diverse, interconnected world. In line with this commitment, we are pleased to be partnering this year with Braver Angels, an organization dedicated to reducing political and social polarization across the US. Their bipartisan campaign “Reduce the Rancor in Minnesota” aims to foster a more inclusive and cooperative society. Braver Angels promotes social relational skills and processes that avoid stereotypes and encourage the humanization of those around us. Staff trainers teach communication skills that reframe discussions away from confrontation toward understanding. Through training and dialogue, Braver Angels encourages the recognition of the finite nature of personal experiences and the importance of articulating perspectives while listening to others.

Our collaboration with Braver Angels will help Luther Seminary develop proactive approaches to conflict, should tensions rise on campus and in our broader communities. The Office of Inclusion and Belonging is developing programming around this partnership. So stay tuned for training sessions and other opportunities to engage. For more information, please contact Samuel Zalanga, szalanga001@luthersem.edu.