Archives for August 1, 2025

In this devotion, Dan Odden ’75 M.Div., ’95 D.Min., notes that we are there is more to life than productivity. Read today’s God Pause.

Congratulations to our colleagues celebrating work anniversaries in August!

• Terri Elton, 20 years – Academic Affairs
• Jessi LeClear Vachta, 6 years – Admissions
• Maria May, 5 years – Contextual Learning
• Emily Rova-Hegener, 3 years – Contextual Learning
• Trina Smith, 2 years – Institutional Research
• Steve Thomason, 3 years – Faculty, Leadership

Are you interested in participating in Word & World as a student member of the Editorial Board? Word & World is the quarterly journal of theology for Christian ministry published by the faculty of the seminary. Its work is guided by the staff and an Editorial Board made up of seven members of the Luther faculty and two students. The students are full voting members of the board. One student position is open for the 2025–2026 academic year, starting September 1, 2025. Membership on the board is voluntary and unsalaried, but students do get the opportunity to participate in the life of a significant theological journal. Duties include regular attendance at board meetings (two or three per year) and thoughtful contribution to the board’s work, including bringing ideas for issues and authors. All students, in any program, are eligible. If you would like to be a student board member for 2025–2026, please reply both to Jennifer Pietz (board chair, jpietz002@luthersem.edu) and Mark Granquist (editor, mgranquist001@luthersem.edu) with a note that describes your interest in the position, your availability to serve, and your qualifications. Include your year, program, and anticipated graduation date. To be considered, these must be received by Friday, August 22, 2025. Let us know, too, if you have further questions.

Would you like to be a part of sharing the Smithsonian’s Exploring Human Origins exhibit with others? We are seeking volunteers to be trained as exhibit docents. This is an unpaid volunteer position and you sign up for as many or as few shifts as you prefer. Volunteer docents will receive training from staff prior to their first shift. Most shifts will be structured in 3- or 4- hour blocks. Learn more and indicate your interest in serving as a volunteer docent by completing this online Volunteer Interest Form.

In the midst of war in Ukraine, St. Sophia still stands as a symbol of the Orthodox Church. This month, the Luther Seminary Library features a new bibliography on Orthodox Christianity, which includes hundreds of books, eBooks, and more from the fourth century Church Fathers to today’s Orthodox Church.

The St. Cloud VA CPE Center is accepting applications for the 2025-2026 CPE Resident program for the St. Cloud VA. Program dates are October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Residents have the opportunity to work full-time alongside Chaplain Preceptors and the Interdisciplinary Care Team serving our men and women veterans. There are four stipend Resident I positions and 2 stipend Resident II Fellow positions. Stipend for the STC VA Resident I is approximately $40,468; Resident II is $43,301. STC VA CPE Center also offers summer intern, extended, and CE Training programs. For more information about our CPE residency, intern, or extended unit programs, call Chaplain Dan Duggan at 320-252-1670 x 7543 or email daniel.duggan@va.gov.