Archives for March 11, 2026

Come experience one of the vibrant churches of the Global South—the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania—one of the fastest-growing and largest Lutheran church bodies in the world with 8.5 million members. Students will participate in a conference with ELCT pastors, learning from them about topics like evangelism, women’s leadership, poverty and the prosperity gospel, and church-sponsored development work. There will be much singing (and some dancing) involved. We will be based in the small city of Iringa, Tanzania, and will also stay in rural villages for a weekend. There will be time at the end of the trip for relaxation at a safari camp in Ruaha National Park and on the island of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean. The cost will likely be around $4600, depending on the price of airline tickets. This cost includes airfare, lodging, transportation, and many meals. There is financial aid available through the St. Paul Area Synod of the ELCA for students under the age of 36—interested students should apply as soon as possible. This is a CD course but can also count as a Bible elective. Likely, other financial aid will be available for all students too. If you are interested in this trip, contact Kathryn Schifferdecker, kschiffer@luthersem.edu, by early May, as space is limited. Also note that the dates may change by a day on either end but will be set by early summer. The dates for the course as currently planned are January 16-31, 2027.

In this devotion, Mercedes Roesch ’24 M.Div. wonders what it might mean to live as children of the light. Read today’s God Pause.

Join us at 11 a.m. CT in the Chapel of the Incarnation for a student-led service of holy communion. M.A. student Peter Okeyo will be preaching. Come explore our Lenten theme—Encounter with Christ—when Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman at the well. The service will be livestreamed.

Pancake breakfasts have returned! On the second Wednesday of the month pancakes will be served to to the community by Community Life colleagues and volunteers from Luther. Swing on by 8:30-9:30 a.m. to the Olson Campus Center Café and help create beloved community over a varied breakfast. Join us on these dates: March 11, April 8, May 13.

The Luther Seminary Choir will meet from 12-1 p.m. today after chapel.

Want to share something in an upcoming edition of Inside Luther News, the seminary’s internal e-newsletter? Send your announcement to communic@luthersem.edu. Submit items for the April edition by Wednesday, March 11. Inside Luther News content is meant to be somewhat broader in scope—seasonal announcements, monthly reminders, stories about recent events or news of upcoming projects—than the daily Community Announcements posts and emails.