In this devotion, Nancy Eldredge Hess ’80 M.Div., reminds us that all are invited to God’s banquest of endless love and mercy. Read today’s God Pause.
Archives for October 8, 2026
Thursday Chapel: Lunch Church x Why Jesus [In-Person]
We gather at 11:00 a.m. CT in the OCC Dining Room for Lunch Church. Come hear a story about “Why Jesus” from Tim Coltvet, director of Contextual Learning. Lunch is provided.
Share your prayer requests.
Travel Course – Land of Martin Luther: Germany
Join us May 29–June 9, 2027, for a course-credit study trip to Germany. We will focus on the life and teachings of Martin Luther and how Luther’s theology connects to our current ministry opportunities. Course spots are limited. For more information, contact Mark Tranvik at mtranvik001@luthersem.edu or Sandy Olson at solson007@luthersem.edu.
“Brake Bread” Community Gathering – October 13 [In-Person]
Join us for our second “Brake Bread” event on Tuesday, October 13 at 11:30 a.m. by the oak trees in front of Bockman Hall. We will be learning about forest bathing with David Motzenbecker and about the seminary’s landscape with Caleb Rollins, our seminary archivist. Wear a jacket if the weather is a bit cooler and rainy. If it is raining hard, we’ll go inside, but we’ll strive to be outside with the trees. Also, this is a phone-free event—please do not bring your phones. After the outdoor portion is over, we’ll head into Bockman 116 to “Brake Bread” and share further conversation. We look forward to seeing you there! “Brake Bread” events are brief monthly gatherings where we learn about some of the unnoticed and significant pieces of our communal past, present, future and break bread together. Note that “Brake Bread” events are not a lunch but a light serving of bread and pastries. Please bring a lunch if you would like to add more to your plate. If you have questions about these events, contact: Mary Hess (mhess@luthersem.edu), Caleb Rollins (crollins001@luthersem.edu), or Emily Rova-Hegener (erovahegener001@luthersem.edu).
Violinist Needed for Chapel
The choir is in need of a violinist to play an accompaniment part for chapel on Wednesday, November 4, with a rehearsal on Wednesday, October 28, 12:15–1:15 p.m. You can look over the part here. If you are interested or know someone willing and able to share their gifts, please email Carolina at cbowen001@luthersem.edu.
Open Enrollment for 2027 Begins Late October
Open Enrollment for 2027 will begin rolling out on Monday, October 19. Watch for your email invite from Portico beginning on that day. These are sent in batches, so yours might arrive a day or two after October 19. Everyone will have two weeks to complete the enrollment process. A reminder that, on Wednesday, October 14, from 9–10:30 a.m. in OCC 10, the seminary’s Portico representatives will be on campus to present plan details and answer your questions. Calendar invites and the Overview of Benefit Changes have been sent out. And a second reminder that, as announced last month, we have two changes that will impact employee out-of-pocket costs: (1) an increase in medical plan premiums and (2) an increase in annual deductibles. If you have questions about these changes or about Open Enrollment generally, please contact Carrie Johnson (cjohnson007@luthersem.edu) or Joe Ahrens (jahrens001@luthersem.edu).