Archives for 2026

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matt. 11:28-30). If you’re anything like me, it seems to be getting harder and harder to live freely and lightly, and I need all the support I can muster to stay focused on learning the unforced rhythms of grace. Join us for the next virtual gathering of Be Still this upcoming Thursday, March 26 at 6:15 p.m. CT. We will engage in community stillness practices and discussion around the theme of ‘reconciling.’ Come as you are to as many sessions as you’re able. We will meet every other Thursday for the remainder of the semester, starting this Thursday 3/26 at 6:15pm (Central). Email me, Alison Westphal, at awestphal001@luthersem.edu, if you’re interested in joining, or if you have questions. Join us on Zoom (link in email).

In this devotion, Sally Messner ’07 M.S.M. reminds us that on all days, God is with us, training our tongues, waking our ears, and standing with us. Read today’s God Pause.

Dear Luther Seminary Colleagues,
We invite you to celebrate and thank Maria May for her work as a valued Contextual Learning colleague for the past six years. Her last day at Luther Seminary will be April 6. Maria’s organization, project management, and overall agility as a team member has been integral to moving Contextual Learning into a multi-modal learning and training environment for literally thousands of ministry leaders (students and external ministers alike). Maria is venturing forward in her final stretch of candidacy as a postulant for priesthood in the Episcopal church and her final year completing her own M.Div. degree at the General Theological Seminary of New York. We look forward to hearing more as her ministry journey unfolds. Please stop by Bockman Hall 116 for coffee/tea and light refreshments and an opportunity to say farewell on Wednesday, March 25 from 9-10 a.m.
—Tim Coltvet, Director of Contextual Learning

Consider attending the Institute of Liturgical Studies at Valparaiso University from April 13-15 in Valparaiso, Indiana. Kathryn Schifferdecker and Carolina Bowen will be representing Luther Seminary Admissions. Registration is free for full-time students. Gather will folks from around the country and world to study and explore liturgy, sacred music, and worship. This year’s theme is The Feast of Creation—liturgy as creation groans. Learn more and register here.

In this devotion, Sally Messner ’07 M.S.M. reminds us that God deals in the ridiculous, including the foolishness of the cross. Read today’s God Pause.

You are warmly invited to join our seminary community for a special time of Lenten soup, bread, and prayer. Beginning Tuesday, February 24, and continuing each Tuesday through March 31, we will gather from 6:30–7 p.m. for a simple meal of soup and bread. Following our time of soup and prayer, you are invited to join the Dean of Chapel online, either together in OCC 148 or individually in your rooms—as you feel most comfortable—for Virtual Vespers. As part of our communal Lenten practice, we will also take part in creating a mural together—watch for announcements about this activity. All are welcome, come as you are.