Announcements

National Service Dog Month shines the spotlight on the contributions of service dog. This month-long observation honors the highly trained canines that have a profound impact on their handler’s lives and educates the public about proper etiquette when encountering a service dog. A service dog is a dog that is trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability. Unlike an emotional support or therapy animal that provide companionship, a service dog performs tasks directly related to the disability of the handler. This includes assisting people with physical disabilities, such as balance, blood sugar changes, mobility, and even seizures. Service dogs also provide assistance for people with invisible disabilities, such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). For more information, contact disability@luthersem.edu.

Congratulations to our colleagues celebrating work anniversaries in September!

• Jon Anderson, 5 years – Rural Ministry
• Tim Coltvet, 18 years – Contextual Learning
• Joey Goodall, 4 years – Faith+Lead
• Kate Norlander, 4 years – Marketing and Communications
• Corrie Patrick, 1 year – Seminary Relations
• Elizabeth Schoenknecht, 7 years – Seminary Relations
• Jennifer Thiel, 15 years – Marketing and Communications

In this devotion, Joe Jorgensen ’23 M.Div., says that we too are given words to speak, often in places where silence would be easier. Read today’s God Pause.

Join Luther’s INVITE (integrating nonviolence into theological education) group on September 30 at noon in OCC 213 as we remember the history of Indian Boarding Schools in the US. We will share a circle discussion and watch a brief video of survivors offering testimony. This is our first event of the new school year. If you are interested in learning more about nonviolence more generally, please join us!

You are invited to join us for a community lunch on Thursday, September 10 at 12:30 p.m. in the OCC Dining Room. This lunch follows a morning event where faculty will be exploring what we’ve learned through the Pathways II grant about how our students Know, Be, and Do in their formation. We’d love to have the whole Luther community join us afterward to celebrate and connect over a meal. To help us plan for food and seating, please sign up by September 3 on this online form to indicate that you’ll join us for lunch.

In this devotion, Phil Rue ’72 M.Div., ponders what it means to take up our cross and follow. Read today’s God Pause.