Announcements

November is National Native American Heritage Month. The Seminary’s land acknowledgement reads as follows: “Luther Seminary is on Miní Sóta Makhóčhe, the homelands of the Dakhóta Oyáte. The Ojibwe, Ho-Chunk, Cheyenne, Oto, Iowa, and the Sac & Fox also inhabited Minnesota land. We recognize that God calls all to be in right relationship with their neighbors, that the tribes are sovereign nations, that there is a history of broken treaties and broken trust, and that there is much reconciling work to be done. As Christians, we also recognize that in Christ there is new life, forgiveness, and hope for mending what is broken. We pray the Holy Spirit will lead us in this work.” For more resources and current news on Indigenous ministries, see the library’s guide to Native American Heritage and Indigenous Religions of North America.

The Office of International Student and Scholar Affairs (ISSA) and the International Student Association invite you to join us as we celebrate the annual Global Agape Feast—an international thanksgiving with food and fellowship—on Wednesday, November 19 from 4-6 p.m. in the OCC dining room. We will also celebrate Dean Leon Rodrigues as he prepares to retire. We invite everyone to bring a dish to share and wear clothing from your tradition.

Students, staff, and faculty are invited to a Lunch & Learn with the Student Housing Working Group on Wednesday, November 19, 12:00-1:00 p.m. in OCC 10 and on Zoom (link in email). Bring your own lunch. The working group will present its preliminary findings and proposals and solicit feedback from the Luther community on this important issue as we imagine a residential student community in our future space.

Have you ever wondered what actually is in the archives? Or where it is? Or what’s behind those doors in the tunnel from Gullixson to Bockman? Join our archivist, Caleb Rollins, on Wednesday, December 3 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. for a tour of the mystical and mundane found in our archives. The tour will start outside Room 5 in Gullixson Hall. If you have questions or can’t attend this tour but are interested in one, contact Caleb at crollins002@luthersem.edu.

In this devotion, Ramona Bouzard ’80 M.Div., ’13 D.Min., asks if, when we look in the mirror, we see God’s love and justice reflected. Read today’s God Pause.

Friday, November 14 marked the end of our hosting the Smithsonian exhibit on human origins. It was a good experience, and there are many people to thank. Sponsored by both the Smithsonian Institute and the American Library Association, the representatives from both organizations were impressed with the welcome and hospitality they received and was offered to visitors of the exhibit. They were deeply grateful for our work hosting the exhibit. Some fun facts:
– Over 800 guests walked through the exhibit
– 200 of those participated in the programs offered by the Smithsonian during Fall RFS week
– Ken Reynhout led over 120 students from the Blake School through the exhibit as part of a ninth-grade educational experience
– Several local churches took advantage of the exhibit and brought over senior groups.
One of the best comments we received from one of the participants was from a young girl who, upon learning that humans share 60% of their DNA with bananas, said: “My brother has a lot more than that in common with bananas!” Thanks to all who engaged the exhibit and volunteered. Special thank yous to:
– Exhibit Committee: Kenneth Reynhout, Jessi LeClear Vachta, Josh Mesner, Rachel Farris, Chris Jacobson, and Dale Dobias
– Jack Hendricks who stepped in at the last moment to be the docent coordinator. He skillfully organized and scheduled over 15 volunteers to host during the exhibit open hours.
– Dale Dobias for leading this project, especially with so many other changes taking place in the library.
—Terri Elton, Dean of Academic Affairs