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The Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies (ICJS) is currently accepting nominations for its Emerging Religious Leaders Intensive (ERLI), taking place from June 1–June 5, 2026, at the Pearlstone Center in Reisterstown, MD. This program provides a unique, week-long residential immersion designed to fill a critical gap in traditional seminary education. It brings together Christian, Jewish, and Muslim students to engage in rigorous interreligious learning and dialogue.

Serve Boldly is seeking seminarians, teachers, youth ministry professionals, and college and grad students interested in a short-term, 3-week summer commitment in July. Serve Boldly is a Lutheran ministry that provides youth in grades 6-12 the opportunity to accompany and serve their neighbors in urban communities while deepening their understanding of God’s presence in their lives. Leaders and Guides provide a quality service experience for church youth groups. In 2026, Serve Boldly is seeking staff for Milwaukee, Madison, Nashville, and Seattle. Visit their website to start an application. Contact staff@serveboldly.net with any questions.

In this devotion, Kjersten Karlsgodt Darling ’25 Ph.D. considers the problems of human memory and the ways we remind one another of God’s steadfast love. Read today’s God Pause.

Interested in small town and rural ministry? Consider attending the annual Rural Ministry Conference at Wartburg Seminary this March 8–10. The event is in Dubuque, Iowa, and explores the theme “Managing Change and Transforming Conflict in Congregations: Leading in an Age of Polarization.” Speakers David Brubaker, Peter Soli, and Beth McCaw will guide large-group presentations. There are multiple workshops. Thanks to donors, most expenses for this experience will be covered for up to three students. Please express your interest promptly to secure your place by sending an email to Jon Anderson, Rural Ministry Director, janderson008@luthersem.edu. Transportation will be provided for those three Luther Seminary students. People who may be closer to Wartburg and interested should also be in touch. This year, a Zoom version of the conference is available. This will also be supported if you are an interested student.

We are moving from passwords to passphrases for everyone this year. Read this blog post to learn a little more about passphrases. More information will be coming over the next few months. Our Zoom renewal in March will bring some new features for faculty and staff. The same blog post gives a preview of the new features.

In this devotion, Kjersten Karlsgodt Darling ’25 Ph.D. says that even as thoughts of abandonment haunt our own feelings, we know that God is present in our times of wilderness. Read today’s God Pause.