rfarris001@luthersem.edu

The next Faith After Deconstruction Meet Up will be Friday, May 9 at 9:30 a.m. CT on Zoom (link in email). Even though it’s a busy time here at the end of the semester, we hope to see you there! FAD is open to the whole Luther Community, especially those with experience in more evangelical-fundamentalist spaces, as we engage in nuanced and supportive conversation. This month, we’re going to do a little book club, discussing the graphic novel Blankets by Craig Thompson. We apologize for the late notice, but since it is a graphic novel, it’s a quick read. If you don’t have time to read it, you are more than welcome to join anyway. We will also discuss two articles shared recently in our group chat: WWJD: You Sure You Want to Know? and Why I Am Christian Again. Questions? Email Lauren Mildahl (lmildahl001).

As part of the celebration of AAPI Heritage Month at Luther Seminary, librarian Fred Sweet has added new links Asian American Biblical Scholars and books to the Global Theology Guide. We hope that you’ll make use of this resource as you research your final papers and projects! And in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in May, the Luther Seminary Library and Kristofer Phan Coffman invite you to visit the new display of books related to Asian and Asian American Christianity. Featured books include theology, biblical hermeneutics, and collections of Christian art from the Asian and Asian American perspective. This guide features resources on AAPI ministry and theology, in recognition of our country’s 22.2 million Asians and 1.6 million Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander communities.

Operations staff wish to share with those who work and office in Gullixson Hall that on Friday, May 2, the heating boilers will be shut down—to keep the building from overheating during the work day. This likely will result in some uncomfortable mornings when the overnight temperatures trend below normal daytime temperatures. Please dress accordingly and consider wearing clothing “in layers” so you can be comfortable throughout the day. Why do we do this? Steam heat cannot be turned on and off within a normal day. Steam heating systems require active steam (212 degrees) at the radiator to function, meaning the entire steam distribution system is hot. When the system is turned off, all of the active steam condenses back to water and is returned to the boiler. To turn the system back on requires reheating all of the water back to 212 degrees, which take a full day. We do monitor weather and chose a day where, moving forward, it seems that most days will provide warmer temperatures. This month the temperature predictions are difficult. If you have any concerns, please contact Rob Verke, rverke001@luthersem.edu.

We gather at 11:00 a.m. CT in the OCC Meditation Chapel and online (link in email) for circle practice. We will gather together, then in-person and online circles will be facilitated separately to ensure meaningful interactions in both modalities. What is circle practice? Rooted in forms of knowing and learning long tended by indigenous communities, circle conversations are opportunities to listen deeply, share from the heart, and engage in what Martin Luther once called “mutual conversation and consolation.” This is not a moment to try to change people’s minds but rather an opportunity for the Spirit to soften our hearts. This practice lies at the center of the theological rationale for Luther Seminary’s welcome statement, which says: “We pledge to bear one another’s burdens, share in one another’s joys, and walk the extra mile for one another’s sake (Gal. 6:2; 1 Cor. 12:26). We commit to robust, passionate, and respectful dialogue with one another—both those with whom we agree and those with whom we disagree.”
Share your prayer requests.

In this devotion, Kathleen M. U. Lowery ’00 M.Div. asks that God will help us to move beyond our mistakes. Read today’s God Pause.

Student feedback suggested we get information about Residential Focus Sessions (RFS) out earlier. Our Summer 2025 RFS Moodle page is up, and we encourage you to check it out as you get ready for summer registration beginning April 22. Note for Summer RFS that some events have shifted due to Juneteenth landing during the same week.