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Check out this week’s blog post from Dean of the Chapel Steve Thomason—When Life Seems Meaningless.

Called to preach at a wedding, funeral, or other momentous event? Special Occasion Preaching is a new on-demand course designed to help lay leaders craft and deliver sermons with clarity, care, and confidence at life’s most meaningful—and sometimes most difficult—moments. Gain practical tools for preaching with grace and wisdom when it matters most. Learn more and enroll today.

Are you interested in participating in Word & World as a student member of the Editorial Board? Word & World is the quarterly journal of theology for Christian ministry published by the faculty of the seminary. Its work is guided by the staff and an Editorial Board made up of seven members of the Luther faculty and two students. The students are full voting members of the board. One student position is open for the 2025–2026 academic year, starting September 1, 2025. Membership on the board is voluntary and unsalaried, but students do get the opportunity to participate in the life of a significant theological journal. Duties include regular attendance at board meetings (two or three per year) and thoughtful contribution to the board’s work, including bringing ideas for issues and authors. All students, in any program, are eligible. If you would like to be a student board member for 2025–2026, please reply both to Jennifer Pietz (board chair, jpietz002@luthersem.edu) and Mark Granquist (editor, mgranquist001@luthersem.edu) with a note that describes your interest in the position, your availability to serve, and your qualifications. Include your year, program, and anticipated graduation date. To be considered, these must be received by Friday, August 22, 2025. Let us know, too, if you have further questions.

The Stewardship Leaders Program, in collaboration with Thrivent Charitable, invites you to apply for an endowment lab grant. Grant applications must be received by this Sunday, August 3, and winners will be notified by the end of August. This grant program is designed to support Luther Seminary students, faculty, staff, and programs. All applications must align with Luther Seminary’s welcome, vision, and mission statements, and the project must benefit the Luther Seminary community. Total amount awarded will be up to $13,300 with a maximum single grant award of $4,000. Grant applications will be judged by the summer Money and Mission of the Church class as part of their education on endowments. Find out more and apply online. Winners will be notified by the end of August. If you have any questions about the program or the application please email Grace Pomroy, Director of the Stewardship Leaders Program at gpomroy001@luthersem.edu.

In this devotion, Dan Odden ’75 M.Div., ’95 D.Min., meditates on how God invites us to trust in that which is beyond our knowing. Read today’s God Pause.

Faculty and staff, do you have professional news you’d like to share with Story magazine readers? Have you recently published a book or article or presented publicly? Did you represent Luther Seminary at a conference or other event? Submit your news to communic@luthersem.edu by August 1.