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In this devotion, Dean Lundgren ’94 M.Div., notes how we struggle to see things from a perspective other than our own. Read today’s God Pause.

Luther Seminary students, staff, and faculty—you have a retreat opportunity to practice a pause in your life. . .and a gift from Thrivent Financial to help you do it. We are often discerning new ways to lean into our professional and personal lives, and it is necessary to pause, listen, and rest. Retreat time can be life-giving, restorative, and essential for our well-being. Wholistic health stems from the connection between our body, mind, and spirit—when we tend to one, we tend to all. The Thrivent Charitable Fund Grant has made this possible for those who desire to take intentional time and space away at a retreat center or hermitage. Six students, five staff, and two faculty can receive $150 toward a retreat. This money is available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be sent to you in advance of your retreat time. Any type of retreat is eligible: contemplative, silent, movement-based, program-led, solo, group, etc. To apply, please submit a Google registration form, and we will transfer you the funds. Please apply before October 31, 2024. After the retreat experience, we’ll ask you to write a paragraph describing your experience, how it benefited you, and how you might build intentional pauses into your life in the future. This is a free gift of grace for those of you who yearn to lean into retreat sabbath. If you have any questions, contact Emily Rova-Hegener, contextual learning associate, erovahegener001@luthersem.edu.

This is the third lecture in the ABIDE: Valuing and Managing Diversity Series. We are trying a new format! Watch this video, then join us Thursday, June 20 at 3 p.m. on Zoom (link in email) for a discussion. There is no in-person component to this lecture. We hope you join us to discover the blessings and trials of fostering inclusion, promoting belonging, and upholding equity within organizations.

In this devotion, Dean Lundgren ’94 M.Div. prays for a heart oriented towards praise. Read today’s God Pause.

Luther Seminary is closed tomorrow, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. Community announcements will return on Thursday.

Join Dr. Mary Hess on June 21, 2024, in sharing stories of your connection to and care for the Earth. 

As part of her sabbatical research project, Dr. Hess is helping people learn how to tell their own stories of relationship with Creation, listen to each others’ stories, and then record and share these stories digitally.

This is a project oriented not at “changing people’s minds” but rather at “softening their hearts” in the midst of widespread polarization around caring for Creation.

You don’t need to have any skill with either telling stories, or using digital tech, but you need to bring your own device (smart phone, tablet, or laptop) and a desire to share a story from your own experience and to listen to others. 

We will gather at 8:30 a.m. for informal coffee, and then begin at 9 a.m. and work until lunch in small circles to share stories using specific prompts and dialogue rules. After lunch (which will be provided) we will turn to a “co-laboratory” where we will help you use your own devices to audio record your short story, and then to tweak it with photos, music, and so on. We will conclude by 3 p.m.

This workshop will be held in person, but a future workshop may happen online if there is sufficient interest. Please register for the June 21 workshop online (so we know how much food to have).

For more information, contact Dr. Hess: mhess@luthersem.edu