Launching From pastoring Manna and mercy: LSTC’s strategic plan to politics Dan Erlander’s drawings

WINTER/ SPRING 2021 The magazine of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago 21st century missionaries Four LSTC grads say their education prepared them for calls abroad from the president

It’s about time…

or the first time with this issue of how a strategic plan unfolds but they are the Epistle, and many times more not its ultimate purpose. So again, what F over the next three years, you is this future we seek? It comes down to will learn about our new strategic plan. three major changes by the end of 2023. It’s about time. That sounds impatient. • The first pertains to ourcharacter . James Nieman What I really mean is that at heart Despite best intentions, our school this new plan is about being timely, is demographically more like the about engaging the times in which we ELCA than our wider society. We need now live. Entitled “For such a time as to transform this now so authentic this” (Esther 4:14), this plan is our diversity with equity and inclusion school’s alert proposal about preparing becomes our realized goal and gift for faithful leaders for times of ambiguity, the church. And this means confronting instability, and change. We could have our history of racism and white acted differently. In light of the many supremacy. At heart this new challenges now facing seminaries, • The next involves greater access. The strategic plan ministry, and our church, we could have pandemic rapidly taught how to share adopted avoidance or denial. The result our insights beyond in-person means. is about being then would have been quite certain. It We want this to continue further still, timely, about would mean our school’s demise. with learning available more widely Instead, we embarked on the more due to technology, scholarships, and engaging the difficult path of planning, recognizing more. And this access should be a two- times in which what must be urgently addressed and way street where the wisdom of others changing course to reach that goal. also transforms our work. we now live. Attuned to God’s will, aligned with our • The last is about being sustainable. mission, and aware of many gifts, this Many treasured educational forms plan names a future for our school that and facilities now burden our mission. we pray best serves the gospel, and urges We must discern adaptive models, us to commit to that future with all our structures, and resources that can best strength, persistence, and resolve. In support emerging ways of shaping short, it is about hard work for serious people for ministry in the coming change. We all know of strategic plans years. And this will surely require that settle for less, tinkering with minor difficult choices about what to retain or adjustments to how things have always rethink. been or gesturing to vague aspirations Over the next three years, we want both ungrounded and unlikely. Not so for to work toward a future where we can this new plan. Everything is now in play fully be who we say we are, share those because our future requires boldness. gifts with more kinds of learners, and So what is this future we seek? During do this without exhaustion. It’s a future January, there was an orientation for we have explored across many different the “owners” who will guide several groups during the past fifteen months high-priority initiatives during this through reading, interviews, reflection, calendar year. In such a role, it’s easy meetings, and writing. Now it comes to to be overwhelmed by the breadth and you, and not a moment too soon. It’s depth of a plan that touches nearly about time. That’s not my impatience. every part of the school, and daunted It’s my deep, abiding hope. by responsibility for the many tasks yet to be done. Rather than getting lost in the weeds of the plan, though, I asked the owners to step back and imagine the future to which all the plan’s initiatives James Nieman would lead. Detailed timelines are surely President

EPISTLE | WINTER/SPRING 2021 contents

FEATURES

WINTER/SPRING 2021 Vol. 52, No. 1

The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, forms visionary leaders to bear witness to the good news of Jesus Christ.

The Epistle is published three times a year by the Marketing and Communications team. Printed on paper from responsibly managed forests with soy-based inks.

EDITOR Julie B. Sevig DESIGNER 8 Lorel K. Brown

CONTRIBUTORS Jan Boden James Nieman Sarah Burdick Barbara Rossing Elizabeth Chentland Julie B. Sevig Gail Kenny Stephani Shumaker

ON THE COVER Carrie Ballenger (Ben Gray, photographer)

PHOTO CREDITS 14 16 20 Sarah Burdick Ashley Dellagiacoma František Janák, Jr. Anna Moorhead Cover story photos courtesy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan 2 LSTC appoints new director 14 From pastoring to politics and the Holy Land. of admissions LSTC grad now serves in Iowa Senate By Julie B. Sevig

Visit www.lstc.edu for more information 3 David Lindberg remembered about LSTC’s programs, conferences and for his versatility, helpfulness 16 Manna and mercy special events. Dan Erlander’s drawings perfect for remote teaching LSTC BOARD OF DIRECTORS 4 Virtual commencement sends By Barbara Rossing Gordon Braatz graduates ‘into the world’ Susan Candea By Stephani Shumaker Paul Erickson 18 Teaching & learning Kristi Ferguson, chairperson in a pandemic Warren Geier By Stephani Shumaker Terry Goff,vice chairperson 6 Plan ahead Emmanuel Jackson Dreaming about possibilities for Bridget Jones LSTC more important than ever Dale Landgren, treasurer By Elizabeth Chentland 20 Funding the future Scott Leisinger Class of 1970 challenges itself, Jane Mar other classes Karen McClain 8 21st century missionaries By Jan Boden Harry Mueller These LSTC grads say their education Rebecca Pallmeyer prepared them for calls abroad Maryjeanne Schaffmeyer By Julie B. Sevig Janette Schum, secretary

Change of address? Please email DEPARTMENTS [email protected]. Please give the address as it currently appears followed by your new address. 2 Up Front 22 In Memoriam 24 Class Notes 21 Events 23 Transitions 25 Faculty & Staff Accomplishments

EPISTLE | WINTER/SPRING 2021 1 up front

Museum follows LSTC’s lead in returning rare manuscript LSTC appoints new our years ago, LSTC received praise and a good amount of F press for returning a rare 9th director of admissions century Greek manuscript of the complete New Testament to the amio Arigbabuwo joined set annual recruitment goals in Greek Orthodox Church. A second LSTC March 1 as director of collaboration with other staff rare manuscript is to be returned K admissions. and nurture relationships with later this year to the monastery Arigbabuwo brings six years prospective students and key from which it was stolen in 1917. of experience influencers. The 10th-century vellum gospel in higher “LSTC’s work with an is being returned by the American education to the enrollment consultant over the Bible Museum in Washington, D.C., position, the past year made it clear that our which made the announcement last three years recruitment strategies would in January. It will, however, be on in admissions benefit from someone with the exhibit until October, and as a gesture and recruitment type of expertise Kamio has,” said of goodwill, the Greek Orthodox with the Scott Chalmers, dean of student Church added three additional Chicago School services. “While the recruitment Kamio Arigbabuwo manuscripts to the exhibit. of Professional environment for psychology and When LSTC returned the Psychology. She was responsible theology are not identical, it was 9th century manuscript, LSTC for managing recruitment from evident that Kamio has the skill President James Nieman said he the school’s new campus in New set and deep commitments that hoped the seminary’s action would Orleans while continuing to recruit will enable her to engage the very inspire others to return stolen for the Chicago campus. students who feel called to pursue artifacts in their collections. In addition to her work in their studies in a Chicago context.” Codex 1424 found its way to admissions, Arigbabuwo was a Arigbabuwo has a master of a European book dealer and was founding member of the diversity education in cultural and educational purchased from a book dealer by commitment committee at the policy studies from Loyola the president of one of LSTC’s school and facilitated diversity- University, Chicago, and a bachelor predecessor schools. LSTC later focused workshops for staff, of arts in psychology with a minor in received his entire rare book faculty and students. African and Black Diaspora Studies collection from his widow. At LSTC, Arigbabuwo will from DePaul University, Chicago.

and Gami weren’t yet engaged. Seminarian remains hopeful after As Gami was sent back home boyfriend refused entry to U.S. from O’Hare, Perkins began telling her story to the media and talking to By Gail Kenny Nkosinathi “Nathi” Gami, into the an attorney. Since the U.S. Customs achel Perkins expected to country. and Border Patrol was not about to spend the holidays with Gami arrived at O’Hare reverse their decision, she did the next R her family in southern International Airport on Nov. 21 after best thing: she flew to South Africa Wisconsin, introducing them to two days of travel. The only black man and spent a month there meeting his her boyfriend, who she met in in the customs line, he was singled family, going on hikes and on a safari. September 2018 when she served out by TSA agents who searched his And since they were advised to in the ELCA Young Adult in Global phone and belongings. Perkins was apply for the K-1 fiancé visa, they Mission program in eSwatini. told Gami wouldn’t be allowed in took care of one other important Instead, the LSTC middler because he had the wrong visa. He part. They got engaged. He also spent the holidays and J-term had a B-2 visitor visa, appropriate applied for his fiancé visa, which in the Kingdom of eSwatini for short-term visits like the two had can take seven to nine months. (formerly Swaziland) after planned. The agents said he needed “We plan on getting married, U.S. authorities wouldn’t let a K-1 fiancé immigrant visa. Perkins God and government willing,” said

2 EPISTLE | WINTER/SPRING 2021 up front

Clarence Atwood Jr. receives Distinguished Service Award

larence Atwood Jr. received the LSTC 2020 C Distinguished Service Award during the fall board of directors meeting held via David L. Lindberg died Nov. 16. He served on the faculty from 1963 until his retirement in 1995. Zoom. Kristi Ferguson, David Lindberg remembered board chairperson, said for his versatility, helpfulness Clarence Atwood Jr. Atwood’s avid L. Lindberg, 90, from 1963 until his retirement “tireless work in shepherding professor emeritus of in 1995. From 1969-95 he the financial aspects of LSTC D world missions and world directed field education. He was a is well-known. His patience religions and director of field missionary in Japan from 1955-63 in explaining the intricacies education at LSTC for more than 30 for Augustana Lutheran Church in of non-profit finances meant years, died Nov. 16. Yanai and Fukuyama. In retirement a great deal to those of us less Lindberg served on the faculty he took on the project of organizing familiar with such matters.” the archives for LSTC and its Atwood served on the board predecessor schools. from 2010-2019 as a member of Philip Hefner, longtime the administration and finance colleague, said two words come to committee. He served as both mind when he thinks of Lindberg: secretary and chair and was “versatility and helpfulness.” also a member of the 2011-12 When the seminary’s needs presidential search committee. changed, Lindberg took on other Atwood was appointed to roles. “In this latter position [field the LSTC foundation board education] especially, he was very of trustees in fall 2019 and hands-on. He challenged students continues to serve on the audit Nkosinathi “Nathi” Gami and Rachel and comforted them to help them committee of the board. Perkins become better pastors.” Lynn Bird, his pastor at Lindberg was a 1955 graduate Zion Lutheran Church, Tinley Perkins, who remains hopeful. of Augustana Lutheran Seminary, Park, Ill., praised him for “We find hope in our relationship a predecessor school of LSTC. He the readiness with which he being grounded in God, our served on the Lutheran Welfare responds and his “generous relationship being focused on our Services of Illinois and Lutheran spirit, joyful serving and faith… That’s how Nathi and I Social Services of Illinois, the John hopeful feedback.” met, that’s how our relationship Brown Historical Society of Illinois, The Distinguished Service began. Our faith is a vital part of South Shore YMCA, Conference Award is conferred by the our relationship and that is never for Improved Muslim-Christian LSTC board of directors on going to change. That is what… will Relations, and the Urban Academy an individual or couple for continue to give us hope.” in Chicago. With Phyllis Anderson, exemplary service to the

Kenny is a first-year LSTC student who first he designed the ELCA-Evangelical mission and ministry of the blogged about Rachel and Nathi Nov. 21. Lutheran Church in Canada seminary. Horizon Internship Program.

WINTER/SPRING 2021 | EPISTLE 3 Virtual commencement sends graduates ‘into the world’

By Stephani Shumaker the early stages, but President James Nieman indicated during an LSTC “ ent into the world” is the theme town hall meeting in February that of LSTC’s 161st commencement, the ceremony scheduled for the S scheduled for May 16. The traditional third Sunday in May will theme is based on John 17:18: “As you be as creative, meaningful and well have sent me into the world, so I have done as possible. sent them into the world.” Even without the chance to José David Rodriguez, Augustana receive diplomas in person, more heritage chair of global mission and than 50 students will graduate world Christianity (who is retiring at and no doubt find creative ways to the end of this academic year), will mark the day and celebrate with give the commencement address. family and friends. Three graduates The grand hallway stands mostly For the second year, the are profiled on these pages, but quiet and empty these days, but it will soon become the artery to the global pandemic has forced the students receiving these degrees hustle and bustle of LSTC life again. commencement ceremony to be are expected to graduate: 35 MDiv, And as soon-to-be graduates like held virtually instead of in person. four MA, one MAM, six PhD, six those profiled here note, it is a place of memories, lively discussions and At press time, planning was still in ThD and two DMin in preaching. a home away from home.

Katrina Endres-Steingraeber: from hallway dweller to pastor

STC was an easy choice for five years.” She said it’s impossible Katrina Endres-Steingraeber. to name her favorite class. L She lives in Rockford, Ill., but “The classes I enjoyed most the architecture of Hyde Park and were often classes I didn’t expect a feeling that the Spirit was calling to like, but overall, each class I took her to LSTC drew her here. positively impacted my pastoral “It’s overwhelming to think my identity,” she said. seminary education is coming to an As a commuter student Endres- end,” she said. “There are moments Steingraeber was often one of the I feel like I’ve been in seminary first students to enter the LSTC forever, and then there are times building on class days. While where I can’t believe it’s only been waiting for the sunrise to illuminate

4 EPISTLE | WINTER/SPRING 2021 Nash Shaffer: he Michael Markwell: preached his way youth ministry through seminary launched him ash Shaffer didn’t quite know what the Spirit had in store to seminary N for him when he accepted a raduating senior pulpit supply position in the Spring Michael Markwell first of 2019. “Supply preaching was such G felt the call to be a a hard gig to get. Every time I replied pastor while serving as a youth to a church needing a preacher, ministry another student always beat me to coordinator, the punch,” he said. a ministry he Then came Faith Evangelical served as their pastor and continued his Lutheran Church on Chicago’s returned to LSTC just months after first two years South Side, which immediately took graduating with his MDiv. of seminary. Shaffer up on his offer to supply “It didn’t feel like I ever left Markwell preach. What he didn’t realize until because I literally didn’t,” Shaffer is grateful just days before that Sunday gig, was joked. Close to finishing his second to Shepherd that it was also commencement. degree, he is grateful for the of the Hill “I almost didn’t make it to theological foundation built during Lutheran graduation. My classmate had to his MDiv that allowed him to now Church in Lockport, Ill., where call me as they were leaving LSTC focus on expanding his worldview of he not only received his call to to walk to the chapel,” he said. Christianity and politics. He’s been ministry, but found support The pulpit supply went so well in able to discover why the world is the throughout his transformation the congregation that hadn’t had a way it is, he said, and that inspired into a ministerial leader. They pastor in 10 years that they offered his thesis: “Eyes Wide Shut: Dealing viewed their role as a teaching him a full-time position. Growing with African Americans Surviving congregation to be part of their up Pentecostal, Shaffer now faced America in a Post Trump Society.” ministry. “They were like my a dilemma: If he went back to LSTC And although his time at LSTC second home,” he said. for an MAM in preparation for the is drawing to a close, he hasn’t On internship at Peace Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod ruled out another return: “I might Lutheran Church in New qualifying ordination exams, he’d come back to complete the DMin Lenox, Ill., he experienced leave the church without a pastor. program… continuing learning more growth and a seasoned The decision came easy to Shaffer: from professors and an institution supervisor who modeled public “These people needed a pastor.” that has helped expand how I view church. Markwell represented He was able to do both. Shaffer the kingdom of God.” churches on the 2020 Census community task force, which made him realize “It wasn’t the courtyard, she would sit in in a hospital room or their home just the church entrusting the grand hallway, catching up on is such a sacred act,” she said, me with the office and role reading or homework. adding that even with beds and of pastor, but the entire “The grand hallway sort of medial equipment, hospital rooms community.” became my living room away from are especially sacred. “It’s in these Markwell and his wife, home,” she said. While enjoying her rooms you’re invited into these Rachel, are looking toward warm cup of coffee and a scone from tender moments of people’s lives.” post-graduation, when they’ll the Refectory, other students, faculty Endres-Steingraeber hopes be able to live in a permanent and staff often stopped to talk. she’ll find a parish as welcoming, location for the first time since Her call to ministry was loving and supportive as Christ beginning seminary. He’ll miss confirmed by her internship Lutheran. She said they seemed running into professors in the at Christ Lutheran Church in challenged by her sermons and Hyde Park neighborhood and Belvidere, Ill., especially when she teaching, and found creative having theological discussions visited parishioners. ways to bring joy to worship in the grand hallway between “Visiting anyone, whether it be despite COVID. classes.

WINTER/SPRING 2021 | EPISTLE 5 Plan ahead Dreaming about possibilities for LSTC more important than ever

By Elizabeth Chentland – comprised of LSTC faculty, and credible plan, properly named staff, students and board “For Such a Time as This,” which ack in November 2019, the members, and supported by a was approved by LSTC’s board of LSTC board and community strategic planning consulting directors in November. B members began looking agency – examined LSTC’s core Soon after, members of the LSTC forward to, and planning for, this institutional commitments. Over community stepped forward to act point in time. the next several months, the as “owners” of various initiatives, These leaders recognized early group collected data and new identifying and beginning to on the importance of authorizing information, held focus groups implement the necessary tasks the formation of a new strategic and listening sessions with internal that would propel LSTC to goal plan for calendar years 2021- and external partners, and realization. 2023. They knew providing ample began drafting their initial So you’re probably saying: time for the LSTC community and reports on how to best move the “Thanks for the background, now various stakeholders to gather, seminary forward. what?” The strategic plan is now listen to one another and dream By September, the group had public, as are the eight priorities together about possibilities for summarized major insights and (pulled from the final plan) that seminary education and operations began suggesting priority areas LSTC is focusing on in 2021. Now, was now more important than ever. for the seminary to focus on in we collaborate. Now we turn Starting in January 2020, upcoming years. By October, these aspirations into action.

members of a small but mighty priority areas were pulled together Chentland is director of strategic marketing strategic plan steering committee in a comprehensive, integrated and communications.

Lena Washington, Marvin Erik Christensen, director of dining services Wickware, pastor to the community and assistant director of worship All of the strategic plan professor of discussions revealed the church and This plan is our faithful effort thoughtful and society and ethics to be and to form talented If LSTC faithfully disciples people follows through on its strategic for this LSTC has to plan commitments, it will be a moment move our seminary that fundamentally in history. seminary challenges a nation built on forward. exploitation.

6 EPISTLE | WINTER/SPRING 2021 LSTC’s 2021 priorities (in alphabetical order)

Administrative Align personnel with functional areas to improve organizational structure, alignment communication and staff retention.

Antiracism Receive, affirm and endorse recommendations from the seminary’s Antiracism team and Transformation Team in order to dismantle institutionalized white supremacy; authentic Implement recommendations for theological education from the Strategic diversity Authentic Diversity Task Force of the ELCA.

Curriculum Conduct a curriculum review to focus on course planning, new program creation review and delivery practices, faculty hiring and paracurricular activities.

Enrollment Enhance the student experience by developing and fostering strategic and diverse pipelines enrollment pipelines.

Program Assess seminary opportunity costs and implement decisions to achieve program viability sustainability.

Redeveloped Explore redevelopment of main property/facilities to benefit the school and facilities community.

Remote Enhance shift of degree programs online to address remote learning challenges. learning

Scholarship Review student financial challenges and respond with scholarships attuned to support distinctive needs, pre-enrollment financial counseling and finding a balance between employment and granting.

Follow our progress by visiting Esther Kristi Ferguson, Menn, LSTC board of directors chairperson lstc.edu/about/ dean of strategic-plan Academic In our data, the word Affairs ‘partnership’ came up repeatedly. Enhancing The partnerships with strategic congregations, planning synods, alumni and process was an eye-opening donors will be critical and affirming process that I am to the success of the confident will take LSTC to a strategic plan. new level.

WINTER/SPRING 2021 | EPISTLE 7 21st century missionaries These LSTC grads say their education prepared them for calls abroad

By Julie B. Sevig reminisce about their seminary days, communities other than her own. discuss their current calls, and even Contextual education on Chicago’s our alumni whose ministries offered current seminary students South Side and an internship on the were shaped by LSTC now some advice. Without prompting north side prepared her for what F hold all the ELCA missionary or pressure, they were clear about she thought would be an urban positions in the Middle East. They one thing: their education and first call, so she was surprised to be are Gabi Aelabouni (2005, MDiv) and experiences at LSTC prepared them called to a rural parish. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni (2006, well for their ministries abroad. “Those experiences helped me to MDiv), Carrie Ballenger (2009, MDiv) Ballenger, who has served in be able to walk into Jerusalem and and Christie Manisto (2008, MDiv). the Holy Land the longest, says connect with people,” she said. “I These four pastors recently it was her seminary education didn’t take a class on Middle Eastern gathered for a Zoom interview to that enabled her to walk into history or the Israeli Palestinian

8 EPISTLE | WINTER/SPRING 2021 21st century missionaries

What I learned at LSTC is how to be a learner, how to say ‘I don’t know.’

Carrie Ballenger, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem

LSTC graduate Carrie Ballenger (above left) leads an Easter sunrise service on the Mount of Olives.

WINTER/SPRING 2021 | EPISTLE 9 Not only were we encouraged, but LSTC pushed us to stretch ourselves. We were always encouraged to ask questions: Who is in the building? Who is not and why is that? That changed me and prepared me for this. Christie Manisto, St. Andrew’s United Church of Cairo and St. Andrews Refugee Service

conflict… and yet I feel like what to get to this place of peace based on Christie and Steve I learned at LSTC is how to be a justice. It’s not as simple as flipping Manisto learner, how to say ‘I don’t know.’ a switch. It’s ongoing.” doing If as a missionary you walk into a ministry in Cairo, Egypt. context and say ‘I know all the things Meanwhile, in Cairo and I’m here to give them to you’ Manisto is quick to agree with how you’re not going to last very long.” LSTC prepared her for a global call. Africa and She says this is true if your call is “Not only were we encouraged, Syria each year. to a foreign place or an hour down the but LSTC pushed us to stretch She does road—learning and understanding ourselves,” she said. Her internship everything the context fosters a relationship. on the South Side was in a mostly from “I really credit LSTC for that,” white congregation but an African preaching and she continued. “Something American community. “We were pastoral care, changed about me during my time always encouraged to ask questions: to supervising security guards, to at the school.” Who is in the building? Who is not dealing with a weasel that jumped Ballenger serves the English- and why is that? That changed me out of the church’s sound system on speaking congregation of the and prepared me for this.” Christmas and in early March had Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Manisto and her husband Steve still avoided capture. Jerusalem and has assisted the former had interviewed for a different “One of the biggest eye openers and current bishops of the Evangelical ELCA global mission position when is the location of the church in Lutheran Church of Jordan and their adventure GPS rerouted them Egypt and why the church is here,” the Holy Land (ELCJHL) and other to Egypt, in part because of Steve’s she said. The church was planted by organizations as a writer. “The longer penchant for studying Arabic. Scotland for the military who came I’m here, I notice they take my first Saïd Ailabouni, the ELCA director as colonists. She is also responsible draft,” she said with good humor. for the Middle East and North Africa, for six refugee congregations “I don’t need to be the voice of told them, “If you are up for a REAL that meet there, supervising their the Palestinian people, but at the adventure, go to Egypt!” Manisto pastors—one Ethiopian and the same time, I think that the reason recalled. “We’re always up for an others Sudanese or South Sudanese. I can do it is that I’ve gotten to adventure, so we said ‘OK, consider “I spend a lot of time reflecting know the people deeply,” she said, us for Egypt.’” that I am a white woman from adding that she arrived seven years Manisto’s call is split in two the west put into a position with ago with intellectual knowledge of parts. She is pastor to St. Andrew’s authority over pastors who are from the region and a heart for justice United Church of Cairo (serving an Sudan in a refugee organization,” activism. “I’ve learned to be international congregation made up she said. “We talk a lot about that. comfortable with the gray areas, of expatriates and Egyptian nationals). We’re refugee-led and at the same and that’s ongoing learning… The She is also pastoral associate/chaplain time, walking in from the global more I learn about people’s lives I to St. Andrews Refugee Service west you bring an incredible amount see how complicated it is here. That (StARS), which began as a safe place of privilege with you. There’s a lot doesn’t mean I’m less committed to for displaced individuals to gather and of disparity and incredible injustice. justice. It just means I understand learn English, and now serves 40,000 Much like the U.S., Egypt is steeped how complicated it is to get there— refugees displaced from the Horn of in racism, especially toward

10 EPISTLE | WINTER/SPRING 2021 individuals with refugee status, and A return home versus unprivileged people behind especially toward those with dark The Aelabounis struggle with similar the wall, and that has been shocking skin. There’s a lot of violence, there challenges. For Gabi, it is a return to to me. And scary at the same time, are a lot of horrific things that go on the homeland he left in 2001. that we are in the 21st century and that my husband and I can basically “When I left, I thought when I people are still suffering because of walk through and not be touched. came back things would be better, their privilege or lack of privilege. What does it mean to be here in things would have changed and Here you can really feel, hear and accompaniment as missionaries— Palestinian people would have touch this reality every day.” which is also a loaded word.” more of a chance for freedom and a Since the summer of 2019, Walking with others while just peace,” he said. “Coming back he and his wife, Meghan, have recognizing to a worse reality was shocking. been the ELCA’s Young Adults in their own Palestinian people are still under Global Mission (YAGM) country privilege is occupation, and that means not just coordinators for the Jerusalem/ complicated by people behind walls (the wall that West Bank program. In May, he will the dynamics in separates the West Bank from Israel) assume colleague Saïd’s position, the Arab world but also a lot of harshness in their making him the primary contact and alliances way of living, economy and health between the ELCA and Lutheran/ with Israel and care. While we are living in Israel, on ecumenical partners in the region. Palestine. so many levels we live with privilege… The Aelabounis had been living in

Meghan Johnston Aelabouni training the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission.

WINTER/SPRING 2021 | EPISTLE 11 Fort Collins, Colo., with Gabi serving the ELCA as director of the Fund for Leaders and Meghan working on her PhD, when they applied for the YAGM coordinators position. “It all happened fast,” Meghan said. “But we knew how the YAGM program worked. We took a deep breath and said, ‘this seems like the call’ and so we said yes.” Along with volunteers and partner church ELCJHL, they are responsible for all the logistics of the Jerusalem/ West Bank YAGM program, including finding placements in congregations and host families. And when not under COVID lockdown, responsibilities include orientation, Carrie Ballenger shakes hands with Gabi and Meghan Aelebouni during their service of ongoing continuing education, commissioning and installation. All three are LSTC graduates. retreats, spiritual formation, monthly events and check ins. LSTC and the people shaped who recognized as clergy. I think that’s a It’s an “amazing call,” Meghan we are today.” really cool thing, but I’m really proud says, this chance to accompany both That includes, of course, the of having three ELCA women in this the ELCJHL and the YAGMs. Gabi woman whose eyes he met across a region and that we are all [graduates is reflective as he transitions to his crowded chapel service on the first of] LSTC. I feel like that’s something new call, “So for me it’s a time of day. Although they dated throughout really important and probably has to serving my community and bridging seminary, they didn’t make a show do with how we were formed.” this community—the people in the of it and rarely sat together in “Amen to that,” adds Gabi. Middle East and North Africa and class, though often challenging one Manisto is one of four women the culture—with my home church, another in class discussions. One day clergy in all of Egypt, where they the ELCA. A blessing that I’ve been she disagreed with him and blurted don’t yet ordain women. Ballenger waiting for for a long time,” he said. out, “Yeah, but Honey…” and Aelebouni are two of six Just as Gabi found acceptance ordained women in Israel-Palestine. Across a crowded chapel at seminary, Meghan found “You bring a new perspective Gabi was a young adult himself challenge. “LSTC was the first that people need to hear here. And when he took his first trip outside place I was ever challenged on my to see and to trust,” Gabi says to the of Israel/Palestine to attend LSTC whiteness… It was the first place I women. “A lot of what people are as an international student. had meaningful relationships with going through here is based on what “What I experienced at LSTC was faculty of color and peers of color. the culture tells them is right versus acceptance,” he said. “It provided a I would say something, and they’d wrong. But when you are here you safe place for me and a model for what say, ‘Well, it’s because you have reinforce or support the idea and it means to live in a place respectful the luxury of being white.’ No one belief that I have, and many have of who you are and where you came had ever said that to me before.” here, that women’s leadership in from and what you believe. That It was at LSTC that she began to the church matters. Women can doesn’t mean you always agree, but come to a reckoning on racial and make a difference. Being a female there’s a respect for human beings, gender injustice, misogyny, queer pastor in the church is not a sin. people’s humanity and dignity. That phobia, and Islamophobia. For you all to choose that path and was the first time in my life that I felt All four nod at the influence of choose to come here says a lot about that way. And that was LSTC.” LSTC and marvel at their current calls. who you are and what you can bring He says the people he first to this part of the world.” met at LSTC remain some of his Groundbreaking leaders “favorite people.” “Three women serving in the Advice to students “I trust them completely and Middle East? That’s a really big And with that message of they’ve walked with me until this deal,” Ballenger says. “We’ve had gratitude, Gabi dashed to another point in my life… It’s wonderful to ELCA women in this place where meeting, leaving his colleagues to remember that journey and how women are not usually ordained or offer up advice to seminarians:

12 EPISTLE | WINTER/SPRING 2021 Gabi and Meghan Aelebouni with their children Natalie, 9, Luke, 5, and Ethan, 12.

“Be open to surprises,” Ballenger it doesn’t make me less… There is said. “I went to seminary with a something freeing about knowing I American culture vision of myself in a robe and a stole can’t be [fully] prepared.” focuses on and leading worship. That vision Manisto concurred. “Don’t be helped me get through seminary, afraid. I had a great first call, but I productivity, but that vision is not at all what it was always so worried that if I said looks like today. It was fine that it this or preached this, how will I be achievement and propelled me forward but be open to perceived? But I ended up not being perfectionism. I the fact that your ministry might be fully who I was or wanted to be. It’s very, very different.” taken me awhile to figure that out. carried that with Aelabouni said her feelings of “I think the church is wonderful, inadequacy heading into her year- but it can be a hard place. It can be so me as a pastor too. long exchange program to study in hard. Don’t be afraid. Try that thing One of my greatest Munich, Germany, provided a life you want… and go for it. That’s one lesson she frequently pulls out of thing about global mission: there discoveries of her “LSTC suitcase” when training would be days in the parish that YAGMs. She didn’t know German, were fine, and even a little boring, ministry is that but she knew how to fret. but here it’s never boring, not one I can be flawed and “You can’t learn everything or day. There’s always something that know everything ahead of time,” happens, it’s awesome and crazy all imperfect she said. “No matter how much at the same time.” you know before you go, it won’t be and make mistakes [Editor’s note: At press time, the ELCA decided enough… American culture focuses not to move forward with the 2021-2022 YAGM and make people on productivity, achievement and year due to COVID-related complications in perfectionism. I carried that with me the U.S. and globally, and Meghan and Gabi will no longer serve as country coordinators. mad, and it doesn’t as a pastor too. One of my greatest The Aelabounis remain in Jerusalem as Gabi discoveries of ministry is that I can transitions into his new position and Meghan make me less. be flawed and imperfect and make serves as an accompanying spouse.] Meghan Johnston Aelabouni mistakes and make people mad, and Sevig is content and social media manager. (2006, MDiv)

WINTER/SPRING 2021 | EPISTLE 13 From pastoring to politics LSTC grad now serves in Iowa Senate

By Julie B. Sevig LSTC played a role Challenges, joys Seminary not only prepared her The pandemic has posed an t was never Sarah Trone well for parish ministry, but for “incredible challenge” she said as Garriott’s goal to run for her nonprofit work and now for she began her senate role. Protocol I political office, but then, she her role as a senator. She rattles set by the Republican majority didn’t never intended to be a pastor either. off the list of transferrable skills: mandate masks or require staff to “I encountered work that I felt public speaking, project planning, disclose if tested COVID positive. called to do, and these roles were leadership, fundraising… “This means it is much more ways to do that work,” said Trone “But the most valuable thing was challenging to get to know my Garriott (2008, MDiv), who now having to be a stranger time and colleagues and I will have to find other represents the 22nd District of Iowa again,” she said, recalling multiple ways to be present for constituents.” in the state senate. relocations with her husband Will— The attack on the U.S. Capitol also As a parish pastor and an to Chicago for seminary, walking into made her worry about safety. interfaith leader, she was asked people’s lives as a hospital chaplain, Her priority is to help Iowa and to open a session of the senate and living in small West Virginia the nation recover the idea of the in prayer. Before long, she was town for internship, and rural common good, investing in things paying closer attention to state Virginia for first call. that benefit all and create a more government and noticing legislation “I’ve developed some skills equitable world: public education, that seemed disconnected from to navigate new health care, natural community needs. and stressful resources. Meanwhile, she left parish environments,” To pinpoint joy, ministry to work for the she said. “I’ve had I have many she thinks back on area’s largest food pantry practice building stories to hospital chaplaincies network, continuing to observe relationships with in Chicago and legislation that threatened lots of different remind Philadelphia: “There SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition kinds of people, and were surprising Assistance Program) benefits. I have many stories myself that moments of joy “They introduced this to remind myself something in the worst of legislation without speaking that something new circumstances. Kind with any of the feeding agencies always comes after new always and committed people in the state, and then refused to an ending.” worked diligently hear us as we resoundingly spoke Navigating comes after behind the scenes for out against it,” she said. “The difficult issues, an ending. the good of others. I pandemic was the only thing that being in relationship hope to encounter that stopped them—thank goodness with people who see Sarah Trone Garriott, at the capitol as well.” because the SNAP program was things differently, Iowa State Senator Trone Garriott said essential during this challenging trying to work she sometimes wishes time. If lawmakers do not listen through conflict she could direct her to the community, they need to together, loving people we disagree life in ways that would be easier on be replaced. I felt that I couldn’t with — “these are things that I herself and her family, “but service is expect someone else to run if I bring because of that [pastoral] a calling, and each time you answer wasn’t willing to do it myself. So I experience,” she told the Religion that call it gets a little easier to say stepped up.” News Service during her campaign. ‘yes’ to the next call.”

14 EPISTLE | WINTER/SPRING 2021 From pastoring to politics

WINTER/SPRING 2021 | EPISTLE 15 ILUSTRATIONS BY DAN ERLANDER. USED WITH PERMISSION.

manna and mercy

Dan Erlander’s drawings perfect for remote teaching

By Barbara humor, but not necessarily doctrine read the story of Naboth’s vineyard, Rossing or dogma—could sneak through this where the prophet Elijah condemns trap door into people’s hearts.” wealthy king Ahab for seizing the ne joy of Dan’s sneakiest picture may be nahalah. Dan’s wonderful disarming teaching the pyramid of Pharaoh’s Egypt humor presents radical economic O remotely economic system. Rulers, military concepts in a gentle way. on Zoom this and “big deals” at the top exploit Through the lens of mercy, Dan past fall was slaves and people at the bottom, critiques exclusivist authors and using LSTC alum Daniel Erlander’s while a god figure and priests claim voices in the Bible, such as Ezra and illustrated textbook Manna and “this is the way it is… this is the Nehemiah who expelled foreign Mercy: God’s Unfolding Plan to Mend way it always will be.” wives. Dan shows how Ruth and the Universe. My colleague Assistant The antidote to empires’ Jonah were written in the Persian Professor Eunyung Lim, who was economic abuses is what Dan calls a Period as a critique of Ezra’s on maternity leave, designed the “manna economy,” where hoarding theology, to give a more expansive Bible Survey class using Jewish stinks and everyone has enough. vision towards including foreigners. scholar James Kugel’s How to Read God’s classroom for this way of life While oppressive voices the Bible as the main text. I added is pictured as “Wilderness School,” sometimes prevailed in biblical Manna and Mercy. with Moses at a chalkboard and history, Dan makes clear that these Dan pictures the Exodus story and people sitting at little desks, learning bursts of exclusivism cause God manna as a lens for reading the entire crucial manna lessons. God’s gift to weep. With gentle humor Dan Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. of food to hungry people teaches a embeds radical inclusiveness in “Pictures, like stories, are Dan’s way manna way of life that Jesus also unexpected voices, including a pair of sneaking beneath people’s radar,” embodied in the New Testament. of prairie dogs whose wisecracks says Tom Witt, musician and friend. Dan introduces Hebrew terms such enliven the Bible stories. “Dan thought most people had a as nahalah, the “land inheritance of trap door in the back of their head many common folk” that must not Enter: Jesus and that stories and pictures—and be sold. Students used that lens to God sends Jesus, Immanuel, to

16 EPISTLE | WINTER/SPRING 2021 call people back to God’s vision of diversity of biblical authors and their teach others,” she said. manna and mercy. contrasting theologies was one of God’s radical vision of manna for Dan illustrates Jesus’ temptation my goals, supported by additional all critiques the “crabby people” and in the wilderness as a “Messiah articles such as Norman Gottwald’s “big deals” of our world by inviting Success Seminar,” one of my and Robert Warrior’s articles on students into a counter-story that favorite drawings. Satan tries to the conquest narrative. Students is daring and fun. Women and the tempt Jesus to follow Plan A, using appreciated the scholarship reflected whole creation are central to the military force and political power, in Dan’s hand-written endnotes and story, including Miriam’s song at the but Jesus chooses Plan B: vulnerable drawings, distinguishing the Yahwist Exodus, Deborah the liberator, the love, compassion, mercy and food (J) author, from the Elohist (E) and women at the empty tomb when God for all. The feeding of the 5,000, Priestly Writer (P). One cartoon raised Jesus and a banquet where healings, and the Last Supper all pictures these biblical authors Jesus hosts all creatures. embody this radical economy of writing at desks, with T-shirt logos While “fun” is not a word most manna and mercy that leads Jesus identifying them as J, E or P. people associate with the Bible, to the cross. But “Jesus and his Articles by African American, Dan’s humor and pictures open up troublemaking go merrily on!” Asian and Latinx authors (including that important and fun dimension of Even the apostle Paul drew on one by my teaching assistant Karen scriptural imagination. Manna and the manna story in exhorting the Kang) expanded the diversity of Mercy: A Brief History of God Unfolding Corinthians to share their money perspectives on biblical stories. Plan to Mend the Entire Universe (1992) with those in need in Jerusalem. Dan Senior Kristin Schmid says draws on top-notch scholarship and pictures Paul writing at his desk Dan’s book helps her envision served as a great textbook on Zoom. I with his diploma “Chief of Sinners” teaching in a congregation. recommend it! on the wall, urging the Corinthians “Erlander does a great job of Rossing is professor of New Testament and a to “live like the wilderness manna taking on big themes in a very long-time friend of Dan Erlander, who received the people” by releasing their excess understandable, compelling and “Faithful Servant” Distinguished Alumni Award from LSTC in 2006. Manna and Mercy—both the manna (2 Cor 8:1-15). even humorous way. This is helpful original and a new version and accompanying Teaching appreciation for the as someone who is learning how to resources are available at Augsburgfortress.org.

WINTER/SPRING 2021 | EPISTLE 17 Teaching & learning in a pandemic

By Stephani Shumaker class put the faculty learners in the were] balancing new roles that position of “online student.” aren’t conducive to online learning. hough many things have come “Throughout the class, I was “Many students were managing to a screeching halt due to the able to learn what I thought online learning with children and T pandemic, LSTC has made worked and didn’t work as an other family members completing sure education is not one of them. online student. I was constantly online learning in the same space,” Eric Kyle, associate professor and thinking about how I would tweak Petersen said. director of contextual education, the class that I would be teaching.” “You can show up however you spearheaded the transition from in- Wagner participated in the need to show up,” she often told person classes to online. same course and echoed Petersen: her classes. “If I normalize my “Immediately there was initial “Through being an online student children popping up during class, shock of what seemed like an I learned just how difficult sitting then my students feel less shame overnight shift to online classes,” and staring at a screen can be. when theirs do as well,” she said. said Kyle, whose first step was to use If students are required to be in Wagner also struggled to Reading Week for faculty small groups Zoom for my class, I want it to be create a space for students to be that would brainstorm the transition. Kim Wagner, assistant professor of homiletics and Axel Jacob and Gerda Maria (Swanson) Carlson It’s easier to hide your emotions Chair in Homiletics, said it became when you’re on a screen. I had more than just learning to teach online. Everything faculty had been to show up fully human to the doing had to move online as well: “faculty meetings, committee work classroom so other students could and we just so happened to have a bring their full humanity as well. faculty search amid all of this. We were not only focused on creating Brooke Petersen, LSTC faculty member community for students online, but creating community for faculty.” When faculty member Brooke necessary, valuable and helpful.” authentic. “During quarantine it Petersen first learned classes would was very lonely,” she said. “I knew be adapted to an online platform Showing up fully human how important it was to cultivate a for the 2020-2021 academic year, Faculty have been challenged to space where students care for one she recalls thinking, “We’re going find ways of bringing a “human another and are cared for.” to have to make this work.” touch” to a virtual setting: “It’s Though the pandemic has Petersen, who wears many easier to hide your emotions when made fostering online community hats, including teaching, director you’re on a screen. I had to show and relationships with students of MDiv and MA programs and up fully human to the classroom difficult, Petersen said it has allowed candidacy coordinator, took so other students could bring their professors to engage students with advantage of a course focused on full humanity as well.” She said she different learning styles—styles that online pedagogies offered through wanted to normalize the struggles might not be beneficial or utilized in the University of Wisconsin. The of students, [especially those who a classroom setting.

18 EPISTLE | WINTER/SPRING 2021 Kelsey Kresse misses class discussions. “I learn so much from listening and conversing with my peers in class,” Kresse said.

“I learn so much from listening and conversing with my peers in class,” she said. When confined to Zoom squares, it’s difficult to read the room, contribute to discussions, and tell when another student or professor is done talking. “It’s difficult to watch simultaneously what my professor and their body language is saying, along with the body language and faces of my peers,” she said. “So often, the entire class will unmute themselves at once to respond, and we’re left speaking over each other.” Or, students hold back, afraid of speaking over someone else. Not all features of an in-person class have been lost in the transition, however. Craig Mueller, her professor for spiritual formation, Brooke Petersen teaches remotely. for instance, used the chat feature to ask playful questions such as what they’re eating and drinking. She has used multiple kinds “I feel fortunate to be a part Students’ ability to respond casually of resources, such as videos, of a faculty that both cares about in the chat imitated the casual readings, discussion posts, music our students and cares about conversation they might have on and podcasts. Online learning has high-quality learning,” Petersen class break, she observed. allowed students to access material said. “It’s a gift to do it alongside What often can’t be replicated in in multiple ways, she said. awesome folks.” an online class is the ability to be a Petersen believes faculty members community together. When the Jan. approached this challenge with Missing discussion the most 6 capitol attack occurred and class a real desire to continue to have When Kelsey Kresse learned during ended early: “I was left to process quality teaching. This semester the internship that she’d have to what was unfolding in our country IT department and Kyle are offering spend her senior year of seminary alone.” faculty workshops centered around online, she felt overwhelmed at the Shumaker is a graduating senior and online pedagogies, as well as how to thought of losing the discussion- student worker in the communications and better utilize Zoom. based aspect of her classes. marketing department.

WINTER/SPRING 2021 | EPISTLE 19 By Jan Boden

embers of the Class of 1970 are proving that M good things can come of a casual conversation. In 2019, Allan Rohlfs and Brian Eklund (both MDiv, 1970), and Matt Keadle (2011, MDiv) got together with Anna Moorhead, then a new gift officer for LSTC, for a get-to- know you conversation. During their visit, Eklund mentioned that the fraternity at his other alma mater, Muhlenberg Brian Eklund, Matt Keadle and Allan Rohlfs outside of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in College, was funding a scholarship Los Angeles, Calif., where a conversation turned to inspiration to fund a scholarship. there. That sparked the idea that Rohlfs and Eklund could organize their class to do the same thing for LSTC. “I had gotten a letter from my alma mater, Augustana College, asking Funding me to send them the RMD (required minimum distribution) from my the IRA,” Rohlfs said. “And I thought, ‘That’s a great idea! We could ask members of the Class of 1970 to do that to fund a scholarship at LSTC.’” Rohlfs had been especially concerned about LSTC’s ability to compete with the full-tuition future scholarships that he had heard several other ELCA seminaries Class of 1970 challenges itself, other classes are providing to every incoming masters student. He wanted to This wasn’t the only plan class scholarship has met several challenge his class to fully fund members considered to fund times with Bill Myatt, director of one student and then see if other scholarships. They discussed philanthropic engagement, and classes could do the same. creating an endowment, but many Jessica Houston, alumni services He did some calculating and of them favor the impact of giving and events manager to move ahead inquiring: there were 55 MDiv the scholarship immediately. This with their efforts. Volunteers so far graduates in the Class of 1970. Some would mean pledging to repeat the include Pete Manfred, Fred Sickert, have died and some have lost touch gift for five years. Brian Eklund, John Heins, Keith with LSTC due to life transitions. “If each successive class did the Nelson, Albert “Bert” Bodaski, In October, 14 classmates attended same, then we will have created Dennis Ellison, Paul Swanson, Kurt their 50-year virtual reunion where a succession for the scholarship Hendel and Allan Rohlfs. Rohlfs and Eklund shared their idea. fund,” Rohlfs reasoned. “The Class of 1970 has a great plan Another reason to give the to help future leaders afford LSTC. I ‘Take a free ride’ gift now is their awareness of encourage other classes to consider “Together we came up with the the changing nature of seminary the challenge idea that if each class member gave education. With changes in the they have made. You can make a gift to LSTC too. sacrificially, we could provide a church, the candidacy process, Imagine the Scan to learn more: total ride for one person. We want recruitment and questions about impact that would to challenge each class after ours to what this kind of education will have for LSTC do the same. That way LSTC could look like a few years from now, students,” Myatt give a free ride to many more, if flexibility is an advantage. said. we could, to each of the incoming The energetic but unofficial Boden is public students,” Rohlfs said. steering committee for the relations manager.

20 EPISTLE | WINTER/SPRING 2021 events

Echols Preaching ‘For Such a Time as This’ Prize Celebration on the horizon is Giving Day theme pril 6-7 is LSTC’s 4th alumni and friends. Marvin his year the James annual 24-hour Giving Wickware Jr., assistant professor of Kenneth Echols Prize A Day. LSTC hopes to raise church and society and ethics, will T for Excellence in $125,000 from 325 present the third in a Preaching is taking the form of donors like you— series, “Talking About a celebration of preaching. your participation Antiracism.” Recordings Students were invited is essential to the of the first two lectures to submit a sermon on seminary’s success! are on LSTC’s YouTube the theme Food and Giving Day 2021 channel. Feasting and up to four takes its theme from the Kurt and Jobey Hendel finalists will be selected to seminary’s 2021-23 strategic plan, and Ken and Eloise Dale have made preach April 15 as part of For Such a Time as This. It will focus sacrificial lead gift commitments, the Echols Preaching Prize on two initiatives within the plan: and hope you’ll join them in giving. Celebration. Each finalist scholarships and antiracism. Contact Jessica Houston at jhouston@ will receive prize money In an all-virtual format, watch lstc.edu or Mark Lowry at mark. for their selection and LSTC’s social media platforms for [email protected] for more information participation. Students were messages from faculty, students, or to get involved. urged to think imaginatively and theologically about the theme—whether food justice, eucharist, biblical LSTC offers ‘Becoming a Hybrid story or something else entirely, yet still grounded in Church’ free workshop April 16 future rich exegetical work with a biblical text. ave Daubert has literally this wisely and well. This annual preaching written the book about being Daubert offers keys to using event was established and D a hybrid church, both in technology and the web as tools funded by LeRoy T. Carlson person and online. for ministry while also using to promote quality and LSTC is offering more familiar “on-the-ground” excellence of preaching a free workshop ministry methods. An ELCA and to honor Echols, (lstc.edu/events) pastor, he founded and leads who served as LSTC’s with Daubert April Day 8 Strategies (day8strategies. president. The preaching 16, 9-10 a.m. CST, com), which works with leaders celebration will be online and during which and congregations. Daubert wrote livestreamed. participants will Becoming a Hybrid Church with discuss how to do Dave Daubert Richard Jorgensen. Annual Capitol Hill gathering will be online STC will be represented Earth and People Restored,” to historic racial and colonial by students, staff participants will gather inequities. L and faculty at virtually April 18-21. Participants will worship, Ecumenical Advocacy This is an opportunity delve deeply into the pressing Days, an annual to support the global issues of the day, and lift their gathering on Capitol movement centered voices by speaking truth to power Hill of Christian on, and led by, the on Capitol Hill. Together, they advocates and activists. people and communities will reimagine a world that lives This year, under the most vulnerable to out the values of justice, equity theme “Imagine! God’s climate impacts due and community.

WINTER/SPRING 2021 | EPISTLE 21 in memoriam

Delbert Anderson dean. He was also a night hospital internship supervisor. He is listed in of the Evangelical Lutheran 1932-2020 | Augustana chaplain and a member of the the first editions of Marquis’Who’s Church of Tanzania. In addition, Theological Seminary Class board of trustees of Thiel College. Who in Religion. He is survived by his Nyblade was editor of the Africa of 1958, Chicago Lutheran He is survived by his wife of 67 wife of over 66 years, Carol Jean, Theological Journal. He is survived Theological Seminary 1966 S.T.M. years, Esther Parmenter Gustafson, five children, 11 grandchildren and by his wife of 69 years, June, five Delbert Anderson, 88, died Oct. two children, four grandchildren 22 great-grandchildren. children, 10 grandchildren and six 4. He served as a missionary with and a great-grandchild. great-grandchildren. the Evangelical Lutheran Church Roger A. Nelson of Hong Kong from 1959 to 1969 Janet C. Jones 1926-2021 | Class of 1969 Wayne E. Peterson and as program director for East 1940-2021 | Class of 1995 Roger Nelson died Jan. 29. He 1921-2020 | Augustana Asia from 1970-1997 for the LCA Janet C. Jones, 80, of Glen Ellyn, served in the Army Air Corps Theological Seminary class of and the ELCA. He is survived by Ill., died Jan. 10. She served during World War II. While flying 1946 Betty, his wife of 63 years, four congregations in Beloit, Wis., and one of the last missions, his Wayne E. Peterson, 99, of children and seven grandchildren. Marengo, Leland and Naperville, bomber was shot down and Waterford, Mich., and Palm City, Ill. She is survived by two children he and the crew parachuted to Fla., died Nov. 14. Peterson served Richard “Dick” Brendel and five grandchildren. safety. Following the war, he congregations in Iowa, Michigan 1931- 2020 | Concordia married his high school love and and Minnesota for 37 years Seminary Class of 1972, DTh Wilbert Martin Ericson became president of Interstate before retiring in 1983. During his Christ Seminary -Seminex 1987 1921-2021 | Augustana General Contractors of Chicago. ministry he was president of the Dick Brendel, 89, of Belleville, Theological Seminary Class LSTC provided him a change Iowa Conference and the Superior Ill., died Nov. 30. Brendel served of 1953 in careers. He spent 18 years Conference Luther Leagues. He congregations in Pennsylvania Wilbert Ericson, 99, died Jan. 30 serving Gloria Dei Lutheran was on the board of Christian and Michigan before being in Geneva, Ill. Ericson graduated Church in Northbrook, Ill., while service of both the Superior and called to Peace Lutheran Church from the U.S. Coast Guard also completing studies for a the Minnesota Conferences. He in Belleville, where he served Academy and served on USCG master of science in theology served on the executive board, for 26 years. He was on the ships provisioning troops in the and a doctorate in ministry at the church vocation committee, board of directors for Wartburg Pacific Theater during World War McCormick Theological Seminary and the examining committee Theological Seminary and was II. After graduating from seminary, in Chicago. He served on the board of the Michigan Synod. He was past president and board member he moved to Japan with his wife of directors of Lutheran Social board chairman of Psychological for Belleville Public Schools. and two children, where he served Services of Illinois—including Studies of Michigan. He was He is survived by his wife of 64 as an ELCA missionary until 1987. two terms as board president. preceded in death by his wife years, Anna “Toni” Brendel, four He settled in Aurora, Ill., upon his After retiring in 1987 he and his Maxine. He is survived by his wife children, seven grandchildren and return, and continued to serve wife Marion helped establish an Jean, a daughter and son, two seven great-grandchildren. local congregations. He is survived English-speaking congregation grandchildren and three great- by three children from his first in Ngaoundere, Cameroon, Africa. grandchildren. Daniel Defassio marriage, four stepsons from his When they returned, he served 10 1957-2021 | Class of 1983 second marriage, 13 grandchildren interim ministries over 15 years in Norman Vernon Ryding Daniel Defassio, 63, died Jan. 22. and eight great-grandchildren. the Metropolitan Chicago Synod. 1934-2020 | Augustana He served parishes in Wisconsin, He was preceded in death by his Theological Seminary class of Pennsylvania and Arizona, and was John Martin Leaf wife, to whom he was married 1959 a police chaplain for 38 years. He is 1938-2021 | Class of 1970 73 years. He is survived by two Norman Vernon Ryding, 86, of survived by his wife of 41 years, Sue, John M. Leaf, 82, died Jan. 5 in daughters, five grandsons and Michigan City, Ind., died Nov. 5. four children and five grandchildren. Moline, Ill. Leaf served in the five great-grandchildren. Ryding also earned a doctorate. U.S. Army before graduating He served 39 years, 12 years at the John (Jack) Elliot from Augustana College, Rock Robert (Bob) E. Mader former Zion Lutheran Church in 1935-2020 | Concordia Island, Ill., in 1966. He served four 1934-2020 | Augustana Michigan City before retiring in Seminary, St. Louis, Class of 1960 parishes in Minnesota, Iowa and Theological Seminary class 1998. Other ways Ryding served Jack Elliott, 85, of Oakland Calif., Illinois until he retired in 2003. He of 1961 include: county hospice board, died Dec. 13. He was professor and his wife Helene moved back to Robert E. Mader, 86, of Sartell, police chaplain, ELCA social emeritus of theology and religious the Quad Cities where he served Minn., died Dec. 13. Mader served ministry committee, health studies and former director of the local parishes as interim and parishes in Virginia and Minnesota. and welfare council and campus honors program in the humanities visitation pastor. He is survived by For much of his career he was minister at Purdue University. He at the University of San Francisco his wife, three children and three chaplain at Faribault State Hospital was preceded in death by his wife (Calif.)., where he served since grandchildren. and the Minnesota Correctional Nancy and is survived by his three 1967. He held the longest tenure Facility in St. Cloud. Survivors sons and five grandchildren. of all non-Roman Catholic Kermit Robert Lauterbach include his wife, Pat, three theologians at Jesuit universities in 1934-2020| Class of 1984 daughters; three grandchildren Andrew John (Andy) Tetzlaff the United States. He retired from Kermit Lauterbach, 86, died Dec. and one great-grandchild. 1930-2021 | Augustana full-time teaching in 2001 and is 26. He worked as a teacher and Theological Seminary Class survived by his wife of almost 58 administrator in several Lutheran Orville W. Nyblade of 1959 years, Linde, and their two sons. schools in Illinois and Minnesota for 1926-2020 | Chicago Andy Tetzlaff, 90, died Jan. 8 in 30 years before he was ordained. Lutheran Theological Georgetown, Ind. Tetzlaff taught Charles H. Gustafson He then served All Saints Lutheran Seminary Class of 1954 school for several years before he 1928-2021 | Class of 1954 Church in Olmsted Falls, Ohio, Orville W. Nyblade, 94, of was drafted into the military to and 1972 until retiring. He organized the Gettysburg, Pa., died Dec. 16. serve in Korea. When he left the Charles H. Gustafson, 92, died Jan. Tri State basketball tournament He served in Tanzania 1955-1991. military, he enrolled in seminary. 1 in Palm Harbor, Fla. He served among Lutheran schools in He was pastor of several parishes He served Immanuel Lutheran parishes in Pennsylvania and Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, which in Central Tanzania, served a term Church in Altona, Ill., and St. New York, including 21 years as continues to this day. He also as education secretary and vice Marks Evangelical Lutheran pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church contributed to several Lutheran president of the Central Synod of Church in Polo, Ill. He is survived in Jamestown N.Y. He served publications, served on the English the Lutheran Church of Central by six children, six grandchildren several terms on the Upstate New District and English Synod board of Tanganyika, and he taught for 24 and five great-grandchildren. He York Synod church council, synod directors and on the Northeastern years at The Lutheran Theological was preceded in death by his wife committees and conference Ohio Synod Council, and was an College, Makumira (LTCM) of 66 years, Dora.

22 EPISTLE | WINTER/SPRING 2021 transitions

Mark T. Welcome Lowry has joined the Jay Alanis retires from Ceciley R. advancement Akins has team as joined the philanthropic LSPS executive role advancement engagement Jay Alanis, for someone else to “lead LSPS into team as associate. executive God’s preferred future.” He will philanthropic Sandra director of move to the Rio Grande Valley of engagement Nelson, vice president for Lutheran south Texas later this year to further associate. advancement, said Lowry will Seminary serve the church in ministry, he said. Her work help LSTC with more robust Program “Our partnership enriched and is focused on major gifts and engagement of volunteers and in the enlarged the vision and legacy strengthening relationships organizations. Lowry Southwest of the original founders, to be with donors. Sandra Nelson, vice has worked in both higher (LSPS), early a theological training program president for advancement, noted education and nonprofit this year announced his retirement that would serve the needs of the Akins’ wide range of skills and organizations for 20 years, that will become effective June 30. Hispanic community and thus experience with both nonprofit and most recently as associate LSPS is a cooperative effort of serve the whole church,” Alanis for-profit organizations. Akins has director of alumni engagement Wartburg Theological Seminary said in his announcement. worked in fundraising, corporate for Northwestern University’s (Dubuque, Iowa) and LSTC. Both He said intensives in Hispanic and foundation relations, donor Kellogg School of Management. thanked Alanis for his “creative ministry trained countless relations and grant writing for He was senior manager and and dedicated service to the students, clergy, laity and Garrett Evangelical Theological community manager for the mission of LSPS for more than 20 ecumenical partners. With the Seminary in Evanston, Ill., and By The American Cancer Society’s Relay years.” help of partners and donors, Hand Club for Kids in Chicago. Prior for Life. He is also a consultant Alanis served LSPS since 2000 an enhanced programming to shifting to fundraising, she worked in leadership training and as associate professor, academic with certificates in theological in marketing and advertising for nine development. He holds a bachelor dean, development officer and studies and training in cultural years for Tribune 365 and Children’s of arts in elementary education, as executive director the past 11 competency skills implemented Habilitation Center. She holds a BA language arts from the University years. He said he is grateful for the a vision for a more inclusive in speech communications from of Wisconsin-Platteville. support of presidents and deans at church. “Our alumni now serve Chicago State University. both seminaries, but that it is time throughout the nation.”

Godspeed

For more than a year, LSTC community gatherings have been on Zoom, including the times we’ve gathered to say goodbye to colleagues. Yet technology still allows us to “reach out” in blessing one another. Langston Roberson, gift processing and data services manager, resigned from his position in early December to work for The Josselyn Center. “Langston has been an integral part of the advancement team for more than four years, has held responsibility for many aspects our work and was instrumental in modernizing gift processing and data operations. His technical aplomb and strategic thinking have been extremely valuable,” said John Damer, director of advancement operations.

WINTER/SPRING 2021 | EPISTLE 23 class notes

Niveen Sarras (ThM; 2013, Kristin Klade (MDiv) is pictured 1970 2003 PhD) published “A message with the article “A gift of ministry: Brian Eklund (MDiv) received Janelle Rozek Hooper (MDiv) of solidarity: A Palestinian Embracing mom-pastors and a an honorary doctor of divinity published “The plate of blessing” interpretation of the nativity” mothering God” in the December from Muhlenberg College at in the November Living Lutheran in the December Living Lutheran Living Lutheran magazine. their commencement services in magazine. magazine. October. 2016 2005 2011 Francisco Herrera (ThM; PhD 1980 William Flippin Jr. (ThM) published Sheri Kling (MATS) is host of candidate) was the Nov. 17 guest on Ron Glusenkamp (Christ “A song after silence” in the on-demand videos for the Deeper “Hope Matters” a video interview Seminary-Seminex, MDiv) retired December Living Lutheran magazine. Rhythm YouTube channel. Her series hosted in Santa Monica, Calif. from the ELCA Churchwide staff video “What is *Spirituality*? in December. He led the ELCA (and why should I care?)” was comprehensive fundraising 2006 released Dec. 16. 2017 campaign and recently focused Steve Jerbi (MDiv) is now serving Marcus Lohrmann (Lutheran on the World Hunger Appeal. In as minister of worship and Priscilla Paris-Austin (MDiv) year) contributed the commentary October he was a guest on “Hope Christian formation at University is quoted in the article “A gift “Prayer is a vulnerable project” in the Matters” a video interview series. Congregational United Church of ministry: Embracing mom- Nov. 11 San Diego Union-Tribune. He He published “Recipe for action” of Christ, Seattle, Wash. He pastors and a mothering God” is pastor of Shepherd of the Valley in the November Living Lutheran previously served as the transition in the December Living Lutheran Lutheran Church, La Mesa, Calif. magazine. pastor at Lāna’i Union Church, a magazine. UCC congregation on the island of Louis Tillman IV (MDiv) was the Lāna’i in Hawaii. subject of the Baptist News article “East 1981 2012 Baltimore pastor weaves network of Stewart W. Herman III (MA) Vance ecumenical care and concern.” He was quoted in the October Living 2007 Blackfox talks about his passions: ecumenical Lutheran story, “Discipleship Joel Cruz (ThM; 2009, PhD) (MATS) was partnerships, climate change and in a Democracy: How should published “Queridos santos: A a presenter racial justice. He and his congregation. Lutherans be involved in politics?” perspective on the Day of the for the 2021 St. Phillip’s Evangelical Lutheran Dead” in the November Living DreamWeek Church in East Baltimore, Md., were Lutheran magazine. Summit also featured in the Jan. 29 Baltimore 1982 based in San Sun reader commentary, “Happy to Carolyn Fredriksen (MDiv) retired Elaina Salmon (MDiv) contributed Antonio, see Baltimore take action on climate from full-time parish ministry in “Back to school blessing” to the Texas, and streamed live on change – in court or in church.” November. Metropolitan Chicago Synod’s fall Jan. 16. This year’s theme was Metro Word magazine available Life, Liberty and the Pursuit Robert (Todd) Wright (MDiv) started online. She writes about offering of Happiness. DreamWeek’s a new call Feb. 1 as director of pastoral 1983 drive-up back-to-school blessings annual summit of civic and care for Bethany of the Northwest, a David Lowry (ThM; 1986, PhD) and treat bags to ease people’s civil engagement “invites all to continuing care ministry of the ELCA published “Liberation from anxiety during the pandemic. participate in an open forum in Everett, Wash. hypocrisy” in the October Living where real-world issues are Lutheran magazine. discussed in a well-balanced 2008 manner, with the understanding 2018 Sarah Trone Garriott (MDiv) was that the truest voices will Josh Evans (MDiv) was featured in the 1989 elected to the Iowa State Senate always prevail.” Look for it on Glenview Herald story “New St. Philip Mark Anderson (MDiv) was representing District 22. Her top DreamWeek’s Facebook page. Lutheran pastor offers inclusion as quoted in a Nov. 20 Des Moines priority is to make healthcare part of his mission.” He began his call Register article, “‘We’ve made the accessible and affordable.[See at St. Philip, Glenview, Ill., in August. lonely even lonelier’: Rural Iowa’s page 14] 2013 churches grapple with difficult Candice Wassell (MDiv) was restrictions as COVID-19 cases installed as senior pastor of Faith Nominate your explode.” 2009 Lutheran Church, O’Fallon, Ill., Yehiel Curry (TEEM; 2013, MDiv) Nov. 8. She has been associate peers for an award appears in a College Conversation pastor of the congregation since LSTC’s alumni board is accepting 2000 for Lewis University, his alma mater. 2014. nominations through April Peter Perry (MDiv; 2006, ThM; 21 for the 2021 Distinguished 2009, PhD) was featured in The Ben Dueholm (Lutheran Year) Alumni Awards, which will be Biblical Storyteller article, “Telling preached “A Scarce and Precious 2014 presented during Homecoming difficult stories in difficult times: Word” on “Day 1” on Jan. 17. Ben Adams (MDiv) reported in 2021 in October. Go to lstc.edu/ An NBSI scholar and storyteller the Metropolitan Chicago Synod’s news-events/awards to see discussion on Habakkuk,” in the Angela Khabeb (MDiv) and Metro Word on how the South the award categories and a link Outreach Issue 2021. her family provided a holiday Loop Campus Ministry he leads in to a nomination form. greeting Dec. 25 on Good Morning Chicago is continuing to function 2002 America’s “Faith Friday.” during the pandemic. Scan to learn more Carmelo Santos-Rolon (MDiv; 2004, ThM; 2010, PhD) published 2010 2015 “In times of pandemic and Jason Chesnut (MDiv) published Lydia Hernandez-Marcial (ThM; systemic injustice” in the October “How to record your lectionary 2020, PhD) on Jan. 1 joined the Living Lutheran magazine. library videos like a pro!” in The Wartburg Theological Seminary Biblical Storyteller, Outreach Issue faculty as assistant professor of 2021, from the Network of Biblical Hebrew Bible. Storytellers International.

24 EPISTLE | WINTER/SPRING 2021 faculty & staff accomplishments

Klaus-Peter Adam, associate about “Building Foundations of Melbourne, co-authored an 2020 professor of Old Testament, Resilience in a Pandemic” to the introduction to the volume, and presented “What the Bible says spouses of international students, wrote the essay “Printing the about race” for a congregational and did a workshop “Caring for Self Medieval Copto-Arabic Heritage: adult class series. and Others in a Time of Pandemic” From the ‘Golden Age’ to the at an internship cluster retreat. Printed Page”; “Conversion to Islam Kathleen D. (Kadi) Billman, under the Fatimid Caliph al-Hakim professor emeritus of pastoral Barbara Rossing, professor of bi-Amr Allah,” in Conversion to Islam theology, gave virtual New Testament, co-wrote “Life in in the Premodern Age: A Sourcebook. presentations entitled “Where its fullness: Ecology, eschatology is God: and ecodomy in a time of climate Linda E. Thomas, professor of Finding change” for HTS Teologiese Studies/ theology and anthropology, Peace Theological Studies; she also delivered presented “A Womanist Over the keynote address “Journeys Perspective on Racial Justice” at the Anxiety” Through Revelation: Apocalytic Hope Lutheranism and Race 2020 Virtual From left, Ashley Dellagiacoma, and for Today” at Northeast Pennsylvania Luther Colloquy at United Lutheran Morgan Gates, Chris Markert, “Where Synod Learning Ministries Day. Seminary. She was also a speaker at Jerry Wirtley, Charles Graves is God: Finding Joy Over Grief.” the Women of the ELCA celebration IV and Marvin Havard at the She also wrote “A Breadth Michael Shelley, director of Black History Month event. ordination of Morgan Gates. of Belonging: Navigating emeritus of A Center of Christian- Interreligious and Intercultural Muslim Engagement for Peace Sara Trumm, director of CCME, Morgan Gates (MDiv) was Spaces” in the January issue of and Justice (CCME), wrote “Gulian participated in the pilot Faith Over ordained Nov. 21 at Peace Currents in Theology and Mission. Lansing,” in Christian-Muslim Fear virtual training by the Shoulder to Lutheran Church, College Station, Relations, A Bibliographical History. Shoulder Campaign, and completed Texas. She is serving as Houston Erik Christensen, pastor to the Kaleidoscope Institute’s facilitator Area Campus Pastor, called the community and director of Mark Swanson, director of accreditation training. through the Texas-Louisiana Gulf worship, was panelist for the Vital advanced studies, Harold S. Coast Synod Council. Congregations Cohort of the Vogelaar Professor of Christian- Peter Vethanayagamony’s ELCA’s Congregational Vitality Muslim Studies and Interfaith new book, Tamil Diaspora: Troy Medlin (MDiv) was ordained Training, a discussion designed Relations and associate director Intersectionality of Migration, Nov. 15 at Holy Trinity Lutheran to give participants a deeper CCME, lectured “On the Religion and Culture, is currently Church, Chicago (online service). understanding of the processes Thirteenth-Century ‘Golden Age’ available in India. He is associate pastor of Grace and practicalities involved in of Copto-Arabic Literature: The He also wrote Lutheran Church and School, River congregational revitalization Case of Butrus al-Sadamanti” “Tamil Diaspora Forest, Ill. and renewal. He also contributed in a series hosted by the Georg- in Chicago: Its preaching helps to the January issue August-Universität Göttingen. Origins, Identity, José Rodríguez Páez (MDiv) was of Currents in Theology and Mission. He published Copts in Modernity: Diversity, featured in the Metro Word article Proceedings of the 5th International Triumphs and “Two paths toward mission,” Ed Krentz, Christ Seminary- Symposium of Coptic Studies, Tussles.” Metropolitan Chicago Synod. He Seminex professor emeritus is serving as a mission developer of New Testament, gave a in Elgin, Ill. congregational presentation on “The Reformation and Lutheran Presenters at AAR and SBL Kristen Schmid (MDiv) was Identity Today.” ordained Jan. 17 at St. John’s Several LSTC faculty and Culture, Place, and Space.” Lutheran Church, Springfield, Craig Mueller, auxillary faculty, others from the community Ill., (livestreamed). She is serving was appointed to the advisory represented the seminary Barbara Rossing: SBL Ecological as pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran council of the Institute of at the 2020 meetings of the Hermeneutics/Contextual Church, Camden, Ind., and Faith Liturgical Studies. He also served American Academy of Religion Biblical Interpretation section, Lutheran Church, Logansport, Ind. on the hymnody working group and the Society of Biblical theme: Land and Home as and prepared hymn indexes Literature in late November Threatened; “Covid-19, I for the recent ELCA worship and early December, including: Corinthians 11:29-30, and Future Alumni supplement All Creation Sings. Discerning the Ecological Denise Rector (PhD student) Klaus-Peter Adam: “Enemies Body of Christ; A Public Health contributed a lament and a prayer James Nieman, president, and Friends as Constructs Reading,” Theme: Paul and on racism to the new ELCA liturgy published “World Mission in Proverbs” in the Wisdom Ecology. and song supplement, All Creation Institute Welcome” in the January in Israelite and Cognate Sings, and wrote “The Work of Currents in Theology and Mission. Traditions section; Theme: Linda Thomas: panelist for the Lamenting Racism in All Creation “Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.” AAR “Womanist Approaches Sings” on the ELCA worship blog. Eliseo Pérez-Álvarez, associate to Religion and Society Unit”; She is quoted about the project professor of Lutheran Systematic Andrew Guffey, auxiliary faculty: Theme: “Celebrating 30 Years in the October Living Lutheran Theology and Global Lutheranism, “Paul, the Pastorals, and Encratite of Womanist Approaches to magazine. She also wrote “Race wrote the foreword for Eu Plantei Origins” at the SBL Disputed Religion and Society: Womanist and the Gift of Lament” in DIALOG: Essa Rosa: Liberating Mennonite Paulines section, theme: “The Retrospective.” A Journal of Theology. Missions in Brazil by Gleen & Lois Disputed Pauline Epistles: Current Musselman Florida: Editorial Research”; and “The Missing Marvin Wickware, assistant MDiv students Kelsey Kresse, Acentos, 2021; wrote Freed to Free: Image: Imagining the Divine in professor of church and society Karl Anliker, Charlotte Anliker Rethinking Luther´s The Freedom of the Book of Revelation, Other and ethics: panelist for Cultural and Erie Sara appeared in a a Christian (1520) From Abya; Yala Jewish Visionary Texts, and History of the Study of Religion Chicago Sun Times photo on Nov. and the Turtle Island. Their Material Environments” at Unit and Religion, Affect, and 4. They took part in a vigil held in the SBL John’s Apocalypse and Emotion Unit Guild with the downtown Chicago urging that Brooke Petersen, director of MDiv Cultural Contexts Ancient and theme “I Know the Feeling: every vote be counted. and MA programs, coordinator Modern Section; theme: “Material Affect in the Academic.” for candidacy and lecturer, spoke

WINTER/SPRING 2021 | EPISTLE 25 1100 East 55th Street | Chicago, IL 60615 www.lstc.edu Address Service Requested

“Celebrating Black Joy” was the theme of 2021 Black History Month at LSTC. All the events happened online, which enabled wide participation, sometimes more than 100 at an event. The month-long celebration, co-led by students Sharei Green and Stephen Styles, included worship with guest preachers, a lunch and learn discussing art (some of which was displayed in the Refectory, below), keynote speeches, spoken word and music, a revival, and this panel (at right), moderated by PhD student Denise Rector, on Celebrating Black Joy. LSTC had several partners, including the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, the Metro Chicago Chapter of the African Descent Lutheran Association, LSTC’s Antiracism Transformation Team, and CCME and its partners.

WINTER/SPRING 2021