SUMMER 2019 HOLY LISTENING WELCOME STUDENTS BLOOMINGTON, MN CRYSTAL, MN SHOREVIEW, MN WOODBURY, MN BELLE PLAINE, MN ST. PETER, MN GRAND FORKS, ND MANKATO, MN WEST FARGO, ND BEND, OR FARGO, ND GWINNER, ND DELAFIELD, WI ST. FRANCIS, WI FOREST CITY, IA PRINCETON, NJ MANHEIM, PA FORT COLLINS, CO CRETE, NE FISHERS, IN ALEXANDRIA, VA BROOMFIELD, CO LAS VEGAS, NV SEGUIN, TX SILVER SPRINGS, FL SAN ANTONIO, TX WESLEY CHAPEL, FL Luther Seminary is thrilled to welcome the first cohort to its experimental accelerated Master of Divinity program, MDivX. The students hail from seven regions and 15 synods of the ELCA, in addition to students from other denominations. We look forward to the entrepreneurial spirit they will bring to the seminary and the church! Learn more about the program at luthersem.edu/mdivx. Luther Seminary presents its most A spiritual storytelling experiment distinguished award. See page 14. finds success. See page 24. PHOTO BY BRANDON WOLLER ’20 M.A. CONTENTS FEATURES LUTHER SEMINARY What we’re hearing from the church 11 Seminary award honors former president 14 On the cover: A water feature near Olson Campus Center offers a tranquil setting for The Sustainers 20 community members to look, listen, and reflect. Why Jesus 24 All photos are by Courtney Perry unless otherwise indicated. IN EVERY ISSUE Letter from the president 4 News and events 5 Faculty and staff notes 28 Alumni news 30 SUMMER 2019 3 Luther Seminary educates leaders for Christian communities called and sent by the Holy Spirit to witness to salvation through Jesus Christ and to serve in God’s world. Editor Laura Swanson Lindahl Contributing Writers Heidi Hyland Mann HOLY LISTENING Stephen Jendraszak Dear Friends, Katie Langston ’21 M.Div. Emily McQuillan ’19 M.Div. In Mark 4:3, Jesus begins the parable of the sower by saying, “Listen!” Lisa Renze-Rhodes What does it mean to listen in a holy way? John Weirick I think it has something to do with paying attention to what’s being said as Layout and Design well as what’s not being said—listening to what’s happening beneath the words Elizabeth Kästner to discover a deeper meaning than what can be expressed verbally. Denielle Stepka As Christians, listening is an important discipline. We listen to God’s Word in Scripture to discern what God is saying to us in its pages. We listen to the Holy Spirit, which more often than not communicates in a still, small voice. We listen to Luther Seminary, one of the seven one another in our communities, both within and beyond the walls of the church. seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is accredited by the During the past year or so, Luther Seminary has embraced the practice Association of Theological Schools in of holy listening. Our vision calls us to accompany the church in the midst of the United States and Canada and the seismic shifts in the culture around us. We’re living into that vision by building North Central Association of Colleges deeper relationships with congregations and asking better questions to discover and Schools. where God is already moving in our midst, nudging us to stretch in ways we may not see. Story is published two times per year. In this edition of Story, we’re sharing some of what we’ve learned. Explore the seven key themes that congregations and their leaders need to know to be Send correspondence concerning Story faithful and effective in a changing world. Consider a transformative practice to [email protected] or call of sharing and hearing personal stories of Christian faith that we experimented 651-641-3520. with this year. Learn about ways in which Luther Seminary sustaining donors have listened to the Holy Spirit’s call to give generously. Office of Marketing and Communications As we listen together, I have confidence that in Christ we’ll discern the Luther Seminary pathway forward—both as a seminary and as a church. Thank you for joining us 2481 Como Avenue St. Paul, MN 55108 on the journey. For address or subscription changes, call Peace and joy, 651-641-3448. Robin J. Steinke President 4 STORY NEWS AND EVENTS December 2018 COURTESY PHOTO PHOTO BY STEPHEN GEFFRE Honoring Luther Seminary’s NEW GRADUATES WINTER 2018 May 2019 Luther Seminary celebrated its winter graduates with a special service of holy communion held December 12 in the seminary’s Chapel of the Incarnation. Craig Koester ’80 M.Div., professor and Asher O. and Carrie Nasby Chair of New Testament, preached. At the end of the service, President Robin Steinke led a blessing that included a laying on of hands by the congregation. Community members gathered after the service for fellowship and a midday meal. COMMENCEMENT 2019 This year’s commencement celebration began with a baccalaureate service in the Chapel of the Incarnation on Saturday, May 18. Presiding at the service was Adam Copeland, director of the Center for Stewardship Leaders, and Amy Marga, associate professor of systematic theology, preached. A reception followed. On Sunday, May 19, the seminary held a joyous commencement service at the newly remodeled Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. The faculty speaker was David Fredrickson ’80 M.Div., professor of New Testament. The student speaker was Peter Johnson ’19 M.Div. PHOTO BY STEPHEN GEFFRE SUMMER 2019 5 NEWS AND EVENTS Honoring RETIRING FACULTY Two faculty members are retiring at the end of this academic year following years of dedicated service to Luther Seminary. Luther is grateful for their commitment to advancing the seminary’s mission and supporting student learning within and beyond the classroom. • Alvin Luedke Professor of Rural Ministry • Mark Throntveit ’75 M.Div. Professor and Elva B. Lovell IN FOCUS: Faculty and staff photo Chair of Old Testament PHOTOS BY STEVE HOLM initiative fills frames with festive imagery Luther’s Employee Engagement Group, which seeks to build community among seminary team members, brought faculty and staff together for a fun photo project with some fairly unexpected results. MID-WINTER Employees posed for photographs with items that CONVOCATION represented their passions, which ranged from music and pets to the arts and the outdoors. Leslie Ortiz, associate director Held in late January, this year’s Mid-Winter for academic affairs, put her photography skills to work, taking Convocation explored the theme of “Give the photos and creating an image collage now on display in Us This Day Our Daily Bread: Food, Land, the Olson Campus Center. and Sustainability.” Participants heard from An unexpected twist for this speakers including Kathryn Schifferdecker, project came when Catrina associate professor of Old Testament and Ciccone ’19 Ph.D., contextual Bible division chair, on topics related to learning coordinator, sought ecological challenges. Attendees also had a way to celebrate her love the opportunity to attend a half-day seminar of the Minnesota State Fair. focused on universal basic income. Mary Hess, Ciccone contacted state fair professor of educational leadership, hosted staff to request a photo with the event with support from the seminary’s their official mascot, Fairchild. Center for Stewardship Leaders. Thanks to the seminary’s close PHOTO BY LESLIE ORTIZ proximity to the fairgrounds, Ciccone’s request was granted, and Presentation videos are available at her day was made. The cheery Fairchild is neighborly indeed. luthersem.edu/convo. 6 STORY NEWS AND EVENTS Festival of Homiletics “Preaching as Moral Imagination” was the topic of the 27th annual Festival of Homiletics. The festival was held May 13–17 in Minneapolis. Throughout the week, more than 1,700 participants were inspired by a variety of faith leaders and influential scholars who gave lectures, taught workshops, and led worship. The festivities also included concerts and a poetry reading. Pastors and other faith leaders enjoyed the chance to engage in fellowship with diverse colleagues and to connect through new learning opportunities. WORKING PREACHER BOOKS Walter Brueggemann pens first book in new publication line Fortress Press and Luther Seminary have an exciting new collaborative project called Working Preacher Books. The titles released in this series will be an extension of the material Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta Bishop Rob Wright preaches. COURTESY PHOTO Working Preacher shares on its website. The first volume of Working Preacher Books is available now. Renowned scholar and theologian Walter Brueggemann wrote “Preaching From the Old Testament,” which contains a foreword by Rolf Jacobson ’91 M.Div., professor of Old Testament and the Alvin N. Rogness Chair of Scripture, Theology, and Ministry. Luther Seminary approved by United Methodist Church University Senate This winter, Luther Seminary was approved by the United Methodist Church University Senate for the preparation of candidates for ordination in the United Methodist Church without qualification. This renews the seminary’s approval for all United Methodist students seeking ordination to formal leadership positions through their annual conference. NEWS AND EVENTS The Alworths President Steinke delivers Hulsean Sermon In February, President Robin Steinke delivered the Hulsean Sermon at the University of Cambridge. Established in 1820, the Hulsean Sermon’s focus is “The Truth and Excellence of Revealed Religion, or the Evidence of Christianity.” Only the fifth woman in history to deliver the sermon, Steinke spoke on “Faith Formation in a Fearful, Fragmented World.” Past Hulsean lecturers include renowned New COURTESY PHOTO Testament scholar N.T. Wright, former Bishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, and Pulitzer Luther Seminary Prize winner Marilynne Robinson. graduate appears on NBC Grace Pardun Alworth ’12 M.A. operates Studio 2 Ceramics with her spouse, Jim Alworth. Based in Minneapolis, the Alworths are MARTIN LUTHER committed to using local materials and sustainable practices as much as possible in their business. They recycle clay and partner KING JR.