Carolina on my Mind, Day Two

First stop on our tour today was to the North Carolina ELCA synod office for noon lunch with the staff. Not only do they have a beautiful facility, but a wonderful staff to match. Over lunch we engaged in mutual conversation regarding prospective students and what each of us does to facilitate the process of raising up and forming leaders for the church. And lo and behold, one of the staff, Tammy West (auburn-haired gal in back row of picture) is getting her master's degree in children, youth and family at Luther Seminary in the distributive learning program!

Many thanks to the entire staff for their hospitality! It was good to meet face to face.

Our afternoon began with a detour on the way to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, to Duke University to see the magnificently beautiful chapel on that campus. WOW! Unfortunately my pictures of the inside did not turn out, but you can just imagine from looking at the outside what awaited you inside. It was a good detour.

Our visit to the Carolinas ended with a Lenten worship service and meal at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, which hosts the Lutheran campus ministry program for UNC. Again, food and fellowship were enjoyed between us and students as we ate. I was privileged to get into a lively discussion with some students regarding Lutheran theology; it was a blast. I love being a Lutheran! I hope the students got as much out of the conversation as I did. Best wishes to Pastor Mark Coulter and his ministry with the students at UNC.

Carolina on my Mind - March 28, 1006

Today I had the opportunity, along with a few colleagues from the other seminaries, to visit another one of our fine ELCA colleges, Lenoir-Rhyne, in Hickory, NC. Our visit began by joining the campus community for chapel. As part of the service, the Chapel Choir sang, and lo and behold, there was a gal in the choir wearing a Luther Seminary hoody! Her name was Tawny and she had visited Luther last fall regarding the Master of Sacred Music degree. Lenoir-Rhyne has a general studies bachelor’s degree in sacred music already and so a number of students find Luther’s master's degree program intriguing.

In the afternoon we staffed our display table in the student union and engaged in conversation with a number of students regarding seminary study. Many thanks to Pastor Andrew Weisner, the campus pastor, for his hospitality and his continued excellence in ministry at Lenoir-Rhyne.

After our visit there, it was on to Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC where we joined students and director Anne Monroe at the Lutheran Campus Ministry House for supper (in the picture below she is the blond, far right). It turns out that Anne is getting her master's in children, youth and family ministry from Luther Seminary in the distributive learning program!

We enjoyed wonderful conversation with the students. It was delightful to hear about their studies and activities they are involved in; so much talent and all to the glory of God.

Snow Day!

For most students across the state of Minnesota, today was a "snow day." School unexpectedly canceled due to bad weather and everyone stayed home. A free day. I loved these days when I was a kid.

Yes, 8+ inches of snow fell in the Twin Cities today. Unfortuanelty it caused absolute chaos on the roadways (even for us who are supposed to know how to handle this kind of weather). President Bliese and I were supposed to be at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., but getting there was impossible. We are sorry we missed an opportunity to be on that campus.

I live on the Luther Seminary campus, so my commute consisted of trudging through one bl0ck of deep wet snow. Though the Seminary did not close, most classes were canceled because many students and professors were unable to make it to campus.

Ahh, the joys of living in Minnesota.

Posting in Portland, Oregon, March 3-4

Two main events occupied my time in OR.

The first was to attend a "Listening Post" event with seminary presidents Phyllis Anderson from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) and Rick Bliese from Luther Seminary (LS) at St. Luke's Lutheran Church. These events invite alumni, pastors, and lay people to gather for an evening of listening. Participants listen as the two presidents introduce themselves and give a brief update on what is happening on their campuses and then the presidents listen as participants respond to three targeted questions. The answers to these questions are being compiled and used to help chart the future of these institutions. These events are being held across the county.

My colleague Greg Schaefer (Director of Admissions at PLTS) and I were on hand that evening to meet with prospective students. We had a number of inquiries. It was also helpful that evening to have Rev. Fred Tiffany in attendance. Fred is the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the Northwest House of Theological Studies (NHTS) in Salem, OR. Greg and I visited there the next morning--my second event in OR.

The NHTS (www.nhts.org) is an extension program of graduate theological education for mainline Protestant students. Students may earn up to one half of the credits toward a Master of Divinity degree by attending weekend and summer courses while honoring professional and family obligations and maintaining their Northwest connection. Classes take place on the campus of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. Both LS and PLTS work in association with students attending NHTS as the accrediting seminary.

Greg and I had the opportunity to meet staff and students at NHTS. There are a number of students studying at NHTS that are seeking accreditation through either LS or PLTS and we hope that number continues to increase. What a wonderful resource for the ELCA to have in the Northwest. It certainly allows Luther Seminary and PLTS to provide many more options to prospective students in that area.

As an aside, this was my first trip to OR. It is indeed a beautiful part of the county. Spring was in the process of being sprung and Mt. Hood stood in all her glory.