Bishop Bradosky Meets with Leaders of Augsburg Lutheran Churches

Bishop Bradosky suggested that "a more organic relationship than full communion is possible because the two bodies are of such close kinship theologically." 

Bishop John Bradosky of the North American Lutheran Church met with leaders of Augsburg Lutheran Churches to discuss closer cooperation between the two church bodies. The meeting took place Feb. 15 in Houston,Texas.

Augsburg Lutheran Churches (ALC) was represented by Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) John Rasmussen of El Paso, Texas, Executive Chair of Augsburg Lutheran Churches; the Rev. Timothy J. Swenson of Arnegard, N.D., Doctrine and Church Relations Chair; and the Rev. Lenae Rasmussen of El Paso, Texas, Communications and Outreach Committee Chair.

Building on their previous cooperation in securing Augsburg Lutheran Churches and Pastor Lenae Rasmussen as the endorsing agent for NALC military chaplains, she announced that Augsburg Lutheran Churches has been approved as an ecclesiastical endorsing body by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Bishop Bradosky was pleased to hear this news and invited Pastor Rasmussen to address the NALC Convocation in August as the NALC’s official endorsing agent.  The NALC will establish a liaison to work with Pastor Rasmussen to provide for the orderly flow of memoranda and certifications regarding military chaplains. 

Chaplain John Rasmussen and Bishop Bradosky invited one another to bring greetings from their church body to the other church body’s annual meeting.

Pastor Swenson and Chaplain Rasmussen proposed ongoing dialog between theologians of both church bodies — a conversation centering on the cross and its impact upon the various loci of church dogmatics.  Bishop Bradosky agreed and expressed interest in extending such a dialog to other Lutheran church bodies as well.

In terms of closer structural ties between the NALC and Augsburg Lutheran Churches, Bishop Bradosky suggested that a more organic relationship than full communion is possible because the two bodies are of such close kinship theologically.  Dual rostering of pastors and of congregations already exists.  Dual rostering is the situation when pastors and/or congregations are members of both church bodies. As the relationship matures, Bishop Bradosky suggested that it could lead to a more direct form of organic unity between Augsburg Lutheran Churches and the NALC.

Looking to the future and the annual conventions this summer, both the NALC and Augsburg Lutheran Churches will explore these opportunities further. Bishop Bradosky will greet, preach, and lead a break-out session at Augsburg Lutheran Churches’ convention in July at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in El Paso, Texas, where Dr. Robert Benne of Roanoke College will be the keynote speaker.  Chaplain Rasmussen will bring greetings from the ALC to the NALC Convocation Aug. 16-17 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Golden Valley, Minn. He and Pastor Swenson will lead a break-out session on the Societas Crucis. 

Much good will and theological fellowship was shared between the representatives of these two church bodies working to bring about the reconfiguration of North American Lutheranism. Both the NALC and Augsburg Lutheran Churches are members of Lutheran CORE, an umbrella organization bringing together confessional Lutherans throughout North America.

NALC and ELCA Dialog

NALC, ELCA leaders meet for the first time

In response to a resolution passed by the 2011 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), seeking conversation with the North American Lutheran Church (NALC), four representatives of each church body met on Feb. 6-7, 2012, in Indianapolis for discussion of areas of disagreement, interest and concern.

The NALC representatives were: the Rev. Dr. David Wendel, Ministry Coordinator and Ecumenical Relations Officer; the Rev. Dr. Michael Tavella, Dean of the Atlantic Mission District; the Rev. James T. Lehmann, Dean of the Great Rivers Mission District; and Mr. Ryan Schwarz, Treasurer.

The ELCA representatives were: the Rev. Donald J. McCoid, Assistant to the Presiding Bishop: Executive for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Relations; the Rev. Dr. Marcus Kunz, Assistant to the Bishop: Executive for Theological Discernment; the Rev. Dr. Marcus C. Lohrmann, Bishop of the Northwestern Ohio Synod; and the Rev. Kathryn Tiede, pastor of Living Waters Lutheran Church and member of the Church Council.

In the 24 hours spent together, the representatives prayed, had Bible study and devotions, and engaged in cordial and candid conversation. This meeting was not intended to, nor did the participants seek to, resolve issues between the two church bodies. Rather, the participants sought to share and clarify disagreements to improve mutual understanding.

Practical matters related to local mission and ministry were also significant topics of discussion, with hopes of future resolution. This meeting, which was the first between the two bodies since the formation of the NALC in 2010, constituted an opening of lines of communication between the two churches. The representatives discussed the possibility of future meetings.

Pastor Dan Baker to Lead Mount Carmel Ministries

March 20, 2012

Dear Friends of Mount Carmel,

It is with great joy and enthusiasm that we announce the new Executive Director of Mount Carmel Ministries. The Search Committee, Board of Trustees and Mount Carmel staff thank you for your prayers covering this entire process. We felt them and are fully confident that it is God who has called Pastor Daniel Baker of Albert Lea to lead Mount Carmel into our next chapter. Pastor Baker will begin his work with Mount Carmel mid-April.

Pastor Baker comes to us from southern Minnesota where he currently serves as Associate Pastor of First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Physics and went on to attend Luther Seminary where he earned his Master of Divinity in 1992. He currently serves as the Executive Director of “ReClaim Resources for Lutherans,” a ministry that produces Lutheran worship resources.

Pastor Baker attended Mount Carmel family camps as a youth with his family. More recently he has brought groups from his church to Mount Carmel for various Elderversities. He has a heart for local and global missions, kids’ programming, church renewal and Biblical teaching.

The Search Committee and Board of Trustees were most excited about Pastor Baker’s vision and heart for Mount Carmel. We feel strongly that he will make an exceptional leader with both an understanding of our heritage and a strong vision to continue moving Mount Carmel Ministries forward with the focus of Jesus Only.

Pastor Dan wrote in his letter of acceptance, “I graciously accept your invitation to serve the Lord through Mount Carmel Ministries as your Executive Director. I am looking forward to joining with you in the mission of helping people come alive to God through the clear message of Jesus Only. I pray that God will continue to use Mount Carmel as His instrument to transform lives for generations to come.”

Please keep Pastor Dan and his wife, Karina and two children Caleb (12) and Marissa (9) in your prayers as they transition into this new call. The family will move into the Welcome Home House the beginning of June after Caleb and Marissa have finished their school year in Albert Lea.

To God be the glory for using us as His hands and feet, for calling the faithful to be used in His service, and fulfilling His promise to lead us into a future filled with hope.

Serving you as the Board of Trustees,

Keith Anderson, Carol Anderson, Corey Bjertness, Dan Bryngelson, Becca Groves,

Paul Lindbloom, James Steffen, Fred Townsend and Lloyd Wallace

http://www.mountcarmelministries.com/about/news/76-executive-director-ad 

Orthodox Lutheran Confessional Conference Welcomes New Pastor

 

Photo provided by Linda Diers

The Rev. Bruce King, third from left, was installed as associate pastor of Augustana Lutheran Church, Chaska, Minnesota, on March 13, 2011. Pictured with King from left to right are Pastor Roger Fehr, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Jefferson, South Dakota; Pastor Martin Diers, Augustana Lutheran Church, Chaska, and Faithful Word Lutheran Church, Hovland, both in Minnesota ; and Pastor James Shrader, Augsburg Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. All four congregations are members of the Orthodox Lutheran Confessional Conference (OLCC).

The OLCC is a confessional movement with no official organizational structure, according to its website. The conference was established in 2006 when its charter congregations left the Lutheran Church of the Reformation over issues around its acceptance of permitting women the opportunity to vote in congregational meetings. For more information, visit www.olcc.us.

http://metrolutheran.org/2011/07/orthodox-lutheran-confessional-conference-welcomes-new-pastor/

Fred Mueller Nov. 29, 1920 - Apr. 13, 2012

WILLMAR - The Rev. Fred Mueller, age 91, of Willmar, died Friday morning, April 13, at Bethesda Pleasant View Nursing Home in Willmar.  

WILLMAR - The Rev. Fred Mueller, age 91, of Willmar, died Friday morning, April 13, at Bethesda Pleasant View Nursing Home in Willmar.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 20, at Vinje Lutheran Church. Interment will be at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Clara City. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 19, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Pastor Fred Mueller was born November 29, 1920 in Burnstad, North Dakota. He was the second of seven siblings of the Henry A. and Emelia Mueller family. He died April 13, 2012 at the age of 91 years.

He completed his formal education at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa and Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. He was ordained into the Lutheran ministry on June 16, 1946 in his home congregation, St. Luke's Lutheran of Wishek, North Dakota.
On June 2, 1946 he was married to Lorraine G. Laabs, his loving and supportive wife and pastoral partner of 43 years. They had 5 children, Tom, Sandra, Paul, Joan (still born), and John. After Lorraine's death in 1989, Fred was married to Tetkea G. Grussing for 13 years and after her death, he married Margaret T. Trulson.

Pastor Mueller served congregations in Max, North Dakota, Madison, South Dakota, Clara City, Willmar and Mapleton, Minnesota during 36 years of active ministry. In retirement, he was a supply preacher for 27 years to over 78 congregations. He was noted for his gospel oriented, persuasive and powerful preaching along with strong church administrative skills. During his pastoral career, he held numerous elected offices on the conference, district, and synod levels including Secretary and Vice President of the Dakota District, Vice President of the Minnesota District and Treasurer of the SW Minnesota Synod. He also served 3 years as full time Administrative Assistant in the SW Minnesota Synod.

His avocations included wood working and relief carving, fishing, writing and RV family vacation activities. He constructed many furniture pieces, carved numerous small still life figures and relief scenes, caught many large fish, and wrote numerous short essays on topics including family history, social and theological issues in addition to many sermons, homilies, and Bible Studies.

His life was guided by lessons learned in his parental home including obedience, respect, diligence, thrift, foresight, decisiveness and determination. But his most important guide is summarized by his favorite Bible verse from the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be yours as well." His favorite hymns, "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Wake, Awake", emphasize his unshakable belief in the forgiveness of sin, the resurrection of the dead and the gift of eternity in heaven for all true believers. 

He was a good man, a caring husband, father, and grandfather, and a concerned and believing Christian who had a sense of humor. He was loved and will be missed.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret of Willmar; his four children, Thomas (and Vickie) Mueller of Willmar, Paul (and Jamee Aard) Mueller of New York City, John (and Bea Soong) Mueller of New York City and Sandra Mueller (and Dan Boyd) of St. Michael; two grandchildren, David (and Kari) Mueller of Minneapolis and Sara Lynn (and Greg) Zastoupil of Coppell, TX., and three great grandchildren, Aiden, Andrew and Thomas. Also surviving are five siblings. Arnold Mueller of Topeka, KS., Alvina Boschee of Petaluma, CA., Leonora Mindt of Coeur D'alene, ID, Hulda (and Glen) Chambers of Aitkin and Irene Sayler of Wishek, ND; besides other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Lorraine in 1989; his second wife, Tetkea; a stillborn daughter, Joan and one brother, Theodore.

Windmills of Denmark Shall Turn Again in Blair

Dana College campus to find new life as renewable institute

April 3, 2012

The Omaha World-Herald reported in its Sunday, March 11, edition a tentative purchase agreement for the Dana College campus in Blair, Nebraska. Dana College was a church college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America until it closed in 2010.

Vermont native Allan E. Baer has agreed to a purchase price of $5.9 million for the campus and its facilities. Baer expects to raise more than $10 million additionally to renovate the buildings on the campus. He said that half of the buildings will be retrofitted with new windows and materials to increase heating and air conditioning efficiency.

Baer will launch the Renewable Nations Institute at Dana College, which he believes will be a national energy-efficiency institute serving students and producing programming for syndication.
According to the World-Herald, the institute will offer classes year-round; it will take two years to complete a degree in fields such as energy and environmental economics, clean energy technologies, environmental impact studies, and geospatial mapping.

Baer believes that demand for increased energy efficiency will grow, especially because the U.S. Department of Energy has established a goal of reducing energy consumption by 25 percent by 2017.

http://metrolutheran.org/2012/04/dana-college-campus-to-find-new-life-as-renewable-institute/

Augustana Lutheran MPLS moves location

On the religion beat: Historic Minneapolis Lutheran church has new home

• Article by: ROSE FRENCH , Star Tribune
• Updated: April 13, 2012 - 10:49 PM

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In its heyday, Augustana Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis once swelled to more than 1,000 members. These days, the number is closer to 75.

On April 29, the congregation will hold its last worship service at the brick church on 11th Avenue South near the Metrodome. Augustana is selling the nearly 130-year-old church to a nearby congregation -- Hope Community Church -- and moving five blocks south to a smaller church building.

"We saw the handwriting a few years ago that we were small enough we couldn't afford to keep that big building up," said J. Paul Carlson, president of Augustana's church council.
One of the oldest Lutheran congregations in the metro area, Augustana will also celebrate its 146th anniversary at the final farewell service. The Rev. William Berg -- who is 102 years old and served as Augustana's pastor from 1965 to 1980 -- will give the last sermon at the church, Carlson said.

"There are some people absolutely devastated at the thought we are not going to be in that structure," said Carlson, who was married at the church in 1968. His children were all baptized and married there as well. "My own feeling, and a lot of others, is that we're very happy there's a vital, growing congregation that's going to be worshipping there for probably decades to come."

The church has played a vital role in Twin Cities Lutheran life for decades. Some of its members went on to establish other prominent metro area Lutheran churches -- including Mount Olivet in Minneapolis, considered the largest Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregation in the U.S.

Carlson said the congregation is expected to hold its first service at its new home, a former Methodist church at 19th Street and 11th Avenue, on May 6.

"We'll do a processional down 11th Avenue from Augustana. That will be symbolic of our move, which will have taken place a few days and weeks earlier."

Rose French

http://www.startribune.com/local/147381995.html