LSTC Chicago

Alumnus Vance Blackfox (2012, MATS), a citizen of the Cherokee Nation who currently serves as director of communications for the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS), preached during worship in the Augustana Chapel on November 13, as part of the Vine Deloria Jr. Symposium held at LSTC that day. The symposium included a presentation by Prairie Rose Seminole and a panel discuss and reception in honor of the late Rev. Dr. Gordon Straw.

On November 11, LSTC held an Interfaith Service of Remembrance and Commitment in Observance of Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, when a systemic violent attack on Jewish people, property and places of worship happened throughout the Third Reich.

Mrs. Ruth Ultmann shared her testimony of witnessing this attack as a child in Germany. She was evacuated to England a few months afterwards, leaving behind the only family she knew and whom she never saw again. As an adult, she immigrated to the U.S. and moved to Chicago in the 1960s.

Eric J. Kyle, associate professor and director of contextual education, preached during worship on November 6. His texts were Amos 5:12-24 and Luke 19:11-27.

MDiv senior Daniel Beirne preached during LSTC’s observance of All Saints’ Day November 4. His text was Matthew 5:1-12.

Eunyung Lim, assistant professor of New Testament, preached during worship on October 30. Her text was Matthew 21:28-32, which she read in Korean.

MDiv senior Jose Rodriguez Paez gave a testimony in chapel about his experience immigrating to the United States from Venezuela and how God called him to ministry in the church.

Michael Rinehart, bishop of the Texas-Louisiana-Gulf Coast Synod, preached during worship in the Augustana Chapel at LSTC on October 23. His text was Luke 22:39-46.

Tarrance Weaver, author and community activist, gave the testimony during worship on October 10. He told about the effects of his brother’s death by gun violence and how such deaths have long-lasting repercussions for family members and communities. He is the author of Face to Face: Where Life Meets Reality. He is also the founder of Unity In Faces, which allows him to provide bagels to over 400 children each week and to assist the homeless, troubled and hopeless.

MDiv senior Amber Kalina preached during worship in the Augustana Chapel on October 21. Her texts were Luke 18:1-8 and Psalm 121.

Erik Christensen, pastor to the community and director of worship, preached during worship on October 14. His texts were Luke 17:11-19 and 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c.