IDE Teachers

Yearly there are opportunities for the teachers of Iowa Lutheran Schools to grow professionally. Many teachers take time during the summer to attend classes and some may take classes during the school year to gain credit toward a master’s degree or licensure.

The Lutheran Schools of Iowa also organize a gathering to assist Lutheran School teachers to grow as Lutheran educators. This past October Lutheran teachers from both Iowa District East and West gathered for their 2008 conference. The theme for this conference was “Renewed” with the keynote speaker Dr. Bev Yahnke, Executive Director of DOXOLOGY: The Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care and Counsel.

Other sectional leaders included Jon Laabs of Lutheran Education Association, Wanda Pritzel of Lutheran Family Services of Iowa, Kurt Burgdolt of Concordia University, NE, and Jane Buerger of Concordia University, Chicago.

This year’s conference was held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Urbandale. Their facilities accommodated the needs of the conference and their staff and volunteers made for a very positive experience.

The conference is also time to award the Educator of the Year. This award is based on nominations received by the Schools Committee of the Iowa District East. Each year an educator in the district is nominated by a peer or by parent. This year’s award went to Denise Block who teaches at Central Lutheran in Newhall.

Also recognized were teachers who achieved a milestone in their teaching careers. This year Marilyn Fahrmann of St. Paul Lutheran School in Latimer and Richard Holste of Immanuel Lutheran School in Waterloo were recognized for 25 years of teaching.

Who puts a gathering like this together? This years Conference Committee was Barb Buescher, Immanuel, Waterloo, Chairperson; Jessica Gavrun, Immaneul, Waterloo; Secretary, Amy Schroeder, Trinity, Boone; Jonathan Danek, Zion, Denison; Amy Koenig, Trinity, Davenport. Serving as “Advisors” were Rev. Bob Riggert, Iowa District West, and Rev. Wayne Woolery, Iowa District East.

When is the next Iowa Lutheran Teachers Conference? October 22-23, 2009. The new committee is already at work to make this conference another professional experience for the Lutheran teachers of Iowa.

IDE LWML

Mark Eischer, announcer and producer of The Lutheran Hour program, has accepted our invitation to speak at our 66th International Lutheran Laymen’s League 2009 Iowa District East Convention this spring. Mark’s presentation is entitled “Behind the Scenes at the Lutheran Hour.” He will explain how the program is put together each week and recount some of the experiences they have had.

If you have been a supporter of the Lutheran Hour through the years, here is an opportunity to speak to a man who understands the very ‘heartbeat’ of the Lutheran Hour as he has been associated with the behind the scenes activities for many years. This year the convention will be at Zion Lutheran Church, in Hiawatha, rather than at the IO-DIS-E-Ca camp. We are experimenting with using a church site this year. We will evaluate the effect this has on attendance.

The convention date will be Saturday, April 18, 2009. Activities begin with registration at 9:00 A.M. and conclude with the evening banquet at 5:00 P.M.

We will have meals as in the past and the cost will be $20 per person for the entire event. The address for Zion Lutheran Church is: 201 First Avenue Hiawatha, IA 52233. First Avenue is just a few blocks east of the intersection of Blairs Ferry Road and I-380.

You are encouraged to pre-register by sending a check to Kay Lenaburg. His address is: Mr. Kay Lenaburg 5101 Rich Mar Lane NW Cedar Rapids, IA 52405-4115 Make checks payable to IDE LLL Zone 4 We will share more information when we receive it and in the meantime you may also try this blog site to find more information on the convention and some facts about many other League programs. http://idelutheranlaymensleague.blogspot.com/.

You may e-mail rahoelz@imonmail.com or Terrajohn1@msn.com

IDE District President Gary Arp's January Newletter Article

To the Saints of Iowa District East

I hope you had a safe and joyous celebration of the Savior’s birth. And I pray that 2009 will be a year filled with blessings. Of course our Heavenly Father has guaranteed the greatest blessing for 2009 and for all eternity by sending His dear Son to save us from what we deserve and to receive what we have not earned!

The past year certainly presented some challenges for many in Iowa District East. Not the least of which was the record flood of 2008 and the tornado that ripped through several communities. And, of course, there is good reason to lament the religious and moral decay in our country. A few weeks ago as I listened to a presentation by a right to life group I was reminded of a quotation I heard recently: “...Apostasy from the gospel [in Protestant churches] is so general, that even secular papers in recent years have pointed out that from pulpits Christ the crucified is no longer preached, and instead morality and politics are proclaimed... Furthermore, in recent decades the number of children, particularly among the American born population, has taken a dive. The chief cause is that hundreds of thousands of American women consistently murder their unborn children, with and without the consent of their husbands.* (Who Said This? See answer below)

King Solomon said it well, “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” (Eccl. 1:9) Such events as the brutal murder of the TV newswomen in St. Louis, the murder of a young child, apparently by his mother, and abortion ought to shock us! However, it ought not surprise us! There is no limit to what our old sinful nature is capable of doing if it is unchecked either by the fear of punishment under the Law or redeemed by the blood of Christ.

A Thank You:

As we bid farewell to the old year and ring in the new I wish to extend a public thank you to the IDE office staff – Rosanne Mashek, Pam Krog, Sherry Brendes, my trusty assistant, Dr. Dean Rothchild, all of the faithful people who continue to work with the flood recovery, especially Crysten Sanchez and Kris Ruprecht who have joined our office staff on a part-time basis to coordinate the flood relief efforts.

Special thanks to Rev. Matthew Harrison, executive director of LCMS Human Care, and his faithful staff for the wonderful support they have given to the flood recovery work. Thank you also to all of God’s people who have contributed so generously.

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! (Psalm 107:1)


*From an article by Franz Pieper in Der Lutheraner following the assassination of President William McKinley September 1901. (Translation by Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, Executive Director of LCMS Human Care.)

Rev. Dr. Dean Rothchild's January Newsletter Article

Your Resolutions or God’s Resolve

2009 is now upon us. What will this year bring? Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions? Many people engage in that practice. Maybe this is the year that you will finally kick the smoking habit. Maybe you are going to resolve to eat less, exercise more, and lose weight. You will try to spend more time with your spouse and your children as that is part of your vocation as husband and wife and father and mother. Could this be the year that you make the resolve of “being in the Word” daily? Whatever the case may be, some of these resolves will be met while others will leave us seeming like a failure.

Long ago, Adam and Eve had made a resolve of their own, and they ended up disobeying God. The fruit was eaten and the blame game began to be played. Doesn’t that sound similar, we might admit to doing something wrong, but there was always a reason.

After God confronted Adam and Eve, He resolved to do the following: “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” Genesis 3:15. God’s resolve dealt with what Adam and Even needed, namely the forgiveness of their sins. That resolve also included you and me and all people.

God continued to unwrap that resolve in terms of how it would come about and what it would mean. We read in Isaiah 43:25, “I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.” In Isaiah 44:22 we are told: “I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud, And your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” What wonderful Gospel we have proclaimed to us as God is “running the verbs.” He is coming to us and resolving to do that which only He can do.

The angel told Joseph, “And she will bear and Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21. God’s resolve was brought to completion through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ Jesus. The resolve of God was applied to us in the waters of Holy Baptism. St. Paul says: “For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection.” Romans 6:5. May God boldly use each of us in 2009 to be “Heralds” of God’s resolve in and through His Son, Christ Jesus our Savior.

Messiah Lutheran Church in Mason City

Founded only 15 years ago, Messiah Lutheran has already reached a significant milestone in its history. On Sunday October 26th, Messiah held a special service to commemorate the burning of the mortgage. This followed a 10 month intensive effort to raise the funds to pay off the debt. This last Sunday in October was chosen because not only was it Reformation Sunday, but it was also the 15th anniversary of the founding of the congregation.

The service was conducted by Pastor Bruce Kaltwasser, Rev. Dr. Dean Rothchild delivered a special sermon, and over 100 people attended. Former members from across the Midwest joined members and other special guests, including many Laborers for Christ that helped to build the building.

Following the service, a meal was served and a slide show of the church’s history was shown allowing everyone to think of how far the church and its members have changed over the years. Many people were able to get caught up with members of their church family that have played such an important role in the history of Messiah.

Messiah has been served by a vacancy Pastor from area congregations since it was founded. Now that the congregation is free from debt, members are setting their eyes on a new goal. That goal is to call their own Pastor who will be able to help them spread the Word of God to the surrounding communities.

St. Paul's Chapel and University Center in Iowa City

Advent at St. Paul’s

“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

You may ask yourself: “Why is the girl in the picture wearing a wreath and candles on her head?” No, in spite of the costume you have not been transported into a C.S. Lewis or J.R.R Tolkeinesque fantasy world, you’re in St. Paul’s Chapel the morning of December 13th celebrating the Feast of Saint Lucia. St. Lucia Day is a Swedish holiday that celebrates the life of the Italian martyr, Lucia (Italian for “light”), who was tortured and killed for her faith when she refused to marry an unbeliever so that she could dedicate her life to serving others for Christ. To honor this day our sister LCMS congregations in Iowa City partnered with us in celebration by making the Swedish food for breakfast and joining us at the Chapel as American and International Students alike gathered during this Advent season –where we look for the coming of the Light of the World – to celebrate the life of a woman who serves as a reminder to let our light shine wherever God places us.

College Hill Lutheran Church

It’s the holiday season and heavy duty study time for the students at the University of Northern Iowa who attend Lutheran Student Fellowship at College Hill Lutheran Church and Brammer Student Center.

However, as you can see, the students take time for service to the church by decorating the nave and other areas of the building for the holidays.
Students also take some social time to enjoy one another while baking and frosting cookies to be delivered to the shut-ins of the congregation.
What a great way to share their time with others to the benefit of the entire congregation.

Thank you, students. Have a great holiday. See you in January for next semester.

New Email Address and Deadline Reminder

There is a new address to send your IDE pictures, articles, and announcments:

IdeToday@lcmside.org

The old address will work for awhile.

The next deadline is January 1, 2009.

IDE Youth Committee

A Time for Fellowship

The Iowa District East had two more activities that provided a chance for fellowship and spiritual growth for our youth.

The 5^th & 6^th Grade Retreat at Williamsburg has been an event where the youth can do a variety of activities like swim, bowl, play basketball or volleyball in the gym, and play games. The local school, bowling alley, grocery store, and pizza restaurant have been great supporters of this event. The Lutheran Interparish School of Williamsburg has also been wonderful for letting us hold this popular event for the past several years.

The Senior High Retreat (pictures at the left) was held at Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca in November this year. The high school students had a chance to meet others, play games, eat pizza and s’mores, and learn more about witnessing and college campus ministry. This year we added a servant event. What a wonderful group of youth we have in this district.

The next events:

• Feb. 6^th & 7^th, 2009 - Junior High Retreat: This has always been a blast.
• March 21^st and possibly other dates, 2009 - Youth Leadership Listening Posts

Our next District Youth Committee meeting will be Jan. 17^th from 12:00-5:00. If you have any suggestions for future events, please contact Rev. Rothchild at the District Office (319-373-2112). Youth leaders may also consider getting on the list at the District Office to receive the professional packet which will have the youth activities and any registration forms. It is sent electronically.

Current Youth Committee Members are:

Chair - Rev. Ronnie Koch; Youth – Stephen Hoffman and Kristin Pipho; Other Members – Leon Kroemer, Leon Miles, Renee Moravec, Rev. Tom and Asunta Shumaker; District Youth Executive – Rev. Dean Rothchild; Camp Contact – Daniel Sanchez