Immanuel Lutheran Church inGrand Mound

Pastor Arthur A. Rickman was Ordained and Installed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Grand Mound on July 13. Rev. Brian Saunders presided over the Ordination and Installation. Rev. Henry Witte was the preacher. Lectors were Vicar Brent Hartwig and Rev. Jon Vieker.

(Front Row) Rev.(s) Dennis Arndt, Arthur Rickman, Brian Saunders, Wayne Brinkmann and Henry Witte.

(Back Row) Vicar Brent Hartwig, Rev. (s) Jon Vieker, Brad Brown and Timothy Jones.

Central Lutheran School in Newhall

Central Lutheran School's 4th graders traveled to Bloomsbury Farm in October where they met up with their Williamsburg (Lutheran Interparish) penpals for a day of fall fun.


Even the teachers were smiling!

College Hills Lutheran Church in College Hills

Lutheran Student Fellowship and College Hill Lutheran Church members hosted the Black Hawk County Thrivent Financial for Lutherans annual dinner meeting. Sunday, September 28th, at 1 o’clock the students from Brammer Student Center in Cedar Falls were hosts and hostesses serving the two hundred Thrivent members as they enjoyed the sit-down dinner prepared by congregation members. The ham, turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, fruit cup, pie and ice cream with all the accompanying condiments traveled from the kitchen to the tables with speed and precision. Thrivent members enjoyed their food and fellowship. Attendance gifts provided by the Thrivent Chapter added to the fun. Oh, yes, the cleanup is something else, lots of dishes to do; but it seems a small effort to return a favor for the support that Thrivent provides for campus ministry. Whether it’s the matching funds grant for the dinner theater to fund the servant event during spring break or the home office support through the Giving Plus program, the support is greatly appreciated. Hosting this meal is one way to say “Thanks”.

Grace Lutheran Church in DeWitt

German Language Christmas Service

The members of Grace Lutheran Church of DeWitt are hosting a Traditional Christmas Service in the German tongue! On December 21st at 3:00 p.m. German speakers from all over eastern Iowa and western Illinois will gather for this authentic ethnic worship experience. The guest preacher is the Rev Otto A Brillinger who currently serves a German-speaking congregation in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The American Schleswig Holstein Heritage Society Chorus of Davenport, under the direction of Henry Storjohann, will provide special musical selections. After the service there will be a coffee and cake fellowship complete with a secular German Christmas sing-along in Grace Hall. All are most cordially invited to indulge in the sounds and tastes of the old country! Grace Church and Hall are located at 415 10th Street in DeWitt, Iowa. For more information please call the church at (563) 659-9153.

Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids

School accreditation Sept. 28th.

Installation service for Tyrone Brumwell. Sept. 28th .

IDE Youth Committee

IDE’s Youth Committee’s Goal: Provide opportunities and resources continually to the congregations of Iowa District East in the development of local programs.

We have been planning or helping plan the activities for the next few events and are excited about what is being offered. The 5^th & 6^th Grade Retreat has always been well received and the activities and fellowship help our youth meet other Christians in our district. Swimming and bowling have been a great source of fun in the past. Along with the activities we always have included a chance to learn about God by delving into his word.

The Senior High Retreat will still be at Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca but the date has changed. As we look at the events each year we try to keep some of the same. However, we also like to look at what we can do to make the event something that will keep the youth wanting more. We are excited about the changes we are making. Hope to see you there.

The next events:

• Nov. 7^th & 8^th , 2008 – 5^th & 6^th Grade Retreat (Held in Williamsburg)
• Nov. 14^th & 15^th , 2008 – Senior High Retreat: Notice it is a new month.
• 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

The youth booklets and posters should have arrived at your church. They contain the dates and details about the events. You may also check out the IDE website. If you have any questions, please contact any of the District Youth Committee members.

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

Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowden

Vicar Nickolas Huelsmen was installed this summer at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowden by the Rev. Victor Young. He is from Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. wayne, IN, has a wife, Joy, and a young child.

A "Vicor" is a seminary student, still attending seminary, on assignment for one year to work with a congregation and Pastor.