Higher Things Conference

On July 21-24, 17 youth and 6 adults from IDE traveled to Grand Rapids, MI for a few days of Worship, Work and Play. They went there to attend one of the two summer conferences hosted by Higher Things.

Higher Things is a Lutheran youth organization with the mantra of “Dare to be Lutheran.” This grass-roots organization, begun in 2002, hosts two or three events each year. All of these conferences present solid, Lutheran doctrine and practice to youth who are begging to be challenged. A quote from the Higher Things President, the Rev. William Cwirla of Hacienda Heights, California, concerning the aim of the organization: “Youth will rise to whatever level you set the bar.” He also speaks about how youth will fall to as low as we let them if we don’t set the bar high. The youth attending the conference proved day in and day out that they want to be fed, taught and challenged. They ate it up and asked for more!

The theme this year was “Sola,” based on the four Solas ("Only") of the Reformation: Christus, Gratia, Fide and Scriptura. In six different plenary sessions, the participants learned that the God who comes to us in Christ (Christus) only has to speak to accomplish what He wants to accomplish. This same Christ died on the cross and rose again to buy us back by Grace (Gratia) in the same way the Prophet Hosea bought back his wayward wife Gomer. Through God’s grace, we are gifted with Faith (Fide), the saving faith of Christ who brings us to heaven. This we learn from Scripture (Scriptura) as this is how God has chosen to reveal Himself to us.

There were four opportunities to attend break away sessions. The topics ranged from The Shack to Twilight, Dating to Leviticus, Depression to Baptism, and Homosexuality to Star Wars. The discussions abounded in gospel-centered information. Participants also attended a three session indepth study of their choosing. These had titles like “Answering the Atheists,” “The Holy Doggie B.A.G.S.,” “As We Sing, So We Believe,” and “Emerging Style Or Enduring Substance?.” The youth left with a deeper appreciation of their Lutheran faith and a greater confidence in how to respond to their friends’ questions about their beliefs.

Once capped at 750, 901 people attended this conference. The youth were blessed to worship with other youth from 106 congregations, 23 states, and 3 groups representing the Lutheran Church of Canada. There was even a foreign exchange student there from Spain! Imagine the comfort in realizing that, as a high school student in this thing called Fide, they are not alone.

Next year’s conferences will be in Logan, Utah, at Utah State University, from June 29-July 2, and in Memphis, at the University of Memphis, from July 6-9. The theme will be “Given.” Make plans to attend! For more information, please see www.higherthings.org.

Picture: Those in attendance from IDE, pictured not in order are: Christian Anderson, Abbey Hannan, Desiree Hannig , Peter Klinge , Alice Klinkhammer, Rebekah Sanford , Rachel Scott , Emily Stender , Kathrine Stender, Christina Stringer, Pastor Jesse Cearlock and Christina Stringer from Our Redeemer in Dubuque, Emily Lemke, Erica Riney, Derek Scearcy, Pastor Mark Brase and Vicki Eastburn from Immanuel in Fairfield, and Angela Small, Chelsey Shultz, Eric Janssens, Jayson McCarty, Grant Golberg, the Rev. Mark Gefaller and Crysten Sanchez from St. Paul in Mt. Vernon.

Trinity Lutheran Church in Davenport

On July 19, Trinity Lutheran celebrated the installation of their new Pastor, the Rev. Karl Fay.

Trinity Lutheran Church was established in Davenport in 1870 and currently has approximately 2100 Baptized members. Trinity Lutheran School was also founded in 1870 and has a current enrollment of around 270 students. Currently, Trinity has an average Sunday attendance of 800 plus members and guests.

The Rev. Karl Fay, was born and raised in Topeka, KS. He attended Concordia University Seward and, following graduation travelled to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He finished his Master of Divinity there and was called to Trinity Lutheran Church on 22 April. He was ordained in Topeka, KS on July 12 and installed at Trinity as an Associate Pastor on July 19th. We at Trinity are excited about his first call and will join our Senior Pastor Michael Vokt and Associate Pastor Merle Warnsholz in shepherding members at Trinity. Pastor Fay is married to Kendra and they have a daughter, June.

Rev. Bob Bartel; Rev. Merle Warnsholz; Rev. Fritz Schmitt; Rev. Jack Goldberger; Rev. Steve Henderson; Rev. Gib Mueller; Rev. Karl Fay; Rev. Michael Vokt; Rev. Tim Eckert; Rev. Brian Saunders, IDE President; Rev. Kurt Larson; Rev. Tim Jones; and Rev. Dr. John Wohlrabe, Third Vice President of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.

Bethany Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH EXPLORE CHURCH VOCATIONS

ST. LOUIS—One high school youth from the Iowa District East participated in Vocatio, held June 27-July 2, at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. The participant was Michael Church, Bethany Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A total of 39 youth attended Vocatio. Vocatio, the Latin form of “vocation,” employed a different approach to teach the participants about vocation. Galatians 2:20—I no longer live, but Christ lives in me—was the focus of the event. The youth studied this verse and its implications for their vocations. Seminary professors led Bible studies to present and discuss the details of the verse according to the four departments of theology: exegetical, systematic, historical and practical. This new focus encouraged the youth to think about their vocations according to God’s word and the gifts He has given to them. The Seminary professors guided them in looking at not only future church-work careers, but also their vocations now. During Vocatio, admission representatives from six Concordia University system schools and Valparaiso University participated in a college fair. Aside from each representative being available to answer questions at their booth, each one had a few minutes to introduce his or her school and its strengths. This opportunity allowed the Vocatio guests to have a better understanding of what each school has to offer. One Vocatio participant commented, “Laid-back yet serious approach to church vocation, especially in the Lutheran sense. [Vocatio] definitely opened my eyes to many more facets of this work.”

The 2010 Vocatio will take place June 2010. For more information on Vocatio, contact the Admissions Office, Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105. Pictures of the event are available on the Concordia Seminary Web site at www.csl.edu.

Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo

The Human Care Board of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo sponsored a community blood drive with the theme "What color do you bleed?" on July 9th. Donors were asked to donate for their favorite college team with the winner's flag to be flown at Immanuel on one Sunday in August. With the help of the American Red Cross Mississippi Valley Chapter, 29 people participated resulting in enough donations to help up to 60 people in need. There were many first time donors along with Immanuel congregation member Warren Hartman who with this donation earned his 7 gallon pin. The college team with the most donations was the Iowa Hawkeyes followed by the UNI Panthers, Iowa State Cyclones, and there was one vote for the Michigan Wolverines (Sorry Pastor Kapanka!). The Human Care Board would like to thank everyone who stopped by and the American Red Cross for helping us with this event.

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Iowa City

Back Row (Left to Right): Rev. Herald Scheer, Rev. W. Max Mons, Rev. Dr. Brian Kneser, Rev. Brent Hartwig, Rev. Tim Zimmermann, Rev. Greg Fairow, and Rev. Mitch Otto

Front Row (Left to Right): Rev. Mark Gefaller, Rev. Keith Dusheke, Rev. Dr. Gary Arp,
Rev. Tom Heren, Rev. Arthur Rickman, Rev. Greg Williamson, and Rev. Dan Pool

On Sunday, June 21, 2009, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Iowa City, Brent Hartwig was ordained by Rev. Dr. Gary Arp into the Office of Holy Ministry. During the same service, Rev. Tim Zimmermann, Senior Pastor of Our Redeemer installed Pastor Hartwig as the Associate Pastor. We give thanks to the Lord for His eternal blessings!

IDE Pastors Golfing

The 2009 Iowa District East Church Workers Golf outing was held on Monday June 29th at Tara Hills Golf Course at Van Horne. 15 people participated. This event is sponsored by Thrivent. Winners this year in the best-ball format were Pastor’s Jonathan Offt (left) and Joe Polzin (Right) of Cedar Rapids. 2nd place finishers were Rev. Brian Saunders, our newly elected District President, and Dr. Dean Rothchild, Assistant to the President. Saunders also won the longest drive award and Offt won the closest to the hole contest.

Conference Announcement

St. John Luthean Church in Waverly

St. John Lutheran Church of Waverly dedicates the new church sign. Even the little children like it and share the flowers with each other.

St. John Lutheran Church in Waverly

St. John Lutheran Church of Waverly, enjoys their 2nd annual fish fry at the Terry Noel home.

Parish Nurse News

Concordia Conference for Parish Nurse

and Congregational Health Ministries

May 2009

The LCMS parish nurse district representatives met at Concordia University, Mequon, WI, May 26 & 27. The theme was “Celebrating the Journey”. There were 20 of the 35 district reps in attendance as well as our sister parish nurse from Christmas Lutheran in Bethlehem, Palestine. Carol Lueders Bolwerk RN, PhD, CUW Director, Parish Nurse and Congregational Ministries is a wonderful hostess each year for this event, the Mequon campus is lovely at this time of the year! Dr. Marcia Schnorr continues to be the parish nurse coordinator and Maggie Karner is the LCMS Director of Life and Health Ministries. Each year relationships grow between many of the district representatives, joys and frustrations are shared, ideas and encouragement are given, and “pool therapy” is a great wrap up to each day.

The 17th Annual Concordia Conference for Parish Nurse and Congregational Health Ministries was held following our district rep meeting. “Saved by Grace, Freed to Serve” was the title of this two and a half day conference. Nearly 100 parish nurses from many states attended. We heard excellent keynote speakers- Rev. Dr. Daniel Paavola, “Who’s Watching Me?” and Dr. Bill Duey, “Fit-2-Serve- Strengths Based Approach to Health Ministry”. The keynotes were followed by many excellent breakout sessions. A few that I attended were: “Freed of Stress, Freed to Serve” by Steve Gruenwald; “Help for the Sandwich Generation” by Sue Salach-Cutler, “Eight Habits of Effective Parish Nurses” by Linda Arnold and “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” by Rev. David Sorensen.

My function as district rep is to promote, support and educate others about parish nursing and health ministries. As the Iowa District East rep I have identified 9 parish nurses in our district. I appreciate the support given from the synod, district and my congregation for me to be able to attend this conference. Please contact me if I can assist you in learning more about health ministries and parish nursing.

Ronda Anderson RN Parish Nurse,

Bethany Lutheran Church

LCMS Iowa District East, Parish Nurse District Representative

2202 Forest Drive SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

319-364-6026 ext 205

ronda.anderson@bethanycr.org