Grace Lutheran Church in DeWitt

Pastor Garland Gotoski is celebrating 60 years of being in the ministry.  A fellowship with cake, sweet breads and coffee was served to celebrate his accomplishment of reaching 60 years.

Jerry Schiller

Jerry A. Schiller of Newton passed away at Park Centre in Newton, Iowa Friday, May 20, 2011 from complications of a stroke suffered several years ago. The family will greet friends from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 24th at the Pence-Reese Funeral home in Newton. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 25 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1900 N. 4th Ave. E. in Newton.

Jerry was born Sept. 2, 1932 to Walter and Mae (Sears) Schiller in Moline, Illinois. He worked for the family-owed Schiller Dairy from a very early age. He graduated from Rock Island High School in 1950 and from Augustana College in Rock Island with a degree in accounting in 1954. During his college career he was a member of the BOS fraternity and captain of the football team. While still attending college he married his long-time sweetheart Betty Fuller on December 29, 1951. They were blessed with seven children.

After graduating from college Jerry worked for Arthur Anderson in Chicago before moving to Newton and beginning his career at Maytag in 1962. He started as an entry level internal auditor and held various positions before retiring in 1993 as Senior Vice President and CFO.

Jerry was deeply involved at Our Savior Lutheran Church serving in many capacities. He continued his church involvement in later years by serving on the Board of Directors of Iowa District East, Treasurer of the District and then as Vice-President of LCEF for the District. He was also actively involved in several other local organizations over the years including Progress Industries and contributed generously to local, national and international charities.

Jerry enjoyed family hiking and backpacking trips in Colorado and cross country skiing, both in Colorado and Iowa. His children have fond memories of him as their fearless leader. He was a zealous tennis player, teaching for several years, assisting with the local high school teams and also enjoyed being a co-owner of Centre Court, but mostly he just loved a good game of tennis with friends. In later years, Jerry also enjoyed tending his garden, especially his roses. He also looked forward to visiting with family and friends and enjoyed quiet moments on the deck.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Betty, children Jo (James) Moses and Susan (Jerry) Fortune, both of Newton, Rick (Tamie) Schiller of Davenport, Lisa (Tom) Swank of Coal Valley, IL, Sandy (Scott) Rogers of Altoona and Sara (Dave) Sielaff of Lincoln, IL. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren; Andrea Jansen and Scott Smead of Newton, Shaun Fortune of Spring Mills, PA, Sarah Schroeder of Davenport, Drew Schiller of Charleston, SC, Kate Kohtz of Centennial, CO, Kendall Swank of Rock Island, IL, Ethan Rogers and Kristin Rogers of Des Moines, Curt Rogers of Kansas City, MO and Jim Sielaff of Lincoln, IL., along with eight great-grandchildren, with twin grandchildren expected this summer. Other survivors are his sister, Jill (Jerry) Rowland of Queen City, MO, brother-in-law Bob (Diane) Fuller of New Sharon and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Mae Schiller, a daughter, LuAnn Schiller, a granddaughter, Willie Schiller, and two brothers, Tony Schiller and Jack Schiller.

In lieu of flowers and to carry out Jerry's benevolent wishes, memorials to honor him may be given to Park Centre's Good Samaritan Fund or to the LCMS World Mission Fund. Condolences may be sent to Betty at 500 1st Street North, Newton, IA 50208.

Concordia Theological Seminary

Dr. Lawrence Rast Jr. Named President-Elect of Concordia Theological Seminary FORT WAYNE, IN (CTS)—Friends, family and members of the Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, staff and student body gathered as Dr. Lawrence R. Rast Jr. was named as president-elect of CTS. “This seminary is a gift of God and all the people that serve here are His gifts as well,” offered Dr. Rast.  “While we are looking forward to the future and the changes to come, we also look to the one thing that does not change. That is the life-saving Gospel of Jesus Christ and our mission to get that message out to a world that is so in need.” Dr. Rast currently serves as the Academic Dean at Concordia Theological Seminary and Professor of American Christianity and American Lutheranism. Dr. Rast joined the Department of Historical Theology in the fall of 1996 after serving as pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church, Madison, Tennessee (1992-96). He received his B.A. from Concordia College, River Forest, Illinois (1986), and his M.Div. (1990) and S.T.M. (1995) from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. In 2003, he earned his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Rast also serves the seminary as Associate Editor—Book Reviews of Concordia Theological Quarterly and Seminary Archivist. He is a member of the Board of Editorial Advisors for the journal Lutheran Quarterly and of the editorial committee of the Concordia Historical Institute Quarterly. He is a faculty representative on the LCMS’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations (2006-present) and is the Chairman of that commission (2010-present). He will consult with the Board of Regents and current CTS President, Dr. Dean Wenthe, as to when he will assume his duties as president. Also present for the announcement were Rev. Matthew Harrison, President, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; Rev. Wayne Graumann, CTS Board of Regents Chairman, Dr. Robert Kuhn, Chairman of the LCMS Board of Directors; and Dr. Wenthe, current CTS President.  During their comments each spoke of their great confidence in Dr. Rast’s ability to build on the work that, by God’s grace, has been carried out in the seminary’s 165 year history and their joy in knowing he and the entire seminary community have a bright future as they move forward to form students in Jesus Christ who teach the faithful, reach the lost and care for all.

The Printed May Issue Is Arriving Right Now

News From Concordia Seminary, Ft. Wayne

FORT WAYNE, IN (CTS)—On Saturday, May 21 Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, will introduce their new president.  He will be the 18th president of the institution which was founded in 1846.  The announcement will take place at 11:00 a.m. in the Student Commons on the seminary campus, 6600 N. Clinton Street.  Our friends from the community are most welcome to join us for this event.  Those who cannot join us in person can watch live via the internet by going to www.ctsfw.edu and clicking on the Watch Live link.

New link to the color editions

Click on this cover picture to connect to the color edition of the May IDE TODAY.

St. John Lutheran Church in Waverly

Meet the teacher of the New Preschool of St. John Lutheran Church, Waverly My name is Melissa Haugo and I am very excited to be the teacher at St. John Preschool! I grew up in Fargo, ND and graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a B.S. in elementary education and an emphasis on early childhood education.  I also completed a reading endorsement through Buena Vista University.  I have two years of substitute teaching experience, two years of preschool teaching experience, and currently I am a reading interventionist at Okoboji Elementary School. During my time outside of school I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two daschunds and two cats.  I am an avid runner and looking forward to running a half marathon in May and again in June. Music is my passion. I play the viola, violin, cello, piano, and a little guitar. I have my own music studio in Spirit Lake, IA called Hill Avenue Strings,  I teach violin, viola, and cello lessons to students of all ages. I am excited to share my music in the Waverly community.

IDE and Concordia Seminary

ST. LOUIS—On May 4, calls to serve as pastors in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) were issued to 86 students at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, during a worship service in The Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. These students join more than 12,000 who have been prepared to serve as pastors, missionaries and chaplains during the 172 years of Concordia Seminary’s existence. In a separate service held earlier that day, 81 students received assignments to serve as vicars. Vicarage is a one-year internship that M.Div. and Alternate Route students preparing to serve in the pastoral ministry must complete. Concordia Seminary also celebrated four deaconess students who were assigned calls and 10 deaconess students who were assigned internships. The Iowa East District received the following new pastor from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis: Pastor Beltz, Samuel - St. John Lutheran Church, Oskaloosa, Iowa A complete listing of the calls and vicarages issued is available on the Seminary’s website at www.csl.edu. Photo: From left: Samuel Beltz, Cassie Beltz, Rev. Brian Saunders.

IDE Spring Worker's Conference

 

Professor John T. Pless, Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne

 Speaking on The Catechism: Handbook of Faith, Prayer and Vocation.

 Hosted by Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids.

 Rev. Dr. Dean Rothchild and District President Brian Saunders.

Rev. Donald F. Poock

Rev. Donald F. Poock

Born in Waterloo, Iowa on Jan. 17, 1940 Departed on May 8, 2011 and resided in Readlyn, IA.

Visitation: Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Service: Thursday, May 12, 2011 St. Paul, Readlyn 10:30 a.m.

Cemetery: St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery-Readlyn

Rev. Donald "Don" F. Poock, 71, of Waterloo, formerly of Readlyn, died Sunday, May 8, 2011 at the Cedar Falls Lutheran Home, Cedar Falls.

Don was born January 17, 1940 in Waterloo the son of Herbert and Emma (Schneider) Poock. He was baptized February 11, 1940 and confirmed April 11, 1954 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Readlyn. He graduated from Readlyn High School in 1958. In July of 1958 he entered the United States Air Force and served his country until his honorable discharge in June of 1962. He attended Wartburg College in Waverly from 1962 to 1964 and then continued his studies at Concordia University, graduating in 1966. After teaching school in Philadelphia for two years he commenced studies at Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Illinois until 1972, when he became ordained. He was first called to Zion Lutheran Church in Red Cloud, Nebraska on August 20, 1972. In 1981 he accepted a call to St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Bonne Terre, Missouri, where he stayed until 1993. Don then served in Russia and Guatemala with Lutheran Bible Translators until his retirement in 2003.

In his free time Don enjoyed watching nearly any type of sport and traveling. He also enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family. He spoke numerous languages and maintained a sharp mind until his passing.

Don is survived by one sister, Doris Studer of Waterloo, Iowa and one brother, Lowen Poock of Florida, numerous cousins, nephews and one niece. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother in law, Ronald Studer.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 12, 2011 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 120 W. 4th St., Readlyn with Pastor Randolph McHone officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 11 at the Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Readlyn and for an hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Memorials may be directed to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Readlyn, Grace Lutheran Church, Waterloo, or Cedar Valley Hospice. On-line condolences may be left for the family at www.kaisercorson.com.

Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home, 205 Highland Avenue, Readlyn is in charge of arrangements. 319-279-3551

IDE and Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne

We are pleased to share the photo taken on call night with the students that have been assigned to your district. Please let us know if you need additional information.

Vicars Placed
Arthur J. Drehman, Trinity Lutheran Church, Hampton, Iowa

Candidates Placed
Roy W. Berquist, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fairbank, Iowa
Sean D. Hansen, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Mount Vernon, Iowa
Christopher J. Neuendorf, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa
John C. Preus, Trinity Lutheran Church, Clinton, Iowa

PHOTO ID:
Front Row: Monica Preus, Leah Neuendorf, Rebecca and Sophia Hansen
Back Row: John Preus, Christopher Neuendorf, Sean Hansen, Roy Berquist, Rev. Brian Saunders, President, Iowa East District

Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids

“Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids welcomed 72 new members on March 13th.  The group included transfers, professions of faith, and many who took Trinity’s “Living Discipleship” (new member) class.  Seven families joined the church through the “Discover Trinity” program, which offers free tuition for the first year to any new incoming students at the school.  There were also 7 baptisms (3 adults and 4 children) and 8 confirmations that joyful day.”

St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Sherrill

On February 20, 2011 Heather Riegler and Rose Chmelar were confirmed at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Sherrill by Pastor Carl Richardson.

Our Savior Lutheran Church in Muscatine

Our Savior Lutheran Church, Muscatine, Iowa will celebrate it's 50th anniversary with the theme of "Our Year of Jubilee in Christ" on October 22nd and 23rd with an evening banquet and a Sunday Service and Festival. All former members and friends of the church are invited. For more information: oslcs@machlink.com

The first service was held at the Hotel Muscatine on Oct. 29, 1961, under the direction of the Rev. John B Nieman of the Wilton Zion Lutheran Church. The local congregation was founded through the efforts of Zion Lutheran Church in Wilton and the Iowa District East of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. In July 1962, the Rev. Leo Bruns was called to be the first pastor. He died Dec.25, 1962. He was followed by the Rev. James Kalthoff 1963 - 1966, the Rev David Cloeter 1967-1971, the Rev. Merlin Petersen 1971- 1974, the Rev. Harold Roschke 1976 - 1982, the Rev. Marlin Rempfer 1983 - 1991, Rev Brian Saunders 1992 - 2009, and the present pastor Rev. Jeffery Pautz who was installed in 2009.

When the church was built, it was dubbed the church in the cornfield, because it was built in the middle of a cornfield. A major addition was dedicated in August 1971, With a preschool for children opening in September 1984.

IDE Calendar

IDE CALENDAR 2011

MAY            23      Web Development Seminar  (Zion, Hiawatha 9-12 noon)

JUN             02      Circuit Counselor/Praesidium Cf.  (9a District Office)

                   09      Mission Committee  (9:30a District Office)

                   21      Board of Directors   (9a District Office)

                   22      IE/IW Lutheran Day  (Adventureland)

                   23-26 LWML National Convention  (Peoria, IL)

                   27      IDE Golf Outing  (Tara Hills, Van Horne)

JUL             22-23 Family Weekend (Camp)

                   24-30 RAGBRAI

AUG            19-20 Youth Retreat @ Camp

SEP             9-10 Father/Child Weekend @ Camp

                   20      IW/IE Secretaries Cf.  (Dennison)

                   23-24 Confirmation Retreat @ Camp 

                   27      Board of Directors   (9a District Office)

OCT            06      Circuit Counselors/Praesidium  (9a District Office)

                   17-18 Fall Pastors Cf.  (Camp)

                   20-21 Teachers Cf.  (Gloria Dei, Ankeny)

NOV            29      Board of Directors   (9a District Office)

IDE Vacancy Update

IOWA DISTRICT EAST

VACANCY UPDATE

CALLING CONGREGATIONS:

Clinton, Trinity - vacant 1.30.11 - calling candidate  (Clarence Pannier vacancy)

Davenport, Holy Cross - vacant 12.12.10 - calling candidate  (Steve Anderson vacancy)

Fairbank, St. John - vacant 8.30.09 - calling candidate  (Dean Rothchild vacancy)

Keystone, St. John - vacant 2.28.11 - not calling yet

Mt. Vernon, St. Paul - vacant 10.31.10 - calling candidate  (Randy Nord vacancy)

Oskaloosa, St. John - vacant 12.12.10 - calling candidate   (Joel Picard vacancy)

Sigourney, Hope - calling Richard Meyer (vacancy pastor)

NON-CALLING VACANCIES:

Osage, St. John  (Byron Northwick vacancy pastor)

Shell Rock, Peace  (Michael Knox vacancy pastor)

Waterloo, Concordia  vacant  10.1.08  (David Steege, vacancy pastor)

West Union, Good Shepherd  (John Block - 1 week a month)

PASTORS ASSIGNED/CALLED:                

Accepted:        

Pending:                      

Declined:   Kent Peck, Melcher/Lacona to St. Paul, Mt. Vernon

DCE/SCHOOL/TEACHER CALLS:

Vacancies:      Dubuque Lutheran School - Principal      

              Lutheran Interparish School, Williamsburg – Principal/7th grade teacher

Accepted:      
Pending:   
Declined:  Rick Holste, Waterloo to Trinity L School, Boone, Iowa - Principal

St. John Lutheran Church in Clinton

Seven young people were confirmed at St. John, Clinton on May 1.

(from left to right: Emily Eggers, Tad Bartels, Ryan Clement, Pastor Daniel Pool, Aubrey Gluesing, Lenee Andresen, Tyler Powell, Lewis Meyermann)

Ten people were Baptized into the family of God at St. John, Clinton during Holy Week. 

(from left to right, top row: Shawn Rogis, Nick Beckwith, Alisse Beckwith, Terrin Beckwith, Brooklyn Morrow (parents: Brent and Sara), Pastor Daniel Pool)

(bottom row: Ellie Rodriguez (parents: Enrique and Carrie), Brett Beckwith, Moriah Stewart, Daniel Stewart, Matthew Stewart)

IDE Spelling Bee

District Spelling Bee Held at Valley Lutheran Middle & High School

          The Annual Iowa District East Spelling Bee was held at Valley Lutheran School in Cedar Falls, on March 5, 2011.  Eight schools  bringing fifty-five students, participated in the event.  Each contestant received seventy-five words and six oral words, with the top three contestants from each of the three age levels moving on to an oral spell down to determine three trophy winners.

In the 3rd-4^th grades, 1^st place went to Carsten Zange, Trinity, Cedar Rapids. 2^nd place to Kaitlin Wille- Lutheran Interparish, Williamsburg, and 3^rd place to JP Richmond – Immanuel, Waterloo.

The 5^th -6^th place winners were: 1^st place Chase Hannen, Trinity, Cedar Rapids, 2^nd place  Melissa Glawe, Immanuel, Waterloo, and 3^rd place  Emma Armbrecht – Lutheran Interparish, Williamsburg.

7^th - 8^th grade winners were: 1^st place  Dylan Lampe, Community Lutheran, Readlyn,

2^nd place Isaiah Armbrecht – Lutheran Interparish, Williamsburg and 3^rd place Katy Cromwell, Lutheran Interparish,Willamsburg.

A traveling plaque was presented to Trinity Lutheran, Cedar Rapids for earning 604 points in the competition.  Tied for Second place in the point totals was Immanuel, Waterloo and Lutheran Interparish, Williamsburg.

Other schools competing were: Central Lutheran of Newhall, Community Lutheran of Readlyn, Clemons Lutheran, Valley Lutheran and St. Paul Lutheran, Latimer.

Sponsors of the event were: Eastern Iowa Lutheran High School Association, Quota Club International, Allstate Insurance- Scott Parson, Blue Line Moving, Celia Simmer- Trapp Realtors, Iowa Sports Supply, Windows by Pella, and Waverly Home Bakery.