Salem Lutheran Teens Serve St. Louis and Beyond

Teens from Salem Lutheran Church participate in Destination STL. Pictured in lefthand row, front to back: Eve Wick and Zach Devlin. Righthand row, front to back: Wis-Ange Pierre, Tony Messerly, and Mark Rogers. PHOTO CREDIT: Salem Lutheran Church & School 

What happens when you bring together 36 high schoolers, six college students, and eight adult leaders? You end up with 11,232 meals prepared and packaged for distribution (and just as many lives changed).

That was just one of many acts of service performed by the youth group from Salem Lutheran Church & School in Afton, Missouri.

On June 20, Salem kicked off their sixth annual Destination STL event. Youth Director Jeff Kullmann explained that the event takes place over the course of four days. Each day presents a different opportunity to serve the community. This year’s events had teens rolling up their sleeves to help install new showers at Saint Trinity Lutheran Church, as well as setting up for Vacation Bible School at Trinity Lutheran in Soulard.

The service activities culminated on Saturday, June 23, when roughly 50 teens and adults filled the gymnasium at Salem and prepared over 11,000 meals to be delivered to undernourished children in Honduras. 

In just a few short days, the teens from Salem made an enormous impact on the local community and around the world. "It's like I tell kids all the time," Jeff says. "God can use you to bless others right now. You don't have to wait to be an adult before you make a difference.”

For more information about Salem Lutheran Church’s youth group and upcoming service activities, visit www.slcas.org or email Jeff Kullmann at jeffkullmann@gmail.com.

High School Students Attend Christ Academy at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne

Pictured left to right: Proctor Gabriel Aiello (St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Imperial MO), Christopher Collver (Our Savior Lutheran Church, Fenton MO), Joey Horn (Immanuel Lutheran Church, Jefferson City MO). PHOTO CREDIT: Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne 

Three high school students from the Missouri District attended Christ Academy at Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW), Fort Wayne, Indiana. 

For young men in grades nine to 12, Christ Academy is an opportunity to explore the vocation of pastor, learn what it is like to live and learn on campus, and to meet other theologically-minded men their age. The event took place from June 17-30.

Click here to learn more about Christ Academy, or to inquire about the next event. (Please note that while the content of the program is remaining the same, the name of the program is changing to Christ Academy: Timothy School.)

CTSFW also offers a program for young women who are interested in learning about what it means to be a deaconess. Click here to learn more about Christ Academy: Phoebe School.

Missouri District Office Gains New Communications Strategist

Mia Mauss began serving in her role on July 9, 2018. PHOTO CREDIT: Sue Thompson

The Missouri District Office is pleased to announce the addition of a full-time Communications Strategist to the team.

Mia Mauss hails from Colorado, where she worked in Christian publishing and communications for over a decade. Most recently, Mia served as Web Content Curator for Outreach, Inc. Previously, she served as Communications Director for Navs Military, a branch of The Navigators.

Mia is married to Rev. Doug Mauss, Associate Pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Ellisville, MO. Together, they have three children. In Mia’s free time, she enjoys listening to podcasts, painting furniture, and doting on her puppy, Benny (named after the legendary pianist and founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Benmont Tench).

We are excited to welcome Mia to the District office. Please pray for Mia and her family as she steps into her new role. Mia can be reached by email at Mia.Mauss@mo.lcms.org.

Installation of Rev. Stephen J. Constien

Participating in the service and pictured above were (top row left to right): Rev. Rick Pettey, Rev. Charles Henrickson, Rev. Thomas Wenndt (preacher), Rev. Kyle Castens (liturgist). Bottom row left to right: Rev. Alan J. Wollenburg (Installer), Rev. Stephen J. Constien

Rev. Stephen J. Constien was installed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Farmington, Missouri, on June 24, 2018.

The Missouri District rejoices with the family of Christ at St. Paul and invites you to pray for Rev. Constien as he begins his ministry.

 Installation of Rev. Daniel Clemens 

Pictured above in the front row, left to right: Rev. Brian Thieme, Rev. Gregg Rieser, Rev. Daniel Clemens, Rev. Steve Streufert, Rev. Paul Schult. Back row, left to right: Rev. Steve Andrews, Rev. Frank Frye, Rev. Brad Zerkel, Rev. Brandon Froiland, Rev. Cal Kapels, Rev. Frank Greene.  PHOTO CREDIT: Angelia Marquis

Rev. Daniel Clemens was installed at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 1, 2018. 

The Missouri District celebrates Pastor Clemens' installation and lifts him up in prayer, along with the congregation at Christ the King. 

All St. Louis Winkel
August 29

All pastors who attend St. Louis and St. Charles Winkels are invited to the St. Louis Area Winkel on Wednesday, August 29, at Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, Clayton, MO, 63105.

Registration is online only:  Click here to register. We will not be able to take registrations over the phone or by email.

There is no cost to attend the Winkel, but you must register online as space is limited. Lunch will be provided. The deadline to register is August 20 (or when space is filled). Last year’s gathering had a waiting list, so if you register and then need to cancel, please send an email to Sue.Thompson@mo.lcms.org .

The Winkel provides a great opportunity for pastors from all over the city and across circuit boundaries to come together for the mutual consolation and conversation of the brethren. 

Volunteers Needed for LEA Convocation

LESA's 6th Annual "Brew in the Lou" Festival Returns to Francis Park
October 13

The St. Louis-based Lutheran Elementary School Association's (LESA) sixth annual “Brew in the Lou” festival will return to the Lily Pond at Francis Park, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, from 1-5 pm.

"Brew in the Lou" offers one-stop tasting of St. Louis’ best beer, wine, spirits, coffee and good eats. Last year's festival raised a record $92,000 for Lutheran schools and showcased more than 40 local and regional craft breweries, along with unlimited tastings from The Stellar Hog, Gobble Stop Smokehouse, Volpi, Dogtown Pizza, Nothing Bundt Cakes and many more. Festivities include live entertainment, arts and craft vendors, a “People’s Choice” Home Brew Competition, a "Battle of the Bratwurst" and our annual Brew Chili Contest.

Wristbands are available now at special pre-sale price of just $30 through June 30, 2018 – a $20 savings over same-day admission. On July 1, tickets will increase to $40 advance/$50 day-of-event. To purchase at the special pre-sale rate, call (314) 200-0797 by 4 pm on Friday June 29, 2018, or purchase online by midnight June 30, 2018, on the event website by clicking here. Wristband purchases include a commemorative glass.

More than 8,800 children attend LESA member Lutheran schools in the St. Louis Metro Area, making Lutheran schools the second-largest private school system in the Bi-State area. A Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, LESA represents 35 elementary and high schools and five related agencies. For more information, visit www.LESAstl.org.

Date: October 13, 2018
Location: Francis Park, 5399 Donovan Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63109.

Save the Date for the Sr. High District Youth Gathering
November 16-18

Save the date for the Missouri District Sr. High Youth Gathering. It will be at Cross Pointe Retreat Center in Rocky Mount, Mo., November 16-18, 2018.

Watch for more information, including a registration link, coming soon. 

International Student Ministry Furniture Giveaway
August 18

Don’t get rid of that bed in the guest room, and don’t throw away your old dishes … donate them! The International Student Ministry (ISM) is hosting a furniture giveaway for international students in the St. Louis area and will pick up your furniture or household items on August 17, the day before the furniture giveaway event.

If you have items to donate, you can: 
•Call Ann or leave a message at 636-273-6239 (St. Paul’s, Wildwood)
•Email Ann at:  annismstl@gmail.com

Show an international student the kindness and generosity of American Christians by donating furniture or other household items. As a volunteer driven ministry, the ISM has many ways for interested Christians to get involved with international students. To find out more about the ISM, visit their website at  www.ismstl.org.

2018 National Rural & Small Town Mission Conference
November 8-10

The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod will host its 2018 National Rural & Small Town Mission Conference on Nov. 8-10 in Kansas City, Mo., at the Hilton Kansas City Airport Hotel.

Geared for anyone from a rural and small-town setting, the conference will address the blessings and challenges facing rural and small-town congregations today. It’s also designed to encourage those congregations and their leaders in cultivating healthy churches that are eager to bear witness to Christ, show mercy to those in need in their communities and develop a robust life together with their fellow members.

Building on the theme “Have No Fear,” the conference will feature a few keynote speakers including Rev. Timothy Koch, Rev. Dr. Robert H. Bennett, Rev. Tom Schlund and Chaplain Craig Muehler.

Participants will choose from breakout topics such as disaster training, youth ministry, ministry to inactives, family ministry outreach, stewardship, hope during grief, opportunities with Recognized Service Organizations and many other topics affecting our rural and small-town congregations.

The conference rate of $215 includes all plenary, breakout and Bible study sessions; Thursday dinner, Friday lunch and Friday dinner; and all conference materials.

Online registration is available; the deadline is Sept. 15.

Special rates are available for couples, students, meals only and groups. Please contact the RSTM office with questions. Click here for more information or to register.

New Spanish Resources for Hispanic Ministry

If you’d like to share the Gospel with your Spanish-speaking neighbors, or if you’re heading out on a short-term mission trip to Central or South America, the Lutheran Heritage Foundation ( www.LHFmissions.org) has translated and published two new resources for you: A Child’s Garden of Bible Stories and the Bible with Small Catechism, both in the Spanish language.

Donations to help cover the printing and shipping costs are gratefully accepted, but as with all of LHF’s translated materials, both of these books are free of charge to the ministries, churches, or individuals who need them. Call the LHF office at (800)554-0723 or email info@LHFmissions.org with your order (number of copies, hardcover or paperback).