Announcements/Other News Missouri District Begins Search for Mission Executive Rev. Dr. Stuart Brassie will retire from his service with the Missouri District on June 30, 2017. Dr. Brassie has served the district since 1997. A search process has begun to replace Dr. Brassie in the position of Assistant to the President for Congregational and Mission Services. The position will focus on supporting congregations in mission and revitalization efforts. Candidates for the position should have a minimum of five years parish or field missionary experience and demonstrated leadership in congregational revitalization efforts and strategic planning. Nominations (including self-nominations) can be made online by CLICKING HERE or more information or to request the position description, please contact Michelle Christ ( michelle.christ@mo.lcms.org or 314-590-6210). | | | | The Missouri District will host its first Mission Summit on June 3 at Concordia Seminary. The summit is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The keynote speaker for the summit will be Lutheran Hour Speaker, Rev. Greg Seltz. The summit is being held in conjunction with the Plus One Initiative to help prepare and inspire congregations to engage their communities with the Gospel. The Mission Summit is a collaboration with a number of LCMS entities to help support the district's witness and outreach emphasis. The speakers include outreach leaders from LCMS Office of National Mission, Lutheran Hour Ministries, Concordia Seminary and Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Additional financial support is being provided by Lutheran Church Extension Fund and Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis. We are bringing together all of the resources that we have in Missouri District to help support each congregation as they participate in God's mission. Online registration for the Mission Summit is now open. CLICK HERE to register and for additional information. Plus One Plus One is the Missouri District initiative for all the congregations of the district to begin a new effort to reach out into the community in one new way. Congregations are encouraged to complete the participation form by May 1 and to send representatives to the Mission Summit on June 3 at Concordia Seminary. Additionally, each participating congregation will be assigned a trained coach to help the congregation plan, implement and evaluate their community outreach effort. There are 32 trained coaches from across the district to assist congregations. The coaches will not plan or force anything on the congregations, but will simply assist the congregation in the efforts which they choose. Currently, there are twelve pilot congregations that are working with coaches to plan their outreach project this Spring. We look forward to learning from these pilot congregations so that we can better assist congregations as Plus One is launched this summer at the Mission Summit. The summit will be held June 3 at Concordia Seminary with Lutheran Hour Speaker, Rev. Greg Seltz as the keynote speaker and with sectional presenters from LCMS Office of National Mission, Lutheran Hour Ministries, Concordia Seminary, Lutheran Church Extension Fund and other organizations. If you would like more information about Plus One, the role of the coaches, or the Mission Summit, please contact Dr. Stu Brassie at the district office, or CLICK HERE to learn more about this initiative. | | As part of the Reformation 500, St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Cape Girardeau, MO is organizing an ONE-NIGHT MOVIE EVENT Don't miss this special showing of the new Martin Luther film at Wehrenberg Cape West 14 Cine Monday, May 1, 6:30pm This special screening is the perfect outreach opportunity... a chance to invite friends and neighbors to an event in a community setting. IMPORTANT: Unlike traditional movie showings, this screening will only happen if 100 tickets are purchased before the deadline. Help us get the word out. All tickets must be purchased by April 24. Cost: $10 (includes $1 site booking fee.) Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.tugg.com/events/martin-luther-the-idea-that-changed-the-world-j3g1 or through the church office. A portion of ticket sales will be given to mission efforts. LASE Designer Bag Auction to Help Children with Special Education Needs The St. Louis-based Lutheran Association for Special Education (LASE) will host one of its most popular annual fundraisers, "Let's Get Purse-onal, An Evening of Purses and Paris", Friday, April 7, from 7 to 9 p.m., at The Edge of Webster, 359 Marshall Avenue, in Webster Groves . This year's event will feature more than 150 new and gently used designer bags from some of the biggest names in fashion, including Coach, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Kate Landry, Vera Bradley, Brahmin, Nine West, Tignanello and others. Guests can also bid on additional purses, jewelry, scarves and other accessories. All proceeds will benefit children with special education needs served by LASE in Lutheran schools located in St. Louis and St. Charles. General tickets are $30/person, or $240 for a reserved table of eight. Admission includes a catered selection of appetizers and desserts, as well as signature cocktails and other beverages. Reservations are required and seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased online at http://lutheranspecialed.auctionreg.org/registration For more information, contact LASE at 314-268-1234, or visit www.lutheranspecialed.org under Events. Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA)'s Third Annual 5K Run/Fun Walk Benefit is Saturday, May 6. Register 9:00 am, Start 10:00 am, Concordia Seminary campus, 801 DeMun Ave., Clayton, MO, 63105. Join the fun! Run, walk and/or Sponsor the event. Participate in befriending, mentoring and sharing Christ's love with New Americans. Register and/or order a tee shirt to remember the event @ cfna-stl.org/walk, call (314) 517-8513 for details. St. Paul Lutheran Celebrates 100 Years St. Paul Lutheran Church, 101 East Dent St., Ironton, MO will celebrate their 100th anniversary on May 21, 2017. Missouri District President Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan will be the guest speaker at a 10:00 a.m. service followed by lunch. Email Pastor Jim Rogers at rogersjim1947@gmail.com 2017 Educator's Retreat Grace Place Wellness is pleased to announce a get-away weekend designed just for Lutheran teachers and their spouses, August 11 - 13, 2017 at scenic Innsbrook Resort, an hour west of St. Louis, MO. Refresh, renew and prepare for another school year by learning the secrets to a healthy, vibrant, and joy-filled ministry. It's your turn to experience the Grace Place Wellness Retreat enjoyed by over 8,000 LCMS rostered workers and spouses. A registration fee of $100 covers the cost of all lodging, meals and the wellness retreat program. Saturday afternoon is entirely free time to enjoy the amenities at Innsbrook. We have 16 spots available for this retreat. First come, first serve. Registration is now open at www.graceplacewellness.org For more information, please call Beth McAnallen at 314-842-3077 or email bmcanallen@graceplacewellness.org District and Church Events ( Mission Summit 2017and Senior High Youth Gathering) Installations and Ordinations Personnel Changes and Calling Congregations LCMS Missouri District News Obituaries |