Annual Meeting

As you may know, the Admissions Directors of all 8 ELCA seminaries meet together annually to talk about our work and plan for the coming year. This year, the good folks at LSTC were our hosts and we had a great time in Chicago during the 2nd week of October. HOWEVER, I'll give you one guess who was in Chicago for a week with sandals and short-sleeves! Standing next to me there is the Associate Director of Admissions at LTSS . . . California and South Carolina . . . who expects snow in October?!?!?!?! And, in case you're wondering why we are squinting . . . they don't call it the Windy City for nothing! Freezing wind blowing into the eyes and throat makes for unflattering pictures!

Synodical Discernment Events

In mid-September, I was in Carefree, Arizona with the Candidacy Coordinators for all of the Synods of Region 2. It was a great conversation about how the synods and PLTS can coordinate our efforts to help people think vocationally. We have committed ourselves to making a concentrated effort to provide discernment events in our synods for people considering either public ministry or any other vocation. It was a good reminder for me of the partnership we all share in the Gospel.

Western Mission Cluster

PLTS, together with Luther Seminary, has appointed Rev. Jose Antonio Machado as the new Coordinator for Vocational Formation in the Western Mission Cluster, a partnership between Luther and PLTS. Machado, a graduate of Luther Seminary, has served parishes in Puerto Rico, Miami, Florida and most recently Minneapolis-St. Paul. The Coordinator for Vocational Formation is a three-year call. Having accepted this call, Pr. Machado will collaborate with the admission staffs of both Luther and PLTS to expand existing recruitment efforts to young women and men who discern that they are called by God for public leadership in Christ’s church, and to position the seminaries of the Western Mission Cluster as their first tier choices for theological education. Special attention will be given to work in faith communities and institutions that have significant ministries with persons of color, languages other than English and new immigrants. Read about this and other news at http://www.plts.edu/admissions/eletter/eletter200610.html#coordvoc.

Invitation to Service

Once again this year, I was able to spend time with the Invitation to Service for the Sierra Pacific, Pacifica, and SWCalifornia Synods. This event gathers high school students to consider vocation, ministry, and their place in God's world. I was asked to be the preacher at closing worship. I met wonderful students who are discerning their vocations and was reminded of the promise that exists in the church and God's world.