Fashioning the Good News for both Men and Women: Luke, the Master Story Teller, and Us
Why are there fewer men than women in most congregations today? Part of the reason, some say, is because we don’t always remember that men and women need to hear the Good News in different ways. This workshop will describe some of those differences in how men and women hear and learn, and also provides examples of how Luke, more than any other Gospel writer, included material that speaks to women.
Speaker Phyllis Kersten, M.Div.
The Reverend Phyllis Kersten is currently serving as interim ELCA pastor on the Valparaiso University chapel staff. A 1961 graduate of Valpo, Phyllis retired in 2008 after 12 years as Associate Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church (River Forest, IL). In 2009, she served as interim pastor at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church (Chicago). Phyllis was the recipient of the Wheat Ridge Ministries “Seeds of Hope” award in 2006, and was a 2009 CWC workshop leader.
Nailing Down the Gospel: Why The Story Isn’t Changing Lives
This session will explore the impact of Bible Study in our churches. Are lives being changed? Is Biblical knowledge growing? Do we see Biblical values portrayed in the lives of our congregations? Evaluate, discuss, and learn how to construct better Bible studies to influence people to live for Christ.
Speaker Jan Williams
Jan Williams, a musician and teacher by training, serves her congregation, Carmel Lutheran (Carmel, IN), as the Director of Women’s Ministry, director of the children's choirs, occasional organist, and the Director of the Fine Arts Academy—a summer fine arts camp for children. Her passion for God and His Word has led her to teach and facilitate Bible studies for women. Jan and Bruce, her husband of 27 years, have three children, and two grandchildren.
Understanding The Story with Your Family: Living Deuteronomy Today
Study after study indicates that families play a critical role in the faith development of their children, and that the faith expressions of the everyday are essential. Deuteronomy gives us not only a Biblical example of that reality, but also gives patterns and methods for sharing the faith within family that are just as pertinent today as they were for the Children of Israel. Come along on this Old Testament journey and explore some of the powerful lessons in Deuteronomy not only to learn The Story, but also to gain deeper understanding of The Story that flows from generation to generation.
Speaker Nancy Going, Ph.D.
Dr. Nancy Going serves as Director of the Distributed Learning for Luther Seminary’s Center for Children, Youth and Family Ministry. She received her Ph.D. from Luther Seminary (St. Paul, MN) in 2006. Her thesis addressed adolescent faith. Nancy holds a Master in Counseling from Covenant Seminary (St. Louis) and a B.A. in Youth Ministry from Valparaiso University. She lives with Art, her husband of 30 years, and is also the mom of two out-of-the-nest adults, one a Valpo grad.
Christ's Story and Ours: Living our Lives in the Liturgy
As Christians, we find that Jesus’ story is foundational for our own life stories. Each year, in worship, we re-enter Jesus’ story on the first Sunday of Advent. We follow Jesus through the seasons of the church year—his childhood, his ministry, suffering, and death, and finally his resurrection on Easter Sunday. As Christians, we also understand our lives and stories by walking alongside Jesus through the church year. When we see ourselves as part of the Biblical story, we uncover truths about the way God is working in and among us today. This workshop will use liturgy as the basis for telling our own stories.
Speaker Lorraine S. Brugh, Ph.D.
Dr. Lorraine S. Brugh received her Ph.D. in Religious Studies in the Joint Program at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary and Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. She is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Chapel Music at Valparaiso University. She helped lead the development of the ELCA’s Evangelical Lutheran Worship and is co-author of the Sunday Assembly. Lorraine serves as Executive Director of Valpo’s Institute of Liturgical Studies, which annually brings church leaders together to study and reflect upon worship practices.
Beyond the Bible: Telling The Story with Children's Books
How does one go about choosing appropriate books to share with
children and grandchildren? How can secular literature help young
readers to understand the Jesus story? Join this Christian English teacher/author/mother as she discusses general guidelines and
specific titles, and suggests some good family reads.
Speaker Hilda Demuth-Lutze, M.A.
Hilda Demuth-Lutze, a graduate of Valparaiso ('82), is a high school English teacher and author of historical fiction. She lives in a farmhouse near Valparaiso with her husband, Mark, and their three children. Hilda’s books for young readers include Plank Road Summer, co-authored with her sister Emily Demuth Ishida, also a Valpo grad ('85), and Kingdom of the Birds.
Who Moved my Church? Telling The Story in Changing Times
The first step in telling The Story is knowing the Good News is. The second step is building relationships based on trust, listening, and being a companion, just as Jesus is our companion. The third step is being confident in the midst of our vulnerability and troubles, so we can in all confidence say: Jesus is my friend, my hope. The final step is working as a team to tell The Story. Working together is the best way to convey that “It's Good News to All the People.”
Speaker Marlys Cartwright, D.C.E.
Marlys Cartwright, graduate of Concordia University-Seward ('79) as a D.C.E., has served in team ministry with her clergy spouse in a variety of settings: new mission start near a military base, farming community with Hispanic outreach, resort community with outreach in recovery ministry, suburban church with outreach to young families, church with ChristCare small group ministries, and most recently in campus ministry and outreach to a retirement community. Marlys is grateful for the gift of being a wife, mother, and grandmother.
Telling The Story With Technology
Whether you are an immigrant or a native-born traveler in the information age, you have noticed that the world of Google, blogging, Facebook, Twitter, the web, and even the coming “cloud” are part of an ever-changing reality. Technology doesn't change the rules in sharing the Good News. However, it certainly changes the playing field. How do you get more personal with less and less “face” time? How can technology be an invisible part of removing obstacles and making The Story ever more accessible? The challenge is especially important in terms of ministry to millennials, who are now the youngest and largest generation ever to hit American soil. Their children are enrolling in our pre-schools now. For the next 20 years, their presence, or lack of it, will have a significant impact on the church.
Speaker Jill Hasstedt, D.C.E.
Jill Hasstedt, D.C.E., has experience in telling The Story to God's people and in equipping others to do so. With a B.A. in Education from Concordia University-Seward and an M.A. in Family Life Education from University of Illinois (Springfield), she has served on Boards for the Lutheran Education Association, KINDLE (Karpenko Institute for Nurturing and Developing Leadership Excellence), and District and Congregational Services for the LCMS. She is completing a degree in web design and administration and is serving as a D.C.E. at Zion Lutheran Church (Belleville, IL). Jill is married and has two college-age sons.
Telling The Story Through Our Many Vocations
What are your vocations? How many can you identify? Parent, child, sibling, worker, volunteer, citizen, neighbor, others? Using individual and group activities, you will discover opportunities to tell The Story within your vocations and explore ways to translate The Story for each of your situations. Walk away with a personal guide to sharing The Story within the many vocations to which you are called.
Speaker Jill Schumann, M.B.A.
Jill Schumann, M.B.A., serves as President and CEO of Lutheran Services in America (LSA). She serves on several boards of directors, including the National Human Services Assembly, for which she is Chair. In 2009, for the seventh year in a row, Jill was named by the NonProfit Times as one of the Top 50 leaders of power and influence in the USA and was described as an "imaginative social entrepreneur." To this, Jill adds honorary degrees from Valparaiso University and Concordia University-Chicago.
Organic Story-Living: Reaching Young Adults
People in their 20s and 30s have been called the church's missing generation. Come discuss young adult culture, why they don't connect with the traditional church, and how you can effectively invite them to share in The Story.
Speaker Jessica Bordeleau, M.S.T.
Jessica is primarily a forgiven child of God! She has spent the last 11 years in youth and young adult ministry. She earned an Education Degree from Concordia University-Wisconsin and a Master's Degree in Systematic Theology from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. Jessica currently serves as the Leadership and Young Adult Ministry Consultant to the LCMS Youth Ministry Office.
Experiencing The Story Through the Arts
The use of varied learning styles through artistic expression enable adults and children to more firmly grasp and apply Biblical truths in their lives. Deepen your own understanding of The Story and stimulate your creative juices by participating in a wide variety of activities gleaned from Jan’s ten years as director of Carmel Lutheran’s Fine Arts Academy.
Speaker Jan Williams
See Jan’s bio under Session 1: Understanding The Story
Contemplating The Story—A Self-Guided Tour Through the Labyrinth
Discover The Story in a new way by walking through the VU Labyrinth located behind the Chapel. This quiet, self-reflective walk brings you face to face with Jesus' "I am" statements and is a form of meditation in its own right. Labyrinth brochure guides are available at the Guild Registration Desk upon check-in.
Experiencing The Story Through Architecture—A Guided Tour of the Chapel
The Valparaiso University Chapel is known nationwide for its architecture, majestic atmosphere, Reddel organ, liturgical art, and Caemmerer stained glass windows. These incredible windows tell The Story in vivid color, design, and theological depth. This tour is a visual delight; a must see. Meet in the Chapel Narthex.
Sharing The Story With Family and Friends—Free Personal Time
Use this open time to share insights with friends at the conference, visit family on campus, tour one of the campus’ many outstanding academic attractions (Christopher Center for Library and Information Resources, Valparaiso University Center for the Arts, or the Harre Student Union), or simply relax.