Seminars are limited to 25 registrants each and are scheduled concurrently on Monday, April 12, 2010 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.  Participants are encouraged to be prepared to perform or show their work if invited by the leaders to do so, each according to the focus of the class. Participants may receive instruction in the topics listed; for those who already have training in the area, the class can also serve as a model for how to teach the topic.

Participation in Seminars requires an additional fee of $60 with full registration or $75 if not attending the Institute.

"The Hope of Eternal Life"

Ted Asta, and Susan Wood share theological and liturgical insights from the latest round of the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue as it relates to worship life at the time of death.

Associate to the Bishop
New England Synod, ELCA, Worcester, MA.

Professor and Chair, Department of Theology
Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

"Bowling Alone/Dying Alone: Liturgy and the Communion of Saints”

In this seminar James Bachman will begin from the reality of the collapse of traditional forms of human communal solidarity that used to provide a platform for congregational life from the cradle to the grave. Years ago Jack Goody observed that contemporary lack of community “involves a certain withdrawal from each other's problems, including their deaths and their dead” (“Death and the Interpretation of Culture” in Death in America, U Pennsylvania, 1975). We will together explore challenges facing congregations in the absence of traditional forms of human community, and we will survey contemporary forms of community in the workplace, the schools, and in cyberspace that may provide touch points for congregational life. Most importantly, we will examine the power of God’s service in worship to create and nourish that unique Christian community that we call the Body of Christ and the Communion of Saints. Connections will then be drawn to Worship Life at the Time of Death.

Dr. James Bachman

 James Bachman is Professor of Philosophy and Ethics, Concordia University Irvine, Irvine, CA.

"Working Together: Funeral Directors and Church"

Local Valparaiso funeral director, Martin Moeller, and local Pastor, Steve Bongard, will present key elements of establishing and maintaining good working relationships. With 29 years of experience in the funeral home business, Martin is able to answer a wide variety of questions in order to foster a good understanding of current trends in the funeral home business, especially as it impacts work with churches.

Senior Pastor
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Valparaiso, IN.

Martin Moeller

Funeral Director
Moeller Funeral Home, Valparaiso, IN.

"Be Still My Soul: Hymnody and the Time of Death"

From aspects of neurobiology to the physical impact of grief, what we sing together - at the end of life, in hospice, in funerals and memorial services, and all through life - what we sing together matters. It does. Really.

Susan Palo Cherwien

 Susan Palo Cherwien is a freelance writer and musician from St. Louis Park, MN.

"Before and After: A Ministry of Accompaniment on Either Side of the Christian Funeral"

This presentation will explore the Church’s liturgical ministries of accompaniment as we journey with the faithful to and from a death. Emphasis will be on how we can catechize the parish in funeral practice, including discussion of intentional processes of walking with a “funeral family,” web & print parish funeral planning resources, model workshops, grief resources and processes, All Saints observances, occasional cemetery visits, creation of necrologies that honor the dead, and the use of the parish’s art and architecture. Bring your own best ideas and return home with resources for proclaiming the resurrection of the dead throughout the year.

D. Foy Christopherson

D. Foy Christopherson is Associate Pastor for worship and the arts, hospitality, and pastoral care at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN.

 "Writing Music for the Assembly to Sing"

Two composers with broad experience in both leading assembly song and writing music for use in worship lead a hands-on session in doing just that. The church is in constant need of fresh expressions, of settings suited for a particular time and place, and maybe beyond. What works and why? How do you write music that is both original and singable? Where do you look for texts? We will be working on crafting music during the seminar, so participants are asked to come with multiple copies of something they have at least begun—a psalm refrain, a canticle, an acclamation, or whatever interests you. (Don’t worry, we promise to be supportive!)

 Rev. Robert Buckley Farlee

Robert Buckley Farlee
Senior Editor, Worship and Music
Augsburg Fortress Publishers, Minneapolis, MN.
Cantor, Christ Church Lutheran in Minneapolis, MN.

Mark Mummert is Organist at Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas.