Faith, Leadership, and Building Community Growing up Lutheran on Chicago’s South Side, Greg Lewis, MDiv ’07 has long followed a path of intellectual and ethical exploration. His journey to becoming an LSTC alum and the vice chairperson of the LSTC Board of Directors (BOD) is a testament to his passion for learning and deep commitment […]
Justice, Faith, and Inclusion: The Journey of Rev. Kimberly Vaughn, MDiv 2008 As an anti-racist institution, LSTC recognizes that there are moments in our history when we did not act according to our values. By elevating the experiences of alumni like Reverend Vaughn, we are taking the crucial first step in recognizing the harms of […]
Marvin Wickware: moving beyond reconciliation “I don’t use the term ‘racial reconciliation’ much anymore,” said Marvin Wickware, assistant professor of church and society and ethics, “because it’s lifted up as an alternative to anti-racism these days.” And for Wickware, working towards an antiracist church and society is the crucial opportunity in this moment in history: […]
Louise Britts on parish ministry, chaplaincy, knowing God’s love Louise Britts (2002, MDiv) couldn’t figure out why a team of doctors and nurses and her own father were talking to her “down there on that table” when it was clear that she was above them, in a place of perfect serenity, surrounded by God’s love. […]
Vance Blackfox: Shifting the narrative of mission and service From an early age, Vance Blackfox (2012, MATS) felt a call to help others feel included. Blackfox has fulfilled that call in many different roles across the church: as a youth leader and a director of youth programs, in positions at Women of the ELCA and […]
Maddie Tallman & Corey Bergman: ‘Getting married during seminary was a hoot’ Maddie Tallman, from Maryland, and Corey Bergman, from Minnesota, met on a CTA bus as their Orientation groups returned to campus from excursions showing students how to use public transit. They had a lot of classes together and their core group grew closer, “especially as we navigated […]
Adam and Elle Dowd: ‘Our work will always be collaborative’ Adam and Elle Dowd came to seminary together—Elle on the track for an MDiv since age 7, Adam with not nearly that destination history. They met as undergrads at Iowa State in an Old Testament class. Adam was an art and design major who had […]
MDiv student Julie Grafe is ready for what comes next The weekend of May 16-17 was a big one for Julie Grafe. On May 16, she learned that she is approved for ministry by the Metropolitan Chicago Synod Candidacy. And on May 17, she graduated from LSTC’s master of divinity program. Frankly, she had expected the weekend to be even bigger. Because […]
Kara Baylor: channeling her anger for change Kara Baylor is finding her voice, and she has a t-shirt to prove it. This summer she started a blog called #pissedoffpastor, and a line of t-shirts. Baylor was asked to speak at a rally in Kenosha, Wis., shortly after George Floyd died at the hands of Minneapolis […]
Togu Sihite: In the U.S. seminary classes ‘go deeper’ Togu (full name: Togu Paskaraya Apriono Sihite) has lots of responsibilities and big plans. He is already a pastor in Indonesia, but at age 30 is studying at LSTC (MA, overseas Lutheran) in hopes of returning home to be a seminary professor. He will graduate and […]
