NTNL Assembly Presenter.

From the Director,

As we begin this academic year I would like to offer some updates from thissummer's events. LSPS hosted thirteen folks from seven states at the fifth annualSpanish language, culture and theology intensive. These included seminarians,laity, clergy and Bishop Girlinghouse from the Oklahoma-Arkansas Synod. Bishop Mike reflected on his experience: "After a week being immersed inLatino/Hispanic culture, tradition, history and language, I feel I am more culturallyaware, more appreciative of the rich diversity of God's children, and betterprepared to lead in Christ's multi-cultural Church. Well worth the time!" A second intensive (Building Congregational Capacity for Hispanic MinistryIntensive II) included sixteen folks from nine states. This one featured Rev. RubenDuran of the Mission Development Unit of the ELCA. He shared his expertise onthe different models that are currently in practice throughout the country. Theseminarians who participated in the LSPS M.Div. Summer Term attended bothintensives to maximize their learning and service potential. One of them remarked:

Welcome to the Fall Issueof Table Talk! Table Talk is our e-newsletter. Wehope you will find that this is a greattool for keeping you up to date onwhat is happening here at LSPS. LSPS is a program of WartburgTheological Seminary and theLutheran School of Theology inChicago. LSPS trains leadersthrough the Theological Education forEmerging Ministries (TEEM)program of the ELCA. Its primaryfocus is equipping women and menfor mission in Spanish speakingcontexts throughout the church.

Alumnae NewsRev. Wayne Clement, '14 has anew call at Christ Lutheran Churchin El Campo, TX Rev. Joan Iker, '10 has a new callat Four Mile Lutheran Church inMabank, TX Rev. Jake Fain,'09, was installed atPeace Lutheran Church in NewBraunfels, TX Rev. Pam Brouker, '05 is doing ayearlong Clinical PastoralEducation residency at PortlandMaine Medical Center in Maine. Rev. Brad Otto, '05 is leading a tripto Germany during Spring Break of2017 for the 500th anniversary ofthe Reformation. Contact him atMessiah L.C. in Cypress if you areinterested. Rev. Lynnae Sorensen, '04 was

"The summer term was invaluable in teaching me the language, the culturalcompetence and the theological foundations for ministry with my Latin@neighbors. It offered me a lens to examine the worldview of my own Puerto Ricanheritage. Please continue this important work!" This significant work continues with the eight TEEM students currently enrolled andthe six students enrolled in the certificate in Hispanic ministry program. We arenow offering certificate classes in both English and Spanish which is a distinctiveLSPS contribution to the church. In addition, we are in the process of exploringinnovative ways of delivering theological education through other medium such aslive streaming and other formats. All of this is made possible by your support andinvestment in LSPS. Your contribution makes a difference! Your gifts make ourfuture possible. Thank you for your partnership!In Mission for the Life of the World,

Rev. Javier (Jay) Alanís, PhD, JDExecutive Director De Parte del Director:Quisiera informarles que al comenzar este año académico, tuvimos tres eventos del programa durante el verano. Nuestro quinto intensivo (Spanish Language andHispanic Ministry Intensive I) LSPS abrigó a trece participantes de siete estadosdel país. Estos participantes eran seminaristas, líderes laícos, pastor@es y elObispo Girlinghouse del Sínodo Oklahoma-Arkansas. El obispo Mike comentó:"Después de una semana me siento más consiente de la cultura, más sensible ala diversidad de los hij@s de Dios, y mejor preparado para ser un líder de laiglesia multi-cultural. ¡Fue un tiempo muy valioso para mí! En el segundo intensivo (Building Congregational Capacity for Hispanic MinistryIntensive II) participaron dieciséis personas de nueve estados. El conferencistafue el Pastor Rubén Durán. El compartió su experiencia con los modelos distintosde la IELA. Los seminaristas que participaron en los dos intensivos lo hicieronpara adquirir herramientas para apoyar mejor sus ministerios. Una de ellascomentó: "Los intensivos fueron muy valiosos porque no solo me enseñaron elidioma, sino también la competencia cultural y el fundamento teológico delministerio con mis vecinos latin@s. Me dio lentes para examinar mi herenciacultural como Puertorriqueña. ¡Por favor, no dejen de ofrecer estos intensivos! Este valioso trabajo continúa con los ocho estudiantes de TEEM y los seisestudiantes de Certificado en Ministerio Hispano que actualmente están inscritos.Nuestros cursos son completamente en inglés o español y pueden ser bilingües,una contribución única en la IELA. Al mismo tiempo, estamos explorando nuevasmaneras de ofrecer la educación teológica a través de otros medios. Todo esposible con su apoyo y su contribución a LSPS. ¡Su apoyo financiero hace unagran diferencia! Sus donativos hacen posible nuestro futuro. ¡Gracias por suvisión y su compromiso con la iglesia! En Misión por la Vida del Mundo.

Rev. Javier (Jay) Alanís, PhD, JDDirector Ejecutivo

Faculty News

Dr. Jay was the Bible Study Presenter at the NTNL Mission AreaAssembly in April. He will deliver the Word at LSTC's Augustana Chapelon Monday, October 10 in celebration of "Indigenous Day." The invitationwas extended by the Pete Pero Multicultural Center.

installed at Hope Lutheran Churchin Sioux Falls, SDRev. Paul Zwarich, '01 is nowpastor at Calvary LC in SanAngelo, TX Rev. Ron McCulloch, '87, claimedthe promise of his baptism in 2016. Rev. Carolyn Self Sager,'87 claimed the promise of herbaptism on September 9, 2016.

Share your alumni news byemailing lsps@lsps.edu.

Other NewsLSPS graduate The Rev.Kathryn Haueisen (1985) justpublished her first novel,"Asunder", with Blue OcotilloPublishing in Austin. Blue Ocotillowas founded in 2014 by friend ofLSPS, The Rev. T. CarlosAnderson. Anderson started BlueOcotillo when he released his non-fiction Just a Little Bit More. The goalof Blue Ocotillo is to provide booksthat offer hope and insight for a worldgreatly in need of freshperspectives to serve the commongood. Haueisen wrote "Asunder" toencourage and inspire peopleexperiencing divorce and startingover again later in life. The bookincludes a study guide suitable forindividual reflection or groupdiscussion about the changingattitudes and customs arounddating, marriage, and divorce in thetwenty-first century. A portion of theStudy Guide is based on anassignment completed while inseminary. Both Asunder and Justa Little Bit More areavailable at www.blueocotillo.com or www.amazon.com. Acts of Wisdom, a ministry led byRev. Brad Otto (2005) of Messiah,L.C. in Cypress, is having a DinnerGala for a fundraiser on November19. All proceeds help to expandeducation ministry in Ethiopia.

Upcoming Courses &Events

Fall 2016

He will be a presenter on the "Living Legacy" of the Reformation in light ofthe 500th Anniversary as part of the Tuesday Lecture Series at EmmanuelLutheran Church in Naples, Florida in February, 2017. He has been invited to lead Bible Studies on the Reformation at TriumphantL.C. in Austin in February and March, 2017. He will speak on a Reformation theme for the WELCA gathering at FirstLutheran Church in Gonzalez, Texas on March 25, 2017. Has been invited to deliver a reflection on The Reformation in light of the500th Anniversary at the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico in April,2017. His reflections will appear in the 2017 Lenten Devotional, Free Indeed! andin Sundays and Seasons: Preaching (Year B) by Augsburg Fortress. He was invited to be a Bible Study Leader at the ELCA Rostered MinistersGathering in Atlanta, Georgia, August 7-10, 2017.

Summer Hispanic ImmersionThe Spanish Language and Hispanic Ministry (Intensive I) at the LutheranSeminary Program in the Southwest (LSPS) will be offered again in 2017.Professors Gina, Jay, Eliseo, musician Lynette, and others will participate. TheIntensive is a resource for Lutherans and those of other denominations whorecognize the growing need for competency in the Spanish language and anunderstanding of Hispanic culture in light of the increasing Hispanic population inthis country and in the church. The course focuses on the study of the Spanishlanguage and on different aspects of Hispanic culture, ranging from cuisine todancing.

Top Left: Participants, professors and musician during the Intensive 2016 Top Right: At the

October 18-21Liturgy (Bi-lingual) with Prof. JayAlanisPreaching (taught in Spanish) withProf. Elizabeth Muñoz JTerm 2017

Jan. 2- 22JTerm Immersion course on theBorderlands January 10-13 Antiguo Testamento I with Prof. GregCuellarOld Testament II (taught in Spanish)with Prof. Greg Cuellar

January 24Alumni dinner at the Tri-SynodicalConference April 20Heritage and DA Luncheon

Spring 2017 April 20-22Polity and Leadership with Prof.Ruben Duran Summer 2017

May 28-June 2Spanish Language and HispanicMinistry Intensive I June 11-16Building Congregations Intensive II May 28-June 16M.Div. Summer Term May 29-30History of Christian Thought II withProf. Eliseo Perez-Alvarez May 31-June 2Eclesiología Contextual with Prof.Eliseo Pérez-Alvarez

Donate Today toSupport the Mission of LSPSSupport LSPS with your annualgifts. Your gifts make a differenceand strengthen the mission ofLSPS! To give directly to LSPSgive online at www.lsps.edu!

chapel service with Bishop Mike Girlinghouse. Center: Having a great time during theFiesta at the Intensive week. Bottom Left: Everybody is learning Spanish with Prof. GinaMusselman. Bottom Right: Muchas Gracias to the Folkloric Ballet dancers of Akins High

School.

Summer Term - M.Div. Concentration

Our students, Frances Le Bas and Louise Buckles with their host Hispanic families in Austin.

This class explored biblical principles and theological tools for ministry, researchresults and key resources to equip ELCA and ecumenical leaders to facilitateprocesses of development of new and existing communities of faith that reflect andrespect the diversity of Latino communities and the cross-cultural nature of ouremerging North American context. We thank God for the kindness of theseHispanic families in Austin, Round Rock and Hutto who hosted our twoseminarians from PLTS.

Building Congregational Capacity for HispanicMinistry: Misión en comunidad/Mission inCommunity (Intensive II)

Do you know that... With Thrivent Choice®, you canrecommend where some of ThriventFinancial's charitable outreachfunds go. Since 2010, eligiblemembers have used this programto direct more than $225 million tochurches and nonprofits nationwide. Thrivent Choice® fundinghelps Christian ministries aroundthe country. DIRECT CHOICE DOLLARS® toLSPS. Please get started now. If you already are one of thosegenerous people who is supportingus through Thrivent Choice Dollarsalready. We thank you very much!

Support LSPS when you shopamazon.com! It's easy! Look forthis icon on the LSPS homepageat www.lsps.edu to begin yourshopping session through Amazon.Bookmark it! Every time you shop,you help to support LSPS, Thanksfor your support and partnership!

Dedicated to...This Table Talk issue is dedicatedto the loving memory of WernerTeggemann, Elizabeth "Lib"Mohr, and Laura NevadaMellenbruch and in honor ofJuliaMellenbruch celebrating her100th birthday this month.

Obituary for Elizabeth "Lib" Mohr

Level II Participants Intensive, presenters, students, and musicians.

This Intensive is designed for congregational leaders in those congregations whereconsideration is being given to starting Hispanic Ministry in their community. Thefocus in this Intensive was to increase one's capacity for doing Hispanic ministry,learn several models for engaging in Hispanic ministry and to build a cohort ofcolleagues preparing for Hispanic ministry.

Meet our TEEM and Certificate Students and TheirProfessorsProf. Leticia Guardiola-Saenz, PhD (New Testament) with TEEM and certificatestudents.

Prof. Jay Alanís, PhD (Liturgy) with TEEM students.

Prof. Greg Cuellar, PhD (Old Testament) with TEEM and certificate students.

Prof. Eliseo Pérez-Alvarez, PhD (Ecclesiology Contextual) with students.

Welcome New StudentsJuan de Dios Lopez

I was born in a small rural towncalled "Ejido" in the city of TorreonCoahuila, Mexico. I am married toAdriana Martinez; I have threechildren. I received my first callwhen I was 10 years old as I washelping to teach First Communion. Ishared with my students that Iwished to become a priest.

When I was 25 years old, a priest -who was a good friend of the family- invited me to his church. Iattended courses about liturgy, theBible, the Eucharist and SocialServices. We also had an Evangelization Campaign where Houses for Prayerwere initiated. I was in charge of one of them and supported another House ofPrayer. When I came to the United States in 2001, I was looking for a churchwhere I could serve. Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey in Paso gave me the opportunityto read the scriptures. I liked the worship service and my family and I becamemembers.

In 2009, I received a blessing to become a lay pastor from Bishop Allan of theRocky Mountain Synod. I studied for and received my G.E.D. and completedEnglish classes. I also had the opportunity to study in a Lay School in LosAngeles where I was ordained as a Deacon. In 2013, I was awarded UnitedStates Citizenship. In 2014, I was accepted in the TEEM Program at LSPS.

Austin Nickel

Austin Nickel is the Synodically Authorized Worship Leader at First LutheranChurch in Waco, TX. He is originallyfrom Sioux Falls, SD and worked atMinerva's Restaurant in Sioux Fallsfor 12 years. Austin received his GED in 2004and later attended The University ofSioux Falls; he graduated in 2011with his Bachelor of Arts. While atUSF he studied Theology and was aYouth Ministry major, was heavilyinvolved with the music programs atUSF and served 3 years as theConcert Choir Chaplin. He was arecipient of the USF's PurpleFeather Award (2010) as well as theDr. Lee Bright Choral Award (2011). In 2011 Austin started his graduate studies at Truett Theological Seminary atBaylor University in Waco, TX. It was during this time that he walked through thefront door of First Lutheran in Waco and because of their incredible welcome andlove he stayed with them as their Choir Director and Administrative Assistant whileattending Truett. He graduated with his Master of Arts in Christian Ministries in2014. After that he worked at his home church, First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls astheir Pastoral Care Associate doing visitation ministry. In 2015 he was given theopportunity to serve First Lutheran Church in Waco, this time as their SAWL. He isthrilled and delighted to be serving the wonderful people of FLC, Waco!

It is time to Register for These Upcoming Classes

Lutheran and Episcopal seminarians during the JTerm 2016 with professor JayAlanís at the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo.

Our six students from Wartburg and LSTC seminaries with Rev. Mariana Mendez,'07 and Prof. Jay Alanís, '92 at Iglesia Agua Viva in El Cenizo near Laredo, Tx.

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