Saturday April 16 Our Savior, Lansing LET S TALK LIFE In him we live, and move, and have our being. Acts 17:28a Presented by Michigan District The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod #theological16 Michigan District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 1
Map of Our Savior Sanctuary AV Booth Vestry Foyer Cry Room Coat Room Sanctuary Lobby Closet Office Office Area Work Room Restrooms Men Women Chapel Infant Care Rm 132 Office Office Office Office Closet Board Room Office Office Office RM 133-134 Rm 131 Office Janitorial Men Restrooms Women Music Rm Storage Network Janitorial Rm 130 Rm 112 Rm 129 Rm 111 Gymnasium Rm 128 Rm 113 Rm 127 Rm 114 Storage Rm 118 Student Commons Storage Rm 126 Closet Rm 115 Rm 116 Kitchen Restrooms Women Men Rm 125 2 Theological Conference on Life
President s Welcome Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I am privileged to welcome you to this year s Theological Conference presented by the Michigan District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. We are using a new format this year. There will be two keynote speakers and then fi ve sectional speakers to share their perspective on the subject of LET S TALK LIFE! It is with joy in the Lord that I extend a very special thank you to all of our presenters. They will be sharing with us a theological perspective as well as a personal expression on several important issues. My prayer is that you will be provided with a rich opportunity to learn how we can: stand together for life; speak for those who have no voice; support those seeking truth; and affirm the value and the dignity of every human life. We also want to thank Rev. William R. Wangelin and Our Savior Lutheran Church in Lansing for hosting the Theological Conference this year. Without their hard work and efforts, this important conference would not be possible. We also are thankful for the opportunity to provide this conference via streaming to other locations. May the traveling mercies of our dear Lord attend you. I look forward to being with you at the Theological Conference on Let s Talk Life! PEOPLE OF HOPE In Christ, Rev. Dr. David P. E. Maier, President Michigan District, LCMS Keynote Speakers MICHIGAN DISTRICT LCMS Rev. Dr. Peter J. Scaer received his M.Div. from Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne (CTSFW). He holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Notre Dame. From 1996 to 2000, Dr. Scaer served as the pastor of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Arcadia, Ind. He joined the Exegetical Department of CTSFW in 2000. His passions include the Gospel of Mark and the sacramental ministry of Jesus. He is also deeply involved in life issues. Currently he serves as President of Allen County Right to Life. Dr. Scaer and his wife Amy are blessed with three children, and he spends much of his free time driving his youngest son to and from band practice, while listening to books on tape. Lt. Col. John Eidsmoe is a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel, a retired Alabama State Defense Force Colonel, and a Mississippi State Guard Colonel and Chaplain. He is Professor of Law at the Oak Brook College of Law and Government Policy. He has served as Senior Staff Attorney with the Alabama Supreme Court and is currently Senior Counsel & Resident Scholar for the Foundation for Moral Law. He is an ordained pastor with the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations and serves on the following Boards: Lutherans for Life, Plymouth Rock Foundation, and Gospel Martial Arts Union. Colonel Eidsmoe is a constitutional attorney who has defended home schools, Christian schools, the right of students to study the Bible in public schools, and the right to display the Ten Commandments in the public arena. He and his wife Marlene have three children and live in rural Pike Road, Alabama. #theological16 Michigan District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 3
Schedule 8:30 a.m. Registration/Fellowship (Sanctuary Lobby) 2016 Michigan District, LCMS Theological Conference LET S TALK LIFE 8:55 a.m. Opening (Sanctuary) Rev. Dr. David P. E. Maier 9:20 a.m. Life, Marriage, & Life Eternal (Sanctuary) Rev. Dr. Peter J. Scaer 10:20 a.m. Breakout Teaser - Lutherans for Life: Get Involved! Rev. Paul M. Clark 10:25 a.m. Breakout Teaser - Issues and Concerns Surrounding the Removal Dr. Cynthia Fenske, DNP, RN, CNE of Life Support: How Best Should we Respond? 10:30 a.m. Breakout Teaser - Demystifying Planned Parenthood Mr. Ed L. Rivet 10:35 a.m. Break (Sanctuary Lobby) 10:50 a.m. Roe v. Wade is Wrong -- Biblically, Morally, Medically, and Legally (Sanctuary) Lt. Col. John Eidsmoe 11:50 a.m. Breakout Teaser - Miscarriages: Breaking the Silence Rev. A. Trevor & Elizabeth Sutton 11:55 a.m. Breakout Teaser - Infertility: The Christian Couple s Struggle Rev. Dr. Robert W. Weise With Choice in a Biotech World 12:00 p.m. Lunch (Commons/Gym) 12:45 p.m. Breakout Sessions Lutherans for Life: Get Involved! (Chapel) Issues and Concerns Surrounding the Removal of Life Support: How Best Should we Respond? (Sanctuary) Demystifying Planned Parenthood (Music Rm) Miscarriages: Breaking the Silence (Rm 131) Infertility: The Christian Couple s Struggle With Choice in a Biotech World (Rm 132) Rev. Paul M. Clark Dr. Cynthia Fenske, DNP, RN, CNE Mr. Ed L. Rivet Rev. A. Trevor & Elizabeth Sutton Rev. Dr. Robert W. Weise 1:45 p.m. Break (Sanctuary Lobby) 2:00 p.m. Panel Discussion (Sanctuary) 2:50 p.m. Closing Rev. Dr. David P. E. Maier Thank you for your Compassion Ministry donations for the Pregnancy Services of Greater Lansing. If you would still like to make a monetary donation you may do so at the registration table or online at www.babies4jesus.com. 4 Theological Conference on Life
Notes Life, Marriage, & Life Eternal Rev. Dr. Peter J. Scaer #theological16 Michigan District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 5
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Notes Roe vs. Wade is Wrong - Biblically, Morally, Medically, and Legally Lt. Col. John Eidsmoe #theological16 Michigan District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 7
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Notes Lutherans for Life: Get Involved! Rev. Paul M. Clark Rev. Paul M. Clark has been the pastor of St. Paul, Fowler for 27 years. He serves on the Board of Directors of Lutherans for Life of Michigan as the Pastoral Counselor, and is also the District Life Coordinator for the Michigan District, LCMS. Rev. Clark and his wife Elizabeth have been married for 35 years and have three children through the blessing of adoption. #theological16 Michigan District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 9
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Issues and Concerns Surrounding the Removal of Life Support Dr. Cynthia Fenske, DNP, RN, CNE Notes Dr. Cynthia Fenske is the Campus Dean for Nursing at the Ann Arbor campus of Concordia University and was previously a member of the faculty at the University of Michigan for 32 years. She has been recognized for her creative teaching methods with several teaching honors. Dr. Fenske received her degrees from Valparaiso University, the University of Michigan, and Oakland University. She is an active member of Living Water, Whitmore Lake. #theological16 Michigan District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 11
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Notes Demystifying Planned Parenthood Mr. Ed L. Rivet Ed L. Rivet is the Legislative Director for Right to Life of Michigan, serving as the liaison between Right to Life and Michigan s state government. Ed is an alum of MSU for both his bachelor s and master s degrees. Prior to joining Right to Life in February 1988, Ed had three years of experience in the Michigan House of Representatives as a Legislative Aide. Ed and his wife, Michelle, live in Mason and have a growing family, with six children, two more children by marriage, and two granddaughters. #theological16 Michigan District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 13
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Notes Miscarriages: Breaking the Silence Rev. A. Trevor & Elizabeth Sutton Rev. A. Trevor and Elizabeth Sutton serve at St. Luke, Haslett. They have two daughters, Grace (3) and Hannah (8 months). The Sutton family is passionate about sharing how Jesus provides hope even in the midst of miscarriages. #theological16 Michigan District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 15
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Notes Infertility: The Christian Couple s Struggle With Choice in a Biotech World Rev. Dr. Robert W. Weise Dr. Robert W. Weise is Senior Professor Emeritus of Practical Theology and the Lutheran Foundation Chair of Pastoral Ministry and Life Science at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He previously served as professor of Clinical Hematology at Wayne State University, Detroit, and as parish pastor in Illinois. His degrees include a B.S. in Education, an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Zoology, and an M.Div. Dr. Weise and his wife Janice are blessed with 5 daughters, 5 sons-inlaw, and 7 grandchildren. They live in Edwardsville, Ill. and attend St. James Lutheran Church, Glen Carbon, Ill., where he is serving as interim pastor. I. Infertility: Its biological basics A. Infertility defined weiser@csl.edu Approximately 35% of all married couples (man and woman) struggle with the complexities of infertility. When they go to the shopping mall, they see other couples pregnant. When they attend their local church, they hear: Did you know that Jon and Mary are going to have a baby? Family members, meaning well, say, When are you going to have a baby? Time is running out! Speaking from intimate family experience, infertility is an emotionally loaded concern that leaves couples asking, Why not us? or What do we have to do to get pregnant? Nothing works! Frustration, anger, and depression are part of the infertile couple s life. Yes, some couples manage better than others, but all infertile couples eventually must make choices : remain childless, adopt, or enter into the realm of Assisted Reproductive Technologies. This presentation will discuss where Science and biblical Theology meet in relationship to infertility and reproductive biotechnologies such as Intrauterine Transfer, Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer, In Vitro (in glass) Fertilization, embryo adoption, surrogacy, and sex-selection, especially as it pertains to reproductive eugenics. These reproductive technologies and others will be reviewed in relation to the Old Testament Prophets and New Testament Apostolic teachings of the Bible and Confessions. B. Infertility clinics: What is offered 1. Natural Family Planning 2. Hormonal treatments for the wife 18 Theological Conference on Life
3. IN VIVO (in-the-body fertilization; including surrogacy, sperm and egg donation) a. Intra-uterine transfer (Artificial Insemination) b. Gamete IntraFallopian Transfer (GIFT) 4. IN VITRO (outside the body fertilization, in glass [petri dish] including surrogacy, sperm and egg donation) a. In vitro fertilization (IVF) b. Direct Egg Sperm Injection (DESI)/IntraCytoplasm Sperm Injection (ICSI) c. Sex Selection (the New Eugenics) d. Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis e. Egg-mitochondrial transplantation (related to Mitochondrial Disease) 5. Frozen Embryonic Human Adoption (otherwise known as Embryo Adoption): A case in point Hannah II. Infertility and biblical witness: Where you begin is where you will go! A. God s created creatures: Marriage vows and the child as blessing (Genesis 1-3) B. God s created creatures: God made me and all creatures... baptized into His family to live a life of Christ and witness (Genesis 1-3; Romans 6 redeemed body and soul) C. St. Paul s words for your consideration as Christian couples with infertility in this world of biotechnology (1 Corinthians 6:12; 10:23 11:1) D. Married couples and stewardship of their marriage and infertility struggles #theological16 Michigan District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 19
E. The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and Assisted Reproductive Technologies III. Infertility: The Christian Couple s Struggle with Choice in a Biotech World A. Two cases for study. 1. A Christian couple has been trying for several years to procreate a child by traditional marital embrace. Natural Family Planning hasn t worked; Artificial Insemination hasn t worked; they do not agree on whether or not to use any one of a number of in-vitro methods available by their endocrinologist who offers them at the fertility clinic they have been referred to. The wife wants to move ahead with IVF, but her husband is hesitating due the possibility of left over/spare embryonic human beings (frozen at -321 0 F). Both are very pro-life and believe that the human being is a body and soul created by God, regardless of method. How would you assist this couple in structuring their Christian direction and faith that holds to the words and promises of Jesus? [Try not to be legalistic, sentimental, or emotional.] 2. A Christian couple has been trying to conceive a child through their God-given marital embrace and love. They have had two early miscarriages. They are in their late 30s. They believe that time isn t on their side for a conception via natural family planning. Knowing this, the wife has gone through surgical intervention to remedy severe endometriosis. This was followed with hormonal treatment to stimulate her ovaries to produce mature oocytes/eggs. The husband has a low sperm count and so had to have sperm removed via gonadal aspiration. Artificial insemination followed these treatments. They have undergone three AI treatments to no avail. They would like to chat with you on the biblical ins and outs of using IVF or ICSI, as long as they remain within their marital vows. And you would say B. The Christian couple s struggle: why me or us? A revisit to the one-flesh union IN Christ Jesus. 1. Seek pastoral care and guidance in prayer. (Pastors need to stick to their Call/Vocation to serve; herein, referral will be discussed). 20 Theological Conference on Life
2. Seek out couples who have the best Christian understanding of infertility and its psychoemotional roller coaster and the stress it adds and brings to a marriage (especially the blame/guilt concerns). Couples who know what this struggle is all about can assist you with family and personal devotional material. 3. Seek out Christian books and articles on infertility to help structure the infertile couples struggle with why me/us or what are we to do (remain childless?). Must be discerning and know the author s intent and credibility prior to relying on the book s content. 4. There are no quick fixes to infertility, to childlessness; yet, as baptized Christians, Jesus Christ remains the answer to our unanswered concerns and struggles with our childlessness. 5. Back to the basics: as trite as this may seem, I have learned from Christian couples who struggle with their childlessness and whether or not to seek ART, that they always return to their faith that holds to the words and promises of Jesus Christ who is the author and perfecter of faith. Faith doesn t take away the tears and frustrations, but it does hold to His words and promises (to repeat). 6. What would you add to assist all of us with this topic? #theological16 Michigan District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 21
Start a New Ministry in Your Community StartNew is a two-year process that connects you to the camaraderie, courage, and know-how you need so that your start-up will thrive over the long haul. No matter what you want to start a Bible study, mercy ministry, business, or non-profit organization StartNew will help you to start on the right track so that what you start expresses the presence of Jesus in your community. The first step in the StartNew process is for you to participate in an online assessment. The results of this assessment will provide a clear picture of the entrepreneurial leader Jesus has created you to be. Acts 2 Enterprise presents The Urban Institute Sept. 18-20, 2016 Detroit, MI michigandistrict.org/urbaninstitute Join us for a StartNew 3Day or 1Day Refuel August 25-28, 2016 For more information visit startnewmichigan.com Transformed to Transform 22 Theological Conference on Life
PEOPLE OF HOPE Share pictures and stories at #milcms CONNECT WITH THE MICHIGAN DISTRICT Stay current on Lutheran news from around the state, connect with fellow Lutherans, and be inspired in your daily Christian living. facebook.com/milcms twitter.com/milcms michiganintouch.com The Michigan District blog strives to deliver content that awakens, connects, challenges, and inspirits. Articles are written to support the District s critical targets: Great Commission, Great Compassion, Healthy Congregations, and Healthy Workers. The blog can be easily shared through social networks and email. We are always looking for authors; click on Submit Article tab to fi nd content sought and writing guidelines. The Michigan In Touch supplement to The Lutheran Witness is the printed version of the blog. It also contains news and events. Discount subscriptions are available through your church offi ce. For more information, visit michigandistrict.org/connect/publications/ lutheranwitness. instagram/milcms michigan Official Periodical of the Michigan District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod April 2016, Volume 15, No. 4 ISSN: 1538-8115 (print) ISSN: 2331-8619 (online) Rev. Dr. David P. E. Maier, President Jenna Szpara, Designer Debby Fall, Editorial Manager Elisa Schulz, Staff Writer/Copy Editor Seth Hinz, Web/Media Director 2016 Michigan District, LCMS, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan In Touch is published monthly by the Michigan District and inserted into The Lutheran Witness and distributed to subscribers 11 times a year. It is also available online at www.michiganintouch.com. Reproduction of articles is permissible with written permission of the Michigan District Communications Department and should give credit to Michigan In Touch. References to resources and websites for further information are included in Michigan In Touch for the potential use by individuals and congregations. Resources not associated with or published by The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod or Concordia Publishing House may contain helpful programmatic information but may vary in doctrine from The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Please use discretion or consult your pastor on doctrinal issues. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV). Michigan District, LCMS 888.225.2111 3773 Geddes Rd intouch@michigandistrict.org Ann Arbor, MI 48105 michigandistrict.org michigan I IN TOUCH APRIL 2016 A publication of the Michigan District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod The Lutheran Witness Michigan District, LCMS Supplement HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS To-Get-Her by walked into our 4th and 5th grade classroom a week or so ago to put a note on the teacher s desk. She was giving her students a spelling test t and I shuddered. My mind went quickly back to school when I was taking (and failing) spelling tests. ts. It didn t seem to matter how much I drilled the words; when it came to test day, I couldn t spell them right. As an adult, I am extremely thankful for the right click of the computer mouse button while hovering over a word underlined in red! However, there is a word I never spell wrong. I haven t spelled it wrong since my aunt helped me study for the spelling test that contained it countless years ago. The word is together.. I remember my aunt saying, Break it down, and think of it like this: I will go to get her so we can be together. From then on that word has been cemented in my brain. Often I continued on page 2 by Terri Kober Table of Contents 1 Healthy Congregations 5 Healthy Workers 8 Church Extension Fund 10 Great Commission 12 Great Compassion 13 LLL/LWML 14 Congregation and School News 15 Special Recognition 15 Ministry News 16 Calls and Roster Update 16 Calendar of Events michiganintouch.com 1 IN TOUCH FREE UPCOMING WEBINARS April 19 Hosting Staff Retreats May 24 Parish Nurse Updates June 21 Early Childhood Centers michigandistrict.org/webinars CONFERENCE SURVEY What did you think about this year s conference? Please tell us! A survey will be emailed to you following the conference; please take a moment to share your comments with us. thank you! LIKE WHAT YOU SEE AND HEAR? Support Michigan District ministries such as this conference. Contact: Ray Zavada, Assistant to the President Development; 734.904.2773 cell #theological16 Michigan District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 23
500th Anniversary Reformation Worship Service Mark Your Calendars Michigan District-wide Reformation Worship Service Sunday, October 15, 2017 Breslin Center at Michigan State University Doors open at 4 p.m. 5 p.m. Celebration Worship michigandistrict.org/500 24 Theological Conference on Life