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Date: Thu, 12 Feb 1998 09:02:17 EST
From: CHA Schmutzler
As I am quite new to this List I shall try your pious patience by briefly
introducing myself:
I am soon 55 years old, and in my 10th year as Pastor & Pfarrer of Old Zion
Lutheran Church of Philadelphia/ELCA, founded in 1742 "and schtill goink
schtronk" - see us at http://members.aol.com/altzion/ Although very small (85
members - no kidding !) we have two Sunday services, one in English & one in
German. It is very much an urban downtown congregation (and always has been).
I have a rather international background: born in Germany of a German/Swedish
parents, and brought up in both cultures & languages. M Div at the Royal
University of Uppsala, D Min (focus on conflict management) from Concordia Ft
Wayne Indiana ("The Fort"), specialized studies in Lutheran systematic
theology (special accent on Missouri and Wisconsin synods) at the little sem
of the Church of the Lutheran Confession (Eau Claire Wisc.). Ordained 1969 and
until 1986 serving congregations of the Church of Sweden (still on their
roster), 1986-88 pastor in Milwaukee/CLC, then called to Old/Alt Zion . I am a
Lutheran in the sense of the Christian Book of Concord, with a "quia"
subscription.
Dr. Carl Heinrich A. Schmutzler
chafs@aol.com
----------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999
From: Stephen Schumacher steves@tpgi.com.au
G'day,
I've just subscribed to the group at the invitation of Mr. Singelton, for
which many thanks.
My name is Stephen Schumacher and I am a pastor of the Lutheran
Church of Australia [LCA], currently serving the parish of Mount Isa,
Queensland. Mount Isa is home to the largest copper mine on the world and
the parish is the most isolated parish with in the LCA. For those of you
who have seen Crocodile Dundee, Mount Isa is about 3 hours further into
the Outback than the setting for the film. The nearest city is about
1,000kms to the west and the nearest large body of water is 500kms to the north.
I was born and bred Lutheran in Whyalla, South Australia, another mining
town. At the age of about 12, my pastor approached me with the idea that
I should consider the seminary. Not surprisingly I went no where near the
church for some time after that.
I worked as a cook, pinsetter mechanic in a bowling alley, an insurance
clerk, and a bouncer among other things before finally going to Luther
Seminary in Adelaide. Having gained a Bachelor of theology and Graduate
Diploma in Ministry I was evicted from the seminary and set out to
conquer the world. After my first parish conquered me, I served a semi
rural parishin Brisbane before accepting a call to serve up here in the
bush.
When looked at like that I seem to have crammed a lot into my 34 years,
and while life has been eventful, the daily goodness of grace continues
to amaze me.
I still cook but now pursue the love of hospitality and delight in
cooking for my friends and congregational members. It seems to me that
Jesus did most of his ministry over the table, an idea I have pursued in
my current parish by cooking several dinners each year for the members
which have helped, I hope, foster new bonds of friendship and
understanding among a fairly disparate group.
My other passion is music, all sorts from John Zorn to Bach, Tom Waits to
Arvo Part. Sadly the concept of using Tom Waits style music in a
liturgical setting seems a long way off.
As a general rule I find the mainstream of most things, including
theology, a little bland for my tastes, and have,over the past years,
developed an interest in what happens on the edges of discussions where
there are sometimes flickerings of an interesting and disurbing light
that remind me that my own orthodox and conservative traditions are in no
way the final word in the possibilities of God's grace.
Enough rambling from me. I'll go back to me preferred option of
lurking and look forward to learning much from you all.
Steve Schumacher
steves@tpgi.com.au
-----------------
Date: Sun, 17 Aug 1997 08:00:48 -0400
From: Bryce Schumm
Hello, my name is Bryce Schumm. Although I am not currently a member (they
keep having their new member stuff while I am out of town) I attend
Epiphany Luthern Church in Dayton, Ohio. I am currently working diligently
trying to get their young adult program off the ground. I must admit to
doing this for two reasons (only one of which is selfish) 1. Being single,
I am hoping to someday meet a nice Lutheran gal who can put up with me and
2. Young folks just don't seem to go to church, and that bothers me. Why
wait until you're older? Anyway, if you've got any suggestions on either
of these points, please let me know. Our young adult group needs some
help.
I am also an Benedictine Oblate Novice of Assumption Abbey in North Dakota.
If you've never been to a monastery I HIGHLY recommend it. I go at least
once a year and have made some of the best friends I have ever had (of
course they keep trying to recruit me. Alas, I don't think that is my
calling). They are also some very humble and Godly people who, suprisingly
to me, are quite open in their doctrine. I was surprised to find that this
community of men is revising their Psalter to use more inclusive language.
If you don't know what an Oblate is, check out the Benedictine home page
at http://www.osb.com (I think), or ask and I'll try to explain it.
I am in the Air Force and work as an engineer, even though I have a BS in
physics. I have returned to my Lutheran roots only recently (past four
years or so). I was raised in a nice Lutheran Church in Northfield, MN (in
Northfield, there are so many churches you can hit at least two with a rock
from anywhere in the city - a city of 12000 people I think there were 20
Lutheran churches). We moved to a bigger city when I was in junior high
and we started attending Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville MN
(otherwise known as the Crystal Cathedral of Burnsville). Being an
introverted kid in such a hustling and bustling church really put me off.
So I didn't really go to church until after college.
Then I joined Sharon Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, ND while I was
stationed there with the Air Force. A wonderful church with a great head
pastor Ray Siegle. If you ever want to hear a sermon that could convert
hundreds on the spot, go listen to Pastor Siegle. Unfortunately, they
didn't have a young adult group either (seems to be a recurring problem).
Church was family oriented so I always felt kind of out of place.
Enough of my life. I joined this list to have a place to talk about all
this stuff I am learning and get some sage advice. I joined the "other"
Lutheran discussion list and have been constantly attacked by the LCMS
ministers. I still subscribe to that list, and won't back down. I just
joined here to hopefully find a calm in the storm.
Yours in Christ,
Bryce Schumm
-------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Jul 1996 06:48:43 -0500 (CDT)
From: Gregory Singleton G-Singleton@neiu.edu
Hi ELCA folk (and ECUSA folk, and LC-MS folk, and all the other folk),
I'm Greg Singleton. I have been an *institutional* Lutheran only since
1990, but I've been a *theological* Lutheran for all of my adult life
(I'm 55, so that covers a few decades). Born and raised a Southern
Baptist in Alabama, I escaped (both the SBC and Alabama--still in
recovery from both) at the age of 17 in 1958. I went to California where
two decisive things happened to me at the age of 19.
1) I took a history course in the Reformation and was immediately
enthralled by one Dr. Luther. I've been an avid reader of his
work ever since.
2) I experienced liturgical worship for the first time in my life
at an Anglo-Catholic Episcopal parish. The Byrd setting of the
ordinary of the mass, the visual delight of the rich brocade
vestments, the drama of the ceremonials, and the smell of the
incense hit me hard all at once, and seemed to grab me by my
dna.
From then until 1990 I was Anglican. The Anglicans accommodate a broad
spectrum of theological opinions, and my Lutheran theological position
didn't bother anyone, including a few bishops who knew that every time I
kissed their rings I was constantly thinking "adiaphoron." Nothing
particularly dramatic happened to facilitate my shift from Anglican to
Lutheran (trust me, it is a dull story) and I am still comfortable
worshiping either place.
Unlike cradle Lutherans of my vintage, I've never been any kind of
institutional Lutheran except ELCA.
I'm a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Chicago where I serve on the
Congregational Life and Worship Committee and am a general gad-fly and
pain in the rear to the pastoral staff.
I am married to a cradle Lutheran whom I met in a pew. We are both
survivors of a previous marriage (different ones for each of us) and it
took us forever to admit that anything was happening between us. She
refers to herself as an "internet widow" and has shared notes on that
status with Lisa Bellan-Boyer, about whom you read in Paul Bellan-Boyer's
introductory post.
When I am not at Immanuel or on the internet, I teach history at
Northeastern Illinois University.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gregory Singleton http://www.ecnet.net/users/ugsingle/home.html
G-Singleton@neiu.edu Northeastern Illinois University Chicago
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 16:21:23 -0500 (EST)
From: "Bob Smith - Concordia Theo. Seminary" cosmithb@ash.palni.edu
Dear Friends:
Yet another Missourian lurking in the shadows! 8-)
I'm Bob Smith, Public Services Librarian for Concordia Theological
Seminary in Ft. Wayne and the sem computer person! 8-)
I am the coordinator of Project Wittenberg, the informal effort to put the
works of Luther and other Lutherans on the internet for free distribution.
(URL below)
I also moderate the discussion group on Lutheran History -- Wittenberg. As
far as I can tell, we were the first of all internet discussion lists on
Lutheranism.
I am married to Kristina Pugh Smith, the most talented crafts person I
know, (no bias here) who sews and sells historic clothing for dolls,
especial American Girl Dolls. My twin 8 year old sons, Wesley and Lucas,
are second graders at St. Peter Lutheran School and my daughter,
Hannelore, starts kindergarten there this year.
I also am something like a regular correspondant for the LUTHERAN WITNESS
and a member of various and sundry committees of Lutheran Historical
Conference.
Just don't ask Kit Kleinhans for Valpo stories. (She should remember I've
got quite a few on her, too! ;-) )
So, what am I doing here? Just keeping up with you all, especially in
matters historical.
Peace,
Bob
| Rev. Robert E. Smith | CFWLIBRARY@CRF.CUIS.EDU |
| Project Wittenberg Coordinator | |
| Moderator, List Wittenberg | Phone: (219) 452-2123 |
| Ft. Wayne, Indiana | Fax: (219) 452-2126 |
------------------
Date: Tue, 23 Jul 96 23:26 EST
From: Snyder snyder@skyenet.net
My short bio: Clarice Jane Snyder
Lutheran(evangelical) by birth, raised and confirmed Presbyterian for a few
years, confirmed a Lutheran in College (Wittenberg) and confirmed an
Episcopalian in my 30's, I am now a member of the Lutheran church where I
serve a music director. I had several years as music director in the
Episcopal church and the Roman Catholic church.
In addition to being a music director which is primairly organist and choir
director and now pianist for the alternative service, I teach Music
History, Music Appreciation and Class Piano at a two-year community college
and freelance as an accompanist and private teacher. I have a Masters of
Music in Church music and a school year of study in France, and have
recently been working towards music education certification. My hobby is
genealogy which I haven't had much time for lately.
I have an almost 14 year old son and a 16 year old daughter and a husband
who majored in art at Wittenberg. He has spent his career life in the
printing field, recently in the computer technolgy area and is currently
unemployed.
I spend most of online time lurking, hope to participate more.
snyder@skyenet.net
------------------
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 13:09:44 -0500 (CDT)
From: Andrew J. Spallek
Hello,
I know a number of you already from lthrn-l. Things are a little slow
right now, so I thought I'd come over here for a cyber-visit. Greg
Singleton has filled me in on some of the topics of discussion, which
sounded rather interesting. I shan't forget that I am here as a guest.
If I ever step out of line, someone here please correct me.
For those who do not know me:
I am pastor of Faith Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Springfield, MO, a
graduate of Concordia -- St. Louis in 1987. I have been in the parish
ministry for 9 years, this being my second parish. I just completed my
STM in Exegetical Theology (NT) at Concordia last May. I also hold an MBA.
I am conservative theologically and in practice. By my account, I am
neither high church nor low. I am interested in most aspects of
Lutheran theology, but especially matters concerning the interpretation of
Scripture.
Thank you for inviting me to visit! :)
Andy Spallek
==========================================================================
Pastor Andy Spallek A Burning Question:
Faith Lutheran Church (LCMS) Why do we sing, "Buy me some peanuts and
Springfield, MO USA Cracker Jack" when there already are
aspallek@mail.orion.org peanuts in Cracker Jack?
===========================================================================
-------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 26 Jul 1996 17:14:01 -0400 (EDT)
From: Frederick W Stoss
It's Introduction time...
I am Fred Stoss, the one who posted the inquiry about the Walk to Emmaus
and Via de Chritso programs. Lutheran by birth - Gloversville, NY.
Confirmed at St. Paul's in Johnstown, NY. Did my undergraduate degree in
biology at Hartwick college, when it was still an LCA-affiliated school
(so you have an idea of young I am not).
Took my interests in the environment rather seriously getting a MS in
zoology and worked as a toxicologist before getting a MLS in library and
information science at Syracuse. While at Syracuse, my wife - Dottie (nee
Holderle of Emmanuel Lutheran in Rochester) took our pastor's (Richard
Rieger) advice and visited the Lutheran Campus Ministry. Our visit lasted
more than 6 years! Our daughter, Kaeti Elizabeth was baptized in the Nobel
Room of Hendrick Chapel at SU by Rick Bair.
Both Dottie and I have been involved with youth ministry and social issues
and have served on various committees, etc. Haven't been in a while but
enjoy going to Global Mission Events.
Just returned to Upstate New York after a 6 year hiatus in the Oak
Ridge/Knoxville, Tennessee area. Continued work in the environmental
information and data arena and sought new fly fishing venues in the Smoky
Mountains.
Why am I on this list? For now just enjoying the dialogue. See 'yall
later.
Fred
Frederick W. Stoss
Biological Sciences Librarian
Science and Engineering Library
Capen Hall
SUNY University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14260-2200
716/645-2946 ext. 224
716/645-3710 FAX
fstoss@acsu.buffalo.edu