wfn.org | Lutheran Young People Engage in Virtual Forum on Vocation

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

December 22, 2000

LUTHERAN YOUNG PEOPLE ENGAGE IN VIRTUAL FORUM ON VOCATION
00-311-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Using Web-based and interactive video
technology, high- school and college-age Lutherans from across the
United States will engage in a month-long "faith journey" on the
Internet beginning Jan. 10 and two real-time video conferences on Feb.
24 and Mar. 3.  The virtual forum is called "Paths Unknown: Where is God
Leading Me?"
     The forum is sponsored by universities and seminaries of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Faith and Life Forum
of the ELCA and Lutheran Brotherhood, a fraternal benefits organization
based in Minneapolis.
     "The forum is an innovative way for high-school and college-age
Lutherans to explore their future using the latest in Web-based and
video technology," said the Rev. Reginald Schultz-Akerson, assistant to
the president, church relations, California Lutheran University,
Thousand Oaks, Calif.  California Lutheran University is one of 28
colleges and universities of the ELCA.
     "The forum will help students everywhere learn what it means to be
a child of God and how their career is a ministry -- a calling by God to
serve others," Schultz-Akerson said.  "It is designed to help
participants understand that as they continue their education and
discern their call, they will have opportunities to bear witness to the
Gospel and the love of God in daily life."
     Beginning Jan. 10, students will enter http://www.Godleading.com
to engage in a variety of activities designed to prepare them for the
video conference.  The Web site contains a five-session course or
retreat on vocation and call; a career and spiritual gifts inventory
survey; a brief history on Martin Luther -- a 16th century German church
reformer -- and his teachings on vocation; a suggested reading list; and
chat rooms.  The video conference will feature guest speakers,
conversation in small group settings, drama presentations, games,
worship and more.
     "We hope students will leave the conference with a clear
understanding that God has called them to ministry in daily life through
Baptism.  They are witnesses for God's purpose in the world," Schultz-Akerson said.
     The video conference on Feb. 24 will feature the Rev. Roland D.
Martinson, a professor of pastoral care at Luther Seminary, St. Paul,
Minn., and the Rev. Jane E. Strohl, a professor of Reformation history
and theology, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS), Berkeley,
Calif.  Luther and PLTS are two of eight seminaries of the ELCA.  The
speakers will address vocation as "a call to live our faith by serving
God and others," said Schultz-Akerson.
     Students will gather at Concordia University, Portland, Ore.;
Luther Seminary; Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash.; St. Mark's
Lutheran Church, Spokane, Wash; and Trinity Lutheran College, Issaquah,
Wash.
     Presenters at the video conference on Mar. 3 include Dr. Mary
Hess, assistant professor of educational leadership, Luther Seminary,
and Dr. Alan Briskin, author of the book, "Bringing Your Soul to Work:
An Everyday Practice" and "The Stirring of Soul in the Workplace."
Students will gather at Concordia University, Irvine, Calif.; Luther
Seminary; PLTS; and Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, Carefree, Ariz.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html