wfn.org | Luther Institute to Host Conference on Aging, Awards Nov. 4-6

[<NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

October 11, 2005

Luther Institute to Host Conference on Aging, Awards Nov. 4-6
05-193-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Luther Institute will host a
"Conference to Address the Issues of Aging in Lutheran
Congregations" Nov. 4-6 in Arlington, Va.  The conference will
culminate the evening of Nov. 5 with the Institute's annual
presentation of Wittenberg Awards and the morning of Nov. 6
with worship.
     The Luther Institute is an independent center for laity and
clergy fostering education and research on social, educational
and ethical issues in the public sphere.  Based in Washington,
D.C., the Institute conducts programs to promote its mission and
to advance the roles of faith and ethics in public life.
     The conference will offer plenary sessions led by leaders in
the field of ministry with seniors, workshops to examine
successful case histories, and opportunities for networking and
sharing, according to promotional materials.  Special attention
will be given to gaining an understanding of a congregational
aging profile.
     "While common wisdom suggests that an aging population is an
issue for tomorrow, for churches it is already a challenge for
today," the materials said.  "A median-age study of all mainline
Protestant churches found the Lutheran constituency to be at
least 14 years older than the national median.	We are facing the
future of aging today."
     Speakers, panel discussions and multiple-track workshops
will address such conference topics as creating opportunities for
seniors to share their gifts and their wisdom, avenues for
funding senior ministries and enjoying life in the congregation
while aging.
     Speakers and panelists include the Rev. Richard W. Bimler,
president, Wheat Ridge Ministries, Itasca, Ill.; Mary B. Nelson,
senior associate, founder and past president, Bethel New Life
Ministries, Chicago; Cliff Pederson, president and director of
research, Church Resources Inc., Huntington Beach, Calif.; the
Rev. Walter M. Schoedel, director of church relations, Lutheran
Senior Services, St. Louis; Jill M. Schumann, president, Lutheran
Services in America, Baltimore; and Dr. Al H. Senske, former U.S.
Assistant Secretary of Education and former director of Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) World Relief, St. Louis.
     The titles for workshop tracks are "Ministering to
Seniors/Pastoral Care," "Building a Congregational Wellness
Center," "Creating Volunteer Opportunities for Seniors," "Keeping
Track of Senior Seniors," "Leveraging Institutional Resources,"
"Enjoying Life as a Senior" and "Seniors, Their Money and the
Congregation."
     The Rev. Milas "Mike" Sease, St. Paul Lutheran Church,
Columbia, S.C., a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA), will report on the recent White House Conference
on Aging (WHCOA) and what it means for Lutheran congregations.
Sease is attending the WHCOA as a member of the South Carolina
Lt. Governor's Commission on Aging.
     The conference will close Nov. 6 with worship.  The Rev.
Charles S. Mueller Sr., staff associate, Wheat Ridge Ministries,
will preach.  Mueller is an LCMS pastor serving Trinity Lutheran
Church, Roselle, Ill.
     After the conference participants will receive a video
recording of all sessions.  They will also have access to an
online discussion of conference topics and any developing
strategies.

The 2005 Wittenberg Awards
     The Institute will honor two of the conference speakers,
Bimler and Nelson, Nov. 5 with Wittenberg Awards.  Dr. Olav
Hodne, Norwegian humanitarian and missionary, will be a third
honoree.
     The Institute inaugurated the Wittenberg Awards in 1990 to
recognize specific Lutheran laity and clergy from around the
world for distinguished service to church and society.	Another
purpose for the awards is to encourage other Lutherans to accept
calls to service and servant leadership.
     Bimler became president of Wheat Ridge Ministries in 1991.
Founded in 1905, Wheat Ridge is an independent Lutheran
charitable organization based in Itasca, Ill., awarding "seed"
grants to more than 100 health ministries today.  Bimler is an
LCMS pastor, and he served his church as executive director of
the Planning Council for Mission and Ministry, Youth Gatherings
and the Board for Youth Services.  His publications include "Let
There Be Laughter," "Angels Can Fly Because They Take Themselves
Lightly" and "Miracles in the Middle."
     Nelson founded Bethel New Life in 1979 as a response to
poverty, unemployment and despair in the West Garfield Park
community of Chicago. Since then, Bethel has earned a national
reputation for innovative and effective urban ministry, with
programs that promote the social, economic and spiritual welfare
of children, families and seniors.  Using an asset-based
community development approach, Bethel develops initiatives that
build on the strengths of those whom it serves.  It is affiliated
with Bethel Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation.
     Hodne served for decades among refugees and others living in
poverty in India.  He worked with international Lutheran social
service agencies to establish the Cooch Behar Refugee Service,
the forerunner of the Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service.
     The conference and the Wittenberg Awards are made possible
in part by a grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a
nonprofit financial services organization based in Minneapolis.
-- -- --
     The home page of the Luther Institute is at
http://www.lutherinst.org/ on the Web.	Details about the
Conference to Address the Issues of Aging in Lutheran
Congregations and the Wittenberg Awards are available
on that site.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news