News Thrivent broadens reach T
hrivent Financial for Lutherans, a 111-year-old fraternal benefit
society, announced in June that it would make gradual changes to offer its financial services to Chris- tians, not just Lutherans. In May 2012, Thrivent’s board voted unanimously to make the change, subject to approval by the organization’s members. That approval came after a voting win- dow from March 1 to April 30, dur- ing which 72 percent of the mem- bers approved revising Thrivent’s articles of incorporation.
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New logo for LWF
There’s a new logo and a rede- signed website for the Lutheran World Federation, a communion of churches to which the ELCA belongs
(
www.lutheranworld.org). The logo incorporates five elements: a cross (a symbol of faith), circle (the communion of churches), Luther rose (Lutheran identity), dove (rec- onciliation and creation) and hand (diakonia and service to human- ity). LWF leaders said the logo is intended to reflect its vision and the main expressions of Lutheran iden- tity: evangelical, sacramental, dia- conal, confessional and ecumenical. The old logo, a globe with a cross surrounded by a curved diamond shape, was designed in 1970.
Armed Forces prayer book The ELCA has a new prayer book for military members, with prayers for crises, grieving fallen com-
10 The Lutheran •
www.thelutheran.org
panions, life circumstances during deployment, returning veterans and more. The last such book was pro- vided during World War II by the United Lutheran Church in America. “This new prayer book offers sup- port to those in uniform, military families, veterans and others,” said F. Eric Wester, assistant to the ELCA presiding bishop for federal chaplaincy ministries. The book, available from www.
augsburgfortress.org, draws from resources found in Evangeli- cal Lutheran Worship, as well as those from the ELCA’s full commu- nion partner churches.
Niwano Peace Prize winner Gunnar Stålsett, 78, a Lutheran pas- tor, former Lutheran World Federa- tion general secretary and emeritus bishop of Oslo, was awarded the Niwano Peace Prize in Toyko, Japan, May 16. The prize recognizes those who work for interreligious coopera- tion, human rights and development, as well as disarmament and nego- tiations. Stålsett said the prize is “an affirmation that we as Lutherans have to take responsibility both in the spir-
Brad Hewitt, president and CEO
of Thrivent, said the vote allows the organization “to strengthen our mission of helping more Christians be wise with money and live gen- erously. Working together, we’ll be able to serve more people, meet more needs and strengthen more Christian communities.”
Changes will be gradual, Hewitt said, but “one thing remains the same: our commitment to serving Lutherans and strengthening the Lutheran community remains as strong as ever.”
itual understanding of peace of mind and heart and peace in the world.” Stålsett’s prize included a certificate, a medal and about $200,000.
Confirmed 75 years later Listen up, confirmands who think your years of study drag on: Betty Anderson of First Lutheran Church, Norfolk, Va., recently completed her instruction 75 years after she started. Her confirmation study at the Church of England in Liverpool was interrupted Sept. 3, 1939, when England declared war against Ger- many. Her family was evacuated to Wales and found their church records had burned when they returned home. She married into a prominent Lutheran family after meeting her future husband at a Red Cross club where she volunteered. At age 86, she affirmed her baptism with friends and family at First.
Shake this ‘sallty’ app
The Service and Learning Lead- ership Team (SALLT) Project at Trinity Lutheran College, Everett, Wash., launched a smartphone app for youth groups engaging in ser- vice and mission experiences. The app, which includes a journal, Bible passages and photo sharing, is avail- able as a free download for iPhone and Android from
www.sallt.org/ store. The SALLT Project’s service learning model was used to frame the service and justice experiences at the last two ELCA Youth Gatherings.
But there’s an E
Those familiar with the Sunday school song “I am a C-H-R-I-S- T-I-A-N,” may appreciate Pete Warmanen’s online video takeoff of the song for the ELCA Malaria Campaign. Warmanen, who made the video when he was pastor of St.
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