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2024 VOCATION OF LUTHERAN HIGHER EDUCATION CONFERENCE REGISTRATION 

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The Vocation of Lutheran Higher Education Conference:

“Educational Access: Lutheran Roots, Contemporary Practices”

 

Augsburg University, Minneapolis, Minnesota

July 8-10, 2024

 

The 2024 Vocation of Lutheran Higher Education Conference for the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities will convene at Augsburg University, Minneapolis, Minnesota from July 8-10.

Each year, members of Lutheran colleges gather to explore the distinctive roles we play in higher education.The theme of the 2024 conference is “Educational Access: Lutheran Roots, Contemporary Practices“

The conference is open to all persons from ELCA colleges and universities, but persons should attend who have a campus responsibility for or interest in the mission of their institution and its place within the Lutheran intellectual tradition in higher education. Each college or university is urged to send a campus delegation, composed of a mix of administrators and faculty. 

The keynote presentation for this conference is “Access, Accessibility, and Change: Navigating Leadership in the Shifting Landscape of Higher Education” given by Emma Jones, Executive Vice President / Owner of Credo. A higher education professional since 2002, Emma (she/her) is a storyteller, strategist, speaker, writer, and editor. For more information, please refer to the 2024 Vocation of Lutheran Higher Education conference schedule. Contact Grace Robinson at grace.robinson@elca.org or for more information about the conference or if your college or university has questions.

REGISTER FOR THE 2024 VOLHE CONFERENCE

ELCA colleges and universities are invited to send delegations of up to five persons at a subsidized rate of $150 per person. Please register by June 12, 2024.

Note: Those who need any disability-related accommodation to fully participate in this event are encouraged to contact University Events at events@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1104. Remember to have the name, date, and time of the event with you when contacting their office. Please allow for sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.

Contact Janice Dames at dames@augsburg.edu for more information about registration.

The Vocation of a Lutheran Higher Education Conference is supported by the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities.

Baccalaureate 2024 on Sunday, May 5 at 11 am

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The Baccalaureate Service will be Sunday, May 5, at 11am in Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center. The Augsburg Baccalaureate is a Lutheran service of music and word, held for the graduating class and friends and family, celebrating the completion of your studies at Augsburg. Graduating students should wear their cap and gown and may sit with their family or guests in any available seats. Augsburg University President Paul Pribbenow will give the sermon this year, and we will join with the Trinity Lutheran Congregation that morning. At the Baccalaureate service, graduates will receive a blessing blanket.

Graduating students are invited to be a part of the Baccalaureate processional, carrying a banner or candle at the service. 

Register online to be in the procession.  

Robert “Bob” Stacke Memorial

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Robert Stacke, Ph.D. Dr. Robert Stacke, a kinetic man who found joy in family, music, teaching, traveling, and photography died in the early hours of November 30. He was 75. 

A service will be held in Hoversten Chapel at Augsburg University at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 16. Memorial gifts in honor of Bob may be directed to the Music Department at Augsburg. Gifts may be made online (augsburg.edu/giving/) or sent to: Augsburg University, Institutional Advancement, 2211 Riverside Ave S, CB 142, Minneapolis, MN 55454.

Robert Stacke ’71, Ph.D. Memorial Service

Saturday, December 16, 2023 – 2 p.m.

Hoversten Chapel, Augsburg University

The service will be livestreamed at:

A Prayer for those impacted by the violence between Israel and Hamas

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A prayer for all whose lives and spirits are impacted by the current violence between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza strip.

Peace be within your walls and security within your towers. For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good. (Psalm 122)

God of Shalom, source of all that is good and just: We pray for all the lives lost in and around the Gaza Strip as a result of the Hamas-led terrorist attacks over the weekend. We know you weep with all families who are grieving the deaths of their loved ones. We pray for the safe return of those who are being held hostage. Oh God, we know there are many innocent people caught in the middle of this war. And our neighbors near and far carry great fear and trauma from this unrest, and from the disease of hate. For impacted members of our Augsburg community, we pray for your strength and well-being. We see you, we care for you, and we are holding you close in prayer and in the Light of Christ who is our Prince of Peace. We pray that love and peace prevail, that the families and friends of this community be protected, and that this unfortunate war will end soon. 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Amen

A Prayer for This Time of Loss 

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To the family, friends, and beloved community of Sabiriin Ali, Sahra Gesaade, Sagal Hersi, Siham Odhowa, and Salma Abdikadir, tragically killed by a reckless driver last weekend:

Augsburg University Campus Ministry holds you all in continual light and love as you grieve the loss of such lives of promise. In times like this words fail to express the depth of sorrow and pain, anger and fear experienced within a community.  

We all lean on our faith and understanding of a loving, faithful and compassionate God. Who we take comfort in trusting and believing with these young women, these rays of light, God was present with them. And God weeps with us in sorrow.

We offer this prayer for all who join their hearts in this tragic loss:

Jesus, You said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted,” (Matthew 5:4). 

Our community and friends are mourning. Send us Your comfort now. Wrap Your arms around them and hold them tight. Send angels of mercy to them. Shower Your comfort on them, on us all through those around us. Please guide the surviving family members of Sabiriin Ali, Sahra Gesaade, Sagal Hersi, Siham Odhowa, and Salma Abdikadir and help them recover from their loss. Take away their pain and help them bear it. We trust and hope You are mending the brokenness in ways we can’t always see. Keep far from them those whose words and actions are of no comfort.  

We pray for peace. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

2023 Vocation of Lutheran Higher Education Conference Registration

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“So that we (faculty, staff, and administrators), too, may flourish.”

Augsburg University, Minneapolis, Minnesota

July 10-12, 2023

The 2023 Vocation of Lutheran Higher Education Conference for the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities (NECU) will convene at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, MN, July 10-12.

Each year, members of Lutheran colleges and universities gather to explore the distinctive roles we play in higher education.The theme of the 2023 conference is “So that we (faculty, staff, and administrators), too, may flourish.” The theme takes its name from Rooted and Open, where NECU institutions commit to serving students who are “called and empowered to serve the neighbor so that all may flourish.” In a time of staff and faculty burnout, resignations, and uneven degrees of belonging, we will consider how we educators, too, may flourish in mind, body and spirit. 

Highlights include a keynote address by Jonathan Malesic, author of The End of Burnout: Why Work Drains Us and How to Build Better Lives; plenary sessions led by Deanna Thompson, Rev. Lamont Wells (NECU Executive Director), Krista Hughes, Monica Smith, Marc Jerry, and Jeremy Myers; small group conversations and workshops on the flourishing of faculty, administrators and staff; and guided VOCARE spiritual practices, led by Rev. Dr. Charlene Rachuy Cox. 

The conference is open to all persons from ELCA colleges and universities, but persons should attend who have a campus responsibility for or interest in the mission of their institution and its place within the Lutheran intellectual tradition in higher education. Each college or university is urged to send a campus delegation, composed of a mix of administrators, staff, and faculty. 

A preliminary schedule may be found on the attached conference program. A more detailed schedule and information about presenters will be posted on this site soon. Contact Melinda Valverde at melinda.valverde@elca.org for more information about the conference or if your college or university has questions.

Register for the 2023 VOLHE Conference

ELCA colleges and universities are invited to send delegations of up to five persons at a subsidized rate of $150 per person. 

Note: Those who need any disability-related accommodation to fully participate in this event are encouraged to contact University Events at events@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1104. Remember to have the name, date, and time of the event with you when contacting their office. Please allow for sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.

Contact Janice Dames at dames@augsburg.edu for more information about registration. Please register by June 12.

The Vocation of a Lutheran Higher Education Conference is supported by the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities.

2022 Vocation of a Lutheran Higher Education Conference Registration

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The Vocation of Lutheran Higher Education Conference:

Why All This Talk about Understanding the Mission of NECU Member Institutions as a Vocation?

Augsburg University, Minneapolis, Minnesota

July 18 – 20, 2022

 

The 2022 Vocation of Lutheran Higher Education Conference for the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities will convene at Augsburg University, Minneapolis, Minnesota from July 18-20, 2022.

Each year, members of Lutheran colleges gather to explore the distinctive roles we play in higher education.The theme of the 2022 conference is “Why All This Talk about Understanding the Mission of NECU Member Institutions as a Vocation?” 

The conference is open to all persons from ELCA colleges and universities, but persons should attend who have a campus responsibility for or interest in the mission of their institution and its place within the Lutheran intellectual tradition in higher education. Each college or university is urged to send a campus delegation, composed of a mix of administrators and faculty. 

A more detailed schedule and information about presenters is now available.. Contact Melinda Valverde at melinda.valverde@elca.org for more information about the conference or if your college or university has questions. Registration is now closed for the conference.

 

Register for the 2022 VOLHE Conference

 

ELCA colleges and universities are invited to send delegations of up to five persons at a subsidized rate of $150 per person. Please register by June 20, 2022.

Note: Those who need any disability-related accommodation to fully participate in this event are encouraged to contact University Events at events@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1104. Remember to have the name, date, and time of the event with you when contacting their office. Please allow for sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.

Contact Janice Dames at dames@augsburg.edu for more information about registration.

The Vocation of a Lutheran Higher Education Conference is supported by the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities.

Baccalaureate and Interfaith Sending Service

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At the end of the school year, Campus Ministry holds two special services for graduating seniors. 

  • The Baccalaureate Service is a Christian service of celebration with music and word, held for the graduating class and their families, celebrating the completion of your studies at Augsburg. This year the service will be Sunday, April 24, @ 11am in Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center. Graduating students should wear their cap and gown and may sit with their family or guests in any available seats. This year President Paul Pribbenow will give the homily and we will join with the Trinity Lutheran Congregation. At the Baccalaureate service, graduates will receive a blessing blanket.
  • Interfaith Sending: Thursday, April 21 at 6:30 pm. This short service will be a special time of reflection and blessing. Graduating students of all religious and non-religious identities are invited to this interfaith service in Hoversten Chapel. This 45-minute service will be a special time of reflection and blessing. This service is led by the Interfaith Scholar Cohort. Blessing blankets will also be given at the Interfaith Sending. (One blanket per graduate, please).

A Prayer for Justice

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On April 11, 2021, Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man,was fatally shot in the chest by police officer Kimberly Potter during a traffic stop. Authorities said that Potter meant to use her taser, but accidentally used her gun instead.

Two days later, Potter and Brooklyn Center police chief Tim Gannon resigned from their positions. Potter was convicted of first-degree and second degree manslaughter on December 23, 2021, at a jury trial of her peers.  On February 18, 2022, she was sentenced to two years in prison, with credit for time served. Directed to serve two-thirds time in prison and one-third on house arrest. Once again, justice for a family was denied. The system fails our community again.  

Today, we witnessed once again a broken Justice System fail to provide justice for its citizens, namely Daunte Wright and his family. Without justice there can be no peace.

To our Augsburg Community, today we name the sadness and trauma of the sentencing. We name Daunte Wright. Amir Locke who was also recently killed by the police. Use what strength you have to take care of yourself, family and friends. Pay attention to your bodies for the trauma the verdict releases.Anger, frustration and disappointment are natural reactions to such a disservice to a community. Know that it is alright to not be alright. We are a people who deeply care, acknowledging this is who you are. Sometimes I can’t find the words. Today I offer this prayer for our beloved Augsburg University community from @blackliturgies

Tender God,

Some days our sadness feels too much to hold. It shackles us to our bed. It colonizes even our deepest joys. Would you hold it with us? Would you let our beds be our restoration and not our guilt? Keep us from speaking those secret words of self-hatred that demand that we carry our pain in some other way, that tells us to conquer sadness instead of feeling it. Help us to be weak. That holy weakness that doesn’t sneer at itself, but allows us to see that we are no less dignified because of our tears. Help us to be tender with ourselves, patient with those wounds which we can’t seem to put words to. Guide us toward communities that don’t force us to explain with sadness or coerce us into expressing it in any particular way on any particular timeline. And as we do our best to live, grant us the resolve to care for our bodies. To use what strength we have to make small steps toward loving our bodies and minds best we can.

Pastor Babette Chatman

University Pastor and Director of Campus Ministry

Advent Vespers 2021 Devotional

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As part of the Advent Vespers experience, Campus Ministry offers Advent Devotional booklet with daily devotions written by religion department faculty, campus pastors, alumni, President Pribbenow, and other members of the Augsburg community. The Advent Devotional Booklet is available online.

You can also read each devotion daily:

Friday, December 3: Luke 1:26-33 – Babette Chatman 

Saturday, December 4: The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came (stanzas 1 & 2) – Kristina Frugé 

Sunday, December 5: Luke 1:46-55  – Tori Remer

Monday, December 6: Matthew 24:30-35 – Jeni Grangaard 

Tuesday, December 7: Psalm 121 – Ross Murray 

Wednesday, December 8: Psalm 91:9-16 – Jeremy Myers 

Thursday, December 9: Isaiah 52:7-10 – Russell Kleckley 

 

Friday, December 10: Revelation 5:11-13 – Dana Nissen

Saturday, December 11: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (stanza 1) – Adrienne Eldridge 

Sunday, December 12: Psalm 148:1-2, 13 – Amanda Vetsch

Monday, December 13: All My Heart Again Rejoices (stanza 1) – Justin Lind-Ayres

Tuesday, December 14: All My Heart Again Rejoices (stanza 2) – Mark Sedio 

Wednesday, December 15: All My Heart Again Rejoices (stanza 3) – Phil Quanbeck 

Thursday, December 16: Philippians 4:4-7 –  Marty Wyatt 

 

Friday, December 17: Love Has Come (stanza 1) – Andrea Sorum 

Saturday, December 18: Angels, From the Realms of Glory (stanzas 1 & 4) – Destyn Land 

Sunday, December 19: From Heaven Above (stanzas 1, 2, 14) – Lori Brandt Hale 

Monday, December 20: Psalm 96:1-9  – Janice Dames

Tuesday, December 21: Angels We Have Heard on High (stanzas 1 & 2) – Mark Hanson

Wednesday, December 22: Isaiah 9:6-7 – Mark Tranvik 

Thursday, December 23: Silent Night (stanzas 1 & 2) – John Rohde Schwehn 

Friday, December 24: Luke 2:8-14 –  Matt Maruggi 

 

Saturday, December 25: Colossians 3:12-17  – Paul Pribbenow 

 

The 2021 Advent Vespers Service “Angel Voices, Again Now Sing” is now available for viewing on the Augsburg Music Department YouTube Channel.