January 2019 eLetter - Concordia University-Portland
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January 2019 eLetter
HAPPY NEW YEAR – 2019. Last
year I started off this eLetter in
the same fashion. And I’m not
really certain how to start it off
any different. Seems most
appropriate in many ways. We all have made the journey another year – at least if you are reading this
eLetter. We experienced lots of stuff. If you are political person, you have been in the middle of some
very different moments than in the past. If you stay out of that corner of social media and news streams,
you may have had moments with family and friends you will never forget. In your career and vocational
work, there may have been some unexpected changes – both good and bad. I am just returning from a
vacation with my youngest granddaughter (oh, I am pretty certain I
need to include her mom and dad and my wife). What a hoot.
Maybe you have had similar experiences this year. I can’t imagine
there is not something in your life this past year which does not
make you smile or maybe even re-live a hurt. After all – we live, we
live life, the life given to us by our Father. I have read memes on
Facebook this past year that talk about life – that the Father will
never give you challenges which are greater than you can handle. And then on its heels comes the
comment refuting that notion. Actually – God has promised to do just that: not send things your way
you cannot handle. But it all depends upon how you respond to those challenges. While you have lived
your life given to you by your Father in heaven, I can imagine you have handled life in several different
ways. But two stand out most obviously – either on your own or with His help. There really is no other
way to live this life. The first response surely made it seem that the challenges were not fair, too great,
too difficult. And though the second way does not always seem to be any easier, in the middle of all of
it, you know, without doubt, without any question, that God is right there with you, walking alongside of
you. And if you feel like He has left you all alone in the middle of it, it is probably because you let go of
His hand.
Students on the campus have now lived a full semester of life – in the classroom, in dorms/apartments,
in their extra activities on the sports field or out with friends, or even in the library! They have been
challenged. Believe me – one of our core themes at Concordia is Rigor! They know what that means. But
each day they are bathed in the Good News of a God who is with them, who has never left them, and
who walks with them, even when the challenges seem too great. And though it might be arrogant to say
it this way, we pride ourselves in communicating that Good News, and making it clear that students are
not alone – even when they feel that way.
As you read through the brief notes in the following eLetter, know that students (as well as faculty and
staff) live in the sure hope of a God who is with them, and they are reminded of that daily on this
campus.
Much of the information in this eLetter is easily transferable to a worship bulletin, newsletter, or other
communication form you might use. Simply copy, cut, paste, edit for content, and use as you see fit.
January 2019 eLetter
1|P a g e2019 has arrived – with all the life that it brings. May God continue to bless you all the way through it.
Keep your eyes on Him. Keep your hand in His. He is in front leading and He won’t let you go.
Rev. Dr. Paul Mueller
Center for Applied Lutheran Leadership (CALL) Executive Director
PaMueller@CU-Portland.edu
503-493-6550
CENTER FOR APPLIED LUTHERAN LEADERSHIP (CALL)
LUX CHRISTI Award
This is one of numerous reminders in this eLetter to be certain to
send in your nominations for the Lux Christi Award. Nominations
close the end of February.
Since the mid-1980s, Concordia University-Portland has presented
the Lux Christi (Light of Christ) Award to recognize outstanding
Lutheran educators who have served the Lord and the LCMS with
distinction. Concordia University’s is pleased to promote Lutheran
education in many ways, and annually honors an outstanding
Lutheran School Teacher or Principal and an outstanding Director of
Christian Education (DCE) who have contributed significantly to
Lutheran education ministry.
Nominations are solicited from the Northwest, California-Nevada-Hawaii, and Montana Districts of the
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Nominations may come from pastors, principals, teachers, DCEs, or
congregations using the downloadable nomination form at this Lux Christi webpage. Both the teacher or
principal and the DCE selected for the award will be honored during a worship service at their home
congregation and given a $500 award to be used in their ministry in any way they deem fit.
Please consider submitting the paperwork for your nomination so the committee has ample time to
make their decision from the many excellent individuals who are nominated.
The criteria for the “Lux Christi Award” are:
1. At least 10 years of service as a Lutheran educator in the role of teacher, principal, or DCE.
Nominees may be from Lutheran pre-schools, elementary schools, secondary schools, or member
congregations.
2. Significant contributions through service, leadership, publications, research, and day-to-day
ministry.
3. Competence in creative thought and action.
4. An example of Christian life and activity.
5. A distinguished record of educational experience.
6. On or eligible to be on the Roster of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as a Commissioned
Minister of Religion.
January 2019 eLetter
2|P a g eWe encourage you to access, download and print, and fill out the nomination form, gather the required
letters of recommendation, and mail or scan and email the documents on behalf of the individual you
are nominating to Rev. Dr. Paul Mueller (CALL@CU-Portland.edu). Even if a person nominated
previously was not selected, please consider nominating them again.
CALL Symposium
This spring, CALL’s second “What Does God Say About . . . ?” symposium will be held and will focus on
the topic “civil disobedience.” Everyone is invited to attend this symposium on the campus of Concordia
University on March 20th, 2019. Presentations will be offered during the
lunch hour (12:00-1:00pm) in the Student Events and Activities Center
(SEAC) as well as in the Fine Arts Building (FAB) at 7:00-8:00pm. The speaker
is Rev. Dr. Greg Seltz. You might recognize his face and name. He is the
Lutheran Hour Speaker Emeritus and presently serves as the first Executive
Director of the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty for the LCMS in
Washington D.C.
Rev. Seltz spends an enormous amount of his time with the elected
government officials of our nation, so his wisdom and insights related to this
topic will be invaluable. With the myriad protests and ramped up rhetoric,
speaking into this moment from a Biblical perspective guided by someone
well versed in the issues from both the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as
well as the halls of our government, the event may shine some light on our
own personal and institutional responses. Expect to see more information and details in future eLetters.
EnvisionPDX – High School Program
CU-Portland is now accepting nominations for our 2019 EnvisionPDX student cohort which will focus on
the theme "Wonderfully Made: Loving the Person I Am Created to Be." We are looking for diverse
student nominees who have leadership potential and are passionate about serving their communities
and will accept 45 students into the cohort. All students who successfully complete the program will
earn $1000 CU-P scholarships, and will engage in spiritual development, theological education,
leadership training, community-based projects, and mentorship. Some students will also be eligible to
earn college credit. If you know students between the ages of 13 and 18 who would be a good fit for the
program, nominate them at https://envisionpdx.cu-portland.edu.
To learn more about EnvisionPDX at Concordia University, go to https://EnvisionPDX.CU-Portland.edu
or contact Jeanie Whitten-Andrews (JWhitten@CU-Portland.edu) with any questions.
CAMPUS MINISTRY
CONNECT! Ministry Report
Christian Life Ministry students led four youth ministry
events this fall semester. They travelled to different churches to lead Bible study, discussion, and other
activities with junior and high school youth. The students responded very positively. Already there are
two dates reserved for the spring semester. If your congregation’s youth ministry would like to invite
our students to come and CONNECT! with your young people, please contact Karen Wickord to schedule
a date. Her email is kwickord@cu-portland.edu or call 503-280-8687.
January 2019 eLetter
3|P a g eStudent Mission Trip
In May 2019 Christian Life Ministry will send students from Concordia University to an orphanage in
Northern India to work with the children who are living there. The Lord instructs his people to care for
the widow and the orphan which is exactly what our students intend to do. Jesus cared for children and
went so far as to say that the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. We pray that our Savior God
will protect our students and use them to bring the love of Jesus to these orphans.
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY MUSIC ENSEMBLES
Many of you are aware that the music ensembles travel
throughout the Northwest during each academic year in
addition to a longer tour. If you wish for an ensemble to
perform or join you in worship, simply contact Paul
Mueller (PaMueller@CU-Portland.edu) or the choir
director Kurt Berentsen (KBerentsen@CU-Portland.edu).
Either of them will connect you with appropriate director for the choir, wind/band, string, or handbell
ensembles. Continue to keep them in your prayers as they proclaim through song and music the Good
News of Jesus Christ and the free gift of grace to all.
Below are the upcoming moments when they will be preforming or enhancing a worship experience.
Notice especially the Christmas Chorale. A yearly event which draws a full house, the story of Christ’s
birth is narrated through the reading of Scripture and music. It is always a very moving moment, setting
the stage for the true meaning of Christmas.
CU Sundays:
Bethel Lutheran, Brush Prairie, WA Trinity Lutheran, Portland, OR
Jan. 20th 8:30am worship service Feb. 24th 8:30am worship service
Christi Crux Ensemble Christi Crux Ensemble
Vancover Apostolic Lutheran, Vancouver, WA Augustana Lutheran, Portland, OR
Jan. 20th 11:00am worship service Feb. 24th 11:00am worship service
Christi Crux Ensemble Christi Crux Ensemble
Our Redeemer Lutheran, Tigard, OR Trinity Lutheran, Mt. Angel, OR
Feb. 3rd 9:30am worship service March 3rd 10:30am worship service
Praise Ensemble Brass Ensemble
Trinity Lutheran, Oregon City, OR Prince of Peace Lutheran, Portland, OR
Feb. 10th 9:30am worship service March 10th 8:00 and 10:30am worship services
String Ensemble Handbell Ensemble
Concerts:
Instrumental Chamber Music Concert Wind Ensemble Concert
March 8th 7:00pm March 10th 3:00pm
Concordia University – FAB Concordia University – FAB
Brass/Handbell/String Ensembles
January 2019 eLetter
4|P a g eChoir Winter Concert/Lent Presentation Spring Concert
March 17th 3:00pm April 14th 3:00pm
St. Michael’s Lutheran Church St. Michael’s Lutheran Church
Concert Choir & Christi Crux Ensemble All Performing Ensembles
MISSION TRAINING CENTER (MTC)
Is your congregation in need of well-trained missional leaders? Mission Training Center develops people
for God’s mission through online training opportunities centered in the Bible and taught through the
lenses of God’s mission.
January Courses:
MTC001 The New Testament
Saturdays, Jan 5-Feb 23, 2019 from 8-10am PST (8 weeks/16 hours $300.00)
MTC011 Congregational Change – Recognizing and Managing It
Mondays, Jan 5-28, 2019 from 6-8pm PST (4weeks/8 hours $150.00)
Register Here!
Click here to view the different platforms MTC utilizes to deliver training for all God’s people.
Click here to read an important message from Rev. Dr. Paul Mueller, Director of MTC
regarding Licensed Lay Deacons (LLDs) in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
For information, or to register online, go to www,MissionTrainingCenter.com or
contact: Renée Zollitsch at mtc@MissionTrainingCenter.com or phone: 971-302-7595.
LUTHERAN NIGHT
Join Lutheran grade school students from Portland as they cheer on the Concordia Cavalier men’s
basketball team on February 2nd at LCEF Court in on Concordia’s campus. What makes these games
special are the students from the three Lutheran elementary schools who participate during the games –
singing the National Anthem, participating in activities throughout the games, playing a game during the
half-time of the university’s game, and after half-time, receiving FREE PIZZA AND POP with a visit from
the Cavalier Coaches to welcome them to the evening.
Concordia and LCEF hosts the evening beginning with the men’s game against the University of Alaska-
Fairbanks at 7:00pm.
January 2019 eLetter
5|P a g eEveryone receives FREE entrance if they bring one or more items per person, noted below, for our
Faubion “Backpack” program:
Faubion Pantry Donation list
Please – NO canned foods
• Dried noodles • Beans (NO cans, only boxed)
• Fruit cup (NO cans, only cups, preferably no- • 100% juice
sugar added) • Whole rice
• Oatmeal • Individual packages of applesauce
• Dried beans (pinto, black, red) • Peanut butter
• Boxes of cereal • Individual packages of baby food
• Soups (NO cans, any kind of packaged soups; • Jam (plastic jar)
preferably high protein)
THE RELIGION DEPARTMENT (RD)
In keeping with the university’s mission that all students engage with courses and topics related to
Scripture and vocation as one reflects on Christian faith, the Religion Department recently redesigned
the entire major to meet the needs and interests of students. Electivity has been greatly increased. This
enables faculty to create new and innovative courses that will attract a variety of students to either the
major or the minor in Religion. With these substantive changes, it is now possible, for the first time at
CU, for an undergraduate student to complete all requirements and graduate in three years without
compromising on CU-P’s goal of introducing a robust conversation around faith and life for all students.
As congregations, faith communities, gathered groups, and district conferences imagine events, consider
contacting CALL (CALL@CU-Portland.edu) to determine if one of the professors from the Religion
Department might be a good fit for the event. These individuals encompass a wide variety of expertise
and are anxiously willing to share their wisdom.
ADMISSIONS
Still thinking about your choice for a university education? Concordia University is receiving and
considering applications for Spring, Summer and Fall, 2019 semesters. If you would like to discuss, or
even better, set up an individual appointment to discuss our undergraduate or graduate programs,
please contact 503-280-8501 or visit www.CU-Portland.edu/Admission.
ATHLETICS – January 2019
Home games in BOLD
Day Event Time
Thursday, January 3 Women’s Basketball vs Northwest Nazarene 7:00pm
Men’s Basketball at Alaska 7:30pm AST
Saturday, January 5 Women’s Basketball vs Central Washington 2:00pm
January 2019 eLetter
6|P a g eMen’s Basketball at Alaska Anchorage 5:15pm AST
Tuesday, January 8 Men’s Basketball at Western Oregon 7:00pm
Thursday, January 10 Women’s Basketball at Western Washington 7:00pm
Saturday, January 12 Indoor Track/Field at UW Preview (Seattle, Wash.)
Men’s Basketball at Montana State Billings 7:00pm MST
Women’s Basketball at Simon Fraser 7:00pm
Thursday, January 17 Women’s Basketball vs Alaska 5:15pm
Men’s Basketball vs Seattle Pacific 7:30pm
Friday, January 18 Indoor Track/Field at Ed Jacoby Invitational (Boise, Idaho)
Saturday, January 19 Indoor Track/Field at Ed Jacoby Invitational (Boise, Idaho)
Women’s Basketball vs Alaska Anchorage 5:15pm
Men’s Basketball vs Saint Martin’s 7:30pm
Tuesday, January 22 Women’s Basketball vs Western Oregon 7:00pm
Thursday, January 24 Women’s Basketball at Montana State Billings 7:00pm MST
Men’s Basketball at Northwest Nazarene 7:00pm MST
Friday, January 25 Indoor Track/Field at UW Invitational (Seattle, Wash.)
Saturday, January 26 Indoor Track/Field at UW Invitational (Seattle, Wash.)
Men’s Basketball at Central Washington 7:00pm
Thursday, January 31 Women’s Basketball at Central Washington 7:00pm
Men’s Basketball vs Alaska Anchorage 7:00pm
BOISE SCHOOL OF LAW
Still thinking about your choice for a law degree? Concordia University School of Law will discuss the
options with you. Set up an individual appointment or attend an information session where we will be
available to go over the basic structure of the program and the steps needed to apply.
https://law.cu-portland.edu/admission-financial-aid/request-information
Concordia University and the School of Law are committed to preparing students for lives of meaningful
vocation and service. The law school provides a challenging, supportive, learning environment that
integrates faith, learning, and civic engagement in the search for truth, social justice, and an informed
voice of reason.
INTERNATIONAL TOURS WITH CONCORDIA
Splendors of Eastern Europe and Oberamerrgau Passion Play 2020
Join this 11-day trip through Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, and Germany. Highlights include
Prague, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Danube
Valley, Munich, and Neuschwanstein Castle.
The central event of this tour is the
performance of the nearly 400-year-old Passion
Play of Oberammergau in the Bavarian Alps.
This tour is open to everyone (students, alumni,
congregational members, et al.), and will be led
by Dr. Michael Thomas. Departure is June 22,
2020. The base cost (double-occupancy) for the
January 2019 eLetter
7|P a g etrip is $4399. A $200 deposit secures your spot and current rate. Price includes round-trip airfare from
PDX, ground transportation, hotels (1st class/tourist class), most meals (breakfasts and some dinners),
museum/attraction entrance fees, 1st class Passion Play tickets, local docents, bilingual tour guide, etc.
Private rooms are available. Contact Dr. Thomas for an electronic informational packet at
MiThomas@CU-Portland.edu.
Spectacular Scandinavia 2019
Come along on this 14-day trip through Denmark, Sweden, and Norway with
an optional 3-Night Extension to Iceland! Highlights include Copenhagen,
Vaxjo, Swedish Glass Museum, Stockholm Vasa Ship Museum, High Speed
Train Oslo, Viking Ship Museum, Stave Church, Flåm Railway, Sognefjord
Briksdal Glacier, Geirangerfjord Cruise, and Bergen. This trip is open to
everyone (students, alumni, congregational members, et al.) and will be led
by Dr. Michael Thomas. Departure is May 2, 2019. The base cost (double-
occupancy) for the trip is $5,499. A $500 deposit secures your spot and
current rates. Price includes round-trip airfare from PDX, ground
transportation, hotels, 19 meals (breakfasts and some dinners), museum
entrance fees, local docents, bilingual tour guide, etc. Private rooms are
available. Contact Dr. Thomas for an electronic informational packet at MiThomas@CU-Portland.edu.
January 2019 eLetter
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