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 [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news