TRANSITIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTSFarewell andGodspeedJacqueline “Jackie” Pickettretired on August 31 as shecompleted 35 years <strong>of</strong> service<strong>at</strong> LSTC. Never one forbeing fussed over, Jackieallowed us to acknowledgeher service and wish herGodspeed. During heryears <strong>at</strong> LSTC, she fixedcountless breakfasts andbaked thousands <strong>of</strong> cookies,hardly ever missing aday <strong>of</strong> work.We will miss Jackie'slaugh, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> best toever grace LSTC. We wishher much joy in retirementas she spends more timewith her family.Jackie PickettOn October 19, <strong>the</strong> LSTCcommunity thanked JimSchaal for his work as executivecoordin<strong>at</strong>or for <strong>the</strong>Zygon Center for Religionand Science. Jim has servedas executive coordin<strong>at</strong>orsince 2008. Jim’s skills as acommunic<strong>at</strong>or and grantwriter have gre<strong>at</strong>ly benefitedZygon Center. Heand his family will remainin <strong>the</strong> LSTC communityas he continues to workwith LSTC’s Green Zone oncomposting, recycling andgarden projects.MakeoverDuring <strong>the</strong> summermonths, LSTC’s buildingcrew gave <strong>the</strong> Refectorykitchen and line a makeover.In addition to a newlook, <strong>the</strong> Refectory has anew menu. The space justinside <strong>the</strong> Refectory doorshas been transformed intoa study/lounge area and<strong>the</strong> mailroom was reconfiguredto accommod<strong>at</strong>eafter-hours Refectory purchases<strong>of</strong> drinks, grab-andgosandwiches, and bakedgoods.WelcomePedro Rodriguez joined<strong>the</strong> Refectory staff as afull-time line cook and hasbeen dazzling <strong>the</strong> communitywith his soups,salads, and sandwiches. Helives in Chicago with hiswife and <strong>the</strong>ir two-year-olddaughter. He has extensiveexperience as a line cook <strong>at</strong>Chicago restaurants includingA Taste <strong>of</strong> Heaven,Gluns Bavarian House, andSpago Fine Dining.Liesebet Gravley, an M.Div.middler, has joined <strong>the</strong>Zygon Center for Religionand Science as coordin<strong>at</strong>or.She has extensive experiencein religion and science,with a master’s degreein engineering physics from<strong>the</strong> Air Force Institute <strong>of</strong>Technology. She has alsoserved as an ELCA missionaryin Slovakia and alabor<strong>at</strong>ory technician forConocoPhillips.AccomplishmentsWilliam Beermann,c<strong>at</strong>aloger, JKM Library,<strong>at</strong>tended <strong>the</strong> AmericanTheological LibraryAssoci<strong>at</strong>ion AnnualConference in Scottsdale,Arizona, June 27-30.Scott Chalmers, director<strong>of</strong> admissions, led <strong>the</strong>workshop “Faith, Daily Lifeand Exodus 2-3” for <strong>the</strong>Lu<strong>the</strong>ran Campus Ministry<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Iowaon October 6.Cheryl Hoth, assistant to<strong>the</strong> dean and vice president<strong>of</strong> academic affairs,was a guest presenter <strong>at</strong> agradu<strong>at</strong>e-level course in<strong>the</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> Social Work<strong>at</strong> Aurora University onAugust 7. She talked aboutlife as a lesbian who is alsoa part <strong>of</strong> and involved in<strong>the</strong> life <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> church.Ben Randall, director<strong>of</strong> food services, taughtcooking classes <strong>at</strong> Sur LaTable in Naperville, Ill., inOctober.Dan Schwandt, cantorto <strong>the</strong> seminary community,served as organistfor Chicago TheologicalSeminary’s commencementservice <strong>at</strong> Apostolic Church<strong>of</strong> God in May. He servedas principal musician for<strong>the</strong> Metropolitan ChicagoSynod Assembly openingEucharist on June 1.Dan led a workshop onkeyboard improvis<strong>at</strong>ionfor <strong>the</strong> Liturgy <strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong>Associ<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> Lu<strong>the</strong>ranChurch Musicians Region3 ga<strong>the</strong>ring <strong>at</strong> GraceLu<strong>the</strong>ran Church, RiverForest, Ill. on July 27.He concluded his timeserving as coordin<strong>at</strong>or <strong>of</strong>Augustana Chapel and hisservice on <strong>the</strong> ChicagoChapter <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> AmericanGuild <strong>of</strong> Organists boardon July 31.Sara Trumm, programcoordin<strong>at</strong>or, A Center<strong>of</strong> Christian-MuslimEngagement for Peace andJustice, served as a musician<strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong> ELCA GlocalMission Ga<strong>the</strong>ring inMilwaukee in August and<strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong> Glocal Mission Even<strong>the</strong>ld <strong>at</strong> LSTC in September.Refectory makeover in progressThe Refectory's new look32
Clockwise from upper left: Dr. Vitor Wes<strong>the</strong>lle preaches <strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong> Castle Church, Wittenburg, Germany; <strong>the</strong> Rev.Dr. Sherman Hicks delivers <strong>the</strong> first Albert “Pete” Pero Jr. Lecture <strong>at</strong> LSTC; Joseph Yucha (junior) presents anLSTC football jersey to President Nieman <strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong> Inaugur<strong>at</strong>ion Weekend Pep Rally; Valparaiso University holdsits first Open House <strong>at</strong> LSTC; <strong>the</strong> Rev. Dr. Cheryl Stewart Pero leads <strong>the</strong> final song <strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong> “Many Voices, OneSong” benefit concert for <strong>the</strong> Albert “Pete” Pero Multicultural Center; Korean Drummers perform during <strong>the</strong>“Many Voices, One Song” concert; beagle puppy Rocky Bolick enjoys <strong>the</strong> Blessing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Animals serviceLife <strong>at</strong> LSTC
Change language