Latin America Missionary Alumni Event
2025-08-07 - 2025-08-08 | Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO, 63105, United States
The Lutheran Center—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is commemorating 125 years of mission work in Latin America and the Caribbean region (LAC) in 2025, and current and former LAC missionaries will gather for an anniversary celebration on Aug. 7-8 at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
The missionaries will reflect on their work around Latin America and the Caribbean, and attendees can enjoy fellowship time while learning how the Lord continues to work in LAC. The Synod’s multi-generational mission work will be celebrated under the banner of “Remember, Repent, Rejoice.”
All LCMS missionary alumni of the Latin America and the Caribbean region are invited to attend this special event. Service includes that of a career missionary, Globally Engaged in Outreach (GEO) missionary, or Volunteer Youth Ministry (VYM) missionary under LCMS World Mission or LCMS International Mission.
Schedule
Thursday, Aug. 7

5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. — Cocktail reception and dinner at Concordia Historical Institute (located on the campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis)

Friday, Aug. 8

8:30 a.m. to noon — Missionary alumni presentations and roundtable discussions

Noon to 1 p.m. — Lunch

1 p.m. to 4 p.m. — Missionary presentations and roundtable discussions

4 p.m. — Vespers with dinner reception to follow

Attendance is free. Attendees are responsible for their own travel and lodging accommodations.
Email lcmslac@lcmsintl.org for more information.

2025 LCMS National Disaster Response and Training Conference
2025-09-17 - 2025-09-19 | LCMS International Center: St. Louis, 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St Louis, MO, 63122, United States
The 2025 LCMS National Disaster Response and Training Conference will be held Wednesday, Sept. 17, through Friday, Sept. 19, at The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s International Center in St. Louis.
Meeting under the theme “Serving the Suffering: The Church’s Role in Recovery,” attendees will learn how the church can respond in crisis situations with the physical and spiritual care that is so desperately needed by those affected.
Attendees will also hear practical advice and guidance from pastors, disaster response coordinators and others who have responded to significant disasters.

Schedule
All times Central
Sept. 17 — ONLY for LCMS District Disaster Response Coordinators (DDRCs) and Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) trainers.
This day will include training on best practices related to the LERT training, generative conversation, and ample opportunities for learning from one another. The new LERT manual and PowerPoint presentation, which will be the standard for all future basic LERT trainings and modules, will be revealed.

Wednesday, Sept. 17 — 9 a.m. registration to 5 p.m. Lunch and dinner will be provided.

Sept. 18-19 — For DDRCs, LERT trainers, and all others with an interest in disaster response.
Sessions will include presentations on the theology of mercy, table-top exercises, case studies and practical breakouts.

Thursday, Sept. 18 — 8 a.m. registration to 5 p.m. Lunch and a catered banquet dinner will be provided.

Friday, Sept. 19 — 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

Registration, which includes five meals, is $75 per person.
Attendees are responsible for their own lodging, and hotel rooms are available at the Hilton St. Louis Airport at a discounted rate.
Register online

Questions?
Contact LCMS Disaster Response and Training at disaster@lcms.org with any questions.

2025 Pennsylvania March for Life in Harrisburg
2025-09-22 | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, PA, United States
The 2025 Pennsylvania March for Life in Harrisburg is Monday, September 22, 2025. The rally begins at 11:00am and the march at 12:00pm. March with other Lutherans and witness to the sanctity of life. More information is to come.

Register Now

Church Worker Appreciation – Pastor
2025-10-12
Our church workers dedicate themselves, day in and day out, to serving their church and school communities. That means it’s always the right time to show them our appreciation.
To help the church be intentional in showing that appreciation, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has set aside the month of October and other special days throughout the year to highlight different kinds of church workers and their service. You are encouraged to join with your brothers and sisters in Christ across the LCMS in using these opportunities to show appreciation to our church workers, who serve us in a multitude of ways as they preach, teach and care for God’s people in body and soul.

Oct. 25 — Deaconess, Director of Family Life Ministry, Director of Christian Outreach, and Director of Church Ministries Appreciation

April 26 — Director of Parish Music Appreciation

May 4–8 — Teacher Appreciation

June 26 — Director of Christian Education Appreciation

On Oct. 12, we begin our year of church worker appreciation by thanking God for our pastors, who stand in the stead of Christ as they bring us His gifts of Word and Sacrament.
The LCMS offers suggestions and resources to show your gratitude and support for pastors.
View resources

LCMS Worker Wellness

lcms.org/worker-wellness
workerwellness@lcms.org

Set Apart to Serve — LCMS church work recruitment initiative

lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve

setapart2serve@lcms.org

Church Worker Appreciation - Deaconess, Director of Family Life Ministry, Director of Christian Outreach, Director of Church Ministries
2025-10-25
Our church workers dedicate themselves, day in and day out, to serving their church and school communities. That means it’s always the right time to show them our appreciation.
To help the church be intentional in showing that appreciation, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has set aside the month of October and other special days throughout the year to highlight different kinds of church workers and their service. You are encouraged to join with your brothers and sisters in Christ across the LCMS in using these opportunities to show appreciation to our church workers, who serve us in a multitude of ways as they preach, teach and care for God’s people in body and soul.

Oct. 12 — Pastor Appreciation

April 26 — Director of Parish Music Appreciation

May 4–8 — Teacher Appreciation

June 26 — Director of Christian Education Appreciation

On Oct. 25, we continue our year of church worker appreciation by thanking God for four commissioned (auxiliary) offices that support the work of the Holy Ministry: deaconess, director of family life, director of Christian outreach and director of church ministries.
View resources

LCMS Worker Wellness

lcms.org/worker-wellness
workerwellness@lcms.org

Set Apart to Serve — LCMS church work recruitment initiative

lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve

setapart2serve@lcms.org

2026 National March for Life in Washington, D.C.
2026-01-23 | Washington, D.C., 12th and 14th Streets, Washington D.C., 20002, United States
The 2026 National March for Life is in Washington, D.C. on Friday, January 23, 2026. Plan now to join other Lutherans to march and stand boldly together in the public square and confess our beliefs about the sanctity of life. More information is to come.
Register Now

FORO — Honduras
2026-02-13 00:00 - 2026-02-15 23:59 (America/Chicago)
LCMS International Mission will host a FORO about mission work in Honduras on Feb. 13-15, 2026, in La Paz, Honduras.

What is a FORO?

A FORO — Spanish for “forum” — fosters relationships between missionaries serving on behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and mission partners. The meetings facilitate networking, start conversations, and focus resources to make disciples of all nations for generations to come.

When do FOROs occur?

Once or twice a year, LCMS missionaries meet with partners — people from churches, organizations, schools, and partner churches — in their mission field. They discuss strategies to make disciples, address community needs, emphasize mutual listening, and encourage shared decision-making.

Why are FOROs needed?

Missionaries don’t only need funding and volunteers. Missionaries need relationships. They need support networks. They need people to walk with them, pray with them, listen to them, learn from them, and stand with them. FOROs help provide those relationships.

To learn more about FOROs, visit international.lcms.org/foro.

Contact

Rev. Herb Burch, LCMS Missionary

herb.burch@lcms.org

To learn more about FOROs, visit international.lcms.org/foro.

Lay Worker Appreciation
2026-03-06
On March 6, we thank God for our lay workers, who serve tirelessly in a variety of ways in our LCMS schools and congregations.
These roles are too numerous and varied to list them all, but they might include church or school secretaries/administrative assistants, business managers/accountants/treasurers, school librarians, communication/publicity/marketing specialists, teacher aides, musicians, ministry area coordinators and others. All of these people are integral to the mission in the places they serve, and we give thanks to God for them.

LCMS Worker Wellness

lcms.org/worker-wellness
workerwellness@lcms.org

Set Apart to Serve — LCMS church work recruitment initiative

lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve
setapart2serve@lcms.org

YouthLead Training — March 2026
2026-03-19 - 2026-03-22 | Pallottine Renewal Center: St. Louis, 15270 Old Halls Ferry Road, Florissant, MO, 63034, United States
LCMS Youth Ministry will host a YouthLead Training event Thursday, March 19, to Sunday, March 22, 2026 in the St. Louis suburb.
YouthLead equips teens to develop and use their leadership skills as they serve Christ within their congregations and communities.
This year’s curriculum focus will be on apologetics, including how to understand and share Scripture and the resurrection of Jesus. Along with learning to teach this curriculum, we will lead youth in leadership skill development and building relationships with other young leaders.
Registration is closed
Event capacity is full for youth and adult leaders. If you are interested in attending, join the waiting list by emailing LCMS Youth Ministry at youth.ministry@lcms.org.
Who can attend Youthlead?
Any high school youth who is an active member of an LCMS congregation and desires to be a leader along with adults who desire to mentor young leaders.
It is preferred that teens attend with an adult leader from their congregation, although arrangements can be made for teens to come unaccompanied.

What happens at a YouthLead Training event?
YouthLead equips teens to develop and use their leadership skills as they serve Christ within their congregations and communities.
The annual training event is led by our teen Executive Team and gives teens the tools they need to mature in their faith, become leaders in their congregations, and reach out to their peers with the love of Christ.
Download flyer

LCMS Youth Ministry

lcms.org/youth

youth.ministry@lcms.org

888-843-5267

facebook.com/LCMSyouth

facebook.com/lcmsgathering

twitter.com/LCMSyouth

LCMS Pastoral Formation Committee Listening Sessions — East-Southeast Region
2026-03-26 00:00 - 2026-03-27 23:59
The Pastoral Formation Committee (PFC) is excited to be hosting Listening Sessions in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) East-Southeast Region on March 26 and 27. Our hope is to engage in a fruitful discussion about how the LCMS is forming faithful pastors to meet the current and future demands of the holy ministry.

The panel will include the two seminary presidents — the Rev. Dr. Thomas Egger (St. Louis) and the Rev. Dr. Jon Bruss (Fort Wayne) — along with the Rev. Dan Galchutt, LCMS interim chief mission officer, and the Rev. Dr. James Baneck, executive director of LCMS Pastoral Education.

We are hoping for a healthy conversation as we answer questions and share insights and information. To that end, we are grateful to you for sharing information about the session with your congregation. District staff, pastors, commissioned workers and laity are invited to attend.

Schedule

LCMS East-Southeast Region

Thursday, March 26, 1–4 p.m. — The Lutheran Church of St. Andrew, Silver Spring, Md.

Friday, March 27, 1–4 p.m. — Christ the King Lutheran Church, Orlando, Fla.

Bulletin Insert

LCMS East-Southeast Region — March 26-27

Bulletin Blurb

Share in your Sunday Bulletin:

Have questions about how the LCMS is forming faithful pastors to meet the current and future demands of the holy ministry? Come and talk to the LCMS Pastoral Formation Committee, which includes the two seminary presidents, at the Listening Session hosted at [Congregation] on [Day, Date, Time].

Social Media

Share graphic and caption on your congregation’s social media:

The LCMS Pastoral Formation Committee will soon hold two Listening Sessions in the LCMS [Region], sharing information and insights about forming faithful pastors to meet the present and future needs of the LCMS.

Bring your questions and join the discussion with both seminary presidents — the Rev. Dr. Jon Bruss (Fort Wayne) and the Rev. Dr. Thomas Egger (St. Louis) — along with the Rev. Dan Galchutt, LCMS interim chief mission officer, and the Rev. Dr. James Baneck, LCMS executive director of Pastoral Education. We’re looking forward to a fruitful discussion!

The Listening Sessions will take place:

[List the relevant information from above on the session(s) nearest you]

Download graphic

Pastoral Formation Listening Sessions

The LCMS Pastoral Formation Committee will be hosting Listening Sessions in all five LCMS Regions. The West-Southwest Region sessions will be on June 13 and 15. Dates and details for listening sessions in the LCMS Central, Great Plains and Great Lakes Regions coming soon.

View schedule

Volunteer Appreciation
2026-04-01 - 2026-04-30
During the month of April, we thank God for our volunteers, who serve tirelessly in a variety of ways in our LCMS schools and congregations.
These roles are too numerous and varied to list them all, but they might include elders, council/board members, altar guild members, greeters, ushers, acolytes, volunteer musicians, Sunday school/vacation Bible school teachers, property/landscape volunteers, office volunteers and more. All of these faithful individuals are integral to the mission in the places they serve, and we give thanks to God for them.

LCMS Worker Wellness

lcms.org/worker-wellness
workerwellness@lcms.org

Set Apart to Serve — LCMS church work recruitment initiative

lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve
setapart2serve@lcms.org

Church Worker Appreciation – Director of Parish Music
2026-04-26
Our church workers dedicate themselves, day in and day out, to serving their church and school communities. That means it’s always the right time to show them our appreciation.
To help the church be intentional in showing that appreciation, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has set aside the month of October and other special days throughout the year to highlight different kinds of church workers and their service. You are encouraged to join with your brothers and sisters in Christ across the LCMS in using these opportunities to show appreciation to our church workers, who serve us in a multitude of ways as they preach, teach and care for God’s people in body and soul.

Oct. 12 — Pastor Appreciation

Oct. 25 — Deaconess, Director of Family Life Ministry, Director of Christian Outreach, and Director of Church Ministries Appreciation

May 4–8 — Teacher Appreciation

June 26 — Director of Christian Education Appreciation

On April 26, we continue our year of church worker appreciation observances by thanking God for directors of parish music, one of the seven commissioned (auxiliary) offices that support the work of the Holy Ministry.
View resources

LCMS Worker Wellness

lcms.org/worker-wellness
workerwellness@lcms.org

Set Apart to Serve — LCMS church work recruitment initiative

lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve

setapart2serve@lcms.org

Church Worker Appreciation – Teacher
2026-05-04 - 2026-05-08
Our church workers dedicate themselves, day in and day out, to serving their church and school communities. That means it’s always the right time to show them our appreciation.
To help the church be intentional in showing that appreciation, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has set aside the month of October and other special days throughout the year to highlight different kinds of church workers and their service. You are encouraged to join with your brothers and sisters in Christ across the LCMS in using these opportunities to show appreciation to our church workers, who serve us in a multitude of ways as they preach, teach and care for God’s people in body and soul.

Oct. 12 — Pastor Appreciation

Oct. 25 — Deaconess, Director of Family Life Ministry, Director of Christian Outreach, and Director of Church Ministries Appreciation

April 26 — Director of Parish Music Appreciation

June 26 — Director of Christian Education Appreciation

During the week of May 4–8, we continue our year of church worker appreciation by thanking God for school teachers, one of the seven commissioned (auxiliary) offices that support the work of the Holy Ministry.
View resources

LCMS Worker Wellness

lcms.org/worker-wellness
workerwellness@lcms.org

Set Apart to Serve — LCMS church work recruitment initiative

lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve

setapart2serve@lcms.org

Armed Forces Day - 2026
2026-05-16
Armed Forces Day is on Saturday, May 16, 2026, and congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod may commemorate the holiday during weekend worship services.
The LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces encourages congregations to give thanks to God for our nation’s military veterans, service personnel, chaplains and families who have faithfully answered the call to serve.
LCMS congregations may plan their commemorations with the help of free resources, including:

Introduction letter

Sermon by Chaplain (Major) Bobby Niemtschk, U. S. Army

Bulletin inserts: General (Color)

Bulletin inserts: General (Black-and-White)

Bulletin inserts: Responsive Prayer and Ministry-By-Mail

Other 2026 celebrations

Memorial Day is Monday, May 25, and may be commemorated on Sunday, May 24.

Independence Day is Saturday, July 4, and may be commemorated on Sunday, July 5.

Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11, and may be commemorated the preceding or following weekend.

Any Saturday and/or Sunday of your choice.

For more information and resources, visit lcms.org/armedforces.

LCMS U Campus Ministry Staff Conference - 2026
2026-06-04 00:00 - 2026-06-05 23:59
The LCMS U Campus Ministry Staff Conference will be held Thursday, June 4, through Friday, June 5, 2026, in Lawrence, Kan.

Under the theme “From Generation to Generation,” the conference will feature plenary presentations, breakout sessions and roundtable discussions.

This conference is for pastors, DCEs, deaconesses and others who are leading campus ministries in the LCMS. Its purpose is to:

Facilitate networking among campus ministry leaders;

Facilitate sharing of ideas; and

Provide theological education and discussion, including plenary presentations, breakout sessions and a panel discussion.

Registration is free. Attendees will receive a complimentary single-occupancy hotel room on June 4 on a first-come, first-served basis. Lunch and dinner on June 4 plus lunch on June 5 are also included at no charge.

More information, including speaker and session information, will be available once finalized.

View conference schedule

Register online

LCMS Pastoral Formation Committee Listening Sessions — West-Southwest Region
2026-06-13 00:00 - 2026-06-15 23:59
The Pastoral Formation Committee (PFC) is excited to be hosting Listening Sessions in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) West-Southwest Region on June 13 and June 15. Our hope is to engage in a fruitful discussion about how the LCMS is forming faithful pastors to meet the current and future demands of the holy ministry.

The panel will include the two seminary presidents — the Rev. Dr. Thomas Egger (St. Louis) and the Rev. Dr. Jon Bruss (Fort Wayne) — along with the Rev. Dan Galchutt, LCMS interim chief mission officer, and the Rev. Dr. James Baneck, executive director of LCMS Pastoral Education.

We are hoping for a healthy conversation as we answer questions and share insights and information. To that end, we are grateful to you for sharing information about the session with your congregation. District staff, pastors, commissioned workers and laity are invited to attend.

Schedule

LCMS West-Southwest Region

Saturday, June 13, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. — Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Monday, June 15, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. — Christ the King Lutheran Church, Kingwood, Texas

Bulletin Insert

LCMS West-Southwest Region — June 13 and June 15

Bulletin Blurb

Share in your Sunday Bulletin:

Have questions about how the LCMS is forming faithful pastors to meet the current and future demands of the holy ministry? Come and talk to the LCMS Pastoral Formation Committee, which includes the two seminary presidents, at the Listening Session hosted at [Congregation] on [Day, Date, Time].

Social Media

Share this graphic and the below caption on your congregation’s social media:

The LCMS Pastoral Formation Committee will soon hold two Listening Sessions in the LCMS [Region], sharing information and insights about forming faithful pastors to meet the present and future needs of the LCMS.

Bring your questions and join the discussion with both seminary presidents — the Rev. Dr. Jon Bruss (Fort Wayne) and the Rev. Dr. Thomas Egger (St. Louis) — along with the Rev. Dan Galchutt, LCMS interim chief mission officer, and the Rev. Dr. James Baneck, LCMS executive director of Pastoral Education. We’re looking forward to a fruitful discussion!

The Listening Sessions will take place:

[List the relevant information from above on the session(s) nearest you]

Download graphic

Pastoral Formation Listening Sessions

The LCMS Pastoral Formation Committee will be hosting Listening Sessions in all five LCMS Regions. The East-Southeast Region sessions will be March 26 and 27. Dates and details for listening sessions in the LCMS Central, Great Plains and Great Lakes Regions are coming soon.

View schedule

YouthLead Servant Event — June 2026
2026-06-14 - 2026-06-19 | Camp Lutheranhaven: Albion, Ind., 1596 S 150 W, Albion, IN, 46701, United States
LCMS Youth Ministry will host its inaugural YouthLead Servant Event from Sunday, June 14, to Friday, June 19, 2026 at Camp Lutherhaven in Albion, Ind.
The gathering blends a week-long servant event and our YouthLead training. Part of each day will serve the Burmese Mission Outreach’s Party in the Park, which shares Christ’s love through fun and fellowship with Burmese refugees in Fort Wayne, Ind.
The remainder of each day will be for large- and small-group time to cultivate Christian leadership skills, including communication development, writing and leading a devotion, and more.
Who can attend Youthlead?
Any high school youth who is an active member of an LCMS congregation and desires to be a leader along with adults who desire to mentor young leaders.
How much does it cost?
Registration is $300, which includes food and housing during the training, supplies, and a T-shirt. Some of the cost of this training is graciously provided by a grant from the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.
Participants will have to provide their own transportation to and from Camp Lutherhaven.
If you would like to bring a group of more than four youth and two adults, please contact julianna.shults@lcms.org before you register.
What are the accommodations?
Housing will be in Camp Lutherhaven’s Daniel Retreat Center with men and women staying on separate sides of the cabin.
Participants should bring towels, sleeping bags, pillows, and other bedding as everyone will be staying on bunk beds.
Meals and snacks will be provided through Camp Lutherhaven and Burmese Mission Outreach.

Download flyer
Register

LCMS Youth Ministry

lcms.org/youth

youth.ministry@lcms.org

888-843-5267

facebook.com/LCMSyouth

facebook.com/lcmsgathering

twitter.com/LCMSyouth

Church Worker Appreciation – Director of Christian Education
2026-06-26
Our church workers dedicate themselves, day in and day out, to serving their church and school communities. That means it’s always the right time to show them our appreciation.
To help the church be intentional in showing that appreciation, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has set aside the month of October and other special days throughout the year to highlight different kinds of church workers and their service. You are encouraged to join with your brothers and sisters in Christ across the LCMS in using these opportunities to show appreciation to our church workers, who serve us in a multitude of ways as they preach, teach and care for God’s people in body and soul.

Oct. 12 — Pastor Appreciation

Oct. 25 — Deaconess, Director of Family Life Ministry, Director of Christian Outreach, and Director of Church Ministries Appreciation

April 26 — Director of Parish Music Appreciation

May 4–8 — Teacher Appreciation

On June 26, we continue our year of church worker appreciation observances by thanking God for directors of Christian education (DCEs), one of the seven commissioned (auxiliary) offices that support the work of the Holy Ministry.
View resources

LCMS Worker Wellness

lcms.org/worker-wellness
workerwellness@lcms.org

Set Apart to Serve — LCMS church work recruitment initiative

lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve

setapart2serve@lcms.org

2027 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music
2027-07-12 00:00 - 2027-07-16 23:59
Hosted by LCMS Worship, the 2027 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music will take place July 12-16.

Information, including a location and daily schedule, will be announced when details are finalized.

If you have any questions about the Institute, email LCMS Deaconess Cara Patton at worship@lcms.org.

LCMS Worship

lcms.org/worship

Worship planning resources

Subscribe to monthly resources email

National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference - 2027
2027-07-13 00:00 - 2027-07-17 23:59
Hosted by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Youth Ministry, the 2027 National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference (NATIONAL27) is scheduled for July 13–27, 2027, in San Antonio, Texas.

NATIONAL27 is a stand-alone conference for youth ministry practitioners, and the conference will also provide an opportunity for attendees to prepare for the LCMS Youth Gathering and familiarize themselves with San Antonio, which is the host city for the 2028 LCMS Youth Gathering.

At NATIONAL27, leaders and practitioners will go through training to support their congregation’s youth ministry, and the event will give new and veteran leaders a chance to connect and network.

A registration link and more information will be available on this page when finalized.

LCMS Youth Ministry

lcms.org/youth

youth.ministry@lcms.org

888-843-5267

facebook.com/LCMSyouth

facebook.com/lcmsgathering

twitter.com/LCMSyouth
