Latest News

"Amen for a Day" Registration Opens!

Sandra Ostapowich — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:23:22 -0600

Once again, Higher Things is excited to announce that we are providing an opportunity for adults to visit our conferences this summer. Many people want first-hand information about our organization and our conferences. Here's your chance to find out for yourselves!

Individuals may pre-register to attend one day of a conference for $50 if pre-registration forms and payment is received by June 15, 2008. You will be notified by June 20, 2008 if your form has been received and will be given specific information about parking, check-in, etc. Walk-in guests will be accepted at the conference Information table for a fee of $60 per day.

"Amen for a Day" registration will allow you to personally experience an entire day's worth of conference activities.

You will receive admission all catechesis sessions, worship services, and entertainment events for that day (meals and housing will be on your own), as well as a conference T-shirt and a 1-year subscription to Higher Things magazine.

Please download the "Amen for a Day" Pre-Registration Form and mail it to the Conference Registrar at the address printed in the form by June15, 2008. Questions? Email conferences@higherthings.org or call 1-888-HT-CONF08.

2008 Trinity Reflections (Part 1) Now Available

Rev. Mark Buetow — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:15:13 -0600

Reflections for Pentecost and the beginning of the Trinity Season are now available. Written by Rev. Joel Fritsche and Rev. Rick Sawyer, tehse Reflections take us into the "Church Half" of the Church Year in which the Spirit brings the Lord's Word to our ears, reminding us of all that Jesus said and did and leading us into all truth. You can download the Reflections in a printable booklet format here.

Registration for 6th Annual Campus Staff Conference

Rev. Marcus T. Zill — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:43:32 -0600

Final plans are coming together for the Sixth Annual Christ on Campus Staff Conference which will be held May 28-30 in Knoxville, TN. This is an earlier date than normal for our annual conference so don't forget to register!

Early bird registration continues through May 1st!

Whether you are already doing campus ministry or are just getting started; whether you are a full- or part-time campus pastor, a town and gown pastor, a DCE, a DCO, or an interested layperson, this conference is for you.

Learn more about the conference and how to register!

As always please contact me if you have any questions. We hope to see you in Knoxville!

Rev. Marcus Zill, Executive
Higher Things, Christ on Campus

"Confessing Christ on Campus Since 1517"

P.S. Don't forget - registration for seminarians is free!

The Last Day!

Sandra Ostapowich — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:08:34 -0600

Not THE Last Day, but the last day to register for the 2008 Higher Things "Amen" conferences has arrived!

Gather up your registration information and fees, get online, and get your group registered TODAY! After Sunday, March 30, all new registrations must be handled and approved directly by a member of the registration and housing staff. For groups already registered, after April 1, cancellations are non-refundable and cannot be credited toward your group's final balance, and substitutions may only be made for people of the same gender and category (youth/adult).

Final balances are also due on April 1. If it seems like that came up quickly, please remember that we extended the registration period but we cannot extend the payment schedule as well. Deposits can still be accepted via online payment through PayPal, but the final balance must be paid by check or money order. Please send all registration checks to the address below:

Higher Things Registrations
PMB #4304
2525 Broadway
Everett, WA 98201

If you have any last minute questions about the conferences (this year's or in general), check out the Frequently Asked Questions at our website.

Even if you don't have a group going to a conference from your church, you can help to provide some financial support for the conferences. Higher Things Conferences have a number of important expenses that can be underwritten by one or multiple donors. Some of the needs we have are:

Scholarships for CCV (Christ on Campus Volunteer) registrations so that starving college students don't have to pay any registration fees (even discounted ones). These young adults work HARD at the conferences and provide invaluable help for all the staff and other volunteers.
Conference T-shirts for all registrants. We anticipate this expense to cost about $12,000 total. These shirts are a great way for kids to take home a souvenir of their week, and provide great opportunities for them to confess their faith and what they learned when they wear them at home!
Magazine subscriptions. This year, Higher Things is providing each registrant with a 1-year subscription to Higher Things: Dare to be Lutheran magazine. Value $10,000 total.

Other questions about the conferences can be directed to conferences@higherthings.org. Specific questions about registration can be sent to registration@higherthings.org and housing concerns should be sent to housing@higherthings.org. Or, you can just call 1-888-HT-CONF08.

We also ask everyone to please keep the staff, volunteers, group leaders and especially the youth who are preparing to attend this summer's conferences in your prayers in the months and weeks ahead.

"Our Paschal Lamb, that sets us free, Is sacrificed. O keep the feast of freedom gallantly; let alleluias leap: Alleluia, Alleluia! Alleluia! Again, sing alleluia, cry aloud: Alleluia! Amen!

Let all our deeds, unanimous, confess Him as our Lord Who by the Spirit lives in us, the Father's living Word. Alleluia, Alleluia! Alleluia! Again, sing alleluia, cry aloud: Alleluia! Amen!"

(LSB #473, verses 1 and 3)

Not Ashamed: Now for Adults Too!

FemLem1 — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 14:53:21 -0600

Big kids of all ages, want a chance to learn with your kids? Adults are invited to attend the catechetical sessions and listen to the speakers at the "Not Ashamed" retreat and to learn about defending their faith for a reduced cost (just $15). A chance to see what your children are learning and maybe pick up a thing or two for yourself.

Info on the Retreat: Trinity Beloit's webpage and Upcoming Retreats

Valete~FL1

UPCOMING RETREATS

FemLem1 — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:49:08 -0600

More details for Not Ashamed available at www.higherthings.org/retreats/ucevents and www.trinitybeloit.org

More info on Amazing Race available www.higherthings.org/retreats/ucevents

PRE-REGISTRATION FOR NOT ASHAMED ENDS APRIL 4TH!! Sign up before the price rease!!

Group registration form

Individual registration form

Valete~FL1

Issues, Etc? Yeah, We Got That!

Rev. Mark Buetow — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:20:24 -0600

Many were saddened to hear that Issues, Etc. is no longer being broadcast. Never fear: we continue to maintain our archive of Issues Etc audio files, still streaming and podcasting the interviews of your favorite HT writers and teachers from your favorite Lutheran Radio Program. Just head over to our media page to listen!

Passiontide blessings in Christ,

Rev. Mark Buetow
Internet Services Executive
Higher Things, Inc.

P.S. We miss you Todd and Jeff!

Easter 2008 Reflections Available!

Rev. Mark Buetow — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 07:40:45 -0600

The Daily Reflections for the Easter Season are now available. These seven weeks of Reflections on the readings of the Easter Season, Catechism and Daily Lectionary are written by the Rev. Greg Schultz, pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church, Campbell Hill, Illinois. Pastor Schultz takes us through the joy-filled weeks of the Easter Season by pointing us over and over again to all that Jesus has done for us and still gives to us in His Gospel and Sacraments. You can /download the Easter Reflections in a printable booklet format here.

Spring Christ on Campus Retreats

Rev. Marcus T. Zill — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:52:38 -0600

Are you college students getting a little stir crazy? We've had three Christ on Campus Retreats so far this Spring with great speakers and themes and there are still three more on the way!

Learn more about the great upcoming Christ on Campus College Retreats slated for this April in Laramie, WY, Angola, NY and Palo Alto, CA!

Many more College Retreats are also being planned already for this coming Fall. If your Christ on Campus Chapter is interested in hosting a retreat please contact me. We'd love to work with you!

Rev. Marcus Zill, Executive
Higher Things, Christ on Campus

"Confessing Christ on Campus Since 1517"

Development in Development

Rev. William M. Cwirla — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:43:31 -0700

Higher Things is undertaking a renovation of its development strategy for fund raising and congregational outreach. Higher Things appreciates and depends on the ongoing support of its donors. We are changing the way we do development in order to reflect better the grassroots character of Higher Things - pastors, parents, congregations, youth workers and volunteers who fervently desire to cultivate a Lutheran identity in our youth and dare them to be Lutheran.

As a first step in this process, we have phased out the position of Development Coordinator, one of only two full-time salaried positions in Higher Things. This position has been filled over the past 18 months by Erika Gehrke, whom many of you know as a former Christ on Campus volunteer and from her presence at the Higher Things display booth and her personal visits to congregations.

Erika’s capable and enthusiastic outreach to Higher Things' supporters has provided us a firm foundation of good will among our donors upon which we can continue to build in the years to come. We are deeply grateful for Erika’s zeal for spreading the word about Higher Things and getting the Gospel of Jesus into the ears of our youth. We pray God’s peace and joy for her future adventures.

For questions regarding development, support, and donations please contact Pr. Joel Fritsche (fritschej@csl.edu).