Greetings

This is Chicago but I still have questions about “the blues.” You know the blues -- the music that tells sad stories and yet lifts our spirits. I wonder how the name came to stick? Why is it that when we feel blue that is a bad thing, but blue skies are a harbinger of good things on the horizon? I have thought long and hard about this question. Here is the best answer I can offer.

It is about saying the words.

There is a real power in talking about the swirling chaos of our lives. It could be the relief that comes from confession. It could be the process of walking through a challenge and discovering a new way of looking at our pain. It might be the release of sharing a tragic situation with someone who provides distance and comfort…but it really is about saying the words.

God saw that “it was not good for the man to be alone.” He caused Christ to be born into a family. Jesus called disciples and called on them to watch while He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. As Christ hung on the cross He reached out -- to the thief, to his mother and to offer forgiveness to others while His life was slipping away.

We are called to be His disciples in this crazy world. We are called on to reach out to each other. We are invited to bring the issues of our life to Him. When we sing the blues we issue and invitation to all within the sound of our voices to share in our challenges.

The daily troubles of this world are real and yet they are small when we take comfort in the promises of the God who created and redeemed us. When we think of the blue skies and the song of the blue birds created by the One who has planned our eternal future we have reason to smile and to share our joy with everyone we encounter.

School News

I have been given two United Center tickets for the October 2, 2007 Genesis concert. The face price is $77. I will turn them over to the highest bid received as of 3 p.m. on Friday September 28, 2007. Make your bid by sending an offer to don_gillingham@walther.com

Our golfers and our girls’ junior varsity tennis team are gearing up for their Private School League tournaments this Saturday. You can get more info on these events at Walther.com. Look for the weekly sports calendar on the front page.

Eighty of our students have signed up to participate in the Proviso Township Crop Walk to impact hunger around the world. The event is this Sunday. The group has adopted a goal of $3,000. Walther.com has more information.

Building on our strong tradition, Walther has accepted a leadership role in the system of Lutheran Education in Illinois. Remaining strong is a challenge on many fronts. This year’s solid enrollment is a sign that people have faith in the value of this ministry. With school now under way and this year’s enrollment (414) leveling out above our projections, we look to the future, making our budget and attracting the class of 2012. You are invited to be a part of our exciting future.
The Walther Board of Directors has empowered Chairman Dr. Andrew Steinman to convene a panel to discuss the future of the Bronco Resale Shop. If you would like more information contact our school office at 708.344.0404. The store has been an integral part of our Association for more than 30 years. The future of the store, its ministry and profit center, will impact the Association in the future.

We are happy to welcome our third foreign student to this year’s student body. Nikola Jancikova arrived last night from Slovakia, joining fellow exchange students Nhung Nguyen from Vietnam and Monica Park from Korea.

This year our Homecoming parade will include the Melrose Park Gaels football team. Walther’s “bigger, better” 2007 parade will kickoff on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 9 a.m. This year the King and Queen will cover the route in a horse drawn carriage, very cool!

By the way did you hear the names of our 2007 court?

Michael Babchak from St. John Lutheran School in Wheaton
Missy Babchak from St. John Lutheran School in Wheaton
Brandon Buchanan from James Memorial Christian Academy in Maywood
Candyce Godfrey from St. Paul Lutheran School in Melrose Park
Dan Green from Grace Lutheran School in River Forest
Jazzmyn Harvey from MacArthur Middle School in Berkley
Will Jenkins from St. Paul Lutheran School in Melrose Park
Gabby Mendez from Lincoln Elementary School in Maywood
Jon Riley from Washington Elementary School in Maywood
Rebekah Schroeder from Trinity Lutheran School in Lombard

Read all about the plans for Homecoming 2007 at Walther.com.

Alumni News

Congratulations are in order for Jenna Richardson, a Bronco Class of 2006. Jenna has been finding great success again this year on the women's tennis team at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. This two-time state qualifier has been named tennis player of the week for the entire CCIW conference! Jenna, we are proud of your great work (the Coaches Korntheuer are beaming) and wish you all the best as the season continues!! WAY TO GO. CLICK HERE to read the story.

The Class of '67 reunion committee excited about their plans for their 40th reunion weekend. The class party will be held on Saturday, October 13. Cocktails, dinner and conversation will be at the Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale starting at 6 p.m. A three-choice buffet dinner is planned with an open bar with beer, wine and soda. Cost is $75 per person. If you want a room, mention “Walther Reunion” to get the $129 per night rate. Committee head Dale Durfey says he is hoping to hear from all his classmates. “We are trying to get as many as possible out for this monumental event.Do you know where classmates are?,” says Durfey. The group is looking for looking for:Craig Babcock, Paul Boniguidi, Linda Butler, Donald Fredrick, Kathleen Goble, Don Grottke, Richard Hattendorf, Susan Hekman, Margaret Herd, John Holfert, Dennis Kennedy, Cheryl Krause, John Kuhlmann, James Laucus Carol Meyer, Terry Miller, Billie Sue Rock and Michael Zimmerman

Class of ‘77 organizers Brenda Latzke Heinz, Sue Knox Sreniawski and Alex Vanides destroyed a vegetable tray during their working session on Sunday. Brenda reports that it has been great touching base with her classmates on the phone and can't wait to see everyone at the party.She might be willing to bring her phone bill along and make it a part of the reunion memorabilia. Sue says, “Plans are becoming very clear, turnout will be good, and we are still missing a number of classmates, including James Benson, Elizabeth Case, Earl Erland, Paul Meseke, Michael Savage, and Esther Raechal Weidler.”

Pete Becker and Bill Koehne from Class of ‘87 worked the phones this week to call out their peers.They are looking for the following classmates: Brian Adams, Nicole Bell, Debra Bimmerle, Derrick Carter, Kara Fitzgerald, Christine Howard, Damion Hyshaw, Ross Jacinto, Michelle Lutz, Jorge Molina, Juan Molina, Dave Najarian, Chris Orton, Rick Staggs, Liz Thurman, Dawn Wrublik. Send in a current phone number and address if you know where to find these people.

Thanks to the Class of ’72 for the monetary gift made to the school in honor of their 35th reunion. This gift is designated to the Clauss Family Scholarship.The early bird event was hosted by Peggy Larry DeFazio, and a good time was had by all.

Prayer Requests

Walther teacher Peter Finnegan’s family is mourning the loss of his Dad.

The services will be held in Kalamazoo, Michigan

Mrs. Irene Kruel was one of the quite giants of our school’s history. She sent five kids to Walther and each of them made an impact. In all, Donna ‘72, Roger ‘74, Janice ’77, Stacey ‘79 and Joe ‘84 walked the halls every day of through the decade of the 70s and five additional years to boot. Mrs. Kruel paid Walther tuition 22 of 23 years in a row! She has now joined the saints in heaven – please keep her family in your prayers.

The arrangements are as follows:
Visitation is on Friday, September 28, 2007 from 3 to 9 p.m. at The Perkins Center of the Lawndale Christian Community Center, 3841 W. Ogden Road in Chicago. Her funeral is on Saturday, September 29, 200, with visitation at 9 a.m. and the service at 10 a.m. at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1248 S. Harding in Chicago.

God’s blessings

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