Greetings

Did you miss us?

The eNews has been on hiatus as we have observed the changing of the calendar for 2007 to 2008. The education industry gets a crazy view of reality because we observe so many changes and use each one is a cause for celebration. In the real world you don’t get all of the observation holidays, from King to Columbus, as days of vacation. In business and industry there are no semester breaks. Not many careers have three month summer vacations and the annual observance of graduation/commencement.

This cycle of new beginnings changes our view of the world. Teachers are allowed and even encouraged to anticipate that things will be better next time around. Students know that commencement will be “THE” watershed event of their lives, despite the fact that we all need continuing education and often retraining. There is a vitality that comes for knowing we can start again.

This is my biggest joy as a Christian, knowing that I am given a new beginning every day. My God knew me before my parents did. My God accepted me into His family and smiled when I was baptized. My God comes to me offering the forgiveness of sins every day. The knowledge that I am no longer a slave to sin gives me a new outlook on life. I am now free to live a life of service. I can live my life with the assurance that God has good outcomes in mind for me.

Others may worry about the where they are going or how they will be remembered. The uncertainly that causes us to be timid and hesitant is part of our human nature. Guilt and fear have been a stumbling block to progress since Adam ate the fruit.   

You and I don’t have those troubles. Isn’t it good to have a different view of the world!

School News

The new semester brought new people to our staff.

Mrs. Ann Scott was to have been with us in the first semester but health concerns delayed her coming to us. She is now teaching part time in our Math Department.

The expansion of our Youth Program has led us to make Miss Emily Muther more available to congregations. Seasoned vet, Mr. Bruce Tuomi, will be teaching freshmen religion and his first semester student teacher, Mr. Josh Schumacher, has come to on board to fill our void.

New beginnings give us the opportunity to return to the Source of our joy. The Faculty has undertaken a new Bible study routine. Mrs. Gail Grebasch and Mrs. Linda Abbe have kicked off a Monday night Biblically-based study for parents called “Running the Rapids - Guiding Teenagers Through the Turbulent Waters of Adolescence” based on the book by Dr. Kevin Leman.

Changes are coming to the Private School League. An important administrators meeting is taking place on February 1, 2008. Check in at Walther.com and keep track of our events and the progress of our sports teams.

Thanks to our Northern Illinois District (NID) Superintendent Reed Sander for being active in the business of government. All of us have a stake in the way our legislators spend our money. Do you want to tell them that yourself? Reed is providing an opportunity.

MEET YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS:

Senate District 39: For those schools serving Senate District 39 (Senator Don Harmon and Representatives Deborah Graham and Skip Saviano), including parts of Chicago, Elmwood Park, Melrose Park, Northlake, Oak Park, River Forest, River Grove and Schiller Park, our meeting with your legislators will be on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at our usual location at Walther Lutheran High School, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

Senate District 21: For those schools serving Senate District 21 (Senator Dan Cronin and Representatives Bob Biggins and Sandy Pihos), including parts of La Grange, La Grange Park, Westchester, Elmhurst, Villa Park, Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Lisle and Downers Grove, our meeting with your legislators will be on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at our usual location at Timothy Christian High School, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

The NID has a grant fund to support evangelism and the spreading of God’s word. Walther is honored to be included in the program as the District supports our Youth Worker Program. The photo below shows Pastor Don Gourlay of the NID staff with Miss Emily Muther, our youth worker and students from St. John Lutheran Church in Forest Park, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Addison and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Elmhurst, the partner congregations in the pilot.

Alumni News

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Make plans now to be with us for the winter All Alumni Reception on Saturday, January 26, 2008. We will host basketball all day. The girls play against Illiana at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. and the boys have three games against Immaculate Conception beginning at 4:30 p.m. We invite grads of all years to be with us for a reception in the multipurpose room after the last horn sounds. This is a great place to gather with the sibling grads, meet with members of your class, talk about reunions past and those yet to come.

A small and hungry group of grads gathered at Maggiano’s in Oak Brook to hear about the Walther sports program and our efforts to refocus the Walther Association. The class of ‘65 was wonderfully represented with Bob Horner, Paul DeLassus, Craig Lusthoff and Pat Scala. The most senior grad in attendance, Phil Rittmueller ’60, is working with the youngest grad of that day, Jon Baermann ’84. The two of them are coordinating on a project to bring schools new learning tools to inspire creative options for young minds looking to bring the force of science to bear on the challenges of our daily lives. The Christophers, Scott ’64 and Jay ’62, were also on hand.

We should do more of these events. Wanna plan one? Give us a call.

God’s blessings

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