Katie Schroeder joined Lutheran Volunteer Corps as the Director of Advancement in August. Prior to joining the LVC team, she worked for College Possible, an organization that supports low-income students get to and through college. As an alum, Katie brings a unique perspective to her job in advancement. She served in Chicago in 2003-2004, serving as the first LVCer at Umoja Student Development Corporation, and continuing to work three additional years there. Katie’s involvement with LVC continued on. After working at Umoja for four years, Katie went on to serve on their Board of Directors. When she transitioned to working at Free Spirit Media, she alsoRead More →

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From Rev. Elizabeth Flomo, LVC Recruitment Desk A few days ago, I attended an ISAIAH clergy event in Minnesota (my first time at such an event for primarily clergy & spiritual leaders connected with ISAIAH). There were over 120 clergy and faith leaders gathered, from across MN. The theme was Healing the Breach: Better Together. I was particularly struck by the words of Doran Schrantz, ISAIAH’s Executive Director, calling us to place God and love back and the center of our common life. Doran noted that ISAIAH’s work as a non-partisan organization does not mean staying silent in the face of heresies currently being spokenRead More →

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Lutheran Volunteer Corps Alumni Aaron Schmalzle and Pastor Jared Witt will soon be opening Castle Church Brewing Company in Orlando, FL. Their tag line “brewing community, fermenting love” is one in the same with their mission: to connect people in intentional relationships and partner with others to do the work of Jesus in their community. In a press release that was shared with LVC, they explain their mission statement like this: “Ferment v. to incite or stir up (trouble or disorder). If you are looking for a God who troubles our complacency and stirs up a movement of love in the world, then Castle Church isRead More →

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Malachi Black served last year as an LVC Volunteer at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska. When asked about why he was drawn to LVC after college, he said that he was searching for something more than just a job. He quotes, “I wanted to be challenged in every aspect of my life and the concept of intentional community really drew me into the program.” Currently, Malachi still serves on staff at Grace as Outreach Coordinator. Recently, he was interviewed on the podcast Things That Matter, which is the official podcast of the Nebraska Synod ELCA. You can listen to the podcast here, and read more from Malachi aboutRead More →

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Ryan Schone is an LVC alumni who stayed in Milwaukee after his year of service in 2011-2012. During his LVC year he served with Central City Churches (CCC), a ministry of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. Currently, he works for the University of Wisconsin Extension in Milwaukee and focuses on local food systems and education. As LVC explores a Food Justice Program in Milwaukee, it has been exciting and encouraging to continue to work for peace with justice alongside LVC alumni like Ryan! Below we hear more from Ryan about what from his LVC year shaped his interest and passion for food justice and sustainability. WhenRead More →

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