By Kadi Billman,
Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Augustana Chapel was filled almost to overflowing with members and choirs of area churches yesterday to enjoy, “Grateful,” the annual Gospel Choir Concert. Like “Bach for the Sem,” this annual event benefits the seminary.

The Gospel Choir concert specifically benefits the Grover Wright Scholarship Fund and the Rev. Carole A. Burns Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Grover Wright Scholarship Fund was conceived by two LSTC students in 1989 (now the Revs. Christine Thompson and Vicki Watkins). Pastor Watkins, currently serving as a hospital chaplain in Milwaukee, was present for the concert and was recognized for this ongoing legacy to LSTC.

Also recognized and thanked was the choir’s founder, Ms. Patricia Bartley, for founding the choir 21 years ago in 1987.

One of the gifts of this annual concert is its ecumenical spirit and the way it invites Chicago congregations into Augustana Chapel to experience the warmth and hospitality LSTC offers each year to community choirs.

Choirs from the Evangelistic Praise House of Jesus Christ, the Chicago Community Chorus Ensemble & the LSTC Gospel Choir, Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church Choir, the Praetorium Community “Signing” Mass Choir, J & S Mime, Harper High School Singing Cardinals, the Shekinah Chapel Choir brought moving music not only through song but through sign, as those who contend with hearing loss moved the congregation (literally!) with the choir music they signed for the congregation and the congregation responded by making the sign for clapping in response.

Every selection was outstanding, and the audience paid special tribute to the young people who sang and mimed their praise.

This year the Grover Wright Scholarship was given to Ph.D. student, the Rev. Ishaya Gajere, and the Rev. Carole A. Burns Scholarship was given to M.A. student Hsu Myat Hla. Donations are still welcome, so that these scholarships may continue to be offered to LSTC students of color. Write your check payable to LSTC today, and in the memo write, “Carole Burns Scholarship” or “Grover Wright Scholarship.” Donations should be mailed to Attn: Patricia Bartley, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 1100 E. 55th Street, Chicago, IL 60615

Manager Pat Bartley, Director Keith Hampton, and Members of the LSTC Gospel Choir, we are Grateful.

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Special thanks to
our photographer,
Dirk van der Duim.