Lutheran Day 2007: Here We Stand

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Lutheran Day participants heard from a panel of leaders of several Lutheran human service organizations, a leading advocate for people living in poverty and several leaders in state government. The panel included (from left) John M. Bouman, president, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law; Gene Svebakken, president, Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois; Rod Patterson, executive director, Mosaic at Pontiac; Steven McCullough, president, Bethel New Life, Inc.; the Rev. Dr. Frederick Aigner, president, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI); Charles Johnson, director, the Illinois Department on Aging; Barry Marem, director, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services; and a representative of the Illinois Department of Human Services.
A highlight of Lutheran Day was the prayer service that took place in the afternoon at the Statehouse Rotunda. During the service, Lutheran Day participants prayed for each legislator, all of the state constitutional offices and all members of the state Supreme Court by name. Prayers were offered for wisdom for lawmakers, and a spirit of compassion and justice for all the people of Illinois.
Lutheran Day participants heard from a panel of leaders of several Lutheran human service organizations, a leading advocate for people living in poverty and several leaders in state government. The panel included (from left) John M. Bouman, president, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law; Gene Svebakken, president, Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois; Rod Patterson, executive director, Mosaic at Pontiac; Steven McCullough, president, Bethel New Life, Inc.; the Rev. Dr. Frederick Aigner, president, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI); Charles Johnson, director, the Illinois Department on Aging; Barry Marem, director, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services; and a representative of the Illinois Department of Human Services.
A highlight of Lutheran Day was the prayer service that took place in the afternoon at the Statehouse Rotunda. During the service, Lutheran Day participants prayed for each legislator, all of the state constitutional offices and all members of the state Supreme Court by name. Prayers were offered for wisdom for lawmakers, and a spirit of compassion and justice for all the people of Illinois.
Lynn Goffinet (left), former associate executive director of LSSI’s Children’s Community Services, and Jere Moore, her successor in Peoria, meet with State Rep. Keith Sommer (106th District) at Lutheran Day 2007. LSSI provides foster care, adoption and other child welfare services in Peoria and statewide.
Representatives from Bethel New Life, one of Lutheran Day’s sponsors, take the opportunity to meet with State Rep. Art Turner (9th District) (far right). From left are: Phyllis Hale, volunteer; Sofia Lloyd, COO; and Stephen McCullough, president/CEO. Bethel New Life is a 28-year-old, faith-based community development corporation located on the west side of Chicago.
Lynn Goffinet (left), former associate executive director of LSSI’s Children’s Community Services, and Jere Moore, her successor in Peoria, meet with State Rep. Keith Sommer (106th District) at Lutheran Day 2007. LSSI provides foster care, adoption and other child welfare services in Peoria and statewide.
Rep. Brandon Phelps (118th District) talks with Larry Johnson, director of LSSI’s foster care, adoption and other child welfare programs in southern Illinois, about the need for increased funding of human services in the state, especially with respect to family and children services. LSSI provides foster care, adoption and other child welfare services in southern Illinois out of its offices in Harrisburg and Vienna, part of Phelps’ district.
Bishop Warren Freiheit, Central/Southern Illinois Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (Springfield), is interviewed by Melissa Hahn, a reporter with Illinois Radio Network.
Rep. Brandon Phelps (118th District) talks with Larry Johnson, director of LSSI’s foster care, adoption and other child welfare programs in southern Illinois, about the need for increased funding of human services in the state, especially with respect to family and children services. LSSI provides foster care, adoption and other child welfare services in southern Illinois out of its offices in Harrisburg and Vienna, part of Phelps’ district.
Bishop Warren Freiheit, Central/Southern Illinois Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (Springfield), is interviewed by Melissa Hahn, a reporter with Illinois Radio Network.
Joe Hartzler, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Hartzler and recipient of the 2007 Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award (left), shares a laugh with (from left): The Rev. Linnea Wilson, chair, LSSI Cornerstone Foundation; Jean Johnson, vice president of Advancement, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI); and the Rev. Paul Olson, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Springfield and LSSI Board chair. Hartzler and his wife, Lisa, are active members of St. John’s. Pr. Olson participated in the award presentation and spoke eloquently about the many different sides of Hartzler: public servant, father, spouse, parishioner and community member.
Joe Hartzler, Assistant U.S. Attorney, and his wife Lisa listen as he is introduced as one of two recipients of the 2007 Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award. Hartzler was the lead prosecuting attorney in the Oklahoma City bombing case. A resident of Springfield, Hartzler now serves as the Appellate Chief under the current U.S. Attorney. Former U.S. Congressman Lane Evans was also presented with the award in absentia. Evans was widely recognized as one of the leading advocates in Congress on behalf of veterans.
Joe Hartzler, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Hartzler and recipient of the 2007 Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award (left), shares a laugh with (from left): The Rev. Linnea Wilson, chair, LSSI Cornerstone Foundation; Jean Johnson, vice president of Advancement, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI); and the Rev. Paul Olson, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Springfield and LSSI Board chair. Hartzler and his wife, Lisa, are active members of St. John’s. Pr. Olson participated in the award presentation and spoke eloquently about the many different sides of Hartzler: public servant, father, spouse, parishioner and community member.
Joe Hartzler, Assistant U.S. Attorney, and his wife Lisa listen as he is introduced as one of two recipients of the 2007 Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award. Hartzler was the lead prosecuting attorney in the Oklahoma City bombing case. A resident of Springfield, Hartzler now serves as the Appellate Chief under the current U.S. Attorney. Former U.S. Congressman Lane Evans was also presented with the award in absentia. Evans was widely recognized as one of the leading advocates in Congress on behalf of veterans.
The leaders of the organizations that sponsored Lutheran Day 2007 gather around Joe Hartzler, Assistant U.S. Attorney and recipient of the 2007 Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award. Joining in the celebration are (from left): Joe Kunkemueller, Lutheran Senior Services; Jewel Mandeville, chair, Bethel New Life Board of Directors; Steven McCullough, Bethel New Life; Pr. Paul Olson, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Springfield; Rod Patterson, Mosaic; Gene Svebakken, Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois (LCFS); Pr. Daniel Schwick, Lutheran Advocacy-Illinois; BJ Chakiris, chair, LCFS Board of Trustees; Roger Paulsberg, Lutheran Life Communities; and the Rev. Frederick Aigner, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI).
Visiting at the Executive Mansion after the Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award presentation were (from left): Darrin Holt, associate executive director, LSSI Children’s Community Services, Champaign; Sen. Michael Frerichs (52nd District) and the Rev. Bob Rasmus, pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Urbana.
The leaders of the organizations that sponsored Lutheran Day 2007 gather around Joe Hartzler, Assistant U.S. Attorney and recipient of the 2007 Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award. Joining in the celebration are (from left): Joe Kunkemueller, Lutheran Senior Services; Jewel Mandeville, chair, Bethel New Life Board of Directors; Steven McCullough, Bethel New Life; Pr. Paul Olson, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Springfield; Rod Patterson, Mosaic; Gene Svebakken, Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois (LCFS); Pr. Daniel Schwick, Lutheran Advocacy-Illinois; BJ Chakiris, chair, LCFS Board of Trustees; Roger Paulsberg, Lutheran Life Communities; and the Rev. Frederick Aigner, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI).
Visiting at the Executive Mansion after the Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award presentation were (from left): Darrin Holt, associate executive director, LSSI Children’s Community Services, Champaign; Sen. Michael Frerichs (52nd District) and the Rev. Bob Rasmus, pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Urbana. When we gather at the Capitol and speak with one voice on issues of justice and mercy, we not only speak for our congregations and other people of faith, but we speak for the people to whom the gospel binds us,” says Pr. Rasmus. “Lutheran Day gives us a chance to talk directly with those who can help make a difference.

Photos by Kristen Schmid