Denominational Group Meetings 25 Lutheran Evan E. Boyd, Convener PRESENT • Evan Boyd, United Lutheran Seminary, Convener • Elli Cucksey, Capital University • Susan Ebertz, Wartburg Theological Seminary • Andy Keck, Southern Methodist University • Richard Lammert, Concordia Theological Seminary (IN) • Sandy Leach, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary • Roger Peters, Concordia Theological Seminary (IN) • Robert Roethemeyer, Concordia Theological Seminary (IN) • Armin Siedlecki, Emory University • Robert Smith, Concordia Theological Seminary (IN) • Mary Ann Teske, Luther Seminary • Christine Wenderoth, JKM Library Trust The Lutheran Denominational Group met in-person during the Atla Annual conference in Vancouver, Canada. During the meeting, the group formalized its description, purpose, charge, and plan of orga- nization. In addition, initial discussions were held around a future LibGuide focused on Lutheran reference resources and future collabo- rations regarding archives and Lutheran libraries. DESCRIPTION OF LUTHERAN DENOMINATIONAL GROUP The Lutheran Denominational Group is a group composed of indi- viduals serving Lutheran institutions & collections or that have an interest in Lutheran higher education. The group meets annually to offer an opportunity for its members to update one another about what our institutions have been working on and hope to accomplish in the future. 26 ANNUAL YEARBOOK PURPOSE The Lutheran Denominational Group provides a space to share successes, challenges, and mentorship for those serving Lutheran- related collections and archives. CHARGE To collaborate and create connections for professional development. PLAN OF ORGANIZATION As a loosely-structured organization, the Lutheran Denominational group mostly functions through an annual convener, who coordinates any ad hoc committees that come from the annual meeting. ARCHIVES DISCUSSION The various archives and Lutheran higher education libraries scat- tered around the United States do not have a consistent, formal rela- tionship, regionally or nationally. A future, concentrated effort to connect the needs of the archives and libraries to the congregational, regional, and national church may lead to better work together. There is a particular concern around the orphaning of smaller collections that may or may not be known by the greater community. Working together to craft stories and narratives that show the importance of the documents to the mission of their respective constituencies may be a way to fundraise for the long-term success of these various archives. A hope to have a future gathering of the leadership of the archives of Lutheran Churches in the United States was expressed. Questions of funding to come together were raised. INSTITUTIONAL UPDATES: Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago: Christine Wenderoth retired on June 30, 2019. JKM is looking for a new director and LSTC hired three new faculty in 2018–2019, with one more search in process. Wartburg Theological Seminary: Wartburg will have a very large new student cohort this Fall. In addition, they have joined the Digital Theo- Denominational Group Meetings 27 logical Library. Luther Seminary: May 2019 was the launch/first cohort of the MDivX 2-year program. Concordia-Fort Wayne: Just completed a two-year inventory project. Working on its institutional self-study for ATS and assurance argu- ment for the Higher Learning Commission. Costs are increasing, as the State of Indiana is no longer paying for discovery & delivery services. Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary: New Rector & Dean, Dr. Mary Shore, began in January, which is leading to reorganization. ATS self- study is under works. United Lutheran Seminary: Organization has stabilized under its interim president. Two new faculty are joining the institution in the fall and an additional chair was established, with the area to be determined by the faculty in the future. The library and its archives have received two digitization grants.