An invitation from Cathy Lessmann

Now that I have your attention, the first thing I want to emphasize is that the June 1 Thanksgiving Memorial for Ed Schroeder is a whole-day affair - beginning at 10:00 AM and culminating with a Memorial Service and Inurnment at 2:00 in the afternoon. Ed will be inurned in the columbarium close to co-Crossings-founder, Robert Bertram. Jerry Burce will be preaching!

The morning will be spent hearing and dialoguing with a dozen very special, impacted- by-Ed speakers. Specifically six individuals are arriving from around the country - actually the world! - to share their theological and personal insights into Ed’s impact on the church, the world, his students, preaching, and theology. Here’s a list:

+ Kathryn Kleinhans from Ohio (Dean of Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University)

+ Paul Tambyah from Singapore (M.D., Specialist in Infectious Diseases - learned Crossings from Ed about 15 years ago and has been an avid supporter ever since)

+ Steven Kuhl from Milwaukee (Crossings former President, Executive Director; a professor of systematic theology and pastor)

+ Ruth Hanusa from Reno, Nevada (hospice chaplain)

+ Ronald Neustadt from Belleville, Illinois (retired pastor and co-editor of “Gift and Promise.” I consider him one of Ed’s closest friends who shares Ed’s unique ability to articulate the Gospel in plain and simple language)

+ Sherman Lee from St Louis (one of Ed’s first lay students who took a Crossings course in the early days - and now one of our co-executive directors)

So, it seems like YOU should be there too, as there will be time for conversation and dialoging with these distinguished, grateful-for-Ed, lovers-of-the-Gospel individuals.
 
We will serve lunch, so please rsvp so I (Cathy) get a headcount. PLUS, we’d love to hear from YOU TOO! You can do both (rsvp and share a reflection) on our website.

Peace and Joy, 
Cathy

PS - In addition to our in-person speakers, here are the other, equally impressive and evocative video appearances we will share:
+ Marcus Lohrmann, retired Bishop of the Central Ohio District - went to Asia years ago with Ed and appreciates him dearly
+ Jukka Kaariainen, did his dissertation with Ed, has been Professor of Theology in Thailand and just moved to Finland as Mission Theologian
+ Martin Lessmann, my son, a school administrator in Denver - has stories to tell about growing up around Ed; a joyful Christ-confessor