Dear Friends,

It was another amazing year for Lutheran Summer Music. This year I particularly felt the powerful connections being made as our students recognized their musical gifts as something to be shared to help others. Over and over, as I read through the post-LSM student evaluation forms, I see that our kids feel called to serve through LSM:

“There are a lot of kids that want to help make the church better than ever before, and we’ll use our musical gifts to help.”

“I learned that I want to be a church musician when I grow up. The church needs musicians to make worship meaningful, and I would like to make a spiritual difference in someone’s life.”

What a privilege to be present as those awakenings are taking place; to see the spark in a young student; to witness the kindness and encouragement these young people show to one another. These testimonials tell us anecdotally what we will soon be able to quantify thanks to our “Composing a Legacy” project funded by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans: LSM does encourage young people to connect their musical gifts with their personal faith. We are strengthening the future of church musicianship and planting seeds for meaningful vocation.

Our students are doing their part, so we must do ours. By now, you are used to my reminder that the end of our organization’s fiscal year is just around the corner (September 30). We will begin our 30th anniversary year on October 1! This is a milestone that many nonprofit organizations never reach, but we are there thanks to three decades of dedicated support.

Please help us launch our next 30 years by helping us wrap up the first 30 years on solid ground. In many ways, this year has been tougher than last year when it comes to finances. The recession is easing in some sectors (as reflected in our higher LSM enrollment), but fundraising has lagged. Foundation grants, in particular, are sparse since markets remain flat. If you can provide a financial gift of any size before September 30, you will help us close the gap left by this important resource.

I look forward to celebrating LSM’s 30th anniversary with you in the coming year. We’ve got exciting plans for next summer that will embrace alumni, reconnect friends, and inspire students. But first we need to assure those future students that we’ll be there for them. Make your contribution today online or by mailing it to Lutheran Music Program, 122 West Franklin Avenue, Suite 230, Minneapolis, MN 55404. Thank you!

Beth Burns, Executive Director