Hello, all.

Something that I'd like to tell you all is that I am on the Board of a non-profit organization known as the "Rod and Staff" foundation; it is established as an educational foundation, helping to provide reasonable and prudent resources and tools necessary to support graduate-level Seminary students preparing for service in Lutheran church vocation. That support includes raising and administering the expenditure of funds to support tuition, housing, costs, expenses and fees related to the education of those named as beneficiaries of the Foundation, and their preparation for ministry.

The purpose of my bringing you to this in email is to inform you that we will be, in the near future, looking for donators to help establish and maintain this fund.

The initial recipients for the projected 2009 year are Randy and Christine Buttram, very close and dear friends of mine--which is why I accepted this seat, and why I bring this before you.

At this time, we are simply looking for folks who would like more information--our initial informational letter is currently under production and will be ready for mailing within the next two weeks--and this is where you come in.

If you are interested in receiving the initial letter and putting your name on our mailing list--and no, there is no obligation to donate, just that you read what we have to offer, and how you can help.

All you need to do just drop me an email with name and mailing address (offlist, please), nothing more, and your address will be entered into the database and you'll receive, after Easter, our first informational letter, a flyer in July, and an update newsletter this fall.

Thanks for your time--and for your patience as I stumble through this request. If you know someone who might also be interested in at least taking a look--forward on my email to them.