The Rev. Dr. Leonard H. Bolick, The Rev. Dr. Jon T. Diefenthaler, Dr. David J. and Mrs. Kathy Ludwig, The Rev. Scott J. Suskovic and Ms. Suzanne Gibson Wise will each be recognized by Wheat Ridge Ministries for their ministries of health and hope at a special reception and dinner on March 26, 2006 at the Renaissance Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina.  The reception will begin at 5:00 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:00 p.m.

Wheat Ridge Ministries, along with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, is pleased to host two Wellness Days for Professional Church Workers in the Southern California area in February, 2006.

Wheat Ridge Ministries, in partnership with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), is offering financial assistance to Lutheran congregations to encourage the development of new services for and with immigrants and refugees.  For the eighth year, competitive grants are available through the Good Samaritan Fund established in honor of The Rev. August Bernthal for his dedicated leadership in serving refugees and immigrants.  Seed grants up to $5,000 are available to enable congregations to develop vital support services needed beyond the initial stages of resettlement.

Nearly 450 participants gathered to celebrate their faith at Wheat Ridge Ministries’ “Living Well” National Symposium on Health and Hope, October 13-15, in Denver, Colorado.  The event was a major part of the 100th Anniversary celebration of Wheat Ridge.

The Rev. William H. Ameiss, The Rev. Dr. Alan F. Harre and The Rev. Phyllis N. Kersten will each be recognized with Wheat Ridge Ministries’ 2006 “Seeds of Hope” Award at the Seventh Annual Benefit Dinner on February 4, 2006 at The Lodge at McDonald’s Office Campus in Oak Brook, Illinois. 

Wheat Ridge Ministries, an independent Lutheran non-profit organization, recently awarded nearly $42,000 in Congregation Health and Hope Grants to 24 Lutheran congregations across the country. 

Wheat Ridge Ministries is pleased to introduce its newest resource, Living Well! 100 Seeds to Grow Your Spirit.  This book is a collection of insights, prayers and inspiration and is a way to join in Wheat Ridge Ministries’ celebration of 100 years of seeding new ministries of health and hope.

Wheat Ridge Ministries is excited to announce that the Walther League Legacy Fund surpassed the one million dollar mark at the 2005 reunion of Michigan Walther Leaguers in Frankenmuth, Michigan.  Nearly 250 gathered at the 21st annual reunion in September. 

Wheat Ridge Ministries is pleased to announce that Ms. Jennifer Grandberry has recently joined the organization’s development staff.  Some of Grandberry’s responsibilities will include promoting major gift relationships, enhancing charitable giving methodologies and presenting the Wheat Ridge story to individuals and congregations.

Wheat Ridge Ministries is offering financial assistance to Lutheran congregations that are supporting and encouraging the health and wellness of church leaders by providing sabbatical experiences for pastors and other full-time professional church workers in the congregation.  This grant program is being implemented as a pilot project of Wheat Ridge Ministries.