LETTERS: LCMS PRESIDENT'S DEATH TOUCHED MANY IN OUR AREA

To the editor:

Two events occurred recently which touched the lives of thousands of people in Southeast Missouri and throughout the world. I am talking about the death of Dr. Alvin Barry, president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod March 23 in Orlando, Fla., and his funeral March 30 in St. Louis.

Barry had served as president of the LCMS, which has its roots in the Altenburg-Frohna area, since 1992. Barry was the first president in the history of the LCMS to have died in office. He is succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Robert Kuhn, who had been the first vice president.

Barry preached on different occasions in congregations in Southeast Missouri. He was noted for his fivefold vision statement for the LCMS: 1. Be in the Word. 2. Care for one another. 3. Tell the Good News of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. 4. Remain faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran confessions. 5. Live in peace. He was also known for his slogan: "Keep the message straight! Get the message out!"

Barry's heart was in the parish ministry. He had a great heart for full-time professional church workers and the people they served.

We in our church have been blessed to have enjoyed the leadership of this spiritual giant who truly sought spiritual unity with other Christian denominations based on the teachings of God's Word.

The REV. DAVID V. DISSEN

Pastor Emeritus

Trinity Lutheran Church

Cape Girardeau