The Body of Christ never says GoodBye

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored,all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27 ESV)

As Concordia Seminary gets ready to embark on its 175th academic school year, a reminder came that I hadn’t written my follow up to saying goodbye and what it meant for this fourth year. Let’s face it 4th year was a major struggle for me. I was walking down two paths; one to the parish and one towards further graduate study. As the year went on discernment was necessary to make a decision on which path to walk. In the end, God selected the path for me and this has led me into the parish. (Where I am extremely happy, I might add)

One of the hardest things to do in life is to say goodbye and when it comes to the seminary community that task becomes even harder. For 4 years you are linked into a formation path with 60-70 men and women leading into church work. You grow with these individuals. Their experiences and background shape you and your experiences and background shape them. Both share in each other’s joys and pains. It is an experience like none other in life. Add in the friendships cultivated with families, staff and faculty… and I for one was sad to leave the seminary community.

The text above provided me comfort for many reasons. 1. God is at work no matter where I am and the path He leads me down. 2. Thanks to Christ, I am part of the body. 3. No matter where I am, I am a necessary part of the body. This guides my thinking about communities, friends, and family. Since we are all part of the body of Christ, this means we are always together, unified. We may be in different locations, but are always fulfilling our function in the body according to God’s Will.

Another thought that comes to mind is once a part of a community, always a part of a community. We should always be concerned, show love, and care for the communities we have been a part of. As I look back, I have been a part of numerous communities; church, family, grade school, high school, college (twice), neighborhoods, cities, seminary, and the parish. In each case, just because we move away, we don’t cease to care about those still existing physically in that community. The same can be said about the body of Christ. God calls home His children and even though they have fallen asleep in the Lord, they’re still part of the body of Christ and thus still part of our community.

The original blog post was called, “the Art of saying Goodbye.” I’ve since learned we aren’t to say goodbye. We are only to say, “until we meet again” or “until our paths cross again” or “cya when Christ returns.” Regardless of status in life or location, we are still part of the body of Christ and because of this there is never any need to say goodbye.

To my brothers and sisters at Concordia Seminary, blessings on the upcoming school year. Please know that you are always in my prayers. May God richly bless your studies and formation, may His Will for you be revealed, and may He protect you from the Evil One all of your days.

Your Brother in Christ,

Rev. Eric Ekong

Concordia Seminary Alumnus – Class of 2013

Concordia Seminary to Host ‘Making Abortion Unthinkable’ Workshop

CONCORDIA SEMINARY TO HOST ‘MAKING ABORTION UNTHINKABLE’ WORKSHOP           

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ST. LOUIS—Concordia Seminary will offer a workshop titled “Making Abortion Unthinkable” on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, to be held in Sieck Hall 202 on the Seminary campus. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., the program begins at 9:00 a.m., and will conclude at 2:30 p.m.

The workshop will include video-based presentations as well as discussions segments. Dr. Jeffrey Gibbs, professor of New Testament at Concordia Seminary, will present the workshop.

The workshop will strengthen and clarify understanding for those who attend, as well as equip them to speak winsomely, even to non-Christians, on behalf of the unborn. The workshop is suitable for adults and older teens. Each participant will also receive a helpful manual of materials.

Pre-registration with payment by Jan. 21 is required. The registration cost for “Making Abortion Unthinkable” is $20 and includes lunch and materials.

For more information or to register for “Making Abortion Unthinkable,” call 314-505-7486 or email ce@csl.edu. You may also register online at www.csl.edu. Concordia Seminary is located at 801 Seminary Place in Clayton, Mo.

 

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Pre-Lenten Workshop Offered at Concordia Seminary

PRE-LENTEN WORKSHOP OFFERED AT CONCORDIA SEMINARY

November 19, 2012

ST. LOUIS—Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will offer a one-day pre-Lenten workshop for pastors on Friday, January 18, 2013 called “Good and Perfect Gifts: A Lenten Sermon Series on Isaiah 56–66.”

Each sermon in this series takes up a specific gift from a text in Isaiah 56–66, interprets it through the life and times of Isaiah, and then creatively applies it to Christians as they journey in Lent from the cross to the empty tomb. Workshop participants will not only become more familiar with this oft-neglected section of Isaiah, but they will be equipped and inspired to proclaim God’s good and perfect gifts that flow from our Savior’s bitter suffering and death.

Pastors will gather from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. in the Presidents’ Room on the Seminary campus. Registration cost is $50, including all materials and lunch. A registration form can be found at www.csl.edu under Continuing Education to submit online or print and mail. For questions, call 314-505-7486 or email ce@csl.edu.

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New Classes Welcomed To Seminary At Opening Service

NEW CLASSES WELCOMED TO SEMINARY AT OPENING SERVICE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 20, 2012

 

ST. LOUIS—On Friday, Aug. 31, at 11:00 a.m., Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, began its 174^th academic year with a special worship service in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus on the Seminary campus. Dr. Dale A. Meyer, president of Concordia Seminary, served as preacher.

 

The incoming class is comprised of 122 students, including all those newly enrolled in residential and distance programs: 80 residential M.Div. students; eight residential alternate route students; three deaconess students; seven EIIT (Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology) students; 21 SMP (Specific Ministry Pastor Program) students; and three exchange students. In addition, Concordia Seminary’s Graduate School has 13 new students: three M.A. (Master of Arts) students; three Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) students, and seven S.T.M. (Master of Sacred Theology) students.

 

The 21 new SMP students received vicarage assignments during the Opening Service as well.

 

In addition, two new staff members were installed: Mr. Philip Ebeling as executive director of communications, and Rev. Wayne Knolhoff as director of placement and alumni relations.

 

Three current faculty members and one current staff member were installed in new positions: Dr. Charles Arand as director of the Center for the Care of Creation; Dr. Victor Raj as occupant of the Buehner-Duesenberg Chair in Missions; Dr. Jeffrey Kloha as director of the Center for the Study of Early Christian Texts; and Rev. Jeffrey Thormodson as director of the MissionShift Institute.

 

For more information, please contact communications@csl.edu or call 314-505-7379.

 

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Concordia Seminary To Begin 174th Academic Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 23, 2012

ST. LOUIS—On Friday, Aug. 31, at 11:00 a.m., Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will begin its 174^th academic year with a special worship service in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus on the Seminary campus. Dr. Dale A. Meyer, president of Concordia Seminary, will serve as preacher.

Two new employees to the Seminary will be installed: Mr. Philip Ebeling as executive director of communications, and Rev. Wayne Knolhoff as director of placement and alumni relations.

Three professors will be installed into additional positions: Dr. Charles Arand as director of the Center for the Care of Creation; Dr. Jeffrey Kloha as director of the Center for the Study of Early Christian Texts; and Dr. Victor Raj as occupant of the Buehner-Duesenberg Chair in Missions. Staff member Rev. Jeffrey Thormodson will be installed as director of the MissionShift Institute.

Two employees in the Seminary Support department will be installed at later dates: Rev. Edward Bertram as deployed gift officer and Mr. Roger Dow as senior gift officer.

During the preceding week, new students will complete an orientation process and register for course work. The orientation process also provides opportunities for new students and their families to become better acquainted, which includes a “Field Day” consisting of sports activities, games for children, and a community-wide barbecue. Classes start on Tuesday, Sept. 4.

Concordia Seminary is located at 801 Seminary Place in St. Louis, Mo. For more information, call 314-505-7379 or emailcommunications@csl.edu.

Spring 2012 Calls and Vicarage Assignments

Credits: Concordia News Release
2012 Spring Calls
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Arranged Alphabetically by Students’ Last Names

Adams, Caleb – St. Lorenz Evangelical Lutheran Church, Frankenmuth, Michigan, Michigan District
Andreasen, Jordon – St. John and Trinity Lutheran Churches, Wagner and Fairfax, South Dakota, South Dakota District
Barry, Matthew – St. Luke Lutheran Church, Cabot, Pennsylvania, Eastern District
Baumann, Joshua – Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Pierre, South Dakota, South Dakota District
Behrens, Matthew – LakePointe Lutheran Church, Hot Springs, Arkansas, Mid-South District
Bernhardt, Robert – Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri, Missouri District
Brandt, Wade – Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ogden, Iowa, Iowa District West
Braun, Benjamin – Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas, Texas District
Burke, Adam – Mount Hope Lutheran Church, Boulder, Colorado, Rocky Mountain District
Bushuiakovish, Mark – Grace Lutheran Church, Knoxville, Tennessee, Mid-South District
Bussman, John – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Cullman, Alabama, Southern District
Christensen, Jonathan – Hope Lutheran Church, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, South Wisconsin District
Davenport, Richard – Trinity Lutheran Church, Cincinnati, Ohio, Ohio District
Davidson, Seth – Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Nederland, Texas, Texas District
Davis, Christopher – Trinity Lutheran Church, Elkhart, Indiana, Indiana District
Dickerhoff, Jacob – Christ the Rock Lutheran Church, Rockford, Illinois, Northern Illinois District
Duley, Jason – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Arlington, Nebraska, Nebraska District
Eden, Timothy – Our Savior Lutheran Church, Sulphur Springs, Texas, Texas District
Edge, David – Zion Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, South Dakota District
Edwards, Lucas – Holy Cross/Immanuel/Trinity Lutheran Churches, Onida/Harrold/Blunt, South Dakota, South Dakota District
Evans, Derek – Clover Trinity Lutheran Church, Buhl, Idaho, Northwest District
Fittje, Kyle – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lockwood, Missouri, Missouri District
Fries, John – Immanuel and St. John’s Lutheran Churches, Trenton and Chillicothe, Missouri, Missouri District
Gehrke, Wesley – Christ Lutheran Church, Norfolk, Virginia, Southeastern District
Griffith, Christopher – St. John’s Lutheran Church, Covington, Oklahoma, Oklahoma District
Harbaugh, Darren – Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ohio, Ohio District
Hardaway, Matthew – St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Missouri District
Hasz, Martin – Eisleben Lutheran Church, Scott City, Missouri, Missouri District
Hemler, Jonathan – Signal Hill Lutheran Church, Belleville, Illinois, Southern Illinois District
Hengst, Adam – King of Glory Lutheran Church, Williamsburg, Virginia, Southeastern District
Herberts, Dean – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Norlina, North Carolina, Southeastern District
Hill, Nathaniel – St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, Winchester, Texas, Texas District
Holden, Jason – Our Savior Lutheran Church and Student Center, Carbondale, Illinois, Southern Illinois District
Holdorf, Zachary – Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau, Wisconsin, North Wisconsin District
Janneke, Kory – Faith Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, South Dakota District
Johnson, Andrew – St. Paul Lutheran Church, Lapeer, Michigan, Michigan District
Johnson, Benjamin – Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Fremont, California, California-Nevada-Hawaii District
Jones, Richard – Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, Minot, North Dakota, North Dakota District
Kasper, Robert Gabe – Board of Mission Admin. (for ACTS, Lakeway), Austin, Texas, Texas District
Koglin, Adam – Redeemer Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minnesota, Minnesota South District
Kollmann, Christopher – Messiah Lutheran Church, Mounds View, Minnesota, Minnesota South District
Lakies, Chad – Concordia University Portland, Portland, Oregon, Northwest District
Larsen, Daniel – Bethany and Trinity Lutheran Churches, Wabasso and Sanborn, Minnesota, Minnesota South District
LeClair, Edward – St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Three Rivers, Michigan, Michigan District
Matyas, Dennis – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Albion, Michigan, Michigan District
Meyer, Joel P. – Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Kingsland, Georgia, Florida-Georgia District
Miller, Joshua – Community of Life Lutheran Church, Oregon, Wisconsin, South Wisconsin District
Misch, Stephen Nathaniel – Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Corpus Christi, Texas, Texas District
Moore, Tyler – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Cedar Park, Texas, Texas District
Moquin, Eric – Faith Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota, Minnesota North District
Mueller, Jacob – Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri, Missouri District
Mull, John David – St. Peter Lutheran Church, Roanoke, Texas, Texas District
Musegades, Michael – Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Grangeville, Idaho, Northwest District
Niebuhr, Jon – Trinity Lutheran Church, Carver, Minnesota, Minnesota South District
Ninke, John – Trinity Lutheran Church, Scottsboro, Alabama, Southern District
Oetting, Timothy – Our Savior Lutheran Church, Sheldon, Iowa, Iowa District West
Onken, Adam – Zion Lutheran Church, Leigh, Nebraska, Nebraska District
Pay, Garen – Peace Lutheran Church, Alcester, South Dakota, South Dakota District
Rasmussen, John – Our Savior Lutheran Church, South Windsor, Connecticut, New England District
Roettjer, Andrew – St. Mark Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas, Texas District
Roma, Thomas – Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Clayton, North Carolina, Southeastern District
Rose, Kevin – Peace and Our Savior Lutheran Churches, Marbleton and Pinedale, Wyoming, Wyoming District
Rosenkoetter, Brian – St. Paul Lutheran Church, Annapolis, Maryland, Southeastern District
Schroeder, David – Our Savior Lutheran Church, Excelsior, Minnesota, Minnesota South District
Schroeder, Ryan – St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, New Richmond, Wisconsin, North Wisconsin District
Schultz, John M. – St. John Lutheran Church, Plymouth, Wisconsin, South Wisconsin District
Sherman, Travis – Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Gordon, Nebraska, Wyoming District
Snoberger, Adam – Trinity Lutheran Church, Grand Island, Nebraska, Nebraska District
Starfeldt, Chad – Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Greenville, Wisconsin, North Wisconsin District
Sutton, August Trevor – St. Luke Lutheran Church, Haslett, Michigan, Michigan District
Synnott, Matthew – Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Peoria, Illinois, Central Illinois District
Urlaub, Bradley – Love of Christ Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota, Minnesota North District
Weaver, Brian – Concordia Lutheran Church, Conover, North Carolina, Southeastern District
Welter, Austen – St. John Lutheran Church, South Euclid, Ohio, Ohio District
Whitmore, Justin – Immanuel and Trinity Lutheran Churches, Clarinda and Shenandoah, Iowa, Iowa District West
Winckler, Paul – Zion Lutheran Church, Rapid City, South Dakota, South Dakota District
Wollenberg, Nathan – St. Paul Lutheran Church, McAllen, Texas, Texas District
Wolters, Luke – Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wellsville, Missouri, Missouri District
Woodrow, Joshua – LakePointe Lutheran Church, Hot Springs, Arkansas, Mid-South District
Yearyean, Timothy – Grace Lutheran Church, Hibbing, Minnesota, Minnesota North District
Zeigler, Michael – Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri, Missouri District

CALL PENDING
Ikanih, Afam (EIIT)

DEACONESS

ASSIGNMENT PENDING
Griffith, Jennifer

EIIT: Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology

2012 Spring Calls
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Arranged by LCMS District

California-Nevada-Hawaii District
Johnson, Benjamin – Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Fremont, California

Central Illinois District
Synnott, Matthew – Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Peoria, Illinois

Eastern District
Barry, Matthew – St. Luke Lutheran Church, Cabot, Pennsylvania

Florida-Georgia District
Meyer, Joel P. – Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Kingsland, Georgia

Indiana District
Davis, Christopher – Trinity Lutheran Church, Elkhart, Indiana

Iowa District West
Brandt, Wade – Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ogden, Iowa
Oetting, Timothy – Our Savior Lutheran Church, Sheldon, Iowa
Whitmore, Justin – Immanuel and Trinity Lutheran Churches, Clarinda and Shenandoah, Iowa

Michigan District
Adams, Caleb – St. Lorenz Evangelical Lutheran Church, Frankenmuth, Michigan
Johnson, Andrew – St. Paul Lutheran Church, Lapeer, Michigan
LeClair, Edward – St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Three Rivers, Michigan
Matyas, Dennis – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Albion, Michigan
Sutton, August Trevor – St. Luke Lutheran Church, Haslett, Michigan

Mid-South District
Behrens, Matthew – LakePointe Lutheran Church, Hot Springs, Arkansas
Bushuiakovish, Mark – Grace Lutheran Church, Knoxville, Tennessee
Woodrow, Joshua – LakePointe Lutheran Church, Hot Springs, Arkansas

Minnesota North District
Moquin, Eric – Faith Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota
Urlaub, Bradley – Love of Christ Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota
Yearyean, Timothy – Grace Lutheran Church, Hibbing, Minnesota

Minnesota South District
Koglin, Adam – Redeemer Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minnesota
Kollmann, Christopher – Messiah Lutheran Church, Mounds View, Minnesota
Larsen, Daniel – Bethany and Trinity Lutheran Churches, Wabasso and Sanborn, Minnesota
Niebuhr, Jon – Trinity Lutheran Church, Carver, Minnesota
Schroeder, David – Our Savior Lutheran Church, Excelsior, Minnesota

Missouri District
Bernhardt, Robert – Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri
Fittje, Kyle – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lockwood, Missouri
Fries, John – Immanuel and St. John’s Lutheran Churches, Trenton and Chillicothe, Missouri
Hardaway, Matthew – St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Lee’s Summit, Missouri
Hasz, Martin – Eisleben Lutheran Church, Scott City, Missouri
Mueller, Jacob – Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri
Wolters, Luke – Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wellsville, Missouri
Zeigler, Michael – Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri

Nebraska District
Duley, Jason – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Arlington, Nebraska
Onken, Adam – Zion Lutheran Church, Leigh, Nebraska
Snoberger, Adam – Trinity Lutheran Church, Grand Island, Nebraska

New England District
Rasmussen, John – Our Savior Lutheran Church, South Windsor, Connecticut

North Dakota District
Jones, Richard – Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, Minot, North Dakota

North Wisconsin District
Holdorf, Zachary – Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau, Wisconsin
Schroeder, Ryan – St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, New Richmond, Wisconsin
Starfeldt, Chad – Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Greenville, Wisconsin

Northern Illinois District
Dickerhoff, Jacob – Christ the Rock Lutheran Church, Rockford, Illinois

Northwest District
Evans, Derek – Clover Trinity Lutheran Church, Buhl, Idaho
Lakies, Chad – Concordia University Portland, Portland, Oregon
Musegades, Michael – Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Grangeville, Idaho

Ohio District
Davenport, Richard – Trinity Lutheran Church, Cincinnati, Ohio
Harbaugh, Darren – Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ohio
Welter, Austen – St. John Lutheran Church, South Euclid, Ohio

Oklahoma District
Griffith, Christopher – St. John’s Lutheran Church, Covington, Oklahoma

Rocky Mountain District
Burke, Adam – Mount Hope Lutheran Church, Boulder, Colorado

South Dakota District
Andreasen, Jordon – St. John and Trinity Lutheran Churches, Wagner and Fairfax, South Dakota
Baumann, Joshua – Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Pierre, South Dakota
Edge, David – Zion Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Edwards, Lucas – Holy Cross/Immanuel/Trinity Lutheran Churches, Onida/Harrold/Blunt, South Dakota
Janneke, Kory – Faith Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Pay, Garen – Peace Lutheran Church, Alcester, South Dakota
Winckler, Paul – Zion Lutheran Church, Rapid City, South Dakota

South Wisconsin District
Christensen, Jonathan – Hope Lutheran Church, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Miller, Joshua – Community of Life Lutheran Church, Oregon, Wisconsin
Schultz, John M. – St. John Lutheran Church, Plymouth, Wisconsin

Southeastern District
Gehrke, Wesley – Christ Lutheran Church, Norfolk, Virginia
Hengst, Adam – King of Glory Lutheran Church, Williamsburg, Virginia
Herberts, Dean – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Norlina, North Carolina
Roma, Thomas – Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Clayton, North Carolina
Rosenkoetter, Brian – St. Paul Lutheran Church, Annapolis, Maryland
Weaver, Brian – Concordia Lutheran Church, Conover, North Carolina

Southern District
Bussman, John – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Cullman, Alabama
Ninke, John – Trinity Lutheran Church, Scottsboro, Alabama

Southern Illinois District
Hemler, Jonathan – Signal Hill Lutheran Church, Belleville, Illinois
Holden, Jason – Our Savior Lutheran Church and Student Center, Carbondale, Illinois

Texas District
Braun, Benjamin – Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas
Davidson, Seth – Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Nederland, Texas
Eden, Timothy – Our Savior Lutheran Church, Sulphur Springs, Texas
Hill, Nathaniel – St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, Winchester, Texas
Kasper, Robert Gabe – Board of Mission Admin. (for ACTS, Lakeway), Austin, Texas
Misch, Stephen Nathaniel – Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Corpus Christi, Texas
Moore, Tyler – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Cedar Park, Texas
Mull, John David – St. Peter Lutheran Church, Roanoke, Texas
Roettjer, Andrew – St. Mark Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas
Wollenberg, Nathan – St. Paul Lutheran Church, McAllen, Texas

Wyoming District
Rose, Kevin – Peace and Our Savior Lutheran Churches, Marbleton and Pinedale, Wyoming
Sherman, Travis – Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Gordon, Nebraska

CALL PENDING
Ikanih, Afam (EIIT)

DEACONESS

ASSIGNMENT PENDING
Griffith, Jennifer

EIIT: Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology

2012 Spring Vicarages and Deaconess Internships
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Arranged Alphabetically by Students’ Last Names

Ankersen, Ryan – St. Paul Lutheran Church, Flemington, New Jersey, New Jersey District
Barlau, Joseph – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Seymour, Indiana, Indiana District
Bartholomew, Andrew – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Elmhurst, Illinois, Northern Illinois District
Bender, Douglas – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Macomb, Michigan, Michigan District
Black, Eric – Trinity Lutheran Church, Des Moines, Iowa, Iowa District West
Brandon, Kurt – Faith Lutheran Church, Bloomington, Indiana, Indiana District
Conrad, James – Light of the Hills Lutheran Church, Cameron Park, California, California-Nevada-Hawaii District
Deardoff, Carl – Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Madison, Wisconsin, South Wisconsin District
Doering, Theodore – Trinity Lutheran Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Southern District
Eden, Joel – St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, Frankenmuth, Michigan, Michigan District
Elfe, Chad – New Beginnings Lutheran Church, Pacific, Missouri, Missouri District
Erdman, Michael – Trinity Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minnesota, Minnesota South District
Espinosa, Alfonso – Salem Lutheran Church, Affton, Missouri, Missouri District
Fertitta, Patrick – Faith Lutheran Church, Tullahoma, Tennessee, Mid-South District
Fraker, Timothy – St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Oviedo, Florida, SELC District
Gerber, Anthony – St. John’s Lutheran Church, Orchard Park, New York, Eastern District
Grote, Joshua – Zion Lutheran Church, Palmyra, Missouri, Missouri District
Hanson, Kale – Zion Lutheran Church, Bethalto, Illinois, Southern Illinois District
Heckmann, Michael – Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Oklahoma District
Hinrichs, Brett – St. John’s Lutheran Church, Decatur, Illinois, Central Illinois District
Holman, Raymond – St. John’s Lutheran Church, East Moline, Illinois, Central Illinois District
Koltz, Gary – Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Bridgeton, Missouri, Missouri District
Krepel, Joshua – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Washington, Missouri, Missouri District
Kruse, Caleb – Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lakewood, Colorado, Rocky Mountain District
Lally, Richard – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Gretna, Nebraska, Nebraska District
Llewellyn, Joseph – Christ the Rock Lutheran Church, Rockford, Illinois, Northern Illinois District
Marque, Edward (Alex) – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Roanoke, Virginia, Southeastern District
Martinal, Timothy – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, New Hartford, Connecticut, New England District
Meyer, Jonathan – Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Edmond, Oklahoma, Oklahoma District
Murillo, David – Cross Lutheran Church, New Braunfels, Texas, Texas District
Nguyen, Daniel – Trinity Lutheran Church, Sacramento, California, California-Nevada-Hawaii District
Ostlund, Daniel – Our Savior Lutheran Church and Lutheran Student Center, Carbondale, Illinois, Southern Illinois District
Parker, Harrison – Messiah Lutheran Church, Clio, Michigan, Michigan District
Peters, Matthew D. – Blessed Savior Lutheran Church, Florissant, Missouri, Missouri District
Pettit, Joshua – St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Elberta, Alabama, Southern District
Potts, Daniel – Grace Lutheran Church, Winter Haven, Florida, Florida-Georgia District
Reinke, Joshua – Trinity Lutheran Church, Howards Grove, Wisconsin, South Wisconsin District
Reynolds, Stephen – First Lutheran Church, Gainesville, Florida, Florida-Georgia District
Ross, Bernard – Our Savior Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Missouri, Missouri District
Rosse, Andrew – Trinity Lutheran Church, Grand Island, Nebraska, Nebraska District
Rusert, Joshua – Living Savior Lutheran Church, Fairfax Station, Virginia, Southeastern District
Schaekel, Timothy – Trinity Lutheran Church, Janesville, Minnesota, Minnesota South District
Schlund, Andrew – Zion Lutheran Church, Litchfield, Illinois, Southern Illinois District
Schmidt, Micah – Ascension Lutheran Church, Wichita, Kansas, Kansas District
Smith, Harry – Concordia Lutheran Church, Conover, North Carolina, Southeastern District
Strussenberg, David – Trinity Lutheran Church, Ironwood, Michigan, North Wisconsin District
Taylor, Ryan – Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Warner Robins, Georgia, Florida-Georgia District
Vanderhyde, David – University Hills Lutheran Church, Denver, Colorado, Rocky Mountain District
Wade, Jeffrey – Trinity Lutheran Church, Troy, Missouri, Missouri District
Wampfler, Jacob – Woodbury Lutheran Church, Woodbury, Minnesota, Minnesota South District
Warmbier, Matthew – Trinity Lutheran Church, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, Office of International Mission
Wildauer, Weston – Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Florida-Georgia District
Wilshusen, James – Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Missouri, Missouri District
Wilson, Andrew – Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Green Bay, Wisconsin, North Wisconsin District
Wingfield, William – Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Olathe, Kansas, Kansas District
Witt, Lucas – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Baltimore, Maryland, Southeastern District

Alternate Route
Hanchett, Mark – St. John Lutheran Church, Akron, Ohio, Ohio District
Haugen, Daniel – Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bellingham, Washington, Northwest District
Heermann, William – Trinity Lutheran Church, Amherst, Nebraska, Nebraska District
Hooper, William – St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hamburg, Michigan, Michigan District
Schockman, Gary – Christ Lutheran Church, Clinton, Wisconsin, South Wisconsin District
Vogeli, Mitchell – Nativity Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Michigan, Michigan District
Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS)
Corps, Rafael – Messiah Lutheran Church, Tampa, Florida, Florida-Georgia District
Huertas, Jose – Messiah Lutheran Church, Tampa, Florida, Florida-Georgia District
Justiniano, William – Messiah Lutheran Church, Tampa, Florida, Florida-Georgia District
Mendez, Arturo – Centro Familiar Cristiano, Houston, Texas, Texas District
Morales, Moises – Mount Zion Lutheran Church, Richmond, California, California-Nevada-Hawaii District

Cross-Cultural Ministry Center (CMC)
Dirks, Dennis – Our Savior Lutheran Church, Livermore, California, California-Nevada-Hawaii District
Schuermann, John – St. Luke Lutheran Church, Reno, Nevada, California-Nevada-Hawaii District

DEACONESS
Effken, Ashley – Lutheran Senior Services, Webster Groves, Missouri, Missouri District
Elliott, Sarah – Village Lutheran Church, Ladue, Missouri, Missouri District
Fallaque Maria (CHS) – Messiah Lutheran Church, Tampa, Florida, Florida-Georgia District
White, Sylvia – Messiah Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri, Missouri District

CHS: Center for Hispanic Studies
CMC: Cross-Cultural Ministry Center

2012 Spring Vicarage and Deaconess Assignments
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Arranged by LCMS District

California-Nevada-Hawaii District
Conrad, James – Light of the Hills Lutheran Church, Cameron Park, California
Dirks, Dennis (CMC) – Our Savior Lutheran Church, Livermore, California
Morales, Moises (CHS) – Mount Zion Lutheran Church, Richmond, California
Nguyen, Daniel – Trinity Lutheran Church, Sacramento, California
Schuermann, John (CMC) – St. Luke Lutheran Church, Reno, Nevada

Central Illinois District
Hinrichs, Brett – St. John’s Lutheran Church, Decatur, Illinois
Holman, Raymond – St. John’s Lutheran Church, East Moline, Illinois

Eastern District
Gerber, Anthony – St. John’s Lutheran Church, Orchard Park, New York

Florida-Georgia District
Corps, Rafael (CHS) – Messiah Lutheran Church, Tampa, Florida
Huertas, Jose (CHS) – Messiah Lutheran Church, Tampa, Florida
Justiniano, William (CHS) – Messiah Lutheran Church, Tampa, Florida
Potts, Daniel – Grace Lutheran Church, Winter Haven, Florida
Reynolds, Stephen – First Lutheran Church, Gainesville, Florida
Taylor, Ryan – Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Warner Robins, Georgia
Wildauer, Weston – Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Indiana District
Barlau, Joseph – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Seymour, Indiana
Brandon, Kurt – Faith Lutheran Church, Bloomington, Indiana

Iowa District West
Black, Eric – Trinity Lutheran Church, Des Moines, Iowa

Kansas District
Schmidt, Micah – Ascension Lutheran Church, Wichita, Kansas
Wingfield, William – Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Olathe, Kansas

Michigan District
Bender, Douglas – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Macomb, Michigan
Eden, Joel – St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, Frankenmuth, Michigan
Hooper, William – St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hamburg, Michigan
Parker, Harrison – Messiah Lutheran Church, Clio, Michigan
Vogeli, Mitchell – Nativity Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Michigan

Mid-South District
Fertitta, Patrick – Faith Lutheran Church, Tullahoma, Tennessee

Minnesota South District
Erdman, Michael – Trinity Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minnesota
Schaekel, Timothy – Trinity Lutheran Church, Janesville, Minnesota
Wampfler, Jacob – Woodbury Lutheran Church, Woodbury, Minnesota

Missouri District
Elfe, Chad – New Beginnings Lutheran Church, Pacific, Missouri
Espinosa, Alfonso – Salem Lutheran Church, Affton, Missouri
Grote, Joshua – Zion Lutheran Church, Palmyra, Missouri
Koltz, Gary – Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Bridgeton, Missouri
Krepel, Joshua – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Washington, Missouri
Peters, Matthew D. – Blessed Savior Lutheran Church, Florissant, Missouri
Ross, Bernard – Our Savior Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Missouri
Wade, Jeffrey – Trinity Lutheran Church, Troy, Missouri
Wilshusen, James – Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Missouri

Nebraska District
Heermann, William – Trinity Lutheran Church, Amherst, Nebraska
Lally, Richard – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Gretna, Nebraska
Rosse, Andrew – Trinity Lutheran Church, Grand Island, Nebraska

New England District
Martinal, Timothy – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, New Hartford, Connecticut

New Jersey District
Ankersen, Ryan – St. Paul Lutheran Church, Flemington, New Jersey

North Wisconsin District
Strussenberg, David – Trinity Lutheran Church, Ironwood, Michigan
Wilson, Andrew – Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Northern Illinois District
Bartholomew, Andrew – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Elmhurst, Illinois
Llewellyn, Joseph – Christ the Rock Lutheran Church, Rockford, Illinois

Northwest District
Haugen, Daniel – Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bellingham, Washington

Ohio District
Hanchett, Mark – St. John Lutheran Church, Akron, Ohio

Oklahoma District
Heckmann, Michael – Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Meyer, Jonathan – Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Edmond, Oklahoma

Rocky Mountain District
Kruse, Caleb – Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lakewood, Colorado
Vanderhyde, David – University Hills Lutheran Church, Denver, Colorado

SELC District
Fraker, Timothy – St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Oviedo, Florida

South Wisconsin District
Deardoff, Carl – Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Madison, Wisconsin
Reinke, Joshua – Trinity Lutheran Church, Howards Grove, Wisconsin
Schockman, Gary – Christ Lutheran Church, Clinton, Wisconsin

Southeastern District
Marque, Edward (Alex) – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Roanoke, Virginia
Rusert, Joshua – Living Savior Lutheran Church, Fairfax Station, Virginia
Smith, Harry – Concordia Lutheran Church, Conover, North Carolina
Witt, Lucas – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Baltimore, Maryland

Southern District
Doering, Theodore – Trinity Lutheran Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Pettit, Joshua – St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Elberta, Alabama

Southern Illinois District
Hanson, Kale – Zion Lutheran Church, Bethalto, Illinois
Ostlund, Daniel – Our Savior Lutheran Church and Lutheran Student Center, Carbondale, Illinois
Schlund, Andrew – Zion Lutheran Church, Litchfield, Illinois

Texas District
Mendez, Arturo (CHS) – Centro Familiar Cristiano, Houston, Texas
Murillo, David – Cross Lutheran Church, New Braunfels, Texas

Office of International Mission
Warmbier, Matthew – Trinity Lutheran Church, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

DEACONESS

Florida-Georgia District
Fallaque Maria (CHS) – Messiah Lutheran Church, Tampa, Florida

Missouri District
Effken, Ashley – Lutheran Senior Services, Webster Groves, Missouri
Elliott, Sarah – Village Lutheran Church, Ladue, Missouri
White, Sylvia – Messiah Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri

CHS: Center for Hispanic Studies
CMC: Cross-Cultural Ministry Center

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Call Day Post by Rev. Schmidt

A very fitting blog posts on Call Day from Rev. Schmidt.

Such a time as this - Esther 4:14

On Wednesday, April 25, 2007, I sat in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus on the campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and patiently waited to hear the words: Michael Schmidt – Kansas District – Peace Lutheran Church – Natoma, Kansas.

Prior to that moment, I had never been to Kansas, never thought I would live in Kansas, and never even heard of Natoma.  Prior to that moment, I was a typical east coast person who thought Kansas consisted of Kansas City, Wichita, and Topeka, and that was it; but now, I was the newest resident of the state, and I would reside at least 3 hours west of Wichita and Topeka, and 6 hours west of Kansas City.

However, despite what so many say, my experience that night was not typical.  Both the St. Louis and the Fort Wayne seminary will quote ad nausea Isaiah 6:8…

View original post 576 more words

Life Continues: Reflections on Call Day

At this point we are a day away from Call Day. The day 2nd, 3rd (deferred), and 4th year seminarians look forward to with anticipation. Don’t be fooled anyone who says, “I haven’t thought about it much.” They are putting on a brave face for you and others. In reality, the months leading up to Call Day can be very draining mentally and spiritually for those receiving assignments, their family and friends, and the church that will welcome them. Where will I go? Will they welcome me? Where will God get this biggest bang out of me? Was I selfish in the areas I thought best enhanced my skill set? Will I get along with my supervisor? What will happen with my family and friends? All of these are questions that have and will continue to run through the minds of seminarians, their families and friends, and their waiting congregation. There is no way to get around it.

Even for those very few who already know where they are are going to be placed, the stress of Call Day doesn’t escape them. The same worries fester within them as well. It becomes harder to concentrate on class work. Your instructors will work to keep you focused on the task at hand. They know more than anyone else, that life continues after you have heard your name called and you have learned you the location of your assignment. Life continues as they are still assignments to be completed, packing to take care of, arrangements to be made, and other life issues to pay attention.

Yes, I assure you Life Continues after you open that white envelope (after the service, not during). Life continues after you have met your supervisor, had dinner with family, and shared with friends. Life continues as the next day you are expected to re-focus on the exam or paper that is due in a couple of days. In fact because Life Continues, you owe it to yourself, your placement location, and future parish down the line that re-focus on what is important, the here and now. The church expects you to be the best of the best. The church is entrusting you with a noble task among its people.

I speak from experience. I am only days away from hitting the 1yr mark when I received my vicarage placement. Life continues with your formation. Rejoice in reaching this milestone of your formation careers. However, realize this is only a step, not the finish line. Let me be the first to congratulate you all on your vicarage placements and 1st Calls. Remember, this is not the finish line. Life Continues…

Call Day is May 1st at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

CALL DAY IS MAY 1 AT CONCORDIA SEMINARY, ST. LOUIS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2012

ST. LOUIS—Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, cordially invites the public to share in the joy of Call Day on Tuesday, May 1, 2012. Students who will serve as vicars or deaconess interns (a one-year internship) next year will receive their assignments during a 3:00 p.m. (CDT) worship service. Rev. Keith E. Kohlmeier, president of the Kansas District, will serve as preacher.

During a 7:00 p.m. worship service, candidates for the pastoral ministry will receive their first calls to serve as pastors, missionaries, and chaplains in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). One deaconess studies student will receive a call into the diaconal ministry. Dr. Jon T. Diefenthaler, president of the Southeastern District, will serve as preacher. Both services will be held in the Seminary’s Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus.

Those unable to attend may listen to the services online via the Seminary’s website (www.csl.edu). Both audio and video will be available. For more information, visit the Seminary’s website beginning two weeks prior to the services.

The vicarages and calls will be posted on Concordia Seminary’s website on May 1 at 9:00 p.m. Lists also will be emailed at the same time via the Seminary’s email list service, CSLNEWS. Those who desire to subscribe to CSLNEWS prior to the May 1 services in order to receive the lists may do so at the bottom of this email. A complete listing also will be featured in the spring/summer issue of Concordia Seminary magazine. Audio and video recordings of the sermons for both services will be available on the Seminary’s website within 24 hours.

For more information, contact creative services, Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105; 314-505-7379; communications@csl.edu.

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Pre-Lenten Workshop Offered at Concordia Seminary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2011

ST. LOUIS—Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will offer a one-day pre-Lenten workshop for pastors on Friday, January 20, 2012 called “Seeing is Not Believing: The Passion Story in Mark.”

Those following the three-year lectionary will hear Mark’s unique voice this year. Mid-week Lenten services offer the opportunity to contemplate Mark’s account of Christ’s passion, which is not part of the Sunday lectionary cycle.

Pastors will gather from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. in the Presidents’ Room on the Seminary campus. The morning will focus on an overview of Mark and exegesis of Mark’s passion and resurrection account, led by Dr. James Voelz. Following lunch (included in registration fee), weekly service themes will be explained by Seminary professors Drs. Voelz, Jeffrey Gibbs, Joel Biermann, Charles Arand, and Kent Burreson. Included in the service themes will be Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Resurrection of Our Lord.

Registration cost is $50, including all materials and lunch. A registration form can be found at http://www.csl.edu under Continuing Education. For questions, call 314-505-7486 or email ce@csl.edu.

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