[ FROM OUR PRESIDENT ] Non Posse Peccare. Class was coming to an end and our discussion of the loss of the free will of mankind was concluding with that Latin expression: non posse peccare (not able to sin). And it hit me (shame on me for not allowing that thought to resonate sooner), that’s what this is all about. That’s why we are here on this campus gathered around the cross of Christ. That’s why we are taking such efforts to continue to educate in socially-distanced and freshly-sanitized classrooms. That’s why we continually seek ways to lift up those who are not just socially-distanced, but are also feeling emotionallydistanced in these COVID times. We struggle so hard and labor so intently because there is a day coming when we, by God’s grace, will be non posse peccare. It was at that moment I asked the seniors to stop typing on their Chromebooks. I wanted them to not let this moment pass as an academic exercise with dutifully-scripted notes. I wanted them to dream a bit about that day. These seniors have been through an emotional rollercoaster. They endured the abrupt end of in-person instruction and a hasty switch to virtual instruction in March of 2020. They witnessed the devastation of a cancelled graduation for the class of 2020 grieving for and with their friends. They went through the anxiety of the uncertainty of in-person instruction for their own senior year. They tolerated another pivot to distance-learning in November. In the second semester they came back to further measures to protect and mitigate the spread of this virus. They have experienced limitations on social activities and experiences that are normal and vital for high school seniors. And they have excelled in the midst of all of it. (64% of our student body made the honor roll in the first semester, an increase of 11% from our recent average.) Needless to say, they needed that moment. Truth be told, I needed that moment. We needed that moment when we could dream a little bit of what it means to be non posse peccare. We needed to dream about the destination that has been secured for us by Christ, guaranteed by a Spirit-given faith, and is being prepared by the Lamb who longs for us to enjoy his eternal home with him. We needed to dream about an existence that has no limitations or restrictions, no worry or anxiety. And so we sat silently for a few moments just dreaming, knowing that our every thought of glory paled in comparison to the glory that is the reality of heaven.
CARDINAL CONNECTION
WINTER 2021
Chief Editor Rev. Mark T. Luetzow Graphic Design Michael D. Priebe, MLS ‘94
www.mlsem.org Cardinal Connection is published in winter and summer free of charge for MLS alumni and friends. SUBMIT NEWS ITEMS TO: Michael Priebe, Public Relations mdp@mlsem.org SUBMIT ADDRESS CHANGES TO: Cathy Rothfuss, Mission Advancement car@mlsem.org
Eventually we did return to the present reality, but we did so with this verse on our minds lifting our spirits for the tasks and uncertainties that lay ahead knowing that Christ has written our names in his Book of Life. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:27
ON THE COVER Sisters Amelia (top) and Tianna Rivera (Messiah Lutheran, South Windsor, CT), supporting the varsity football team at their playoff game.
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PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS One of the many ways that MLS supports its graduates who continue their pursuit of serving in the public ministry is by providing scholarships upon graduation. Three of those scholarships are named after the first three presidents of MLS. They are established as a lasting memory of men who have had an impact on the ministry of MLS over the years.
e Scholarship Dir. O.J.R. Hoeneck nt of s the first preside Dir. Hoenecke wa ed as Seminary. He serv Michigan Lutheran co , ntinuing t) from 1910-1950 Director (Presiden in 1960. The til his retirement on as professor un LS Booster tablished by the M scholarship was es service Hoenecke’s lengthy Club to honor Dir. is awarded lly, this scholarship at MLS. Historica d highest senior with the 2n to the graduating teaching g the preaching or GPA who is pursuin ministry at MLC.
Pres. Conrad I . Frey Scholar ship
Rev. Frey was the second pres ident of MLS serving in that role from 1950-1966. The Frey Scho larship was es tablished in 1998 by the fa culty of MLS in honor of the ministry of Pr esident Frey. Historically, this scholarship is awarded to the graduating senior with the 3rd highest GPA who is pursuing the pr eaching or teac hing ministry at M LC.
el Scholarship Pres. Martin R. Toep nt of as the third preside Rev. Toepel served as ice rv se his Prior to MLS from 1966-1977. for ts en ud St of as Dean president, he served d she bli ta es s wa scholarship sixteen years. The S ML the by 5 el in 198 in honor of Pres. Toep lly, this scholarship is ica tor His . Booster Club 4th uating senior with the awarded to the grad or rsuing the preaching highest GPA who is pu C. ML teaching ministry at
The Hoenecke and Toepel scholarships are managed by the MLS Foundation; however, neither is financially solvent at this point. It is our desire to endow ($15,000) each of these scholarships so that they can perpetuate the memory of these men who faithfully served MLS and continue to support graduates of MLS. If you are able to assist with that effort, please contact Josh Wakefield in the MLS Foundation office at 989.793.1010 x245 or by email jrw@mlsem.org.
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT You grew up in Bay City, as a member of St. John's Lutheran Church. Why did you choose to attend MLS? My enrollment at MLS back in 1985 wasn’t so much about preparing for the ministry. It was more about escaping from a school system that was struggling back in the mid-80’s. It amazes me how the Lord can use one thing (a safe place to learn) to accomplish another thing (prepare me for ministry). As the distinguished VicePresident of the MLS class of '89, what is one of your greatest memories from high school?
Rev. Aaron Christie (Class of 1989) grew up in Bay City, MI where he attended St. John’s Lutheran School. He was the “German Vicar” at St. Matthew’s, Benton Harbor, MI. After graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS) in 1997 he was assigned to Faith, Antioch, IL. In 2010, he accepted the call to be pastor at Trinity, Waukesha, WI where he was blessed to be able to work on a Master of Church Music degree from CU-Wisconsin (Mequon) early in his ministry. The Lord has blessed him with a wife, Kristin (Paulsen). She currently teaches kindergarten at Salem in Milwaukee. They have three children, Karl (Middler at WLS); Peter (will enroll at WLS next fall); and Anna (currently working as an Au Pair in Ulm, Germany until July 2021). 3
WINTER 2021 ~ CARDINAL CONNECTION
As for my great memories, I’ll leave others to figure that out. My worst memory, however, was when my appendix burst while running the mile in Coach Dietrich’s physical education class the last week of Freshman year. I hung onto the fence by the Hein’s house for dear life as I lost my lunch. My classmates just thought I was out of shape. In reality, I was out of shape - and then spent the next week in the hospital after emergency surgery and getting pumped full of antibiotics. Can you comment about what made MLS a special place to consider the vocation of ministry? As I look back, it amazes me how subtle that “encouragement” was. I enjoyed seeing dozens of other churches with the Concert Choir. I was never much of an athlete, but I did make plenty of music at MLS. It always impressed me how Prof. Kaesmeyer would compliment “the beautiful prelude” when his class began following chapel. Importantly, Tutor Prange took me on a tour of the Seminary and Watertown/Milwaukee
churches where I heard a Bach motet in worship for the first time in my life. I thought that was something that was wonderful in so many ways. I loved my music. But music - like that! - in service to the Savior? That led me to see that life didn’t need to be music OR ministry. The Lord who gave me a love for instruments with black and white keys could figure out a way for me to use that love in Gospel ministry. You were recently called to serve as Dean of the Chapel at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. What are your responsibilities and what are you most excited about in your new role? As Dean of Chapel at WLS, I am responsible for planning/ implementing all worship at the Seminary - including all daily chapels, festival services, graduation/ assignment services, and concerts. In addition, I direct the Seminary Chorus. My teaching duties include teaching all of the courses in worship and some of the courses in preaching. As a professor, I love the thought of being a pastor to encourage/train future pastors for ministry. I love learning, but I’m not an academic. After 23 years of parish work, I can hopefully teach guys what they need to know - and are blessed to know - for serving God’s people.
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You have had many opportunities to serve the church at large in your ministry, including serving as a District Worship Coordinator, presenter at the National Worship Conference, member of the Institute for Worship and Outreach, chair of the Hymns Committee of the new Christian Worship hymnal, among other positions. How did your MLS education foster in you that desire for Lutheran hymnody and worship? MLS had excellent sports teams, especially football, in my years there (’85-’89). I never had much that I could contribute toward those efforts. It makes me think what an amazing place MLS is, that a music guy would be accepted and appreciated by those that were decidedly sports-minded. Another big plus was HOW music was used. I had plenty of opportunities to perform at MLS (talent shows, band concerts, musicals, Concert Choir). But the most significant music making was always directly in connection to daily worship. We sang. Every day. We sang hymns that have been teaching eternal truth for several centuries. What has your MLS education meant to you? I would not trade it for the world. My dad is a retired auto worker. My mom is a retired RN. There is no called
worker anywhere in my family tree. Humanly speaking, MLS is probably the biggest single reason that I am a called worker today. Our WELS prep schools are, in my opinion, critical for getting guys like me into pastoral ministry. Do you remember one professor that made an impact on your education? Why? Frau Lawrenz was a fantastic teacher. Terribly gifted. Her class was a joy! What might you say to parents who are contemplating sending their children to MLS? Do it. MLS is a blessing, pure and simple. Don’t worry. They will be ok. Don’t smother them or try to keep them young forever. Your children will thank you. And you will not regret your decision. Money? Don’t worry. God owns everything - including the money in your wallet. I just finished putting three children through prep school. For seven years, I never not one - had all the money at the beginning of the month. Now they are all though. Amazingly, every payment was made. The math didn’t add up. God’s blessings added up. God’s people helped in ways that amaze me to this day.
As an alumnus, what encouragement can you give to other alumni for the ministry of MLS? Support it. Just do it. There is money in America for us to do just about anything we put our minds to. Our schools were established and maintained and handed down to us with much personal sacrifice from our forefathers. Our schools will not maintain themselves or keep themselves open. It will never do to watch the news and then complain about how America is becoming less and less Christian. Now is our time. This is our chance. What will we hand on to our children - no, our children’s children? That decision is being made - for good or for ill - each and every payday. God is a God who gives. May the Lord bless us all with an overflowing spirit of generosity in Christ!
MLS appreciates the many gifts given by people like you, our friends and alumni. Please consider supporting the work MLS does to train future pastors, teachers and staff ministers. Scan this QR code to support MLS through an online gift. Or go to our website at https://www.mlsem.org/support/ The Cardinal Connection is also available digitally! If you or someone you know would prefer to receive an electronic version of the publication, please contact Michael Priebe at mdp@mlsem.org or by phone at 989-793-1010, ext 231 to make the change.
GET TO KNOW...NEW TUTORS
We were blessed to have three new tutors on campus! Martha Balge, teaches German 2 and Phy Ed 9 this year and assisted with JV volleyball.
Lailah Thabatah, teaches Spanish 1, ALHSO Online Proctor and assists with JV basketball.
Dillon Solomon, teaches Algebra 2 and will assist with JV baseball.
Noteworthy: • Delivered the New Ulm Journal for over 9 years. • Lived and worked as a nanny in Germany for one year. • Will never turn down a scoop (or two) of Java Chunk ice cream.
Noteworthy: • Traveled on 30 different planes in one summer. • Her dad is from Palestine. • Weddings are her hobby. • She only drinks coffee because it looks cool. • She was born in the same hospital as Dean Koehler.
Noteworthy: • Ran in a marathon with only 3 weeks of training. • Has traveled to 7 different countries. • Made a t-shirt cannon specifically for MLS. • Voted "Best Cartwheel 2019".
ADMISSIONS CORNER
The latest from Pastor Chartrand!
Now's the time to take advantage of the student shadow program at MLS! Your upper grade student can experience a full day (and night!) of all things MLS by linking up with a current student.
MLS students and staff have been wearing their Cardinal masks around campus, and now we are giving alumni the chance to get their own! Show your MLS pride while you're protecting yourself and your community.
Here's what one parent had to say: "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for such a special day! My daughter enjoyed her mentor so much! What truly touched my heart was when she said religion and chapel were the best parts of the day. What an all-around great experience!"
ser Take a clo
look!
Any alumni who fill out the www.mlsem.org/alumniupdate form will get a 50% discount on their Cardinal mask. Masks will be sent to you via mail. Hurry, they're going fast!
www.mlsem.org/visit
UNMISTAKABLE SOUNDS
Professor Leonard Proeber announces retirement By Professor Karl Schmugge
The sound is unmistakable. One can hear it from far across the room. One might even say that it’s somewhat of a unique, “trademark” sound. Obviously, as one considers the retirement of a cherished music professor at MLS, one might rightly think that the sound described is “God’s Word is Our Great Heritage,” the longtime trademark hymn of the MLS Concert Choir. But in this case, the unmistakable sound is the resounding laugh of retiring MLS music director, Leonard Proeber. The laugh is unmistakably unique and loud. And when one hears it (and it is often heard in the hallways and classrooms of MLS), it only brings a smile to one’s face as you know Prof. Leonard Proeber is humored about something or someone around him. That unmistakable sound has been gracing the campus of MLS since 1995. It’s a laugh that genuinely shows the love of serving in the public ministry for the past 45 years, and from which Prof. Proeber (and his wife, Laurel) is retiring at the end of the present school year. The sound is unmistakable. For the past 25 years at MLS, Prof. Proeber has encouraged and taught his students to use their God-given gifts and to open wide their mouths and sing praises to their Lord and Savior. He has left his musical influence on well over a thousand students in Freshman Chorus, Music Theory, Hardin St. Harmony (Shadows), Concert Choir, and the Court St. Players (drama), as well as being one of the top instructors in the WELS as an organ teacher. When asked what he enjoyed the most about serving at MLS, Prof. Proeber said: “Training future leaders for the church was at the forefront. It is very exhilarating to be influencing students who will become the pastors and teachers for the next generations.” The sound is unmistakable. It’s the sound of walking down the music wing of MLS and hearing the varied sound of pianos resounding from the 27 practice rooms as MLS students practice their skills. But there is a quieter sound of just one piano coming from the piano teacher’s office of Mrs. Laurel Proeber. You won’t hear Mrs. Proeber from across the room. She has faithfully and quietly served her Savior as a teacher and piano instructor for the past 32 years, serving at MLS since 2001. Mrs. Proeber has taught hundreds of MLS students the importance of the piano in their lives. As Laurel looks back on her service to the Lord, in her usual humble way she says, “It has been my hope, prayer, and privilege to teach young people in the classroom and assist high school students ‘on the bench’ to learn just how God’s gift of music can be used to spread his word and glorify his name.” The sound is unmistakable. Yes, it’s the beautiful sounds that during the public ministries of Len and Laurel Proeber have come forth from piano and organ practice rooms, from chorus rooms, from musicals and plays, and from the MLS Concert Choir. But the real unmistakable sound comes from two faithful servants of God, from the sound of their willing feet, joyful hearts, and praise on their lips for the privilege of serving their Lord in his kingdom. For those of us who have served alongside the Proebers and whose children have been taught and influenced by them, we join in that unmistakable sound of thanks and praise to God. WINTER 2021 ~ CARDINAL CONNECTION
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THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS Tribute gifts given to MLS from July 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020. Gifts to the MLS Foundation are found on the Foundation website www.mls-foundation.org
In Honor of...
LILLIAN F. GERLACH Glen L. Thompson
ELEANOR M. MCCONNELL Emanuel Redeemer Lutheran Guild
MARCUS R. BODE Scott E. Jungen
MICHAEL A. HEIN Stephen P. Schroeder
ELLEN J. MILLER David J. Miller
MARIE A. BUETOW Janet A. Roekle
JOHN A. HENDERSON Ronda K. Henderson
ROBERT P. MUELLER Berthold A. Treiber
GARY FREY Joel A. Frey
SHIRLEY A. HOAG Janine Sjostrom Terrance R. Vasold
DELLA PREMO Daniel D. Westendorf Doug M. Moore Joanne C. Reinig Paul Lightfoot
PAUL W. KUSKE Rachel S. Ventura JAMES F. ROEKLE Rebecca Schwartz TERRANCE R. VASOLD John P. Bortulin MARK G. ZARLING Arlen L. Koestler MINISTRY AT MLS Benjamin Reinhold PAST MLS TUTORS Paul S. Jacobs
In Memory of... KENNETH R. ANDERSON Wayne Anderson RICHARD BODEIS Dorothy Bodeis Mitchell LaBair Seth M. Labair ARLENE ECKERT Roy A. Elie KENNETH FOERSTER Arlene Purvis CHARLOTTE M. FREY Norman B. Tech 9
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AUDREY L. JESCHKE Daniel D. Westendorf HANNAH KIETA Ronald L. Winter JOHN KLASNER Carl W. Toepel ANDREA M. KOPP Matthew B. Kopp STEVEN L. KORTH Daniel R. Hill John R. Kenyon Marcus P. Manthey DEBBIE KRAMP Kenneth R. Kolberg Larry Kramp Ronald L. Sieggreen ROBERT W. LEININGER Ellen Tjernagel CHRISTIAN H. LICHT Victor Roekle MARJORIE A. MATTESON John W. Ketola Michael Lane Mitchell LaBair Nelma J. Korth
JANICE ROESTEL Tammy J. Armbruster CARL A. ROGGOW Ellen Tjernagel BEATRICE SCHEFFLER Waldemar G. Bergdolt RONALD F. SCHROEDER Alfred E. Cereske Arnold Schultz Donald E. Weber Karl J. Vertz JONATHAN SHUSTER Thomas G. Koepsell JEROME E. SPAUDE Lily V. Spaude ARLINE G. THOMFORD Lily V. Spaude JAMES THOMFORD Lily V. Spaude ERNEST C. ZENO Leon L. Brands
SEMINARY ATHLETICS Like most things during the 2020-21 school year, the fall sports season was full of challenges. Wearing masks, no/ limited fans, postponed/shortened seasons, and canceled playoff games. Through all the ups and downs, our student athletes remained positive and upbeat despite everything that was thrown at them. The fall sports season was highlighted by the girls' cross country team qualifying for the Division 4 state finals meet!
FALL SPORTS HONORS Football Drew Reif (St. Paul's, Saginaw, MI) • 1st Team All Conference Eli Slangor (Good Shepherd, Burton, MI) • 1st Team All Conference Nathan Seafert (Trinity, Bay City, MI) • 1st Team All Conference Tobias Edgett (Gloria Dei, Grand Blanc, MI) • 1st Team All Conference Lukas LaGalo (St. Paul's, Saginaw, MI) • 1st Team All Conference Dan Poulos (St. Luke's, Vassar, MI) • Honorable Mention All Conference Jack VanLue (St. Luke's, Vassar, MI) • Honorable Mention All Conference Dan Hilgendorf (St. Bartholomew, Kawkawlin, MI) • Honorable Mention All Conference
Cross Country Sam Korthals (St. Luke's, Vassar, MI) • 2nd Team All Conference Autumn Wakefield (Christ, Saginaw, MI) • 2nd Team All Conference Volleyball Maia Pankow (Trinity, Bay City, MI) • 2nd Team All Conference Gabrielle Wenzel (St. Paul's, Livonia, MI) • Honorable Mention All Conference
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