EDUCATION NEWS www.canadianlutheran.ca
New academic year begins! CANADA - The opening service for the 46 th academic year at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS)in St. Catharines, Ontario, took place on Sunday, September 12 at 4:00 p.m. in the seminary chapel. Seating was limited due to pandemic restrictions, and the service was also available for viewing via livestream through the seminary’s YouTube Channel. During the service, former CLTS graduate (1987), Rev. Dr. Thomas Korcok, was officially installed as Associate Professor of Theology. Dr. Korcock accepted a call to the seminary in November 2020. The same service saw Rev. Robert Willie, emeritus pastor in the West Region, honoured with the Emeritus Crucis award. Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS) in Edmonton held its opening service on Wednesday, August 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the s e m i n a r y c h a p e l . Re g e n t s , students, faculty, and staff gathered together to celebrate the opening of the seminary's 37th academic year. The seminaries have chosen as their theme verse for the new school year, “Shepherds After My Own Heart” (Jeremiah 3:15). Vacancies are the talk of the town. Many Lutheran Church– Canada congregations are looking for ways to move forward under limited budgets and specialized needs for ministry. The seminaries exist to fill vacancies like this— to train new pastors and other church workers. If you know someone who may have a quiet voice nudging them toward ministry as pastor or deacon, please contact the seminaries to begin a conversation.
In the spotlight . . . • The “Impact, but shorter” LCC youth gathering was livestreamed from Concordia Lutheran Seminary on September 10. Nearly 80 people tuned in to hear banter; candid talk about emotional and mental health challenges in light of God’s powerful Gospel; games and contests; a pitch for seminary studies; and the love, grace, and forgiveness of Christ. CLS was glad to be a host site and sponsor of the streaming services. • The first class in CLS’ deacon program had two students who successfully completed the course in August. We are thankful that God is sending students to be formed for service to Christ and His church. • CLS will have four men prepared for service in the church next year … one ready to be ordained, two more who will serve deferred vicarages, and a fourth who will serve a vicarage and then return here for a fourth year of service.
• T h i s y e a r, C LTS w e l c o m e s new students from across Canada (Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia), the United States, Nigeria, and Germany in addition to the returning multinational student body that includes China, India, and Brazil. Almost as many students are enrolled in the Master of Theological Studies (MTS) programme as in the more traditional Master of Divinity (MDiv) programme that leads to ordination. Many of the current MTS students are already pastors seeking advanced degrees. Others are laity involved in church work. • CLTS’ annual student retreat, normally held at Mount Carmel Retreat Centre in Niagara Falls, was moved this year to Trinity Lutheran Church in Niagara-on-the-Lake. This turned out to be an unexpected blessing as students and faculty were able to enjoy meals outside and leisurely walks in the sunny vineyards in between sessions. • Thanks to CLTS’ many benefactors who generously responded to our spring appeal, we were able to close out the fiscal year in June with a surplus which has been put aside for future needs.
THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN September/October 2021
33
