Paying off debt before 2011

We are rejoicing! Donors from across the country have responded over the last year and a half to the news that Concordia Lutheran Seminary suffered from financial shortage. Hearing the need, individuals, companies, and congregations gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to cover the costs of running this graduate school. Through their giving people are expressing their excitement for the seminary’s mission and goals, its reason for forming students, the proclamation of the Gospel and the ministry of God’s grace in this world, especially in Canadian LCC churches.
The response came in donations from $10 to $500,000. People are giving out of their gifts and out of their tithes. People are giving sacrificially, sharing not just extra money that could have been used for that regular latté, but giving a donation that takes money away from their regular buying power. Even with the generous support, we still need to gather in more money. As President Zeuch mentioned, we are obligated to pay off the deficit of roughly $150,000 incurred over the last years’ economic downturn. Thankfully, it appears that some surplus will be left over in this year’s budget to pay more than half the deficit, but we want to eliminate the deficit completely.
Concordia Lutheran Seminary depends on the direct donations of supporters; the Synod provides just a small portion of the funds needed for the budget. The Seminary receives no government funding. Over $50,000 a month is needed to cover on-going expenses. That doesn’t include special contributions to endowments or money for capital projects. Endowments help seminary administration with budget forecasting by providing normally consistent earnings.Capital funds are becoming increasingly more important now that our building is twenty years old and starting to show maintenance needs.
The bottom line (as accountants like to say) is continuous need for significant contributions by donors who see the vision and want to support the mission of Concordia Lutheran Seminary. That’s the reason for a response card and envelope included in every mail-out sent by the Seminary. Through faithful on-going support CLS continues to send out pastors as “servants for Jesus’ sake.”

CLS webcasts and online activities

Did you know that some of the key events held at (or sponsored by) CLS can be viewed on CLSTV from anywhere in the world with a decent internet connection? Go to www.concordiasem.ab.ca/CLSTV.php to join us for events such as guest lectures and convocations, and the year end graduation.

Carol Farrar, former library technician, passed away at the age of 64 years

Carol Farrar passed away unexpectedly at the age of 64 years on Wednesday, June 23, 2010. Carol served as library technician since the Seminary’s founding until her retirement in 2004.

She is survived by her loving family, husband, Brian, of 20 years; mother, Pauline Spiece; two daughters, Laura (Gordon) Elsasser and Faye VanHove; two step-daughters, Amelia (Les) Jones and Marcia (Al) Rawlins; nine grandchildren, father and mother-in-law, Les and Lily Farrar as well as numerous family members and many dear friends. Carol was predeceased by her father, John W. "Jack" Spiece.

Cremation has taken place. Carol Farrar's funeral will be July 7th, 11am at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation or Alberta Arthritis Foundation. To sign the book of condolences, visit: www.evergreenmemorial.com Evergreen Funeral Chapel & Reception Centre, Cemetery & Cremation Centre. 780-472-9019.

Adopt-A-Student Update

Most seminarians come to the Seminary after completing a degree program taking three or four years. The students whether married or single come to Edmonton for two years, go to a church for vicarage for a year and then return for a final year at the seminary in Edmonton. The transitions, although often burdensome, help students to come to terms with real life pastoral situations. The vicarage congregation, Synod, and the seminary closely supervise and participate in the formation of the seminarian as a future pastor.
The Seminary’s Adopt–a–Student program connects community supporters with specific students. The seminary identifies the student to adopt and encourages him to make contact with supporters by supplying information about his studies and himself, including biographies, background and photos. The seminary asks supporters to communicate with the student and to pray regularly for him. Hopefully, too, the student shares his living situation and the adopter supports the student materially as well. All of the donations given through the Adopt–a–Student program go to the adopted student.

CLS in Israel

Just one day before leaving for Israel, Dr. Chambers writes:

Hi all;
As many of you know, I'm leaving tomorrow (Thurs 17th) to spend 6 weeks in Israel as the first phase of my sabbatical from Concordia Lutheran Seminary. Both in 2006 and in 2008 I wrote a blog while working on the dig at Hippos, and apparently a lot of folks back home enjoyed following it, so I've been encouraged to get it going again this time.
The first entry was just posted this morning, giving an outline of what I'm hoping to be up to during this time away. Obviously you are under no compulsion whatsover to read it! However, if you are interested, by all means I invite you to follow along. If you find it's worth reading, feel free to pass along the link to your family and friends as well.
To access the blog, go to http://virtualdig.org/.This is the site that's devoted to keeping folks up to date about what's going on with the Hippos excavations. You might find some other things of interest on that page too. In particular, my blog is listed on the left under "team blogs!" (I'm not sure why it has an exclamation mark). Click there and you'll be taken right to the blog.
I don't know how often I'll be able to post from Israel during the first two weeks especially since I'm moving around and may not have easy internet access. However, I'll post whenever I can. And from Sunday 3 July onward, web access should be pretty regular-- that's when the whole dig team arrives, including 9 other people who are making this trip in association with our seminary. The U.S.-based folks, who are from Concordia University, St. Paul, MN, will set up a wireless hub after they arrive. So from that point on, if not before, the blog should be pretty regular.
As you can imagine, I'm tremendously excited about the adventure that's about to begin. At the same time, I covet your prayers, not only for my personal safety and well-being but also for the whole dig-team and, more broadly still, all who live and work and visit the Middle East. It's both a beautiful land full of promise and history, and a tense place full of overlapping and competing interests. May the Lord preserve--and bless--all who look to Him for help, and remember all the wonders he
Blessings to you all, in Christ!
--Steve

[editor's note: you  can also find a Hippos button on the seminary homepage]

Distance Learning and Open Studies

Once again, CLS plans to offer a class or two from the regular M.Div. program as synchronous, online options for Open Studies students. The course offerings aren’t finalized yet, but if you are interested in taking a class alongside some first year seminarians, have a completed Bachelor degree (any discipline), and have a home internet connection suitable for 2-way video conferencing, contact Jeff at the seminary for more information.
Classes completed in the Open Studies program (whether on campus or via video conference) are applicable to the Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies (GCTS).

CLS Guild Update

Patrick (Pat) Moore is the new President of CLS Guild. Pat and his wife Linda live in Fort Saskatchewan and attend All Saints Lutheran Church. Pat has been active with the Guild since its inception, including past presidency. The Moores are known for their hospitality and especially for providing their backyard barbecue for the Guild executive social in late summer. Other executive members include past president Marilyn Jansen; co-secretaries, Lillian Bulman and Ellen Raaflaub; and treasurer, Hilda Schoepp.
As it has done for years, the Guild continues to provide direct support to the students and their families by raising funds for them, collecting and distributing food, and providing prayer and social support to them. A special thank you goes out again to Guild supporters and especially the Guild representatives from the churches. People from across Canada have responded generously to the membership drive. Many members add donations to the regular $10 membership fee, making a substantial increase to the annual revenues of the Guild. They also bring or send in special packages for the students including food stuffs for the student food hamper.

One month 'til Hippos

The 11th season of archaeology at Hippos begins for CLS on July 1st. This is the third time that Concordia Lutheran Seminary has participated in this exciting project, under the leadership of Concordia University in St. Paul, Minn.

Dr. Chambers, Seminarians Cody Cooper, Steve Bartlett, and Michael Montague; along with 6 other Canadians, embark on this academic, spiritual, and hands-on adventure at a stunningly beautiful site—overlooking the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee.

For more detailed information on the dig, visit our website here: http://www.concordiasem.ab.ca/academics/hippos_excavation.php