CLS MATCHING GRANT CHALLENGE runs now until May 15, 2012

Anonymous supporters have posed an $80,000 matching grant challenge!
The following letter from Interim President, Dr. Norman Threinen is being sent out today.

Dear Friend of Concordia Seminary,
1 Samuel 17 tells the story of a man named Goliath who challenged the Israelites to send one person out to fight him. Of course you know the end of the story: the boy, David, accepted the challenge and killed Goliath.
Challenges can be deadly! But they can also be fun, exciting, and rewarding. That brings me to the purpose of this letter to our faithful Friends of the Seminary.
A number of anonymous supporters have generously offered a challenge to everyone else who would be willing to support Concordia Lutheran Seminary. The individuals are challenging the Seminary to raise $80,000 before May 15th! If we do, they will match every dollar we raise dollar for dollar.
This means that for every dollar which the seminary receives from you in the form of a special gift for operations between now and May 15th, 2012, these anonymous supporters will match it with a like donation up to $80,000. The effect of this is that your special gift will double in value in support of the operation of the seminary. If you send a special gift of $100, it will be matched with an additional $100; your special gift of $500 will provide $1,000 for the work of training pastors at the seminary, etc.
We know, of course, that your gifts to the seminary will not be primarily motivated by this challenge; it is your love for God and your desire to see pastors prepared for the Gospel ministry of the Church that will motivate you. But it is nice to know that your gift will go twice as far because it is being matched.
These are challenging times for our Church and our Seminary. We are all called on to do more with less. But we are assured by the grace of God that all our challenges will be met. Please consider helping us meet this challenge. Time is limited but we are confident.

Make cheques payable to: Concordia Lutheran Seminary
Note: Matching Grant
Send to: 7040 Ada Blvd, Edmonton, AB T5B 4E3

Thank you for participating in this exciting opportunity. Of course we’ll let you know the outcome.
Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake,

Dr. Norman J. Threinen, Interim President
P.S. Will you consider helping us meet this exciting challenge?

Spirituality Lecture Series continues

Next week, Rev. Ted Giese (CLS '00 & '07), Pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Regina, will present an open lecture on Spirituality and the Visual Arts.

Six lectures on various topics are a large component of the Spirituality course that is required for all Master of Divinity students. This is the second last lecture for this semester.

All are invited to attend - the lecture takes place at the seminary from 1:00pm to 3:00pm on Thursday, March 29th, in the Schwermann classroom.

There is no registration required and all sessions are free!

The Latest Seminary Newsletter

We're excited to announce the arrival of our winter newsletter. If you or your congregation has not received a copy of the newsletter, please contact Rhonda Buck, admin@concordiasem.ab.ca.

Click here to open the Winter 2012 Newsletter as a PDF.