News Archive 2010
Advent Lessons and Carols (05/12/10)
This treasured annual event takes place this year on the Second Sunday in Advent, 5 December, at 4:00pm. The Seminary Choir will be joined by Resurrection Lutheran Choir, under the direction of Dianne Humann, with instrumental music by brass, strings, and organ. As members of the seminary community read lessons from the prophets that prepare for Christ's coming, the congregation and choirs sing beloved Advent hymns and carols. The service culminates with the announcement of the Christmas Gospel, by which the students anticipate Christmas just before leaving for the holidays. We heartily welcome you to join us for this service of Word, music, prayer, and praise.
Advent Newsletter (02/12/10)
The seminary's annual Advent newsletter is at the printers and will soon be sent to all LCC congregations in Canada. You can jump the queue and read it online here: Advent Newsletter 2010.
CLTS Announces Refreshed Lay Theology
Degree (19/10/10)
The Lutheran Church has a long and distinguished tradition of lay theologians, beginning with Philipp Melanchthon himself, who authored a large part of the Book of Concord but was never ordained. Concordia, St. Catharines, has always recognized the need to provide advanced theological training to men and women who wish to back up their service to the church with a beefy understanding of the Christian faith. The Master of Theological Studies programme, available to qualified individuals from any church background who hold a baccalaureate degree, is the place to get it.
As part of the seminary's self-study leading to
accreditation of its degrees with the Association of Theological Schools, the
MTS has been comprehensively rethought. The number of credit hours required has
been reduced to 54 hours, making it much easier to complete in two years. In
addition, students who choose a major in biblical studies will receive some
credit for their work in biblical languages. And the core course requirements
have been strengthened to ensure that all the basics are covered before
students proceed to their research elective.
At present Concordia has two students in the MTS programme, with a third likely to enter next year. We have also had two long-time students who have taken the coursework for personal enrichment, without desiring to complete the degree. The MTS has recently attracted a lot of attention from LCC deacons and mature Christians who would like to explore their faith further. If this sounds like you, please contact us to learn more (see www.brocku.ca/concordiaseminary).
Tara Lyn Hart Christmas CD (14/10/10)
Tara Lyn Hart's first ever Christmas CD, is set for release 30 November, but you can reserve your copy, and order extras as gifts, now! The Juno nominee and Canadian Country Music Association award winner is currently in the studio recording a compilation of new original and a few old favourite songs. This is her first commercial release since 2004 and is being produced on behalf of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St. Catharines, Ontario, where she serves as choir director and her husband Perry is a student. Proceeds from the sales will benefit the seminary.
To pre-order the six-song CD album for $10 (a $2 savings) plus shipping (if needed), call 905-688-2362 or email concordia@brocku.ca. Visa and MasterCard accepted. This year put a gift under the tree that you will enjoy for many more Christmas's to come.
Latest Lutheran Theological Review (06/10/10)
The latest volume of Lutheran Theological Review has arrived from the printers and will be in the mail to all pastors in Lutheran Church-Canada (and other subscribers) shortly. The journal is jointly produced by Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St. Catharines, and Concordia Lutheran Seminary, Edmonton. Volume 22 includes a study produced by Professor William Mundt on sabbatical, as well as other writings of Canadian and international Lutherans:
- Richard A. Beinert: The Meaning and Practice of Conversion: A Comparison of Calvin’s and Luther’s Theologies
- William F. Mundt: Saving the Gypsy Soul
- Jody A. Rinas: The Imprecatory Psalms
- John R. Stephenson (trans.): August Pfeiffer’s First Sermon on the Office of the Gospel
- Armin Wenz: Mission and Confession
- Kurt A. Lantz: They Come Cringing (Psalm 66:1-7)
Click here to download and read it.
October E-newsletter (04/10/10)
The seminary's latest news is available here. Pastors or other congregational leaders are encouraged to print copies for distribution to church members who might not have internet access.
Pastors' Desk Diary 2011 (21/09/10)
Thanks to the generous support of FaithLife financial, Concordia Seminary, St. Catharines is pleased to offer the 2011 pastor’s Desk Diary free of charge to the first 650 pastors or professional church workers who place an order via our email concordiarec@brocku.ca. The diary is designed to be used by Lutheran pastors in Canada who serve in LCC/LCMS, ELCIC, and WELS congregations. Individuals who would like a second copy of the diary to give as a gift, for example, will be sent an invoice for $20 (CDN) to cover the cost of production and shipping.
Symposium on the State of Lutheranism in Scandinavia (15/09/10)
Please mark 6 June 2011 in your Calendar. Shortly after LCC's triennial convention closes around noon of that day in nearby Hamilton ON, CLTS intends to host a symposium on the State of Lutheranism in Scandinavia. The symposium will begin on the evening of Monday 6 June and run through Tuesday 7th and possibly until noon of Wednesday 8th.
Speakers will include Dean Juhana Pohjola of the Luther Foundation in Helsinki, Finland, who will be beginning a sabbatical in St. Catharines in January 2011.
Those interested in attending the symposium are asked to inform the seminary administration at concordia@brocku.ca or to send a message to Dr. William Mundt (wmundt@brocku.ca) or Dr. John Stephenson (jstephenson@brocku.ca).
Please keep your eye on the seminary website for further details concerning speakers, schedule, accommodation, etc.
Public Gets Glimpse at Rare Seminary Books (03/09/10)
Some of the oldest books in Concordia Seminary Library's collection will be on display over the next week, giving the public a chance to view rare theological texts dating back almost 500 years. The Rare Book Display runs weekdays 8:30 am to 4:30 pm from Sept. 7 through to Sept. 15 at the Martin Chemnitz Memorial Library. The library is in the lower level of the seminary, located on the northeast corner of the Brock campus. The event is free and parking is available.
Many of the books on exhibit provide glimpses into printing and binding traditions of the 16th and 17th centuries. Vellum and leather bound volumes, some with ornamental brass fittings, will be displayed. Most of the texts are in German, English, and Latin.
The event kicks off Tues., Sept. 7 at 10:45 am, when Dr John R. Stephenson, Director of the Library and Professor of Historical Theology, gives a presentation on the various editions of works by Martin Luther. The library collection includes one of the older editions of Luther's writing, dating back to 1562.
For more information on the event, please contact Christel Haeck, Library Manager, at (905) 688-2362, ext. 31, or e-mail the seminary at concordia@brocku.ca.
CLTS to welcome Dean Juhana Pohjola as
Visiting Scholar (28/06/10)
The faculty is
pleased to announce that a distinguished Finnish Lutheran clergyman will
be joining the seminary community in the capacity of Visiting Scholar
for at least eighteen months from January of 2011..jpg)
The Reverend Juhana Pohjola has served as a parish pastor in Helsinki and as dean of the Luther Foundation headquartered in Finland's capital city. The Luther Foundation now operates under the auspices of the Mission Province in Sweden and Finland. In recognition of his courageous orthodox witness in the Church of Finland, the editors of the U. S. magazine Gottesdienst awarded Dean Pohjola its 2009 Sabre of Boldness award.
As Dean Pohjola begins doctoral studies at the University of Helsinki, he is looking forward to interacting with members of the CLTS faculty in his chosen area of research. We look forward to Dean Pohjola's presence in the seminary community, and anticipate learning much from him on the current state of Lutheranism in the Nordic lands. And we pray for safe travel into our midst for Dean and Mrs. Pohjola and their four young children, whose ages range from ten through two years.
For more information on the Finnish Lutheran Foundation go to: www.luthersaatio.fi/paasivut/what-is-the-luther-foundation-finland.html
Regents approve “Torgy” as Visiting Professor at CLTS (28/06/10)
Although he has served all but four of his thirty-nine years of ordained ministry in Germany, Pr Wilhelm Torgerson ("Torgy" to his many friends and acquaintances) is a well-known figure in Lutheran Church-Canada.
In
2008 his
alma mater, Concordia Theological Seminary, relocated to Fort Wayne, IN,
bestowed on Pr.Propst Torgerson the degree of doctor of divinity, honoris
causa. On 27 March 2010, Dr Torgerson represented LCC President, Dr
Robert Bugbee, at the consecration in Gothenburg, Sweden, of Dr Roland
Gustafsson as the second presiding bishop of the Mission Province. In
recent
years Dr Torgerson has been putting his easy fluency in German and
English to good use by translating theological articles in both
directions for publication in learned journals.
We are happy to
announce that our Board of Regents has approved Dr Torgerson's
appointment as Visiting Professor here at CLTS. We hope to welcome
"Torgy" into the seminary community in the fall semester of 2011, and
anticipate that he will teach in the areas of systematic and practical
theology as he shares with us insights and wisdom acquired in the course
of his long and fruitful ministry. We especially look forward to Dr
Torgerson's teaching us about Old Lutheranism in Germany past and
present. Herzlich willkommen in unsere Mitte, verehrter Herr
Amtsbruder!
New Seminary Video (16/06/10)
Interested in a peek at CLTS through the eyes of current students, recent graduates, and faculty? Check out our new video. Give us ten minutes of your time and we hope we'll excite you about our confessional, biblical environment and our multi-cultural family. See http://blip.tv/play/AYHmtzsC. Our new video, edited by Jesse Juhlke, will be premiered at LCC's National Youth Gathering in Edmonton this coming July.
New Seminary Video (16/06/10)
Interested in a peek at CLTS through the eyes of current students, recent graduates, and faculty? Check out our new video. Give us ten minutes of your time and we hope we'll excite you about our confessional, biblical environment and our multi-cultural family. See http://blip.tv/play/AYHmtzsC. Our new video, edited by Jesse Juhlke, will be premiered at LCC's National Youth Gathering in Edmonton this coming July.
Find Us on Facebook 14/06/10
Students and prospective students can now get together online with faculty and alumni on our new Facebook page. Many thanks to the students and staff who have got it up and running.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=127537457276246#!/group.php?gid=127537457276246
Call Service (08/05/10)
The Call Service for Concordia Lutheran
Theological Seminary took place on Saturday, 8 May 2010, 4pm, at Grace
Lutheran Church,
St. Catharines. Preacher for the service was Pastor Jim Schnarr of
Pilgrim, Hamilton, and father to
Cameron Schnarr (pastoral candidate). Pastor Robert Bruer was the
recipient of the Delta Chi Medal, and Candidate Oscar Castillo was given
the Kent and Nadine Schappert award. The Seminary Guild hosted a
reception afterwards, sponsored by FaithLife.
Candidate
Placements (l to r)
- John Rapp to Good Shepherd, Valleyview, Alberta
- Cameron Schnarr to Beautiful Savior, Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Oscar Castillo to Assistant Pastor - Faith, London, and Grace, Strathroy, Ontario
- Douglas Zahner - placement pending LCMS (in absentia)
Vicarage Assignments (l to r)
- Wayne Zhang to Trinity, Richmond, BC
- Domenick Lettieri to Pilgrim, Kenmore, New York
- Daniel Bonato to Zion, Yorkton, Saskatchewan
- Greg Palmer to St.John's, Vernon, BC, and Shepherd of the Valley, Salmon Arm, BC
Acting President on Sabbatical (01/03/10)
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Beginning in January 2010, Dr Tom Winger
set up a temporary study at home to take up his first, but long overdue
sabbatical. Normally granted every seven years, Dr
Winger's has come after teaching seven and a half years at Westfield House,
Cambridge, England, followed by three and a half years in St. Catharines. This
leave follows upon sabbaticals granted to fellow full-time faculty members Drs
Wm Mundt and John Stephenson. The heavy teaching and administrative workload
our professors bear in such small institutions means that research and writing
for the benefit of the whole church often waits until an extended leave can be given.
Dr Winger spent a
little time preparing an essay for the upcoming LSB Pastor's Desk Edition,
being prepared by the Liturgy Committee of the LSB hymnal project. His
major effort, however, is to write on Ephesians for the Concordia Commentary
series-a project that has been slowly simmering for over a decade. CPH are
providing a generous grant to support the writing leave, which has allowed the
seminary to bring back Dean Roger Humann as Acting President on a part-time
basis. Many thanks are due to both.
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Chocolate, Wine, and Roses
Wondering what to do for Valentine's Day? How about an evening of Fine Dining and Music at Hernder's Estate Wines (1607 8th Avenue St. Catharines/www.hernder.com), Friday, 12 February 2010 @ 6:00pm. Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary presents "Chocolate, Wine, & Roses". Musical presentations by CCMA winner and JUNO nominee, vocalist Tara Lyn Hart. Tickets are $30 each for the full event, or $15 each for entertainment only (at 7:30pm). Please contact Linda at the seminary, 905 688-2362 ext. 22, or concordia@brocku.ca, for more details. Reserve your tickets today. There will be a silent auction again this year. If you have anything to donate, please bring your items in to the seminary or contact Linda to arrange for pick up. Items should be at the seminary no later than 5 February 2010.
News Archives
To read news items from 2009 click here: News 2009