Fall seminary events uncover historical roots

by James Morgan 

The arrival of autumn means more than just football season and a new lineup of programs on TV. It also means new events and programs at Lutheran Church–Canada’s two seminaries.

Dr. Stephen Chambers with a major find in 2010

At Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS) in Edmonton, the Quest continuing education program continues with a fall course—one participants can really dig! It’s titled The Stones Cry Out; Jesus and Archaeology and is presented by Dr. Stephen Chambers. For several years Dr. Chambers has led teams from Canada on archaeological digs in the Holy Land.

Classes run Tuesdays from 7 p.m.to 9 p.m. MT(9 p.m. -11 p.m. ET), October 11, 18, 25, and November 1. This Quest class is also available via webcast. Registration for in-person and webcast students is $40. For more details, contact Sandra Esperanza at CLS: 780-474-1468, extension 229, or by email at development@concordiasem.ab.ca

Rev. Jon Vieker

In the East, Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines, will host the C.F.W. Walther Festive Convocation from October 23 to 24. Rev. Jon Vieker, senior assistant to the president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod will be the main presenter at this event marking the 200th birthday of C.F.W. Walther, the first president of the LCMS. Pastor Vieker is a noted expert on the early hymnals of the church.

The convocation starts on the evening of Sunday, October 23 with a public hymn festival in the CLTS chapel at 7 p.m., featuring the Resurrection Lutheran Choir under the direction of Dianne Humann. On Monday, October 24, Pastor Vieker will explain Walther’s role in editing the first hymnal of the LCMS and show how the early core hymnody has carried through in subsequent English-language hymnals to the present time.

Registration for the Monday sessions costs $25 and runs from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m (ET). Plans are also in the works to webcast both days’ events free of charge. For more information call the seminary at 905-688-2362, or email concordia@brocku.ca

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