LCC seminaries prepare for annual convocation services

CANADA – Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) two seminaries are preparing for their annual graduation ceremonies, during which time graduating pastors receive their first calls, vicars receive their placements, and honourary awards are presented to individuals who have made a difference in the life of the church.

Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS – Edmonton) will hold its 35^th Sacred Convocation on Friday, May 24, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Sherwood Park, Alberta. Four graduating pastoral students will receive their first calls as pastors: Shiekh Lief Mauricio, Michael Mayer, Christopher McLean, and Alexander Timm. The seminary will also announce the vicarage assignment for one student: Wendel Ritz. During the service, LCC will also award a theological diploma to one graduate of the Pastors with Alternate Training (PAT) program: Oboya Ochalla.

Concordia Lutheran Seminary will also present the Faith in Life award to Stuart and Marilyn Jansen. The Faith in Life award honours people who in everyday life and in their vocations reflect their faith in Jesus to an exceptional degree.

The convocation service at CLS will be live-streamed on YouTube for those who cannot attend in person.

Concordia Lutheran Theological Semiinary (CLTS – St. Catharines, Ontario) will hold its annual Call Service on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in St. Catharines. One graduating pastoral student, Matthew Fenn, will receive his first call as a pastor. Another student, Markus Peschel of South Africa, will receive his vicarage assignment to an LCC congregation. Meanwhile, two students will graduate from the Master of Theological Studies program: Laurin Fenn and Susan Knowles.

CLTS will also present two honourary awards during the Call Service. Rev. Paul Zabel, President Emeritus of LCC’s East District, will receive the Delta Chi (Servant of Christ) award, the seminary’s highest honour. The award is presented to those whose lives exemplify service to Christ in everyday life and in vocation. The seminary will also present Rev. Brian Dunlop with the Friend of the Seminary award. The award honours those who make a significant contribution to the well-being of the seminary. Rev. Dunlop (Faith Lutheran, Desboro, Ontario) served for fifteen years on CLTS’ Board of Regents.

The event will also see the formal farewell to Rev. Esko Murto, Assistant Professor of Theology, who has accepted a call to serve a congregation back in his native Finland.

For those unable to attend in person, CLTS will be live-streaming their service online on YouTube.

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