Tag Archive for: Martin Luther College

An unexpected journey

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Cross-cultural outreach centers around diaspora (people group) connections, through which immigrants who have joined WELS congregations in North America are able to take the gospel back to friends and family in their home countries.

I am Wei Nadine Li from Hong Kong, originally from mainland East Asia. I am a non-traditional student studying elementary education at Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn. For many years, I was a happy full-time mother until an unexpected journey brought me to the United States in the summer of 2022. During that time, Pastor Titus, from our home church in Hong Kong, strongly encouraged me to visit MLC for my son Benā€™s future college application. I listened and that visit changed my life.

Wei Nadine Li (right) spends time at Oak Hill Living Center with the Anchor Club at MLC

After Ben transferred to East Asia Rising Eagles School, I joined Mrs. Hannah Boughton/Zhangā€™s momā€™s group. Ben was taught religion by Mr. Philip Scriver, a former Friends Network teacher. Soon after, our family of three was baptized together in front of the East Asia WELS church congregation and Friends Network ministry workers.

Now, nine years later, I am a student teacher receiving training in Mr. Scriverā€™s classroom at St. Paulā€™s Lutheran School in New Ulm, Minn. How amazing is that? God is almighty! I am also thankful for my husband, Steve. Without his strong support, I could not have completed this life-changing chance.

I cannot count the times I have cried tears of gratitude. Many times, I wondered how I could survive even a week without all the kind help I have received from so many people. But I know that God remembers every single name. The love shown to me has been the picture of true Christian faith. I feel loved every day, and I often think about how I can repay that love.

My previous advisor, Prof. Tingting Schwartz, once told me, ā€œDo not think of rewarding those who helped you, but reward others.ā€ Through her words, I realized that I owe everything to God himself. His love pours into me through the many Christians I’ve met. They fill my heart, and the love of Jesus wants to flow through me to anyone who needs him, especially those in East Asia.

I love to share my experiences with my friends back in East Asia. My Christian friends and I thank God and marvel that such a place like New Ulm exists in the world. They are encouraged by the Christians I have met there. Even my non-Christian friends are often surprised by the blessings God has given me and say with amazement, ā€œYour God is so good!ā€ Each time, I canā€™t help but smile and reply, ā€œJesus is not only my God, he is yours as well.ā€ Those words often lead to long talks. I admit I am not always able to give the perfect Bible passage, but I know my mission as a Christian is to spread Godā€™s Word with all people in all places. With Jesus leading me, I am on the right path.

Now graduation is coming soon, and I continue to ask myself how I can thank him. My prayer is simple: ā€œSend me, send me, my Lord. Here am I.ā€

Written by Wei Nadine LiĀ 




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Together Video Update – October 25, 2022

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Learn more about the WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership straight from the workshop presenters themselves. Discover more about the topics that will be discussed and why it’s so important for both lay and called, male and female to attend. For a full list of all presentations and to register, visit lutheranleadership.com.

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Together Video Update – October 11, 2022

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Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., celebrated the dedication of the Betty Kohn Fieldhouse on Oct. 8, 2022. Listen as Rev. Richard Gurgel, Martin Luther College’s president, explains how the students are using this new facility. Then learn more about the college’s new strategic plan, titled “Pursuing Excellence Under the Cross,” which launched on July 1.

 

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Understanding cultural diversity

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Martin Luther Collegeā€™s (MLC) Cultural Engagement Center offered several opportunities for students to grow in cultural awareness this January and February. The Cultural Engagement Center (CEC) works to welcome and support diverse students, provide opportunities for cross-cultural understanding, and promote community on campusā€”all to help students better carry out the Great Commission, Jesusā€™ command to share the gospel with all nations and peoples.

In January, MLC planned a full day of activities to commemorate Martin Luther King Day, including a special worship service, workshops, social simulations, and thought-provoking films. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher and Patricia James, members at Divine Peace, Largo, Md., presented the keynote address.

In February, the Center featured decorations explaining and celebrating the Lunar New Year, a traditional festival celebrated by Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese people. The Center also partnered with the campusā€™ Art In Ministry group to sponsor a Lunar New Year crafting event to teach students more about traditional Chinese art.

Earlier in the school year, students also learned more about the cultures of the international students attending MLC during International Education Week, which included ethnic food nights, student presentations, and panel discussions.

According to Mrs. Megan Kassuelke, director of cultural engagement at MLC, the CEC is meant to cultivate diversity and culture-related discussion in respectful, mindful, and authentic ways. She says, ā€œMy goal is to foster a sense of belonging for all by inviting the entire campus family to join in the conversation about diversity awareness and cultural competency.ā€

Rev. Aaron Robinson, cultural diversity coordinator at MLC, says events like these offer students opportunities to grow in their understanding as WELSā€™ future called workers. ā€œThe reason we use days like this to talk about culture is not to divide but so we can better serve,ā€ he says. ā€œI want to continue the conversation and these momentsā€”meeting the students where theyā€™re atā€”so they can grow as God wants them to grow and minister to those who are not like them.ā€

 

 

 

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Teachers and staff ministers assigned at Martin Luther College

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The synod Assignment Committee met last week to assign teacher and staff minister candidates from Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., to the places where they will serve. Assignments included first-time calls, calls made permanent, and re-assignments to those called to serve an additional year.

About 160 assignments were announced at the call service at MLC on Sat., May 15. Assignments will continue next week and in the weeks to follow for candidates who are limited to a specific location, such as those female candidates whose spouses will be assigned this week as vicars or pastors at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminaryā€™s graduation and call service.

If you look at the list of assignments, you will notice quite a large number of candidates who have been assigned for one year. One-year assignments include those who have been assigned as dormitory supervisors, those who are assigned to a position where the grade levels or duties are somewhat outside of what was recommended for the candidate, and those who are assigned to a location where the needs of the calling body are uncertain for the following year. As you will see from this yearā€™s assignments, many, if not most, of those assigned to one-year calls will be assigned permanently next year.

Even though many teaching vacancies remain, we are thankful that the Lord of the church has provided another group of well-trained and willing workers who will soon begin their ministry in Godā€™s harvest field.

View the assignment list

Serving together with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

 

 

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Observing MLC Day and statue dedication

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Wednesday, May 5, is MLC Day, a time to support WELSā€™ College of Ministry and its students and graduates. To commemorate Martin Luther Collegeā€™s 25th anniversary this year, MLC Day will celebrate all MLC graduatesā€”from this year and from the past.

As part of the dayā€™s activities, Fisher of Men, a new statue on MLCā€™s campus, will be dedicated live at 11:30 a.m. CT. The statue depicts Jesus at the Sea of Galilee calling Andrew and Simon Peter to become fishers of people (based on Mark 1:17). The MLC Alumni Association chose and funded this project to celebrate the schoolā€™s 25th anniversary. ā€œMLC is a great place to have a statue like this because itā€™s where weā€™re training fishers for gospel ministry,ā€ says Prof. Jon Schaefer, director of new teacher induction at MLC and former alumni association president. ā€œWe saw it as a way to inspire people while they are on campus as well as provide something that they can carry with them into ministry.ā€

The statue is positioned in the center of campus, with Jesusā€™ gaze directed to the cross at the top of the Chapel of the Christ. Its base is inscribed with Bible passages suggested by alumni that underscore Jesusā€™ directive to make disciples. ā€œItā€™s a beautiful addition to highlight the gospel preparation we are doing at MLC to train a core of witnesses who are ready to meet the ministerial needs of the synod,ā€ says Schaefer.

Throughout the day on its social media, MLC also will share messages, photos, and videos that WELS members sent to congratulate 2021 graduating class members and thank past graduates for their kingdom work. Messages still can be submitted online at mlcday.com.

WELS members also can offer prayers and monetary support for MLCā€™s ministry at mlcday.com. All gifts go toward the Congregational Partner Grant Matching Fund, which directly matches gifts up to $1,000 from churches for their students.

Learn more at mlcday.com. Watch the statue dedication live at livestream.com/mlc-streams.

 

 

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MLC breaks ground for new athletic facility

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Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., broke ground on a new athletic facility, the Betty Kohn Fieldhouse, in April.

MLC administration, coaches, and students participated in the event, one which Rev. Richard Gurgel, MLC president, calls a milestone. ā€œFor many months God was moving the hearts of our brothers and sisters around the synod ā€”with their gifts and their prayers and their encouragement to othersā€”to build a foundation, a financial one and a spiritual one, for this day,ā€ he says.

Hundreds of gifts, including one transformational donation, allowed construction to begin.

The 36,000-square-foot indoor turfed facility, which features large practice areas, baseball/softball batting cages, golf simulators, and locker rooms, will support a year-round physical education curriculum, enable spring sports to practice regularly, allow for additional intramural offerings, and create community connections. Plans are for students to be able to use the new athletic center by the beginning of 2022.

Jordyn Heckendorf, a first-year physical education major at MLC, took part in the groundbreaking event. ā€œThe new Betty Kohn Fieldhouse is a dream come true!ā€ she says. ā€œAs an athlete and child of God, I am always looking for ways to let my light shine through the skills God has blessed me with, and this fieldhouse gives me the opportunity to do just that. To all the people who generously donated to make this possible, I want you to know that we will not take this for granted.ā€

The building is part of the facility improvement pillar of the ā€œEquipping Christian Witnessesā€ campaign, which has the goal to help train a corps of Christian witnesses to meet WELS ministry needs in the future. Learn more about the campaign at mlc-wels.edu/mlc-campaign.

WELS members can continue to support, encourage, and thank MLC graduatesā€”from this year and from the pastā€”by participating in MLC Day on May 5. Send messages, photos, and videos to congratulate 2021 graduating class members and thank MLC graduates from the past 25 years for their kingdom work. WELS members also can offer prayers and monetary support for MLCā€™s ministry. All gifts go toward the Congregational Partner Grant Matching Fund, which directly matches gifts up to $1,000 from churches for their students. Learn more at mlcday.com.

 

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Important synod convention news and update from Martin Luther College

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Conference of Presidents makes changes to the synod convention

At its January meeting last week, the Conference of Presidents (COP) examined its options for holding the synod convention this summer, in light of disruptions caused by COVID-19.

The Conference of Presidents (COP) is responsible for planning the synod convention, which was scheduled to take place July 26-29, 2021, at Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, Mich.

At its meeting, the COP discussed the feasibility of holding the convention as planned, since it is impossible to know whether the current restriction on the size of gatherings in Michigan will remain in place, whether travel difficulties will remain, and whether travelers from certain states will still be required to quarantine after travel. In addition, the COP recognized that a significant number of people may not be comfortable with traveling, gathering in crowds, or staying in a dormitory.

In view of these uncertainties, the COP considered three options:

  1. Have the convention as normal in Saginaw, hoping that the situation changes by July.
  2. Cancel the convention and entrust the Synodical Council to make necessary decisions.
  3. Hold a ā€œmini conventionā€ with a reduced number of in-person delegates and the remainder of the delegates attending virtually.

Recognizing that it is impossible to know what conditions will be like in July and at the same time wanting the business of the synod to be carried out as close to normal as possible, the COP chose the third option: to hold a mini convention. Here is how it will work:

The convention will take place in Watertown, Wis., at Luther Preparatory School, since Wisconsin has been less restrictive in its COVID-19 guidelines than Michigan.

All delegates still will be assigned to floor committees. Each floor committee will have a chairman, a secretary, and lay representative appointed by the synod praesidium. These committees will meet via Zoom in early July to discuss their assigned area of the Book of Reports and Memorials as well as to discuss broader issues such as the ministry financial plan, memorials, bylaw changes, and the pension issue. Synodical area of ministry advisors (representatives) will attend the appropriate floor committee virtual meeting and present any necessary information. The committees will formulate their reports and resolutions and submit them for editing and formatting prior to the convention.

Only the chairmen, secretaries, and two designated layman from each floor committee will attend the convention in person. This means only 50 to 60 delegates will meet in person instead of the normal 400. These in-person delegates will be authorized by their floor committees to vote on behalf of those who will not attend in person. The number of advisory delegates also will be limited. There will be no displays other than unmanned displays of synodical areas of ministry.

All elections will take place electronically prior to the convention, with voting open to all delegates.

The convention itself will be run as normal, with opening worship on Monday evening. The number of special presentations will be limited. With elections already completed and resolutionsĀ  prepared ahead, itā€™s likely the work of the convention will be completed in two days, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The convention will be livestreamed to enable all voting and advisory delegates to observe. Delegates will be able to communicate with their chairmen during the convention if they have questions or comments.

The districts will be asked to appoint the same delegates to the next synod convention in 2023 so that they donā€™t miss the opportunity to attend a synod convention in person. Delegates will have the option to attend or to decline. No congregation will be charged the convention fee for this year’s convention.

The Conference of Presidents and the convention planning committee will likely make additional decisions and adjustments as needed.

An important advancement for Martin Luther Collegeā€™s campaign

The Martin Luther College (MLC) administration and governing board are excited to announce a significant advancement in the Equipping Christian Witnesses (ECW) campaign pillar designated to campus facilities. Thanks to the gift of two generous donors, the new athletic center is fully funded.

After extensive interviews, analysis, and research, MLCā€™s comprehensive campus site plan identified two priorities: residence space and indoor athletic space for sports teams, physical education training, and student life. For that reason, an athletic center and a residence hall were included in the facility improvement pillar of the ECW campaign.

MLC is thankful for the gifts received from many individuals, congregations, and schools throughout the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. MLC is also thankful for the support it has received from the New Ulm community. Those gifts provided a generous financial foundation for facilities, and now, God has moved the heart of two very generous donors to provide a transformational gift to the athletic center that will allow construction to commence.

The athletic center, named the Betty Kohn Fieldhouse, will be located at the MLC Athletic Field Complex west of the main campus, near the soccer and baseball fields. This 36,000-square-foot indoor turfed facility will feature large practice areas, baseball/softball batting cages, golf simulators, and locker rooms. In April, the MLC campus family will celebrate the groundbreaking of the fieldhouse, with student use anticipated by the beginning of 2022.

MLC President Rich Gurgel commented on this milestone of the Equipping Christian Witnesses campaign: ā€œWe are thankful to God for the generosity of so many people.Ā The Betty Kohn Fieldhouse will serve our student body well. It is also a significant beginning to our long-range plans for making our campus even more attractive to prospective students.Ā And we look forward to exploring how the fieldhouse can serve the recreation needs of the New Ulm community as well.”

 

Serving together with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

 

 

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Mid-year graduation at Martin Luther College

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Even though on-campus learning at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., has been interrupted for a time, we are happy to see that the work of the college to prepare young people for the public ministry continues. One visible reminder of that is the announcement that 22 students have completed their studies and have received their diplomas and graduated mid-year.

While most of those students will defer their assignment into the public ministry until next spring, several of them will be assigned to their field of labor when the Assignment Committee meets on Fri., Dec. 18.

Plans have been put in place to welcome students back to campus in January. In addition, President Richard Gurgel has announced that the governing board of Martin Luther College will be distributing an additional $200,000 in financial assistance to help students who return for the second semester.

Even in difficult times, Godā€™s workā€”and his blessingsā€”continue in our congregations and in our synod.

On behalf of all who work with you and for you in our synodā€™s mission, have a blessed Christmas!

Serving together with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

 

 

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Martin Luther College celebrates 25th anniversary

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Twenty-five years ago when Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., was about to open its doors for the first time, there were so many questions. What will this new college be like? How will it be organized? What will the curriculum be? Will it be able to continue to produce the number of candidates for ministry needed by the synod? How well will the students in the pastor track and teacher track get along with each other? Will there be too many marriages by undergraduate students? Will the members of the synod embrace this new school?

Now, after 25 years, these questions have been answered. And, we thank God that they have been answered in a way that demonstrates Godā€™s rich blessings on this school and on our synod. Today, 25 years later, Martin Luther College (MLC) has been embraced and supported by the people of our synod as OUR WELS college of ministry. Enrollment at MLC continues to be strong, with our WELS young people attending in good and consistent numbers to prepare for a lifetime of service in the church. The pastor track continues to produce young men who are well prepared for continuing at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis.; the teacher and staff ministry programs produce graduates who are well qualified to serve in our synod. Having future pastors, teachers, and staff ministers studying and working together on one campus builds relationships that will last a lifetime.

MLC used homecoming weekend as a time to mark its 25th anniversary. A special worship service was held on October 4, with Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary President Earle Treptow delivering the sermon. The service included special music and choirs. A special concert took place on Sunday afternoon. MLC will be planning other anniversary events later in the school year.

This anniversary is a time to say ā€œthank you.ā€ First of all, we thank God for blessing this school and enabling it to carry out its purpose faithfully. We thank the faculty and staff of MLC for 25 years of faithful and dedicated service. We thank the students of MLC, now and in years past, for coming to MLC and saying, ā€œHere am I, send me!ā€ And we thank the members of our synod who have embraced and supported this school with their prayers and offerings.

We pray with confidence that God will continue to bless this school as it continues to prepare our future called workers to be ambassadors for our Savior.

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

 

 

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MLC releases return-to-school plans

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Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., the WELS college of ministry, released its ā€œKnights Return to Campus Planā€ on July 17, after months of planning. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, MLC had to conclude its 2019ā€“20 school via alternative/distance learning.

The plan calls for students to return to the schoolā€™s campus in New Ulm for the fall semester, with classes starting on Aug. 24. Most of the courses will be delivered in person, with less than 10 percent being a blend of online and in-person instruction. The campus will host only essential on-campus events and provide virtual alternatives for other events where possible. Only students, faculty, and staff will be able to participate in the on-campus events at this time.

In a letter of introduction to the plan, Rev. Richard Gurgel, MLC president, shares that the fall planning team spent ā€œhours listening to government officials, health professionals, collegiate organizations, new and returning students and their families, our faculty and staff, and many others in our synodā€ before putting together the document.

ā€œOur top priority is providing the highest level of safety and confidence in our campus learning environment, while adhering to the spiritual and educational standards WELS expects from its college of ministry,ā€ he says.

Students and administration will participate in daily screenings, including a temperature check. Isolation and quarantine procedures are in place for those who have symptoms for COVID-19, test positive, or have been in close contact with someone exhibiting symptoms or testing positive.

Campus officials say the plan may change as circumstances change. ā€œWe offer this plan trusting in God’s gracious care for us in our Lord Jesus,ā€ says Gurgel. ā€œAt the same time, we also recognize that such trust does not diminish the responsibility God himself entrusts to us to be wise stewards of our health for the sake of our whole campus family as well as for the entire community of New Ulm.ā€

The other ministerial education schoolsā€”Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis.; Luther Preparatory School, Watertown, Wis.; and Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, Mich.ā€”are finalizing their return-to-school documents. As of right now all three schools are planning to have face-to-face, in-person instruction on their campuses for the start of the 2020ā€“21 school year, with classes starting the week of Aug. 24. All four schools concluded the 2019ā€“20 school year via alternative/distance learning due to COVID-19.

ā€œThe faculty and staff at Martin Luther College have done a remarkable job pulling together the many plans and decisions that have to be made to open safely this fall,ā€ says Rev. Paul Prange, administrator of the Board for Ministerial Education. ā€œWe ask Godā€™s blessings on the faithful work of everyone at MLC and the other ministerial education schools, and we keep them in our prayers.ā€

 

 

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MLC President Mark Zarling retiring

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Rev. Mark Zarling, president of Martin Luther College (MLC) from 2007 to 2020, is retiring this summer.

During Zarlingā€™s tenure, God has blessed the college in countless ways.

The campus saw the construction of beautiful new facilities funded by Godā€™s people: Chapel of the Christ, the Early Childhood Learning Center, a baseball field, and a soccer pitch.

The academic catalog expanded to include majors in early childhood education and special education, many four-year secondary education majors, and minors in urban ministry and Chinese. The graduate program added two new degrees: Master of Science in Educational Administration and Master of Arts in Theological Studies. And continuing education offerings expanded tremendously, including New Teacher Induction, new certifications, and a full catalog of on-campus, online, and on-location professional development options.

Zarlingā€™s keen sense of vision led the campus family through two strategic plans, two accreditations, a Master Site Plan, and a Master Staffing Plan. He put the spotlight on lowering student debt, broadening international services, expanding experiential learning, and recruiting new students not merely to fill current vacancies but to prepare for new ministries still in development. He also traveled extensively, serving as a warm and sincere ambassador all over the synod.

Through all these changes, he kept the campus focused on the mission statement: ā€œTo train a corps of Christian witnesses who are qualified to meet the ministry needs of WELS and who are competent to proclaim the Word of God faithfully and in accord with the Lutheran Confessions in the Book of Concord.ā€

Faculty, staff, and synod leaders have called Zarling a man of faith, a pastor-administrator, a humble visionary, a Christlike leader, and MLCā€™s spiritual compass. He spoke Godā€™s promises in the hallways, prayed with colleagues in their offices, and uplifted the college family with his ā€œLetters from Homeā€ chapel messages.

ā€œPresident Zarling has left an impression on Martin Luther College,ā€ said WELS President Rev. Mark Schroeder. ā€œHe has worked tirelessly to ensure that our WELS College of Ministry faithfully carries out its purpose. He has personally guided and shaped hundreds, if not thousands, of students. And through his leadership he has instilled in our synodā€™s members a love for and a confidence in Martin Luther College.ā€

To MLC students past, present, and future, President Emeritus Zarling offers this encouragement: ā€œThe apostle tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Live daily with eyes on Jesusā€”and the only way to keep eyes on him is to stay with the Scriptures that reveal him. Make time daily to prayerfully read the Spiritā€™s inspired words that you may build up your faith. As Jude tells us, ā€˜But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in Godā€™s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life (20-21).ā€™ ā€

Mark and his wife, Colette, are moving to Manitowoc, Wis., this summer and are planning road trips to the East and West Coasts to see children and grandchildren.

 

 

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Assignments and graduations at our ministerial education schools

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The recent disruptions caused by the COVID-19 virus have had a great impact on our synodical schools. In-person classes had to be canceled at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS), Mequon, Wis.; Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn.; Luther Preparatory School, Watertown, Wis.; and Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, Mich. In addition, decisions have now been made to hold virtual events for the reading of assignments at MLC and WLS and for graduation ceremonies at all four schools. The Assignment Committee will be meeting via video conference to make the assignments in the days before the assignments are announced.

At MLC, 171 teacher and staff ministry candidates are available for assignment. At WLS, 26 pastoral candidates and 28 vicar candidates will be assigned.

Even though graduations and assignments will take place in an entirely different format this year, the reasons to celebrate remain the same. God continues to provide workers for his harvest field, and we continue to thank him for these blessings and for the faithful work done by our faculties and students.

You can participate in these happy events by joining the online events at the schools, accessible via the schoolsā€™ websites:

Martin Luther College
Graduation: Saturday, May 16, 10:00 a.m. (Central)
Announcement of assignments: Saturday, May 16, 11:15 a.m. (Central)

Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
Graduation and announcement of assignments (pastors and vicars): Thursday, May 21, 10:00 a.m. (Central)

Luther Preparatory School
Saturday, May 23, 10:00 a.m. (Central)

Michigan Lutheran Seminary
Saturday, May 23, 9:30 a.m. (Central) (10:30 a.m. [Eastern])

If you know of a graduate from one of these schools in your congregation or extended family, let them know how much you appreciate them and that the entire synod is keeping them in our prayers.

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

 

 

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Celebrating MLC seniors

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Tomorrow, May 6, is MLC Day. Each year MLC Day brings together all who support the WELS College of Ministry around the world. Martin Luther College (MLC) supporters send messages to the college, pray for its ministry, share its ministry with others, and give gifts to assist in carrying out its mission. MLC students then share their stories and thanks with supporters.

This year, MLC Day will highlight family connections even more, especially focusing on MLC seniors.

ā€œWith students continuing to study off campus due to COVID-19 restrictions, our seniors are missing out on many end-of-year activities celebrations,ā€ says Mr. Bill Pekrul, MLC director of public relations. ā€œWe decided to focus MLC Day on them this year and have photos and videos aimed at their reflections and encouraging others to send messages of congratulations and encouragement to these future called workers.ā€

Pekrul offers the following suggestions on how everyone can participate:

  • Current students can share prayers, blessings, encouragement, and thanks to a graduating senior.
  • MLC seniors can offer a message of thanks to those who encouraged and supported them throughout their time at college as well as offer advice to incoming students.
  • WELS families, schools, and congregations can record short videos or submit photos with notes of encouragement and prayers for a graduating senior. MLC is providing signs and message prompts to help the creative process.
  • WELS members can offer prayers and monetary support for MLCā€™s ministry. All gifts will go toward the Congregational Partner Grant Matching Fund, which directly supports students. A generous donor has agreed to match every dollar donated up to $50,000.

Visit mlcday.com to learn more. There you can also access resources and message prompts so you can show your support for MLC and its students on May 6.

 

 

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Martin Luther College announces commencement plans

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In consultation with the 2020 graduating class, faculty/staff, and local health authorities, Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., has decided that its graduation and Call Day services will be held remotely, with graduating seniors viewing from their homes.

The 2020 commencement worship service will be broadcast via MLCā€™s Livestream page at 10 a.m. CT, May 16. The reading of the assignments will immediately follow the commencement service. Both events will be pre-recorded at the Chapel of the Christ on MLCā€™s campus. Assignment lists will be posted on MLCā€™s and on WELSā€™ websites immediately following the events.

To help the graduates celebrate, MLC is sending a ā€œgraduation boxā€ to every senior and encouraging students to send pictures of themselves in their caps and gowns and videos of their watch parties. Stay tuned to MLCā€™s social media to see photos and videos.

In late March, MLC already had announced that alternative/distance learning would extend to the end of the 2019ā€“20 school year, a decision made taking into account directives from the state of Minnesota. Distance learning started March 23.

ā€œWe thank everyone for their patience and their understanding in these crazy, crazy times as God has set them before us,ā€ says Dr. Jeff Wiechman, MLCā€™s vice president for academics. ā€œBut we forge ahead knowing that heā€™s in total control and knowing that he has our best interests at heart. His will is being done for us and for our ministry in his kingdom.ā€

To help celebrate the graduates, MLC has decided to focus its annual MLC Day on its seniors, offering current students, families, friends, and MLC supporters an opportunity to give a shout-out to these future called workers. This online social media event, which also provides ways to support WELSā€™ College of Ministry with gifts and prayers, takes place May 6. Go to mlcday.com to learn more and to access resources and message prompts.

Commencement plans for Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS), Mequon, Wis., will be finalized in early May. With the Wisconsin governorā€™s ā€œSafer at Homeā€ orders extended until May 26, WLS already has decided to hold classes online until the end of the school year.

 

 

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Evangelism Day at MLC

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The annual Evangelism Day at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., in January, brought a break from classes as students attended stellar seminars and got fired up about proclaiming Christ.

ā€œEvangelism Day,ā€ says Maddy Leckwee, ā€œis filled with energy and fire for the gospel. It makes you excited for the work you are training to do.ā€

Pastors, teachers, and laypeople presented on topics ranging from youth ministry and social media outreach to the gospel in East Asia and witnessing to Mormons.

Others snagged an opportunity to practice confessing their faith with Praise and Proclaim Ministriesā€™ evangelism training. The group looks forward to canvassing later this spring.

View photos from the day.

Article from Martin Luther Collegeā€™s e-mail newsletter KnightWatch.

 

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Rev. Richard Gurgel accepts call to serve as MLC president

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Rev. Richard Gurgel has accepted the call to serve as president of WELSā€™ college of ministry, Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn. He will begin his new call on July 1, 2020.

Gurgel brings years of parish and teaching experience to his new ministry. Since 1999, he has served as a professor at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., teaching homiletics, systematics, and Christian education. He also directs the continuing education arm of the seminary, the Grow in Grace Institute.

The MLC Governing Board issued the call Sept. 26, and Gurgel officially accepted Oct. 21, saying, ā€œWith a deep awareness of my weaknesses as a jar of clay but with a still deeper appreciation for Christā€™s forgiving and empowering grace, I accept the call to serve as Martin Luther Collegeā€™s next president. May God give me a double portion of the servant-hearted, gospel-filled spirit with which President Zarling has so faithfully served.ā€

Furthermore, Gurgel noted, ā€œGod has used and continues to use what happens on MLCā€™s campus to prepare one generation after another of Christian witnesses to proclaim the gospel of his kingdom in classrooms and congregations and communities around the world. Truly a city set on a hill cannot be hidden!ā€

Rev. Mark Zarling, retiring president of MLC, is grateful that such a faithful shepherd will soon assume the leadership mantle. ā€œProf. Gurgel is a shepherd gifted with many abilities and with a heart that beats with theĀ gospel of Jesus Christ,ā€ says Zarling. ā€œI am thrilled that he has accepted and am confident that Jesus will use him mightily for the good of this important ministry.ā€

To learn more about MLC, visit mlc-wels.edu.

 

 

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Equipping Christian Witnesses effort underway

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Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., is embarking on a two-year synodwide offering called ā€œEquipping Christian Witnesses.ā€

Martin Luther College (MLC) is our WELS college of ministry. It prepares nearly all of our called workers, training teachers and staff ministers to serve when they graduate and providing college-level training to young men who will enroll at the seminary to prepare to serve as pastors. Our synod is experiencing a great need for more called workers, and that is what this effort intends to help address.

The offering will provide resources to increase recruitment efforts around the synod.

In addition to that, it will address one barrier to enrollment at MLC: the cost of education. Even though MLC strives to keep educational costs down (and is widely considered to be successful in doing that), the prayer is that this offering will assist in recruitment by providing additional resources for student financial aid, reducing the need for students to borrow for their education.

Another goal of this offering is to provide funds that will help the college improve its facilities, particularly student housing and recreation facilities. While certainly not the main motivation for studying for the ministry, campus facilities do play an important role in recruitment.

We pray that God will move the hearts of our congregations and their members to take part in this opportunity to support the important work that MLC is doing on behalf of us all.

To learn more, visit mlc-wels.edu/mlc-campaign.

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

 

 

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Assignments at Martin Luther College and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary

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Last week the synodā€™s Assignment Committee met in New Ulm, Minn., to assign teacher and staff ministry candidates. The Assignment Committee is comprised of the Conference of Presidents and is assisted by various advisors.

One hundred forty candidates were assigned to the teaching ministry. All candidates who were able to go anywhere were assigned. Many candidates that could be assigned to limited geographical areas (due to marriage or other circumstances) were assigned, and more of those will be assigned in the coming weeks.

Two staff minister candidates who could go anywhere were assigned; two that were limited by geography were not yet assigned but could be assigned in the future if calls become available.

The complete list of assignments can be found at mlc-wels.edu.

This week the Assignment Committee moves to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis. There the committee will assign vicars and pastoral candidates. The announcement of those assignments will take place on Thurs., May 23, at 10:00 a.m. The service can be viewed live online at wls.wels.net.

Our gracious God has provided candidates to serve in the public ministry, and he has moved them to say, ā€œHere am I; send me!ā€ We thank God for these gifts to his church and pray for his blessings on their service.

Serving in Christ,
President Mark Schroeder