SEMINARY PARTNERSHIP

The parish is now in partnership with Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS).  LTSS is the seminary that serves the southeastern part of the United States and is responsible for the theological formation of pastors and lay leaders of the ELCA.  The parish received a request from the seminary to help fund the education of these future leaders of the Church.  The word “partnership” always means more than financially supporting someone.  It means that we are now paired with a young man, will support him financially as we are able, and will walk with him as he journeys through his theological training.  Listed below are suggestions made by LTSS to help us define a covenant of relationship.

SEMINARIAN    Send monthly or quarterly update or    personal newsletter, along with informative    photos    Visit church at least once during year,    perhaps for a special event or occasion    like an anniversary or homecoming     Offer to perform a service, i.e. present a    program on Southern Seminary, preach,    or teach a SS class     Thank congregation promptly and    continually for support of any kind,    including prayers     Support through prayer     Invite congregation to campus and help    host their visit     Provide congregation with display poster    picture of seminarian

PARISH    Include on mailing    Invite student for an all-expenses paid visit    to the congregation     Invite student to preach, teach, or present    a program when s/he visits     Support through additional financial gifts    to student and/or seminary     Support through prayer     Visit the seminary campus     Send care packages     Remember birthdays and anniversaries     Remember student with small gifts on    holidays, etc     Present the seminarian with homemade    quilt or throw if congregation has a    quilting group

Seminary education is a very expensive undertaking and many students leave their training with significant debt.  This is one small way that we can ease the financial burden of our future leaders and at the same time; share in the many gifts they have to offer.  If you have any ideas of how you would like to use your gifts and talents to nurture this relationship with Nathan, please let me know.  I invite you to include him in your daily prayers.  We will be praying for him in our Tuesday morning prayer group as well as the Prayers of the People on Sunday mornings.  Nathan’s contact information can be obtained from the office.  Please feel free to send him cards and letters throughout the year.  May we all benefit from this partnership.