Archives for June 15, 2022

In this devotion, Mary Simonson Clark ’07 M.A. writes, “The issue isn’t whether God chooses us, but … whether we choose each other.” Read today’s God Pause.

We gather in the Chapel of the Incarnation and online for a Service of Holy Communion. Tim Schroeder, Senior Admissions Counselor, is our preacher and presider. 

Construction will begin on the new Garden of the Resurrection in mid-July! The new garden will be located near the Southeastern entrance of the Olson Campus Center. 

On Wednesday, June 22 at 3pm, we will have a community groundbreaking gathering to begin clearing the ground to prepare for the Garden of the Resurrection. 

The Luther Seminary Community (Faculty, Staff, and Students) will have an opportunity to break ground and take some plants for their own gardens. We will also hear about the plans and have a short blessing. There will be some shovels available; please bring buckets and other implements to remove plants. 

Plants are available beginning June 22 on a first come basis. Plants are only available from the designated garden and should not be removed from other places on campus!

There will be some refreshments. Please let us know if you are coming through this Google Form!  

Questions? Email Seminary Pastor Jeni Grangaard (jgrangaard002@luthersem.edu). 

Students, Staff, and Faculty,

Looking at the next year’s academic calendar, we want to let students, staff, and faculty know that the Educational Leadership Committee (ELC) has voted to return to in-person only intensives for the Residential Focus Sessions (RFS) and the full course (five day) intensives. This change begins in September 2022. 

We anticipate this is good news for some people and concerning for others. There are several reasons for this decision. First, we wanted to make a decision now so people can begin planning for next year. We know that the fluidity of the past two years has made life at Luther hard, even as we valued flexibility and caring for this community’s broad range of personal needs. It is now time to regain some stability in our primary work of teaching and learning, and this is one step in that direction. 

Second, the curricular design of our M.A. and M.Div. degree programs was based on learning distributed and integrated across various modalities, including in-person. The long-term impact of not having regular, in-person classes is being felt in our community life, relational connections, and overall learning. 

Third, a goal of our strategic plan is cultivating a vibrant Christian community that serves and includes in-person, online, and hybrid members. Knowing that RFS sessions and Intensives will be in-person next year, we are exploring ideas of how these times can anchor our living into who God has called us to be.  

We hope having this clarity allows everyone to make decisions about next year. 

We will continue to monitor COVID and make adjustments to life on campus as needed. Please know that if any student is already on campus for an intensive and tests positive for COVID accommodations will be made. In the meantime, please know that the Deans and all the Academic Affairs teams are working hard to enhance the learning environment here at Luther Seminary.

Terri Elton
Dean of Academic Affairs

Rolf Jacobson
Dean of the Faculty

Leon Rodriques
Interim Dean of Students

Join us after chapel for the following free meals during RFS and Intensives:

Wednesday, June 15- Local Roots
Friday, June 17- Piada Italian Street Food

Monday, June 20- Nacho’s Mexican
Wednesday, June 22- TBD
Friday, June 24- TBD

Most dietary needs will be accommodated. Please remember to bring your own beverage in an effort to help us reduce waste.