Archives for 2025

In this devotion, Deb Hippen Schultz ’87 M. Div., suggests how we might learn the ways of peace and share them with others. Read today’s God Pause.

Come and brake bread on December 4 from 8:30–9:30 a.m. in the Library reading room! This is the third “Brake Bread” opportunity to gather around bread, jam, and pastries while building deeper community connections and celebrating a particular campus space—this time in the Library reading room. Supported by an Endowment Lab Grant from Thrivent, these braking bread events are intentional moments to build relationships, listen to one another, laugh together, and celebrate the good work and learning being done among us. Please join us in this holy space to love one another more deeply in a time of uncertainty. If you have questions, email Emily Rova-Hegener in Contextual Learning, erovahegener001@luthersem.edu.

Join us for a festive and fun Secret Santa gift exchange open to all students, faculty, and staff of the Luther Seminary community.
Thursday, December 11, 12:00 p.m. CT, OCC Dining Room
This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Christmas season together and spread holiday cheer. Participants will be randomly assigned a person for whom to purchase a gift, keeping the recipient a secret until the big reveal at our gathering on December 11. The gift limit is set at $15, making it a thoughtful yet affordable way to share joy. To join in the fun, fill out this form by Wednesday, December 3—you will be notified who your person is on December 3 or 4, so you have time to get your gift. Let’s come together to make this holiday season special by sharing gifts and celebrating community spirit. Questions? Email communitylife@luthersem.edu.

Mark your calendars for an annual tradition at Luther Seminary . . .
Wednesday, December 17 at 11 a.m. in the Chapel lobby and dining areas (OCC)
Everyone is invited—students, staff, and faculty—as we gather for cocoa, cider, coffee, and treats and enjoy this year’s Do-It-Yourself Nativity and a community lunch from Andiamo Italian. Join us for fellowship and snacks, some light-hearted fun participating in or watching colleagues as we recreate a completely unique nativity, share a community meal, sing carols, and celebrate coworkers who have reached various milestones. Let us know if you plan to attend and how you’d like to engage using this online Advent Open House + Holiday Extravaganza form. Check all columns that apply.
– Treats. Bring a dozen of your favorite Christmas cookies, bars, or other treats to share.
– DIY Nativity. Join the frivolity
– Lunch. Join us for a delicious community meal
– Milestones. Sharing annual employee recognition toward the end of lunch

Minnesota’s new paid leave program goes into effect on January 1, 2026, and will provide paid time off for specific reasons. The program also means all MN employees will be taxed on their income and that employers have a legal obligation to cover at least 50% of those taxes. Luther Seminary will be covering 100% of the MN Paid Leave tax for all of 2026. Beginning with our January cycle, you will see this tax on your paystub. For additional details, see the posters around campus. You will also receive a letter of acknowledgement of the changes.

Spring registration begins Tuesday, December 2 by class. We will host advising sessions to assist with any registration questions you may have. If you have course planning questions, email advising@luthersem.edu. Please include your degree program in your email so the appropriate advisor can respond. Spring registration opens at 9 a.m. CST on these dates:

• Tuesday, December 2: Seniors, Interns, Affiliated, ThM, PhD
• Wednesday, December 3: Middlers
• Thursday, December 4: Juniors and Certificates
• Friday, December 5: Non-Degree
• Tuesday: New Admits – Fall Semester

Advising support will be available 9 am to 10 am via this Zoom link (link in email) on 12/2, 12/3, 12/4. The advising team and Registrar’s Office staff will be available to answer questions about fall courses and assist if you encounter issues registering.