Announcements

Check out this week’s blog post from Dean of the Chapel Steve Thomason—Fall Graduate Recognition and Advent 2.

Come for breakfast with pancakes on December 3 from 8:30–9:30 a.m. in the OCC café.

Bring your own lunch to OCC 10 on Tuesday, December 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.—or join us on Zoom (link to come)—to learn about what the archives working group has done so far. The group will share some of their findings and next steps and invite conversation on how the archives can best serve this community into the future. Contact Caleb Rollins with any questions at crollins002@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.

Secret Santa Gift Exchange
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

Join us January 25–27, 2026, for a 3-day retreat that explores God’s call on your life. We will explore the biblical witness on divine calling and God’s ongoing calling in our lives. There will be time for rest, play, worship, and prayer. Throughout the retreat we will use storytelling and the witness of community and faith practices to dig deeply into our stories and the story God is unfolding in each of us. We will gather at Shores of Saint Andrew Bible Camp in New London, Minnesota. Participants will have the opportunity to carpool to/from campus or meet at the retreat center. The cost of the retreat including 2 nights lodging and 6 meals is $200—thanks to the support of a Luther Seminary grant. Scholarships are available for current Luther Seminary students thanks to the Stewardship Leaders Endowment Lab grant—email Ashley Wheeler (awheeler002@luthersem.edu) for more information. Retreat enrollment is limited, so register soon. Registration closes Monday, December 15. The retreat is led by Steve Thomason, Dean of the Chapel and Faculty, Ashley Wheeler in Candidacy and Contextual Education, and Jen Gruendler in Admissions.