While Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), is making plans to begin transitioning back to normal during the summer and into the fall, the unique challenges of this academic year remain through graduation, which, along with Call Day, will be held in an online-only format. Baccalaureate will replace daily chapel on Friday, May 22, at 10 a.m., with Commencement held later that day at 4 p.m. Both services will be livestreamed at www.ctsfw.edu/dailychapel or www.facebook.com/ctsfw, Eastern Time.
Though the normal ebb and flow of activity at the Seminary looks very different these days, the reality at work remains unchanged. Thanks be to God for His great mercy in sending out workers into His harvest fields and students into the practical contexts in which they will be formed for future service. All vicar-elects and deaconess interns have an assignment, every candidate who is available for a Call at this time will receive one, and two deaconesses will receive their placements as well. Due to the technical demands, both services will be combined into a single service on Wednesday, April 29, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
To watch the service, go to https://callday.ctsfw.edu. The service will begin automatically on this site at 6:55 p.m. on April 29; the countdown to the service is currently at just a little over nine days. All vicar-elects, deaconess interns, deaconesses awaiting their placements, and candidates are pictured on this page, with a downloadable link to the service bulletin. After placements, assignments, and Calls are announced at the service, you’ll also have access to several downloadable PDF lists of these men and women, plus a map showing where they’re headed, broken down by district.
“This is certainly a day to look forward to,” said Dr. Gary Zieroth, Dean of Students and Director of Vicarage and Internship. “We can celebrate together the fact that the Lord of the Church is still sending out workers into the harvest field and we can still celebrate the fact that, as we’ve been living these ways these past several weeks, the Word—the Gospel—needs to get out. And it’s being disseminated in many and different ways. Our prayer always is that people are converted, and that people’s faith grows, and that the devil’s schemes are defeated because of this powerful and precious Word. God is with us and God will bless us as we move through these days.”
For those who like to be able to comment with their prayers and congratulations immediately (or enjoy interacting with their fellow watchers throughout the service), watch the livestream at www.facebook.com/ctsfw. Though Facebook won’t have the extra material that’s available on the Call Day website, as you all know the social media platform allows commenting and sharing. We’ll be here as well, answering questions and being with you as these days allow.
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you” (2 Tim. 1:8-14).