In February, the Synod’s Board for University Education mailed to all LCMS congregations a brochure promoting “Concordia Sunday,” suggested for April 20.
The special observance, which may be held that day or any Sunday of the year, is designed to call attention to the Synod’s 10 Concordia University System (CUS) schools, their programs of study, and the various professional church careers that are available to students.
The special Sunday offers an opportunity for congregations to recognize and support the work being carried out by professors, staff, and students at those institutions.
Dr. Kurt Krueger, executive director of the Synod’s Board for University Education and CUS president, said Concordia Sunday “provides an opportunity for Synod’s congregations to celebrate the important ministry of our 10 Concordia colleges and universities and recognize the work they do in developing Christian leaders for service to the church and world.”
The Synod’s CUS schools are in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Austin, Texas; Bronxville, N.Y.; Irvine, Calif.; Mequon, Wis.; Portland, Ore.; River Forest, Ill.; St. Paul, Minn.; Selma, Ala.; and Seward, Neb.
Ideas for celebrating “Concordia Sunday” include:
- creating a photo display of the congregation’s current Concordia students, and asking worshipers to add students to their prayer lists.
- inviting a current student, parent of a student, alumnus, or faculty member to speak during Bible study or address a youth group.
- designating offerings to the CUS, a nearby LCMS college or seminary, or your congregation’s church-worker fund.
The mailing includes a form congregations can use to order free resource materials to help them celebrate “Concordia Sunday.”
Those materials include:
- “Celebrate Concordia” packet, with prayers for university education, suggested hymns, ideas for activities and displays, and speaker suggestions.
- brief announcements for worship folders and newsletters.
- information about CUS and “For the Sake of the Church” endowment campaigns, with gift envelopes.
- a book providing an overview of the programs and extracurricular activities at each CUS school.
- a recruitment poster.
- a map of CUS school locations.
- Concordia Chronicle, the CUS newspaper.
- descriptions of the various church-worker careers.
- career resources, such as descriptions of church vocations, ideas for recruiting church-work students, and the “What A Way” DVD for youth.
Many of the resources may be downloaded from the Web site www.lcms.org/universities (click on “Downloads” at left).
For more information about “Concordia Sunday” or the Synod’s colleges and universities, call (800) 248-1930, Ext. 1252, or send an e-mail to bue.info@lcms.org.
Posted March 6, 2008
