Seminary President, Dr Thomas Winger, declared the official opening of the thirty-ninth academic year before the 60 worshippers gathered in the chapel for the Opening Service, this past Sunday, 7 September 2014. The service centred around the joint seminaries theme for this academic year 2014-15, “Train yourself for godliness” (I Timothy 4:7).
Processional candlesticks, donated by Dr Wilhelm Torgerson in thanks to God for his 70th birthday, were dedicated for their first use. When not being used in procession they will stand next to the lectern to proclaim visually, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105) and that “Jesus Christ is the Light of the world”—as we sang at the opening of Evening Prayer.
Within the worship service, various awards 
were bestowed on students for academic excellence.
On behalf of the various districts of LCC, the seminary also presents an Emeritus Crucis (Veteran of the Cross) to a pastor for exemplary parish service. Sadly this year’s recipient, Rev. Milford (Mel) Murray, was called to his eternal home before the service was held. His widow Lorna accepted the reward on his behalf and his son Paul brought greetings to the worshippers.
The Seminary Guild and provided refreshments after the service.
An additional surprise for the first-year M.Div. students were gift bags of books purchased by Rev. Larry Ritter of Trinity Lutheran, Niagara-on-the-Lake. He was able to get some great bargains at the LCC convention in Vancouver in June and also able to convince enough friends to help bring them back on the plane. Money for purchasing the books was raised at a pig roast last June.
Concordia Seminary students, staff and faculty are constantly encouraged by such thoughtfulness and by knowing its supporters continually remember the Seminary and its essential work of preparing servants for God’s mission in daily prayer.
Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary 