As we all keep saying to one another, who knew that we’d be doing this online again a year later!
Vicarage is a very important step in a seminary student’s formation towards the pastoral ministry—the opportunity to spend a whole year working in a congregation to put their theological education into practice. The annual vicars’ dinner, hosted by the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League–Canada (LWMLC), opens the door a crack to see what they’re getting into. It’s one of those occasions when the students realise just how much love and support the church offers them as they prepare for their high calling.
With the usual congregationally-hosted vicars’ dinner out of the question, plans were in place for the LWMLC to sponsor a pizza lunch at the seminary for the upcoming vicars. With tightened restrictions in Ontario, even this became impossible, and the entire event was moved online.
LWMLC President Linda Long and Ontario District President Diana Grant joined with the three upcoming vicars–Jason Gillard of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Nigel Prozenko of Halifax, and Chad Miller of Winnipeg–and Seminary President Dr Thomas Winger for a lunchtime video-conference on Tuesday, 13 April.
After meeting the vicars President Long presented a video and slideshow that illustrated the wide-reaching role the organisation plays in supporting the mission of Lutheran Church–Canada. Everyone was encouraged to think about the role LWML ladies have played in their personal and congregational lives!
After the “Virtual Vicars’ Dinner” concluded with prayer, the three vicars were treated to a take-away lunch at home, courtesy of the hosts. We look forward to returning to the face-to-face dinners next year, with thanks to the faithful support of the LWMLC.
Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary 