Guild Day 2022: Back in Person!

The Concordia Seminary Guild has provided support to our students and faculty nearly since the seminary’s opening day. Their annual membership dues of $5 per person multiply when nearly 1,000 people renew each year. With these offerings, the Guild provides annual gifts to the students to help with their studies and pays for regular projects to spruce up the building and enhance our mission.

The two annual meeting days at the seminary are a chance for Guild members to meet the students and their families, as well as to worship together, be enriched by music and teaching, and talk over a light lunch. For two years these gatherings have been impossible. But on Saturday, 23 April 2022, we rejoiced to be able to get together again. Nearly 60 people, include Guild members, faculty, and students filled the chapel with their singing and smiles. First-year student Albert Ho (of Calgary) preached his first public sermon, filling in for student president Daniel Cunningham, who was home ill.

Seminary President Dr Thomas Winger greeted the assembly, giving thanks for various projects over recent years, including the new baptismal font with handmade artwork, and annual gifts of books, clerical shirt, and alb for pastoral students, with a visitation Communion set at Call Day. During the business meeting the Guild approved funding new window coverings for the faculty/staff offices, and re-elected Mrs Nancy Bryans as president and Mrs Archana Paul as vice-president. Archana then served as guest speaker, relating her experiences as a nurse working with people suffering from mental illness.

The students and their families who were present in person introduced themselves. An even larger number of students who study primarily online gave their greetings through a pre-recorded video, assembled by Eduardo Farias. Lunch was a simply boxed affair, but what a joy it was to sit together at table again!

Please consider supporting the Guild’s work regularly by buying a membership from your congregational rep or sending a gift to the seminary.

A recording of the event is available on our YouTube channel. Photos are in our Gallery.