Called to Serve 2024

For students who have devoted four or five years of their life to seminary studies, fervently desiring to enter the pastoral ministry, the Call Service is a once-in-a-lifetime event. It’s dramatic and exciting for them and the congregations to learn where they will serve.

Christ Lutheran Church, St. Catharines, hosted the annual event with more than 100 worshippers in attendance on Saturday, 25 May 2024, 3.00pm. The service of Vespers was led by Dr James Kellermann and presided over by Seminary President Dr Thomas Winger. Rev. Alan Visser, who supervised candidate Daniel Cunningham during his vicarage last year in Kitimat, BC, was invited to preach, but was unable to attend because of illness. President Winger took his place in the pulpit. Organist Andrew Hayes, who will join the seminary community next year as a pastoral student, led the service musically from the balcony.

Candidate Daniel Cunnigham, was certified to be called into the holy ministry and received his congregational placement to Redeemer Lutheran Church in Kitimat, BC. Daniel was born in Oshawa, Ontario, and is a member of Clarington Lutheran Church.

The gathered congregation also learnt the placements for three vicars. Vicarage is a one-year internship in a congregation where the student receives mentorship from a parish pastor and gains experience in the practice of ministry. Albert Ho (from Calgary, AB), will serve as vicar at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winkler, MB, under the supervision of Rev. Alexander Klages. Aaron Parkhurst (from Silver Creek, NY), who has completed his academic studies and so will not return to seminary, was placed for vicarage at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Gowanda, NY, and Trinity Lutheran Church, Silver Creek, NY, under the supervision of Rev. Travis Grubbs. Vijay Samuel (from Hyderabad, India), likewise vicaring in his final year, will serve as vicar at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Waterloo, ON, under the supervision of Rev. Joel Kuhl.

Other students were recognised for their academic achievements at the service, including Eduardo Farias, who is completing the Master of Theological Studies Degree. A special honour was reserved for Mr Roland Naujoks, of Trinity Lutheran Church, Toronto, who received the Delta Chi (Servant of Christ) medal. This the seminary’s highest honour acknowledges and thanks God for “Roly’s” long service to the church, particularly in lay leadership roles in the Ontario/East District and LCC.

What a joy to be a part of God’s sending His workers into the vineyard and thanking Him for such gracious gifts!

More photos are available here.

The whole service may be viewed on our YouTube channel.