Sunday, Aug. 28 ushered in the start of the new school year and the beginning of First Week at Luther Seminary. Over several days, the new class was introduced to one another, returning students, faculty, staff and the wider community. First Week began with a worship service and a picnic on Aug. 28 and ended with a sending worship and open house on Sept. 1. In between, students learned from a variety of workshops, panel discussions and contextual experiences that were all focused around the Wholeness Wheel.
New students spent time exploring how to tend to their spiritual, intellectual, vocational, emotional, financial, community and intellectual lives. Workshops were offered in such diverse topics as praying with our bodies, financial health in seminary, boundaries and the language of theological education. Students also had the opportunity to learn from Christian public leaders who are living out their callings and met in small groups for a Vocational Day in Context. The groups chose an experience from one of the following options: urban ministries; sites focused on congregational redevelopment; an introduction to chaplaincy and spiritual care in the Twin Cities; ministry and the arts; and rural ministry.
First-year student Halle Siebert said, “My favorite portion of First Week was our Day in Context. It was a great opportunity to showcase how ministry is carried out in the Twin Cities while also motivating new students to think about their specific callings to ministry. Additionally, I really enjoyed talking with other students who visited different sites to hear about what they experienced as well!”
First Week gives new students a helpful orientation to life at Luther while building relationships and community.
You can view photos of the First Week experience at flickr.com/lutherseminary. Select albums, then click 2016 First Week.