No Slowing Down

It has been a very busy few weeks here on campus, and there is no sign of slowing. The Seminary community welcomed guests to both Contemplate and Green and Gold Day. We pray the Lord lead these men and women as they continue to contemplate the possibility of coming to the Seminary.
We have also had the privilege to host a city wide Lutheran schools cross-country meet. Over 20 schools and hundreds of runners participated in this race which wove its way through the hills, trees, and buildings of campus.
As if all of this activity is not enough, Oktoberfest made its appearance in the quad. Although the weather was damp and cool, the food and fellowship were as good as always.
In the next weeks we also look forward to more guests on campus for a Lutheran schools soccer final, and Concordia Seminary vs. Concordia University-NE basketball game (Please come and root for the team of your choice).

Kyle Castens

Fall Harvest

October weather in St. Louis can't be beat. Plenty of sunshine, warm but comfortable days and crisp cool nights make getting outdoors a must. And, once the leaves start to change colors, a day at a pumpkin patch or road trip through the surrounding countryside on the way to a family-owned farm/orchard is a great way to spend a day. Here are some top picks for a pumpkin patch adventure this October:

Eckert’s Family Farm – Millstadt, IL
Sunday-Thursday: 9am-6pm
Friday & Saturday: 9am-10pm

Rombach Farms – Chesterfield, MO
Tuesday – Sunday: 9am-5pm

Thies Pumpkin Farm – Maryland Heights, MO
Monday – Saturday: 9am-6pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm

Centennial Farms and Orchard – Augusta, MO
Monday – Saturday: 10am-5pm
Sunday: 11am-5pm

Stuckmeyers Farm Market – Fenton, MO
Monday – Friday: 9am-6pm
Saturday: 9am-5pm
Sunday: 10am-4pm

Valley Farms – Foristell, MO
Daily: 10am-dusk

Lakeview Farms – O’Fallon, MO
Tuesday – Saturday: 9am-5pm

Bunker Farms – St. Louis, MO
Friday: 4pm-12am
Saturday: 9am-12am
Sunday: 10am-10pm

Relleke’s Pumpkin Patch – Granite City, IL
Daily: 9am-6pm

Pumpkins Galore – Wright City, MO
Daily: 9am-6pm

Pin Oak Farms – New Haven, MO
Saturday: 10am-5:30pm
Sunday: 12pm-5:30pm

Great Godfrey Corn Maze - Godfrey, IL

Friday: 6pm-10pm

Saturday: 11am-10pm

Sunday: 1pm-dusk

Taste of the Sem Registration Open

Taste of the Sem is not too far off in the future, January 16-18. In fact registration for this event began on October 1st. If you are a high school student, or know a high school student, interested in pastoral ministry, please consider this event.

The theme for this year's event is "Here I Stand." Three of our professors will be leading guests through a discussion of the Lutheran Reformation, and its impact on church and world. Also during this event, guests will each have a seminary student mentor who will take them to the field education congregation, and out to lunch afterward. On Monday, the guests will have the opportunity to attend classes.

Each evening of the event will end with various sports tournaments.

If you have any questions concerning the event, please call me at 314-505-7224.

Kyle Castens

Service Ended

Yesterday as I drove away from campus, I noticed that demolition had begun on a building that has served Concordia Seminary well. Located at the intersection of Seminary Place and San Bonita, this building has stood as a home for professors, staff, and students for many years.
Now that its service has ended, it is good to see that it is being disassembled rather than demolished. Plank by plank, and brick by brick the building is coming down. As I watched the progress, it seemed remarkable to me that such good stewardship is going into this effort. The building's remains will not be wasted; they simply will be built into something else.

Kyle Castens

The Christian Community: A Gift

This morning the Concordia Seminary Community began its conversations revolving around the book "Life Together" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I have to say I took more away from this morning's conversation than I thought I would.
I left Werner Auditorium realizing that I understand much less of what community means than I thought I did.
Community is defined as God's gift for the present time; a gift enjoyed for the here and now. This good definition helps us better understand our time here at Seminary. I have often cautioned people to not see the Seminary as a hoop one must just jump through to get into the parish. However, with all good intentions I also have described the Seminary as a means to an end. It is true that this place is a place one comes to be equipped for something that lies beyond it. However, we must never neglect what goes on here, and that is community now. Wow!
I want to thank the Lord working through Professors Herrmann and Schmitt, and of course Bonhoeffer, for this proper view and definition of community.

A New Travel Season

A new Academic Year brings with it another season of travel for the admissions counselors at Concordia Seminary. Rev. Kyle Castens and Rev. Paul Philp will be traveling throughout the country. Each of these counselors has already started travel for the fall. As we come to your college campus, campus ministry, congregation, high school, or another location near you, we hope that you will be stop by and visit. We look forward to meeting each and everyone of you, getting to know you, answering all of the questions which you may have, and of course talking about pastoral and deaconal formation at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. If you would like to see when we will be in your area just click here.

Welcome One and All

Summers are always a little quiet around here at Concordia Seminary (except for the summer Greek students, and their victory splash). There is nothing quiet about the campus today, though. 123 new students are becoming oriented to the ways of seminary education. What a sight it is to see all of these faces which will be prepared to serve in the Lord's church. We especially thank the Lord for giving these students the interest to be here.
These new students will continue with orientation and registration through Friday, but there is some real fun planned for Saturday . Saturday is Field Day. This day has always been a good opportunity to play a few games, and build some new friendships ( and strengthen old ones) before the school year begins. The day will be filled with softball, football, firetrucks, and BBQ. Finally, on Sunday, the campus community begins its 171st year with the opening worship service at 4pm. You are welcome to join us at this service to begin the year with the Word of the Lord.