Happy Christmas to all the World

We here at Concordia Seminary pray the Lord Jesus Christ, born for your forgiveness, your life,your salvation, would give to you His peace which surpasses all human understanding. We thank the Lord that we have seen His salvation, and now rejoice:

"Rejoice! Rejoice!"

Emmanuel shall come to Thee, O Israel!"

KDC

Where's Jesus?

The title of this blog post is not intended to be a theological one. If it were, the answer would be straightforward. However, this question may be a little more difficult to answer. Take a look at the link below and you will see the meaning of the question.
http://respublica.typepad.com/respublica/2010/12/a-manger-but-no-baby.html

KDC

"Why Would Anyone Want to be a Pastor?"

The question posed in the title of this post is that of a recent interview I had with KFUO radio. I thank KFUO for the opportunity to talk about the very important role of encouraging men to become pastors. Of course the title only addresses half the question. One could also ask, "Why would anyone want to become deaconesses?" That question is addressed as well. I certainly enjoyed the casual, candid nature of the dialogue. If you click on the title you will be able to hear the full interview. I hope you find it helpful as you consider the Office of the Holy Ministry or the Diaconate.

Green and Gold(en) Opportunity

If you have just one day to spare but would like to get a sense of how Concordia prepares a man for the pastoral ministry or a woman for the diaconate, I would suggest coming to Green and Gold Day on January 7th. This day is designed to present a day in the life of Concordia Seminary. I have enjoyed these days because I feel that we can show a lot about the Seminary in a short amount of time. So, if you are a college student interested in being a pastor or deaconess, and you do not have anything else scheduled on January 7th, please consider scheduling a Green and Gold Day. Will it be life changing? Probably not. However, I also believe you will walk away with a better idea of what Concordia Seminary is all about.

KDC

Picture of the Day

An image of a warmer time. Not too hot; not too cold.

Taste of the Sem 2011: Together with All Creatures

Taste of the Sem 2011 is just around the corner. Thank you to everyone who has already registered. If you are a high school student, and you have not yet registered, please consider coming. This event will be one where you can learn more about the fact that God has created us together with all creatures, and still takes care of us. Presentations will be lead by some of CSL's faculty such as Dr. Charles Arand and Dr. Bob Weise. You will also be matched up with a current seminary student so you can learn more about how CSL prepares men for the pastoral ministry. If you would like to register, just click on the title of this blog post, and you will be taken to the registration page.

KDC

The Joys of working in Admissions

As a student worker you often wonder how much fun you'll actually have at your job. I know that having worked for the admissions office at Concordia Seminary for a year now you never know what to expect. Sometimes there is a heaping load of envelopes to stuff. Other days its kinda low key and relaxed. Like the other day when I happened to walk into the office to find that I was now part of a Grand Plan to take out Kyle Castens with foam Nerf Darts. Needless to say an umbrella was broken, darts ended up in the plants, and Kyle was shown just how prepared seminarians are for Spiritual Warfare! Well maybe not spiritual but at the very least Nerf warfare.

SMP Deadline Approaching

I want to remind everyone who is a SMP applicant for spring that the deadline is January 7th. This deadline means that all application materials must be submitted, and all entrance exams passed.
Please call me, 314-505-7224, if you have any questions or concerns.

Kyle Castens

Signs of the Season

Are three pictures worth three thousand words?

8 degrees and Counting

Well, it is certainly not going to be a scorcher today in Saint Louis. After yesterday's Arctic blast, we found ourselves this morning with very frigid wind chills and a little bit of snow.
Thanks to the Seminary snow removal crews armed with shovels, snow blowers, snow plows, salt, sticks, swords-OK, kidding about the last two- the Seminary grounds are safe.
I do anticipate that later today the several hills of campus will be crowded with children of all ages taking runs at the slopes. Personally, I plan on not breaking anything; bruises, well that's another story.
I pray you are safe and warm where you are. If it is frigid and dangerous where you are, I hope you are at home sipping a warm beverage of your choice.

KDC

Obstacles

Over the years many have expressed to me obstacles they believe stand between them and Seminary. I would like to know what you feel are such obstacles. I believe knowing these will help us serve you best. Please comment to this blog post or e-mail me at castensk@csl.edu. Obviously our job here is not to remove these obstacles, but to help you and encourage you in the midst of them. The Lord be with you this day.

Still Contemplating

I hope the people who attended Contemplate read this blog. They really made our visitation event quite enjoyable and I want them to know it. Once again I could see the Lord at work through the lives of people. There certainly was fear and apprehension, and I want them to know that they will be in our prayers that the Lord would give them direction and peace. There was also excitement and great joy. I want them to know that they will be in our prayers that the Lord would give them direction and peace. It all comes down to the fact that the Lord is at work no matter what our emotions or reactions may be.

For some the Lord is at work to lead them to prepare for the pastoral or deaconess ministry. For others the Lord is at work leading them to be His servants where they are. Outstanding! May we all " go home and tell them how much the Lord has done for you (Mark 5:19)."

Takin' It To The Streets

The City of St. Louis hosts the final Open Streets event Saturday, October 9, from 8am - 1pm. The free event opens city streets to joggers, cyclists, pedestrians and spectators along a route that encompasses Old North St. Louis, the Arch grounds, Citygarden and Busch Stadium. It's designed to encourage residents to take to the streets and walk, bike, run and play. Two activity hubs along the route will feature activities like hula hooping, belly dancing, inflatable bounce houses, freethrow competitions, art, music and more. Call (314)622-4043 or visit http://www.stlopenstreets.org/ for info.

Convention News

Hey, I know that there is a lot of things going on at the LCMS Convention which often are tense. However, there is a lot of good things occurring and a lot of interesting conversations as well. Click on the title of this blog post and it will take you to some live action, if you have not been there already.
However as the Convention concludes, the NYG in NOLA begins. Come by the exhibit area in the Convention Center and say hello.

Kyle Castens

Summer Days Are Here Again!

Are you looking for some FREE summer fun for kids this summer? Here are the top things to do with your children in St. Louis without spending any money!

St. Louis Zoo

Admission to the Zoo is always free, but each day during the summer from 8-9am, the Children's Zoo, the Conservation Carousel, the Stingrays at Carribean Cove and other special exhibits are also free. The Children's Zoo has an outdoor playground with slides, bridges and rope ladders. Kids can also get an up-close look at bunnies, guinea pigs and other animals. For toddlers and pre-schoolers, check out Zoomagination Station, a free indoor play area at the Living World.

Grant's Farm

Grant's Farm is another great place to see animals from around the world. The 281 acre farm in South County is home to hundreds of animals, including the famous Budweiser Clydesdales. In the summer, Grant's Farm is open daily except Mondays. Admission is free for everyone, but parking is $11/car.

Children's Garden

Admission is free to the Children's Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden on Wednesday evenings from 5-7pm. The Children's Garden is designed to teach kids about nature in a fun way. There's a tree house, frontier fort, outdoor classroom and more.

Powder Valley Nature Center

Families can take a hike on one of several paved trails that weave through the Powder Valley Nature Conservation Center. There's also an indoor learning center and special free classes for kids throughout the summer.

Fountain at Tower Grove Park

The fountain and wading pool at Tower Grove Park is a nice place for kids to cool off in the summer heat. There are dozens of pop-jets for children to play in, as well as a large water bowl in the center of the fountain. During the summer, ther fountain and jets are on every day. The wading pool is open Thursday through Sunday.

Magic House

St. Louis' top childrens museum has free admission for families on the thrid Friday of the month from 5:30-9pm.

St. Louis Science Center

Admission to the StL Science Center is free for everyone. On the first Friday night of each month there is also a free Star Party at the Planetarium. Members of the St. Louis Astronomical Society set up telescopes for public viewing outside and there are kid-friendly events inside.

Citygarden

Citygarden is one of the newest attractions in Downtown St. Louis. It's a city park filled with fountains, wading pools, sculpture and more. It's a great free place for kids to play on a hot summer day. Citygarden is located along Market Street between 8th and 10th Streets. It is open daily from sunrise to 10pm.

Wehrenberg Theatres Family Summer Series

Kid friendly movies are shown on Wednesdays & Thursdays at 10am, at nine local Wehrenberg Theatres.

Those Summer Nights

There is so much to do in St. Louis during the summer months and much of it is free! You can hear some great live music without spending any money. Here's information on free concerts in St. Louis in summer 2010.

LIVE ON THE LEVEE

Three weekends of free concerts under the Gateway Arch in Downtown St. Louis. Headlinders include Common, Clint Black and Silversun Pickups. Plus every night closes with a big fireworks finale.

July 9-10, 16-17, 23-24

JUNGLE BOOGIE

Free Friday night concerts at the St. Louis Zoo. Concerts feature locally known musicians like the Ralph Butler Band, Kim Massie, and Gumbohead.

May 28 - June 8

TWILIGHT TUESDAYS

Bring a blanket or lawn chair to the north lawn of the Missouri History Museum for performances by Boogie Chyld, PowerPlay Band and more. Concerts start at 6:30pm.

April 27 - June 8

WHITAKER MUSIC FESTIVAL

Outdoor concerts held each Wednesday night for ten weeks in the beautiful Missouri Botanical Gardens. Garden admission is free after 5pm. The concerts start at 7:30pm.

June 2 - August 4

LAUMEIER MUSIC + MOVIES

Laumeier Sculpture Park offers a full evening of free entertainment starting with a concert by a local musician, then a family friendly movie. Music begins at 7pm. Movies are at 8:30pm.

June 4, 11, 18 & 25

PARTIES ON THE PLAZA

Parties on the Plaza are held from 5pm-8pm on the third Wednesday of the month at the Old Post Office Plaza in Downtown St. Louis. Each event includes live music plus food, drinks and giveaways.

May - September

GATEWAY FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA

Classical favorites from the world's great composers performed on Sunday evenings at 7:30pm at Brookings Quadrangle on the Washington University campus.

July 11,18, 25 and August 1

MUSICAL MONDAYS

The Compton Heights Concert Band performs Mondays in Tower Grove Park. Guest performers include tenor Hugh Smith and 9-year-old trumpet prodigy Geoffrey Gallante.

July 4 - August 9

CARONDELET SUMMER CONCERTS

A wide variety of musicians perform Sunday evening concerts at 6pm in Carondelet Park in South St. Louis.

June 6 - August 22

SOUNDS AT THE STATION

Enjoy a free concert the third Thursday of the month by the Lake Stage at St. Louis Union Station. Concerts are from 5pm to 8:30pm.

April - September

Open Streets

Open Streets combines elements of your neighborhood block party, a day at the gym, and a relaxing weekend morning. It's a chance to exercise, an opportunity to people watch, and a great time to enjoy our region's wonderful spring weather.

This first of four events opens five miles along Locust and Lindell Streets for you to enjoy. That's right, CAR-FREE city streets!

Open Streets is a FREE community event. You're invited to take to the streets to walk, bike, skate, visit other neightborhoods, rediscover the city and experience the Great Rivers Greenway's Bike St. Louis routes.

Three activity hubs located along the length of the route host a variety of fun activities - aerobics, zumba, hula-hooping, yoga, walking tours and safety and health demonstrations.

Open Streets will be held this Saturday, May 1, 2010, from 8am - 1pm.

The Time for Applications

It seems as though the application process for the 2010-2011 academic year just began yesterday ( was actually May 1st). Now we have come to the time where we can see the application deadline, March 31st, in sight.
However, you may be wondering what this application deadline really means. Well, I would like to take a moment to explain how we are currently interpreting it.
In order to receive the greatest amount for financial aid and the greatest chance for on-campus housing, all application materials must be received by March 31st. This deadline also insures that the applicant will be completing the entrance exams on time (April 30th).
However, this deadline does not mean we will no longer accept an application after this date. In actuality the opportunity to submit an application will exist up to June 3oth.
As always, if you are now considering the Seminary for next year I urge you to complete the process by March 31st. For those of you, though, who may be making this decision a little later, please give me a call because your window of opportunity is not closed.
My number is 314-505-7224.

Kyle Castens