respublica

The opening of the school year at Concordia Seminary

The seminary officially opened the 2012-2013 school year this morning, it began with a worship service in the chapel just as the promised rain began. Lizzie brought Christian and Connor and we all umbrella-ed over to the chapel.

Don't give boys something that moves.

Connor was easily entertained by having an umbrella

Finally

We got inside and ran into two men from the Immigrant theology program who enjoyed having their picture taken. 

During the service 6 new staff members were installed.

There's Eric, this year's student body president, a position which makes him the crucifer for all worship services of a special nature.

The incoming class is a large one so the chapel was full.

At the conclusion most stay and talk outside the chapel.

Before we headed back to the house the boys had their picture taken with Opa.

Connor!

And it's been raining off and on ever since, tomorrow's Field Day has been cancelled and the barbeque tomorrow night will be indoors. But we needed the rain and this has been a good rain. Beautiful service, lots of new students. Thankful for the blessing of Concordia Seminary.

The night before the opening of the school year

This morning Concordia Seminary officially opens the 2012-2013 academic year with a worship service and installation of new faculty. Classes begin on Tuesday after a hoped for weekend of activities and picnics. Hoped for meaning it may not happen due to predicted downpours. 

Last night two events took place ahead of the rest.

Staff from Lutheran Hour Ministries held a barbeque for all first year students and their families.

Following that at 7, the Seminary Womens' Association held a wine and cheese welcome on the plaza for all new women.

A time to meet some of the veteran women, talk, and get the feel for how things go around here.

A Blue Moon with meaning

Tonight we will see a Blue Moon which is a term given to the second full moon in one month. This occurs every 2.7 years. What's rather poignant about this one is it happens on the day of Neil Armstrong's funeral.

Looks like a washed out weekend

Ironic. No rain all summer and the weekend with the most activities looks like a wet one. But, thanks to hurricane Isaac, this is something St. Louis rarely sees on a weather map.

Creating art converting souls

A great story in the Post Dispatch Journals paper last week about Phil Herr. Phil is from Collinsville and is a longtime member of Holy Cross who took up carving many years ago and made a business of it. Recently he has become a strong supporter of ministry in Ghana after meeting Nicholas Salifu of that country who came to study at the seminary.

I'll let the story speak for itself except to say Phil is doing everything he can to help Nicholas continue his ministry to those in Ghana who have never heard the gospel. In addition to preaching and baptizing Nicholas' organization, Ghana Harvest, assists with funding wells for clean water and livestock for food. The ministry has also built a 600-student school and construction on a second school is underway.

Phil has created a website to help get the word out and to help support this cause.

 

Rain, the good and the bad

It looks as though the St. Louis area will be in store for a very wet weekend, more rain than we've had in ages due to the push from Hurricane Isaac. That's unfortunate for us here at Concordia Seminary as this is our opening of the school year weekend with lots of outdoor events planned. It's unfortunate for the many St. Louis Labor Day weekend festivals like the Greek Fest and Jazz Fest. As many years as we've gone to the St. Nicolas Greek Fest I do not remember it ever being rained out. After a months of drought and heat, we'll make up for it over 3 days.

But, rain will be good in many ways. It's too late for the corn crop, but should be helpful for the soybeans. It's too late for some trees which look like they're goners. But for the trees just trying to hang on, this may be the lifeline they need.

Another good thing about an unrelenting downpour will be a respite from the constant robberies and break-ins which have become an ugly part of life in St. Louis. Thieves will probably stay inside.

So this happened

Today is my birthday, but yesterday afternoon was a surprise. When I say surprise, I mean huge surprise. Lizzie did a great job of documenting it on her blog, being nicer to me than I deserve. But this morning I want to thank all the great people who were part of the event and who made it so surprising and wonderful. They worked hard down at environmental services to put this altogether after Dale broached the idea. I love all you guys and the gator parade was the coolest thing.

Thank you thank you so much to:

Gary, Fred, Steve, Gayle, Nathan, Larry, John, Mike, Mike, Chad, Andy, David, Adam, Adam, Aaron and Kayla, Aaron, Mark, Josh and Mallory, Jean Baptiste, Jacob and Jackie our campus chef. From Dale's office Michelle, Marla and Linda. And Bill Wrede who went up in the bell tower and played happy birthday on the carillon!

The cake was decorated with vegetables in the frosting! Just like the campus!

And to Lizzie, Christian and Connor. And above all, Dale who along with the evironmental services people came up with the most memorable birthday I've ever had. Thank you. I'm still in shock by it all.

Thanks Gary!

Men won't eat fruits and vegetables

And here's the science as to why this is. Well, maybe not science but a study with no real conclusions as to why men don't believe in the value of fruits and vegetables.

"Men feel less confident in their ability to eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, especially when they are at work or in front of the television." No where does the article explain this lack of ability to eat an apple which makes this whole study and story seem shallow. 

But hey, most guys will gladly eat french fries, potatoes are vegetables, right?

And a helpful fruit and vegetable guide for helping gain confidence:  6 easy ways to eat more fruit and vegetables.

A fine example of why the national media irks me

There is nothing in this headline which does anything but try to turn readers against the GOP. If there seems to be an obsession about journalists and politics, this is why.

Ferdie's ready

Go Mizzou

SEC MIZ ZOU

Woof