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Letter #32 - 06/08/09

Dear Parents and Guardians of our MLS Students:

Friday was a beautiful day in Saginaw, but for the MLS faculty and other employees of the school and its governing board, it was a very challenging day. That morning, the board met and studied the Reduction in Force plan it had requested from the school’s Policy Council. The council had worked on the plan since March. The plan required the council to reduce our staffing to fit the diminishing financial resources for the school. The board unanimously adopted the plan.

In the afternoon, board chairman Rev. George Ferch, Michigan District President John Seifert, and I met with each faculty member. The board’s vice chairman, Rev. James Naumann, and our MLS business manager, Mr. Paul Shonts, met with our non-called employees. In these meetings individuals were told of new responsibilities or were told that their positions had been eliminated effective June 30.

The following called servants’ positions were eliminated: Prof. Timothy Malchow, Prof. Marcus Manthey, Prof. Kenric Peterson, Prof. Daniel Retberg, Prof. Larry Seafert, and Prof. Steven Westphal.. The vacant position of mission advancement director was eliminated; Pastor Peter Snyder recently accepted a call to serve St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Wonewoc, Wisconsin. The other school employees whose positions were eliminated were Mr. Paul Arnhold (maintenance), Mrs. Diane Boehm (food service), Mr. John Boehm (food service director), Ms. Nicole Greanya (computer technology), Mr. Andrew Iles (Academic Success Center), Mr. Timothy Ross (maintenance), and Mrs. Cheryl Schroer (attendance secretary). The positions of college students who work on our maintenance staff in the summer were eliminated. The hours of our computer room supervisor, Mr. Daryl Berg, will be reduced.

Those whose positions were eliminated will receive severance packages from transitional funding provided by the synod. These were all faithful men and women who served our school well for many years; they will be dearly missed. May the words of St. Paul comfort each of them as they face the coming days and weeks, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)

In addition to these changes, the board adopted a number of program changes that enabled the school to preserve one faculty position.

Please be assured that Michigan Lutheran Seminary will be fully staffed and will maintain its full college preparatory program with only a few minor changes. Journalism and the two MLC on-line courses will be the only courses dropped. Some electives will be available only one semester. Our teacher-student ratio will be 1:10, which is typical for a boarding high school program like Seminary’s. There will be some minor changes in our extracurricular program: golf and forensics will be dropped for next year, and we will have one drama production in March. We will not be able to initiate a soccer program this year.

We began the past school year with 197 students and ended it with 194. At this time we anticipate 196 students for 2009-10. Three of these are pending applications. If you are aware of any potential students, please encourage them to send an application as quickly as possible or to contact the school by phone, 989-793-1041. An on-line application is available on our website at www.mlsem.org.

This will be a very busy summer for the remaining faculty. We host the 2009 WELS Convention the last week of July. Most will be picking up new academic and extracurricular assignments, so the summer will be spent with new work .

If you are able to help us prepare our campus for the WELS Convention, please come to the third annual MLS Volunteer Weekend, July 17 and 18. Come one or both days; we’ll start working at 8:00 A.M. each day and continue until supper. We will have snacks, beverages, lunch, and supper ready for you, as well as a T-shirt. The past two Volunteer Weekends were very productive and a good time for all involved.

Two new tutors were assigned to MLS from the Assignment Days at MLC and WLS. Rev. Steven Kuehl (pronounced like keel) will teach Spanish I and assist the JV football team and our student council. Tutor Emily Mayer (pronounced like mayor) will teach Spanish II and Spanish III/IV, organize our intramural program, and assist in our recruitment program.

Pastor Jonathan Schroeder of Sharpsburg, Georgia, continues to consider our board’s call to become the next president of Michigan Lutheran Seminary. As you and your family enjoy the summer together, please keep Pastor Schroeder, our remaining faculty and employees, and especially our departing faculty and staff members and their families in your petitions to our gracious heavenly Father.

God bless your family’s summer,

William Zeiger
Acting President
Michigan Lutheran Seminary
Saginaw, MI 48602

Letter #31 - 05/27/09

Dear Parents and Guardians:

It was my privilege last Saturday to graduate my last group of seniors, all 53 of them, as president of MLS. It did my heart good to listen to the fine class speakers: Mark Voss, son of David and Laurie Voss; and Alisa Retberg, daughter of Larry and Kay Retberg. They demonstrated the Christian values that the Holy Spirit has worked in them through the Word spoken by faithful parents, friends, pastors and professors. I enjoyed meeting the members of the anniversary class of 1959, which had a very good turnout. So many wonderful things happened on graduation day that it is hard to enumerate them all.

It would be even more difficult to enumerate all of the blessings that my family and I have experienced over the past twenty years in connection with MLS. I will not even try. Instead, I will continue to pray that everything done at MLS is to the glory of God and for the good of His Kingdom. In my first year as president, an MLS grad working at the Synod Administration Building in Milwaukee told me, "We have a precious jewel there in Saginaw." May MLS continue to be a blessing from God for His Church.

Yesterday we received word that Camp Killarney is still hiring camp counselors. Staff training will be held the week of June 15. Students can contact Julie Dostal (517-467-7603, jdostl@aol.com) for an application or visit their webpage at www.killarneycamp.org There is also still room available in their Teen Retreat 2009, June 28-July 1. Registration forms are also available online. The cost for Teen retreat starts at $145.

Cordially in Christ,
President Prange

Letter #30 - 05/19/09

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As usual the spring season has come and gone quickly. So quickly, that I have to apologize for being a week late with my e-mail to you. The good thing about being a week late with this is that I can give you more information on spring sports.

The baseball/softball regular seasons are finished. The district tournament begins next week. Both teams will be playing on Saturday, May 30, at Merrill High School. The softball team will play at 10:00 a.m. and the baseball team will play at approximately 12:00 p.m. If either team wins, they will play in the district championship at approximately 3:00 p.m.

The track teams have their conference meet today at St. Louis and that will conclude their regular season.

The track teams had their regional meet last Saturday. We qualified one individual girl and one girl relay team for the state meet. The state meet will be on Saturday, May 30.

The golf team is also finishing up their season. They will be going to their district match this Thursday at St. Johns, MI.

It is hard to believe that we are to the end of another school year and all the extra-curriculars will be finishing up. It is so awesome to see all these children of God praise their Lord by using His gifts to His glory and honor.

Remember to come to Friday’s Commencement Concert to see these children of God for yourself. The concert starts at 7:00 p.m. in the gym.

Have a great and blessed summer,

In Christ’s service,
Prof. David P. Lecker
Chairman, Extracurricular Committee

Letter #29 - 05/07/09

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Gentle Reminders from the Business Office

Below are a number of things that are on the business office radar screen and should be on yours as well.

Item 1. Financial Aid Applications

Financial aid applications are due by May 1st. Many of you have filled out your financial aid papers and sent them in for processing. There still is time to send in your request for financial aid. Please contact Mrs. Diana Finkbeiner if you have any questions. She can be reached by telephone at 989-793-1041, ext 225, or e-mail dlf@mlsem.org.

Item 2. Seniors Grants

All seniors should have information now on how to apply for Senior Grants. These are grants given at graduation time for seniors who intend to matriculate at MLC the following fall. The deadline for applications is May 10. Please contact the MLS Foundation if you have any questions. They can be reached by telephone at 989-793-7511 or e-mail kss@mlsem.org.

Item 3. Student Accounts (especially for seniors)

It's important that student accounts be kept current and paid off by the end of the current school year, as your payments help pay for the day-to-day operation of the school. Seniors whose accounts are not current at graduation will not receive their diploma or transcript until their account is paid in full. Please plan now for your child's account to be current before graduation day, so that you can spend that special day with your family and child and not with the business office working out payment arrangements. If you have any questions please call Mrs. Jan Holtz at 898-793-1041, 264, or e-mail jeh@mlsem.org.

Item 4. Registration Day for 2009-2010

a. Registration Day is August 22nd. We are requiring that the first payment normally due on registration day now be made on or before August 17th, 2009. The remaining payments are to be paid by the 25th of each month, September through May.

b. The preferred method of payment is by EFT (electronic fund transfer), as this is a cost-effective method for the school. Electronic fund transfers can be taken from a savings or checking account. Currently we will accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover credit cards.

Yours in Christ,
Paul W. Shonts
Business Manager
Michigan Lutheran Seminary
989-793-1393
pws@mlsem.org

Letter #28 - 04/24/09

Dear Parents and Guardians:

In just under a month, seniors from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI will gather together for Assignment Day, hearing their names called by President Schroeder, announcing where their gracious God wants them to serve his most holy Name in the public ministry. In the days and weeks that follow, these young men will receive much encouragement and direction, being offered various bits of advice intended to aid them in their ministries. Still basking in the glow of Easter Sunday, perhaps no advice they hear will be as beneficial as words from Martin Luther himself. It is regarding the truth of Easter that Luther encourages new pastors, saying, "He who would preach the Gospel must go directly to preaching the resurrection of Christ. He who does not preach the resurrection is no apostle, for this is the chief part of our faith… The greatest importance attaches to this article of faith. For were there no resurrection, we would have neither comfort nor hope, and everything else Christ did and suffered would be in vain." (Luther’s exposition on I Corinthians 15:13)

Obviously, this encouragement isn’t only for graduates from our Seminary in Mequon, but also for Christians in all stages of life. St. Paul makes it clear, "For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins." (I Cor. 15:16-17) The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is THE truth of utmost importance for both the daily and eternal assurance of salvation we have in Christ alone. If Jesus did not come back to life on the third day, then he is a liar. If Jesus is a liar, then he did not perfectly obey the law his Father required he keep. If he did not perfectly obey his Father’s law, then he is nothing more than a poor, miserable sinner- just like you; just like me.

But Christ Is Arisen!!! The angel proclaimed it. The disciples witnessed it. Scripture reveals it. We celebrate it. St. Paul writes, "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." (I Cor. 15:19) How true this would be if Jesus of Nazareth was just some common criminal who got what he deserved. But he wasn’t. He came to earth as true man, never relinquishing his position as true God. He lived perfectly. He died perfectly. He rose victoriously. This truth allows faculty, students, and staff to return to MLS this week bathed in the love of our Heavenly Father. This truth allows us to finish out this school year clothed in his comfort and care. It is this truth alone which motivates us to cry out with Christians everywhere and always, "I know that my Redeemer lives!"

After a nice long break, it is good to be back at school, entering the stretch run for this 2008-09 school year. As members of the Seminary family, we together stand amazed at our God’s love displayed on that Golgotha hill. As members of the Seminary family, we together stand amazed at the victory which is ours through that love. Happy Easter!

There are a few things to bring to your attention as we enter this final month of the school year:

Please make sure to encourage your student to “finish strong.” We do this by faithfully using the gifts our gracious God has given us in the classroom, the dormitory, and beyond.
Please begin to make arrangements with your student to start bringing home items from the dormitory (especially furniture, TV’s, computers, and other large items) in a timely fashion. There are only four weekends left before graduation!!!
From the financial aid department: Please remember that the deadline for applying for financial aid for the 2009-10 school year is Friday, May 1st. Meeting this deadline will ensure that your application will be dealt with in a timely manner.

In Christ,
John Boggs, MLS Dean of Students

Letter #27 - 04/01/09

Dear Parents and Guardians:

“They’re in the home stretch.” That phrase from horse racing no doubt refers to the way students may feel at this time of year. They are in the “home stretch” of the school year. There are many distractions this time of year that can keep them from focusing on their obligations. The spring sports are in full swing, the temperature begins to warm, Easter vacation, and the end of the school year is in sight. All of these conditions can easily lead a student to “relax” academically.

Parents, please take the time to encourage your son or daughter to work with great diligence as we finish this academic year. God has certainly blessed our students intellectually. The number of students on our honor roll evidences that. As believers in Christ we have the marvelous opportunity to show our thankfulness for these gifts by using them to the best of our ability.

Tuesday, March 31, was the end of Term 5. Parents, you will receive a copy of your child’s grade report during the week of April 6. Grade reports will be online on Saturday, April 4. Please remember that if you have any questions you may contact your child’s advisor.

You should also be aware that freshmen have met with their advisors to make language selections for next year. They have determined the foreign language they will take and whether to take a second language. In addition to Latin, the language options include Spanish or German. Sophomores and juniors will begin the process of course selection after Easter vacation. Forms will be given to them next week. Parents, please take the opportunity to discuss their options during vacation.

Pictures of our seniors receiving their diplomas will be taken at the graduation service. The cost of the 5 X 7 picture is $6.00. The cost includes postage. Students who wish to purchase a picture will need to sign up for them in the administration office. The cost will be charged to the student’s account. The deadline to charge is May 4th. After that date, students will need to pay in cash to place an order.

In Christ,
Prof. Carl J. Weihrauch
Academic Dean

Letter #26 - 03/14/09

Dear Parents and Guardians:

This past week the MLS Governing Board met on campus to make a series of important decisions.

On Sunday night I told them that I was accepting the divine Call to serve as administrator of ministerial education for the WELS. The next day they announced that decision to the campus family, and then made plans to call a new president of MLS. The call for nominations is posted on the WELS website:

"President Paul Prange of MLS has accepted the divine Call to serve as administrator for the Board for Ministerial Education. The Governing Board of MLS requests pastors, male professors, male teachers, congregations, and voting members of congregations to nominate candidates from the Pastors-Active section of the WELS Yearbook to serve as the next president of MLS.

"The candidate should be a strong supporter of Lutheran education and the ministerial education system of the WELS; possess excellent communication, leadership, organizational, and relational skills; be adept at working with students of high school age; and have interest and ability in training international students for ministry in coordination with the missions from which they come.

"Nominations may be made through the WELS website: https://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?2617&collectionID=1108&contentID=82362&shortcutID=27871

"They may also be sent directly to info@mlsem.org Please include the name and address of the man nominated, the name and contact information of the nominator, how the nominator knows the man nominated, and any other pertinent information.

"Nominations will be closed on Sunday, April 5, 2009."

The Governing Board plans to issue the first Call on Saturday, May 9.

The Board has appointed Vice-President Zeiger to be Acting President, assuming some duties already as the school year ends, although I will be able to finish out the school year as president of MLS. VP Zeiger and I have worked very well together for these past fifteen years, and I have every confidence in his ability to handle the vacancy.

There should be plenty of activity during the vacancy. After a careful planning period of the last two years, the Board has urged our Recruiter, Prof. Kock, to move full speed ahead on the recruitment and training of international students to serve in the ministry either in the countries from which they come or here in the States.

Over the last 25 years, MLS has had students from 25 different countries. Because our student body is 1/3 commuting and 2/3 dormitory residents, we have an opportunity, unique in our fellowship, to provide dormitory accommodations during the week and host family experiences on the weekend. Our host families have been instrumental in introducing our international students to the inner workings of American congregations and the fine Lutheran families who attend them.

We have had an arrangement for years with the churches in our fellowship in Germany and Sweden, whose students come just for junior year, returning to finish their preparation for the ministry in the way that they're doing it in Europe. Our Ukrainian students have also returned home after one year, ready to serve as translators for the large VBS program that the Ukrainian congregations run every summer. Recently the congregation in our fellowship in Korea has been providing us with the students they judge most likely to become pastors, teachers and missionaries in their church. Those students are generally staying at MLS for four years.

Just this week we have been in contact with the missionaries of our fellowship in Japan, beginning the investigation of whether the Korean mission model might work for them. We are contacting the missionaries in Apacheland to see how we can dovetail our preparation of the Apache students with the work of the Apache Christian Training School (ACTS). Prof. Kock is doing very exciting work with representatives from a large country which I will not name in this e-mail. There are many more possibilities.

The Board for Ministerial Education (BME) has chartered a Specialized Training Programs Coordinating Group (fancy title, eh?). In my role as administrator of the BME, I will have the privilege of serving with professors from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and men from Home Missions and World Missions in that group. Our job will be to coordinate and facilitate the work of Prof. Kock and others. Please let Prof. Kock know if you are interested in helping with the work at MLS, particularly as a host family.

Just one more bit of excitement for some from the Governing Board meeting. The Board authorized a faculty member to provide opportunities next year for our students to play soccer in the Saginaw Township leagues.

These times of change can be scary as well as exciting. Through all the changing scenes of life, we put our hope in the One who never changes. Abide with us, O Lord.

Cordially in Christ,
Pres. Prange

Letter #25 - 03/12/09

Dear Parents and Guardians:

When they talk about “March Madness”, Michigan Lutheran Seminary is not excluded. It is the second week in March and we have eight sports teams going. Wrestling is heading to state today with two wrestlers. We had three qualify for regional (Josh Brassow, Andrew Borkowski, and Trent Hansen). Josh Brassow and Drew Borkowski are the young men heading to state. Our girls’ basketball team won district and are playing tonight in Manistee for the regional championship. We are hosting the boys’ basketball district this week. The boys play for the district championship on Friday night. Then we have all the rest of the spring season teams (softball, baseball, track, and golf) starting practice this week. When I start looking at the activity calendar and try to schedule all these teams, now that is “March Madness”.

Those are not the only groups that this “March Madness” includes. We still have Hardin Street Harmony, Concert Choir, and "Arsenic and Old Lace" to put into the calendar. And finally we have a forensics team that has been competing the past month and a half. We will be hosting the forensics regional on April 20. What a great privilege God had given us to watch His children using their talents in so many ways to His glory and honor.

A few weeks ago I reminded you to mark March 27-29 on your calendar. This is when the performance of "Arsenic and Old Lace" will take place. On Friday, March 27, we will not have school so we can give the first performance to the Lutheran elementary schools that morning at 9:30 a.m.. The other performances will be Friday evening at 7:00 p.m., Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.. If you would like ticket information, please call Jan Holtz in the business office (989-793-1041 x264).

In Christ’s service,
Prof. David P. Lecker
Chairman, Extracurricular Committee

Letter #24 - 03/02/09

Dear Parents and Guardians:

What amazes you most about the suffering and death of Jesus Christ? Is it the amount of pain that he suffered? Is it the reason that he was willing to undergo this passion? Is it the blessings that we receive on account of it? The Lenten season affords us the opportunity to contemplate these things, as we again journey to that cross, confessing our sins before our God and cherishing our salvation through him alone.

Perhaps nowhere in Scripture is this truth more vividly laid out than by the Prophet Isaiah. He writes for our benefit in chapter 53, “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgression, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (53:4-6). What an amazing price the almighty Son of God paid on our behalf. How blessed we are to be loved by him- yesterday, today, and forever. How comforting to know that “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

As we continue our Lenten journey this week, your student will have the opportunity to attend one of our local WELS or ELS congregations for mid-week services. At St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (the WELS church close by on Court Street), worshippers are gathering together under the Lenten theme, “Father, Forgive Them.” The dorm staff will be offering bus transportation to make attendance at these services as easy as possible. Wednesday worship times at St. Paul’s are at 3:30 and 6:30pm.

On a school note, the dorm staff continues to be thankful for the immense encouragement and support we receive from the parents and guardians of the students we are called to serve. It is indeed a privilege and honor to serve our God this way, and a ministry that we take very seriously.

Finally, two changes to the school calendar are important to note for all of our MLS families:

Please note that there is no school on Friday, March 27th. An early version of the school calendar has this marked as a Day 2 on our cycle calendar.
MLS has been asked to host a regional forensics tournament on Monday, April 20th. The administration has decided to give students off classes on this day. Our first day of school back from Easter break will now be Tuesday, April 21st. This will be a day 6 on the school cycle calendar.

Working together with you in Christ,
John Boggs, Dean of Students

Letter #23 - 02/26/09

Dear Families of Our MLS Students:

Our staff and volunteers have been busy around campus this winter taking care of our facilities and preparing them for our hosting over 450 delegates and visitors for the 2009 WELS Convention, July 27-31. Our gym floor recently was refinished, hand railings are being replaced in our dorms and academic area, and preliminary painting is being done in dorm stairways.

Our Chapel and Gymnasium Renovation Committee is near the end of its planning work with an architect. The committee is pleased with the results of the plans, which were presented publicly for the first time last weekend at the MLS Foundation’s annual winter dinner and silent auction.

The plans call for re-painting the gymnasium, re-painting the chapel, installing a wood floor in the chapel, replacing the chapel’s candleholders and cross, reupholstering the chapel chairs, a new stage curtain, updating the wood trim on the stage opening, and sound proofing the light control room off the stage. Some of this work is the result of an acoustical engineering firm’s recommendations to improve the quality of sound in the chapel.

This project will be funded by special gifts the Foundation is gathering to celebrate the 100th anniversary of MLS as a preparatory school of our synod. If you or others you know are willing to help this project, please contact the Foundation (989-793-7511, kss@mlsem.org) so that a visit can be arranged to explain the details to you.

Neither the gym nor the chapel has received much attention since they were constructed in 1985. The gym’s floor has been regularly refinished to protect the surface, and the lower walls of the chapel have been re-painted once. The two rooms are the most used spaces on campus and show their age and look worn. We hope to be able to take bids on the first phase of this project in March and to have that work done by the end of June so that these two spaces will have a fresh look for our synod convention and the new school year. The committee has other plans to improve both these large rooms for our purposes, but those plans will wait until phase two of the funding becomes available.

MLS hosts its annual Grade School Science and Arts Fair on Saturday, March 7, for WELS elementary school students throughout central Michigan. Hundreds of students, family members, and friends will be at MLS that day as the students display their work in art, science, math, spelling, forensics, and music. Prof. Wooster and a large group of our students organize this event and supervise the day.

During the second week of March our juniors will be sitting for the Michigan Merit Exam (MME) in our classrooms for three mornings. Tuesday of this testing is the ACT, Wednesday is the ACT WorkKeys test, and Thursday the juniors take the Michigan subject tests. We participate in this state-testing program for three reasons. First, the state pays for our students’ taking the ACT, one of the two possible college admission tests. Second, students who score well on the MME are eligible for various scholarships. Third, the results we receive from the MME helps us evaluate our academic program. Historically, our students have done very well on the state tests, which is evidence of our solid academic program and our students’ academic strengths and good habits.

To prepare our students for the MME, all of them take the ACT PLAN as sophomores, which is very similar to the ACT. Our sophomores recently received their results from the PLAN testing in November; they were instructed to share this information with their parents. We also offer the Pre-Scholastic Aptitude Test to juniors in October each year. Before each of these tests, our students receive information about the tests, test preparation materials, and information about how the tests are related to the college application process.

In our Savior’s Service,
William Zeiger
Vice President and Registrar

Letter #22 - 02/10/09

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Had you been around school last Friday, you would have thought we were a basketball mecca. We had the opportunity to host the annual Boys Small School Basketball tournament. The tournament started on Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. and ran all day and again on Saturday. We were able to have all the teams play here at Michigan Lutheran Seminary. They also were treated to home JV and varsity boys basketball games on Friday night. We had a great crowd for the game and a tremendous amount of school spirit. At half-time of the varsity game our student body was presented with the TV-5 Spirit Award for showing great school spirit and sportsmanship throughout the year.

It’s hard to believe but the fourth term is almost over, which means the winter seasons are winding down to their last weeks. The wrestling team has its divisional meet on Saturday at St. Charles (Feb. 14), the team districts at Carrollton (Feb. 19), and individual districts at Mayville (Feb. 21). The boys and girls basketball teams are entering their last three weeks of play before they start districts. The girls begin district play on March 2 at Beal City at 7:00 pm. The boys start district play on March 11 here at Michigan Lutheran Seminary at 7:30 pm.

Another big event coming up in March is the production of “Arsenic and Old Lace.” The curtain will go up on March 27-29. Mark this on your calendar and watch for more information about times and ticket prices.

Please remember to mark Feb. 19 on your calendar. On that day we will be having our ‘Open House’ starting with registration at 1:00 pm. Encourage prospective students and their parents to attend.

Finally, Pres. Prange has asked me to let you know that he received a divine Call on Sunday to serve as the administrator of the Board for Ministerial Education (BME), the same Call that he deliberated last fall. The BME determined that circumstances had changed enough to issue him the Call again. Please keep him and his family in your prayers and give him advice as you have the opportunity.

In Christ’s service,
Prof. David P. Lecker
Chairman, Extracurricular Committee

Letter #21 - 01/29/09

Dear Parents and Guardians:

What a great country we live in! Without any government interference (besides being “wanded down” after setting off the metal detector with my artificial knee), I am able to fly from cold-but-beautiful Saginaw to warmer climates and back again.

What a great vocation I have! I get to tell pastors, teachers and laypeople about all of the great things happening at MLS. I also get to invite people to support this ministry with their prayers and offerings, and then thank them for their expressions of faith.

What a great God we have! In his mercy, he blesses us, our families, our labor, our prayers, our offerings – all because of Christ, who has become our righteousness, the reason we can count on God’s blessing and approval. Nothing else would be “great” without the goodness of our God in Christ.

I am happy to report that since my last parent e-mail in November, we have received over $100,000 in gifts. The gifts for MLS operating budget right now total over $181,000.00. That does not include the $38,000 given for scholarships, music, and important activities like Project Titus and the Sophomore College Tour. We will need $400,000 in gifts for this school this year. We trust God will meet our needs as he inspires his people in their generosity.

I would also like to let you know that the MLS Foundation has hired Joshua Wakefield, MLS class of ’95, to help in the work of mission advancement. Josh will fit in well with MLS and our work on behalf of MLS.

Please note the upcoming events:

Family & Friends Nights – 02/06/09 & 02/27/09 from 4:30-6:00pm On Friday, Feb. 6, there will be an all-you-can-eat steak dinner in the MLS dining hall in the lower level of the dormitory. This is the weekend of the WELS Small School Boys Basketball Tournament. The menu will also include baked potatoes, salad, green beans, garlic bread, dessert and beverage. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for grade-school-age children.

On Friday, Feb. 27, the supper will be a fish fry. There are home varsity games that night, and it will be Parents Night.

Friends of the Foundation Dinner and Silent Auction – Sunday, February 15 @ 4:30pm On Sunday, Feb. 15th at 4:30pm the MLS Foundation will hold its annual Friends of the Foundation Dinner at the Swan Valley Banquet Center in Saginaw Township. The cost is $30 per person, $10 of which goes to the MLS Foundation. There will also be a silent auction, as we’ve had in the past. For more information about the event, click here: http://www.mlsem.org/support-organizations/foundation/events/FOF%20Dinner/silent-auction-1/ This link will give you other details and help you if you would like to donate items for the auction.

If you have any questions about these events or anything else the Foundation does, please call (989)793-7511 or toll-free (866)MLS-WELS, or e-mail foundation@mlsem.org

May God show you his greatness as he shows you your great Savior, today and every day!

In Christ,
Pastor Peter Snyder
Director of Mission Advancement

Letter #20 - 01/17/09

Dear Parents and Guardians:

When I was a child there was a time when I wanted to be a sports broadcaster when I grew up. I thought it would be a lot of fun to do play-by-play. I did not end up being a broadcaster, as you know. Through various recruitment efforts by my parents and others, I was led to the ministry instead, something for which I am most grateful.

I’m also grateful that in my ministry I have been able to do all sorts of things that when I was younger I thought would be fun to do. That includes being a broadcaster. That’s right. I am now the anchor on “WSEM TV.” I’ll explain. This is a recent recruitment venture here at MLS, designed to make use of modern technology in order to bring “our world” right into the homes of our constituents. It’s meant to be light-hearted, yet informative; goofy, yet newsworthy; a combination of the serious and the fun; all news, all the time (well, that’s a stretch, but it sounds catchy). Our motto is, “We need only one take.” That might spell trouble from time to time, but it’s bound to keep things exciting.

Anyway, look for it on our website (mlsem.org) under “campus life,” the “videos” section. My original thought was to target an audience of grade school students, but I think anyone who is young at heart will enjoy the segments. I know I enjoy making them…maybe because it’s a way for me to stay young at heart. By the way, I did a search on my computer just to make sure there isn’t a real WSEM TV somewhere in the world, lest we be sued or something for infringement. There isn’t.

I’m also happy to report that a number of parents responded to my request to start a new recruitment group called “PRePs” (Parents Recruiting Parents). The first endeavor by that group is to provide in print some personal experiences they have that will help parents of prospective students answer serious questions they may have about sending a child to MLS. I plan to use their testimonies in brochures that will be made available throughout our churches and schools. Thanks to those parents for volunteering their services that way, and to all other parents who help us recruit in some formal or informal way!

If you know someone who might be interested in applying to attend MLS, please forward them this link: http://www.mlsem.org/recruitment/applications

There are many, many different ways by which recruitment can be done. Not only do we seek to recruit future students at MLS, we also spend significant time recruiting our own students to MLC and the public ministry. That’s why we also continue with some well-established ventures that have proven to be most worthy of our time and efforts in the past. For instance, this Friday, January 16th, the freshmen met together in the chapel for their annual “Frosh Ministry Day.” Three area called workers—Rev. Dennis Himm of Gloria Dei, Grand Blanc; Mrs. Charlotte Bater of Memorial, Williamston; and Mr. Tony Perry of Salem, Owosso—were on hand, along with the MLC recruiters, to give the class some food for thought as they begin their initial deliberations about how they may best serve their Lord in the future.

Many seniors are planning “Second Look” trips to MLC in New Ulm, MN. This is another established program by which the seniors can visit our college of ministry once again, having gone there as sophomores on that annual tour, with funding provided by MLS. For many, it is a key ingredient that helps them come to a decision about attending MLC after graduation. The seniors also had the opportunity to meet with the MLC recruiters one more time on our campus on Thursday and Friday.

We’re happy to announce that President Paul Wendland of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary will be on our campus this Sunday, January 18th, at 6:00pm, to give a presentation on how we work together with that institution in preparing future pastors of the WELS. The presentation will take place in our chapel and you are all invited to attend. It’s another way by which we can “recruit” young men to the parish ministry, something that is vital to our church! We are grateful that President Wendland can be here with us to talk about this important subject.

Another important subject these days is financial assistance. Due to the generosity of God's people, we have enough financial assistance money for anyone to attend MLS. Our financial assistance counselor, Mrs. Diana Finkbeiner (dlf@mlsem.org) has mailed out the forms for next year. Please let her know if you did not receive one.

Whether we use established recruitment ventures or new ones, it really all comes back to the use of the Word, in the end. All of us who are God’s children are directed to respond to the gospel message found in his Word when we make choices in life. For young people and their parents, where to go to school and what to do with one’s life are included in those important choices. So we let them know about the blessings of MLS as we use God’s Word here every day. We let them know about the need for called workers in the church and how God has blessed all of them with gifts to use in service to him somehow. We ask for your continued prayers upon these efforts. We thank God for the gift of our current student body, an answer to the prayers of the past!

We’re dealing with a smaller pool of eighth grade students once again this year. All recruitment efforts, including yours, parents, are certainly welcome. If you know of any eighth graders that haven’t already applied to attend MLS next year and think that they are prospects, encourage them to do so soon, or let us know who they are so we can be of better service to them. Note that we have our annual “Open House” here on Thursday, February 19th, another opportunity for prospects to find out more about us.

No, I’m not a real sports broadcaster on radio or television. I was led to a different vocation. I guess you could say that I’m involved full time in broadcasting the good news of Jesus and in helping young people prepare for that same kind of work. It’s a lot of fun!

This is Professor Kock, recruitment director at MLS, for WSEM TV, signing off.

Letter #19 - 01/03/09

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Fifteen Days.

Fifteen days have passed since Michigan Lutheran Seminary’s Christmas Concert, marking the end of the first semester of the 2008-09 school year. What followed has been over two weeks of celebration, worship, food, fun, and fellowship with family and friends. What a joy it is to again have had the privilege to travel to the hills outside Bethlehem and hear the angel proclaim to us, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

At 1:00 pm on Sunday, January 4th, the doors to the dormitory will re-open and students from around our state, our country, and the world will begin returning to 2777 Hardin Street in Saginaw, Michigan, for the second semester of our school year. At 7:50 am on Monday, January 5th, the bells will ring throughout the school, beginning the second semester. Books will be opened, classes will meet, and noise will be made, all bringing us closer and closer to graduation day, Saturday, May 23rd, 2009.

As we begin the fourth term and second half of the school year, the faculty and dorm staff would like to thank you, the parents and guardians of our students, for entrusting your children to our care. We take this ministry very seriously and praise the Lord for giving us the privilege of working with such fine children of God and families in Christ.

The current school year has been superb thus far, with much of the credit going to the leadership of our senior class, as well as the continuing support we receive from the parents and guardians of the students we have been called to serve. In regard to dormitory or campus life matters, please feel free to contact the InterDorm Office (IDO) at any time with a question or concern you might have (989-799-7554 or 799-7552/ ido@mlsem.org), or contact me directly either by phone (989-793-3486) or via email at jhb@mlsem.org. Your comments, suggestions, and concerns are always welcome and most helpful.

On a personal note, on December 29th, I received a divine Call to serve as pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arlington, Texas. I would ask for your continued prayers during this time of deliberation. Please feel free to contact me at any time with any feedback, comments, or encouragement that you might have pertaining to this Call or the Call that I currently have as Dean of Students here at MLS.

May God continue to bless your children, the families of MLS, and the ministry of our school in this second semester and beyond.

In service to Jesus’ name,
John Boggs
MLS Dean of Students

Letter #18 - 12/22/08

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Well, the weather outside was frightful, but the Lord spared us from travel accidents as we completed our last day of semester exams and held our annual Christmas Concert on Friday. The following links take you to television coverage of the day:

http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/local&id=6565179

http://www.connectmidmichigan.com/news/video.aspx?id=237969

While students are enjoying some relaxing days of vacation, faculty and staff at MLS are getting ready for the second semester. Students will find their schedules in their mailboxes upon their return. The first day of classes in the new semester is Monday, January 5 (a Day 5).

On Sunday, January 18, we will be hosting the president of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Rev. Paul Wendland, as he presents on the topic, "Preparing your pastor: partners in a gospel mission." The presentation will take place in the chapel at 6:00 pm. Dessert, coffee and conversation will follow. You are invited.

For the third straight year a group of students and teachers from a high school in Wenling, China, will be visiting MLS. This is a school with which the Kock family has had connections recently. MLS has also sent two groups of students to visit the school in China and plans to do so again this June. As part of their visit to the U.S., we'd like the Chinese students to have a home-stay with local families. Friday, January 23rd, and Saturday the 24th would be the dates for that to occur. If you live in the Tri-City area and would be interested in participating in this cultural experience, contact Prof. Kock at 793-3487, or e-mail him at nlk@mlsem.org.

Enjoy your many opportunities to worship in this season. Celebrate the newborn King!

Cordially in Christ,
Pres. Prange

Letter #17 - 12/09/08

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Pictures for the student picture buttons will be taken by Mrs. Kelly Schoch on Friday, Dec. 12. If you would like your student's picture taken, please order a button or two from Mrs. Schoch by phone (989) 643-0054 or email her at kschoch@marykay.com.Buttons are $5.00 apiece. You may pay Kelly or charge your student account. Please let her know by Friday.

Speaking of student accounts, is yours in order? Many parents are juggling a number of different expenses during the year, but this time of year they sometimes have to become master jugglers with all the demands on a household budget. It’s a time when you must prioritize who gets what and when. We ask that you keep Michigan Lutheran Seminary as one of your main priorities, when it comes to paying on your student’s account. We count on your support to keep us current in the bills we have to pay.

This e-mail is not meant as a downer for the joyous Advent season that we are in, but more as a reminder of what you have committed to with your child attending Michigan Lutheran Seminary, and the road that we all pray our students take in continuing their preparation to serve our Lord.

The MLS board has a long-standing policy that a delinquent account which has not made special arrangements with the business office is subject to suspension and/or termination of enrollment by the president. A student may not be readmitted for a new semester if an account is delinquent and satisfactory arrangements with the school have not been made. A student account whose account is 30 days in arrears will not be allowed to charge to the student account until it is in good standing again.

We continue to seek donors for the Adopt-A-Student program. This program is used for the families of students who are in severe financial hardship. Currently we have about 10% of our student population who is in need of more financial aid than they receive through our existing formulas. So if you have been blessed and would like to consider a gift to this program, please call Diana Finkbeiner in the business office (989-793-1041 ext.225).

Paul W. Shonts
Business Manager
Michigan Lutheran Seminary
989-793-1393
pws@mlsem.org

Letter #16 - 12/09/08

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Would you like to become a "Prep"? No, that doesn't mean you'd enroll at one of our synod prep schools (MLS in particular). It's not that we wouldn't want you as a student, of course. We're always happy to have more come. "Prep" is a term I've devised to describe a role that some of you might be interested in carrying out. "Prep" is short for "Parents REcruiting Parents." I know, it might sound a bit corny, but the idea certainly is not. Here's what I have in mind with this idea:

Parents of prospective students often have similar questions or concerns that in my mind parents of current students could address very well. It may be a question about how to deal with the costs of sending a child to MLS, or about coping with having a child not living at home during the high school years, or about sending a child to a prep school when the child may not be certain about going into the public ministry, or all of the above and others besides.

Since you may have had those same questions or concerns yourselves, and since you may have discovered a good way to address them as parents of current students, you could serve as a valuable resource to the recruitment department. Perhaps I'd give your e-mail address or phone number to the parents of a prospective student who could benefit from hearing about your experiences. Perhaps you would be able to meet in person with such parents. Perhaps you could serve as part of a panel of parents at some on-site gathering.

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, let me know at any time and I will tell you how we can proceed. I'd be happy to have a little bit of orientation with you and any others that would become involved in this endeavor. I think it could be fun and certainly rewarding for you. Just reply to me at my e-mail address: nlk@mlsem.org.

Meanwhile, for all of you, if you know of any families of prospective students, encourage them to contact us in the recruitment department for any helpful information, to schedule a visit, or to make application for school at any time. You're all in a good position to do this, even if you don't plan to become a "Prep," and it helps us out tremendously. Thanks!

We have just finished a few "through" recruitment endeavors here. I visited with the seniors to talk with them about their plans for the future in the last few weeks. That was very enjoyable for me personally and I hope helpful for them as well. They are all precious gifts to your families and our MLS family! We also observed our annual "Junior Night" on November 23rd, with many parents in attendance. We had representatives from Martin Luther College and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary to address the juniors and parents that night. Parents of juniors, if you were there, feel free to share any comments about the banquet with me. The MLC representatives met with all the juniors the next days after, and President Mark Zarling of MLC had a special chapel presentation on the 24th. We are very thankful for their work here among us!

Now planning begins for our annual "Frosh Ministry Day," a day in which afternoon classes are replaced with a presentation for the freshmen by MLC representatives and a few area called workers. Parents of freshmen students are invited to attend this day as well. This year it is on Friday, January 16th.

Plans are also underway for our annual "Project Titus" trips this summer. These wonderful opportunities for our students to help with gospel outreach at various places in the United States and around the world have proven to be very enjoyable and profitable for the students who take part. We are so pleased with these trips that we really hope any students who want to take part can have that opportunity before they graduate, at least once. The students will receive information on the trips planned for this summer between now and the Christmas break.

Speaking of overseas involvement, we continue to have a relationship with a school in China that my family and I came to know five years ago. They have sent students to visit our school in the past and we have sent students from our school over there. They plan to send thirteen students and two teachers to our school during January 19-27. During that time it would be cool if we could have the students do a "home stay" with some of our families in the area. If you're interested in hosting a Chinese student for a day or so, let me know. It's a great way to expand your horizons!

Don't forget the upcoming Christmas concert on December 19th at 7:00pm. God keep you all safe during these wintry days. We thank him for doing so in the recent travels of our students back to school, and most importantly that we are all safe in his grace!

Professor Kock,
Recruitment Director

Letter #15 - 11/17/08

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Through all the turmoil of the last weeks, the elections and economic struggles, it is always fun to look at how our gracious Lord continues to bless his children here at MLS.

The fall sports season is over. By earthly standards, it was a very successful year. Our boys’ cross country team took third in regionals and earned a trip to the state meet. Our football team qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1993. We had multiple players earn all-conference for the TVC west division (I cannot be any more specific because they have not been officially announced). We had one of our volleyball players earn first team all-conference and be voted to the Michigan Volleyball Coaches’ Association's all-regional team. These are all great awards, but the greatest thing to watch with all these young athletes is the fact they are using their God-given abilities as best as they can. They realize and acknowledge that these talents are gifts from our gracious Lord.

Now starts the winter season. Girls’ basketball is in full swing. Wrestling and boys’ basketball started this week. Check out the calendar to see when games begin.

Seniors’ families: Our Jostens representative, Mr. Tom Alward, will make a presentation to all seniors after school on Wednesday, November 19. Jostens is the company that supplies our graduation caps and gowns and announcements. The company also offers an array of other graduation-related items. We do not encourage our students to purchase any items from Jostens other than a cap and gown, but items are available if they choose to order from Jostens. Seniors may wear used caps and gowns of older siblings or other alumni for the graduation service. Seniors will be instructed to take the Jostens materials home for the Thanksgiving holiday. Mr. Alward will return to campus to take orders for graduation items on Thursday, December 4.

Sophomores’ families: Soon all sophomores will take the ACT Plan test on our campus. This is a practice test that is similar to the standard ACT test that students take as a part of the Michigan Merit Exam in March of their junior year. Families will be sent a copy of their student’s results on the ACT Plan test as soon as we get them.

Juniors' families: We have our annual Junior Night coming up on November 23. Junior parents, please remember to RSVP to the link set up on the MLS website (www.mlsem.org/rsvp) so we know how many to plan for. The evening will start at 5:30 pm with punch at the Swan Valley Banquet Center. The meal begins promptly at 6:00 p.m.

As we look forward to Thanksgiving Day, we at MLS have many things to be thankful for, namely, God’s children using His gifts to His glory.

In Christ’s service,
Prof. David P. Lecker
Chairman, Extracurricular Committee

Letter #14 - 11/10/08

Dear Parents and Guardians:

One of wonderful things about being a Christian is that we can thank the Lord for his blessings each and every day without wondering if we’ve seen the last of them or whether the quality of blessings will diminish. Because we are in Christ, because blessings come to us for his sake and not based on what we do, we know that each day there will be glorious blessings that serve our eternal good.

It’s a good reminder as we consider the current financial picture. Things were quite a bit different last year, as MLS and the synod as a whole benefited from the momentum of the synod convention. Giving so far this fiscal year has been a bit more normal, with a fairly slow summer and early fall. Currently, we have a goal of $400,000 for the operating budget of the school and we’ve received $68,694.84. This does not include the many gifts that have been designated to specific areas of study or to scholarships. You can view financial updates here. We will soon be sending out our fall appeal for gifts to MLS. We trust God will bless and provide. Please continue to keep MLS in your prayers.

We are also looking toward the future in several ways. We will soon be unveiling plans for a chapel improvement project. We will soon begin to emphasize encouraging people to remember MLS in their estate plans. We also are developing plans for more financial assistance to help MLS students attending Martin Luther College.

This weekend’s main event is the MLS Children’s Theatre production of “The Reluctant Dragon.” Students from area WELS Lutheran elementary schools will be enjoying performances on Friday at 9:30 am and 1:00 pm. Anyone is welcome, but there is also a performance for the public on Saturday at 7 pm. There is no cost. A free-will offering opportunity will be available at the door. For more information about the play, click here.

Have a blessed week in the Lord. Watch for his blessings every day.

In Christ,
Pastor Peter Snyder
Director of Mission Advancement

Letter #13 - 11/07/08

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Yesterday Pres. Prange announced that he has declined the Call to serve as administrator of the Board for Ministerial Education (BME). He will be staying at MLS as our president. We were glad to hear it, and we ask God's blessings on the BME as they issue a new Call.

The new issue of the student newspaper, the Red 'n' White, is online. You can access it here:

The second term of our school year ended yesterday. Grades are being entered this weekend. Students will receive their reports cards on Monday, November 10, and the mailing to parents will be sent out on Thursday, November 13. If you wish to view your child’s grades online, they will be available after noon on Monday, November 10. You can access them by going to http://grades.mlsem.org and using your pre-registration user name and password. As always, please remember that any questions should be directed first to your student’s advisor.

We are fast approaching the holiday season. With that comes vacations and travel for students. Please help us by avoiding early departures or late returns when possible. It is understandable that with great distances come difficulties in booking flights or making other travel arrangements. If travel plans necessitate a student missing school, please contact me as soon as possible. However, if at all avoidable, it is best for students to be in class when school is in session. Missed classes are a loss for the student and it is impossible to make up any discussion and interaction that occurred. Thank you for your understanding and assistance.

Tuesday, November 25, is the last day of classes before Thanksgiving vacation. Classes end at 3:11 pm. Classes resume on Monday, December 1. The first semester ends after the Christmas Concert on Friday, December 19, when Christmas break begins. Classes resume on Monday, January 5, 2009.

In Christ,
Prof. Carl J. Weihrauch

Letter #12 - 10/30/08

Dear Parents and Guardians:

It’s a little bit of a strange week here at Michigan Lutheran Seminary. For the first time in five years, there is football practice going on outside after the regular season, as our varsity football team is preparing to play in the first round of the state football playoffs. It’s also a little quieter around campus this week, as the sophomores are on College Tour, visiting both Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI; and Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN.

While some things are a bit different, there are some things that never change here on the MLS campus. First and foremost is the proclamation of God’s Word in our chapel services. At 9:26am each day of the school week, we come together as a student body and faculty to hear our God’s Word proclaimed, sing his praises, and glorify his most holy name. Our theme for morning chapel this year is “You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68b). This Reformation week, we worship together under the theme “God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage.” What a privilege it is to come together in the house of God as part of our daily schedule!

One other matter for your attention this week:

Each year the MLS Guild offers Birthday Bags for sale. These bags are stuffed full of treats and delivered to the student on their birthday (or any occasion). The proceeds from these bags help support MLS Guild projects. Just a reminder that if you need a last minute bag, you can call Julia Boggs at (989)799-6977 . As a way to increase these proceeds by almost 50 cents per bag, we are asking for donations of slightly used or new gift bags. They need to be about 9"X9" and can be delivered to the administration office or IDO. This year, the Guild's projects include:

Student Scholarship ($700)
2nd Automated External Defibrillator for heart related emergencies
Adopt-A-Student
Calculators
G-SPAN expansion of activities

The Lord continues to bless Michigan Lutheran Seminary each and every day. We praise him for the opportunity to teach your children and build them up in the faith. There is no more important task that God gives us!

In service to His name,
John Boggs
MLS Dean of Students

Letter #11 - 10/16/08

Dear Parents and Guardians of our MLS Students:

Next week will be an interesting one for our seniors as they go off campus for their Taste of Ministry-Teaching experiences on Monday and Tuesday. Some of the seniors will be going as far away as Ohio this year for their TOM. The program’s aim is to give our students age-appropriate activities in Lutheran elementary school classrooms to help them make their career and college choices and plans.

Luther Preparatory School and many WELS area Lutheran high schools have TOM programs. You may find it interesting that the idea of giving seniors a taste of the teaching ministry began here at MLS in the late 1970s. The program got its name in the mid-1980s; at that time we also developed the TOM-Pastor program. Over the years TOM has served our students and the primary purpose of MLS very well. We especially appreciate the cooperation of the many LES teachers in the Michigan District who host our seniors.

Under the direction of our coordinator for volunteer services, Mrs. Laurie Starr, our volunteer program has really expanded this year. Every school day volunteers are on campus helping in the administration office, the food service, our maintenance department, the gym and athletic fields, and other areas of our campus. The faithful work of these generous people is allowing us to provide good services to our students with reduced costs. We appreciate their time and talents as they help MLS.

Our Campus Environment Committee is working on some interesting projects. One is identifying things that we can do around campus to make the best impression on the more than 450 people who will be attending the WELS Convention at MLS during the summer of 2009.

The committee has been seeking information and bids to replace ageing furniture in the students’ dormitory rooms and our tutors’ apartments. We should receive word soon if funding is available to move ahead with this project.

The committee is also working with an acoustical engineering firm and our local architectural firm to develop plans to refurbish and improve our chapel and to re-paint our gymnasium. We would like both these projects to be completed at the beginning of next summer to be ready for next school year’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of MLS as a preparatory school of the WELS. Our MLS Foundation will soon present its program for raising gifts for the chapel and gym renovation projects.

In our Savior’s service,
William Zeiger
Vice President

Letter #10 - 10/13/08

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Three board meetings during the past three weeks have led to some decisions that might interest you.

Back in September the MLS Governing Board approved a budget for the next school year (2009-10) that includes an across-the-board 10% tuition decrease. That budget was approved by the Board for Ministerial Education (BME) this past weekend and is being forwarded to the synod president and the Synodical Council.

Just last night the MLS Foundation Board approved the concept of supporting MLS grads at Martin Luther College (MLC) in such a way that they would be able to graduate from MLC without debt. In coming weeks they will be working on the details of that project.

And last Friday, the BME issued me a divine Call to serve as their administrator. The BME coordinates the work of MLS and the other ministerial education schools with one another and with the other areas of ministry of the synod. I would appreciate your prayers and any advice you have as I deliberate.

I don't know whether you are aware of the wonderful photo gallery we have on our website http://gallery.mlsem.org/main.php If you have taken photos that you are willing to contribute, please e-mail them as attachments toBrandon Hill at bdh@mlsem.org). Mrs. Annette Johnson has taken a lot of pictures at three football games this year. She has taken pictures for MLS recruitment and of many other MLS events too. She is wife of Pastor Randy Johnson from Perry. Her hobby has turned into professional photography. She has graciously given all these pictures to MLS via CD's that she has sent to MLS. They have been posted to the MLS gallery of pictures. Enjoy!

Cordially in Christ,
Pres. Prange

Letter #09 - 10/05/08

Dear Parents and Guardians,

A few weeks ago we had an area Lutheran elementary school come for a visit. After a pep rally in the gym, they witnessed a great performance by some of our Seminary students, namely, varsity football players. These guys showed that they could deliver a hit. They were really in tune with each other. They wore their jerseys proudly. We were proud of their efforts!

Later that evening, these guys went out and played a football game.

That’s right…later that evening. See, the performance I’m talking about was a song they sang in the chapel for the visitors: five varsity football players, in their jerseys, taking time out of their usual pre-game preparations to do something nice for prospective Seminary students. A colleague and I who watched it both agreed: that sums up, in many respects, what Seminary students are all about. They have many gifts, they are willing to use them for the good of others, and they enjoy doing it.

That sums up, in many respects, what the public ministry is all about, too. God gives many gifts to those who serve in the church, called workers and laypeople alike. It’s great when those who have been given those gifts are willing to use them for the good of others, in tune with one another, and enjoy doing that. That’s the purpose for which we are training the students here. That’s what we’d love to do with many future students as well! I think the visitors that day were impressed. I pray that God will use experiences like that to impress upon their young minds the joy of training for this kind of service in the church some day!

If you know of some prospective Seminary students in your home church or school, note that it is never too early to make application to attend MLS. The sooner a prospective student applies, the sooner we can provide useful information for them as well as gathering information from them. There is no fee to apply, nor does it absolutely commit anyone to attending, even though that’s the goal we have in mind. The student goes to the website (www.mlsem.org), clicks on Future Students, then on Apply to MLS.

The seniors, like those five varsity football players mentioned above, will soon get their own “taste of ministry” as they spend a couple days in area Lutheran elementary schools. This project has always proven to be a very useful one for the seniors and the schools alike. That will take place on October 20-21. During the last week of October, the sophomores will embark on the annual tour that takes them to our other synod ministerial education schools—Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Luther Preparatory School, and Martin Luther College. Parents of sophomores should have received a letter from Professor Peterson about that event in the mail. In November, the juniors will gather with their parents for another “Junior Night” banquet, a fun evening when Martin Luther College reps and others will have the chance to inform and entertain the class of 2010.

Meanwhile, we continue with efforts to recruit future students to MLS through visits on campus and off campus. One new project this year, which we are undertaking along with Luther Prep, is the collection of data on every 8th grader throughout the synod so that the prep schools can be readily accessible to these members of the synod. In the state of Michigan, the data requested will be for every 5th through 8th grader. We pray that the Lord will bless that effort.

Let us know how we can serve your congregation or school. We welcome the opportunity to put our school on display, even with individual parents in their homes! We have lots of blessings to talk about and, perhaps, even sing about!

God be with you.
Professor Kock, MLS Recruiter

Letter #08 - 10/01/08

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Thursday, October 2, marks the end of the first term for this school year. Seniors will see if they are keeping up their GPA as they make final preparations for college and freshmen will see their first high school progress report. It is a significant time for students at both ends of the spectrum as well as for juniors and sophomores. Students will receive their progress report on Tuesday, October 7. The reports and any enclosed letter will be mailed to you on Thursday, October 9. Online grade reports should be viewable by Monday, October 6.

Please remember the academic eligibility standards for students. The typical GPA for college entrance is 2.5. Students below that GPA will be encouraged to make faithful use of God’s gifts to them. A GPA below 2.0 will receive an additional warning. Students at this level may need to meet with a teacher for help. Such a student will be placed on academic probation. Limited extracurricular eligibility (the student may practice but not represent the school) will be the status for a GPA of 1.68-1.99 and a GPA below 1.68 will make a student ineligible (the student can neither practice nor represent the school in an extracurricular activity). If you have any questions regarding your child’s report, please contact the advising professor.

The dates for driver’s education segment 1 have been set. We will again be using Sears Driving School. Classes will begin on Monday, November 3. There are twelve classes, which will be held from 3:15-5:15 Monday through Thursday. The last class will be on Thursday, November 20. The cost for this segment is $299. A cover letter and contracts will be available in the administration office at the beginning of next week.

In mid-summer, the state announced the results of the Michigan Merit Exam (MME) tests. Our juniors took the tests in spring. We administer the tests so that our students are eligible to receive the state’s Merit Award scholarship. There are five batteries: Math, Science, Social Studies, Reading, and Writing. The last two are combined to determine the English Language Arts (ELA) score.

Our MLS students performed in the following manner compared to Saginaw County public high schools; the numbers represent the percentage of students earning the qualifying scores of 1 or 2 for the Merit Award:

	Math	ELA	Sciance	Social Studies
MLS	80%	85%	85%	93%
Frankenmuth	80	77	80	88
Swan Valley	46	62	68	88
Hemlock	52	56	63	85
Freeland	63	61	70	89
Heritage	52	63	66	90
St. Charles	35	43	59	85

In addition to the MME scores, we also received the annual report from the ACT for our May 2009 graduates. Our students again performed very well compared to the state and national averages. The perfect ACT score is 36 points. The following table compares our students’ average scores with those for the state of Michigan:

	English	Math	Reading	Science	Composite
MLS Class of 2009	24.0	23.5	25.3	23.1	24.2
Michigan Class of 2009	18.7	19.5	19.8	19.9	19.6

Our juniors this school year will take the new Michigan Merit Exam in spring 2009. Those seniors who did not earn the qualifying scores on the MME last spring will have an opportunity to win the Merit Award when juniors are tested.

We are grateful for the blessings of the Lord on the rigorous academic preparation we do here at MLS for the sake of the Church.

In Christ,
Prof. Carl J. Weihrauch

Letter #07 - 09/22/08

Dear Parents and Guardians:

It's Homecoming week!

WNEM TV-5 covered our game and our school spirit on Friday. They have a follow-up online voting procedure today only at http://www.wnem.com/sports/17456393/detail.html

You will be able to read more details about the events of the week in the Cardinal Direct e-mail coming out later today.

State law requires us to inform you of pesticide applications. You can be sure that we will be mosquito-free for our Homecoming activities, since our field will be sprayed this coming Thursday night (and also on the following dates before home games: October 2, 8, 15 and 23).

If you'd like to contact other parents about your student's Homecoming plans, you may use the directory at http://studentdir.mlsem.org Your username there is *****, and your password is *****. The area is password protected so that internet search engines do not pick it up. If you need help with this login, contact Brandon Hill at bdh@mlsem.org). If you'd like a paper copy of the directory, contact Mrs. Laurie Starr (lss@mlsem.org).

If you missed the Guild meeting this month, you can watch it online: http://mlsem.org/support-organizations/guild/

Perhaps you remember how exciting Homecoming was when you were in high school. Talk to your student about the fun, and ask the Lord's blessing on the week.

Cordially in Christ,
Pres. Prange

Letter #06 - 09/15/08

Dear Parents and Guardians:

You can feel and see the summer slowly slipping away and fall is taking over. It is awesome to see how our Lord controls the seasons and sends the changes for our benefit. With the start of school we had the start of many extracurricular activities. The fall sports are in full swing. The football teams have already had three games. Cross country has had four meets and the volleyball team has had two tournaments. Please check our calendar (www.mlsem.org) and come out and enjoy watching one of our teams.

While you are checking the calendar, please make note of some of the events coming in the next couple of months. Children’s Theater will be putting on “The Reluctant Dragon” on November 14/15. Tryouts for this production are going on as I type. The Concert Choir will be making their first appearance of the year at Crown of Life, Warren, MI, on September 28 at 8:30 a.m. Finally, mark September 26 on your calendar because that is Homecoming here at MLS. Join the MLS family at the tailgate party and then enjoy the football game that follows. A blood drive will also be taking place from 12:00-6:00 p.m. on that Friday. If you would like to give blood you may sign up ahead of time with a student council member or just walk in that day.

It is always exciting to see God’s children using their gifts and abilities to His glory and honor. Please come to MLS and see how the Lord has truly blessed these students in their many activities.

In Christ’s service,
Prof. David P. Lecker
Chairman, Extracurricular Committee

Letter #05 - 09/08/08

Dear Parents and Guardians:

“I’m a Booster, he’s a Booster, she’s a Booster, they are Boosters--wouldn’t you like to be a Booster too?”

Did I bring back some 70’s memories? Fun, huh? Some of you may have no idea what I’m talking about, some may kind of remember the song, and a few of you may suddenly be thirsting for Dr. Pepper. It seems to me that the MLS Booster Club may be a little like that 70’s memory. Some know of it very well, some have heard about “them” but aren’t sure what “they” do, and some may not even know that there is a Booster Club.

Before we talk about the Booster Club, I want to let you know that I and the rest of the board members thank God for you as parents. By sending your son or daughter to MLS, you are shining the light of the gospel. Not only are your children seeing that light shine, but you also have the opportunity to let the light of the gospel shine when others ask, “Where are they going to high school?” Thank you for participating in the Seminary Family!

So, what is the Booster Club? When we think of a Booster Club, the first thought usually centers on raising funds. We do that, but there is so much more. We focus on supporting the students and families of MLS in more ways than financial. We provide opportunities for fellowship among parents/students and parents/parents on purpose. The members of the Board organize a variety of functions. We sponsor the concessions at home football games. Each winter, we organize the volleyball tournament for fellowship among the churches in our district. The grade school 3-on-3 basketball tournament is sponsored by the Booster Club. Flower sales at the musicals and plays are provided by members of the Booster Club.

What do we do with the funds that are raised? Here are a few of the projects that were completed in recent years:

Foosball table in dorm TV room
Polyhedron frameworks for geometry classroom
Presentation easels for sophomore speech class
Storage bins for art and science supplies
Handchimes, 4th octave set
Safety straps for basketball standards in gymnasium
Candle lighter in chapel

And what I feel is the most important use of our funds, scholarships to graduates going on to Martin Luther College.

How do we acquire our funds? There are registration fees for becoming a Booster Club member. They vary from $25 to $400 or more. They earn a person free popcorn at games, among other things. The registration fees become the base of our funds. The concession sales at the football games also provide funds. Because the main purpose for holding the volleyball and 3-on-3 basketball tournaments is fellowship, we attempt to set the registration fees to cover the expenses related to the events, rather than viewing those as activities to raise funds.

Speaking of great fellowship times, this fall is packed with opportunities to gather at MLS. This next Friday is ‘Jersey Night’ at the varsity football game. If you have an “old” jersey, wear it to the game. If you are not a grad, or were not in football, you are able to purchase jerseys at Cardinal Corner housed under the press box. The game gets underway at 7 pm. And of course, as one of the St. Charles coaches put it last week, dinner will be available at “the best concession stand in the Tri-Valley Conference.” Come have a brat or hot dog with those world-famous MLS fries!

If you are not a member of the Booster Club, you may still join! See us at the football concessions or contact me at tdyerks@yahoo.com. If your son or daughter’s grandparents would like to become Booster Club members, they are welcome to join. If they happen to be far from here, and would not make use of the “free popcorn button,” we are working on a window cling that identifies them as an MLS Booster, so they can talk about their grandchild at MLS.

In His Service,
Troy Yerks
President, MLS Booster Club

Letter #04 - 09/04/08

Dear Parents and Guardians:

We're well into our second week here at Michigan Lutheran Seminary, and it amazes me how quickly the calm and quiet of summer quickly changes to school bells going off, doors being continually opened and closed, and teenagers "exercising" their voices and lungs to fill the halls and classrooms and dorms and fields of our campus with welcome noise. God be praised for the strong show of support that we here at Seminary receive from our synod and from our parents and guardians. God also be with us as we carry out the work he has given us to do this 2008-09 school year.

This fall we welcome to our dorm staff new tutors Andrew Naumann (wife, Faith, and baby coming in January) and Amanda Dunn. We also welcome back returning "vets" Mark Schroeder (wife, Alissa and baby Lydia) and Emily Sting. We praise God for all these servants who are committed to their work as ministers of the gospel.

As we begin a new year, it is a good time to highlight a few items that will help our school and dormitory run more smoothly. Please note:

1. CAR PERMISSION
Please stress to your son or daughter the importance of getting permission before jumping in a car with someone. The important task of watching over your children becomes more difficult when kids are not signing out before they leave campus. This challenge is magnified when they leave campus to go somewhere in a car without someone knowing that they’ve left. For parents and guardians of town students, please also remember that your son or daughter should make sure that any dorm students riding in their car have permission in advance and have signed out in the IDO.

2. WEEKEND PLANS
In the past, we have had wonderful cooperation from parents and guardians contacting the IDO to notify our staff of their son or daughter’s weekend plans. Please continue this cooperation, informing us via email or other means.

3. CELL PHONES
Cell phones are a wonderful tool and an excellent way for our students to communicate with family and friends. Please remind your children that they are not, however, to be used in the classroom or after bed times in the dormitory. Thanks for your cooperation.

Thanks to all parents and guardians, as your concern, encouragement, and support are greatly appreciated by the members of our faculty and dorm staff. The SEMINARY FAMILY is not just a name, but instead a reality because of the relationships forged and communication shared between home and school, making MLS an exciting place to learn, play, and carry out the Lord’s work. May God bless our school year.

God’s blessings always,
John Boggs
MLS Dean of Students

Letter #03 - 08/26/08

Dear Parents and Guardians:

The school year is off to a great start. Under the theme, "Education for Eternity," we have been worshipping and studying and getting acquainted and reacquainted during these first two days of classes.

Our opening enrollment turned out to be 197, with 47 freshmen. With a smaller enrollment it is easier to get to know everyone and quickly to become close.

It was wonderful to see so many of you at the Thanksgiving for Ministry service on Sunday afternoon. I want to invite you to return to the campus for some special events on Sunday, September 7.

At 3:00 pm on that Sunday, the MLS Guild will host guest speaker Pastor Wade Johnston from Christ Lutheran Church in Saginaw (Shields). He will speak about ministerial education. His unique background should make for a fascinating presentation.

Then from 5:30 to 6:30 pm on that Sunday we will have our first Friends and Family Night in the dining hall, with a special menu and special time for fellowship and fun.

Finally, at 7:00 pm, please join the whole Seminary family in the chapel to give thanks to the Lord for the service of Prof. Norval Kock (celebrating 25 years in the ministry of the gospel) and Prof. Robert Schroer (celebrating 40 years in the ministry of the gospel). The Concert Choir will be singing; Prof. Schroer's brother Jerry will be preaching; Dean Boggs will be officiating; and I will be playing the organ.

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!

Cordially in Christ,
Pres. Prange

Letter #02 - 07/25/08

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Your pre-registration information has begun to arrive. Thank you for taking care of that! Remember, we pre-register online now, at http://ap.mlsem.org If you have forgotten your login information, please email Brandon Hill at bdh@mlsem.org.

So what happens next? Football campers arrive at school on Sunday, August 10. The other pre-season campus being on Sunday, August 17. If you sign up for one of those, you should receive information about it.

This year we have something new for parents who are on campus on Sunday, August 17. We are putting on a free supper and explaining opportunities for volunteer service at MLS during the coming school year. Just show up at the dorm between 4:30 and 5:00 pm in order to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Laurie Starr (lss@mlsem.org, 989-793-1041 x236).

Registration takes place between 8 am and noon on Saturday, August 23. If you sent in your pre-registration things, you should still come that morning to talk to your student's advisor, meet other parents, and find out what's new this year at MLS. If you are unable to attend, please contact Mrs. Diana Finkbeiner (dlf@mlsem.org, 989-793-1041 x225). Normally you would contact my secretary, Mrs. Perreault, but she has been diagnosed with cancer, and her prognosis is uncertain. Expressions of concern may be sent to 856 N. Finn, Essexville, MI, 48732.

Lunch is free for everyone in attendance on registration day!

All new parents and students should attend our orientation session on Saturday, August 23, at 1:00 pm in the gym. This goes until at least the middle of the afternoon. We let you know the basics of how MLS works, give tours of the school, answer questions, and calm jitters. If you are not able to attend that portion of the day, please inform our recruiter, Prof. Norval Kock (nlk@mlsem.org, 989-793-3487).

Our festive opening Thanksgiving for Ministry service is on Sunday, August 24, at 2:00 pm in the gym. All students are expected to attend. Freshmen have a welcoming mixer that night in the chapel. You may have heard that this freshman class has significantly more boys than girls. Some late applications from girls have really reduced that gap; the numbers are much closer now.

Have questions? Just e-mail in reply to this message. The Lord bless your few remaining days of summer!

Cordially in Christ,
Pres. Prange

Letter #01 - 07/14/08

Dear Parents and Guardians:

With only a month to go before pre-season camps open, it's time to get your registration papers ready for MLS! You are receiving this e-mail because we think that one or more students under your care are attending Michigan Lutheran Seminary in the 2008-09 school year. If that is not the case, please let us know by e-mailing info@mlsem.org

Because we are a boarding school, careful and complete registration is important. Please log in at http://ap.mlsem.org

Returning students received their login information last summer. It was repeated in the e-mail of October 5, 2007, where we told you how to check your student's report card. New students received their login information with their acceptance letter. If you have forgotten your login information, please email Brandon Hill at bdh@mlsem.org.

You may get a message from your web browser stating that there is a problem with the website's security certificate. You can safely disregard this notice and continue on to the website. The site is completely secured. The reason this message appears is that we're using a self-signed certificate for the site. If you'd like further information regarding this message, please contact our Technology Director, Brandon Hill, at bdh@mlsem.org Let us know if you have any questions. The dear Lord continue to keep you safe this summer.

Cordially in Christ,
Paul T. Prange, President
Michigan Lutheran Seminary

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