On Friday, Sept. 19, the Concordia Seminary Guild, St. Louis, began its new year with the theme "Continuing the Journey of Service." At a luncheon meeting, Dr. John F. Johnson, president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, gave an update of exciting things happening on campus, including the start of the Seminary's 165th academic year, the largest class of incoming seminarians in 32 years (178), the installation of new staff members and the possible acquisition of the former Christian Brothers College High School (CBC) campus, adjacent to the Seminary.

New officers were installed and Seminary Guild president Mary Brighton reported on the progress of the Guild's projects. Some of the projects for the 2003-2004 year include support for the Ethnic Immigrant and Hispanic Institutes of Theology, new dormitory furnishings and the gifts of Francis Pieper's "Christian Dogmatics, Vol. I," and clergy shirts that are given by the Guild to first-year seminarians.

The Seminary Guild's Rally Day was held Oct. 17, 2003, with a presentation about the proposed Seminary expansion to the former CBC campus. Future Guild meetings will be held on Nov. 14, 2003, and Feb. 20, March 19 and June 3, 2004.

Membership in the Seminary Guild is open to individuals and organizations. The Guild's objectives are to cultivate a deeper interest in Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and to provide needed items for the campus and students which are not ordinarily furnished by the Seminary. For more information about Concordia Seminary Guild, call (314) 505-7374.