Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, alumni, spouses and widows are cordially invited to attend the annual alumni reunions, which will be held June 1-4 on the Seminary campus. The event is open to graduating classes from years ending in a "4" or a "9".

The theme for this year's reunions is "The Joys and Challenges of Ministry: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow." The presenters will be Rev. Dr. Arthur W. Scherer (Class of 1964), president emeritus of the Southeastern District of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod; Rev. Christopher R. Dodge (Class of 1979), senior pastor of St. Michael Lutheran Church, Bloomington, Minn.; and Rev. Thomas J. Zelt (Class of 1984), senior pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Fremont, Calif. Dr. John F. Johnson, president of Concordia Seminary, will deliver an address regarding current events and future plans at the Seminary.

"While we have a lot of enjoyable activities planned for our alumni, their spouses and the widows of our alumni, we know that one of the primary attractions of these reunions is the renewing of relationships that were formed on this campus many years ago," commented Rev. Glen Thomas, the Seminary's vice president for seminary relations. "Our alumni are also very interested in seeing the changes which have occurred on the campus since they graduated. We are excited to show them the many ways God is blessing their alma mater."

Registration will begin on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 1. Later that day, participants and faculty members will enjoy food, fellowship and fun at a picnic in Luther Statue Park. The evening will close with a carillon concert and a reception at Concordia Historical Institute.

A special feature of this year's Alumni Reunions is a tour of the Seminary's new expansion site (the former Christian Brothers College High School campus) on Wednesday, June 2. An open house at President and Mrs. Johnson's residence will be held that evening. Many classes will utilize the remainder of the evening as an opportunity to gather and share memories of their days on the campus and what has occurred in their lives since graduation.

On Thursday, June 3, a special afternoon worship service will be held which will include a choir composed of alumni, spouses and widows. President Johnson will serve as the preacher at the service. The day's activities will conclude with a banquet in the Seminary's Wartburg Dining Hall.

Two special gatherings are planned exclusively for the spouses and widows of alumni. On June 2, a special ladies' breakfast will be hosted by Mrs. Johnson and will feature several women from the current Seminary community. On June 3, the women are invited to a brunch hosted by the Seminary Guild where they will hear about the exciting work being done by this important organization.

A mailing to those invited to this year's reunions will be sent from the Seminary on Feb. 2. It will include a registration form and information concerning area housing. It will also be available for download from the Seminary's Web site at www.csl.edu/alumni.htm.

For more information about the reunions or to reserve a room for a class gathering, contact Alumni Relations at (314) 505-7370 or alumni@csl.edu.