“For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” — Psalm 100:5
As you can see from the smiling faces in our NALS annual photo, we begin this academic year with joyful hearts. As a faculty member and administrator, I have always found orientation week to be among my favorite times of the year. No matter where students and staff have been during the summer, or even the past year, we are brought together to begin this annual adventure in a spirit of hope. We join together in anticipation of new friendships, new learning and new growth.
Each year I look at a new picture and I am filled with delight, because, in it, I see the future, the future of the Church. I see a picture of God’s steadfast love, a vision of his faithfulness to all generations, for these students will be going out to established parishes and mission outposts. They will be instruments of mercy in a hurting and broken world as they speak God’s goodness through their preaching, teaching, and administration of the Sacraments, as well as in their care for those in need, their ability to listen, and their ever-growing humility to speak tenderly to those who do not yet know of Christ’s great love for them.
Please keep our students, faculty, and staff in your daily prayers. We are so thankful for our partnership in the Gospel. May God continue to bless your congregations as we continue to prepare pastors and church leaders to serve you.
The Rev. Dr. Amy C. Schifrin, President; North American Lutheran Seminary