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November 2024
Dear Friends,
When I was in elementary school there were some standard things that were
required as we came into the thanksgiving season. First, was the drawing of a
turkey using your hand as a template to trace around which the teacher always
hung somewhere either in the classroom or the hall outside it. Eventually that
work of art would make its way home for my parents to admire. A true, modern
thanksgiving tradition. Second was to write an essay on what you were thankful
for. That usually included my family, home and other sundry items as they came
to mind. This literary gem also inevitably made it home to the same fate of the
turkey drawing. Last month we celebrated the 57th year since the founding of
this seminary at our annual Seminary Rally. It was wonderful to be able to
recount all the marvelous people who did such great things in founding and
sustaining this institution. Also to introduce and reintroduce people to the
students we have now and the continuing outreach that the little hole-in-wall
seminary (as Pastor Ken Hendrickson used to jokingly refer to it) still has here
in the USA and in other parts of the globe. The many facets of which your gifts
have supported over the years.
Now as we once again come to Thanksgiving it is time to recall what we are
thankful for. I am very thankful to God for this seminary. Not just the fact
that it has given me a job for the past 39 years but for so many of the
blessings I have received through it. First, I had the opportunity to meet some
of the most marvelous Christian people on the face of this earth who organized,
supported and attended this institution. Each of them had a profound effect on
my training and development creating an incredible debt that I could never
repay. Second, through this seminary and its people I came to be associated with
our church federation that I have come to treasure and respect, from which I
have been so powerfully ministered to and been privileged to minister to in
return. Third, I witnessed such a deep love for the Word of God in so many
people that the need for imitation of that dedication became obvious, the
cultivation of which is its own reward. Fourth, it provided the means for me to
always be a student as teaching a subject always requires learning and
relearning to be able to impart one’s understandings to others so that they may
be engaged in the same process. This list could continue for a while but suffice
it to say I am deeply grateful to God for the bounty He has provided for my life
in this seminary.
Finally, I am very thankful for all of you and your continued support of this
seminary. You have been given the opportunity to bless it for years with your
kindness and generosity and you have been faithful beyond our greatest
expectations. Thanks be to God for you. A Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving to you
and yours!
(I promise not to send you one of my terrible, hand turkey drawings. :)
Blessings on you all!
God’s Peace,
Jay Weidner
DONATIONS RECEIVED…
In memory of Ed & Shirley Hulkonen, Sr.
From Pastor Raymond & Marlene Hilman
In memory of Tim Simula
From Pastor Raymond & Marlene Hilman
In memory of Betty Kilpela
From Pastor Raymond & Marlene Hilman
In memory of Dale Maikkula
From Myrna Maikkula
In memory of Mary Maikkula
From Myrna Maikkula
In memory of Lila Maikkula
From Myrna Maikkula
In memory of Verna A Hendrickson
From Audrey Krutzig
GET TO KNOW OUR FULL-TIME STUDENTS
Scott Seppala is a full-time student who lives in Houghton, MI with his wife
Illa and seven children. He will be finishing up his degree this December and
has accepted a pastoral position at the Eastwood Apostolic Lutheran Church in
Negaunee starting in January 2025.
Caleb Maunu is a full-time student who lives in Hancock with his wife, Sheri and
four children (with one on the way!). He will continue to take classes until his
one-year internship begins July 2025 at the Eastside Apostolic Lutheran Church
in Greer, SC.
Michael Mattinen is a full-time online student who lives in Cloquet, MN with his
wife, Heidi, and their four children. He will continue to take classes until his
one-year internship begins June 2025 at Esko Apostolic Lutheran Church, Esko,
MN.
Tyler Johnson is a full-time online student who lives in Taylors, SC with this
wife, Jodi and their four children. He is in his first year at the seminary.
Garrett Traffie is a full-time student who lives in New Ipswich, NH and is in
his first year at the seminary. This semester he is taking Greek so additional
classes are limited until the Spring.
Travis Fredrickson is a full-time student who lives in Calumet, MI with his
wife, Gwen and their son. He is in his first year at the seminary. His wife,
Gwen, is taking Deaconess classes part time.
Other part time students are Bruce Ruotsala taking classes online from New
Ipswich, NH, Rev. Chad Tyler taking classes online from West Falls, NY, Ken
Helmes taking classes online from Finland, Bjorn Lampinen taking classes online
from Woodland, WA, Garrett Kandoll taking a class online from Sequin, TX,
Matthew Holmgren taking a class online from Vancouver, WA and Cindy Koivu
Bermeduz taking Deaconess classes online from Alhambra, CA.
MATCHING FUNDS PROGRAM CONTINUES UNTIL DECEMBER 15TH
We are so THANKFUL that a kind and generous donor has come forward with a
matching fund donation of $25,000 for the year end of 2024. The seminary is
seeking additional donations above and beyond normal giving that would be
matched dollar for dollar within this program. If you are able to contribute to
this program, please earmark your contribution “matching funds” in the memo
section of your check. As always, we sincerely appreciate your continued
support.
ATTENTION: SUPPORTERS
THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT THE SEMINARY.
CHOICE DOLLARS DETAILS: Eligible clients with membership can recommend
where Thrivent distributes some of its charitable grant funds. These
recommendations are shared by directing Choice Dollars to enrolled nonprofit
organizations, including churches.
Eligibility requirements: To be eligible to direct Choice Dollars as part of
Thrivent Choice®, you must be a client with benefit membership. Individual
eligibility is also based on at least one of the following:
• Having $750 or more in annual billed premiums of qualifying life and health
insurance products.
• Having $20,000 or more in contract value of qualifying life insurance and
annuity products.
Eligibility is determined monthly and reevaluated on an annual basis.
Minimum and maximum Choice Dollars designations: Eligible clients will be
designated a minimum of 25 Choice Dollars and a maximum of 5,000 Choice Dollars
per eligibility period (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31).
Choice Dollars expiration date: Choice Dollars designated during the calendar
year can be directed until March 31 of the following year.
For more information about Choice Dollars, visit http://www.Thrivent.com/thriventchoice
or call 800-847-4836 or contact your local Thrivent Financial representative.
THRIVENT CHARITABLE IMPACT & INVESTINGTM
The Inter-Lutheran Seminary has established an Endowment Fund through Thrivent
Charitable Impact & InvestingTM (formerly InFaith Community Foundation). All
earnings of the endowment will be used for the seminary’s needs thereby ensuring
the continued existence of this funding source. This is the preferred method
used by many non-profit entities, especially ongoing religiously focused
organizations such as seminaries. To learn more about this organization, go to
www.thriventcharitable.com.
We would love to grow our endowment into a major source of ongoing seminary
support. Although the seminary still needs the financial ongoing regular
contributions of our supporters, please consider the endowment fund for your
planned giving needs. For more additional information, please contact Kirk Otto,
Jr. at (715) 821-8574 or Cheryl Hendrickson at
(906) 482-3337.
ANOTHER OPTION FOR GIVING – PayPal
Online giving is as easy as clicking the DONATE button on our website: https://ilseminary.org.
Simply go to the How to Contribute tab and tap the yellow DONATE button to
begin. There are options for credit and debit card donations and even the option
to help the seminary cover the PayPal processing fee. (Note we are charged 1.99%
+ $.49/transaction fee). As always, we are thankful for your continued support!
**PLEASE NOTE**
If you are receiving this newsletter in error or would prefer to be taken off
the mailing list, please complete the form below and mail to: P.O. Box 449,
Hancock, MI 49930.
Or call 906-482-3337 or email: cilseminary@ilseminary.com. Thank you!
Date:_________________
Name:_______________________________________________________
Address:_____________________________________________________
I wish to be removed from the Inter-Lutheran Seminary’s mailing list.
Inter-Lutheran
Theological Seminary
James Weidner, President
P.O. Box 449
Hancock, MI 49930
administrator@ilseminary.org
Phone: 906-482-3337
FAX: 906-482-0694