by Jayne E. Sheafer

As you navigate through your hectic days there are many places that offer "one stop shopping" to help save you time. From the huge discount store just down the road that has some of everything you need, to the websites that offer airfares, car rental, and hotels at a click of a button to make your vacation planning a pleasure. If you've been considering a vocation as a pastor or deaconess, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, has a "one stop resource" to answer the questions you might have about enrolling at CTS.

Each spring and fall CTS hosts a Prayerfully Consider Campus Visit. This spring it will run March 17-19, 2005. These visits are designed to give those who are seriously considering becoming a pastor or deaconess the opportunity to immerse themselves in the day-to-day life of the seminary and acquire answers to those frequently asked questions.

What are the fees for a Prayerfully Consider Visit? There is no registration fee and all on-campus meals and housing are provided at no charge. We ask that you fill out the registration form included in this mailing, or register online at www.ctsfw.edu.

What is the schedule for the visit? The schedule allows plenty of time to explore the campus and surrounding community. You will be able to worship in Kramer Chapel, visit classes, and talk with students about their experience at CTS. There will also be a full day where you will hear from faculty and staff who will answer all your questions. We host a Display Fair where realtors, moving companies, employers, and others are available to give you more information about the Fort Wayne area.

What is the mission of CTS? Dr. Dean O. Wenthe, President, CTS, will host the attendees for a special reception and dinner. At that time you will hear Dr. Wenthe's vision for CTS and how you will fit into that picture. Members of our faculty and staff will also be available to visit with you and discuss the opportunities available at CTS.

What requirements are there for admission? During a Prayerfully Consider Visit (PCV) you will have the opportunity to meet with an Admission Counselor who will explain the process and requirements. Each of our counselors is assigned to a different area of the country, and you will meet with the one who handles your area.
Western U.S.: The Rev. Scott Klemsz
     (klemszsc@mail.ctsfw.edu)
Midwest U.S.: The Rev. Michael Scudder
     (scuddermr@mail.ctsfw.edu)
Eastern U.S.: The Rev. Tom Zimmerman
     (zimmermantp@mail.ctsfw.edu)
Colleges and Universities: The Rev. John Dreyer
     (dreyerjm@mail.ctsfw.edu)
Deaconess Program: Deanna Cheadle
     (cheadledl@mail.ctsfw.edu).

What are the costs for attending CTS? This is a question every prospective student and his or her family should discuss in depth before enrolling at the seminary. The addition of tuition for graduate-level studies will certainly change a family's budget. While attending a PCV members of our Financial Aid Office will apprise you of costs and of what kind of assistance may be available. Before coming to campus you can go online to www.ctsfw.edu, click on Admission, then Financial Aid to see many of the possibilities. There are also charts available there that map out budgets for single students and families of all different sizes. This is a great resource to help you plan your own budget.

Is there other assistance available? CTS is blessed with incredible Clothing and Food Co-ops. The Clothing Co-op offers clothing and household items. There is a great variety of clothing for infants through adults. While most of the donated items are gently-used, it's not unusual to find items that have never been worn and still have the store tags on them. The Food Co-op allots each family a number of monthly points. With these points families are able to "purchase" toiletries, canned and boxed goods, baking items, frozen foods, and dairy products. In fact, students find they can get about 75% of their needed grocery items at the Food Co-op. In exchange for these services, students agree to work just one hour a month at either of the co-ops.

Where will we live? The Fort Wayne area offers a wide range of housing options. There are numerable apartments and homes within a very short distance of the seminary, with quite a few within walking distance. If you choose to live a little further from campus, commuting is an easy process. While visiting you'll have the opportunity to talk with current students and learn what has worked for them. There is also plenty of time to drive around the area to see what housing would fit your needs.

Where will our children go to school? The choices for education from preschool through college are quite abundant. Christ's Child Learning Corner is a daycare and preschool located right on campus. Tours are available any time. Lutheran education abounds with many elementary schools and Concordia Lutheran High School. There are also several public school districts in the Fort Wayne area. Several seminary families are active in the homeschooling community and would be happy to discuss their choice with you. There are also several fine universities and technical schools in the area.

How do we prepare for the move? Any transition is difficult, but our Relocation Coordinator, Mary Bridges, can provide you with information that will help things go smoothly. Every participant has the opportunity to schedule an appointment with Mary while they are on campus. She has books full of homes for sale or rent (many of them offered by seminary students who will be leaving to go to their first Call). She will have a packet prepared for you that tells you all about Fort Wayne and surrounding areas. She can inform you about various groups on campus, especially the Student Wives Association, that can be a great comfort and resource when you move to Fort Wayne. Be sure to read her article in this issue that has some great tips about moving.

These are some brief answers to just a few questions. To get answers to all of your questions plan now to join us March 17-19, 2005. Take advantage of this opportunity to visit with our faculty, staff, and student body, and explore the Fort Wayne area. Now is the time prayerfully to consider your vocation as a pastor or deaconess and prayerfully consider a visit to Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.

Jayne Sheafer is a Public Relations Officer at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

From Volume 8, Issue 1, Winter 2005