CTSFW Holds Annual Donation Day

FORT WAYNE, Ind., October 21, 2025—Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), welcomed members of Lutheran Women in Mission (LWML), the CTSFW Seminary Guild, and other guests to campus for its annual Donation Day October 14. Visitors brought carloads of donations to the Food & Clothing Co-op, which provides much-needed provisions free of charge to seminary students and their families.

Donors drop off a carload of donations at the CTSFW Clothing Co-op October 14.

Guests joined the CTSFW community in Kramer Chapel for worship and a short program after the service. Seminary Guild President Cindy Powell greeted guests, and LWML presidents from the South Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana Districts of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) recognized seminary students from their respective districts. Deaconess Katherine Rittner, Director of the Food & Clothing Co-op, then offered her thanks to everyone who supports the Co-op.

LWML district presidents gather for a photo after chapel. From left, front row: Ruth Steele (Michigan), Karen Shanahan (Ohio), Seminary Guild President Cindy Powell, Cinda Poppe (South Wisconsin), Sarah Rippy (Indiana); back row: Deaconess Katherine Rittner and Dr. Jon Bruss.

“By your gifts, by your donations, you, our guests, our friends, have done so much in the daily lives of your future pastors and deaconesses,” said Rittner, who noted that the Co-op plays a significant role in alleviating uncertainty about how to make ends meet.

CTSFW President Dr. Jon Bruss closed the program, noting, “The tradition of generosity of Christians keen to support the next generation of pastors continues. Their support for you students remains the same. They have underwritten significant initiatives in the Co-op, which provides on average 70% and up to 95% of a family’s needs during their time at Seminary. Above all, they pray for you.”

Seminarians walk to coffee hour after chapel with family members on campus for Donation Day.

After chapel, Donation Day visitors had an opportunity to talk with students at coffee hour and over lunch. They also had a chance to see plans for a new Food & Clothing Co-op, which will put everything under one roof in one accessible location.

Deaconess Katherine Rittner discusses plans for the new Food & Clothing Co-op with Donation Day guests.

“Being able to share what the future holds with our amazing donors today has been the true highlight,” said Rittner. “They are so excited to continue caring for their future pastors and deaconesses and cannot wait to see the new building. Many times over, the response was, ‘That will be so amazing and so safe for the little children of the families. No more stairs and one location!’”

Donors peruse information about upcoming campus updates and plans, including details about anticipated updates to the Food & Clothing Co-op.

To learn more about the Co-op and plans for the future, read our recent article in For the Life of the World.

To watch the Donation Day chapel service, visit our YouTube channel.