Alumni & Friends > College Advancement > Church Relations

GREETINGS FROM ALBERT GESLER '90, THE DIRECTOR OF CHURCH RELATIONS

Thankyou for taking a moment to visit our web page. Our office seeks to inform the ELCA churches in our region about Thiel College, encourage support from our Lutheran constituency and further the enrollment of Lutheran Students. Founded as a Lutheran school in 1866, Thiel is committed to being a college that prepares future generations to become well-rounded adults who carry the message of Jesus the Christ into the future.

LUTHERAN YOUTH VISIT THE THIEL CAMPUS

During the fall of 2007 Thiel hosted the Lutheran Youth Day event. The event was sponsored by the Office of Church Relations and assisted by the Office of Admissions, the Lutheran Student Movement group and the campus pastor.

This year’s Lutheran Youth Day is scheduled for November 3, 2008.  Students will enjoy worship lead by the campus pastor, a tour of campus, speaking with members of the Office of Admissions, a tailgate lunch at Alumni Stadium followed by a Tomcat football game against the Waynesburg Yellow Jackets.

More information and the registration forms will be mailed to churches in our supporting synods in mid-summer. Forms will also be available online after July 21. (Online Sign-up) (Printable Sign-up Sheet)  All registrations are requested to be returned 10 calendar days prior to the events.

Clergy and lay leaders are always welcome to set up their own campus visits for their youth groups. Please contact the Church Relations Office for more information.

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CHURCH ASSEMBLIES AND EVENTS

Thiel College hosts several assemblies and events for our ELCA Lutheran Church Synod bodies.

NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD ELCA - This synod holds its assembly on Thiel's campus every spring. The 2008 synod assembly will be June 12-14.

SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD ELCA - This synod also holds its assembly at Thiel every year. The 2008 synod assembly will be June 19-21.

LAY SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY - June 27,28,29.

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SCHEDULE A THIEL SUNDAY

Thiel Players performing at the Church Scholarship Recipients Luncheon

One of the strong desires of this office is to make connections for Thiel College to our churches' parishioners, both young and old. We are willing to "bring" Thiel College to your church in order to raise visibility among your people. Sunday morning worship time is an excellent time for a Thiel representative to visit your church, further underscoring the church-relatedness of Thiel as a Lutheran College.

While Church Relations is open to any kind of event or involvement that your congregation would design, the typical components of a Thiel Sunday could be the following:

1) TEMPLE TALKS - A four to five-minute presentation during the announcement time, or whenever that would seem the most appropriate. The talks would focus on the benefits of a church-related college education, and it would share what Thiel has to offer.
2) ADULT/YOUTH FORUMS - A longer and more in-depth presentation and a session on Thiel. This kind of forum would allow time for questions and answers.
3) DISPLAY - The display board would be placed on a table in a prominent location at the church. This would produce more name recognition for Thiel College, and it would serve as an information center where parents and students could pick up brochures and catalogues about the college.

The annual Church Scholarship Recipients Luncheon.

In most situations, Thiel absorbs all expenses for that Sunday, including transportation and meal costs. Thiel would expect the church's pastor to preside over the service and the liturgy, as well as serve as a host for the morning. In the case of a supply-preaching situation, it would be expected that the standard synod supply preaching fee and transportation costs be paid to the visiting pastor.

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MATCHING GIFTS PROGRAMS

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans offers The GivingPlus Program to help you support Thiel College.

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