Alumni & Friends > College Advancement > Church Relations

GREETINGS FROM CHURCH RELATIONS

Thank you 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.

THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS DAY

An annual Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Day is held each year on campus, and is sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. This year's event will be October 16, 2010.  Attendees enjoy worship led by the campus pastor in the David Johnson Memorial Chapel, and a tailgate lunch at Alumni Stadium followed by a Tomcat football game.

Please contact Mike McKinney, Dean of Students, at mmckinney@thiel.edu for more information.

Back to the top

LUTHERAN YOUTH VISIT THE THIEL CAMPUS

Each year Thiel hosts a Lutheran Youth Day event. The event is sponsored by the Office of Admissions, the Lutheran Student Movement group, and the Campus Pastor.

This year’s Lutheran Youth Day will be October 30, 2010.  Students enjoy worship led by the campus pastor, a tour of campus, speaking with members of the Office of Admissions, and a tailgate lunch at Alumni Stadium followed by a Tomcat football game.

Clergy and lay leaders are always welcome to set up their own campus visits for their youth groups. Please contact the Campus Pastor's office for more information.

Back to the top

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 2010 synod assembly was held June 9-11.

SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD ELCA - This synod also holds its assembly at Thiel every year. The 2010 synod assembly was held June 16-18.

Back to the top

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 happy 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.

The typical components of a Thiel Sunday could include the following:

1) TEMPLE TALKS - A four to five-minute presentation during the announcement time, or whenever would seem most appropriate. The talks would focus on the benefits of a church-related college education, and 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 awareness of 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.

Back to the top

THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans offers the ThriventChoice program allowing eligible members to contribute their ThriventChoice dollars to Thiel.  Check with your Thrivent representative to see if you are eligible.

Back to the top