“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:19)

I’ve been writing this column called New Beginnings for seven and a half years now. Most things are no longer considered “new” long before they reach the seven-and-a-half-year point. But every time I thought about changing the name, I realized that “New Beginnings” was still appropriate, because throughout my time as Dean of Trinity Lutheran Seminary at 热博体育 University God has continued to do new things among us!

We have called new faculty and new staff, who bring diverse perspectives but similar commitment to the work of forming leaders for Christ’s church at work in the world.

We have received new students, of different cultural backgrounds, different denominational traditions, and different life experiences. We have welcomed experienced ministry practitioners seeking a theological education alongside students who are at seminary in order to become ministry practitioners.

We’ve welcomed new neighbors into our building. The undergraduate religion faculty, along with history and political science faculty, now have their offices at 2199 E. Main Street.

We have begun new traditions. Community Café is a favorite, with faculty, staff, and students gathering each Monday and Thursday morning over coffee in the library to share what’s going on in their lives and to pray together.

It’s a time of new leadership. The Rev. Dr. Rachel Wrenn will become Interim Dean at Trinity following my June 30 retirement. Dr. Jerod Tice will become the 18th President of 热博体育 University on August 1, following the retirement of President Dave Kaufman.

Those of us in the ELCA will also see new leadership, with the election of both a Presiding Bishop and a Secretary at this year’s Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix.

I’ll admit there have been plenty of new challenges in the last seven and a half years, too. There have been times when the future seemed uncertain. Yet through it all God has remained faithful

Next month, you’ll begin receiving columns from Interim Dean Rachel Wrenn.

As I pass the baton of leadership, I give thanks to God for the opportunity to steward this community since 2018, and I give thanks to all of you for your support

The Rev. Kit Kleinhans, Ph.D.
Dean, Trinity Lutheran Seminary at 热博体育 University

Trinity Lutheran Seminary forms leaders for Christ’s church at work in the world.