Nearly 100 prospective students and guests are attending the Fall Visit Weekend at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. The Oct. 11-13 visitation event is designed for those of college age and older. It provides an effective means of learning more about life in the Concordia Seminary community and the preparation which leads to service as a pastor, missionary or chaplain in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

"The turnout has been nothing short of overwhelming," commented Rev. Jeffery Moore, director of ministerial recruitment at Concordia. "It is the largest number of participants on record for any Fall Visitation Weekend. We have a broad spectrum of visitors including college students and men in other vocations at this time. They have traveled from all parts of the United States to be with us for this special opportunity to learn more about seminary preparation and all that Concordia Seminary has to offer them. It is wonderful to see such a large number of potential pastors."

Visitors have the opportunity to worship with the Seminary community in The Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus, to visit classes and to tour the campus. Participants also hear presentations on academic offerings, financial assistance, housing, resident field education, vicarage and the admission process. Guests may also take advantage of the many recreational opportunities in the St. Louis area.

There is no charge to attend the Fall Visitation Weekend. All meals and lodging are provided free of charge. Round-trip transportation to Concordia Seminary from the airport, bus station or train station also is provided free of charge.

A special women's information session on Saturday morning has proven to be very popular and beneficial for wives, fiancees and girlfriends who attended past Fall Visitation Weekends.

Additional structured visitation opportunities at Concordia Seminary include the Shepherds of God's Flock Retreat (January 8-10, 2002) and the Institute on the Ministry (March 7-9, 2002). Prospective students and guests may also visit at any time which is convenient for them and the Admissions Office at Concordia Seminary will arrange a private visitation schedule which meets their needs. Meals and lodging are provided free of charge on the Seminary campus for prospective students and their guests during the structured visitation opportunities and during any individual visit.

For more information, call the Admissions Office at Concordia Seminary at 1-800-822-9545 or e- mail at [email protected] or write to: Admissions Office, Concordia Seminary, 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105. Information and a registration form also are available from the Seminary's Web site at www.csl.edu/Admvis.htm.