PHILADELPHIA -- Against a festive backdrop of brass, handbells and endorsements from church and political leaders, The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia dedicated its new $6.6 million Wiedemann Center Sunday afternoon, September 13. The striking Gothic facility, begun a year ago, features 66 residential units for seminarians, a bookstore and a distance learning center to connect the Seminary and its teaching with other seminary partners and congregations.

Some 400 alumni, faculty, staff, students, donors and friends of the Seminary celebrated with pageantry, words and music the new Center and its dynamic impact on the campus. The dedication featured worship under a colorful tent on the Seminary Quadrangle, followed by a dedication rite on the front steps of the Center.

Preacher John W. Vannorsdall used the occasion to remind the assembled about Matthew 7: 24-27, the House on the Rock verses. "Are our lives built on sand or rock? Do we have a solid foundation here?" he asked. He ventured that "We have a new facility that supports the word and teaching of God with integrity."

Formerly President of the Seminary and one-time radio voice of The Protestant Hour, Vannorsdall reminded that when the Mt. Airy campus was dedicated 109 years ago, a Seminary Board member referred to it as "….paradise….the park…"

Today, he suggested that the Seminary's urban location amid diversity provides for a challenging backdrop for opportunity. He told of living in a Massachusetts community that is "350^th from the top" in terms of per capita income in the Commonwealth. "Is it any surprise that in such a community one fourth of the children in the school receive special aid and another one-fourth have special needs?" Such concerns are easy to ignore, he said, in a "socially passive time with a decreasing sense of obligation to anyone but the self. But this is God's town, filled with my brothers and sisters, and we have a commandment to love one another here in this place, in the Congo, Somalia or in communities where gambling is part of the infrastructure…"

In such settings Christ's message of salvation is that "He bears the pain," Vannorsdall said. "Only those who know the compassion of Christ's flowing and freeing love can be radical and persistent enough to be serving of their neighbors." In an age where some practice social abandonment and others have a "gushing" approach to religion, the Seminary, with its new facility, "remains a

school designed for living out the Word of God with teaching that allows for exploration with integrity."

Among others giving a perspective to the event were Dr. Addie Butler, vice-president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the 5.2 million member denomination with which the Seminary affiliates; City Council representatives Happy Fernandez and Donna Reed Miller, and Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod Bishop David Strobel.

Dr. Butler, a Philadelphian who holds the highest elective position held in the denomination by a lay person, said the Seminary teaches those "hungry for the living Lord….In such a place where the teaching of lay people and future clergy takes place we need such resources as housing. Those needs become a central point in our mission."

"I can't think of a time when sound training leading to effective and prophetic ministry was ever more needed," Fernandez said. "That kind of ministry is needed in our community, in the city and worldwide, and this Seminary is making it possible. A nice, new facility where students may live contributes to their mental and spiritual health while they receive a theological education."

Miller read a proclamation signed by Mayor Ed Rendell designating September 13, 1998, as "The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia Day." The proclamation urged citizens to recognize "the many contributions of this Seminary and its graduates to the religious, social and economic growth of our city, commonwealth and nation."

Bishop Strobel cited the vested interest that the denomination's Conference of Bishops has in a quality education for future leaders. "This new building will go a long way in support of a new generation of church leaders, studying under good conditions." He said he had a caution. "Several generations of seminarians once had to walk outside (the old dormitory) to get a shower on this campus." The practice, he said "built both character and characters….We will have to figure out now," he said amidst laughter, "how to make up for the 'deficit of character' the new building makes possible."

The tent worship ended with a procession to the Wiedemann Center front steps. A dedication ceremony followed, featuring intercessions and prayers for the building's entrance, apartments and suites, classroom and learning center, bookstore and Elijah's Playground for the campus's children, and Pellie's Place, a meditation and fellowship site outside the center. The Seminary Choir and The Lancaster Brass Quintet, led by Seminary Musician Mark Mummert, provided special music.

Reflections were offered by Robert Blanck, chair of the Board of Trustees; Student Representative Jaclin Ryan; Distance Learning Director and Assistant Professor Richard Stewart; Augsburg Fortress Bookstore Sales Associate Ruth Rafferty and Marvin Roloff, Augsburg Fortress CEO, and the Rev. Craig Miller, parent and alumnus. Miller's remarks were particularly moving because they recalled the loss of two lives with a major impact on the campus community. The playground is named for his late son, "a child who only knew life in his mother's womb," Miller said. The place of reflection and meditation honors former staff member Laurie Simon, who died after a bicycle accident two years ago. Miller described upon Simon as "a servant life taken too soon from us."

Alvin H. Butz, Inc., of Allentown managed the Center's construction. Major building partners included LB&W Architectural Associates, Inc.; Entech Engineering, Inc., and The Delta Group.

The Wiedemann Center is named for a family whose major donation more than two decades ago made possible a $2.5 million investment toward the Center's construction. The Center's Bagger and Jacobs Wings are named for former Seminary Presidents Henry Eyster Jacobs and Henry Horneman Bagger.

The Dedication celebration was underwritten by the Butz organization. The Dedication booklet was a gift of Augsburg Fortress Publishers.

Founded in 1864, the Seminary is one of eight to be affiliated with the ELCA denomination. About 450 students are enrolled. Most seek the first professional degree, either a Master of Divinity leading to ordination, or a Master of Arts in Religion, leading to another professional church affiliation. The Graduate Program offers students either a Doctor of Ministry or a Master of Sacred Theology degree.