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10 January 2025

The Saskatoon Theological Union (STU) is delighted to welcome Hugh Williams into his new role as Director of Advancement for the STU. Hugh has served as the Director of Donor Relations at Lutheran Theological Seminary Saskatoon (LTS) in 2017, and as LTS’s Director of Communications and Development from 2020 – 2024.

From Hugh

“I am honored to accept the responsibility and opportunity to be the STU’s first Director of Advancement, a senior leadership role that will direct the STU’s fundraising and public engagement efforts. This feels like a natural progression from the collaborative communications work I have already been engaging in with my STU colleagues. I am also excited to bring the same relational, donor-centered approach—which has proven so successful at LTS—to my fundraising work with the St. Andrew’s and Emmanuel & St. Chad communities. I will of course continue to serve the LTS community in the same capacity as before.

To me, the STU represents the aspiration of unity in diversity. This spirit of collaboration is not only foundational to what the STU already is, and hopes to become, but it is also essential in shaping leaders who will serve a global and interconnected church. I look forward to partnering with our generous supporters, alumni, and friends—as well as the gifted staff and faculty here in the STU—as we embark on this transformational journey together.”

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11 December 2024

The Common Faculty of the Saskatoon Theological Union recently voted to appoint The Rev. Dr. Kyle Schiefelbein-Guerrero, Grace Professor of Leadership at LTS, as the new Common Faculty Chair. 

The Chair is responsible for overseeing the regular meeting of the Common Faculty and encouraging open and transparent communication among the three schools as they work together and maintain their distinctiveness. The Chair works directly with the STU Academic Dean to ensure that the common degree programs are delivered with excellence. 

The current STU Academic Dean, Dr. Lynn Caldwell, noted, “Dr. KSG has strong experience in faculty leadership and collegial governance, a wonderful sense of and commitment to the STU community and its programs, and I look forward to his work in this role.” 

Dr. Schiefelbein-Guerrero responded to this appointment by stating, “I am honoured that my faculty colleagues have entrusted me with this responsibility, in which I can put into practice the work I am doing on leadership to benefit our students and the Church.”

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04 November 2024

The University of Saskatchewan has initiated a process to have the former buildings of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at 114 Seminary Crescent removed from the property.  The process will take months, beginning with removal of hazardous materials and considering proposals for demolition. 

In the four years since the Lutheran Theological Seminary moved from 114 Seminary Crescent to its current location at St. Andrew’s College building, the University of Saskatchewan was unable to find suitable options for alternate use of the buildings or a commitment from long-term tenants.

We cherish the many fond memories of the building and acknowledge that it has been an important place of formation in many people’s lives. LTS remains deeply committed to ensuring that our current students have formative experiences and that we continue to live out our mission and vision.

The greatest witness of God’s work within the building has always been the work of God’s people outside of the building, among communities across Canada and beyond. We are grateful for the ministry fostered at 114 Seminary and for the new opportunities to which God is calling LTS.

Rev. David Hunter, 
Chair of the Board of Governors, LTS

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10 October 2024

The Saskatoon Theological Union is delighted to announce the appointment of the Rev. Daranne Harris, PhD (candidate) as the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program.  She brings considerable expertise in both the practical and theoretical aspects of Christian ministry.

Rev. Harris is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Having served with the church’s humanitarian agency, Canadian Lutheran World Relief, in full-time and interim ministry with congregations in Alberta, and as Chief Mission Officer for a faith-based provider of long-term care, Rev. Harris is passionate about practical theology that informs people’s day-to-day experiences of God at work in their lives and the world.  The STU community is blessed by her presence in our midst!

In Rev. Harris’s own words:

“I am eager to support current and future Doctor of Ministry students as they pursue research that integrates theology and practice in their ministry contexts. Such research is often not only reinvigorating for students, but also enriches the wider church as we seek to address critical needs and bear the gospel good news of renewal and hope in an ever-changing world.

This is an exciting time to join the Saskatoon Theological Union, which embodies an ecumenical richness that not only celebrates the uniqueness of its three distinct institutions, but also models collaboration that transcends denominational boundaries. The theological and cultural diversity within the STU provides a fertile ground for deep learning, reflection, and innovation. I look forward to sharing my passion for qualitative research and practical theology to advance these endeavours, supporting students as they engage in transformative projects that impact both their congregations and the wider community.”

Welcome, Rev. Harris!

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26 September 2024

It is with joy and anticipation that the Saskatoon Theological Union (STU) welcomes Kristi Baxter into her new role as STU Chief Financial Officer, and Colleen Walker into her new role as STU Registrar. In their own words, Kristi and Colleen share this celebration as they offer their gifts to the wider ecumenical community of the STU.

From our CFO

“I am enjoying my work as the CFO for the three schools of the Saskatoon Theological Union. I joined St. Andrew’s College in May 2022 as their Chief Administrative Officer.  In April 2023, I added the Lutheran Theological Seminary Saskatoon Finance Manager portfolio to my work here and in January 2024 I began supporting the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad. With my expanding support of the three colleges, it made sense to centralize the financial work of the STU into one position. 

It has been enjoyable to work with—and to get to know—my colleagues across the three colleges. There is a real sense of cooperation and collaboration here, which is both encouraging and exciting. While my role is certainly a busy one, it is also manageable due to the support from the schools, and due to the fact that we have been working toward shared systems of administration for a while now.

As the STU integrates more closely in the months and years to come, I look forward to playing my part in shaping this effective and faithful community of theological education.”

From our Registrar

“I am excited to enter this new role of STU Registrar as it holds possibilities for more collaborative work across the three colleges of the STU. I look forward to continued development of common administrative practices and processes to guide the work in the Registrar’s office. I am pleased that I will have the opportunity to work closely with the faculty and staff of each college, increasing my knowledge base of the denominations, their traditions and ways of being. 

The highlight for me this past year has been working alongside the college Registrars, Colleen Rickard and Lisa McInnis. I am thankful and grateful for their contributions to the development of this new role. Their commitment and care to the life of the STU and to their respective colleges is to be commended.

I believe this new phase in my work with the STU will bring excitement, challenges and rewards. I am glad to be on this journey together.”