Board for Ministerial Education
414-256-3237; bme@sab.wels.net
Construction has started on the new chapel at Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn. Due to increases in the cost of steel and oil, the final construction bids came in at about $800,000 over the $7.5 million previously approved by the Synodical Council. MLC plans to use $300,000 in contingency funds as well as $500,000 of its reserve funds to cover the additional cost. The use of these funds has been approved by the Synodical Council. The newly named Chapel of the Christ is still on target to be completed by fall 2009.

WELS Investment Funds
877-888-8953; welsfunds@sab.wels.net
Mr. Mark Arnold became the new director of WELS Investment Funds, Inc.—an organization that provides professionally managed investment portfolios for WELS congregations and affiliated agencies—in August. Arnold replaced Mr. Jim Holm, who took a new position in April as executive director of WELS Foundation. Arnold will be working with congregations to see how WELS Investment Funds can best meet their financial needs. Arnold has been associated with investments and insurance since 1988 and has a background in finance and office administration. For more information, visit www.welsfunds.net.

Commission on Worship
414-256-3265; worship@sab.wels.net
More than 1,000 people—a record number—attended the National Conference of Worship, Music & the Arts, July 28-31 at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn. This year’s conference featured more than 60 workshops on a variety of topics, exhibits, corporate worship opportunities, and concerts—including a performance by the conference’s largest high school honor choir of almost 130 WELS students nationwide. In addition, the new Christian Worship: Supplement was introduced.