LTSPMEDIA
News and information from The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
Updated: 36 sec ago
Report from the LTSP Board of Trustees - Spring 2013
Communication to the Seminary Community: Decisions and Recommendations of the Board of Trustees of
The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, April 22-24, 2013
- The Dean of the seminary was awarded an Endowed Chair.
- A balanced budget proposal for the year 2014 was approved.
- The Board learned that LTSP meets all the standards required at this time by the Middle States Commission of Higher Education.
How to be ‘the always generous and ever-ready Church of today’ described by seminary Dean
(scroll to the bottom of the story to view a video and slide show of the ceremony and lecture)
Jayakiran Sebastian gave his remarks during a ceremony conferring on him the H. George Anderson Faculty Chair for Mission and Cultures on April 23, 2013. He joined the faculty in 2007. Do Christian antiquity or the Protestant missionary expansion to India in the 18th century have anything to teach those of us living through what some regard as a “bad” time to be the church? Dr. Sebastian with Dr. Karl Krueger (L)
and LTSP Board Chair Dr. John Richter In a word, yes, believes the Rev. Dr. Jayakiran Sebastian, Dean of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) and a resident of Philadelphia’s East Mt. Airy. Sebastian’s thoughtful advice was part of a paper presented in The Brossman Learning Center at LTSP during the occasion of his receiving the H. George Anderson Faculty Chair for Mission and Cultures. Part of that learning, he said, is to discern from the past how best to remain true to “our” faith while remaining open to others different from ourselves as they express their foundational faith perspectives. He noted the critical importance of being willing to “accompany” others. In remarks he titled “The Always-Generous and Ever-Ready Church,” Sebastian, known as “Kiran” by colleagues and friends, at the outset took note of the words of the Rev. Dr. H. George Anderson, a seminary alumnus and one-time Presiding Bishop of the seminary’s parent Evangelical Lutheran Church in America denomination: “The most insidious challenge we face as the church … involves the soul of the church … that it is a matter of faith, ‘trust in God’s promises’…We are in danger of losing that core conviction.” His lecture was a thoughtful exploration about the always challenging work it takes to be the church, staying true to our faith in a world that has been changing since the early days of Christianity and promises to continue changing through the ages. Dr. Sebastian, a Presbyter of the Church of South India, directs the seminary’s Multicultural Mission Resource Center as well as serving as Academic Dean, a post he assumed July 1, 2012. He has also served as chaplain of the seminary. Near the outset, Sebastian acknowledged with gratitude the legacy and leadership offered by Anderson, “who faced a variety of challenges as a pastor, seminary teacher, president of a Lutheran college, and as the second presiding bishop of the church.” In Anderson, he said, “we are honoring someone who championed ecumenical hospitality and denominational rootedness, along with compassionate sensitivity to all the changes that were shaking long-held convictions and certainties.” Reflecting on Anderson’s ministry in Columbia, SC, during the Civil Rights movement and the questions that were facing churches who, for various reasons, had not taken a prophetic stand, he talks about how choices resulted in the possibility that the churches could be “that voice of prophetic truth, a sign of grace, a beacon of hope, and a source of healing for our culture,” where the “church was not in the headlines; but the headlines were different because of the church.” “Aren’t we living through a bad time to be the church?” Sebastian asked. “Aren’t we living through declining memberships; economic hardships, theological bottlenecks, cultural tensions; social ferment, denominational instability; interfaith misunderstandings; and a survival doomsday scenario?” “For Bishop Anderson, every day was a good day to be the church, and this meant that the gathered community had to fulfill its vocation and calling in the public sphere,” Sebastian said. Sebastian drew upon two historic chapters to outline a rationale for thinking through how to be the church today. He first referenced a short letter by Cyprian of Carthage to his congregation during the Decian persecution (249-251), noting that the term “always-generous and ever-ready” is a paraphrase of the words of Cyprian. Sebastian explained the Decian persecution was “a universal” persecution of the day, requiring all inhabitants of the Roman Empire (with the exception of Jewish communities) to offer sacrifice and receive a certificate that they had done so. “Before this persecution there had been no centrally organized and executed persecution of Christians,” Sebastian said. The Emperor Decian’s purpose was to produce “not martyrs but apostates, and in large measure he had succeeded,” Sebastian said. As for Cyprian, he fled to a “safe hideout” from where he attempted to rally his congregations to resist the demands of the state and organize help for those who were suffering. “He notes how anxious he is to return to his people, who are eagerly longing to see him quickly. He says that the reason he cannot fulfill their desire is because he has to take into account ‘the general peace of the community’ which leads him to endure the separation even though it leaves him feeling dispirited. His point is that his presence in Carthage could be a cause of provocation for the ‘pagans’ causing ‘an outburst of violence. He hopes his lack of visibility would leave his congregation as untouched as possible.” In his letter, Cyprian offers detailed instructions regarding the ongoing need to continue the “charitable works so necessary to sustain and empower the vulnerable members” of the congregation. He urges clergy to be “scrupulous” in caring for “widows, the sick and all the poor.” “The world of Cyprian’s letter was a world of uncertainty and unpredictability; it was a world where systematic, organized cruelty, which underlay the veneer of civilization, tried to stamp out what the ruling powers considered to be acts of defiance and deviance,” Sebastian said. “It was a world where it seemed to be every person for himself or herself, where suspicion reigned and familiar patterns of life in community had broken down. Sound familiar? In this context the desire of Cyprian to concretely care for the ‘least’ and most vulnerable members of his community, his preparedness to take risks for the sake of Christ, shines out as an example of something from which we can continue to learn in a world of competition, a world of which has no time to look back at those deliberately left behind, a world which is increasingly seeking glamour, riches and success, a world that seems to be denying inter-connectedness of the human family and easily overlooks the joys and aspirations, the hopes and fears of vast sections of humanity, especially those whom (LTSP faculty member) Wil Gafney, in writing about female prophets, talks about – those ‘whose names were forgotten, whose stories stopped circulating, but we know they were there.’” “They are here,” Sebastian said, “and it is here that we recognize that people like Cyprian speak to us across the centuries, in terms of urgency, urgency because of their experience of grace. As we continue to strive to merge our modern ideas and structures into actual oneness, we must not grow deaf to his words nor immune to respond as Cyprian, enriched by his experience of the God of all grace affirmed that it is always a good time to be the church, the always generous and ever-ready church.” Sebastian’s second illustration comes from his homeland, involving the first Protestant missionaries to India, who hailed from Germany, Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg and Heinrich Plutschau, who served in the Danish Colony of Tranquebar in South India 300 years ago. Sebastian described how, in a short time after coming to India, Ziegenbalg not only mastered the language but also delved deeply into Tamil literature, wrote grammatical works, investigated Proverbs and cultural practices, organized meetings between the practitioners of local religion, which involved religious “disputation,” started educational opportunities including probably the first school for girls in the region, and set up a printing press. Ziegenbalg’s work entitled “A Detailed Description of the South Indian Society” was dedicated to King Fredrick IV. The work remains “one of the most significant sources of sociological and religious inquiry into the life of the peoples of South India at the beginning of the 18th century,” Sebastian said. On the title page, the book is described as presenting in a comprehensive manner “the theological as well as the philosophical principles and teachings of South Indians that are based on their own writings and communicated to beloved Europe for useful learning.” Explained Sebastian, Ziegenbalg undertook the work “to show in what kind of terrible (religious, spiritual) errors the South Indians live and how urgent it is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ for their salvation.” He noted at the time that in order to convert a group of peoples, it was considered critical to understand them and their religious customs and practices. “In order to convert one has to understand,” Sebastian said of the view of the time. “In order to understand one has to enter deep into the life and practices of the people; in order to correct, error must be understood, in order to triumph, evil should be detected and named. This is hardly the basis for inter-religious understanding, but is surely the basis of the desire to know and to name…” The goal of the missionaries? “All through our life we desire to heartily serve God and the Royal House of Denmark in an appropriate and useful manner so that through our present work many South Indians would be saved.” Sebastian commended the painstaking efforts of Ziegenbalg to analyze the customs and mores of Indian society, but noted the broader intentionality of the analysis needs to be remembered. “It is not my purpose to point an accusing finger at Ziegenbalg,” he said. “Rather we ought to use such occasions (as the 300th anniversary) to ask ourselves how we, who have entered this rich and varied legacy, have internalized, whether consciously or unconsciously, embedded attitudes toward those who continue to live in accordance with their long-held faith practices. Reducing people to mono-identities based on presumed religious identity has long been the bane of comparative religious studies. It is to the credit of Ziegenbalg that he glimpsed, albeit in a patronizing manner, the reality about the goodness and truth being found amongst people of good will, wherever they come from and whatever their religious allegiances could be. “In the inter-religious venture today, one has to foster the virtue of humility and the willingness to introspect honestly and courageously,” Sebastian said. “There is much that we can learn and much we can unlearn from the attitudes and behaviors of pioneers like Ziegenbalg. We have the benefits of hindsight and living in interesting times.” He said there is always room for consideration of “the other” in the always generous and ever-ready church of today. For a missiology today, Sebastian concluded, the right approach is one that is respectful, curious, engaging and always prepared to give an account of what our foundation means to us, while at the same time remaining open and ready to receive accounts and explanations regarding why others believe in their particularities and the ways in which their foundational truths are expressed. He referenced language in The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America document “Global Mission to the 21st Century” that talks about accompaniment – walking together in God’s mission implying mutuality and interdependence – as the model for mission in the current time. He said that, as Bishop Anderson once noted, “If we repent of our pride, our gracious Lord may still have work for us to do…” Sebastian recalled the occasion of his marriage 26 years ago to the date of his lecture, and briefly traced his career journey of faith through the decades in India and beyond to the point of “the unexpected invitation “ to join the LTSP faculty. “We have truly experienced the reality of the always generous and ever-ready exemplification of what the church is in this wonderful place.” Dr. Sebastian joined the seminary faculty in 2007. He earned his Doctor of Theology in 1997 from the University of Hamburg, Germany (Magna Cum Laude). In 1991, he earned his Master of Theology from the Federated Faculty for Research in Religion and Culture, Kottayam, India, where he received the All-India Prize for having the highest grade in all branches of study for the degree. He was awarded his Bachelor of Divinity in 1984 from the United Theological College in Bangalore, India, where he was likewise honored for receiving the highest grades in his courses of study. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Bangalore University (1980). He went on to teach from 1988 to 2007 at the United Theological College, where he served as Professor of Theology and Ethics and Chair of the Department, Dean of the Doctoral Division, Secretary of the Governing Council and Editor of the Bangalore Theological Forum. At LTSP he has led courses on the History of Christianity, with a focus on the Early Church, Theology and Ethics of the Early Teachers of Faith, Gospel and Cultures, Global Christianity, Study of the Churches at the Edge of Empire, Eucharist and the Koinonia of the Church, Baptism and the Unity of the Church, and courses on Religious Toleration and Public Theology. He enjoys scholarly books and classical music, especially the works of J.S. Bach. His wife of 26 years is Mirinalini, to whom he gives enormous credit for supporting his career and helping the family acclimate to a new culture in the U.S. The couple has two adult children, son Neeraj, who after studying cell biology is now engaged in creative writing, and daughter Saagarika, who is studying mechanical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania.
Watch the video of the ceremony and lecture: View the slide show (click any image to go to the photo gallery)
Jayakiran Sebastian gave his remarks during a ceremony conferring on him the H. George Anderson Faculty Chair for Mission and Cultures on April 23, 2013. He joined the faculty in 2007. Do Christian antiquity or the Protestant missionary expansion to India in the 18th century have anything to teach those of us living through what some regard as a “bad” time to be the church? Dr. Sebastian with Dr. Karl Krueger (L)
and LTSP Board Chair Dr. John Richter In a word, yes, believes the Rev. Dr. Jayakiran Sebastian, Dean of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) and a resident of Philadelphia’s East Mt. Airy. Sebastian’s thoughtful advice was part of a paper presented in The Brossman Learning Center at LTSP during the occasion of his receiving the H. George Anderson Faculty Chair for Mission and Cultures. Part of that learning, he said, is to discern from the past how best to remain true to “our” faith while remaining open to others different from ourselves as they express their foundational faith perspectives. He noted the critical importance of being willing to “accompany” others. In remarks he titled “The Always-Generous and Ever-Ready Church,” Sebastian, known as “Kiran” by colleagues and friends, at the outset took note of the words of the Rev. Dr. H. George Anderson, a seminary alumnus and one-time Presiding Bishop of the seminary’s parent Evangelical Lutheran Church in America denomination: “The most insidious challenge we face as the church … involves the soul of the church … that it is a matter of faith, ‘trust in God’s promises’…We are in danger of losing that core conviction.” His lecture was a thoughtful exploration about the always challenging work it takes to be the church, staying true to our faith in a world that has been changing since the early days of Christianity and promises to continue changing through the ages. Dr. Sebastian, a Presbyter of the Church of South India, directs the seminary’s Multicultural Mission Resource Center as well as serving as Academic Dean, a post he assumed July 1, 2012. He has also served as chaplain of the seminary. Near the outset, Sebastian acknowledged with gratitude the legacy and leadership offered by Anderson, “who faced a variety of challenges as a pastor, seminary teacher, president of a Lutheran college, and as the second presiding bishop of the church.” In Anderson, he said, “we are honoring someone who championed ecumenical hospitality and denominational rootedness, along with compassionate sensitivity to all the changes that were shaking long-held convictions and certainties.” Reflecting on Anderson’s ministry in Columbia, SC, during the Civil Rights movement and the questions that were facing churches who, for various reasons, had not taken a prophetic stand, he talks about how choices resulted in the possibility that the churches could be “that voice of prophetic truth, a sign of grace, a beacon of hope, and a source of healing for our culture,” where the “church was not in the headlines; but the headlines were different because of the church.” “Aren’t we living through a bad time to be the church?” Sebastian asked. “Aren’t we living through declining memberships; economic hardships, theological bottlenecks, cultural tensions; social ferment, denominational instability; interfaith misunderstandings; and a survival doomsday scenario?” “For Bishop Anderson, every day was a good day to be the church, and this meant that the gathered community had to fulfill its vocation and calling in the public sphere,” Sebastian said. Sebastian drew upon two historic chapters to outline a rationale for thinking through how to be the church today. He first referenced a short letter by Cyprian of Carthage to his congregation during the Decian persecution (249-251), noting that the term “always-generous and ever-ready” is a paraphrase of the words of Cyprian. Sebastian explained the Decian persecution was “a universal” persecution of the day, requiring all inhabitants of the Roman Empire (with the exception of Jewish communities) to offer sacrifice and receive a certificate that they had done so. “Before this persecution there had been no centrally organized and executed persecution of Christians,” Sebastian said. The Emperor Decian’s purpose was to produce “not martyrs but apostates, and in large measure he had succeeded,” Sebastian said. As for Cyprian, he fled to a “safe hideout” from where he attempted to rally his congregations to resist the demands of the state and organize help for those who were suffering. “He notes how anxious he is to return to his people, who are eagerly longing to see him quickly. He says that the reason he cannot fulfill their desire is because he has to take into account ‘the general peace of the community’ which leads him to endure the separation even though it leaves him feeling dispirited. His point is that his presence in Carthage could be a cause of provocation for the ‘pagans’ causing ‘an outburst of violence. He hopes his lack of visibility would leave his congregation as untouched as possible.” In his letter, Cyprian offers detailed instructions regarding the ongoing need to continue the “charitable works so necessary to sustain and empower the vulnerable members” of the congregation. He urges clergy to be “scrupulous” in caring for “widows, the sick and all the poor.” “The world of Cyprian’s letter was a world of uncertainty and unpredictability; it was a world where systematic, organized cruelty, which underlay the veneer of civilization, tried to stamp out what the ruling powers considered to be acts of defiance and deviance,” Sebastian said. “It was a world where it seemed to be every person for himself or herself, where suspicion reigned and familiar patterns of life in community had broken down. Sound familiar? In this context the desire of Cyprian to concretely care for the ‘least’ and most vulnerable members of his community, his preparedness to take risks for the sake of Christ, shines out as an example of something from which we can continue to learn in a world of competition, a world of which has no time to look back at those deliberately left behind, a world which is increasingly seeking glamour, riches and success, a world that seems to be denying inter-connectedness of the human family and easily overlooks the joys and aspirations, the hopes and fears of vast sections of humanity, especially those whom (LTSP faculty member) Wil Gafney, in writing about female prophets, talks about – those ‘whose names were forgotten, whose stories stopped circulating, but we know they were there.’” “They are here,” Sebastian said, “and it is here that we recognize that people like Cyprian speak to us across the centuries, in terms of urgency, urgency because of their experience of grace. As we continue to strive to merge our modern ideas and structures into actual oneness, we must not grow deaf to his words nor immune to respond as Cyprian, enriched by his experience of the God of all grace affirmed that it is always a good time to be the church, the always generous and ever-ready church.” Sebastian’s second illustration comes from his homeland, involving the first Protestant missionaries to India, who hailed from Germany, Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg and Heinrich Plutschau, who served in the Danish Colony of Tranquebar in South India 300 years ago. Sebastian described how, in a short time after coming to India, Ziegenbalg not only mastered the language but also delved deeply into Tamil literature, wrote grammatical works, investigated Proverbs and cultural practices, organized meetings between the practitioners of local religion, which involved religious “disputation,” started educational opportunities including probably the first school for girls in the region, and set up a printing press. Ziegenbalg’s work entitled “A Detailed Description of the South Indian Society” was dedicated to King Fredrick IV. The work remains “one of the most significant sources of sociological and religious inquiry into the life of the peoples of South India at the beginning of the 18th century,” Sebastian said. On the title page, the book is described as presenting in a comprehensive manner “the theological as well as the philosophical principles and teachings of South Indians that are based on their own writings and communicated to beloved Europe for useful learning.” Explained Sebastian, Ziegenbalg undertook the work “to show in what kind of terrible (religious, spiritual) errors the South Indians live and how urgent it is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ for their salvation.” He noted at the time that in order to convert a group of peoples, it was considered critical to understand them and their religious customs and practices. “In order to convert one has to understand,” Sebastian said of the view of the time. “In order to understand one has to enter deep into the life and practices of the people; in order to correct, error must be understood, in order to triumph, evil should be detected and named. This is hardly the basis for inter-religious understanding, but is surely the basis of the desire to know and to name…” The goal of the missionaries? “All through our life we desire to heartily serve God and the Royal House of Denmark in an appropriate and useful manner so that through our present work many South Indians would be saved.” Sebastian commended the painstaking efforts of Ziegenbalg to analyze the customs and mores of Indian society, but noted the broader intentionality of the analysis needs to be remembered. “It is not my purpose to point an accusing finger at Ziegenbalg,” he said. “Rather we ought to use such occasions (as the 300th anniversary) to ask ourselves how we, who have entered this rich and varied legacy, have internalized, whether consciously or unconsciously, embedded attitudes toward those who continue to live in accordance with their long-held faith practices. Reducing people to mono-identities based on presumed religious identity has long been the bane of comparative religious studies. It is to the credit of Ziegenbalg that he glimpsed, albeit in a patronizing manner, the reality about the goodness and truth being found amongst people of good will, wherever they come from and whatever their religious allegiances could be. “In the inter-religious venture today, one has to foster the virtue of humility and the willingness to introspect honestly and courageously,” Sebastian said. “There is much that we can learn and much we can unlearn from the attitudes and behaviors of pioneers like Ziegenbalg. We have the benefits of hindsight and living in interesting times.” He said there is always room for consideration of “the other” in the always generous and ever-ready church of today. For a missiology today, Sebastian concluded, the right approach is one that is respectful, curious, engaging and always prepared to give an account of what our foundation means to us, while at the same time remaining open and ready to receive accounts and explanations regarding why others believe in their particularities and the ways in which their foundational truths are expressed. He referenced language in The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America document “Global Mission to the 21st Century” that talks about accompaniment – walking together in God’s mission implying mutuality and interdependence – as the model for mission in the current time. He said that, as Bishop Anderson once noted, “If we repent of our pride, our gracious Lord may still have work for us to do…” Sebastian recalled the occasion of his marriage 26 years ago to the date of his lecture, and briefly traced his career journey of faith through the decades in India and beyond to the point of “the unexpected invitation “ to join the LTSP faculty. “We have truly experienced the reality of the always generous and ever-ready exemplification of what the church is in this wonderful place.” Dr. Sebastian joined the seminary faculty in 2007. He earned his Doctor of Theology in 1997 from the University of Hamburg, Germany (Magna Cum Laude). In 1991, he earned his Master of Theology from the Federated Faculty for Research in Religion and Culture, Kottayam, India, where he received the All-India Prize for having the highest grade in all branches of study for the degree. He was awarded his Bachelor of Divinity in 1984 from the United Theological College in Bangalore, India, where he was likewise honored for receiving the highest grades in his courses of study. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Bangalore University (1980). He went on to teach from 1988 to 2007 at the United Theological College, where he served as Professor of Theology and Ethics and Chair of the Department, Dean of the Doctoral Division, Secretary of the Governing Council and Editor of the Bangalore Theological Forum. At LTSP he has led courses on the History of Christianity, with a focus on the Early Church, Theology and Ethics of the Early Teachers of Faith, Gospel and Cultures, Global Christianity, Study of the Churches at the Edge of Empire, Eucharist and the Koinonia of the Church, Baptism and the Unity of the Church, and courses on Religious Toleration and Public Theology. He enjoys scholarly books and classical music, especially the works of J.S. Bach. His wife of 26 years is Mirinalini, to whom he gives enormous credit for supporting his career and helping the family acclimate to a new culture in the U.S. The couple has two adult children, son Neeraj, who after studying cell biology is now engaged in creative writing, and daughter Saagarika, who is studying mechanical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania.
Watch the video of the ceremony and lecture: View the slide show (click any image to go to the photo gallery)
One Student. One Sponsor. One Leader At A Time. LTSP announces Project Sponsor
PROJECT SPONSOR, a new initiative of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP), is aimed at minimizing two of the most significant obstacles facing those considering a seminary education. One is the issue of student debt; the other is helping students sustain the confidence that their efforts to prepare for public ministry will truly lead to their helping church members grow in faith.
The years of seminary and candidacy are an exhilarating time of great learning and of growing in kindness, compassion, and caring skills that the church needs in its leaders. At the same time, this is a period of hard work and personal sacrifice for students and their families. The costs of tuition, combined with the cost of even the most austere living arrangements, can be daunting, to say the least. During these years, seminarians need — more than perhaps at any other time in their lives — the support, encouragement, and love of those for whom the vitality of the church and its leaders is so important.
“LTSP is committed to collaborating with every one of its students to minimize the amount of student debt incurred, and to support each student in every way,” according to Don Johnson, Vice President for Student Development. “Now, LTSP is offering all of us the opportunity to serve God and strengthen God’s church by being part of the solution to these major commitments.” Project Sponsor is designed to facilitate opportunities to build a personal relationship with a particular seminary student while providing the opportunity for financial sponsorship.
Here’s how it will work.
The cost of three academic years of seminary can be summarized as follows:
- One year tuition ($16,000) + one year living expenses ($14,000) = $30,000
- Two years tuition ($32,000) + two years living expenses ($28,000) = $60,000
- Three years tuition ($48,000) + three years living expenses ($42,000) = $90,000
Wittenberg Gospel Choir at LTSP May 14
The Gospel Choir from the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany will be appearing at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 7:00 pm as part of a tour in Southeast Pennsylvania in early May. The performance will be in the Schaeffer-Ashmead Chapel on the seminary campus, 7301 Germantown Avenue in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia. The public is welcome, and admission is free.
The Gospel Choir will present their American debut on Friday, May 10 at 7:00pm at Huff's Church, Alburtis, PA. The other venues on their tour include: Augustus Lutheran Church, Trappe (Saturday, May 11, 7:00 pm), Advent Lutheran Church, Harleysville (Sunday morning May 12, 8:30 am), St. Peter's Lutheran Church, North Wales (May 13, 7:00 pm), and Immanuel Lutheran Church, Northeast Philadelphia (May 16, 7:00 pm).
Under the direction of Thomas Herzer, the Gospel Choir is over thirty members strong. It includes not only members from the Castle Church, but also several singers from the Wittenberg community. It was founded as an outreach program for people who have a desire to sing great American Spirituals and Gospel music. Though the choir sings the music in English, only a small handful of the musicians actually speak English.
The Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany was built around the turn of the 16th century. It is the site where, in 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door; an act many consider to be the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.
An interview with Thomas Herzer and his wife Sarah, both organists and cantors at Castle Church, can be found at promotionmusic.org/The_Hertzers.html.
A color poster promoting the tour (pdf) can be downloaded at http://photos.Ltsp.edu/WittenbergGospelchoirPoster-042013.pdf.
The Gospel Choir will present their American debut on Friday, May 10 at 7:00pm at Huff's Church, Alburtis, PA. The other venues on their tour include: Augustus Lutheran Church, Trappe (Saturday, May 11, 7:00 pm), Advent Lutheran Church, Harleysville (Sunday morning May 12, 8:30 am), St. Peter's Lutheran Church, North Wales (May 13, 7:00 pm), and Immanuel Lutheran Church, Northeast Philadelphia (May 16, 7:00 pm).
Under the direction of Thomas Herzer, the Gospel Choir is over thirty members strong. It includes not only members from the Castle Church, but also several singers from the Wittenberg community. It was founded as an outreach program for people who have a desire to sing great American Spirituals and Gospel music. Though the choir sings the music in English, only a small handful of the musicians actually speak English.
The Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany was built around the turn of the 16th century. It is the site where, in 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door; an act many consider to be the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.
An interview with Thomas Herzer and his wife Sarah, both organists and cantors at Castle Church, can be found at promotionmusic.org/The_Hertzers.html.
A color poster promoting the tour (pdf) can be downloaded at http://photos.Ltsp.edu/WittenbergGospelchoirPoster-042013.pdf.
Dean Sebastian to receive H. G. Anderson Chair at lecture April 23
The Rev. Dr. J. Jayakiran Sebastian, Dean and Professor at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP), will be presented with the H. George Anderson Faculty Chair for Mission and Cultures at a special chairing ceremony and lecture on Tuesday, April 23, 2013. The ceremony and lecture begin at 11:30 am in Benbow Hall of The Brossman Center on the seminary campus at 7301 Germantown Avenue in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia. The ceremony and lecture are free and open to the public.
Professor Sebastian has chosen as the title for his first lecture as Anderson Chair "The Always-Generous and Ever-Ready Church," and in the lecture he will explore the always challenging work to be the church, staying true to our faith, in a world that has been changing from the early days of Christianity and promises to continue to change through the ages.
Learn more about Professor Sebastian on his LTSP profile page.
Professor Sebastian has chosen as the title for his first lecture as Anderson Chair "The Always-Generous and Ever-Ready Church," and in the lecture he will explore the always challenging work to be the church, staying true to our faith, in a world that has been changing from the early days of Christianity and promises to continue to change through the ages.
Learn more about Professor Sebastian on his LTSP profile page.
Financial Aid Webinar live April 23
LTSP Financial Aid Webinar April 23, 2013, 6:30pm What should you be doing to prepare to finance your theological education? Learn the ins and outs of financial aid from a live Webinar, April 23, 2013 at 6:30pm. Get an overview of the different types of financial aid and the applications you need to fill out in order to qualify for that aid. Financing a seminary education requires prayerful planning and budgeting, good money and time management skills, and the joyful receiving of gifts! The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia is committed to providing financial aid for every degree program student who is at least a half-time and who demonstrates financial need. [register online] Presenters: Elizabeth Brunton, MDiv ‘06, Director of Financial Aid;
Don Johnson, Vice President for Student Development; and
Matthew O’Rear, MDiv, Associate Director of Admissions
Ellington Easter Interfaith Vespers April 20
96
800x600
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
JA
X-NONE
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
Prof. Jon Pahl on sax On Saturday, April 20, the spiritually-inspired music of Duke Ellington will blend with readings about peace from the world’s religions in a joyous celebration of Easter, non-violence, and Spring! Join us at 7:30 pm in the Schaeffer-Ashmead Chapel on the campus of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP), 7301 Germantown Avenue in the Mt. Airy section of Northwest Philadelphia. Free parking is available on campus. A free will offering will be collected to support several organizations.
If it’s true that “It Don’t Mean a Thing, if It Ain’t Got that Swing,” then this evening promises to be filled with meaning. The musicians of the G-D trio, with years of experience and training at Penn, Chicago, and the Hart School of Music - along with some special friends - are volunteering their talents to lift spirits out of any “Mood Indigo,” steel resolve to “Take the A Train” to peace, and celebrate hope and “Jump for Joy” on behalf of reducing gun violence and building a more peaceful Philadelphia.
Learn more about and support with your free will offering three organizations:
The LTSP Master of Arts in Public Leadership (MAPL) program (Ltsp.edu/PublicLeadership) prepares leaders for spiritually-inspired social service organizations. In partnership with the Fox School of Business at Temple University, and the Temple University School of Social Work, MAPL crosses boundaries of sacred and secular, and prepares leaders to solve social problems, promote justice, and build peace — by engaging spiritual and practical resources.
Heeding God’s Call (HeedingGodsCall.org) is a faith-based movement to prevent gun violence. We unite people of faith in the sacred responsibility to protect our brothers, sisters and children.
CeaseFirePA (CeaseFirePA.org) is a statewide coalition of survivors and advocates taking a stand against gun violence and criminals who use and traffic guns illegally.
Prof. Jon Pahl on sax On Saturday, April 20, the spiritually-inspired music of Duke Ellington will blend with readings about peace from the world’s religions in a joyous celebration of Easter, non-violence, and Spring! Join us at 7:30 pm in the Schaeffer-Ashmead Chapel on the campus of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP), 7301 Germantown Avenue in the Mt. Airy section of Northwest Philadelphia. Free parking is available on campus. A free will offering will be collected to support several organizations.
If it’s true that “It Don’t Mean a Thing, if It Ain’t Got that Swing,” then this evening promises to be filled with meaning. The musicians of the G-D trio, with years of experience and training at Penn, Chicago, and the Hart School of Music - along with some special friends - are volunteering their talents to lift spirits out of any “Mood Indigo,” steel resolve to “Take the A Train” to peace, and celebrate hope and “Jump for Joy” on behalf of reducing gun violence and building a more peaceful Philadelphia.
Learn more about and support with your free will offering three organizations:
The LTSP Master of Arts in Public Leadership (MAPL) program (Ltsp.edu/PublicLeadership) prepares leaders for spiritually-inspired social service organizations. In partnership with the Fox School of Business at Temple University, and the Temple University School of Social Work, MAPL crosses boundaries of sacred and secular, and prepares leaders to solve social problems, promote justice, and build peace — by engaging spiritual and practical resources.
Heeding God’s Call (HeedingGodsCall.org) is a faith-based movement to prevent gun violence. We unite people of faith in the sacred responsibility to protect our brothers, sisters and children.
CeaseFirePA (CeaseFirePA.org) is a statewide coalition of survivors and advocates taking a stand against gun violence and criminals who use and traffic guns illegally.
Women: Come Rest, Refresh, and Renew on April 13
“Women at the Wheel” is the theme for LTSP’s annual
Rest, Refreshment, and Renewal Women’s Day 2013
Learn more about the experience from participant Linda Moore:
"Rest, Refresh, and Renew are just the right words for this exciting caring, learning, social, and spiritual event. Each year is a great learning experience. With so many varied and interesting topics to choose from, it is difficult to choose which you would like to take part in.
"Last year,s event was just such an example. We all learned about the important and surprising women in the lives of Martin Luther and Henry Muhlenberg, what women wore back ion those times, and gardening in colonial America, not to mention much more about ourselves.
"There are opportunities if one wants to explore the seminary and grounds - that is an option that is also available. One can take a well earned time out from the irritating things life seems to always throw you way that perhaps would just like to get away from for a time.
"The lunch and snacks are really great, too!
"The event is also a great way to meet new people to help you on your spiritual journey in life, with devotions before and after the event!
- Linda J. Moore, St. Andrew's Evangelical Lutheran, Perkasie, PA
Registration including refreshments and lunch is $40 per person or $275 for a table of 8.
Register now and join us for the seventh annual event on Saturday, April 13, 2013. This day will use the Wholeness Wheel as its basis, inviting women to renew, reconnect, and refresh physically, emotionally, and spiritually in a day of fellowship and gathering. Invite your friends, colleagues and fellow church women to share this day.
Martin Luther said:
“This life, therefore, is not godliness but the process of becoming godly, not health but getting well, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not now what we shall be, but we are on the way. The process is not yet finished, but it is actively going on. This is not the goal but it is the right road. At present, everything does not gleam and sparkle, but everything is being cleansed.”
You are warmly invited to an engaging day of rest, refreshment, and renewal for women. We will gather around the Wholeness Wheel with its wellspring of resources to help us tap into God’s will for our spiritual well-being. Through worship, workshops, and a wonderful community exchange market, we will draw on refreshing streams to enhance the Social/Interpersonal, Intellectual, Emotional, Physical, Vocational, and Financial aspects of our Spiritual Well-being. Learn more about the Wholeness Wheel.
Tammy Devine, Wellness Manager with the ELCA’s Portico Benefit Services, will lead opening worship. Pastor Penny Stechmann of the ELCA’s New Jersey Synod, will preside over closing worship with Eucharist. A gifted panel of women clergy and professionals will coordinate our workshops. And neighborhood vendors will be on hand with a delightful selection of books and personal care products to enhance our well-being. You won’t want to miss this extraordinary day. Come and bring a friend!
See the schedule for the day here.
Proceeds from this gathering will support The Renewal Scholarship for Women in Ministry at LTSP, which was established to help renew the callings of women to the public ministry of the church.
Women of all faith traditions are invited and welcomed! Bring a friend or two who needs a day of rest, refreshment, and renewal!
Registration deadline: Monday, April 8, 2013
Registration Fee: $40.00 or $275 for a table of 8!
(Registration includes Continental Breakfast and Lunch) Register online here!
Download and share the flyer with your congregation and friends. There are also bulletin inserts in color and in greyscale for your congregation to copy and share.
Learn more about the experience from participant Linda Moore:
"Rest, Refresh, and Renew are just the right words for this exciting caring, learning, social, and spiritual event. Each year is a great learning experience. With so many varied and interesting topics to choose from, it is difficult to choose which you would like to take part in.
"Last year,s event was just such an example. We all learned about the important and surprising women in the lives of Martin Luther and Henry Muhlenberg, what women wore back ion those times, and gardening in colonial America, not to mention much more about ourselves.
"There are opportunities if one wants to explore the seminary and grounds - that is an option that is also available. One can take a well earned time out from the irritating things life seems to always throw you way that perhaps would just like to get away from for a time.
"The lunch and snacks are really great, too!
"The event is also a great way to meet new people to help you on your spiritual journey in life, with devotions before and after the event!
- Linda J. Moore, St. Andrew's Evangelical Lutheran, Perkasie, PA
Registration including refreshments and lunch is $40 per person or $275 for a table of 8.
Register now and join us for the seventh annual event on Saturday, April 13, 2013. This day will use the Wholeness Wheel as its basis, inviting women to renew, reconnect, and refresh physically, emotionally, and spiritually in a day of fellowship and gathering. Invite your friends, colleagues and fellow church women to share this day.
Martin Luther said:
“This life, therefore, is not godliness but the process of becoming godly, not health but getting well, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not now what we shall be, but we are on the way. The process is not yet finished, but it is actively going on. This is not the goal but it is the right road. At present, everything does not gleam and sparkle, but everything is being cleansed.”
You are warmly invited to an engaging day of rest, refreshment, and renewal for women. We will gather around the Wholeness Wheel with its wellspring of resources to help us tap into God’s will for our spiritual well-being. Through worship, workshops, and a wonderful community exchange market, we will draw on refreshing streams to enhance the Social/Interpersonal, Intellectual, Emotional, Physical, Vocational, and Financial aspects of our Spiritual Well-being. Learn more about the Wholeness Wheel.
Tammy Devine, Wellness Manager with the ELCA’s Portico Benefit Services, will lead opening worship. Pastor Penny Stechmann of the ELCA’s New Jersey Synod, will preside over closing worship with Eucharist. A gifted panel of women clergy and professionals will coordinate our workshops. And neighborhood vendors will be on hand with a delightful selection of books and personal care products to enhance our well-being. You won’t want to miss this extraordinary day. Come and bring a friend!
See the schedule for the day here.
Proceeds from this gathering will support The Renewal Scholarship for Women in Ministry at LTSP, which was established to help renew the callings of women to the public ministry of the church.
Women of all faith traditions are invited and welcomed! Bring a friend or two who needs a day of rest, refreshment, and renewal!
Registration deadline: Monday, April 8, 2013
Registration Fee: $40.00 or $275 for a table of 8!
(Registration includes Continental Breakfast and Lunch) Register online here!
Download and share the flyer with your congregation and friends. There are also bulletin inserts in color and in greyscale for your congregation to copy and share.
An Easter message from President Philip Krey
A Taste of Seminary Happenings Easter 2013
An Easter message from President Philip Krey For the women, it took a long time for morning to come. The night is long when - in the dead of night - fear, death, and loss weigh down our hopes and dreams. After a long night, the women found the news that the rock had been rolled away from the tomb, and God had broken into all our nights with the morning greeting, "Jesus is Risen." Our nights and mornings need never be the same, as our hopes and dreams are greeted night and day with the newness of the Easter greeting, "Christ is Risen." At the Philadelphia Seminary, all of us wish you a blessed Easter season filled with hope and the presence of God in the risen Christ.
Philip D. Krey
subscribe to the PS Portions email list - click here
LTSP Named a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation.
96
800x600
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
JA
X-NONE
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) is a Tree Campus USA for the fourth year in a row, the Arbor Day Foundation announced in early March. The Shaeffer-Ashmead Chapel and William Allen Plaza
Tree Campus USA is a national program created in 2008 to honor colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. Toyota helped launch the program and continues its generous financial support this year.
LTSP achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards, which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures toward trees, an Arbor Day observance and student service-learning projects.
The Shaeffer-Ashmead Chapel with Center City Philadelphia
in the background “Students are eager to volunteer in their communities and become better stewards of the environment,” said John Rosenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Participating in Tree Campus USA sets a fine example for other colleges and universities, while helping to create a healthier planet for all of us.”
“Toyota is so proud to support a program that we believe has a tremendous impact on both reducing the environmental footprint of a college campus and inspiring college students to become the conservation leaders of the future,” said Patricia Salas Pineda, group vice president of National Philanthropy and the Toyota USA Foundation.
The Bartlett Chestnut
receiving its annual
maintenance. LTSP's campus has been noted by the US Forest Service for its density and collection of trees. The campus houses a rare "Bartlett Chestnut," which is maintained by the Bartlett Company as an example of the specimen. Other specimen trees were brought to campus over the years by seminarians and alumni, and others are maintained in memory of people important to the school and its graduates and friends.
The Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota have helped campuses throughout the country plant hundreds of thousands of trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities invested $23 million in campus forest management last year. More information about the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCampusUSA.
###
About LTSP: Centered in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) - www.Ltsp.edu - seeks to educate and form public leaders who are committed to developing and nurturing individual believers and communities of faith for engagement in the world. The seminary, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2014, is one of eight seminaries of the 4-million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (www.ELCA.org), LTSP awards first professional, such as the Master of Divinity, and advanced-level degrees to present and future church leaders. The student body is comprised mostly of Lutherans, but more than 35 percent are from 28 other denominations, including Episcopalian, Baptist, Presbyterian, United Methodist, United Church of Christ, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Church of God in Christ.
About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation and education organization of one million members, with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at arborday.org, or by visiting us on Facebook, Twitter or our blog.
About Toyota: Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants. Toyota directly employs over 30,000 in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design.
Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed more than $600 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S.
For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit toyota.com/philanthropy.
The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) is a Tree Campus USA for the fourth year in a row, the Arbor Day Foundation announced in early March. The Shaeffer-Ashmead Chapel and William Allen Plaza
Tree Campus USA is a national program created in 2008 to honor colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. Toyota helped launch the program and continues its generous financial support this year.
LTSP achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards, which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures toward trees, an Arbor Day observance and student service-learning projects.
The Shaeffer-Ashmead Chapel with Center City Philadelphia
in the background “Students are eager to volunteer in their communities and become better stewards of the environment,” said John Rosenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Participating in Tree Campus USA sets a fine example for other colleges and universities, while helping to create a healthier planet for all of us.”
“Toyota is so proud to support a program that we believe has a tremendous impact on both reducing the environmental footprint of a college campus and inspiring college students to become the conservation leaders of the future,” said Patricia Salas Pineda, group vice president of National Philanthropy and the Toyota USA Foundation.
The Bartlett Chestnut
receiving its annual
maintenance. LTSP's campus has been noted by the US Forest Service for its density and collection of trees. The campus houses a rare "Bartlett Chestnut," which is maintained by the Bartlett Company as an example of the specimen. Other specimen trees were brought to campus over the years by seminarians and alumni, and others are maintained in memory of people important to the school and its graduates and friends.
The Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota have helped campuses throughout the country plant hundreds of thousands of trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities invested $23 million in campus forest management last year. More information about the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCampusUSA.
###
About LTSP: Centered in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) - www.Ltsp.edu - seeks to educate and form public leaders who are committed to developing and nurturing individual believers and communities of faith for engagement in the world. The seminary, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2014, is one of eight seminaries of the 4-million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (www.ELCA.org), LTSP awards first professional, such as the Master of Divinity, and advanced-level degrees to present and future church leaders. The student body is comprised mostly of Lutherans, but more than 35 percent are from 28 other denominations, including Episcopalian, Baptist, Presbyterian, United Methodist, United Church of Christ, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Church of God in Christ.
About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation and education organization of one million members, with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at arborday.org, or by visiting us on Facebook, Twitter or our blog.
About Toyota: Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants. Toyota directly employs over 30,000 in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design.
Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed more than $600 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S.
For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit toyota.com/philanthropy.
Preaching with Power coming March 10-14
Preaching with Power: A Forum on Black Preaching and Theology returns to Philadelphia for the 31st year from Sunday, March 10 through Thursday, March 14. Preaching with Power is a program of the Urban Theological Institute (UTI) of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP), and features five sermons and one lecture by six distinguished African American preachers and theologians. Local churches in the Philadelphia community host the music celebration and evening worship services,
with the lecture by Dr. Yolanda Pierce and worship with preaching by Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church Senior Pastor the Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller held on the LTSP campus in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia. All are welcome! Come and be inspired! The worship offering proceeds go to The Rev. Dr. Joseph Q. Jackson Endowed Scholarship Fund, which benefits UTI students. Dates and preachers/programs for 2013 are: Sunday – March 10, 2013, 3:30 pm, Celebration of Music in the African American Church at Janes Memorial United Methodist Church, 41-59 E Haines Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144 Monday – March 11, 2013, 7:00 pm, Dr. Ralph D. West preaching at Grace Baptist Church of Germantown, 25 West Johnson Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144 Tuesday morning – March 12, 2013, 11:15 am, Dr. Yolanda Pierce lecturing at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, Benbow Hall, The Brossman Center, 7301 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119 Tuesday evening – March 12, 2013, 7:00 pm, The Rt. Rev. Nathan D. Baxter preaching at Reformation Lutheran Church, 1215 East Vernon Road, Philadelphia, PA 19150 Wednesday morning – March 13, 2013, 11:15 am, Dr. Alyn E. Waller preaching at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, Schaeffer-Ashmead Chapel, 7301 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19119 Wednesday evening – March 13, 2013, 6:30 pm, Bishop Martin Luther Johnson preaching at Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ, 6401 Ogontz Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19126 Thursday – March 14, 2013, 7:00 pm, Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram preaching at Mt. Pisgah African Methodist Episcopal Church, 428 North 41st Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147 The celebration concludes the next week with a Prospective Student Day on Thursday, March 21 starting at 6:30 pm on the LTSP campus. Is God calling you? Come and See what is available for you at LTSP! For more information on Preaching with Power, including venue directions and preacher profiles, and to register for Prospective Student Day, go to the seminary Website: Ltsp.edu.
Alumnus Arnold F. Keller, Jr.: Services set
544x376
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
JA
X-NONE
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
Pastor Arnold F. Keller, Jr., dies; He was pastor emeritus of Lutheran Church of the Reformation, Washington, DC, LTSP alumnus and past board member
Pr. Arnold Keller
(ELCA Archives) The Rev. Dr. Arnold F. Keller, Jr., pastor emeritus of the Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Washington, DC, and a leader of many initiatives for justice in the nation’s capitol during a long career as a pastor there, died Saturday, Feb. 16. He was 88. Pastor Keller served Reformation Church in the nation’s capital for a total of 33 years during two separate calls to the congregation. After his ordination in 1947, he was called as the congregation’s assistant pastor. Three years later, he became Reformation’s associate pastor. In 1953, he began a 14-year pastorate at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Allentown, PA, returning to Washington as Reformation’s senior pastor in 1967 and serving in that capacity for 26 years before retiring in 1993. During his first call to Reformation, Keller met his wife-to-be, Margaret Schroeder, who was a parishioner. During the Allentown years, all four of the Kellers’ children were born. He said he learned “the value of community” during his years as pastor of Allentown’s St. John’s Church, a downtown congregation. “We had people from just about every walk of life in that small urban setting and we tried to develop a ministry that reflected the needs of the community,” he said. During Pastor Keller’s second call to service for Reformation, the congregation became known for its many community and global outreach ministries. These initiatives included a tutoring service for youth living in a nearby housing project, “Christmas in April” where young adults connected with Reformation annually have restored homes for local families, and a food pantry serving disadvantaged families in the church’s locale. Reformation was the headquarters for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference during its historic 1968 March on Washington. During the same year, the Capitol Hill Day School was founded at the congregation. In the mid-1970s, Keller founded the Public Affairs Sector Ministry, bringing together hundreds of federal government employees to discuss political/theological issues. An independent survey in 1981 persuaded Keller that the congregation’s community was underserved in health care, and he supported the start of the Family Practice and Counseling Center in the community. Under his leadership in 1984, Capitol Hill Community Achievement Awards were initiated to recognize diverse kinds of community excellence. Under the leadership of Pastor Keller, Reformation in 1987 became an early “Reconciling in Christ” congregation within the then Lutheran Church in America, a predecessor body of the current Evangelical Lutheran Church in America denomination. Such congregations intentionally welcome LGBT persons to membership (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons). In recognition of Reformation Church’s leadership in community projects, annual grants of $10,000 have been awarded to community organizations in honor of Pastor Keller during the annual dinner of the Capitol Hill Community Foundation. In 2006, recognizing the role the church played in defining H Street as an arts destination in Washington, two $10,000 Arnold F. Keller, Jr. grants were awarded. Pr. Keller at retirement After retiring from Reformation, Keller served as Executive Director for the Greater Washington, DC Council of Churches for about four years, stepping down in April 1997. Enthusiastic about education for pastors and others, he supervised four seminary student interns during his career. Over the years, Keller held many leadership posts including chairing the Maryland Synod’s Division for Mission, chairing the Board of Trustees of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, serving as a member of the Board of Trustees of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, chairing the Inter-Lutheran Commission for Mission and Ministry for the Metro DC Synod, and representing the Maryland Synod at a Washington, D.C. Inter-Faith Conference. Pastor Keller was born May 27, 1924 in Utica, NY, the son of a Lutheran pastor whom he once described as “a stern German disciplinarian with high standards.” He recalled his dad as an adept fly fisherman. During his teen years, Keller worked 12-hour days during the summer at a sawmill in the Adirondacks while attending the Mt. Herman Prep School in Massachusetts. He earned his BA from Hamilton College in 1945, and his Bachelor of Divinity from The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in 1947. In 1964, Muhlenberg College conferred on Pastor Keller an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. Surviving in addition to his widow, Margaret, are four adult children, Margaret, Arnold, Jonathan, and Anne. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 pm Monday, Feb. 25 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1850 6th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL.
Pastor Arnold F. Keller, Jr., dies; He was pastor emeritus of Lutheran Church of the Reformation, Washington, DC, LTSP alumnus and past board member
Pr. Arnold Keller
(ELCA Archives) The Rev. Dr. Arnold F. Keller, Jr., pastor emeritus of the Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Washington, DC, and a leader of many initiatives for justice in the nation’s capitol during a long career as a pastor there, died Saturday, Feb. 16. He was 88. Pastor Keller served Reformation Church in the nation’s capital for a total of 33 years during two separate calls to the congregation. After his ordination in 1947, he was called as the congregation’s assistant pastor. Three years later, he became Reformation’s associate pastor. In 1953, he began a 14-year pastorate at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Allentown, PA, returning to Washington as Reformation’s senior pastor in 1967 and serving in that capacity for 26 years before retiring in 1993. During his first call to Reformation, Keller met his wife-to-be, Margaret Schroeder, who was a parishioner. During the Allentown years, all four of the Kellers’ children were born. He said he learned “the value of community” during his years as pastor of Allentown’s St. John’s Church, a downtown congregation. “We had people from just about every walk of life in that small urban setting and we tried to develop a ministry that reflected the needs of the community,” he said. During Pastor Keller’s second call to service for Reformation, the congregation became known for its many community and global outreach ministries. These initiatives included a tutoring service for youth living in a nearby housing project, “Christmas in April” where young adults connected with Reformation annually have restored homes for local families, and a food pantry serving disadvantaged families in the church’s locale. Reformation was the headquarters for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference during its historic 1968 March on Washington. During the same year, the Capitol Hill Day School was founded at the congregation. In the mid-1970s, Keller founded the Public Affairs Sector Ministry, bringing together hundreds of federal government employees to discuss political/theological issues. An independent survey in 1981 persuaded Keller that the congregation’s community was underserved in health care, and he supported the start of the Family Practice and Counseling Center in the community. Under his leadership in 1984, Capitol Hill Community Achievement Awards were initiated to recognize diverse kinds of community excellence. Under the leadership of Pastor Keller, Reformation in 1987 became an early “Reconciling in Christ” congregation within the then Lutheran Church in America, a predecessor body of the current Evangelical Lutheran Church in America denomination. Such congregations intentionally welcome LGBT persons to membership (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons). In recognition of Reformation Church’s leadership in community projects, annual grants of $10,000 have been awarded to community organizations in honor of Pastor Keller during the annual dinner of the Capitol Hill Community Foundation. In 2006, recognizing the role the church played in defining H Street as an arts destination in Washington, two $10,000 Arnold F. Keller, Jr. grants were awarded. Pr. Keller at retirement After retiring from Reformation, Keller served as Executive Director for the Greater Washington, DC Council of Churches for about four years, stepping down in April 1997. Enthusiastic about education for pastors and others, he supervised four seminary student interns during his career. Over the years, Keller held many leadership posts including chairing the Maryland Synod’s Division for Mission, chairing the Board of Trustees of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, serving as a member of the Board of Trustees of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, chairing the Inter-Lutheran Commission for Mission and Ministry for the Metro DC Synod, and representing the Maryland Synod at a Washington, D.C. Inter-Faith Conference. Pastor Keller was born May 27, 1924 in Utica, NY, the son of a Lutheran pastor whom he once described as “a stern German disciplinarian with high standards.” He recalled his dad as an adept fly fisherman. During his teen years, Keller worked 12-hour days during the summer at a sawmill in the Adirondacks while attending the Mt. Herman Prep School in Massachusetts. He earned his BA from Hamilton College in 1945, and his Bachelor of Divinity from The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in 1947. In 1964, Muhlenberg College conferred on Pastor Keller an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. Surviving in addition to his widow, Margaret, are four adult children, Margaret, Arnold, Jonathan, and Anne. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 pm Monday, Feb. 25 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1850 6th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL.
LTSP's New Curriculum: A Reflection
A Reflection by the Rev. Dr. David Grafton
Director of Graduate Studies and Associate Professor,
Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations Centered in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, The Lutheran Theological Seminary
at Philadelphia seeks to educate and form public leaders who are
committed to developing and nurturing individual believers and
communities of faith for engagement in the world I remember very vividly my first orientation session at seminary some twenty-four years ago. I sat down in the midst of an excited yet nervous cohort of incoming seminarians in the then new ELCA. It was at that point I realized I was one of the few “first career” theology students. Most of my classmates, friends, and colleagues were “second” or even “third” career students who brought with them a great deal of experience and commitment to the church, having been serving for years as lay leaders in their own congregations. I, on the other hand, had followed the “old school” regimen of doing a pre-theology program at a Lutheran university, and had hopes of continuing my Lutheran confessional seminary education at an ELCA school in preparation for my career in the Lutheran Church. I was a product similar to what Richard Lischer in Open Secrets called “the system.” After eight years of pre-seminary and seminary training, I felt pretty-well prepared for ministry in my first call, and then the boiler broke and I had no idea what to do. This model of theological education has been the basis for training an educated clergy for quite a long time in North America. The concept of learning the “classics” of seminary education — biblical languages, early Christological debates, Lutheran confessional identity, and pastoral techniques — before heading out into the reality of parish contexts has been a wonderful model that has served the church well. Unfortunately, that model is no longer sustainable for several reasons. My experience taught me that “book learning” was critical. And yet, I could never learn enough. While I had wonderful opportunities to fill my tool belt with the critical tools that helped me do ministry, after a total of twelve years of education (BA, MDiv, PhD), I could truly never learn enough to be a good pastor. It was clear I would need to be a life-long learner in the ministry. This is even truer today. I was also fortunate enough to have the institutional support of the church to subsidize my education at every level. My synod provided grants for me to attend a Lutheran university, my congregation underwrote my Lutheran seminary education, and a Lutheran companion synod provided a stipend while I worked on my PhD overseas. Throughout this time, my wife worked to help support us, and still we went into debt. As we know, seminary debt is an overwhelming challenge in the church today. Finally, my experience as a church professional was nurtured by a large program-church at the height of its institutional life, supported by a network of field education congregations that gladly received and financially subsidized its seminarians, and was welcomed by a first-call congregation that was more than willing to provide a parsonage and health care for a young pastor, spouse, and babies on the way. In many ways, times have changed, but in most ways, things are still the same. We still need pastors and lay leaders who are thoroughly grounded in the scriptures and confessions, who are able to meet the challenges of ministry in today’s world with integrity. However, in many places, the national demographics, church culture, networks, and resources that I grew up with have changed, and will continue to change. Things are changing so fast that it is impossible to train a student once for a lifetime of effective ministry. LTSP serves the seminary’s mission of preparing public leaders for the mission of the church in the world. The seminary takes seriously its commitments to educate and form public leaders who are able to develop and nurture ministries of the church, as well as engage the larger public square for the common good. The seminary is committed to shaping Christian leaders who are able to articulate their faith within multiple publics. To this end, the seminary has been involved in a curriculum revision to respond to the changing landscape of our church and the many different communities in which our ministries are located. This new curriculum will build upon its past traditions of a confessionally Lutheran, inherently ecumenical seminary, with a high standard of academic rigor. The mantra of this new curriculum is: flexible, affordable, and relevant. Flexible: The most recent Lutheran model of theological education assumed a four year full time residential student who could relocate to the seminary, move to an internship site, and relocate back to the seminary before heading out to first-call assignment — four moves in four years. Statistics demonstrate that the number of full time MDiv students nation-wide is dropping at a dramatic rate. The pool of applicants and their ability or desire to engage the “system” have changed. It is clear that those discerning a seminary education require flexibility from the church that will allow them to learn, grow, and prepare themselves while either not having to leave their employment, relocate, or to take four years to move through their courses; all the while realizing that theological education is never completed, even after seminary. The seminary hopes to work hand in hand with synods, candidacy committees, and judicatories to provide opportunities for undertaking study while working in ministry. Affordable: The church has recognized that current seminarians are bearing the bulk of the financial burden for their studies. While it is true that other professional schools have not had subsidized education, it is also true that the financial benefits of church workers rank near the bottom of all trained professions. In addition, the ability of ministries to provide housing and health care coverage for their pastors has been greatly challenged. There is no getting around the fact that theological education is a significant investment of time and money by the church. With shrinking resources from traditional sources of income, the seminary will need to continue to support its Leadership Fund, as well as find opportunities for students to engage in ministry through co-op models while they study. A new curriculum will provide avenues for students to continue working, or, if full time, move through more quickly and meet their requirements for graduation in a more affordable and timely manner. Relevant: The traditional models of theological education that I was schooled in provided classroom theory upon which to build skills for practical ministry. This curriculum centers on experiential or case-study based methods so that theory and praxis inform each other on a continuing basis. The intent is to invert the previous paradigm and introduce students to practical ministry and theological reflection from the beginning of the program. This is a model that has been utilized by the medical and legal professions for more than thirty years. Students will be required to link particular required courses with field education sites and demonstrate how their practical ministry is affected by their theological identities, and how their “book learning” impacts their practice. It is easy to see that the flexible, affordable, and relevant criteria are all inter-related. A new curriculum will aim to provide combinations of full and part time study, residential, commuter, distance components, and hybrid courses so that candidates for ministry can move through their education more quickly with courses that attempt to create opportunities for learning from practical ministerial experiences. A new curriculum at LTSP will be based upon the seminary's commitments to educate and form rostered leaders for the church that are competent to meet the needs of the church in a changing church and a changing culture. Students will be required to demonstrate they can lead communities, be entrepreneurs, preach, and live the Gospel in a variety of ministerial contexts where traditional church community may no longer be the base for much of our society. In addition, whereas the previous 2004 curriculum took a major step of requiring students to take courses in global, ecumenical, and interfaith engagement, this curriculum will require students to integrate the global, multi-cultural, ecumenical, and interfaith realities of our nation within the whole of the curriculum. Finally, an initial Introduction to Public Theology and a final course in Public Theology will help students integrate their theological and confessional witness within larger social issues where the church needs to have a public voice, bearing witness to the God made manifest in the Crucified and Risen Christ. We hope this developing curriculum will form the new “system” for another generation of church leaders. The new curriculum will be launched in fall 2013. Originally published in the January issue of PS Portions online at Ltsp.edu/ps-portions. Also see President Krey's introduction to the issue: Moving Forward in the Name of Christ.
Director of Graduate Studies and Associate Professor,
Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations Centered in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, The Lutheran Theological Seminary
at Philadelphia seeks to educate and form public leaders who are
committed to developing and nurturing individual believers and
communities of faith for engagement in the world I remember very vividly my first orientation session at seminary some twenty-four years ago. I sat down in the midst of an excited yet nervous cohort of incoming seminarians in the then new ELCA. It was at that point I realized I was one of the few “first career” theology students. Most of my classmates, friends, and colleagues were “second” or even “third” career students who brought with them a great deal of experience and commitment to the church, having been serving for years as lay leaders in their own congregations. I, on the other hand, had followed the “old school” regimen of doing a pre-theology program at a Lutheran university, and had hopes of continuing my Lutheran confessional seminary education at an ELCA school in preparation for my career in the Lutheran Church. I was a product similar to what Richard Lischer in Open Secrets called “the system.” After eight years of pre-seminary and seminary training, I felt pretty-well prepared for ministry in my first call, and then the boiler broke and I had no idea what to do. This model of theological education has been the basis for training an educated clergy for quite a long time in North America. The concept of learning the “classics” of seminary education — biblical languages, early Christological debates, Lutheran confessional identity, and pastoral techniques — before heading out into the reality of parish contexts has been a wonderful model that has served the church well. Unfortunately, that model is no longer sustainable for several reasons. My experience taught me that “book learning” was critical. And yet, I could never learn enough. While I had wonderful opportunities to fill my tool belt with the critical tools that helped me do ministry, after a total of twelve years of education (BA, MDiv, PhD), I could truly never learn enough to be a good pastor. It was clear I would need to be a life-long learner in the ministry. This is even truer today. I was also fortunate enough to have the institutional support of the church to subsidize my education at every level. My synod provided grants for me to attend a Lutheran university, my congregation underwrote my Lutheran seminary education, and a Lutheran companion synod provided a stipend while I worked on my PhD overseas. Throughout this time, my wife worked to help support us, and still we went into debt. As we know, seminary debt is an overwhelming challenge in the church today. Finally, my experience as a church professional was nurtured by a large program-church at the height of its institutional life, supported by a network of field education congregations that gladly received and financially subsidized its seminarians, and was welcomed by a first-call congregation that was more than willing to provide a parsonage and health care for a young pastor, spouse, and babies on the way. In many ways, times have changed, but in most ways, things are still the same. We still need pastors and lay leaders who are thoroughly grounded in the scriptures and confessions, who are able to meet the challenges of ministry in today’s world with integrity. However, in many places, the national demographics, church culture, networks, and resources that I grew up with have changed, and will continue to change. Things are changing so fast that it is impossible to train a student once for a lifetime of effective ministry. LTSP serves the seminary’s mission of preparing public leaders for the mission of the church in the world. The seminary takes seriously its commitments to educate and form public leaders who are able to develop and nurture ministries of the church, as well as engage the larger public square for the common good. The seminary is committed to shaping Christian leaders who are able to articulate their faith within multiple publics. To this end, the seminary has been involved in a curriculum revision to respond to the changing landscape of our church and the many different communities in which our ministries are located. This new curriculum will build upon its past traditions of a confessionally Lutheran, inherently ecumenical seminary, with a high standard of academic rigor. The mantra of this new curriculum is: flexible, affordable, and relevant. Flexible: The most recent Lutheran model of theological education assumed a four year full time residential student who could relocate to the seminary, move to an internship site, and relocate back to the seminary before heading out to first-call assignment — four moves in four years. Statistics demonstrate that the number of full time MDiv students nation-wide is dropping at a dramatic rate. The pool of applicants and their ability or desire to engage the “system” have changed. It is clear that those discerning a seminary education require flexibility from the church that will allow them to learn, grow, and prepare themselves while either not having to leave their employment, relocate, or to take four years to move through their courses; all the while realizing that theological education is never completed, even after seminary. The seminary hopes to work hand in hand with synods, candidacy committees, and judicatories to provide opportunities for undertaking study while working in ministry. Affordable: The church has recognized that current seminarians are bearing the bulk of the financial burden for their studies. While it is true that other professional schools have not had subsidized education, it is also true that the financial benefits of church workers rank near the bottom of all trained professions. In addition, the ability of ministries to provide housing and health care coverage for their pastors has been greatly challenged. There is no getting around the fact that theological education is a significant investment of time and money by the church. With shrinking resources from traditional sources of income, the seminary will need to continue to support its Leadership Fund, as well as find opportunities for students to engage in ministry through co-op models while they study. A new curriculum will provide avenues for students to continue working, or, if full time, move through more quickly and meet their requirements for graduation in a more affordable and timely manner. Relevant: The traditional models of theological education that I was schooled in provided classroom theory upon which to build skills for practical ministry. This curriculum centers on experiential or case-study based methods so that theory and praxis inform each other on a continuing basis. The intent is to invert the previous paradigm and introduce students to practical ministry and theological reflection from the beginning of the program. This is a model that has been utilized by the medical and legal professions for more than thirty years. Students will be required to link particular required courses with field education sites and demonstrate how their practical ministry is affected by their theological identities, and how their “book learning” impacts their practice. It is easy to see that the flexible, affordable, and relevant criteria are all inter-related. A new curriculum will aim to provide combinations of full and part time study, residential, commuter, distance components, and hybrid courses so that candidates for ministry can move through their education more quickly with courses that attempt to create opportunities for learning from practical ministerial experiences. A new curriculum at LTSP will be based upon the seminary's commitments to educate and form rostered leaders for the church that are competent to meet the needs of the church in a changing church and a changing culture. Students will be required to demonstrate they can lead communities, be entrepreneurs, preach, and live the Gospel in a variety of ministerial contexts where traditional church community may no longer be the base for much of our society. In addition, whereas the previous 2004 curriculum took a major step of requiring students to take courses in global, ecumenical, and interfaith engagement, this curriculum will require students to integrate the global, multi-cultural, ecumenical, and interfaith realities of our nation within the whole of the curriculum. Finally, an initial Introduction to Public Theology and a final course in Public Theology will help students integrate their theological and confessional witness within larger social issues where the church needs to have a public voice, bearing witness to the God made manifest in the Crucified and Risen Christ. We hope this developing curriculum will form the new “system” for another generation of church leaders. The new curriculum will be launched in fall 2013. Originally published in the January issue of PS Portions online at Ltsp.edu/ps-portions. Also see President Krey's introduction to the issue: Moving Forward in the Name of Christ.
Convocation: Challenges and Opportunities in Christian Education Feb. 19
Challenges and Opportunities
in
Christian Education
Today
The Rev. Dr. Michelle Carlson Director of Lifelong Learning at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
Tuesday, February 19, 2013 The Brossman Learning Center, Room 201 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
The lecture is free and open to the public.
Dr. Carlson has graciously agreed to stay over the lunch period following the lecture to engage in further dialog about the challenges and opportunities many of us face in the Christian Education arena. This is an open discussion and anyone may stay to participate.
There are different venues on and near campus to purchase lunch while you are here.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Kathie Afflerbach, AiM, Coordinator for Non-Credit Education, 215.248.6324 or Kafflerbach@Ltsp.edu.
We look forward to your participation in this very timely convocation.
Download and share the flyer
The Rev. Dr. Michelle Carlson Director of Lifelong Learning at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
Tuesday, February 19, 2013 The Brossman Learning Center, Room 201 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
The lecture is free and open to the public.
Dr. Carlson has graciously agreed to stay over the lunch period following the lecture to engage in further dialog about the challenges and opportunities many of us face in the Christian Education arena. This is an open discussion and anyone may stay to participate.
There are different venues on and near campus to purchase lunch while you are here.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Kathie Afflerbach, AiM, Coordinator for Non-Credit Education, 215.248.6324 or Kafflerbach@Ltsp.edu.
We look forward to your participation in this very timely convocation.
Download and share the flyer