2018 Commencement Celebrations

Spring commencement exercises are quickly approaching. Below is a listing of the dates and times of the graduation ceremonies at Disciples of Christ affiliated colleges, universities and theological schools:

Barton College – Saturday, May 12, 1:30 pm EST
Bethany College – Saturday, May 19, 10 am EST
Chapman University – Friday, May 18 to Sunday, May 20. See full schedule here.
Columbia College – Saturday, April 28, 11:30 am and 4 pm CST
Culver-Stockton College – Saturday, May 12, 9:30 am CST
Drury University – Saturday, May 12, 11 am CST
Eureka College – Saturday, May 5
Hiram College – Saturday, May 12, 2 pm EST
Jarvis Christian College – Saturday, May 5, 8 am CST
Lynchburg College – Saturday, May 12, 9 am EST
Midway University – Saturday, May 12, 11 am EST
Texas Christian University – Saturday, May 12. See full schedule here.
Transylvania University – Saturday, May 26, 9 am EST
William Woods University – Saturday, April 28. See full schedule here.

Brite Divinity School – Saturday, May 12, 5 pm CST
Christian Theological Seminary – May 19
Disciples Divinity House at the University of Chicago – Saturday, June 9, 9:15 am CST
Disciples Divinity House at Vanderbilt University – Friday, May 11, 9 am CST
Disciples Seminary Foundation –
      Claremont School of Theology – Tuesday, May 22, 9 am PST
      Pacific School of Religion – Sunday, May 20
      San Francisco Theological Seminary – Saturday, May 19
      Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry – Sunday, June 17, 3 pm PST
Lexington Theological Seminary – Friday, June 22
Phillips Theological Seminary – Tuesday, May 22

Phillips University Legacy Foundation Accepting Scholarship Applications

Undergraduate Scholarships

The Phillips University Legacy Foundation is pleased to announce it is accepting new applications for its Undergraduate Scholarship and Leadership Development Program for the 2018-2019 academic year.  The Legacy Foundation’s Undergraduate Scholarship and Leadership Development Program makes annual awards of up to $6,500 per year to full-time undergraduate students pursuing a liberal arts education at any of the 17 colleges or universities currently or historically related to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  Recipients are chosen based on their academic achievements, their past, present and potential leadership in the church, their chosen vocation, and their community.  It is not a requirement that recipients attend a church that is related to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  The program is available to incoming freshmen as well as college sophomores, juniors and seniors.

It is important to note that the application and all three reference forms be submitted to be considered complete. 

To apply, click HERE. Completed application forms are due March 23, 2018.

 

Seminary Scholarships

Phillips University, Inc. is pleased to offer a merit based Seminary Scholarship for first year seminary students who are pursuing a Masters of Divinity degree, are committed to pastoral ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and will attend one of the following Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) affiliated seminaries or foundation houses:

The purpose of this program is to perpetuate the mission and the legacy of Phillips University by helping educate people who will be future ministers of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Seminary applications for the 2018-2019 academic year are being accepted. The submission deadline is April 30, 2018. Notification of selection will be e-mailed no later than June 1, 2018. The scholarship is merit based and can be renewed annually. Applicants must be enrolling full-time at the seminary for the 2018-2019 academic year; have attained an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; and have received an undergraduate degree from one of the 17 colleges or universities that are currently or historically related to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

The scholarship can be applied to tuition, books, room and board and similar educational expenses incurred within the seminary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact  
Tamela Harsha, Scholarship Administrator
580-237-4433
Phillips University, Inc. 
PO Box 2127 
Enid, OK  73702

Disciples Colleges and Universities Nationally Ranked!

 

The newest college and university rankings have been released by the magazine US News and World Report and Disciples schools have much to celebrate!  Here are some of the highlights:

  • Barton College is ranked #8 on the Regional Colleges South listing and #10 in Best Value Schools. 
  • Chapman University is #5 in the Regional Universities West rankings and #3 in Best Undergraduate Teaching. 
  • Culver-Stockton College is ranked #37 among Regional Colleges Midwest and #24 on the list of Best Value Schools.
  • Drury University is #26 on the Regional Universities Midwest and #8 in Best Value Schools. 
  • Texas Christian University is ranked #78 nationally in University Rankings and #69 in Best Value Schools.
  • Jarvis Christian College is #26 in Regional Colleges West list.
  • Eureka College is #26 in Regional Colleges Midwest and #6 on the Best Value Schools list.
  • Lynchburg College is #38 among Regional Universities South and #29 in Best Values Schools.
  • Transylvania University is ranked nationally #87 in the National Liberal Arts Colleges list and #58 in Best Value Schools.
  • Hiram College is #141 among National Liberal Arts Colleges.
  • Midway University is #89 in the Regional Universities South list.
  • William Woods University is ranked #75 among Regional Universities Midwest and #52 in Best Value Schools.

There are many reasons to be excited about the future of Disciples related colleges and universities!  For more information about higher education in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), visit the HELM website at www.helmdisciples.org.

 

 

Women in Leadership in Theological Education

 

Theological education has always been an important aspect of leadership development in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Part of ensuring that seminaries and divinity schools can prepare leaders who are able to meet the needs of the present age means that schools must have qualified, visionary and diverse leadership to oversee their academic missions. Part of the shift that is taking place across theological education is the increasing number of women in key leadership positions. Today, women serve in key leadership positions at all of our theological institutions, with two of them in particular having women in the top leadership position. Dr. Kristine Culp has served as Dean of the Disciples Divinity House of the University of Chicago for more than twenty-five years and Dr. Charisse Gillet has served as president of Lexington Theological Seminary for over seven years.

Throughout the history of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), women have taken on roles as leaders.  In the 1800s, women spurred the church to action both domestically and abroad, leading to the creation of the Christian Women’s Board of Mission and the National Benevolent Association. In 2005, the Disciples elected Sharon Watkins as the first woman as head of a mainline protestant denomination in the US. As demographic shifts lead to more women students in seminary and more women in church leadership, it is certainly important that more of that diversity be reflected in the leadership of theological education.

In the coming weeks we plan to highlight some of the key accomplishments and the critical presence of women in leadership in Disciples theological education.

 

 

HELM’s Board Chair to serve as Eureka College’s Founders Day Speaker

Indianapolis Welcomes Seminarians

More than 30 Disciples students from 16 different seminaries converged on Indianapolis at the invitation of Higher Education and Leadership Ministries in October, 2017.

"I attended the Seminarians Conference in Indianapolis with trepidation, praying that God would show me whether the Disciples truly are ‘my people’ and whether I am called to this tradition or not. After three days spent in laughter, prayer, and blessed communion, I came away from the conference feeling deeply affirmed that these are my people, this is my church, and that I am exactly where I am supposed to be," said Margie Quinn, a student at Duke Divinity.

Staff from the general ministries of the Church shared information about what their various ministries do, but the students were also able to be resourced for their own ministry through workshops in entrepreneurial ministry, transformation, LGBTQ issues, personal money management and more. In addition, they were able to spend time with General Minister and President Terri Hord Owens and hear from Rev. Dr. Frank Thomas, among other Disciples leaders.

Michele Moreland, attending Ashland Theological, found the connection to the larger Church helpful. She said, “Thank you to all of you compassionate leaders for the insightful sermons, prayers, and informative presentations. I feel ‘trained up in the way I should go!’”

A Disciples Seminary Foundation - Claremont student, Iyana ‘Yani’ Davis, said, “The conference proved to be a dynamic experience. I feel so much closer to the heartbeat of the church and I am so excited to continue my work with Disciples of Christ (Christian Church).”

Both divinity houses, several Disciples Seminary Foundation partners, 

Disciples schools (Lexington, Christian Theological, Phillips, Brite) and other regional seminaries were represented.

Meredyth Johnson from Brite Divinity said, “This conference was very helpful for me to connect better to the larger church. I first joined a Disciples church in my senior year of high school and have spent time answering God’s call to ministry and learning more about the church that helped me to hear it.  It was wonderful to learn more about the ministers and ministries of the Church while seeing where I fit into that picture both now and in the future. There is so much happening and so much more coming!”

2017 HELM PhD Scholars

This past Fall 2017, Higher Education & Leadership Ministries named 9 doctoral students as recipients of either the Ann E. Dickerson Scholarship or the William Gilbert & Florence Leonard Jones Scholarship.

The Dickerson Scholarship honors Ann E. Dickerson who was elected Vice-Moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in August 1975. A member of the faculty of Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, she died in October 1975, shortly after receiving her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. This scholarship is awarded to female members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) pursuing a Ph.D. in religion.

The William Gilbert and Florence Leonard Jones scholarship recognizes members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) working towards a Ph.D. in religion, who are also currently ordained or preparing for ordination in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and who intend to provide leadership to a congregation or other agency of the church.

The recipients for the 2017-2018 academic year include:

Ann E. Dickerson Scholars

(From left to right)
  • Toni Bond Leonard, Claremont School of Theology, Religion, Ethics & Society
  • Miseon Choi, Claremont School of Theology, Practical Theology
  • Lydia Hernández-Marcial, Lutheran School of Theology, Bible Studies/Hebrew Bible
  • Leah Laird, Claremont School of Theology, Hebrew Bible
  • Ruth Schulenberg, Brite Divinity School, Pastoral Theology

William Gilbert and Florence Leonard Jones Scholars

(from left to right)
  • Nestor A. Gómez Morales, University of Denver/Iliff School of Theology, Religion and Social Change
  • José Morales Torres, Claremont School of Theology, Comparative Theology and Philosophy
  • Andrew Packman, the Divinity School at the University of Chicago, Theology
  • Laura Jean Torgerson, Graduate Theological Union, Interdisciplinary Studies

For more information about these scholarships, including application process, visit: helmdisciples.org/scholarships

2017 HELM Leadership Fellows Named

9 Disciples College First Year Students Selected as HELM Leadership Fellows

In the Fall of 2017, HELM selected 9 incoming students to join the cohort of the Leadership Fellows Program. These students were selected from an expansive pool of extremely qualified applicants. Through their mindful involvement in their schools and churches, the 9 new Fellows have successfully established themselves as leaders within their own communities. Through the Leadership Fellows Program, HELM hopes to nurture and support each Fellow’s undergraduate career to further expand on their already impressive accomplishments towards positive impact in our communities.

The 2017-2018 Cohort, listed in alphabetical order, includes:

Olivia Adams is attending DePaul University in Chicago, IL where she will study film. Olivia served on her school’s student council, was Student President of the Theater Department, and participated in the Disciples Indiana Region Youth Leadership Team, among other things. Linda McCrae, Olivia’s home pastor at Central Christian Church in Indianapolis, described Olivia as “intelligent, insightful, able to engage in mature conversation.”

McKinnon Anderson is from Mount Carmel, IL and is studying business and accounting at Eureka College. McKinnon is “always reaching out to help those in need,” according Rev. Leslie James Summers, Jr. of First Christian Church of Mt. Carmel, and “is not afraid to take charge in a loving way.” Her leadership roles include regional youth events, deacon at her home church, and Band Council President, among others.

Iris Jang is pursuing her interest in film at Chapman University.  Among many activities demonstrating her leadership, Iris interned at the Children’s Choir of the Korean American Music Academy, was a teacher for Korean Bethel Church’s kindergarten ministry, and co-captained her school’s tennis team. “Iris has such a unique perspective in life,” says her teacher, and she “made a commitment to using her talents to help other people.”

Tristan Spangler-Dunning is from Mitchellville, Iowa and is attending Chapman University while focusing on history. He served as CYF Camp President, church deacon, has preached at church and at a regional assembly, and has held lead roles at plays. Rev. McKinna Daugherty of Altoona Christian Church said that Tristan is “passionate about social just with a heart for the underdog” and that “he displays excellent leadership skills...”

Clay York is attending Transylvania University in Kentucky. Clay has been active in the Kentucky Region through youth programs and locally, serving as deacon and worship and wonder leader. Clay has also participated in church-sponsored mission trips and volunteered at the TJ Samson Hospital. Clay, according to Rev. Anne Bruce, “is well versed in what it means to live in community” thus “an easygoing but passionate leader.”

Kaylie Allen attends Bethany College in West Virginia and is interested in elementary education and psychology. National Honors Society, Drill Team Leader, Church Deacon, and General Assembly Workshop Leader are a few examples of Kaylie’s leadership roles. According to Rev. David T. Chafin of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in WV and Pa, Kaylie is “a shining example to the church and to the world.”

Linnea Blakemore is a dancer attending the University of Southern Mississippi. She has been a tutor, dance teaching assistant, served on local and short-term mission trips, and has served First Christian Church in Birmingham as a deacon, worship and wonder leader, and more. Rev. Troy A. Tatum affirms that Linnea is “a person of strong faith and integrity” and someone who “embodies what it means to be a servant-leader.”

Paulina Garcia Gonzalez is from La Jolla, California, is attending Chapman University and is interested in psychology. She has participated in mission trips sponsored by Torrey Pines Christian Church, and serves as leader of her church’s kids’ ministries. Additionally, she was captain of her school’s Varsity Swim team and Water Polo team. Paulina’s English teacher says that she “will try and try and try to make [the right thing] happen.”

Emily Swett is pursuing her interest of music education and music therapy at James Madison University. She provided leadership for various theater-related clubs at school and has counseled, and worked as cook, for various summer camps in the Capitol area. Robert K. Degges, Senior Pastor at Bethany Christian Church, says that Emily has a “desire to help others” and reaches “beyond her comfort zones to make a difference.”

The 9 incoming fellows join 14 returning fellows:

2016: Ainsley Anderson (Carthage College); Lauren Kim (Yale University); Cris Marin (Eureka College); Quinlan Pulleyking (Missouri State University); Courtney Sells (Centre College); Isabelle Smith (Georgetown University); Jordan White (Northern Kentucky University); Lydia Yang (Chapman University).

2015: Emily Benson (East Carolina University); Stephanie Caress (Chapman University); Fiyori Kidane (Texas Christian University); Jost Mata (University of Texas - Austin); Rachel Sames (Earlham College); Alex Smith (Texas Christian University).

Fellows gathered together this past November in Chicago for the annual Leadership Fellows Retreat. Students had an opportunity to strengthen their relationships to one another, converse about community, societal transformation, and global awareness, and to join in fellowship. Additionally, fellows had the opportunity to learn from Dr. Reggie Williams, Associate Professor of Christian Ethics at McCormick Theological Seminary; and, from Dr. Kelly Richmond Pope, Associate Professor in the School of Accountancy of DePaul University and director of the documentary All the Queen's Horses. Before departing Chicago, fellows worshipped with Root & Branch Church, a recent Disciples church plant in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood.

Phillips Theological Seminary Announces Faculty Search

Phillips Theological Seminary is currently seeking applicants to fulfill several faculty positions. Please, see the announcements below from PTS for details.

New Testament
Phillips Theological Seminary invites applications for a tenure or tenure-track faculty appointment, beginning July 1, 2018, in New Testament. Rank open; salary commensurate with rank. PhD or ThD preferred; ABD considered. The successful candidate will demonstrate expertise in New Testament studies with a strong background in New Testament Greek and historical-critical methodology opening onto rhetorical, postcolonial and other forms of literary and ideological criticism. Responsibilities will include teaching in both the Master’s and Doctor of Ministry programs across online and on-campus formats.

Please send a cover letter expressing interest in the position and detailing relevant academic and professional experience, a curriculum vitae, a sample syllabus, and the names and contact information of at least three references to tammye.jurena@ptstulsa.edu. In addition, please include a 1-2 page statement of your teaching philosophy and experience that addresses how students in your classes might translate critical insights from classes you teach to congregational life and a variety of other public settings. The search will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Phillips is an ecumenical seminary affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is approved by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church, and is committed to expanding the diversities of its board, faculty, staff, and student community. Members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are encouraged to apply. See www.ptstulsa.edu/employment for position description, employment policies, and more information.

History of Christianity
Phillips Theological Seminary invites applications for a tenure or tenure-track faculty appointment, beginning July 1, 2018, in History of Christianity. Rank open; salary commensurate with rank. PhD or ThD preferred; ABD considered. The successful candidate will demonstrate expertise in the history and polity of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as it is grounded in broader North American religious history, and one or more of the following areas: Early Christianity, Christianity in the United States, History of Ecumenism, African-American Studies, Global Christianities, Interreligious Engagement, Missiology. Responsibilities will include teaching in both the Master’s and Doctor of Ministry programs across online and on-campus formats.

Please send a cover letter expressing interest in the position and detailing relevant academic and professional experience, a curriculum vitae, a sample syllabus, and the names and contact information of at least three references to tammye.jurena@ptstulsa.edu. In addition, please include a 1-2 page statement of your teaching philosophy and experience that addresses how students in your classes might translate critical insights from those classes to congregational life and a variety of other public settings. The search will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Phillips is an ecumenical seminary affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is approved by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church, and is committed to expanding the diversities of its board, faculty, staff, and student community. Members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are encouraged to apply. See www.ptstulsa.edu/employment for position description, employment policies, and more information.

Practical Theology
Phillips Theological Seminary invites applications for a tenure or tenure-track faculty appointment, beginning July 1, 2018, in Practical Theology. Rank open; salary commensurate with rank. PhD or ThD preferred; ABD considered. The successful candidate will demonstrate expertise in the Practices of Theological Leadership in two or more of the following areas: Congregational Studies, Pastoral Care, Spirituality, Christian Education, Worship, and Intercultural Ministries. Responsibilities will include teaching in both the Master’s and Doctor of Ministry programs across online and on-campus formats.

Please send a cover letter expressing interest in the position and detailing relevant academic and professional experience, a curriculum vitae, a sample syllabus, and the names and contact information of at least three references to tammye.jurena@ptstulsa.edu. In addition, please include a 1-2 page statement of your teaching philosophy and experience that addresses how students in your classes might translate critical insights from those classes to congregational life and a variety of other public settings. The search will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Phillips is an ecumenical seminary affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is approved by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church, and is committed to expanding the diversities of its board, faculty, staff, and student community. Members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are encouraged to apply. See www.ptstulsa.edu/employment for position description, employment policies, and more information.

Inaugural International Trip for HELM Leadership Fellows

From May 27 to June 3, six participants in the HELM Leadership Fellows Program traveled to Cuba to visit Disciples partners and learn about the country’s cultures, history, and religious and political life. This was the first international trip for the Leadership Fellows Program and partner visits included the Martin Luther King Center, the Cuban Council of Churches, the Evangelical Seminary of Theology in Matanzas, and Sunday worship with a local congregation of the Pentecostal Church of Cuba. Cultural visits included the old city of Havana, Revolution Square, the Museum of the Revolution, a conversation with local youth, salsa lessons, an organic farm, and the towns of Los Palos and Varadero.

The group was hosted by the Martin Luther King Center in Havana, an organization involved in contextual theology and popular education. In his conversation with the Fellows, Rev. Raúl Suárez, founder of the MLK Center and a member of the Cuban Parliament, shared that Cuba is in a time of transition. With the recent opening of relations with the United States, many anticipant economic and social changes as contact and inv
estment increases. Rev. Suárez noted that with these changes comes the need for Cubans to insist on an “ethics-based economy” so that a culture of consumption does not begin to erode the values that have guided Cuban society over the years. In a visit to the Cuban Council of Churches, Rev. Joel Ortega Dopico, President of the Council, shared with the Fellows his belief and hope that peace and justice in the future will be due to their generations engagement and leadership in the world.

The Leadership Fellows Program aims to develop leaders through an intentional focus on four major areas. While the first two years focus on Community and Transformation respectively, the third year focuses on Global Awareness and our obligations and responsibilities of faithful leadership in a global and interconnected world, including the call to standin solidarity with those from diverse backgrounds and contexts. This was the inaugural trip for the Leadership Fellowship Program and, going forward, subsequent international trips will be offered for students in the third year of the program. The fourth and final year of the Program focuses on Mentoring.

The Fellows participating in this trip are recent graduates who began the Leadership Fellows Program under a previous model that only had a three-year commitment. They were invited to join this first international experience as part of what would have been their post college participation under the previous model. The six participants were Annaliese Baker (Chapman University), Finley Baldwin (North Carolina State University), Abbi Frings (Culver-Stockton College), Abby Henegar (Texas Christian University), Jonaphine Rae Mata (University of Texas) and Toni Trujillo (Texas Christian University). The students were accompanied on the trip by Chris Dorsey, Rebecca Hale, Ben Bohren, Pam Sparks, and Dawn and Jon Barnes.