Lancaster Theological Seminary

Otis' Dream was to vote. He never got the chance. Voting is a sacred right. Exercise yours. This is the real story of the grandfather of Trinity United Church of Christ Chicago Pastor Otis Moss III. #votethedream #Nov3 #itsyourright #ucc http://ow.ly/R7kD50C4jQJ

Even in these times, God still works to transform and call us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. In that spirit, we invite all those exploring and discerning a call to ministry to register for one of our virtual Discover Days on either Nov. 7th and Nov. 11th. These online events are curated to allow you to observe, learn, and ask questions about who we are as a community and as a Graduate School of Theology from the comforts of your home. This event also ...allows us to get to know you, your passion, and your story of who God is calling you to be. For more information please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or sign up below! Register Now: https://www.lancasterseminary.edu/admissions/visit-campus/ #ministry #MDiv #MAML #MAR #Discernment #Leadership #socialjustice #calling #vocation #dojustice #lovekindness #walkhumble

Because the health and safety of our community is of paramount importance, Lancaster Seminary will continue online courses through Term 3, the end of the academic year. Interim President Dr. David Rowe made the announcement noting, Although the pandemic restricts us from being in the same place at the same time, please remember that learning at Lancaster Theological Seminary no matter the medium is always connected learning. We have to be intentional about reaching out to one another, caring for one another and nurturing the sense of community that holds us together, especially during trying times.

Artist Isabel Lark brought her brushes and canvas to campus this week where she painted the iconic arched entrance to the Lancaster Theological Seminary Lark Academic Building, named in 1978 to honor her grandparents H. Wilson and Grace Aucker Lark. Isabel has carried on her family's legacy of supporting Lancaster Seminary by serving on The Way Forward committee and championing the renovations to our historic buildings.

Two Lancaster Seminary alumnae, the Rev. Andrea Brown, MDiv 2005, and Pastor Liz Fulmer, MDiv 2020, are featured in the Oct. 17 LNP + LancasterOnline article by Donna Walker about the disaffiliation of Grandview United Methodist Church from the The United Methodist Church over the denomination's stance on LGBTQIA persons. https://bit.ly/2FCBxj7

The Senate hearings into the appointment of Justice Amy Coney Barrett have Lancaster Seminary Professor of New Testament Dr. Greg Carey considering originalism in the Bible and in the law in his new post in Church Anew. https://churchanew.org//greg-carey-originalism-in-bible-an

Lancaster Seminary has a matching grant from the In Trust Center, Educating for a Thriving Bivocational Ministry. This project will allow us to help students prepare for a combination of religious and secular employment as a faithful response to their call to ministry. If you are a bivocational minister and would like to serve as a resource, email the Rev. Dr. Darryl W. Stephens, Project Director at [email protected]

Congratulations to Lancaster Seminary Professor of New Testament Greg Carey who has been named to the national leadership team of the United Church of Christ Open and Affirming Coalition UCC. https://openandaffirming.org/

Lancaster Seminary mourns the death on Sept. 25, 2020, of former trustee Dr. Rebecca (Beckie) H. Meyer, 79, of Lititz, Pa., an ardent and faithful advocate for education, peace and justice. Friends and family are invited to an outdoor Celebration of Life Memorial Service on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m. at Church of the Apostles Rader Park, 1899 Apostle Way, Lancaster, PA 17603. https://www.thegroffs.com/obituaries/Rebecca-Meyer-2/

Our Lancaster Seminary community rejoiced this past Sunday as alumnus Thomas Busteed, MDiv 2013, was ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Whitehall, Penna. He is the congregation's 13th pastor since its organization in 1849. Also participating in the service were LTS alumnus the Rev. Dr. Chris Rankin, former ministerial guide the Rev. Dr. Stephen P. Verkouw, and Mercersburg Society member the Rev. Dr. Deborah Rahn Clemens. Many blessings Reverend Busteed!

We will not go back to normal. Normal never was. Our pre-Corona existence was not normal, other than we normalized greed, inequity, exhaustion, depletion, extraction, disconnection, confusion, rage, hoarding, hate, and lack. We should not long to return my friends. We are being given the opportunity to stitch a new garment, one that fits all of humanity and nature. -- Sonya Renee Taylor

Congratulations to Rev. Joseph Motz, MDiv 2004, recipient of the 2020 Allan S. Meck Award for Excellence in Pastoral Ministry. Pastor Joe, now Associate Pastor at Church of the Apostles, started "Mission Trip Birdsboro" as pastor of St. Paul’s UCC in Birdsboro, PA. In this ongoing ministry the congregation leads the community in a week of mission and other service projects in the Birdsboro area. Read more http://ow.ly/xfWm50BGph3

In a year in which the onslaught of bad news seems never-ending, it is difficult to discern what challenges to address first. We know of one thing that is especially important: participation is the 2020 Census. The 2020 Census is an important once a decade opportunity to ensure your community receives the representation and resources it needs. The Census determines the number of seats each state will have in the House of Representatives and how Federal funding is distributed ...to schools, hospital, public transit, and other vital programs. Head Start, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Pell Grant programs (and more) are ALL impacted by the Census, among many other services that your community needs. If you haven’t completed the census yet, there’s still time to do so. Visit 2020census.gov or call 844-330-2020 to complete your Census questionnaire by Monday, October 5, 2020. Mailed questionnaires must be postmarked by October 5, 2020. We urge you to take the time and ensure that you and your family are counted.

We give thanks for the life and work of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who worked tirelessly for equal rights for all God's people.