Moravian Theological Seminary

The virtuosity (or special calling) of a person is the melody of that person’s life, and it remains a simple, meager series of notes unless religion, with its endlessly rich variety raises the simple song to a full-voiced, glorious harmony. (On Religion: Second Speech) That is how I’ve come to think of a Seminary education: not only as a kind of training, nor merely as a depository of information, but rather as an attempt at creating beautiful music, a composition of sorts, with every student becoming a work of art. Read Nelson Rivera's entire Faculty Address here: https://www.moravianseminary.edu/news/faculty_address_2021

My friends as we enter back into the world, now as masters, we are experts. And in a lot of cases that means that we are seen as the resident authority in our respective fields in our specific contexts. And though our degrees are all different, I want to borrow something from the school’s advertisement and say that we are now entering into the world as masters of caring. This means that people will look to us for guidance, leadership, and compassion among so many other things. I think this is so important too because the time that we are leaving MTS to serve the world is a difficult one. Read Charlie McDonald entire Graduate Address here: https://www.moravianseminary.edu/news/graduate-address-2021

On Saturday, May 8, 2021, 19 students graduated from Moravian Seminary. We celebrated with, not only our 2021 graduates but also our 2020 graduates. We feel very blessed that we were all able to gather together to celebrate this momentous occasion. The ceremony was a wonderful celebration of ministry, achievement, and mission. It was highlighted by a commencement address from Rev. Dr. Nelson Rivera, John Taylor Hamilton Professor of Doctrinal Theology & Director of the MDiv, ...and graduate address, chosen by his peers, from Charlie McDonald ’21 Master of Divinity. Meagan Ann Ackerman Master of Divinity McWilliam Colon Sr. Master of Divinity Charles J. McDonald Master of Divinity Scott R. Rainey Master of Divinity Grace Newswanger Master of Arts in Chaplaincy Kennedy Ahn Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Carla Bello Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Rebecca Paige Coventry Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Rasbell Espiritu Alvarez Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Sarah Salma Moussa Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Jessica Robinson Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Andrew Romeo Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Daniel J. Uncles Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Robin Anne La Rosa Hannig Master of Arts in Theological Studies Ezekiel Kassanga Master of Arts in Theological Studies Michael Robert Moeller Master of Arts in Theological Studies Eric J. Schwartz Master of Arts in Theological Studies Adriana Bliss Craver Grad. Cert. in Moravian Studies Jeffrey Reed Lawson Grad. Cert. in Moravian Studies

If you missed last weeks Moses Lecture, titled "When the Moravians Returned to Georgia: A Forgotten Mission During the American Revolution" presented by Dr. Jon Sensbach. It is now available online using the link below. Lecture Description: The Moravian settlement in Georgia between 1735-1740 is the founding cornerstone of the Renewed Unity's history in North America. Virtually unknown is that the Moravians returned to Georgia in 1775 for a mission to enslaved Africans on rice plantations outside Savannah. Previously unused diaries and letters in Herrnhut reveal the mission's brief flourishing and sudden collapse during the war of independence. The documents shine bright light on African cultures in revolutionary Georgia.

It is with mixed emotions that we share that Rachel Starmer will be leaving her position at the Seminary to do full-time counseling work at Inner Resources in Bethlehem. Rachel came to the Seminary in 2013 as a student in the MACC program. During her years as a student she served on the SEC, was selected the Senior Speaker at graduation, provided writing support to our ESL students, and served in a work study capacity often tasked with special projects. After graduating with... the MACC in 2016, Rachel accepted a part-time counseling position. Recognizing her varied talents, we invited her to work bi-vocationally, and offered her an interim position on the Seminary staff to help with student writing support, assessment, and assistance in all areas of administration. That interim position grew into the role of Assistant Director of Administration, where Rachel has been instrumental in supporting our students with their writing, our faculty with assessment and evaluation, our staff with editing newsletters and the website, and our community with leadership of the Continuing Ed program for the past three years. She played a key role in the 2018 accreditation process of the Seminary and continues to be the point person for research and report writing efforts. We could count on Rachel to bring a thoughtful, positive, creative spirit to any project or committee. She is also a premier bread and pastry maker. If you ever enter Bahnson Center and the aroma of fresh bread hits you you know that one of Rachel's delicious creations will be there for the sharing. One of the many ways she shared her spirit of hospitality with our community. We send our heartfelt thank you to Rachel for being an integral part of the Seminary community for the past 8 years. She will be missed! We know that she will make a positive impact with her clients and colleagues at Inner Resources. Her last day will be this Friday, April 30th. Blessings to you, Rachel!