Online Convocation Coverage:

• Religious faith and healing topic for Seminary's Convocation
• George W. Forell honored as Distinguished LTSP alum
• The challenge of caring vs. curing: Convocation keynoters explore sensitive faith/health issues
• Convocation Chapel sermon: Dr. Robert G. Hughes

What role do pastors and the church play in the healing arts? What difference does faith make? What happens when caring can't lead to curing?

Health care challenges abound in America in an age of "managed care." What role does the Church play in the healing arts? What difference does faith make for those under care and those who care for and about the ill? And what background is useful for spiritual leaders and the Church in instances when caring doesn't lead to curing? How important are issues of pain management? What encouragement and choices may be offered to people who are dying? How may professional church leaders partner best with patients, doctors and nurses?

This year's Convocation keynoters are two distinguished panelists who cope with such challenging questions in their daily professional lives.

Paul F. Engstrom

Dr. Paul F. Engstrom is a Lutheran who is senior vice president for population science, overseeing programs in behavioral research, human genetics, epidemiologic research and cancer prevention research for the Fox Chase Cancer Center. Dr. Engstrom is also Medical Director of Fox Chase Network, a select group of some 21 Pennsylvania and New Jersey community hospitals affiliated with Fox Chase. He is also the Medical Director for International Programs for the Fox Chase Cancer Center. Dr. Engstrom is a medical oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal cancers. He joined Fox Chase in 1970 after three years of military service as chief of hematology and oncology at Tripler General Hospital in Honolulu. He headed Fox Chase's medical oncology department from 1972 to 1984 and served as vice president for cancer control from 1984 to 1988. In 1988 the divisions of cancer control and population oncology merged to form the Population Science Division. Hess the author of many articles, papers and chapters on cancer control and oncology, and he is involved in many professional societies and groups. Dr. Engstrom is a professor of medicine at Temple University School of Medicine and teaches also at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

John Shea

John Shea is currently the Advocate Healthcare Senior Scholar in Residence at the Park Ridge (IL) Center for the Study of Health, Faith and Ethics. Formerly he was a professor of systematic theology and the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, and a research professor at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University of Chicago. He has also taught at the University of Notre Dame and Boston College. He has published eleven books of theology and spirituality and two books of poetry. Four of his latest books are The Legend of the Bells and Other Stories (Acta Press, 1996), Gospel Light: Jesus Stories for Spiritual Consciousness (Crossroad, 1997), Elijah at the Wedding Feast and other Tales (Acta, 1999), and Spirituality and Health Care: Reaching Toward a Holistic Future (Park Ridge Center, 2000). He lectures nationally and internationally on storytelling, theology, spiritual development and faith-based healthcare.

Pamela Cooper-White

Workshops related to the theme will be offered by Elaine Ramshaw, the Rev. Dr. Pamela Cooper-White, LTSP's Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology, and the keynoters. Ramshaw, Visiting Associate Professor of Lutheran Studies at Yale Divinity School, will address "Liturgy of the Word for Healing." Cooper-White will deal with "Pastoral Care and Involvement of the Laity." Shea will discuss "Spiritual Journeys of Sickness." Engstrom will consider "The Role of Prayer in Medicine."

Hotel Reservations

Hotel reservations must be made directly with the Holiday Inn,Fort Washington, PA. A limited number of rooms are being held from Sunday, April 7, through Wednesday, April 10, for Convocation participants.

Room availability within the block is guaranteed until March 7, 2002. Reservations should be made as soon as possible before that date. Request The Lutheran Theological Seminary rate of $99 (plus 8 percent tax) per room (one to four occupants). The hotel is handicapped-accessible. If you have special needs, please indicate this when you make your reservations. Check-in is at 3 p.m. Check-out is at 11 a.m. Contact the Holiday Inn, 432 Pennsylvania Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034 by calling 1/800-339-0209 or 215/643-3000, attn. Reservations Department; or by FAXing your reservation to 215/643-9117. Call the Seminary for a list of other motels in the area.

Special Transportation and Childcare Needs

Please contact the Foundation Office at 1/800-286-4616, Ext. 6324, or by dialing 215/248-6324 if 1) because of a disability you will require transportation from the Seminary to the Holiday Inn during the Convocation, or 2) if you need childcare. We will make every effort to accommodate such requests.

Online reservation form | Download brochure in Adobe Acrobat format

The seminary is grateful to Wheat Ridge Ministries for a generous grant in support of this program.