Graduate Study, Continuing Education and Public Programs 2000-2001

In the first years of the new millennium, believers are presented with new or changing challenges and a myriad of opportunities for ministry. The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia recognizes Mission in the new century as the theme that drives us to deeper levels of spiritual and educational challenges in the 2000-2001 year.

This calendar describes many diverse opportunities for worship, education and fellowship. Display the calendar in your home or church, and study it to find events of personal interest to you. Come visit our beautiful campus and take part in the Seminary's robust life. We will send out more information, reminders and brochures on many of the events listed here.

The Communications Department of the Seminary is pleased to offer any possible help, or direct you to someone with more information. Many events listed have contact information, or you many contact the Communications Department at 215/248-6311 or by email at mstaples@ltsp.edu.

GRADUATE SCHOOL

An increasing number of pastors and rostered lay leaders are finding that the Seminary's Graduate School is a means of equipping themselves for mission in the 21st century. Graduate School program options include Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.), Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M. thesis or non-thesis), and General Studies. Our D.Min. degree program has been expanded to include our partners in the Eastern Cluster-Gettysburg and Southern seminaries.

Opportunities include one-week intensive courses in August, October, January, March and June. Classes are arranged in a five-day block (Monday through Friday) and include pre-reading; some require a one-day follow-up session. Pastors and rostered lay leaders who cannot be away from parish responsibilities on Sundays find this option helpful.

Also, distance learning courses are offered on a regular basis.

Another opportunity is our regularly scheduled classes, many of which meet in three-hour blocks once a week throughout the semester. Even courses aimed at first professionals can usually be upgraded for graduate credit with the permission of the instructor.

A third opportunity is the Travel Seminar scheduled each year, which may be taken for graduate school credit.

Tuition is $880 per course ($704 ELCA). Audit $330.

For program information contact Graduate School Dean Margaret Krych at 215/248-6347, or email her at mkrych@ltsp.edu. For course information contact the Registrar's Office at 215/248-6305 or email to registrar@ltsp.edu.

• August 21-25, 2000
  Understanding the Urban Context
  Dr. Katie Day
• October 16-20, 2000
  Research Methods
  Dr. Philip Krey

Fall Semester
(September-December 2000)

• Advanced Pastoral Care Seminar
  Dr. Pamela Cooper-White
• The Quests for the Historical Jesus and Christology
  Dr. John H. P. Reumann
• Twentieth Century Theology and Practical Implications
  Dr. Margaret Krych
• Preaching Trajectories into a New Century
  Dr. Robert Hughes
  Distance Learning Course

January 8-11, 2001

• D.Min. Collegial Seminar
  Dr. Margaret Krych

January 15-19, 2001

• Lutheran Confessions in Parish Ministry
  Dr. Timothy Wengert

January 22-26, 2001

• Pastoral Care and Marriage and Family
  Dr. LeRoy Aden

March Intensive Course

• Urban Preaching
  Dr. William McClain

Spring Semester
(February-May 2001)

• Inner-Biblical Interpretation: Texts Rereading Texts
  Dr. Elizabeth Huwiler
• Introduction to Liturgical Theology
  Dr. Gordon Lathrop
• Theology Seminar
  The Rev. Manas Buthelezi, St. John's Visiting Professor
• Planning and Promise in the City
  Dr. Janet Corpus

Summer Intensive Courses

• June 11-15, 2001
  Preaching the Themes of the Faith
  Dr. Robert Hughes
• June 18-22, 2001 Foundations for Christian Spirituality
  Dr. Paul Rorem Visiting Professor
• D.Min. Colloquia
  1. June 25-27, Monday-Wednesday 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. (5 p.m. Wednesday)
  2. June 28-29 9 a.m.-10 p.m. each day

DISCIPLES: LEARNERS AND LEADERS

All baptized leaders are realizing the value of solid theological education as a means to guide their ministry in the church and the world. In response, the Seminary has been working with synods and congregations in finding new approaches for discipleship formation. The goal is to assist the whole people of God in being better prepared to talk the talk and walk the walk of faith in their daily life journey.

To help reach this goal, the Seminary is making available three resources for Lent. The subjects include aging, baptism and biblical basics for disciples. Possible audiences for the packet are Lenten midweek services, soup and study sessions, adult forums, confirmation classes and retreats. The cost for each study is $34.95.

For more information, contact George Keck at 610/489-1202 or email him at gbkeck@cs.com.

ON-CAMPUS WORSHIP

The Seminary offers many opportunities for worship in a community setting. All these events are also open to the public.

• September 5, 2000-- Opening of the Academic Year Eucharist
• December 25, 2000 -- Christmas Day Eucharist
• February 28, 2001 -- Ash Wednesday Liturgy
• April 12, 2001 -- Maundy Thursday Liturgy
• April 13, 2001 -- Good Friday Liturgy
• April 14, 2001 -- Great Vigil of Easter

For more information, contact Gordon Lathrop at 215/ 248-6344 or email him at glathrop@ltsp.edu.

INSTALLATION OF DEAN

Included in a year of many exciting changes for the Seminary is the Installation of Dr. J. Paul Rajashekar, Professor of Systematic Theology, as Dean. October 1, at 4 p.m.

• October 1, 2000
  The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill
  8855 Germantown Avenue
  Philadelphia, PA 19118

For information, contact Gladys Hunt at 215/248-6306 or email her at ghunt@ltsp.edu.

FAITH AND LEADERSHIP ACADEMY*

Two models for the Academy are emerging to meet the needs of synods.

In the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, the Academy focuses on developing leadership in the Spanish-language congregations. Four Academy series, held on three Saturdays, have assisted more than 120 lay persons from Latino congregations in the Allentown and Reading areas to strengthen their ministries. Classes are held in a congregation in Kutztown, PA. The next academy is being planned for spring 2001.

In the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, the Academy meets for a series of seven Saturdays at the Seminary. Following the series of classes, each participant works on a project with a mentor. The fall 2000 series will begin with orientation on October 1. Seven class sessions will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the following Saturdays:

October 7, 14, 21, 28
November 4, 11, 18

Since the Academy is a joint venture of the Seminary and a synod, interested persons should contact George Keck at 610/489-1202 or email him at gbkeck@cs.com. Cost for participants is $85.

*Please note: The New York Extension courses described on last year's calendar will not be offered this year.

QUODLIBET

What's a quodlibet, you say? It's the Seminary's revival of a treasured medieval practice of putting a venerable faculty member on the "hot seat." Dr. Margaret Krych, Graduate School Dean and Norton Professor of Christian Education and Theology, listens to "any question whatever" (quodlibet translated) for one session. A panel of senior seminarians ponders the questions and ends the first session with remarks. A week later Dr. Krych returns to respond to questions as she sees fit. Visitors are welcome. The first session will be held on Tuesday, October 17, and the second session will be on Tuesday, October 31.

For more information, contact Mark Staples at 215/248-6311 or email him at mstaples@ltsp.edu.

MEN IN MISSION

Is faith a private concern? A public matter? Both? What are the connections between what we believe and what we do? On Saturday, October 21, 2000 LTSP professor of Systematic Theology Dr. John Hoffmeyer will be the keynote speaker for Men in Mission. He will present Faith: What Difference Does It Make? for a time of study and reflection. The event takes place at LTSP from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $20.

For more information, contact George Keck at 610/489-1202 or email him at gbkeck@cs.com.

ADVENT LECTURE

The Advent Lecture is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, December 4, 2000 at LTSP's Refectory. Presenter is the Rev. Dr. William B. McClain a professor for the Urban Theological Institute and professor of Homiletics and Worship at Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C.

For information, contact Gladys Hunt at 215/248-6306 or email her at ghunt@ltsp.edu.

ADVENT VESPERS

Advent Vespers is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 5, 2000 at a site to be announced.

For more information, contact Mark Staples at 215/248-6311 or email him at mstaples@ltsp.edu.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY OBSERVANCE

The Seminary community annually sets aside this day for special events and workshops on race relations. Watch for details on this event, which is planned each year by our students.

January 15, 2001

TRAVEL SEMINARS

Each year the Seminary offers a Travel Seminar hosted by members of the faculty and staff.

Congregations have found these opportunities to be an exciting form of traveling theological education. June 117 - July 1, 2001, LTSP's Associate Professor of Pastoral Care, Dr. Pamela Cooper-White, will lead a trip with the theme Sacred Britain.

For more information, contact Rick Summy at 215/248-6304 or email him at rsummy@ltsp.edu.

HEIN-FRY LECTURE SERIES

The Hein-Fry keynote speaker for 2001 will be Tom Beaudoin. The lecture topic will be Spiritual but not Religious: Reaching "Lost" Generations -- Understanding Mission Among 18 to 30 Year Olds. The event will take place in the LTSP Amphitheater.

February 20, 2001

For more information, contact Mark Staples at 215/248-6311 or email him at mstaples@ltsp.edu.

VISITING PROFESSORS

South African Bishop Manas Buthelezi, the St. John's Visiting Professor, will speak at a special convocation on March 6, 2001.

The Rev. Dr. Gnana Robinson, a professor of Old Testament at the United Theological College in Bangalore, India, will be serving as Visiting Professor to the Seminary in the 2000-2001 academic year.

PREACHING WITH POWER

Preaching and worship come alive in a special way each March with the "Preaching with Power" tradition, which brings leading African-American preachers and theologians to Philadelphia for a week-long forum on Black preaching and theology. Services are held on the campus and at local congregations.

March 12-16, 2001

For information, contact Mae Green at 215/248-6335 or email her at mgreen@ltsp.edu. Flyers will be available early in the year 2001.

BOOK OF CONCORD CELEBRATION

The new edition of The Book of Concord brings additional scholarship and sensitivities to the foundational texts of Lutheran ideas and identity. The Seminary's own Professor of Reformation History, The Rev. Dr. Timothy Wengert, served with Robert Kolb as co-editor for the new edition.

In the spring of the year 2001, the Seminary will celebrate this new volume of The Book of Concord. Speakers for the event are: Dr. Timothy Wengert; Dr. Irene Dingel, Professor of Church History at the University of Mainz; Dr. Robert Kolb, Professor of Theology and Mission at Concordia Seminary; and Dr. James Nestingen, Professor of Church History at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Look for more information to come before the event on March 20, 2001.

PARISH NURSE EVENT

LTSP will host a day-long event for nurses on March 24, 2001 with the theme Tools of the Trade.

For more information, contact George Keck at 610/489-1202 or email him at gbkeck@cs.com.

MAGNET CHURCH CONSULTATION

The theme of this year's event is The Inviting Word: Climates for Evangelism and Education, with Dr. Timothy Wengert, Professor of Reformation History at LTSP, serving as keynote speaker. The day-long event features mini-university sessions, which will focus on many different sub-topics supporting the main theme.

Friday, March 30
St. Matthew Lutheran Church
400 Lynbrooke Road
Springfield, PA

For information, contact Rick Summy, Director of Admissions, at 215/248-6304, or email him at rsummy@ltsp.edu.

SPRING CONVOCATION

Convocation will take place April 23-25, 2001. The theme for the Convocation is Pluralism. It will take place in the Seminary's Amphitheater. Spring vespers are scheduled for Monday, April 23. Details on these events are pending.

For information, contact the Rev. Laura Csellak at 215/248-6316 or email her at lcsellak@ltsp.edu.

COMMENCEMENT

The Seminary will hold Commencement exercises on Sunday, May 20, 2001. The event will take place at 3 p.m. Look for more details to come on this event.

PREACHING DAYS 2001

Preaching on mission is a key theme for this new century. During Preaching Days each June, pastors gather for worship and study around the challenge of preaching. This format allows participants to spend the entire day with the guest preacher/presenter. Worship and a lecture are a part of each morning. In the afternoons, participants attend a workshop/dialogue with the guest presenter.

Preaching the Will of God in the Midst of Pain, Power and Loss is the theme of Preaching Days 2001. Registration is required. Housing and meals are available.

June 11-13, 2001

This year's presenters will be Old Testament Scholar Dr. Foster McCurley, Rabbi Nancy Fuchs Kramer, a teacher at Reconstructionist Rabbinical Seminary in the Philadelphia area, and the Rev. Dr. William B. McClain, a professor for The Urban Theological Institute and a professor of Homiletics at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C.

For information, contact Rich Summy at 215/248-6304 or email him at rsummy@ltsp.edu. A registration brochure will be mailed early in the year 2001.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Lay people are welcome to audit classes at their convenience or take them for credit if they are college graduates. Many classes are offered during regular semesters on evenings (7-10 p.m.) and weekends (Saturdays 9 a.m. Ð noon or 1 Ð 4 p.m.) Permission of the instructor is required for audits. The audit fee is $330 per course ($165 for persons 60 or older). Among this year's offerings are the following courses:

• Violence and Religion in America
• Introduction to Biblical Studies
• Early and Medieval Church History
• Hispanic/Latino Theology and Ministry
• Musical Resources for the Congregation
• Leadership and Congregational Renewal

FACULTY IN RESIDENCE

Your entire congregation can take advantage of continuing education through the "Faculty in residence" program. You identify the topic or ministry issue related to the mission of your congregation. A Seminary faculty /staff member comes to your congregation (or synod or cluster) to lead an event, which is usually held on a weekend. The Seminary covers travel expenses for the faculty/staff member. Your congregation is responsible for the local details, lodging and honorarium. This outreach provides education for the whole people of God right in your community! The Rev. Rick Summy can assist you in designing the agenda and identifying the appropriate resource person.

For more information, call 800/286-4616, ext. 6304 or email Rick at rsummy@ltsp.edu.