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exington
The Newsletter of Lexington Theological Seminary
Summer 2015 | Vol 51, No. 3
HEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
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65-2015
Ministry in Motion
Seniors focus on ministry needs and solutions in capstone projects. Page 2
From a calling to a mission Graduate reflects on lessons learned, experiences gained at LTS. Page 5
Graduate honors
Senior awards pay tribute to excellence of the past and present. Page 7
2015 Graduates: Called to Go
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Ministry in Motion As we reflect on our 150-year history, we are reminded that formation and preparation for ministry has often taken place in the church. Refocusing on the congregation as an integral part of the training and preparation for ministry, allows students to immediately put their education into practice. Simply put, we recognize that what is good for our students is good for the church. A prime example of the fruitfulness of a strong relationship between the Seminary and our congregational partners is the senior capstone project. Master of Divinity students are required to develop a strategy to address an on-going problem faced by the congregation. Their work includes theological reflection, substantive conversations with church leaders, and detailed research and writing. Permit me to share a glimpse of a few of these projects: Katie Sexton explored and deconstructed the current understanding of evangelism in her congregation and worked to reclaim this “e-word” in positive ways to help them effectively live out their faith. William Brown examined how to enhance the worship experience through congregational involvement. He found that a sense of community forms and a sense of value develops when church members have common experiences that highlight the importance of shared worship values. Trudy Betts worked to improve her congregation’s understanding of Disciples history and traditions through classes, sermons, and three new Children’s Worship and Wonder stories that will be integrated into the general church’s Worship and Wonder curriculum. Further, the congregation she serves, Tropical Sands Christian Church, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, expressed their gratitude for her work by donating $830 on the occasion of her graduation in memory of Dr. Jane McAvoy and in honor of Dr. McAvoy’s widower, Rev. Greg Russell. I give thanks for our students and for the congregations that serve as our partners in ministry. On the journey, Charisse L. Gillett
2015 Class of
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exington Theological Seminary celebrates the achievements of the class of 2015. President Charisse L. Gillett conferred graduate certificates and degrees upon 14 students at the Seminary’s 149th Commencement and offered them heartfelt congratulations for their work. “It has been our privilege to walk with you this far,” Gillett said. Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was the keynote speaker at commencement. Watkins told the graduates that they are “called to go” and reminded them that
they are the voice of hope and change in a world filled with desperation. Watkins also received the President’s Award for 2015 during the ceremonies. Gillett presented the Congregational Service Award for 2015 to Cherokee Christian Church, Prairie View, KS, and Edenside Christian Church, Louisville, KY. The Rev. Trish Thompson Winters, former interim pastor of Cherokee Christian Church, accepted the award on behalf of the Cherokee Christian congregation. Ms. Louise Coomer, former moderator of Edenside Christian Church, accepted the award on behalf of the Edenside Christian congregation.
Clockwise, from top left: Katie Sexton; Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins speaks, Syvoskia Bray Pope and Pamela Pettyjoin process to the sanctuary where graduation will take place; the class of 2015, with officers, faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees members; women graduates and attendees at the annual Rose Ceremony; and graduate Mark Underwood and family during graduate Communion. More photos: www.flickr.com/photos/lextheoseminary/
The 2015 graduating class CERTIFICATE IN PASTORAL MINISTRY Christine Bandy-Helderman, Jupiter, FL Syvoskia Bray Pope, Louisville, KY Tina Christian, Lake Worth, FL James Cullen, Deep Run, NC Keslinn Kohfeld-Stout, Bakersfield, CA Pamela Pettyjohn, Louisville, KY Ronald Thompson, Naples, FL MASTER OF DIVINITY Trudy Betts, West Palm Beach, FL William Brown, Troy, MO Cheri Metier, San Diego, CA Joseph Pusateri, Simpsonville, KY Barbara Schaars, Lawrenceburg, KY Katie Sexton, Glendale, AZ Mark Underwood, Harvest, AL
SEMINARY NEWS
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ALUMNI NEWS
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In Memoriam 3/15/15 – 7/8/15 Pat Dyson, Friend April 3, 2015
Alumni/ae notes
THE BULLETIN
Rev. Charlie Wallace, M.Div. 1989, D.Min. 2009, is serving as interim Senior Minister of Zionsville Christian Church in Zionsville, IN. Rev. Wallace previously served at Hope Partnership/Church Extension (New Church Ministry).
Jim Powell, ’70 M.Div. April 24, 2015
Rev. Trish Standifur, M.Div. 1991, has been called as Associate Minister at Crestwood Christian Church, Lexington, KY. Rev. Standifur has been serving as Senior Minister at Bullittsville Christian Church since 2003.
Donna Hara, ’76 MRE April 27, 2015
Rev. Josh Baird, M.Div. 2001, Director of Disciples Volunteering for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), recently received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Cuyahoga Falls High School.
Lynn White, ’74 D.Min. May 6, 2015 Ezra Dunnavant ’74 D.Min. May 14, 2015 Mary Lee Duthie Trustee Emeritus, Friend June 7, 2015 David Bell, Friend June 10, 2015 Billie Ruth Welsh, Friend June 19, 2015 Margaret H. Holbrook, Friend July 3, 2015
Rev. Evan Dolive, M.Div. 2009, was called as the Associate Minister of Family Life at First Christian Church, Longview, TX. Rev. Sarah Renfro, M.Div. 2010, and Rev. Kyle Brown, M.Div. 2005, have been called as Associate Ministers of Geist Christian Church in Indianpolis, IN. Rev. William Brown, M.Div. 2015, has been called as Senior Pastor at Community Christian Church in Camdenton, Missouri. Future alumni/ae Dahron Johnson, current student, presented at Public Responsibility in Medicine & Research’s 2014 “Advancing Ethical Research” conference. The subject was “The Roles and Responsibilities of the Non-Scientist Member of the IRB.” Donna Webster, current student, planned a regional “Festival of Faith” event for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Virginia. Chris McDonald-Dennis, current student, contributed a foreword to the book “Making Meaning: Embracing Spirituality, Faith, Religion, and Life Purpose in Student Affairs,” which addresses religion and secularism as critical elements of college student diversity. Eboo Patel, founder of Interfaith Youth Core, also invited McDonald-Dennis to be part of a think tank of experts in the field of student affairs and religious diversity. The group developed recommendations for the field of student affairs in engaging interfaith cooperation on college campuses.
Don’t forget! Homecoming 2015 is Oct. 22-24!
Golf Scramble 2015
More photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lextheoseminary/
Clockwise from top: Joseph Pusateri receives his degree from President Gillett as Board of Trustees chairman Richard Griffith looks on. Before his calling, Pusateri was a home builder. Pusateri with his wife, Jennifer.
Answering a call, pursuing a mission When Joseph “Joey” Pusateri was a first-year student at LTS, we shared with you his story of his calling to ministry. Now, in his own words, he shares reflections on his journey so far – a journey you have helped support through prayer, gifts to the Ministerial Education Fund, and encouragement. At the time I have completed the M.Div., I am in my third year of full-time, pastoral ministry as the senior pastor of Simpsonville Christian Church (DOC), a small, growing congregation in Shelby County, Kentucky. LTS has given me the skills necessary for pastoral care, effective preaching, community engagement and systems leadership. Furthermore, I have been exposed to a variety of cultural and theological perspectives in an interconnected global context, which help me to discern the faithful application of ministry gifts. Seminary has been a process of
character formation. More meaningful than the knowledge, skills or memories that I have acquired, is the development of Christian character that has taken place. To the amazement and delight of both students and faculty, authentic community not only happened in the virtual world, but deepened over the years and has remained central to the support I receive from colleagues as we navigate the uncharted waters of 21stcentury ministry. I see LTS as a ministry pioneer with a story to tell that desperately needs to be heard. In the chaos of a shifting religious and cultural landscape, God is revealing an incontrovertible truth: that the Church of Jesus Christ belongs to none other than the God of the resurrection, and not to any of us. And that which belongs to God cannot be destroyed by worldly turmoil. Through the lens of such truth, it is clear that
new models and metaphors are taking shape to discern and communicate the ancient wisdom and divine power of our Christian traditions. The next generation of leaders is being raised up and prepared to serve this holy mission in the midst of this unprecedented ecclesial metamorphosis. When distressed congregations and other faithful institutions ask the wrong questions and lament the dissolution of the familiar, as they have historically tended to do in similar eras, despair is a potent temptation. But when eyes made clear by the undying hope of the Gospel look upon this challenging season, nothing could be more evident than this new thing God is doing right under our noses. LTS is a powerful witness to this movement of God’s power, grace and imagination to strengthen the Church. And I am blessed by the obligation, ability and opportunity to tell such a story.
SEMINARY NEWS
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SUMMER 2015 | VOL 51, No. 3
SUPPORTING THE MISSION
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THE BULLETIN
Appreciation Gifts In memory of...
3/14/15 – 5/22/15
William Gerrard Ralph Lynwood and Emily O. Smith
Brian Adams Harold R. and Evelyn N. Watkins
Reverend Paulette Hara Bill and Linda Lou Curwood
Ray Allen Rev. John R. Simmons
Ben Hobgood Dr. and Mrs. Donald R. Jarman Dr. and Mrs. Edwin C. Linberg Dr. and Mrs. James I. Spainhower
William C. Blackwell Ms. Betty Puckett Noel Vernon Blankenship Mark Vernon and Kim Blankenship Harold R. and Evelyn N. Watkins
Jim Mahoney Bill and Jean Dozier Elkton Christian Church Dr. James M. Wray, Jr.
Clayton H. Boyer Sarah C. and Victor Singer
Dr. Thomas Shrout Rev. Sally A. Robinson Dr. James M. Wray, Jr.
Leonard Boynton Jim and Lynn Hazelrigg
Donald Staab Mrs. Don Staub
Carlos D. Brown Drs. Donald and Charisse Gillett
Cecil Robert Taylor Dorothy Taylor
Cathy P. Brown Drs. Donald and Charisse Gillett
Dr. J. Lynn White Bill and Linda Lou Curwood
Jack Canedy Ms. Betty Puckett
Dr. and Mrs. H.T. Wood Mr. Steve D. Wood
Howard and Mary Lou Dentler Harold R. and Evelyn N. Watkins
In honor of...
Patricia Dyson Mrs. Vernon Fuller Ms. Elaine McCann R. Vernon Fuller Ralph Lynwood and Emily O. Smith
LoAnn Blankenship Mark Vernon and Kim Blankenship Harold R. and Evelyn N. Watkins Syvoskie Bray Ms. Dolores Yilibuw
Gloria H. Bucher Jan and Curt Ehrmantraut David Clark, Sr. Drs. Donald and Charisse Gillett Sheila Core Bill and Jean Dozier Betsy Hobgood Dr. and Mrs. James I. Spainhower Harold R. and Evelyn N. Watkins Dr. John O. Humbert Harold R. and Evelyn N. Watkins Jim and Nancy Johnson Mark V. and Kim Blankenship Mrs. Ruth Kitchen Dr. Ben Bohren LTS 150th Anniversary Michael and Beth Goins Justin M. Trewolla Jin Ming Ma Rev. Samilla D. Wilson Rev. Lisa H. May Rev. Samilla D. Wilson Heather McColl Charles and Pat Wilson Herbert D. Sledd Bruce and Mary Blanton Cotton
Want to give?
Hal & Evelyn Watkins Mark V. and Kim Blankenship
Contact Mark Blankenship, Vice President for Advancement, at (859) 280-1250 or mblankenship@lextheo.edu
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Honoring Excellence Each year prior to commencement, the Seminary bestows upon our graduates awards established by or in honor of several people whose legacy continues to inspire and encourage ministry students at LTS.
Kitchen-Adams: Pastor/Scholar Joseph Pusateri and Mark Underwood
Ronald Graham: Senior Symposium Trudy Betts and Mark Underwood
W.A. and Billie Ruth Welsh: New Testament William Brown
Riley Montgomery Pamela Pettyjohn
Richard Pope: Church History Mark Underwood
George V. Moore: Field Education Syvoskia Bray and Katie Sexton
Stone-Campbell Journal Promising Scholar, Mark Underwood
Robert & Linda Cueni: Homiletics Joseph Pusateri
A. J. Whitehouse: Pastoral Care Pamela Pettyjohn and Barbara Schaars Not pictured: Riley Montgomery Keslinn Kohfeld-Stout Hal and Evelyn Watkins: Field Education Ron Thompson Faculty pictured, clockwise from top left: Dr. Emily Askew, Dr. Wesley Allen, Dr. Jerry Sumney, and Dr. Barbara Blodgett
Newton Fowler: Ethics and Society Joseph Pusateri
Sharyn Dowd: Biblical Studies Trudy Betts
SEMINARY NEWS
SUMMER 2015 | VOL 51, No. 3
exington
HEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Summer 2015 • VOL 51, NO. 3 Published by Lexington Theological Seminary 230 Lexington Green Circle, Suite 300 Lexington, KY 40503 (859) 252-0361 www.lextheo.edu
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Strengthen your ministry where you live and serve. Ask about our M.Div., MTS, MPS, Certificate, and D.Min. programs today. www.lextheo.edu email: ecash@lextheo.edu Lexington Theological Seminary admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school administered programs.