VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2

The Common Thread for Moravian Theological Seminary Alumni

bethlehem, pennsylvania

What is This Place?One year ago, Moravian Theological Seminary students, faculty, and staff approached campus with a sense of anticipation and excitement—not just for the impending semester, but for a new start in the freshly renovated Bahnson Center. As anyone in the MTS community knows, seminary serves as an idea, a vision, a call from God and the church, as well as a group of teachers and learners. They will also know the physical seminary holds importance as a place to make memories, connections, advancements, and transformations.

The Beginnings of Our PlaceWith the 18th century establishment of the Moravian settlements in Bethlehem and the surrounding regions, the community realized a need for a seminary to educate its pastors. In 1803, American provincial leaders petitioned church headquarters in Herrnhut, Germany to establish a theological seminary in conjunction with the Nazareth Hall Boys School.

In response to the petition, Moravian Theological Seminary began operation in the fall of 1807 within the Nazareth Hall Boys School, with two teachers preparing three students, each of whom would go on to become bishops in the Moravian Church. It continued to meet in the Boys School in Nazareth until 1830 when it moved to an adjacent building called “the cottage.”

Between 1838 and 1888, the Seminary moved from Nazareth to Bethlehem, back to Nazareth, to Philadelphia, back to Nazareth, to Broad Street in Bethlehem, and finally landed on the north edge of Bethlehem where Moravian College now resides.

Moravian College & Moravian Theological SeminaryIn 1888, the Bethlehem congregation donated property on the north edge of the city. The property’s farmhouse became the Resident Professor’s dwelling, later renamed Hamilton Hall, and it is still in use today. In 1891–92 Comenius Hall and the Refectory (later named Zinzendorf Hall) building were built. As the College grew, more buildings were added, providing new classroom and dorm space.

In these early days, Seminary students all enrolled in the liberal arts undergraduate program at Moravian College, then stayed an additional 2-3 years for theological education. Beginning in the 1930’s, a growing distinction emerged between the undergraduate liberal arts programs and graduate theological study. Students of both programs still shared much of the same facility.

The Cluster ConversationIn the 1960’s, a group of Association of Theological Schools consultants predicted that only larger seminaries

In 1858, Moravian Theological Seminary sat on East Church St. in Bethlehem, on the site of present City Hall

The Common Thread2

building is brighter and more cheerful, with natural light streaming through the windows. I love coming to work in the new environment.

We no longer hear the plonk of a Ping Pong ball or the groans of losers, but students

still gather to decompress on breaks, support one another, laugh, and cry. The new room brings the whole community together over coffee and tea. Even those who can’t hit a little white ball can relax in the new facility. Fellowship remains the third sacrament in the Moravian Church, and the new Canterbury Room has become a sacramental place. —Craig Atwood ’87, Associate Professor of Moravian Theology and Ministry

could survive independently and smaller schools could continue only by combining resources. MTS, with 5 other seminaries, spent years researching and discerning the possibility of consolidating in Lancaster or Philadelphia.

Representatives of MTS offered four options to the faculty and to the wider church: to keep the seminary the same, to move adjacent to Lancaster Seminary, to build a seminary cluster in Philadelphia or to merge as a graduate professional program with Moravian College. While other seminaries closed or tried to go it alone, it was determined that MTS would become the theological graduate school of Moravian College & Theological Seminary.

In tandem with these conversations, Paul and Vangie Bahnson, Moravians from Winston-Salem, made a generous offer based on their concerns about the outmoded Seminary buildings. The Bahnsons’ offer of $50,000 led to a church-wide effort to erect a new facility for the Seminary.

In 1974, trustees voted to build an academic center for the Seminary that would prepare individuals for parish ministry, provide continuing education for clergy and laity, serve as a leadership and resource agency of the Moravian Church, and function as a regional theological center.

The Bahnson CenterThe groundbreaking ceremony for the Bahnson Center took place in the fall of 1975. A year later, on September 12, 1976, it was dedicated as the first place specifically designed for the

challenging mission of preparing persons for the Christian ministry at Moravian Theological Seminary.

Since the opening of the Bahnson Center, the Lenox House was added for office and program space, and housing for students was established in the Widow’s House. A major addition was added to the Bahnson Center in 2000 with a grant from the Lily Endowment, and the common areas, offices, and entrance were renovated in 2011.

Now, as new students and old friends grace the halls, some unaware of the Seminary’s long search for a home, they feel secure in this place. This space has become a crucial and fulfilling component of the seminary experience. As we walk through the doors that just last year seemed so new to us and settle into a new academic year, we give thanks for the blessings of this place, and all the places that have served Moravian Theological Seminary throughout history.

a farewell to pongPing Pong was an important part of theological education in the 1970s and 80s, at least at MTS. During class breaks, students gathered in the lounge to engage in fierce non-theological battle with paddles and balls. Even those who did not play enjoyed watching games and relaxing with sodas and snacks. For a few minutes, the stress of school melted away and theological disagreements faded in the background. The fact that Professor Earl Shay could place a shot on the edge of the table so that it could not be returned only added to his reputation. I was not much of a player and learned the spiritual discipline of humility from those who could spin the ball in ways that defied natural laws. Cries of frustration and delight mingled with laughter as we decompressed. Many times, classmates offered friends support for life’s challenges on the sidelines. The Ping Pong room was a break, and yet it was also part of our education.

An important seminary lesson is that times continually change and the church must adapt to fulfill its mission. Nostalgia is a sweet narcotic that can keep us from enjoying opportunities and engaging new challenges. The old Ping Pong lounge is gone, but it has been replaced by a beautiful community space with a kitchen and sitting area. Without a wall dividing the old lounge from the main lobby, a large space encourages students, faculty, and guests to gather. The whole

bahnson tourIf you haven’t visited the Bahnson Center in the past year, here is your chance to peek at where MTS students study, worship, and relax these days.

Beautiful new entrance and perennial landscaping

A Moravian Star lights the entrance

Plaque thanks campaign donors

A pop of color in the entryway highlights seal and compliments open space through the lounge.

Community conversation and relaxation are frequent in the comfortable, airy lounge area.

A new floor, lighting, paint & chairs make the Saal even more welcoming for community events.

The open kitchen and community area offer space for discussion, fellowship, and food.

Restrooms have been expanded to include additional stalls and space. A family restroom was also added.

The front office features lots of windows to help open the space near the entrance.

This fountain makes filling bottles easy, already saving almost 10,000 plastic bottles.

The Common Thread4

bits & piecesDigging In to Biblical HistoryWhile many were on the beach relaxing or hiking a trail this summer, four members of the seminary community, John Egerton, Deborah Graf, Rebekah Thomas, and Daria Trumbo laced up their hiking boots, put on sun screen and headed to Israel with Deborah Appler, Associate Professor of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, to explore the history of the Jezreel Valley. The five lived on kibbutz Jezreel and spent time with the Jezreel Expedition, led by directors Drs. Norma Franklin from Haifa University and Jennie Ebeling from University of Evansville. While there, the group experienced a taste of landscape archaeological survey on and around tel Jezreel where they helped document olive and grape installations as well as several remains of ancient occupations—perhaps even connected to King Ahab of Israel and his “charming” wife, Jezebel, ninth century BCE residents of the area. In addition, the group spent a week digging at Megiddo, led by Drs. Israel Finkelstein, David Ussishkin, and Eric Cline, and excavated ancient domestic houses as well as royal buildings that date to the Bronze and Iron Ages of Canaan and ancient Israel. Megiddo and Jezreel continue to be major sites for archaeologists and biblical scholars hoping to learn more about the land and culture of these ancient people and the period of the Israelite monarchy. When not on the field, the group hopped into a car and traveled throughout the Galilee, Dead Sea Region and lived in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City that serves as a center for three monotheistic world religions. Also, students immersed themselves into the culture—sharing Shabbat with the kibbutz, witnessing En Dor’s peace labyrinth where Arab and Israeli children gather together to share games and stories in order to sow seeds of peace, and visiting the controversial wall. It was an action-packed two weeks and an experience of a lifetime. The group hopes to share the experience with the Seminary this fall.

First Lady Michelle Obama Brings Grassroots Tour to Johnston HallFor the first time in institutional history, a sitting first lady visited Moravian College & Theological Seminary. On August 9, 2012, Michelle Obama made a campaign stop at Johnston Hall as part of her grassroots tour. Speaking to a capacity crowd for about 45 minutes, Mrs. Obama thanked volunteers and organizers, discussed the importance of each individual supporter, and shared family stories relating to her and the President’s parents’ sacrifice and hard work for their children’s education. She encouraged supporters to spread the word in a real grassroots fashion, stating, “People underestimate their individual power. We can all inspire one more.” Her words were met with enthusiam from members of the crowd, some of whom had waited in the rain for hours before the event. Institutional President Christopher Thomforde expressed the value of the event, “Today’s event was in line with our mission—to educate students who are leaders and know how to provide service for the common good.”

This campaign event at Moravian does not imply the College’s endorsement of any candidate or campaign. As an institution, MORAVIAN COLLEGE welcomes all political office holders and candidates running for office to its campus. Moravian does not discriminate based upon political affiliation and provides space if it is available to campaigns, which must pay for any costs associated with their event.

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CROSSROADS Students Deliver Quiet Solace for ChristmasFor the past two years, CROSSROADS lay leadership program students hosted a special evening to celebrate the birth of Jesus in a unique manner. Usually held on December 21, the longest night of the year and the beginning of the winter season, Quiet Christmas services are alternatives to the often happy and joyous traditional Christmas service. They are designed for those who find the Christmas season an emotionally ambivalent time—those who suffered personal pain such as death of loved ones, health or economic distress, or loss of significant relationships.

In the CROSSROADS spiritual formation course, My Journey/Our Journey, participants learned about this service of deep caring for those who are hurting, especially those for whom the holidays might be very difficult. After the course was over, the CROSSROADS participants, many of whom are very active lay people within their own congregations, wanted to work together and provide a Quiet Christmas worship experience.

Open to the public and held at Moravian Theological Seminary, this service has reflected the light of Christmas while being sensitive to the needs of those who are suffering. CROSSROADS participants greeted attendees and spoke encouraging words to all who came. They poured their efforts into this community program, researching, writing, and speaking words of comfort through scripture, readings, poetry, and litanies. Volunteer musicians provided harp, violin, and keyboard music. Symbols such as candlelight, stars, and river pebbles were used each year to allow people to silently identify their grief, give it to God, and then to leave with the reassurance of the love of the baby Jesus in their life.

Both years, many attendees were visibly touched by the evening. According to Jill Peters, Missional Leadership Developer and CROSSROADS leader, the program may or may not be held again this year. “It’s up to the participants—how the spirit moves them,” she says. Check the MTS website to see if Quiet Christmas will take place this winter.

Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.

Isaiah40:1

Through Hispanic EyesIn June, Grace Kim, Associate Professor of Doctrinal Theology, visited Puerto Rico to take part in Through Hispanic Eyes, a four day program for non-Hispanic faculty. The program focused on various issues Hispanic faculty and students may face at seminaries, including white privilege, tokenism, and racism, as well as the blindness that sometimes occurs towards those issues.

Dr. Kim brought back information that will be valuable as MTS continues to strive to be a welcoming community for all people. Through real-world experience, workshops, seminars, and course integration, seminary students and faculty are exposed to diverse experiences and populations, learning to carry out their calling and be of service to folks from all backgrounds, heritages, and walks of life.

Benigna von Zinzendoll also travelled to Puerto Rico!

D. Wayne Burkette ’69 Receives John Hus AwardAt the 2012 alumni reunion in spring, Rt. Rev. Dr. D. Wayne Burkette received the John Hus Award in recognition of his outstanding service and leadership. He brings distinction to the work of ministry and to MTS.

The award, given since 1974, was named for John Hus, who came from modest means, excelled in his studies, and followed the call of the Savior to become a teacher, preacher, writer, and educator. Wayne has provided exemplary service for decades as pastor, teacher, educational administrator, bishop, and provincial president.

Wayne is married to Nancy Ruth Witherspoon Burkette. They have two adult daughters, Dr. Allison Paige Burkette and Amanda Ruth Burkette Grimstead.

Please join the Seminary in congratulating Wayne.

The Common Thread6

the place of pastoral ministry todayTeaching in the Pastoral Ministries department and working with the Supervised Ministry program, I enjoy trying to equip and encourage people who, because of their experiences and cultural backgrounds, will be able to minister in ways that I have not. They will be able to offer different types of ministry and service because changes inside the church and within our culture have created such vastly different contexts in which the church lives out its call to love God with all that we are and love our neighbors as ourselves.

Within the church, many question old structures and approaches. Things that once allowed for the church to care for its members and reach out with the Good News no longer seem effective. Within society, issues related to globalization, immigration, the environment, job creation, Social Security, and health care have raised significant challenges to the understandings of American ways of living, and subsequently Christianity, as believed and practiced in North America. Our increasing pluralistic and interfaith context raises a host of religious questions. However, few see clear maps or blueprints for how to do things differently.

I find it exciting to be at the Seminary at a time of program expansion and curriculum revision with the goal of preparing students to meet these challenges and work in radically different contexts. If we seek to prepare people to work in the greatest number of churches, we would be preparing lay and bi-vocational ministers to work in congregations with less than 75 members. If, however, we were to prepare students to serve the greatest numbers of Christians, we would be working with people to serve in multi-staff congregations with 400 people or more in church every Sunday. These often require radically different skill sets and approaches to ministry. We complicate matters even further when we take into consideration evangelism and service among the greatest number of people in America—those who have little or no defined religious or spiritual identity.

While we may not yet have the words to answer these questions, we believe in the One whose words can speak new things into being. Because our programs ground students in Biblical studies and history, they learn to see how God has guided and find hope and encouragement for the future. The Spirit of God at work in the people of God has led to creativity in worship, creation of alternative (even predominant) social structures, passion for justice and equality, and technological and scientific advancement. Drawing on a radical heritage of justice, service, and love seen most fully in Jesus Christ, that has been expressed in numerous ways that led to the denominations and faith groups represented in the Seminary, we seek once again to share Good News, proclaim the reign of God, and to serve the least in the name of Christ. We pray for wisdom and guidance as we continue in times of change to share the faith, hope, and love that remain constant, and constantly needed.

—C. Riddick Weber, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology

what’s in a name?Every aspect of seminary life is an opportunity for learning and connecting, even the names of the Bahnson Center classrooms and community spaces.

Refugees from Moravia founded the village of HERRNHUT in 1722, creating a new type of religious community and the headquarters of the Moravian mission to the world.

John Wesley felt his “heart strangely warmed,” an experience that led to the creation of the Methodist Church, in the Moravian chapel of ALDERSGATE.

In 1457, men and women formed the Unity of the Brethren in KUNWALD in Bohemia, rejecting the state church and living in accordance with the Sermon on the Mount.

In 1517, Martin Luther ignited the German Reformation with his 95 Theses while teaching at the University of WITTENBERG. Several Moravians, including Zinzendorf, studied there.

CANTERBURY is the seat of the Primate of the Church of England and the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Moravians have had close relations with the Anglican Church for centuries.

In the 1740s, Georg Schmidt served as the first Moravian missionary to sub-Saharan Africa. The site of his mission to the Khoi people in South Africa was later named GENADENDAL, Valley of Grace.

Johann Christian BECHLER, a Moravian bishop and composer, served in Europe and America, and was one of the first teachers at MTS.

SAAL is the German word for Hall and is what Moravians called their worship spaces. Like an aristocratic Festsaal, Moravian Saals had large clear glass windows to let in natural light and were painted white as a festival color. Unlike a sanctuary, the Saal could be rearranged for special services such as the communal meal (lovefeast).

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A lively group of alumni celebrated their 50th class anniversary this year, gathering for fellowship and reminiscing at this year’s Alumni Reunion. (l to r) Bill Kerner, Allan Taylor, Will Harstine, Norm Prochnau, Bill Gramley, Fred Seyfert, Ronald Hiester

catching up

Timothy Luckritz Marquis, Assistant Professor of New Testament, will be publishing a book, entitled Transient Apostle: Paul, Travel, and the Rhetoric of Empire, through Yale University Press in the coming months.

MTS celebrated the launch of a brand new website in August. The new site, designed internally and developed in partnership with Mosaic Interactive, features a filterable events calendar, simplified access to admissions information, an expanded Center for Moravian Studies page, and an in-depth planned giving section, complete with tools and resources to help make educated decisions for the future.

Under the guidance of Jane Williams, associate professor and director of the MAPC Program, the Reflections blog has relaunched! Look for reflections, ponderings, and insights from the MAPC faculty, students, and alumni at moravianmapc.wordpress.com.

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continuing education events—fall 2012

Spiritually Speaking: Christians & Muslims Listening to Spiritual Guides September 18–October 23 • 7–9pm

Spirituality and the Twelve Steps September 19 • 7–9pm

Spiritual Book Club September 20–November 15 • 7–9pm

Pastoral Counseling Retreat: Balanced Wellness We Can Live With September 28 • 9am–3:30pm

Moses Lectures: How Moravian are the Moravians? October 11 • 7-8:30pm with Peter Vogt

Exegeting the Soul: The Inner Work of the Preacher October 20 • 9am–Noon

Pastoral Care Week Conference Hidden Addictions: Recognizing & Dealing with Addictive Behavior in Ourselves & Others October 26 • 9:30am–2:30pm

Journey of the Universe Film Screening November 7 • 7:30–9:30pm

Couillard Lectures Economic Democracy Then & Now: Renewing an Ecumenical Tradition November 9 • 9:30am–2:30pm with Gary Dorrien

MAPC Professional Day A Pastoral Counseling Perspective on Spirituality, Addiction, & Co-Dependency November 16 • Noon–2pm with Oliver Morgan

fall info sessions

Virtual Info Session October 9 • 7–8:30pm

On-Campus Info Session November 10 • 10am–Noon

moravianseminary.edu/continuing-ed

moravianseminary.edu/admissions-events