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Newsline: Bethany Seminary holds 101st commencement


From cobnews@aol.com
Date Tue, 23 May 2006 12:45:39 -0400

Title: Bethany Seminary holds 101st commencement Subject: Church of the Brethren Newsline Date: May 23, 2006 From: Church of the Brethren News Services Contact: Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, 800-323-8039 ext. 260, cobnews@brethren.o rg

BETHANY SEMINARY HOLDS 101st COMMENCEMENT

May 23, 2006 (Elgin, IL) -- Bethany Theological Seminary celebrated her 101s t commencement on May 6 in Richmond, Ind. Two observances marked the occasio n: a ceremony for conferring degrees in Bethanyâs Nicarry Chapel, an d a worship celebration at nearby Richmond Church of the Brethren.

The seminary graduated 10 students with master of divinity or master of arts in theology degrees, and one with a Certificate of Achievement in Theologic al Studies.

Carol Scheppard, associate professor of Religion at Bridgewater (Va.) Colleg e and a member of the seminaryâs Board of Trustees, gave the commenc ement address based on scripture texts from the gospels of Matthew and John. "Jesus is with us as we confront the storms of life, and the ways that Jesu s quiets our storms are the stories we tell," she said. "Jesus calms our sto rms so that we can confront a fallen world."

Stephen Breck Reid, academic dean, spoke for the afternoon worship service. His message based on texts in Genesis and Acts also advised graduates that t heir lives beyond commencement will include discord. "Bethany is a seminary rooted in a commitment to critical thinking and deep piety," he said, encour aging graduates to draw on the tenets of their seminary education when encou ntering conflict and change.

Eight students received master of divinity degrees: Lisa Mary Baker of Union City, Ind., with distinction in Biblical Studies; Bradley Alan Faler of Arc hbold, Ohio, with distinction in Biblical and Ministry Studies; Diana Lynn L ovett of Medway, Ohio; Jerry John Pokorney of Lucerne, Ind.; Laura Price-Sny der of Waterford, Calif., with an emphasis in Ministry with Youth and Young Adults; Keith Walter Simmons of Fort Wayne, Ind.; Linda Titzell of Mifflinto wn, Pa.; and Flora L. Williams of Lafayette, Ind.

Two students received master of arts in theology degrees: Dustin Michael Gre gg of Nickerson, Kan., with an emphasis in Peace Studies; and Wendi Adele Hu tchinson of Lititz, Pa., with an emphasis in Ministry with Youth and Young A dults.

Norman Edward Baker of Union City, Ind., received a Certificate of Achieveme nt in Theological Studies.

Graduatesâ future plans include pastoral and congregational ministry , chaplaincy, college administration, writing, and further graduate educatio n.

Several faculty and staff members were recognized including Kathy Royer, dir ector of admissions, for receiving a doctor of ministry degree from the Grad uate Theological Foundation in South Bend, Ind.; and Nadine Pence Frantz, pr ofessor of Theological Studies, receiving the Rohrer Book Award for co-editi ng "Hope Deferred: Heart-Healing Reflections on Reproductive Loss," publishe d by The Pilgrim Press. The award is made possible by the Perry Rohrer Endow ment for Faculty Development.

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continui ng the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in c ommunity. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith trad itions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrates its 30 0th anniversary in 2008. It counts about 130,000 members across the United S tates and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Brazil, the D ominican Republic, Haiti, and Nigeria. # # #

For more information contact: Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford Director of News Services Church of the Brethren General Board 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120 800-323-8039 ext. 260 cobnews@brethren.org

********************************************************** The Church of the Brethren Newsline is produced by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of news services for the Church of the Brethren General Board. New sline stories may be reprinted provided that Newsline is cited as the source . To receive Newsline by e-mail, go to http://listserver.emountain.net/mailm an/listinfo/newsline.


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