Newsline: Church of the Brethren News Service -- May 9, 2008 Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, News Director 800-323-8039 ext. 260 -- cobnews@brethren.org
BETHANY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY CELEBRATES 103rd
COMMENCMENT
(May 9, 2008) Elgin, IL -- Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., celebrated its 103rd commencement on May 3. Bethany Seminary is the graduate school and academy for ministry training of the Church of the Brethren.
Sixteen students received degrees or certificates. Eleven students received a master of divinity degree, one with an emphasis in peace studies. Two students received a master of arts in theology degree, and three received a certificate in theological studies.
Two observances marked the occasion. A ceremony for conferring degrees took place in Bethany's Nicarry Chapel. A public worship celebration was held at Richmond Church of the Brethren.
Steven L. Longenecker, professor and department chair of history and political science at Bridgewater (Va.) College, spoke at the conferring of degrees ceremony on the topic, "The Useful Dunker Past." Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm, associate professor of preaching and worship at Bethany, was the speaker for the afternoon worship service with a message titled, "Where the River Goes," based on Ezekiel 47:1-12.
The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continuing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith traditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrates its 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts almost 130,000 members across the United States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Nigeria, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and India.
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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
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