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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (298
notes).

Note 297 by UMNS on Sept. 3, 1997 at 16:18 Eastern (3280 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Linda Green                          485(10-21WJ-71B){297}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470              Sept. 3, 1997

United Methodist theological studies program
in the Northwest to begin in September 1998 

                 by United Methodist News Service

     United Methodists in the Pacific Northwest will have more
ready access to theological education when the newly established
Northwest House of Theological Studies (NHTS) begins offering
courses in September 1998.
     NHTS is a partnership between the Oregon-Idaho and Pacific
Northwest annual (regional) conferences in cooperation with the
Claremont (Calif.) School of Theology and the Methodist Theological
School in Delaware, Ohio to bring seminary-oriented studies to the
Northwest. 
     Located at First United Methodist Church, Salem, Ore. the
program also will use facilities at the nearby United Methodist-
related Willamette University. 
     The 1996 Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference approved NHTS to
eliminate what it said was the area's isolation from mainline
theological education. The conference then invited the Pacific
Northwest Annual conference to participate.  The annual conferences
and the two seminaries developed the administrative, financial and
recruitment procedures for the program.
     According to the Rev. Dale Harris, NHTS part-time executive
director, the focus will be on students who find it difficult to
leave the Pacific Northwest to spend three years at a residential
seminary. He said the program also is designed to make it easier
and more economical for mid-career people to receive a standard
theological education. 
     He said all academic courses will be taught by faculty members
from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio and Claremont School
of Theology and the courses will be under the administration of the
academic deans of both seminaries. Students  must meet the
admission requirements of either of the cooperating seminaries
including having a bachelor of arts or equivalent undergraduate
degree.
     NHTS plans to offer students two years of classes toward a
master of divinity degree. Then, they must enroll at an accredited
school of theology to complete their degree requirements.
     Accredition by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) is
expected in January. 
     Pending approval by the ATS, the first courses will be the
Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, theology and religious education.
These classes will be held in five to six "mini-terms" with
sessions on Fridays and Saturdays. Pastoral care and worship
classes will be offered in two-week intensive courses in May and
June. During the fall, winter and spring, a spiritual formation
class will be taught by retired United Methodist Bishop Calvin
McConnell and a local instructor will teach Methodist History.
     Harris said it is hoped that NHTS not only will fill the needs
of United Methodist students but also the needs of students of
other mainline denominations.
     For more information, contact Harris at (503) 648-7415.
                              #  #  #

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