wfn.org | Newsline: Bethany Seminary begins 105th academic year

[CoBNews <CoBNews@brethren.org>]

Newsline: Church of the Brethren News Service, News Director Cheryl Brumbau gh-Cayford, 800-323-8039 ext. 260, cobnews@brethren.org

BETHANY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY BEGINS ITS 105th ACADEMIC YEAR

(Aug. 28, 2009) Elgin, IL -- Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind. , began its 105th academic year this week. Bethany is the theological semin ary of the Church of the Brethren.

Semester-long classes began Aug. 27. Thirty-two new students have been enro lled--including 28 in degree programs and 4 with non-degree status, represe nting the largest incoming class at Bethany in more than a decade.

New master of divinity students enrolled in Connections, the seminary's dis tance education program, met for their first class in retreat format in Cam den, Ohio, during the weekend prior to the Aug. 24-25 orientation on campus  with the residential students. During the retreat, Connections students be gan their study of ministry and spiritual disciplines, shared spiritual aut obiographies, and began to form spiritual sharing groups.

In her remarks at an orientation breakfast, Bethany president Ruthann Knech el Johansen encouraged new students to become more curious about and deeply  acquainted with their particular gifts, and how they express love for God,  others, and all creation.

"There is no more important work than the study of God and all the ways hum an beings have attempted to experience and speak about that ineffable myste ry," Johansen said. "There is no more important work than the inquiring stu dy of scripture and other texts, reflection on the nature and purpose of li fe, and the disciplining and commitment of your own life....

"There is no more important work because the longing for love, justice, and  peace in our families, churches, meetings, and societies throughout the wo rld is profound," her remarks continued. "Because this hunger for love and  meaning is pervasive, keep what you study here always in close conversation  with what is happening beyond: in Afghanistan and in Richmond, in the Suda n and Washington, in your home communities and Jerusalem."

The transition from orientation to the beginning of classes was celebrated  at an opening convocation on Aug. 27. Steven Schweitzer, Bethany's new acad emic dean, spoke on the topic, "Doing Theology in Community" (2 Chronicles  30). The convocation was webcast live at www.bethanyseminary.edu/webcast/co nvocation2009 where a recording of the service is available for viewing onl ine.

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continu ing 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 t raditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrated it s 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts some 125,000 members across the Unit ed States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Nigeria,  Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and India.

(This report was provided by Marcia Shetler, director of Public Relations f or Bethany Theological Seminary.)

># # #

>For more information contact:

>Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
>Director of News Services
>Church of the Brethren
>1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
>800-323-8039 ext. 260
>cobnews@brethren.org