President's eUpdate
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Dear Saint Paul Community,
Warmest greetings to you! I pray that you feel the warmth of the Saint Paul School of Theology community that embraces you who are colleagues and friends. May the love of Christ and the bond of the Holy Spirit keep us in close communion.
During this spring season, I am attentive to the many ways that Saint Paul expresses and explores spirituality. Some are through significant events, and I'll share some examples with you here.
First, Dr. F. Douglas Powe, Jr., former Saint Paul faculty, visited us from Wesley
Theological Seminary, at the invitation of the Evangelical Society and Hal Knight. Not only did his talk "Troublemakers: Transformers of Community" Inspire listeners to think differently about troublemakers (the prophetic voices calling us to account) and the mission of the Church, but his presence renewed connections with Saint Paul alumni/ae who returned to the seminary to hear the lecture.
Second, Cynthia Meyer preached a remarkable sermon in chapel about the experience of coming out to the Edgerton United Methodist Church congregation, which inspired those gathered to be compassionate toward others and faithful to what God has created them to be.
Third, our annual Cleaver Program in Religion and Public Life honors Congressman
Second, Cynthia Meyer preached a remarkable sermon in chapel about the experience of coming out to the Edgerton United Methodist Church congregation, which inspired those gathered to be compassionate toward others and faithful to what God has created them to be.
Third, our annual Cleaver Program in Religion and Public Life honors Congressman
Emanuel Cleaver II (1972 Saint Paul alumnus) for his accomplishments as Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri. At St. James United Methodist Church, we gathered to hear a panel including Kathleen Neal Cleaver, Professor of Law at Emory University and participant in the Black Panther Party, as well as two grandchildren of former U.S. Presidents, Mary Jean Eisenhower and Clifton Truman Daniel-all of whom inspired us to remember commitments to social justice and public service.
Finally, in a much more modest event, my students in the Science, Theology, and Ministry course visited the zoos in Kansas City and Oklahoma City and reflected not only on the behavior and sociality of animals, but also on the depth of theological and spiritual reflection that can occur in nature. The spiritual life of Saint Paul includes personal holiness and social holiness with a commitment to both human and non-human as valued beings in God's creation.
Finally, in a much more modest event, my students in the Science, Theology, and Ministry course visited the zoos in Kansas City and Oklahoma City and reflected not only on the behavior and sociality of animals, but also on the depth of theological and spiritual reflection that can occur in nature. The spiritual life of Saint Paul includes personal holiness and social holiness with a commitment to both human and non-human as valued beings in God's creation.
The seminary has been intentional from April 4-8 about our spiritual discipline, and we have engaged in five Days of Devotion. Each day of the week our email inboxes received a meditation on Howard Thurman's Disciplines of the Spirit and what we might learn from him about the seminary community. The devotions ended with specific prayers related to the life of Saint Paul. The intention of the devotions was to bring us together as students, faculty, staff, and trustees in a powerful and focused time of spiritual reflection. I invite you to join and continue our prayer together.
Ever-faithful God,
We desire the disciplines of the spirit. Disciplines are the way to commitment, growth, resilience, reconciliation, and a prayerful way of life. We pray now that we will be responsible disciples who remember the One to whom we are committed.
We pray especially for Saint Paul School of Theology. Draw us together as a community with one heart and mind devoted to our call and mission. Help us all to be faithful and to believe that our true assurance is that the results are in Your hands.
In the name of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.
You are part of our community and we invite you to join us in our spiritual discipline. Keep us in your prayers just as we will remember you in ours.
Dr. Nancy R. Howell, Acting President
Saint Paul School of Theology
howellnr@spst.edu
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Special Events
Sacred Worth, Women in Ministry and Students Organizing for Change Events
Dr. Emilie Townes
Dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School and Professor of Womanist Ethics and Society
Tuesday, April 26th
Chapel Service - Dr. Emilie Townes, Preaching
11:07 am/Wesley Covenant Chapel
Saint Paul: Church of the Resurrection
sponsored by Sacred Worth, Women in Ministry, & Students Organizing for Change
Tuesday, April 26th
Advancement Scholarship Appreciation Lunch
Noon/Student Center
Saint Paul: Church of the Resurrection
Wednesday, April 27th
Alum Coffee & Conversation with Dr. Emilie Townes
9:00-10:30 am / Rm C139
Wednesday, April 27th
Dr. Emilie Townes, Forum
11:07 am / Rm C041
Saint Paul: Church of the Resurrection
Thursday, April 28, 2016, 6:30 p.m.
Celebrate Saint Paul
Celebrating 8 years of seminary education at Saint Paul: OCU
United Methodist Church of the Servant, Oklahoma City, OK Friday, May 20, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.
2016 Commencement - Leawood, KS
Saint Paul: Church of the Resurrection, Main Sanctuary
Friday, May 27, 2016 at 4:00 p.m
. 2016 Commencement - Oklahoma City, OK
Saint Paul: Oklahoma City University, W. Angie Smith Chapel
For further information please contact:
Tracy Miller, tracy.miller@spst.edu
Register online: www.spst.edu/special-events
STAY IN TOUCH
Saint Paul: UM Church of the Resurrection13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
(913) 253-5000
Saint Paul: Oklahoma City University
2501 North Blackwelder Avenue
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73106, United States
(405) 208-5757
Saint Paul School of Theology
4370 West 109th Street, SUITE 300
Overland Park, Kansas 66211, United States
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