The Consortium is pleased to announce that the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation has given a thirty-eight thousand dollar grant to the Doctor of Ministry Program in Ecumenism and Reconciliation. The grant will offer financial aid to needy students and will provide for in-class guest lecturers and Saturday conference offerings. The funding will allow more students to complete the program and will broaden the number of ecumenical perspectives that they study.

The Doctor of Ministry program has a strong theological focus and a pastoral application. It is designed to translate theological agreements between Christian traditions into practical realities. To further this goal, each student is required to design and implement a practical pastoral project of an ecumenical nature. These projects, if successful, will provide models of practical ecumenism that can be repeated by others.

The Program also embraces international ecumenical efforts. An immersion experience at the Irish School of Ecumenics offers theological study, a European view of ecumenism, and insight into the possibilities and pitfalls of conciliative efforts.

Ecumenism for our age balances denominational identity with the imperatives of local church mission, reconciliation and public witness. Pastoral leaders need an increasing knowledge of, and sensitivity to, the differences that enrich and divide Christians. The Doctor of Ministry program integrates the knowledge and the pastoral sensitivity needed for effective leadership in the local congregation and beyond. The Consortium hopes that this degree program will have a long-lasting impact by training new ecumenical leaders and providing some practical ecumenical models for the future. .

The program is sponsored by Wesley Theological Seminary and the Washington Theological Consortium. The Foundation complemented Wesley Seminary, the founding member of the Consortium, for their stated commitment to diversity, and their rejection of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. We thank the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation for their generous support.

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Rev. John de Beer, co-author of the well-known book, “The Art of Theological Reflection,” will join the Pastoral Field Directors of the Consortium to present a program on theological reflection on March 14 at the Washington Theological Union. The program will begin at 4:00 pm and end at 9:00 pm. The first session will take place from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm and will focus on the input and process of theological reflection. Dinner will follow at 6:00 pm. The second session will take place from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm and will address the role of theological reflection in ministry. The program is designed to be an opportunity for professional growth for pastoral field supervisors, Consortium students and faculty, and interested clergy and laity. The program will be funded by the Tachmindji Endowment of the Consortium. There is no charge to participate in the program but registration is required. To register or for further information call the WTC office at 202-832-2675 or email to WTConsort@aol.com.

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The Washington Theological Consortium invites you to attend three events that we will co-sponsor in the spring of 2002. The Washington Home and Hospice will present the first seminar: “Aging and Death: Ministry for the Final Stages of Growth.” Elizabeth Cobbs, MD, of the Washington Area Geriatric Consortium and Rev. Raymond Studzinski, OSB, Ph.D. of Catholic University will lead the seminar. It is designed for those who provide pastoral and/or spiritual counseling and presents a holistic approach to care for normal aging, physical problems in aging, and ethical issues. The seminar will be held at The Washington Home and Hospice, 3720 Upton Street NW, Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm and will include dinner. Cost is $25, $15 for students; scholarships are available. For more information, contact John Budde at 202-895-0312.

Wesley Theological Seminary and the National Organization on Disability will present the second event: “Disability: Opening Minds, Hearts and Doors in Seminary Communities”. Dr. Nancy Eiesland of Candler School of Theology at Emory University and author of The Disabled God, will offer the morning keynote address. The Convocation will offer theological insights and practical sessions with the latest information about how to welcome people with disabilities. It will serve as a pilot program for the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada and will take place at Wesley Theological Seminary on Friday, March 15, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. For more information, contact Lorraine Thal at 202-293-5960.

The Washington Theological Union will present the third event, an ecumenical symposium titled: “Parish Outreach: Community-Based Housing.” The symposium will share tested practical approaches to the ministry of community-based housing and will include a complimentary luncheon. It will be held at the Washington Theological Union on Thursday, April 18, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Seating for the program is limited, please RSVP by calling 202-541-5230. Come and join us!

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On Tuesday, February 19, Dr. Kirsi Stjerna, Director of the Institute for Luther Studies at Gettysburg Seminary, will offer a public lecture on the latest thinking in Lutheran Spirituality by Finnish scholars. The lecture is entitled ARethinking Luther-an Spirituality.@ Dr. Mark Oldenburg, Chaplain of the Seminary, will follow with some remarks on how to practically implement spirituality in the curriculum at Gettysburg. A discussion will be held after these presentations. This Consortium sponsored event will take place at St. Paul=s College, 3015 Fourth St. NE, and will begin precisely at 7:15 pm. Those who wish to attend should respond to the Consortium office at 202-832-2675 or email to WTC@aol.com.

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We are pleased to offer the following prayer authored by Mary Jackson Cathey, member of the WTC Board of Trustees. Composed in the wake of Sept. 11, Mrs. Cathey’s prayer brings the Consortium’s ecumenical goals for unity into sharp relief.

Peace Prayer:

Lord help us forge a circle around the waiting earth,
A bond of mutual hope and faith where life is given worth.
Let prejudice and violence cease and break all barriers down,
To lift the human spirit high so peace and love abound.

Lord strip away the bondage that binds the soul and heart.
Create in us receptive minds so hate and fear depart.
Replace these with compassion, ability to see
That we receive new vision now to set all people free.

Lord, guide us in our efforts for universal peace
As nations act with tolerance and generous hearts increase.
This is the greatest promise for now and time to be,
The link in life’s own circle we call humanity.

Lord, give us more compassion to bridge our nagging doubt,
Of threats to our indifferent lives that shut our neighbors out.
With strong respect and firm resolve our prejudice release
To build a lasting fellowship and circle it with peace.

Mary Jackson Cathey

February, 2001 ©

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Come, make a retreat and be refreshed! On Saturday April 13, the WTC Student Board will sponsor a day of prayer for students at St. Paul’s College from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. Dr. Kathleen Staudt, Professor of Theology, Lay Ministries and Literature at VTS and WTS, will lead the day of guided meditation, silence, and faith sharing in an ecumenical community. The size is limited to approximately 30 students and registration is required. For more information, please call the Consortium at 202-832-2675.

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Index for February-March 2002 Issue

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