SeedTRINITY SCHOOL& FORHarvest MINISTRY SPRING/SUMMER 2019

Building a Community of Hope Through Faith pg. 6

Critical Healing the Soul Summer Connections pg. 9 InterTerm 2019 pg. 8 pg. 14 IN THIS ISSUE Seed & Harvest VOLUME 45 | NUMBER 1

3 From the Dean and President PRODUCTION STAFF [email protected] 4 Deans’ Corner Executive Editor 5 Healing a Heart Through Hope The Very Rev. Dr. Henry L. Thompson III 6 Building a Community of Hope Through Faith [email protected] General Editor 8 Critical Connections Ms. Mary Lou Harju 9 Healing the Soul [email protected] 10 Hope on the Border Editing Ms. Deanna Hall 12 Trinity News Layout and Design 14 Summer InterTerm 2019 Ms. Alexandra Morra

18 Alumni News SOLI DEO GLORIA 20 From Our Bookshelf 22 Preaching as a Message of Hope 24 Online Degree is a Victory of Faith, Perseverance, and God’s Will 25 Translating the Gospel for the Body of Christ 26 Why Does Trinity Need Donations?

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from Dean and President The Very Rev. Dr. Henry L. Thompson III The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright [email protected] © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Academic Dean Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Dr. Erika Moore [email protected] Special thanks to The Rev. Christopher Klukas and The Rev. Dean of Administration Dn. Geoffrey Mackey for editing assistance on this issue. Ms. Karen Getz [email protected] Dean of Advancement and Church Relations The Rev. Aidan Smith [email protected] MISSION STATEMENT Trinity School for Ministry is an evangelical seminary in the Dean of Students and Director of Alumni Relations Anglican tradition. In this fractured world, we desire to be a The Rev. Dn. Geoffrey Mackey global center for Christian formation, producing outstanding [email protected] leaders who can plant, renew, and grow churches that make disciples of Jesus Christ. Seed & Harvest is published biannually by Trinity School for Ministry, www.tsm.edu. Free subscriptions are avail- able through Trinity’s Development Office. Quantity To this end we are forming Christian leaders for mission. orders of Seed & Harvest are usually available upon re- quest. Reprint permission: Where copyright is stated, you must contact the copyright holder. In most cases, Trini- ty will grant permission to reprint items published here provided that they are reprinted in their entirety, credit is given to the author and to Seed & Harvest, Trinity’s web address and telephone number are included, and a copy of your publication is sent to Mary Lou Harju at Trinity. All contents ©2019. 2 SEED & HARVEST From the Dean and President

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Rom 15:13)

Dear Trinity Family, of my own feeble wit and strength could save me from my enemies.’ Finally, desperate and nearly defeated, Churchill Recently one of my grand- turned for hope and help to the only source he had left: his daughters was preparing God.” (220) for surgery when one of the medical team informed her Hope is hard to manifest in our lives because the opposition that she has a genetic marker we face is real and our fears clamor to overwhelm and para- for a low clotting factor in her lyze us. When the prophet Jeremiah spoke to God’s people, blood. While the doctors reas- he did not minimize what they faced but instead described sured us that we need not be the suffering awaiting them in great detail. His gloomy as- unduly alarmed, it got me thinking about markers, and even sessments became known as jeremiads, and yet his promises spiritual markers. Are there characteristics that predispose of hope and of a new heart for the people (see chapters 29 one to unbelief? and 31 especially) gave hope that was substantial. Ultimate- ly, he invited the people of God to hope for the future if they In my almost forty years as an ordained clergyman, and humbled themselves before God and embraced his promise forty-eight years as an intentional follower of Christ, I to them. would say there is one definite marker: the absence of hope. Hope is listed as one the three greatest virtues at the end of Trinity School for Ministry is a seminary that recruits and 1 Corinthians 13:13 when the apostle says “So now faith, trains leaders who will bring real and substantial hope to hope and love abide….” We frequently hear sermons on love a world that is discouraged due to corrupt moral leaders, as the greatest virtue. Likewise, we hear many instructive greedy politicians, and confused spiritual leaders. When sermons and talks on faith. But in my experience, we re- many, even in the Church herself, are inclined to yield to ceive far less instruction, either devotionally or academical- the spirit of cynicism, critical judgements of others, and ly, on the topic of hope. Even as I began writing this letter, condemnation of others through a culture of ad hominem I looked at five or six commentaries on the verse above. I attacks, Trinity School for Ministry is forming leaders who found each one shockingly superficial and unhelpful. There sustain life by calling others to the hope of life in the God of is a possible reason for this, and I believe the apostle Paul hope. This edition ofSeed & Harvest is pointing to how our understood the complexity. First, hope is both a means and alumni, faculty, staff, donors and students are bringing sub- a destination. Second, it is possibly the hardest virtue to stantial hope to a world and a church that sorely needs it. As embrace and manifest in our lives. Third, it is arguably the we are ever wont to do, we invite you to join us in praying quality above all others that demands humility of spirit. for and lifting up leaders who bring the hope of Jesus Christ to the world. It is a means as well as a destination in the sense that one must affirm that thereis hope in order to embrace hope In Christ, the Hope of the World, as a means for living through the pain and reality of life itself. Thus, the apostle Paul said that we must first trust in the God of hope in order to yield ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit that makes us hopeful. Winston Churchill described his fellow prisoners and himself when they were imprisoned in the Staats Model School in Pretoria during the Boer War: “In the end, if there is no hope that a prisoner will lose his shackles, he may lose his mind.” (The Hero of the Republic, 187). When he escaped he ran headlong into his own fears: “‘I realized with awful force that no exercise The Very Rev. Dr. Henry L. Thompson III Dean and President

SPRING/SUMMER 2019 3 DEANS’ CORNER Hope

by The Rev. Dn. Geoffrey Mackey Dean of Students and Director of Alumni Relations

ne of the great joys of being on staff at Trinity But the eyes of faith can see the ever present truth: is accompanying students for two or three years Oas they prepare for their future ministries. I have Things which were cast down are being raised up, had the privilege of watching 12 graduating classes walk and things which had grown old are being made across the front of the nave to receive diplomas. Each new, and … all things are being brought to their year, it is with a sense of joy, pride, and yes, hope, that we perfection by him through whom all things were watch another group of women and men celebrate their made….2 accomplishments and commence their new ministries. Hope for the future of our churches. Hope for the world. So we do have hope in the ministries of our students. As we hear from our alumni, we learn over and over again Yet, as we look around, neither the world nor the church of the powerful and moving ways that God is changing appear to be places of hope. This was brought into our lives, healing diseases of body and mind, reconciling own backyard last October as a hate-filled gunman killed enemies, and granting his life-giving Spirit to those who 11 and injured seven at the historic Tree of Life Synagogue were formerly dead in their trespasses. But our hope in Pittsburgh. Or when, in December, an altercation at is not merely in the character of our students or the an Ambridge gas station left two dead. Or when we learn excellence of our professors. Rather, it is in the call of God that our brothers and sisters in Christ—our dear friends— to take part in his work in this world, the “ministry of suffer persecution and martyrdom around the world at the reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18) that he has given us. And that hands of those who set themselves against our Lord and is far greater than any of us can conceive. What a great his gospel. privilege to be fellow workers in God’s harvest! For we know that it is God himself who is working out his will Nor does the church seem to fare any better. What among and through us for his own good end: denomination has been immune to scandal? What parish has not struggled with dissention? What pastor has not Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb, struggled with doubt? What ministry has not struggled nor shall the fierce devour the small; to make ends meet? And as Stone’s powerful hymn puts as beasts and cattle calmly graze, it, the church is “by schisms rent asunder, by heresies a little child shall lead them all. distressed.”1 Then enemies shall learn to love, all creatures find their true accord; And yet, for the Christian, hope is not mere wishful the hope of peace shall be fulfilled, thinking. Nor is it a kind of reasonable assurance that if for all the earth shall know the Lord. we get enough people all pulling in the same direction we (Carl P. Daw, Jr.) can effect positive change. Hope is a particular theological virtue. It is a calling for all of us. Our hope is “sure and certain.” Our natural eyes see many reasons for despair.

1. Samuel Johnson Stone, “The Church’s One Foundation” 2. Good Friday Liturgy, Book of Common Prayer 1979, p.280

4 SEED & HARVEST Healing a Heart Through Hope

by Mary Lou Harju Director of Marketing, Communications and Public Relations

hen I was six weeks old, my father died at theme of this issue, Restoring Hope. I realized that my the age of 40. He had a heart attack that was friend had just restored my hope through reminding me to Wprobably a result of undetected heart disease. turn this over to God; my God who is devotedly faithful in The good news is that, even with a new baby to care restoring peace to my soul in the midst of my self-induced for, my mother lived through her grief, three years later anxiety—when I remember to ask him for his help. I also marrying the man I had the privilege of calling Dad. The remembered that this same friend had called me from his bad news is that being diagnosed with a heart murmur as hospital bed a few days after surgery to tell me how a child and a bicuspid aortic valve in my 20s confirmed blessed he was feeling. What amazing trust and hope he that I had likely inherited something from my father other exhibited! than his cheekbones. Fast forward: I’m pleased to share that my surgery was On January 30th of this year, at age 54, I had open heart a success and I was able to return to work after only five surgery to replace my aortic valve. I began writing weeks! The total success of my surgery reminded me that this article in late December at a time when I was very I should not question God’s timing. I’ll admit that I had frightened about this surgery, even though I was told that felt angry when I learned that I had to have heart surgery there was a less than one percent risk of anything going at a relatively young age. But there was more than one wrong. And I allowed my fear to feed my tendency toward reason that the surgery was to be now: the surgeon found anxiety. My hope that my life might return to some kind an undiscovered problem with my aorta that would have of normal in 2019, after my dad died last February, had eventually caused an aortic aneurysm, and he was able quickly faded upon learning that surgery was needed. I to fix it during the surgery. Who knows if the aneurysm felt like I was never going to get a break! But God, who would have been detected in time otherwise? Trusting is the restorer of our hope when we allow it to fade, is so God’s timing was one of the many things that he taught good! me through this process.

Why am I writing about this in an issue of Seed & Harvest? “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you It is to encourage you to think about the ways in which God has been faithful and has restored your hope when are God, my Savior, and my hope is in you all you’ve allowed yourself to lose it. He sends people into day long.” our lives at a time when we need them or their stories. He (PSALM 25:5 NIV) brought me to Trinity in 2017, knowing that I was going to need the people, the prayer, and the community that Trinity offers in the next few years. And my prayer that One evening before my surgery, a relatively new friend God was going to use this surgery to not only heal my who recently underwent open heart surgery called me. heart, but to also heal me in a way that perhaps only he He shared, at my request, what he thought to be the knew I was broken was answered in so many ways. The worst part of the process; quite frankly, it didn’t sound healing of my less than hopeful spirit has already begun. as horrific as the worst scenario I had created in my And my hope is restored that my life is not just going to mind. But his words that really hit home were these: He return to normal in 2019, but that it is going to also be full said, “Mary Lou, I have heard you tell others a countless of the joy and peace that comes through believing. number of times to trust God. It is now your turn to trust him.” At first I felt admonished. Until I remembered the

SPRING/SUMMER 2019 5 Building a Community of Hope Through Faith

by Deanna Hall Communications Assistant

n a small town in northwestern Pennsylvania called Religion) degree that will help him better serve the school. Guys Mills, there is a post-secondary Christian school “Mennonites are a part of the greater Christian tradition,” Idedicated to equipping people for a lifetime of service he explained of his faith. “We flow out of historical to God’s kingdom. They serve their spiritual community Christianity and find our roots there. Study at Trinity by preparing students to be humble, joyful, mission- was appealing because of their rootedness in the greater driven, and Christ-centered. tradition.”

Sounds a lot like Trinity, doesn’t it? It is, in fact, a Students attending Faith Builders can choose from one conservative Mennonite school called Faith Builders of three areas of study: teacher preparation, Christian Training Institute. ministries, or general education.

Trinity student Kyle Stoltzfus serves as Communications Mennonites value Christ-centered service for the home, Coordinator and upcoming Academic Dean at Faith church and community. It is important for them to Builders. He is pursuing an MAR (Master of Arts in have educators who can help reinforce this. “Our first

6 SEED & HARVEST One goal of the Institute is to teach students to be successful in an ever-changing world while Kyle and Marlene Stoltzfus with their three children keeping their love of God at the center of all of their life decisions.

generation of staff and faculty is aging,” he explained. Faith Builders also operates a private Christian school for “We have a need to prepare the next generation of children in grades one through twelve. qualified teachers and leaders.” “This school is a source of hope in the Mennonite One of those faculty members and also the campus pastor community,” Stoltzfus said, by preparing students for is John Coblentz, father of Trinity student Josh Coblentz. entry into a faithful and skilled adulthood. Josh is also pursuing an MAR. Stoltzfus said Josh’s studies at Trinity will be an asset to Faith Builders. “The town of Guys Mills has been largely isolated and neglected,” he said. “The school, brings new resources into Many Mennonite people are navigating away from the town, and we try to be deliberate about meeting the farming and a more rural way of life to the professional needs of our neighbors.” world, Stoltzfus explained. One goal of the Institute is to teach students to be successful in an ever-changing world while keeping their love of God at the center of all of their life decisions.

SPRING/SUMMER 2019 7 Critical Connections

by Deanna Hall Communications Assistant

e all want to feel connected to something—our said. “And because of that, sometimes people don’t feel family, our friends, our coworkers, and our like they are connected; they may feel like they don’t Wchurch community. But for those with mental belong anywhere.” At the Phoenix Center, clients can drop illness, making these connections is not always easy. in for meals, activities and support groups in a setting that is safe and where they are not judged or treated as less Trinity student Abby Opal wants to give hope to these because of their struggles. people who otherwise may feel lost. “Sometimes that’s all people want, is to feel accepted,” she said. “Several years ago, God laid it on my heart Abby has started a spirituality group specifically for to minister within women that meets at the Phoenix Center’s “Ladies’ the mental health Lounge” where she educates participants about God, community,” Abby said. faith, hope, and forgiveness. She noted that women with She received her Master mental illness can be especially hard on themselves. She of Arts in Religion encourages the ladies to focus on the truth instead of the from Trinity in 2011 lies that we often tell ourselves, and hopes that it will and is now working be incorporated into their self-care plan for when times toward a Master of get tough. “We all tell ourselves things that aren’t true Divinity degree, and and believe the lies the enemy tempts us with. However, is a candidate in Care when you have a mental illness, this can be intensified. As towards ordination in Christians, with or without a mental illness, we have the (L to R) Joanne Koehler, executive director the EPC (Evangelical gift of being able to find in Scripture the truth to refute the of MHA; Abby Opal; Cindy Straub, MHA Presbyterian Church.) lies. In Scripture we also are reminded that we fit in God’s plan” (Jer 29:11). As part of her studies, Abby volunteers at Abby has also established a ministry, “Let’s Talk About “FOR I KNOW THE the Mental Health Mental Health,” at her church, First Presbyterian in the Association in Beaver nearby town of Beaver, PA. The ministry desires to glorify PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU, County (Phoenix God by serving as a support and education resource for Center), located near members of the congregation and local community, and DECLARES THE LORD, Trinity, which provides helping to break the stigma and shame so often associated socialization, support, with mental illness. Through the quarterly seminars they PLANS FOR WELFARE and advocacy programs address a variety of mental health topics for people who for people with mental may have loved ones suffering from mental illness, are AND NOT FOR EVIL, TO illness. She is also suffering themselves, or just want to learn more. “The currently serving on the people who come to our quarterly meetings not only want GIVE YOU A FUTURE Beaver County Mental to talk more about mental health, but they come to find Health/Intellectual community and relationship with others. As a ministry, AND A HOPE.“ Disability Advisory we want to help bridge the gap between the church and Board to the Beaver local community, proclaiming the love of Christ and County Commissioners. directing people toward the resources that are available to (JER 29:11) help,” she said. “There is a stigma that comes along with having a mental illness,” she

8 SEED & HARVEST Healing the Soul

by Deanna Hall Communications Assistant

ot all injuries sustained in war are physical. Although Wes was away from combat situations, he said As a Marine platoon commander in Iraq and that he began experiencing feelings of anxiety. Even NAfghanistan, The Rev. Wes Jagoe (MDiv 2017) has though he had never been physically wounded in battle, been involved in some violent combat situations. the memories, guilt, and shame of some of his actions weighed heavily on his heart. He was suffering from a “I’ve been shot at … seen people get killed by IEDs. It form of post-traumatic stress known as a moral injury. breaks your soul and violates your own beliefs, but the Lord always protected me,” Wes said. He learned about a healing prayer retreat, The Welcome Home Initiative®, for veterans and their spouses from all wars who have served in combat, and are dealing with PTSD, combat stress, and moral injury. The Rev. Wes Jagoe in military uniform “When I first attended, I thought I was just going there to learn some coping skills,” he said. As part of the program, participants are encouraged to talk about their stressful situations. Wes recalled reading aloud an actual letter he had written to his family years earlier before heading out on a combat mission. Reading that letter, he said, was extremely cathartic for him in his healing process. “I felt the presence of God, and my burden seemed to be lifting.” He describes his experience as ‘profoundly healing.’ So much so, in fact, he has become a teacher and prayer group leader focusing on moral injury at the retreats. “It’s very powerful. People are healed during this experience. Even people from wars like Vietnam, who have kept their stress hidden for all these years.”

“I think more veterans are dealing with moral injury than “It’s a privilege to hold someone’s we know. Some people hold the belief that just because they may not have been physically injured, their trauma is soul in your hand, pray with them, less. But that’s not the case at all,” he said. and watch the healing begin.” “It is an honor for me to have the opportunity to offer hope to these veterans who struggle emotionally every -THE REV. WES JAGOE day,” Wes added. “It’s a privilege to hold someone’s soul in your hand, pray with them, and watch the healing begin.”

The Rev. Wes Jagoe currently serves as Curate at St. After eight years of active duty, while living in North Peter’s Anglican Cathedral in Tallahassee, FL. Carolina, Wes said he was searching for a Christian community of which he could become a part. He began taking classes online at Trinity in 2014.

“I always thought I would be in ministry of some sort,” he said. His father Paul is a 1989 Trinity graduate, and currently serves as a hospice chaplain in Greenville, SC.

SPRING/SUMMER 2019 9 HOPE ON THE BORDER

by Deanna Hall Communications Assistant

Photo by Anna Kraft Photography

10 SEED & HARVEST Photo by Anna Kraft Photography

magine living in a country where economic and/or “These are some of social conditions are so bad that you would risk your the most vulnerable Ilife, and possibly the lives of your children, to travel people, who have to the United States in search of hope. The journey takes risked everything to days, even months, often on foot. You are unsure of your come here,” Behrens personal safety or where your next meal will come from. said. “And we need to remember they are Now imagine you arrive at the border seeking asylum, human beings, with are processed through United States Customs, and told real lives, and real you will have to appear before an immigration judge who stories to tell.” will determine whether or not you can legally stay in this country. Now what? Where do you go? How do you Trinity on the Border negotiate the legal system in a country where you don’t provides healthcare, even speak the language? pastoral and Dan and Rebekah Behrens sacramental ministry, and other services to the poor and detained asylum seekers. There is a vibrant Christian life at Trinity on the Border, offering Eucharistic worship and daily prayer. Behrens spends much of his time teaching English classes at La Posada, a transitional shelter where the immigrants can stay short or long-term, depending on their need.

“There’s a lot of weight in their decision to make this journey. They know how dangerous and difficult it is going to be, but they choose to come anyway. I’ve heard stories of chaos and even death in their home countries. While they stay with us, they know that they are safe and being well-fed, while getting the spiritual support they Dan and Rebekah having dinner with a refugee family need,” he said.

“It’s very humbling to have to ask people for help with Although he said he did not envision himself doing this everything,” said Dan Behrens (MDiv 2016). He and his type of work, he added, “My wife and I have a heart for wife, Rebekah, are working to help immigrants coming people who feel displaced. The immigration issue just across the Mexico/Texas border through the outreach grabs our hearts.” ministry Trinity on the Border, a ministry of the Anglican Church in North America. Behrens serves as Missionary Curate.

SPRING/SUMMER 2019 11 TRINITY NEWS

Sydney West Murphy March 10, 1950–November 3, 2018 by The Very Rev. Dr. Henry L. Thompson III Dean and President

Trinity School for Ministry was saddened by the news feet from a white pine tree that he was cutting down as that Sydney Murphy had passed away last November. She an arborist. I asked the Board members to pray for Chris was a passionate follower of Christ and served faithfully as we agonized through weeks of his recovery, uncertain on the Board of Trustees of Trinity School for Ministry, what the future would hold. Sydney committed herself constantly challenging the Board and the Faculty to reach to fast and pray fervently. Shortly thereafter she came farther, higher and deeper in the mission of Christ. When to the next Board meeting with three written pages of the Board was seeking God’s guidance for the last capital what God had given her in prayer about our son. Tears campaign, she waited until the board was finishing their filled my eyes as I read those words and reflected on the deliberations and discernment in prayer. She announced images. What moved me most was the profound and hard that she and her husband Mike would commit to 10 work she had put into intercession for our son. That was percent of the amount to get the campaign started. Tears also characteristic of the prayer she gave to the seminary filled the eyes of board members as they realized what on a regular basis. As described in the obituary written had just happened. She was a powerful instrument of both by her family, she was “a true student of life (with).an challenge and encouragement. unquenchable desire to explore and learn new things, challenging herself and those around her to always be the She and Mike also inspired Trinity’s former Dean and best that was possible.” We shall miss Sydney’s presence President, Justyn Terry, to inaugurate the worship and here on earth. We give thanks for her faithful and devoted song-writing seminars in the InterTerms that have become service to Christ, and particularly for her support of the so popular in recent years, touching the lives of many mission of Trinity School for Ministry. May the Lord musicians and worship leaders across the country. Her continue to bless her as she goes from strength to ministry touched me personally at a moment of crisis in strength in His presence. our own family story. Our son, Christopher, had fallen 89

Mission Conference 2018 In conjunction with the Stanway Institute for World College in Karachi, Pakistan, as our keynote speaker. Events Mission and Evangelism, Trinity hosted its annual included an international potluck dinner, Holy Eucharist, Mission Conference in November. This year’s theme was Dean’s Hour, Leadership Formation Groups, Mission Ministering in a Muslim Context, with The Rev. Dr. Awareness presentations and Evening Prayer. Pervaiz Sultan, principal of St. Thomas Theological

12 SEED & HARVEST New Stanway Director In February, Trinity’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted to name The Rt. Rev. Dr. Grant LeMarquand the new Director of the Stanway Institute for World Mission and Evangelism and Professor of Mission. LeMarquand, former Bishop of the Horn of Africa, is currently serving as a visiting professor at Trinity.

“Grant has a deep concern and compassion for the disenfranchised,” said Dr. Erika Moore, Trinity’s Academic Dean, Professor of Old Testament, and Director of Partnerships. “He has a wealth and depth of experience in mission on both the global and academic stage, along with an academic acuity and curiosity. He is truly a blessing to the Trinity community.”

The Stanway Institute provides institutional THERE’S A administration and oversight of programs and activities that contribute toward forming Christian leaders for TRINITY APP mission. FOR THAT! “Trinity has always had mission in its blood,” LeMarquand said. As Director of the Stanway Institute, he wants to more fully involve Trinity faculty and staff in the process Available now. of forming students who are prepared for mission work at home or abroad. “Mission is the purpose of the Church,” he said. “We are institutionalizing it in a way that is healthy for our students and the global village of our fellow Christians.”

Aidan graduated from Trinity School for Ministry in The Rev. Aidan Smith 2014 with a Master of Divinity degree, and he hopes to graduate with a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2020. Throughout his time at Trinity, serving in many capacities Appointed Provost of during the last several years, he has tirelessly contributed to the school’s ministry, ensuring that all areas under his Trinity Cathedral leadership respond to the current and future needs of the school. Acknowledging the role of Trinity School for Ministry as a sending “We are so grateful to Aidan for his outstanding work institution for missionary leaders, we at Trinity, particularly for his energetic work in proudly announce the appointment reinvigorating the various partnership initiatives of the of The Rev. Aidan Smith, dean of school, increasing both residential and online enrollments, advancement and church relations, building the Communications department to allow for as Provost of Trinity Cathedral in in-house recording of online classes and promoting the Pittsburgh. He will be missed immensely by the entire communication of the school, and developing strategies Trinity community. to ensure ongoing financial stability through fundraising,” said Laurie Thompson, dean and president of Trinity. “In As Provost under Bishop Dorsey McConnell, Aidan will be part because of his leadership, Aidan is leaving Trinity responsible for all parish pastor responsibilities. School for Ministry in a position that is poised for future growth and expanded ministry.” SPRING/SUMMER 2019 13 SUMMER INTERTERM 2019

WEEK ONE June 3-7, 2019

CH 680 Theology and Writings of Martin ST 550 Lutheran Confessions Luther (Lutheran Focus) (Lutheran Focus, 2-weeks – 1/2 days) The Rev. Dr. Mark Mattes The Rev. Dr. Maurice Lee

Through reading significant texts of Martin Lu- A close study of the confessional writings ther and important sixteenth century confes- of the Lutheran Church as gathered in the sional statements, students are introduced to major themes, Book of Concord. The course will focus on the role of the events, and figures of the reformation era. The relationship Confessions as public doctrine of the Lutheran Church. The between earlier theological movements and contemporary major theological topics in the Confessions will be studied in life are explored especially with a focus on ministry. relation to the wider Christian tradition with an eye to their ecumenical and pastoral implications. Classic and contempo- DM 900 Listening and Trusting rary Lutheran theologians will be consulted for insight into (DMin only) what it means to be a “confessional Lutheran” in particular The Rev. Dr. Jack Gabig places and times. (Prerequisite: ST 540)

This orientation course will integrate theology, PT 670 Introduction to Lutheran Liturgy spirituality, and missiology, and give attention (Lutheran Focus, 2-weeks – 1/2 days) to the practical application of the coursework to the needs The Rev. Dr. Amy Schifrin and ministerial context of the individual student. The course will also serve to build up a community of learning among The worship of God, Father, Son and Holy the students of the entering DMin class. Spirit is at the center of our life together as His people. Through Word and Sacrament, God comes to us that we might render glory unto Him. This course will prepare OT 700 Hebrew Exegesis (2-weeks) seminarians for pastoral liturgical leadership in Lutheran The Rev. Dr. Don Collett congregational settings. The Lutheran Book of Worship will Extensive translation work in various genres serve as a template for practicums in basic liturgical skills. of the Old Testament including historical nar- rative, prophetic speech, and poetry. Students PT 550 Homiletics (2-weeks – 1/2 days) are taught how to use the standard reference grammars and The Rev. Dr. Amy Schifrin advanced lexicons. The course is designed to prepare stu- This course introduces students to the basic dents for further exegetical work in the Old Testament. skills necessary to move from biblical text to (Prerequisite: BL 630 or BL 631 and BL 632) homiletic proclamation within a Eucharis- tic Rite. Emphases will be on basic writing skills and oral NT 700 Greek Exegesis (2-weeks) delivery. Students will become familiar with 20th and 21st The Rt. Rev. Dr. Grant LeMarquand century homiletic theories and their doctrinal origins as they begin to design and deliver sermons to contemporary This intermediate course in New Testament exe- Christian assemblies. They will have multiple opportunities gesis offers students the opportunity to increase to preach and receive feedback within the classroom setting. their skills in reading, interpreting and apply- ing the text of the Greek New Testament. The course includes practice in reading and exegeting actual passages of the Greek New Testament. (Prerequisite: BL 650 or BL 651 and BL 652)

14 SEED & HARVEST SUMMER INTERTERM 2019

WEEK TWO June 10-14, 2019

CH 725/PT 925 Retrieving the Church NT 624/924 The Gospel of Matthew Fathers: Scripture, Theology, Worship, and The Rev. Dr. Orrey McFarland Spiritual Practice (AEF Class: Mon-Wed, AEF Conference) This course focuses on the Gospel of Mat- The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Warren thew’s literary and canonical argument, engages the history of interpretation, and Across Christian traditions, the 20th century saw a marked considers its theological and pastoral implications. As we turn toward the insights of ‘pre-critical,’ and in particular, study the Gospel we will encounter a number of major issues patristic exegesis as a resource for contemporary theology, in theology and ministry: for example, the person and work worship, and practice, a process which has only picked up of Christ, the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven, the relation- steam in the first part of the 21st century. This process of ship between law and righteousness, and a Christological resourcing and retrieval of the church fathers has inspired new reading of the Old Testament. All in all, we will see how Mat- initiatives in scriptural interpretation, liturgics, sacramental thew’s Gospel is carefully shaped to show that Jesus reenacts theology and practice, mission and evangelism in a number of Israel’s story as the true Israelite and so fulfills Israel’s different contexts. This course offers an introduction to these scriptural hopes. theologies of retrieval across several Christian traditions and what the initiatives inspired by these retrievals might mean for ST 900 Evangelical Theology (DMin only) the contemporary church. The Rev. Robert Sturdy

PT 675/975 Family Systems Theory This course sets out the essentials of evangel- The Rev. David Lee Jones, ThD ical theology and applies them to Christian ministry in contemporary pluralistic society. This course examines ecclesial organizations It addresses the supreme authority of the Bible, the unique and how clergy function in them. Students are person and work of Jesus Christ, the lordship of the Holy introduced to significant writings in the field Spirit, the importance of personal conversion and therefore of Bowen family systems theory. The course helps students the priority of evangelism, and the vital role of the Church. It focus on critical self-reflection, “differentiation of self,” and also defends these positions from secular critics, both mod- on analyzing personal experience and pastoral leadership in ern and post-modern. light of systems theory. Students craft family genograms and annotated time-lines with a view towards connecting their family of origin issues with their individual styles of pastoral leadership. Students also learn to employ systems theory to assess and evaluate complex organizational systems. Audit a Master's ME 725/925 Lesslie Newbigin Level Course | $200 The Very Rev. Dr. Leander Harding

A look at the theologian and missionary- To register, visit: bishop, Lesslie Newbigin, who was famous for www.tsm.edu/interterms his books, including The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society. His cross-cultural work and ecumenical conver- sations led to the formation of the Church of South India, where he became one of its first bishops.

SPRING/SUMMER 2019 15 The Robert E. Webber Center Trinity for an Ancient Evangelical Future presented by: School for Ministry Reclaiming the Christian Tradition for the Life of the Church Today 16 SEED & HARVEST SUMMER INTERTERM 2019

NON-CREDIT COURSES & EVENTS

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW JUNE 10 & 11

In this class we will situate Matthew’s Gospel in its historical context, consider its overall structure, ma- jor themes, and how the Gospel has been interpreted throughout history. Following that, we will begin to delve into the interpretation of Matthew 1-7, always seeking to keep in mind the theological and pastoral implications of what we’re studying.

The Gospel of Matthew June 10 & 11 2-Day Course | The Rev. Dr. Orrey McFarland To learn more and to register, visit tsm.edu/conferences-and-events/

CATECHESIS: BUILDING BELIEVERS SATURDAY, JUNE 8

BUILDING BELIEVERS Most families and pastors would agree that families are the building blocks of a healthy congregation. There tends to be a break down somewhere along the way between the desire on the part of church leadership to equip parents and the day-to-day reality of families living in our frenzied and fractured culture. Similarly, The Old Fashioned Way parents want to provide positive practices at home, but are often at a loss as to how to do so. This one day seminar will focus on families as the heart and hope of the church by looking at some very practical ways Saturday, June 8, 2019 for equipping pastors, parents, and children for active discipleship. The Rev. Dr. Winfield Bevins & Dr. Robin Turner The Robert E. Webber Center Trinity for an Ancient Evangelical Future presented by: School for Ministry Reclaiming the Christian Tradition for the Life of the Church Today SPRING/SUMMER 2019 17 ALUMNI NEWS

The Rev. Mark Hottel (MAR 2016) was ordained to the MOVES & TRANSITIONS Diaconate by The Rt. Rev. Ronald Jackson, Bishop of the As of February 2019 Anglican Diocese of the Great Lakes, on November 10, 2018 at Lakewood Anglican Mission, Lakewood, OH.

The Rev. Daniel Behrens (MDiv 2016) has been called The Rev. Brian Hughes (MDiv 2012) and his wife to be the Missionary Curate at Trinity on the Border, Mandy welcomed their son, Theodore Andrew Simeon, Harlington, TX. into their family on September 26, 2018.

The Rev. Dr. Hillary Bercovici (MDiv 1983) retired The Rev. Cletus Hull (MDiv 1989) has published a new from congregational ministry on June 1st but remains in book entitled The Wisdom of the Cross and the Power of the active practice as a pastoral psychotherapist and spiritual Spirit in the Corinthian Church. director in Greenwich, CT. The Rev. Wesley Jagoe (MDiv 2017) was ordained to the Since receiving her doctorate in education four years ago, Priesthood by The Rt. Rev. John A.M. Guernsey, Bishop of Dr. Cilla Bercovici (LS 1983) has continued to serve as the Anglican Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic on November 18, the math specialist and head of the math department for 2018 at St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral, Tallahassee, FL. pre-k through 6th grade at Sacred Heart, Greenwich. The Rev. Kimberly Karashin (MAR 2018) was ordained The Rev. Katherine Noel Collins (MDiv 2013, STM to the Diaconate on December 1, 2018 by The Rt. Rev. 2016) was ordained to the Diaconate by The Rt. Rev. Dorsey McConnell, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mark Zimmerman, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Pittsburgh at Trinity Cathedral, Pittsburgh, PA. Southwest on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at the Church of St. Clement, El Paso, TX. The Rev. John Kirby (MDiv 2018) was ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, January 12, 2019 by The Rt. Lynnae (MAR 2018) and Caleb Douglas (MDiv 2018) Rev. John Guernsey, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese welcomed their third son, Joel David, into the world on of the Mid-Atlantic, at the Church of the Resurrection, July 28, 2018 in New York, NY, where Caleb serves at Lutherville, MD where John serves on the pastoral Immanuel Lutheran Church. staff. John and his wife, Ali, welcomed their daughter, Avery Janette, into the world on September 10, 2018. Joseph Ferritto (MDiv 2017) has been named a teacher of church history and Latin at Augustine Classical Academy The Rev. Lauren R.E. Larkin (MDiv 2007, STM 2011) in Mechanicville, NY. was recently accepted to the University of Aberdeen PhD program. The Rev. Dr. David Kyle Foster (DMin 2001) recently began a new podcast, “Pure Passion” for the Charisma The Rev. Nicholas Marziani (DAS 1994, DMin 2004) has Podcasting Network. He continues to work with his announced his retirement as Pastoral Administrator of St. ministry, Mastering Life Ministries and Pure Passion James Roman Catholic Church, St. Augustine, FL, a parish Media. he founded seven years ago.

The Rev. Rick Gillert (MDiv 2017) was ordained to the The Rev. Dan Morgan (MDiv 1993) was installed as Priesthood for the ACNA Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces Rector of St. Luke’s Ministries, Copley, OH on Saturday, and Chaplaincy on November 10, 2018 by The Rt. Rev. December 8, 2018. Derek Jones. The Most Rev. Héctor (Tito) Zavala Muñoz (MAR The Rev. Addison Hodges Hart (MDiv 1987) has had 1989, DMin 2004) was installed as first Archbishop of the a new book published by Cascade entitled The Letter of Anglican Church of Chile, as the Chilean dioceses were James: A Pastoral Commentary. inaugurated as an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion on Saturday, November 4, 2018. The Rev. Jonathan Henson (MDiv 2018) was ordained to the priesthood by The Rt. Rev. Clark Lowenfield, Bishop of Erica and Zac Neubauer (MDiv 2017) welcomed their the Diocese of the Western Gulf Coast on Friday, October fourth son, Kent Gardner, into the world on December 27, 5, 2018 at the Church of the Apostles, Houston, TX. 2018.

18 SEED & HARVEST The Rev. Robert Osborne (MDiv 2018) was ordained to the Diaconate by The Rt. Rev. Gregory Brewer, Bishop of REQUIEM the Diocese of Central Florida, on September 8, 2018 at the Cathedral of St. Luke, Orlando, FL. Jeffrey Alan Minshall (MDiv 2011) died unexpectedly on September 4, 2018. A memorial service was held on The Rev. David Pennylegion (MDiv 2016) has Saturday, September 16 at St. Timothy’s Anglican Church, been named Rector of St. Aidan’s Church, Windsor, Spring, TX. ON. David will commence his new ministry on May 1, 2019. Jack Richards (MAR 2008), the husband of Rosa Lee Richards (MAR 2006, STM 2012, DMin 2015), passed The Rev. Gregory Alan Pfeifer (MDiv 2013) was away on January 7, 2019. A memorial service will be held ordained to the Diaconate by The Rt. Rev. Mark at West Point, NY in the spring. Zimmerman, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Southwest on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at the Church of St. Clement, El Paso, TX.

The Rev. Sara Dulaney Phillips (MDiv 2006) was ordained to the Priesthood by The Rt. Rev. James Russell Kendrick, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast on December 1, 2018 at St. Mary’s by the Sea Episcopal Church, Coden, AL.

The Rev. Matthew Rivers (MDiv 2018) was ordained to the Priesthood by The Rt. Rev. Mark Lawrence, Bishop MARK YOUR of the Diocese of South Carolina (ACNA) on November 27, 2018 at St. John’s Chapel, Charleston, SC. CALENDAR! Kelsey and Aaron Rowley (MDiv 2018) welcomed their son, Dietrich, into the world on December 18, 2018.

The Rev. Jeremy Shelton (MDiv 2018) was ordained to the Priesthood by The Rt. Rev. Mark Lawrence, Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina (ACNA) on December BACCALAUREATE 1, 2018 at St. John’s Parish, John’s Island, SC. May 10, 2019 | 5 PM St. Stephen’s Church, Sewickley, PA The Rev. Jacob Brent Stewart (MDiv 2018) was ordained to the Diaconate for the ACNA Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy on November 10, 2018 by The Rt. Rev. Derek Jones. GRADUATION May 11, 2019 | 10 AM The Rev. Hans Tolpingrud (MDiv 2017) and his wife St. Stephen’s Church, Sewickley, PA Anne welcomed their daughter, Zyska Maria, into the world on September 29, 2018.

The Rev. Brandon Wickstrom (MDiv 2017) was KEEP IN TOUCH! ordained to the Diaconate by The Rt. Rev. Brian Thom, Let us know how about your moves and Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho on October 12, transitions. We want to know how the Lord 2018 at Grace Church, Nampa, ID. is working in your lives and share it with the The Rev. Jacob Worley (MDiv 2004) has been called as rest of our community. Send emails to alum- Rector of St. Andrew’s Church, Fort Worth, TX. [email protected] and written correspondence to:

Trinity School for Ministry - Alumni 311 Eleventh St. Ambridge, PA 15003

19 From Our Bookshelf

A Restless Age A Restless Age: How St. Augustine Helps You Make Sense by Austin Gohn (MDiv 2019) of Your Twenties is a book you should read if (1) you are a young adult, (2) you have friends who are young adults, In the time I’ve known Austin Gohn, (3) you minister to young adults. Using Augustine’s I’ve heard a lot about his ministry to ancient Confessions as a window into our contemporary young adults. I never classed myself times, Gohn brings us through the questions that plague among them. When he asked me to this generation to their sole, unchanging answer. read a book he was writing on Au- gustine for those same young adults, Review by Deanna Briody (MAR 2017), Graduate Writing Tutor and Facilitator of Partnerships Austin Gohn and I agreed to read it—but as his friend, Deanna Briody not his target audience. I was shocked to find myself in nearly every page.

Foundations for Christian Ministry

Discovering the Confessing NOW AVAILABLE! New the Faith Testament by Ray Smith with by Leslie and Lynn John H. Rodgers Discovering Fairfield with the Old Peter Walker In Confessing the Testament Faith you will be by Stephen F. Noll The Foundations for presented with the with Erika Moore Christian Ministry great doctrines series continues with Discovering the of the Christian faith—the essential Discovering the New Testament. This book will intro- teachings of Scripture and the Chris- Old Testament is duce you to the authors, texts, histor- tian tradition from the apostles down designed to delve ical backgrounds, and core doctrines to the present. And you will learn into a history of salvation and life of the New Testament. Stories from these doctrines as they have been with God as expressed in the Old first-century life will help you to bet- generally received and communicated Testament. The third volume in the ter understand the setting in which within the Anglican tradition. This Foundations for Christian Ministry se- the New Testament was written. book is offered in the hope that you ries, this book looks at major themes Questions for Bible study and group will be strengthened in your faith in and events in their relationship to discussion will take you deeper into God and able, when called upon, to Jesus Christ. Our interaction with the the teaching of the New Testament confess your faith by giving a rea- Old Testament is intended to help us and help you better understand how soned answer for the hope by which in a lifetime of listening to God speak it applies to your life in Christ today. you live. through his written Word and apply Through Discovering the New Testa- $21.99 that Word to our lives. ment, you will grow deeper in your $21.99 faith and be better equipped for a life of service and ministry. $21.99

All three volumes are now available for purchase through the Trinity School for Ministry Bookstore. Buy the three-volume set and get 20% off your purchase. Order by calling 724-385-8038. 20 SEED & HARVEST From Our Bookshelf

THE DEAN’S PICKS All books can be purchased through the Trinity School for Ministry Bookstore! Visit www.bookstore.tsm.edu or call 724-385-8038.

The Very Rev. Dr. Henry L. Thompson III Dean and President

Paul and the Trinity: Persons, Relations, and the Pauline Letters by Dr. Wesley Hill

A colleague once said to me, “I just met your sisters. I now understand who you are much more deeply.” I appreciated his observation—the Thompson family story is not just about one person, but rather the unfolding of interrelationships over many years and places. While this simple illustration does little to describe the profound depths of Dr. Hill’s excellent work, it describes the starting point. In citing the scholar Nils Dahl, Dr. Hill sets up the premise: “God the Father, Jesus Christ and ..the Holy Spirit each have a discrete identity, and yet none of the three can be adequately described unless the interrelationship among them is taken into account” (26). Hill dives into the specifics of Pauline views of the Trinity by looking at key passages and illuminating how theologians and exegetes go wrong when they neglect the mutuality embedded into the narrative of salvation. Near the end of the book he concludes, “I have tried … to show that the conceptual categories of ‘persons in relation,’ developed so richly in the fourth century and the following theological eras, may enable those who live with them to live more deeply and fruitfully with the first century apostle himself” (171). I finished the book inspired by what I had read. Dr. Hill makes me want to read my Bible with fresh eyes and heart.

Therefore I Have Hope by Cameron Cole

During our recent visit to The Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, AL we encountered many dimensions of a powerful and diverse ministry. Many there were excited by the recent publication by their Director of Children, Youth and Family. Cameron Cole has written an easy-to-read work that can be immediately applied to the worst tragedies of life. Three items jumped out for me in this precious book. First, we all must face “my worst” as Cole describes it. For him it was the loss of their beloved three-year old son, Cam. He writes, “my dreadful daydreams had become a reality … here was when I would curse God, resign from ministry, and pursue a life of self-interest as a bitter, faithless man. But the Lord put a word in my mouth that surprised me … God gave me faith and hope while I stood squarely in my worst” (17). The second item came from his discussion of Providence and a well-meaning chaplain who said God had no involvement in a tragic car accident. The mother of the dead son replies, “Don’t you take away the only hope I have” (93). Third, the book speaks powerfully of adopting Joy as the “new song” of our lives after tragedy. This book is a must read for those who have faced unspeakable tragedy, but perhaps it is even more important for those who have yet to face “my worst.”

SPRING/SUMMER 2019 21 FACULTY PAGE

PREACHING AS A MESSAGE OF HOPE

The Rev. Dr. Amy C. Schifrin have a chance to look in a mirror; a word of hope that says wherever you are, in whatever circumstances, God, President, North American your heavenly Father has not and will not stop loving Lutheran Seminary (NALS) you. I love preaching this word that says, when and if you leave the prison system and seek to live benevolently “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I on the outside, those who trust that God has raised Jesus from the dead, i.e., the church that gathers in his name have called you by name, you are mine.” will be here to help you, to teach you, to walk with you, to (Isaiah 43:1b) rebuke you when you go astray, to comfort you when it all seems too hard, to listen to you when you are exhausted, On the first Sunday of every month I am in prison. Let to cheer you on the right path when your old “friends” are me qualify that. On the first Sunday of every month I am luring you to the wrong one, to understand that whatever preaching and sharing the Eucharist in the Allegheny sins anyone of us has committed, none of us is more County Jail, downtown Pittsburgh. I am never with the worthy than any other. We all live in the same hope that same congregation twice, as the jail ministry teams are he who has raised Jesus from the dead, will do so for all of rotated through the detention pods and inmates are his brothers and sisters to whom he has given his promise. generally in the county jail for no more than a 90-day stay. “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you..” They might be awaiting trial or transport to a penitentiary, or they might be serving a short sentence. We meet For me, the preaching God’s holy word in a county jail in a gymnasium with bare walls, beaten plastic chairs, is a sign for us all, sinners of every stripe, that no matter and locks on the doors. And just like on the “outside,” what fears we live with, no matter how far we have gone attendance is voluntary. astray, no matter how much we have managed to hide from our co-workers, our spouse, or even from the law, I love preaching in the prison, and I love meeting each the God who sees all and knows all wants better for us. new assembly who is eager to hear a word of hope: a word He keeps showering his love upon us through his living that will give them life; a word that will give them a way word because he keeps hoping that we would hear and be to survive in a bleak and depressing environment; a word drawn to him. This is, of course, where our hope lies, in that will help them to see God’s beauty in the face of their the preaching of him who has overcome all, even death, cell mate, their guard, or even in their own face when they Jesus Christ, our Lord.

The Rev. Dr. Rich Herbster Paul characterizes the proclamation of the gospel as one of hope. He writes: “We always thank God, the Father of Director of Presbyterian Studies our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love Among the manifold torments inflicted you have for all the saints—the faith and love that spring upon victims of the Holocaust was from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that one designed to destroy any sense of you have already heard about in the word of truth, the meaning or purpose. Orders were given gospel that has come to you” (Col 1:3-6 NIV). to dig a hole. When the hole had been dug, orders were given to fill the hole in again. The outcome was despair. The proclamation of the gospel is a proclamation that is one of hope. And that hope causes faith and love to We were made for meaningful action; we were made for spring forth. Hope is integral to the proclamation, purposeful existence. Failing this, we despair. Such despair and it is fruitful. is the antithesis of one of the three theological virtues: hope. In the midst of pain, grief, and death, we need The kind of preaching we most need is gospel hope. The good news is we’ve been given good news: a preaching. And gospel preaching is good news of hope. gospel of hope. If our preaching isn’t characterized by hope producing greater faith and love, we’ve strayed from the biblical Preaching is viewed in many different ways in our day. model. Our generation, no less than that of the apostle of The word “preach” itself is often used with negative the Gentiles, is desperate for that kind of preaching. connotations, synonymous with arrogant, judgmental browbeating. But preaching in the New Testament sense of the word is wonderfully positive. It is a declaration of good news. And it is filled with hope.

22 SEED & HARVEST TRINITY IN A SNAPSHOT Since opening its doors more than 40 years ago, Trinity School for Ministry has grown in its desire to be Evangelical in faith, Catholic in order, and Spirit-driven in mission.

There is an urgent need for theological seminaries positioned to recruit and equip pastoral leadership that will sus- tain and develop orthodox churches that plant, renew, and grow congregations that make disciples of Jesus Christ.

To achieve this, Trinity accepts only the finest leaders who have strong academic capability, are passionate in their commitment to biblical theology, and are missionally focused.

GRADUATES CAN BE EXPECTED TO OFFER 30 TO 40 YEARS OF ACTIVE, EVANGELICAL MINISTRY TO THE CHURCH.

60% 16% AVERAGE AGE OF A TRINITY Anglican/Episcopal Lutheran STUDENT (BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND ONLINE) 5% Presbyterian

Some of the nations represented by the Trinity community: 19% Other Singapore Egypt The Netherlands UK Kenya Nigeria Myanmar Rwanda Korea Tanzania Honduras Uganda Today, representatives from the three main Australia USA movements of the Reformation are Brazil Ghana present at Trinity Canada Israel Chile New Zealand Columbia

Trinity is unique in calling students to study in a community located between the Appalachian culture to the south, the Midwestern culture to the west, and the Mid-Atlantic and New England cul- tures to the east.

This special setting has become a point of attrac- tion to students from all over the globe, going as far as the Diocese of the Arctic in the North, the Prov- ince of Chile in the South, the Province of Myanmar in Asia and many provinces in Africa.

SPRING/SUMMER 2019 23 ONLINE EDUCATION

Online Degree is a Victory of Faith, Perseverance and God’s Will by Susan Rockwell (MAR 2017)

or me, educated first as a nurse, and then as a of face-to-face interaction with classmates and professors, professional singer, the call to ordained ministry in there is no difference in the quality of instruction, course F2006 was surprising. Ridiculous. This would be my requirements, and high standards for achievement. I third career. The logistics were ridiculous, too. A single believe seminary study at Trinity is rigorous, by design. parent for many years I had limited resources. I had The perseverance that Augustine speaks of as a gift from responsibilities: a hospital case management job, a family, God is a grace not only for the successful completion of and a mortgage. a Trinity degree, but for all future ministry. God’s call is relentless. His standard requires our personal best. Nevertheless, I was directed by my Bishop, John Guernsey, to attend Trinity, even though Howard University School of Divinity, Virginia Theological Seminary, Wesley Theological Seminary, and Reformed “Do not feel surprise at Theological Seminary, are all in the D.C. area where I live. being schooled amid toil: The opportunity to attend Trinity as a distance student you are being schooled for was the first open door to God’s call. Bishop Guernsey a wondrous destiny.” approved the Master of Arts in Religion, with emphasis on church history and theology. As it was, this degree -AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO would take me eight years to complete. I tried not to bail out at that news. Thankfully, Trinity distance advisors recommended that I try not to look down the eight-year road, but to take each semester, one assignment, and one I was ordained to the transitional diaconate in November grade at a time. God was making it plain that I needed to 2017 and ordained to the priesthood in June 2018. I’ve trust him with all of this, particularly the pace of progress. been supplying in my parish and in other parishes and Martha Giltinan, instructor in pastoral theology, called it communities in the Northern Virginia area. The transition “spiritual formation.” Burnout at the seven-year mark was has been surprisingly smooth. Meeting all of those undoubtedly more spiritual formation. writing deadlines was training me to organize resources and thoughts and time for the development of sound I was grateful for the weekly check-in calls and prayers theological thinking, delivery of sermons—and those of Russ Warren, Barbara Knecht, and Geoff Mackey. Their conversations during church coffee hours. ministry was the regular connection that personalized Trinity. June InterTerms were wonderful opportunities Trinity prepared me well. The priorities of prayer and for gaining another semester’s credits. They also offered academic challenge gave me the coin of the realm for much-needed fellowship and networking, not only with ordained ministry that glorifies God and proclaims his others who were studying as I was, online, but with gospel: trust in God and living the ancient truths of his instructors, and with staff I knew only by email or by Word and Sacraments. phone. Susan Rockwell (MAR 2017) is the assisting priest at Christ Graduation from Trinity in May 2017, was a victory of the Redeemer Church in Clifton, VA, and the Chaplain-in- faith, perseverance, and of God’s will over mine. This Charge of Anglican/Episcopal Services at the Greenspring degree represents the very best instruction in Christian Retirement Community in Springfield, VA. orthodoxy. When needed, there was pastoral support and prayer from professors. This is true, whether courses are taken on campus or online. Other than the inherent lack

24 SEED & HARVEST SPANISH ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Photo by Edilson Suárez

Translating the Gospel for the Body of Christ

by Davíd Zamora-Ramirez Facilitator of Trinity’s Online Spanish Program

n its vision of becoming a global center for Christian so we can discern what is essential to the Gospel. formation, Trinity School for Ministry is determined Once equipped, the Church will be able to discover Ito participate in the realization of God’s desire for the and articulate Christ’s manifestation through her own Church in Latin America. At Trinity, we are daring to particularities, restating the message in terms that dream with a Church united in faith, love, and hope. A make sense within the Latin American Context. Such Church where our shared belief in the story of redemption an endeavor is what Andrew Walls has identified as an persuades us to forgive as we have been forgiven. A intricate work of translation. This is not mere human labor Church in which the love that we have been given is because, as Walls has written, the whole “Christian faith materialized in the continual discipline of regarding others rests on a divine act of translation: ‘the Word became more highly than ourselves. A Church where all members flesh, and dwelt among us’” (John 1:14).1 wait, in hopeful expectation, for the sunrise of Christ’s kingdom. How far is the Church in Latin America from Trinity’s work of translation flows from the imitation this dream? The initial picture could cause one to lose of the master’s own rendering of divine truth. His heart. way of communicating came not as an imposition of heavenly structures. Instead, he became the description The Gospel arrived in Latin America wrapped in foreign and embodiment of the life God intended for humanity. clothes. Many of us succumbed to the temptation of giving Trinity, wanting to be faithful to this spirit, will continue primacy to those garments, forgetting that their majesty to pay attention to the voice of God, encoded in the comes not from their remarkable manufacture, but from specific idiosyncrasies of the Latin American peoples. Our the person who wore them. In our error, we have rejected hope is that the work that God has entrusted us will yield our king to cast lots over the garments of reputation, the fruit of fresh expressions of the eternal character of numerical growth, self-defined purity, and strategic God. We are aware of the titanic task ahead, but we trust liaisons to the “true church”—defined as whichever waves him whose word is life abundant. We believe him who has our political, economic or theological banner. Thus, our told us of a time—beyond time—when every language will inability to discern body from fabric has obstructed the sing, in unity, the wonders of God’s love. development of the Church in Latin America to this day. Pictured above: Bishop Francisco Duque presented a To aid in the removal of this obstacle, Trinity’s task in recognition certificate to Trinity School for Ministry for Latin America has to do with equipping the Church their dedicated involvement in the formation of Episcopal Columbian clergy. 1. Andrew F. Walls, The Missionary Movement in Christian History: Studies in the Transmission of Faith (Maryknoll, N.Y. : Edinburgh: Orbis Books ; T&T Clark, 1996), 44. SPRING/SUMMER 2019 25 DEVELOPMENT Why Does Trinity Need Donations?

by Jack Walsh Director of Planned Giving

rinity School for Ministry has been operating service to the church, so this approach is not an option. successfully for more than 40 years, so why do they Some seminaries operate as minor departments of huge, Task me and my church for donations? prosperous universities, and thus benefit from the support of the entire enterprise. Due to our independence, this also This is a worthwhile question we are asked from time to is not an option for Trinity. time. The answer has several aspects. A third group of seminaries have accumulated massive First, we are reliant on the Almighty and Triune God and endowments which produce significant income each year to we pray for our provision of daily bread. By daily bread support a significant portion of the schools’ budgets. I mean the charitable gifts which supplement tuition to fund the everyday operations of the school. We depend For most of its history, Trinity School for Ministry has on him and we want most of all to honor him in all we do, been supported with annual donations by faithful and including the way we get and use money. So, we never generous supporters, who, year after year, have given in forget that God is in control, and this ministry is, and large and small sums to support this ministry. Some have always will, remain profoundly dependent on him for even left bequests to the school. A fairly large group of everything: good incoming students, wise leaders, reliable these folks came out of the charismatic renewal in the physical facilities in which to do this work, and certainly for Episcopal Church during the 1970s and 1980s. However, generous donor partners. we realize that we can’t rely on this same group of friends and supporters forever. In order to secure future financial Second, all seminaries are specialty graduate schools, stability, we know that we must build new relationships and nearly all of them have no more than a few hundred with prospective and other existing donors who will also be students. Small schools of any kind struggle to cover basic supportive and generous. overhead of recruiting and retaining faculty, building and maintaining reliable buildings and staff, and the basic “stuff” Based on all of this, Trinity has little choice but to also of running a school. Trinity is no exception. But seminaries build some limited endowment funds, particularly for also have the special challenge of producing alumni who scholarships, which will help reduce some of the financial will be paid very modest compensation for their labors after burden of sustaining Trinity until we can increase support they graduate. Two key corollaries of this fact are that (1) from new or existing donors. most seminary alumni donors, as much as we love them, will generally be modest donors, and (2) seminary students Trinity asks for your generous financial support: first of usually have very little capacity to take on student debt. all because we love and trust the Lord, and thus depend on his Body, the Church, to partner in this work; and second All of this implies that some other source of financial of all because the structure of the school simply requires support is simply essential for seminaries. A look at how that sources of financial support beyond student tuition and other schools function bears this out. Some schools, such alumni gifts are essential. as Roman Catholic seminaries and some Lutheran schools, establish their seminaries within the denomination, God has given us a unique vocation as an independent allowing church resources to be used to support the evangelical Anglican seminary. Please consider donating formation of future leaders. Trinity was founded as an today to help us fulfill the mission that the Lord has entirely independent charitable organization (501c3) in given us.

26 SEED & HARVEST GOD HAS CALLED YOU Imagine the Possibilities at Trinity School for Ministry

Whether you have a call to parish ministry, missions, or lay leadership, Trinity School for Ministry can help you prepare to answer your call. Residential and online programs available.

MASTER OF DIVINITY MASTER OF ARTS IN RELIGION CONTACT US MASTER OF SACRED THEOLOGY [email protected] DOCTOR OF MINISTRY www.tsm.edu | 1-800-874-8754 DIPLOMAS AND CERTIFICATES

SPRING/SUMMER 2019 27 Trinity School for Ministry 311 Eleventh Street | Ambridge, PA 15003 phone: 1-800-874-8754 or 724-266-3838 fax: 724-266-4617 | www.tsm.edu

WHY TRINITY? See what our students are saying!

Steven Braun MDiv Student “When Lydia and I made the decision to bring our family to Trinity, formation through prayer, study, and community was a vital aspect of our decision. In prepara- tion for ministry, I knew that I needed a place that valued not only the formation of the mind, but the formation of the whole person. Morning and Evening Prayer have been invaluable in shaping the spiritual life of our family. The things that have been learned here will continue to shape the rest of our lives.”

Bill Clarkson MDiv Student “The main reason Katie and I came to Ambridge and Trinity is that we were look- ing for a worshipping community in which we could be formed and prepared for whatever the Lord has in store for us. When I came for “Be a Seminarian for a Day,” everything that happened started with a prayer—everything. I knew this is where I needed to be, even though logistically, this was the last place I planned to go. Obvi- ously, God’s plans were better than mine, and we are both so grateful to be here!”

VISIT US! Be a Seminarian for a Day

Thursday, October 10, 2019 For more information, visit Dates subject to Thursday, November 14, 2019 www. tsm.edu/visit change