Memorial Service for Perry LeFevre - November 1, 2006
A memorial service for long time professor Perry D. LeFevre will be held in Graham Taylor Hall at the Chicago Theological Seminary at noon on Wednesday, November 1, 2006. LeFevre graduated from CTS in 1946 and joined the faculty in 1953. He became dean of the Seminary in 1961, serving as such until 1981 and then as a faculty member until 1991.
- If you have particular reminiscences of Perry (or a copy of “The Photo” of his office and pipe smoke), please email them to mmontgomery1@ctschicago.edu.
- Gifts in honor of Perry may be sent to “LeFevre Gift” at Chicago Theological Seminary, 5757 S. University Ave. Chicago, IL 60637.
Dr. LeFevre is survived by his wife Carol and numerous members of the family. For more information contact Rev. Michael H. Montgomery, Ph.D. at 1.773.322.0273.
CTS hosted ten-year re-accreditation visit Oct. 22 - 24, 2006
Chicago Theological Seminary hosted its ten-year re-accreditation visit from the Association of Theological Schools and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools from October 22 until October 24, 2006. As part of the requirements for re-accreditation, the seminary has written an extensive self-study over the last two years. This self-study is available to the public to read on reserve in the CTS library. We invite all interested persons to visit the library at 1164 E 58th Street and read the report if they wish. Comments for the accreditation team may be sent to
Seminary Accreditation, c/o the President's Office
Chicago Theological Seminary
1164 E. 58th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
CTS co-sponsored "Finding Agency in a Time of AIDS" event on May 2, 2006
Click Here for more information about the event (PDF)
CTS Co-Sponsors Conference on Jewish Christian Dialogue and the Bible
Held on February 28-March 1, 2005, Contesting Texts featured internationally
recognized plenary speakers Walter Brueggemann and David Novak and academic
presentations by scholars from a variety of institutions, including faculty
from the Chicago Hyde Park Cluster of Theological Schools. These speakers
addressed scriptural passages and interpretations that are important and
sometimes problematic either within our respective traditions or for positive
relations between our faith communities.
CTS Assistant Director of Hebrew Bible
Timothy
Sandoval was one of the organizers of this event.
CTS holds 150th Anniversary Ministerial Institute
Launch of the Lesbian and Gay Religious Studies Center at CTS-Jan. 2006
Read the Article (PDF)
CTS Responds in The Wake of Hurricane Katrina
Chicago Theological Seminary joins the country, and indeed the world, in asking for prayers for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Please send aid where you can. Many of those who survived and are now suffering the most are the poor of that region. They have lost almost all that they had. We need to come together as a community and think and pray together about what more we can do to help.
At CTS, we have formed a task force to consider ways that our own community might respond - through prayer, direct service, hospitality, education and critical reflection. We are coordinating our efforts with the Chicago Metropolitan Association of the Illinois Conference, United Church of Christ. Friends of the seminary are welcome to join us. Email katrinaresponse@ctschicago.edu to learn more - or respond where and as you can.
For excellent coverage of the situation along the gulf coast, information on relief efforts, and letters from CTS alumna Shari Prestemon - executive director of Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi - go to the United Church of Christ website at www.ucc.org.
Grace and Peace,
Susan Thistlethwaite
President
Chicago Theological Seminary
"Listen to Your Mother", 7/3/05 article by Dr. Susan Thistlethwaite and Dr. J. Richard Thistlethwaite, Jr.
Read the Article (PDF)
"The mourning of John Paul II", an article by Susan Thistlethwaite
published in the Chicago Tribune.
Read the Article (PDF)
Online Giving Now Available! Click on "Make A Gift"
Make a Gift
Academy Award Winning Actress, Susan Sarandon, received Honorary Degree on Sept. 24th!
Susan Sarandon has shown just as much courage in her anti-war efforts as in her choice of acting roles. For this reason Chicago Theological Seminary awarded her with an honorary degree. In the words of President Susan Thistlethwaite, "we are taking this action because of Sarandon's incredible courage and commitment in speaking out about our country's preemptive action in pursuing an attack on Iraq, as well as for her significant human rights work."
Read the press release and Citation for details.
Press Release
Susan Sarandon Citation
Give yourself a gift ! CTS Sweatshirts, Sports Shirts & Mugs!
...and don't forget the Children!
Sizes Small and Medium are great for kids!
New CTS Logo Merchandise -- Check it out!
Application deadlines approach: ACTS Doctor of Ministry in Preaching - January 31st. Ph.D. - February 1st.
New! $5,000 Master of Sacred Theology (STM) fellowships now available. Application deadline is March 1st.
Are you a pastor or religious leader looking for ways to go deeper academically?
Has your ministry stirred questions that you would like to bring back to the classroom?
Are you excited by the prospect of focused theological study in a richly diverse community of ministry colleagues?
Consider this great opportunity to further your studies beyond the Master of Divinity: Chicago Theological Seminary is pleased to announce the availability of $5,000 fellowships toward the completion of a Master of Sacred Theology. The S.T.M. is an advanced master's degree for students who wish to focus or deepen their studies in a particular area of the theological curriculum.
The program is flexible: Take advantage of the intensive-format courses offered during the January Term and Summer Program or take courses that meet once a week during the fall or spring semesters. Students may enroll part time or full time. Classes are selected by the student in consultation with an academic advisor. Eight classes are needed to complete the program.
The S.T.M. emphasizes cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural approaches to biblical, theological and ethical studies. Click here for more details.
This is also an ideal program for international students seeking a year of study in the United States, and for those who are preparing for further, doctoral-level studies.
To be considered for an S.T.M. fellowship, please submit an application for admission by March 1, 2004. This fellowship will cover approximately half of the total S.T.M. tuition.
For back issues of Tower News see our News page!
M.Div, M.A. Application Deadline, March 1st!
President Thistlethwaite presents -- "INTERPRETING PASSION" -- TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2004 -- 7:00 P.M. -- First United Methodist Church (Chicago Temple) -- 77 W. Washington Street, Floor 2, Chicago, IL
You are invited to a Chicago Theological Seminary discussion"INTERPRETING PASSION"
TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2004 7:00 P.M.
The Passion of the Christ has generated enormous controversy concerning the passion narratives in the New Testament scriptures and Christian/Jewish dialogue. Join the CTS discussion of the passion narratives in the Gospels, the meaning of Jesus' ministry, the role of interpretation, and the legacy of anti-Semitism.
Dr. Tat-Siong Benny Liew, associate professor of New Testament at CTS, and Rabbi Herman Schaalman, Emmanuel Congregation and adjunct professor at CTS, will lead the discussion.
Advanced viewing of the movie is not necessary.
First United Methodist Church (Chicago Temple)77 W. Washington Street, Floor 2, Chicago, IL 60602
The Rev. Philip Blackwell, Visiting Committee, host Parking on street or Self-Park Garage at 172 West Madison-get $5 stamped coupon from guard.ME
TRA: Exit on Randolph, walk 3 blocks west, 1 block south on Dearborn, 1 block west on Washington.
RSVP Lorolie Brown 773-667-7136 lorolie@juno.com (subject: Passion)
Search www.ctschicago.edu -- In Such a Time as This: CTS Reflects on the Passion.
God, Gays & The Gospel --The Rev. Elder Troy Perry, Castaneda Lecturer -- May 13, 2004
This extraordinary speaker and openly-gay clergyman founded the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches with 12 people in his Los Angeles living room on October 6, 1968. The fellowship has grown to include over 44,000 people in 300 congregations in 17 countries around the world. You won't want to miss hearing Rev. Perry's story!
Join us on Thursday, May 13, 2004
Wine & Cheese Reception, 5:15 p.m.
Lecture and Discussion, 6:00 p.m.
Chicago Theological Seminary, Graham Taylor Hall, 5757 S. University Ave.
$25.00 per person
To reserve your space, contact: The Rev. Matthew J. Smucker, 773-322-0260, msmucker@ctschicago.edu
Castaneda Lecture Brochure
Chicago Theological Seminary Receives Archives of Inter-Faith Spiritual Healing Project
Press Release (PDF)
Need Youth Ministry Resources? DEPTH can help! Click Here!
Youth Ministry Resources Reviewed
Have you ever looked at catalogs from different publishing houses and wanted to compare their resources?
Have you ever wondered where to find resources that fit your theology, your group size or your methods of teaching?
Have you ever just been curious to know what other people think about some of your favorite "tried and true" youth program resources?
Now there is a website for you!
The participants of the course "Youth Ministry Resources" taught by the Rev. Dr. Thom Bower at Chicago Theological Seminary have created an on-line database that reviews youth ministry resources. This multi-faceted tool, developed and tested in the course, examines many different aspects of a resource, including: theological orientation, educational perspective, teaching methods, assumed group dynamics, and the reviewer's own assessment.
These reviews create a database that can be searched along multiple search terms, allowing you to identify which resources are most useful for you.
The front page includes a list of the ten resources that have received our highest ratings as well as information on how you can submit reviews to the database.
Check it out! Begin evaluating resources for your program ministry in a new way!
DEPTH Youth Program Resources Site
CTS Student, Vanessa Lovelace, Receives Prestigious Doctoral Fellowship
The Fund for Theological Education, Inc. has selected Vanessa Lovelace, a Ph.D. student at CTS, as a North American Doctoral Fellow. This fellowship is awarded to talented traditionally underrepresented racial or ethnic minority Ph.D. or Th.D. students, who are preparing to teach at the nation's leading seminaries and theological schools.
Vanessa is focusing on the role and function of female prophets in the Hebrew Bible. She was selected because of her impressive academic achievement and the promise that her work holds for theological scholarship. Click below to read more about it.
CTS Student, Vanessa Lovelace, Receives Prestigious Doctoral Fellowship Press Release
CTS Receives $2,000,000 Lilly Endowment Grant for Innovative Teaching and Learning Program in Churches and Communities
Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS) will receive a grant of $2,000,000 from the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. in its "Making Connections Initiative." This initiative encourages and supports institutions nurturing the high quality of pastoral leadership that helps churches to thrive.
Read More (Press Release PDF)
Honoring Diversity: The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees approves the CTS "Open and Affirming Community Statement"
For nearly 150 years, the Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS) has pioneered the support of women and African-Americans in the ministry. Now, through the "Open and Affirming Community Statement", CTS pledges support and encouragement to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students in their pursuit of a theological education.
Open and Affirming Community Statement (PDF)
150 Years of Making New History
Seeking Applicants for Position in Contextual Education
Chicago Theological Seminary seeks a full-time administrative colleague in contextual education, to oversee the Lilly-funded "Making the Connections" grant, to provide leadership and instruction in the Center for Community Transformation, and to collaborate with the M.Div. Director in administering all student field placements. Due to the range of duties involved in this position, we seek a highly motivated, organized individual who has proven experience in at least two of the following three areas: urban parish ministry, community organizing, and innovative program development. The successful candidate will possess a demonstrable understanding of the relationship of ministry to social transformation; an ability to work effectively and pastorally in diverse communities and with a wide diversity of students; and demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between academic excellence and community practices of ministry. A D.Min. is preferred, but candidates with appropriate Masters education and experience will be considered. This position, beginning after January 1, 2005, is grant-funded through June, 2009. Applications are being accepted immediately, until the position is filled. A letter of application, with three references, should be sent to Linda Parrish, Assistant to the Dean, Chicago Theological Seminary, 5757 S. University Ave., Chicago, IL 60637. Chicago Theological Seminary is an equal opportunity, open and affirming employer, and particularly encourages application from racial/ethnic minority candidates.
