Bethlehem, Pa., May 15, 2015—Events celebrating the Moravian Theological Seminary class of 2015 will be held Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16, marking the conclusion of the 208th academic year for the graduate school.
The festivities begin with a newly created event—a community Lovefeast—to be held at 5 p.m. on Friday in the Bahnson Center, Saal. This unique service, rooted in Moravian history, is a simple symbolic meal, accompanied by a variety of songs. Seminary students participated in developing this event with Rev. Dr. Riddick Weber, Seminary Chaplain, in response to the ever-growing diversity of faith traditions and heritages represented in the student body. The entire community is invited to this celebration.
Immediately following the Lovefeast, graduates and their families will gather with faculty and staff for the Senior Banquet, to be held in the Haupert Union Building Pavilion. The dinner and program are hosted by the Student Elders’ Council, the Seminary’s student government organization.
At 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, the formal Commencement service will be held at College Hill Moravian Church. This is the first year in recent history that the Seminary’s graduation ceremony will change location, having previously been held at Central Moravian Church. The change in venue addresses the parking and logistical considerations for Seminary guests on this occasion. After Commencement, all are invited to the Bahnson Center for a reception honoring the new graduates.
Elected by her fellow graduates, Sanette Francis, an MDiv candidate, will deliver the graduate address to her class. Hailing from Manchester, Jamaica, Sanette earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Pastoral Ministry and Bible/Theology from Laurel University in High Point, NC. She also holds an Associate’s degree in Theatre from the Borough of Manhattan Community College. Following graduation, Sanette will relocate to Watertown, Wisconsin, where she will begin her call as a pastor at Ebenezer Moravian Church.
The Commencement Address will be presented by Rev. David Bennett, President of the Eastern District of the Moravian Church and Chair of the Board of Trustees for Moravian Theological Seminary. His address for the students will focus on the theme, “Measuring Up ...”
The following are the 2015 graduates of Moravian Theological Seminary:
Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling: Robert K. Magill of Easton, Pa.
Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling: Tammy G. Werron of Pennsauken, N.J. (with a Concentration in Formative Spirituality)
Master of Theological Studies: Russel C. Blair of Bethlehem, Pa.; Patrice Kathleen Wiehler of Downingtown, Pa.; and Regina Maria Yeske of Asbury, N.J.
Master of Divinity: Susan D. Crawson-Brizzolara of Hallstead, N.Y.; Garritt Keith Fleming of Easton, Pa.; Sanette Venasa Francis of Manchester, Jamaica; Carolynn Holmes Search of Mt. Arlington, N.J. (with a Concentration in Formative Spirituality); and Eric John Luczak of Scranton, Pa.
Graduate Certificate in Formative Spirituality: Jennifer Ann Scaia of Simsbury, Conn.
Graduate Certificate in Moravian Studies: Frances Spier Saylor of Raleigh, N.C.
The weekend’s festivities conclude on Sunday with CROSSROADS Lay Leadership graduation at 2 p.m. CROSSROADS is first and foremost a leadership training program for lay people who are active in their local congregations. This year's graduates are unique in representing three individuals who professionally lead congregations in various capacities:
Rev. Rodney Bartman completed the CROSSROADS program in 2014, but will be celebrated at this year’s ceremony. Based on his completion of the program, he was fully ordained in the Church of the Nazarene on April 22, 2013. Originally from Allentown, Rodney pastors the Kutztown Church of the Nazarene and participates in the CROSSROADS Grad Cohort program.
Pastor Henry Distler incorporates his experience as a former educator and school principal as he serves as a Lay Licensed Pastor for the Lehigh Presbytery and the Penn Northeast Conference of the United Church of Christ and serves in the Slatington area.
Linda Wisser is the Director of Growth and Outreach at Emmaus Moravian Church. She is involved in many creative community ministries, including an ecumenical project to address homelessness in the community. Linda will be entering Moravian Theological Seminary as a graduate student this fall.
Wisser joins a group of about ten people who began their Seminary experience in CROSSROADS and then transferred into a for-credit program at Moravian Seminary. Those students will also be recognized at Sunday’s event.
Moravian Theological Seminary is the theological graduate school of Moravian College and offers graduate degrees, certificates and continuing education programs to prepare men and women for effective leadership and service in congregational, counseling, teaching, and other ministries. The Seminary is rooted in the Moravian faith tradition—centered in Jesus Christ, grounded in Scripture, ecumenical in spirit, committed to community, and focused on missional leadership.