San Francisco Theological Seminary at University of Redlands

We invite you to join University Trustee, Candy Unruh, as she explores the history of the Feast of Lights with John Walsh, the Omer E. Robbins Chaplain and Nicholle Andrews, Director of Choral Studies and the Feast of Lights Director during an exclusive FREE virtual event for SFTS alumni and friends. Saturday, December 5 4:00 p.m. PST Live via Webex, RSVP by December 3, 5pm by following this link:... https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1248/bp19/interior.aspx See more

Making meaning in chaotic timesDr. Marcia McFee, our visiting professor of liturgical studies and the Ford Chair for Congregational Studies at SFTS, addresses the importance of ritualizing and making meaning in a time of pandemic and social upheaval, drawing on the past as we innovate into the future. https://www.redlands.edu//liturgical-studies-expert-speak/

I look at people as children of God and know that we are more than just the crisis and problems that we present to the world, she says. We can give people the services they need, and we can restore their hope. Meet SFTS alum Julie Craig ’02 (M.Div.), a registered nurse in behavioral health. She turned to nursing after years as an ordained pastor, applying her compassion and ministry in new ways. She sees how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting patients in her Oconomowoc, W...isconsin, hospital and the toll it’s taking on mental health Read More https://www.redlands.edu//oc/restoring-hope-in-a-pandemic/ See more

Want a special, spooky visit? Check out alum Samual Lundquist and the Halloween creativity at St. John's Presbyterian Church in San Francisco. Is Boris Karloff watching?

Thank you to everyone who made a gift during Giving Weekend! Check back later this week to learn of our final results and the incredible impact it will have on our students and Seminary community. And it’s not too late to make a gift if you missed itvisit www.redlands.edu/supportsfts anytime you are moved to support SFTS and THANK YOU!

We honor all those who have served this Veteran’s Day! Shout out to SFTS alum and current student Stewart Perrilliat, who was a Sergeant with the United States Marine Corps. What is this intrepid veteran in service to now?! Stewart has earned his MATS, and is currently working on a Doctorate in Executive Leadership. He is also an ordained clergy member of Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, CA. And with our great admiration and appreciation, he is now leading Man 2 Man Urban Youth Advocate non-profit, focusing on Fatherhood Advocacy Support & Training, especially with fathers and grandfathers at San Quentin https://www.man2man-uya.org/

Day 3 of our Weekend of Giving! Today is SUPPORT OUR SEMINARY SUNDAYSupporting the GST/SFTS Operating Fund. Your unrestricted gift to the Operating Fund supports the Seminary’s areas of greatest need, which continue to grow as we navigate the anticipated and unanticipated challenges resulting from the pandemic. During this Weekend of Giving, the Dean will match the first 25 gifts with a donation of $250. All gifts directed to the GST/SFTS will only be used to support our students and programs. Please consider giving! Please click here and scroll to the Scholarship Fund: www.redlands.edu/supportsfts

From our beloved former Chaplain and Dean of Students, Rev. Scott Clarkhe is now Pastor right next door at First Presbyterian Church! We love these prayers for hope, wisdom and grace.

Day 2 of our Weekend of Giving! Today is SCHOLARSHIP SATURDAYSupporting our student Scholarship Fund. Supporting the Scholarship Fund is the area of greatest impact for our students. These gifts are even more vital in today’s environment, taking tuition worries off students’ minds and allowing them to focus on their studies. During this Weekend of Giving, the Dean will match the first 25 gifts with a donation of $250. We are more than 1/2 way to the goal of 25 giftsthank you! All gifts directed to the GST/SFTS will only be used to support our students and programs. Please consider giving! Please click here and scroll to the Scholarship Fund: www.redlands.edu/supportsfts

Welcome to our WEEKEND OF GIVING! With the pandemic continuing to impact our SFTS community, we need your help. We are hosting an entire weekend of giving where each day will concentrate on a different area where support is most needed. Today is FOOD AND EMERGENCY FRIDAYSupporting the Student Emergency Fund. When you support the Student Emergency Fund, you give today’s SFTS students the confidence to focus on their studies, knowing that their basic needs for housing, food, and other necessities are covered in unexpected situations. During this Weekend of Giving, the Dean will match the first 25 gifts with a donation of $250. All gifts directed to the GST/SFTS will only be used to support our students and programs. Please consider giving! Please click here and scroll to the Student Emergency Fund: www.redlands.edu/supportsfts

Joining us for the virtual gathering of the SFTS Faculty Saturday, Oct. 24? If so, you will need to download Webex, the viewing platform supported by the University of Redlands in order to participate in the event. Please go to www.webex.com to download and set up your account today. If this is new news to you, please join us! Thinking the Faith, Changing the World: A Faculty Vision for the Ethos of SFTS... Saturday, October 24 | 1:00-2:30 p.m. The Strategic Visioning Team of SFTS Faculty invites the alumni community to participate in the process of envisioning the future and strengthening the present. Join us for a mini-retreat to learn more about our stated values and identity as a graduate school of theology, the five values we share, and how they shape you. Updates will include a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement that faculty have been developing. We feel this is an important moment in the life of SFTS and are excited to create more opportunities for faculty/alumni dialogue and fellowship. Register here: https://www.redlands.edu//news-and/sfts-virtual-gathering/

CATCH A COOL PODCAST! Current DMin student Rev. Allen O’Brien is interviewed on The Meaning Movement on the topic of Identity, Change, and Religious Trauma. When asked how he talks about his work in the world, O’Brien responds with I always start off with listening because I think that’s probably the biggest part of my job. I’m at a church in Redding, California, a United Church of Christ, and I’m the minister there. And I established a nonprofit with some friends that help...s people through faith transitions and shifting ideas around communities and faith and spirituality. Right now I’m a student in San Francisco Theological Seminary, University of Redlands, and studying. I’m specifically studying like high control religious environments and what it’s like to leave those and coping with life afterward. And and I’m also really active in like immigration, justice and a lot of different things. So I think it’s hard to answer that question about what I do, but I think most of it is listening. Hear the whole podcast and see the transcript here: https://themeaningmovement.com/identity-change-and-religio/ See more

Announcing our WEEKEND OF GIVING, October 23-25! With the pandemic continuing to impact our SFTS community, we need your help. We are hosting an entire weekend of giving where each day will concentrate on a different area where support is most needed. During this Weekend of Giving, the Dean will match the first 25 gifts with a donation of $250. Your gifts will help us continue preparing students for theological engagement, transformational impact, and active leadership in com...munities and public life. Friday, October 23 FOOD AND EMERGENCY FRIDAY Supporting the GST/SFTS Student Emergency Fund Saturday, October 24 SCHOLARSHIP SATURDAY Supporting the GST/SFTS Scholarship Fund Sunday, October 25 SUPPORT OUR SEMINARY SUNDAY Supporting the GST/SFTS Operating Fund All gifts directed to the GST/SFTS will only be used to support GST/SFTS students and programs. Please consider giving! www.redlands.edu/supportsfts

We are feeling delight and gratitude to the University of Redlands Board of Trustees, who approved the creation of a new SFTS Board of Directors to provide oversight of spiritual, religious and denominational issues for the Seminary. Ten church leaders have been appointed to serve the new board, including Rev. Jana Childers, PhD; Rev. Jeannie Kim (2001); Rev. Joey Lee (1985); Rev. Michael Livingston; Rev. Ana Lugo L. Lugo (1985); Alvin McLean, Jr., PhD; Rev. Dr. Paul Nazarian (1984); Rev. Dr. Bear Ride (1978, 1991); Rev. Dr. Ji-il Tark (1997); and Rev. Mary Lynn Tobin (1985). Thank you for your service!

JOIN US for a virtual gathering with the Faculty of SFTS! Thinking the Faith, Changing the World: A Faculty Vision for the Ethos of SFTS Saturday, October 24 | 1:00-2:30 p.m. The Strategic Visioning Team of SFTS Faculty invites the alumni community to participate in the process of envisioning the future and strengthening the present. Join us for a mini-retreat to learn more about our stated values and identity as a graduate school of theology, the five values we share, and how they shape you. Updates will include a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement that faculty have been developing. We feel this is an important moment in the life of SFTS and are excited to create more opportunities for faculty/alumni dialogue and fellowship. REGISTER TODAY! https://www.redlands.edu//news-and/sfts-virtual-gathering/

Wendy Farley: To Exist is to be Beautiful" Join host J. Aaron Simmons as he speaks with philosopher and theologian, Wendy Farley, about what it means to engage in a life defined by hope, compassion, and beauty. The discussion is wide-ranging, but anchored in the shared realities that define the glory of the human condition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WESreSyY10Y

Evacuees: we have units open on our peaceful campus. We want to offer a 20% discount on the nightly rate and a reduced pet fee ($50) for anyone who has been dis...placed by the Glass Fire. It's a stressful time and we are here for you. Please contact [email protected] . Additionally, we have a retreat center available for large groups, such as assisted living facilities. Please note, rooms have twin beds and shared restrooms. . . #glassfire #fireevacuees #fireevacuation #glassfirehousing #airbnb #marin #marincounty #housing #evacueehousing #sananselmo #bayarea #sfbayarea See more

JOIN US! Doctor of Ministry Virtual Round Table Discussion Friday, October 2, 2020 at 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM Learn more about our dynamic and distinct Doctor of Ministry program. As spiritual teachers and faith leaders, we are all asking the same question: How do I stay on the pulse of what’s meaningful to the communities I serve, whether they look like a traditional ‘church’ or not? At San Francisco Theological Seminary, our Doctor of Ministry program brings together schola...r-practitioners from a wide variety of active ministries to learn, explore and envision creative approaches to ministry, spiritual life and leadership in their faith communities. We will review program highlights and discuss the discernment process for choosing this program. See you there! https://gpe.redlands.edu/register/dmininfo2020

We are sending blessed appreciation to Sue Gibbons ’04 (DASD) for her recent bequest for SFTS and its Endowment for Christian Spirituality! I have such deep gratitude, and I wanted to return that gratitude in this way, shares Gibbons, who is the first individual to be inducted into the Montgomery Legacy Society since SFTS became part of the University of Redlands. I have thoroughly valued my relationship with SFTS, she says. There is a deep sense of satisfaction in supporting what I think the world needs. https://www.redlands.edu//bringing-the-heart-and-mind-tog/