Feb. 16 - DSF Board Meeting, Claremont
Feb. 22-24 - Conviviality in a Multireligious Community Conference, CST, Claremont
Mar. 6 - Lorraine Ceniceros preaching at CST Chapel, Claremont
Mar. 7 - Creating Women's Theology: A Movement Engaging Process Thought, CST, Claremont
DSF students Vanessa Rios-Reyes, Russell Cortez, and Wally Burman interact in a small group discussion on the meaning of the event for their future ministries.
More than a dozen DSF students attended the 2011 Regional Gathering of the Pacific Southwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in San Diego on October 22. The pastors and lay leaders gathered including numerous DSF graduates, trustees, and friends. It was an uplifting event, highlighted by the debut of a new play about racial/ethnic inclusion among the Disciples. The play was written and directed by DSF trustee Young Lan Kim.
Jung Ja “Joy” Yu, a DSF M.A. student attending Claremont School of Theology remarked, “The gathering was full of people, joy, vision, and empowerment. Some participants say that this gathering had the best atmosphere in several years. Each program was amazingly coordinated to touch and to empower the participants and the leaders of the churches in PSW region. Thanks to DSF and Dr. Jon Berquist, for supporting students to participate in this wonderful gathering!”
DSF student Rafael Reyes III, enrolled in the Ph.D. program at Claremont Lincoln University, has taught theological courses in many different classrooms. He believes his most fulfilling work, however, occurred in perhaps the most unlikely of settings, Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, New York. Reyes was adjunct faculty for a unique New York Theological Seminary program offering master of professional studies coursework to 15 carefully selected inmates. Featured in the cover story of the Autumn 2011 issue of In Trust, this program prepares its graduates for ministry within the prison or in social services agencies or churches upon release.
Reyes taught introductory courses in Old and New Testament under strict conditions. As the In Trust article describes, faculty were only permitted to bring a Bible, one book, and paper into the prison as teaching supplies. Handouts were allowed, but only if sent ahead to the chaplain’s office for review. Likewise, reading assignments were pre-screened. Nevertheless, Reyes was an enthusiastic professor, finding the students – Christians, Muslims, Rastafarians, and even agnostics – to be some of the most engaged emerging theologians with whom he has worked.
As he pursues his coursework in Religion, Reyes believes his experience of teaching in the prison has taught him how to engage biblical studies in a interfaith environment.
DSF has exciting news of a new partnership – and an invitation to a reception on October 26, 2011. For fifty years, Disciples Seminary Foundation has been supporting the education of Disciples pastors in the west, with our historic partnership with Claremont S
chool of Theology and our generation-old collaboration with Pacific School of Religion. For two decades, Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry has been educating Protestant ministers in an innovative ecumenical context, in close cooperation with the Northwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
In May 2011, Disciples Seminary Foundation and the School of Theology and Ministry entered into a long-term partnership to support the education of Disciples pastors. DSF is now providing 40% tuition scholarships to the Disciples M.Div. students at the School of Theology and Ministry. This partnership promises to improve Disciples’ access to quality theological education in the Northwest context, and to integrate the School of Theology and Ministry’s excellent work more completely into the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
We invite you to celebrate this historic partnership with both DSF and STM. Please come to a reception on October 26, 4:30 – 6:00 PM, on the campus of Seattle University in the Casey Building, Room 516. You’ll be able to meet some of our Disciples students, as well as DSF and STM staff. We hope to see you there!
Sam Pullen has been named Disciples Seminary Foundation’s 2011-2012 representative to the Global Ministries Council of Theological Students of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ. Sam, a UCC M.Div. student at Claremont School of Theology, succeeds Janis Brown, also of CST, who just completed her year of service. Each theological school or divinity house related to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ was invited to select a student to participate in this group. The students gather as a council, network throughout the year, provide interpretative events on their campuses, contribute to a blog, and have the opportunity to participate in a People-to-People Pilgrimage travel experience.
Janis Brown, a Disciples M.Div. student, will be reporting on her 
recent Global Ministries People-to-Pilgrimage to Israel/Palestine on Sunday, October 16, 2011 at First Christian Church, 1751 Park Ave, Pomona, California. The presentation and luncheon immediately follow worship at 11:30 AM. Those wishing to attend should RSVP to the church office at 909-622-1144.
Sam Pullen brings to the Council a rich history of experience working for and with the poor and oppressed. As reported by the Global Ministries Council of Theological Students in their Fall 2011 newsletter,
[Sam] has conducted pesticide education sessions with farmworkers, advocated for immigration reform, and organized unions with hotel and casino workers throughout the United States. Sam worked as a boycott organizer for UNITE HERE, the Hotel Workers Union, from 2004 thru 2008. One of Sam’s most meaningful interfaith projects was participating in “Labor in the Pulpits,” organized by Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE*) and Interfaith Worker Justice. In the fall of 2008, Sam joined the Center for the Working Poor and helped organize a 21 day fast for immigrant rights in the Olvera Street plaza. In 2009 he was a local coordinator for the Mobilization for Health Care for all, leading a sit-in at a Blue Cross insurance office and spending five days in jail.
*CLUE of California is now under the direction of DSF Alumnus Arthur Cribbs, Jr.
DSF is enthusiastic about Janis Brown’s and Sam Pullen’s participation in the Council and the opportunities they have and will receive to be equipped further in social justice ministry from a global perspective.
The Board of Directors of the North American Pacific Asian Disciples (NAPAD) has approved Rev. Jinsuk John Chun as the next Executive Pastor of NAPAD, as of September 2011. Dr. Geunhee Yu, the founding executive pastor of NAPAD, will retire after nineteen years of service in November of this year. At that time, Jinsuk Chun will become Acting Executive Pastor, until the vote of the NAPAD Convocation, which meets August 1-3, 2012, at Chapman University.
Rev. Chun is a DSF alumnus and an M.Div. graduate of San Francisco Theological Seminary's Southern California campus, as well as a current DSF student completing his D.Min. at Claremont School of Theology. He currently serves as Director of New Church Development and Asian American Pacific Island Ministries for the Pacific Southwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Along with his wife, Rev. MyungsunGrace Kang (also a DSF student pursuing a D.Min. at Claremont School of Theology), he has been the founding pastor of Sallims Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Newport Beach, which began as a prayer group meeting at DSF's Claremont offices.
As Executive Pastor of NAPAD, Rev. Jinsuk Chun will be responsible for the spiritual leadership of the 145 Asian American churches through the Disciples. Disciples' NAPAD churches are an important part of our Disciples identity in the twenty-first century, growing in number almost twenty-fold since 1992. Jon Berquist, DSF's president, comments: "Jinsuk Chun's faith and Christian leadership have been a shining example for me and for many Disciples. He is an effective mentor and advocate for new pastors, a key ally for established ministries, and an innovative church planter. He is precisely the kind of leader we need for the church now. Disciples Seminary Foundation is proud to be part of Jinsuk's preparation for ministry, and we pledge our support for him and for all of NAPAD."
Jon Berquist, DSF President, gave the sermon for the weekly Chapel service at the Claremont School of Theology (CST) on Tuesday, Sept 27. He preached on the text from Gen 32: 22-32 which tells of Jacob wrestling in the night, receiving a blessing and a new name before his planned meeting with Esau. CST Dean Philip Clayton welcomed worshipers, including members of the Board of Trustees of CST who were meeting that day. Retired Methodist Bishop Charles Jordan presented the Willis and Dorothy Fisher Award to Ph.D. student Rebecca “Jeney” Park-Hearn. He also presented the Bishop Charles Golden Scholarship to Mary Pearce and Austin Roberts. Altagrazia Perez and Disciples student William “Bill” Thomas were Honorable Mention candidates for the Golden Scholarship. Caroline Hamilton-Arnold, a Disciple student at CST, is one of the two Chapel coordinators for the 2011-12 school year.
On Wednesday evening, September 21st, the Disciples Seminary Foundation in Northern California hosted dinner at the Taiwan Restaurant in Berkeley to celebrate the new school year. It was a terrific group of 25 adults and 3 children, with much laughter. In addition to our students and several student partners, several members of the N CA Advisory Committee were present, including Ann Willard, Ellie McDougel, and NCNC Regional Minister Ben Bohren. Adelle Lemon and PSR Professor of Preaching (and DSF Berkeley’s Dean-in-waiting) Mary Turner joined us, as did DSF staff members: Jon Berquist, Dave Coatsworth, Joe Driskill, and Christina Hutchins. While a few of our Northern California DSF students were unable to attend due to evening classes or Field Ed responsibilities, and while we were a bit sobered to realize how much we’ll miss Joe when he retires in December, it was an evening of high energy and good conversation. This is a wonderful group of students!
Seattle University's School of Theology and Ministry students opened their fall term on Wednesday, September 21. DSF salutes these new and returning scholars and adds our prayers for their growth in insight, wisdom, understanding, and grace.
Disciples History & Polity student Sally Willis-Watkins touches base with DMin student Mary Jo Bradshaw, while PhD student Nancy Fowler receives advice from Co-Regional Minister Susan Gonzales Dewey. MDiv student Vanessa Rios-Reyes is pictured in the background.
On September 20, 2011, DSF students, staff, trustees, and other local church leaders, over 35 in all, gathered at the DSF offices in Claremont for the annual fall Southern California dinner. Co-Regional Ministers Don and Susan Gonzales Dewey gave a welcome to the Pacific Southwest Region (PSWR) of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and Conference Minister Felix Villanueva brought greetings from the Southern California-Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ. Members of the PSWR Committee on Ministry were present to give a friendly face to the process of coming under-care.
A highlight of the meal was hearing students share their gratitude for the financial assistance DSF has already provided (over $47,500 scholarships in Southern California this fall) as well as the ongoing academic and pastoral guidance, fellowship opportunities, and other benefits of DSF affiliation. DSF President Jon Berquist noted the success of the recently introduced Monday & Tuesday Pizza Nights, providing seminarians with a quick meal before Claremont School of Theology’s evening classes, and he encouraged members of the community to join the students at these informal, regular gatherings at the Claremont offices from 4:30 – 6:30 PM.
DSF Dean Mark David Parsons summed up the evening, “It was a wonderful experience to be in a room full of such energy and positive spirit. For us especially as a staff, it was gratifying to hear students – both those who are new to us, and those who are returning – express their sense of belonging within this wonderfully supportive UCC and Disciples educational community. These times together help to personalize for all of us – students, staff, and church leaders – that we truly are in covenant together in serving the mission of God through our shared ministry.”
Pacific School of Religion students inaugurated their fall term on Tuesday, September 6, in the Chapel of the Great Commission with an opening service of worship. On the same day, Claremont School of Theology students, who had begun classes the previous week, joined together in Seeley G. Mudd Theater for their Opening Convocation and the launch of Claremont Lincoln University. DSF salutes these new and returning scholars and adds our prayers for their growth in insight, wisdom, understanding, and grace.
The news and community activities in Claremont, CA, have been covered for over 100 years by the Claremont-Courier, a twice-weekly local newspaper. In the July 27, 2011 edition they took note of the work done by Disciples Seminary Foundation and its presence and history in the community. Click here to see the full story and photos. (Article courtesy of Claremont Courier, 1420 N Claremont Blvd, Claremont, CA 91711 www.Claremont-Courier.com)
Disciples Seminary Foundation is pleased to announce the call of our new President. Rev. Dr. Jon L. Berquist was approved by the Board of Trustees at their October 21, 2010 meeting after an extensive search by the DSF Executive Search Committee.
Dr. Berquist grew up in First Christian Church, Ventura, CA, and is an ordained Disciples minister. He received a bachelor’s degree from Northwest Christian University, in Eugene, Oregon, and a Ph.D. in Old Testament from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He taught Old Testament at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he served as associate professor and associate dean. For the last sixteen years, Dr. Berquist has worked in religious publishing at Chalice Press and Westminster John Knox Press, specializing in biblical studies, theology, and preaching. He is also the author or editor of more than ten books, including Ancient Wine, New Wineskins: The Lord’s Supper in Old Testament Perspective, Reclaiming Her Story: The Witness of Women in the Old Testament, and Judaism in Persia’s Shadow: A Social and Historical Approach. He has taught at several seminaries including Pacific School of Religion.
Dr. Berquist will be moving to Claremont with his wife, the Reverend Sally G. Willis-Watkins, a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). They have two grown children.
Dr. Berquist will assume leadership responsibility for DSF beginning February 1, 2011, and we invite your prayers of support.
In 1957 Dr. Gilford Olmsted was asked to chair a“Committee on Seminary” set up by the Christian Church Convention of Southern California to study the best way to develop ministerial education. When the Southern California Disciples convened in July of 1959, a resolution to create an institution that might be called Disciples seminary foundation was presented and passed by the assembly. In October 20, 1960 DSF was established and formally incorporated.
Since its inception, DSF has provided more than $3 million dollars in scholarship aid, internship support and pastoral formation initiatives. In addition, we have created opportunities for continuing education for ordained and licensed clergy, congregational leadership grants, clergy associations, Korean ministry studies, an accessible historical Discipliana collection, publications and translations of seminal Disciples resources, cross-cultural immersion opportunities, and established significant institutional and ecumenical partnerships with Claremont School of Theology, Pacific School of Religion, San Francisco Theological Seminary (Southern California), Claremont Graduate University and the Graduate Theological Union.
As we take this opportunity to celebrate the past, we do so with an awareness that the church is always changing and growing. One of the emerging realities of our life together as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is the transformation of theological education and the process for ordination. DSF will continue to provide scholarship for students in degree programs at our institutional partners. At the same time, we will meet the needs of students in certificate and alternative forms of theological and pastoral formation. We are excited about the possibilities that are on the horizon.
God has called us to a high purpose in sharing the Gospel to a world in need. We will continue to answer this call by preparing leaders who will remind us, inspire us and guide us into a faithful future.
On October 20, 1960, DSF began a ministry of supporting emerging theological leaders for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) on the West Coast.
To acknowledge its 50th;Anniversary and important service to the church, DSF will hold two formal events.; On October 16, 2010, DSF will hold a celebration at the Pacific School of Religion in partnership with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Northern California- Nevada. On October 22, 2010, DSF will hold a celebration at the DoubleTree Hotel in Claremont, CA with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of the Pacific Southwest Region. For more information, please e-mail info@dsf.edu or call 909.624.0712.
DSF has a strong history of supporting individuals called to service. While remembering the accomplishments of the past, there is great hope for the future. We hope you will join Disciples Seminary Foundation in our celebration of ministry!
This is the theme of this reflection on our recent trip to Haiti. First and foremost, I would like to express gratefulness on behalf of our Haiti delegation.
Thanks to the generous support of DSF and its donors, Jerri Handy (PSR MDiv, and trip organizer/lead), Lindsay Million (PSR MDiv), Sharon Mann(CST MDiv), and I (Lizzy Beach) were able to travel to Haiti - touching lives, and being touched. In this article, I will attempt to be brief, and yet thorough, recognizing that articulating our experience is a challenge to put into words.
Getting ready…
Originally, we were planning to travel to Haiti on January 16th, 2010 – the earthquake hit January 12th. While devastated that we were not able to complete our trip at the time or be with the Haitian people in the midst of great need, we were grateful not to already be in travel transit or on the ground. Timing is one of the things that allowed us to bring our important information to the Haitians at another time, and in turn, to become the first Global Ministries mission delegation on the ground post-earthquake.
Three weeks after the earthquake, we received a phone call from Felix Ortiz-Cotto, Area Executive for Latin America and the Caribbean for Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ, 
letting us know Patrick Villars, President of CONASPEH, our global ministries mission partner in Haiti, was asking for us: “When can you get here? We need you.” Jerri Handy, our trip lead and planner, had traveled to Haiti in 2007 to address their nation-wide gathering of church leaders. Jerri is a volunteer with the Trauma Intervention Program Inc. (or TIPS for short). Teaching “Emotional First Aid“ to ministers providing pastoral care in traumatic situations was the plan for our first trip; it was in high demand post-earthquake. Our trip was rescheduled for spring break, March 23rd – 29th – just nine weeks after when we were originally supposed to go to Haiti.
Haiti was a mess even before the earthquake: failing infrastructure, high crime, untrustworthy 
government, low morale, and extremely high poverty rate, which makes meeting basic needs very difficult. The work of CONASPEH – the ‘National Spiritual Council of Churches in Haiti’ – is extremely necessary. Before the earthquake, CONASPEH had a six-story building that operated several schools serving over 700 students, including a nursing school and a seminary. The mission of CONASPEH is to build coalitions between local community churches, to train church leaders and nurses, and to bring a more progressive theological perspective to Haiti. The life of the CONASPEH building, along with seventeen people trapped inside, ceased January 12th. Yet, the still work continues.
Planning for this trip was difficult. There was mental preparation for what we didn't know what we were going to see. There was packing, and supply gathering –as much as we could carry in the way of first aid supplies, batteries, watches, and other items. We collected items at our churches and at PSR and brought three huge suitcases full of goods in addition to our own belongings. We also assembled prayer teams. Our delegation decided to ask ten people each (minimum) specifically to pray for us, individually and for the team, daily, by name. We were as ready as we could possibly be – we headed to Haiti.
On the ground...
Day 1
We arrived at 9:00 AM and had a full day to see the city, relax, and prepare for what lay ahead. But please don’t mistake this as a day of “relaxation”. 
Seeing the city for the first time was emotionally draining, beginning with the aerial view when touching down in Port Au Prince. Simply driving to our hotel, and then around the city, visiting former tourist attractions (such as the Palace, government buildings, the museum, etc.) and other places was anything but relaxing. Based on my own visual perception, I would say that over 60% of the buildings in Port Au Prince were damaged or crumbled. Tent cities were everywhere – EVERYWHERE. Large areas, formerly barren hills, were filled with tents. But even having a tent is a luxury. Many live in improvised tent-like structures with sheets or tarps (or old ‘grand opening’ banners!), draped over wooden sticks to create a shelter. And these are not simply contained areas – there were tents and sleeping quarters set up in streets, in front of crumbled buildings. Businesses continue to sell items in front of their former stores, creating a street-side market of clothing, food, shoes, cell phones; practically anything you are looking for. That first day, we did our best to take it all in, and hold the survivors in our hearts. Relaxing for the evening back at our hotel that first night, and every night after, proved to be rejuvenating and helpful to processing what we were witnessing. And for that, we are grateful.
Days 2, 3, & 4
As I mentioned, the reason we traveled to Haiti was to teach a course to pastors on how to respond appropriately and provide pastoral care in a traumatic situation. 
In preparing, we planned on working closely with ten to twenty ministers, training them how to teach the information. That first day, and the following two days, we discovered approximately 350 people, both ministers and lay, eagerly wanting to hear what we had to say. As Jerri began teaching that first day of training, we quickly realized that the material, designed for pastoral care in individual traumatic experiences, was insufficient for a nation-wide catastrophe. The first day of training, Jerri modeled for her students – who were also survivors – what it means to “care, not cure” as the motto of TIPS says. These ministers needed to be cared for in their traumatic experience as well, in addition to having to care for their congregations. The following day, we re-grouped based on their questions, and presented some basic information about PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and some basic stress relieving techniques. We helped them understand that what they were experiencing was normal. And, living in post-earthquake Haiti requires that they begin to recalibrate and establish a ‘new normal’. We are so grateful that we could be there to help them begin their slow journey to healing.
We concluded our training with a blessing and anointing ceremony. Using oil that had been blessed at Jerri’s church, the Congregational Church of San Mateo, CA, 
we invited the ministers forward to receive the sign of the cross on their forehead, and charged them to continue the healing process one step at a time. We reminded them that they are not alone. We prayed for them and held their stories close to our hearts. At the conclusion of this tearful event, they asked if they could pray for us and we then received a high-powered dose of the Holy Spirit as it washed over us in the form of 350 Haitians praying out loud, hands out-stretched to the four of us. It was amazing and overwhelming. This experience was powerfully moving and connecting – an outpouring of our gratefulness for each other.
Day 5
Saturday morning over 500 people gathered in the same church we had been in all week for the memorial and recognition service of those who perished in the CONASPEH building, as well as those who survived. As I mentioned, seventeen people lost their lives in that building. Only through the grace of God the earthquake happened around 5:00 p.m.; thus, the majority of schools were already out for the day. Those that were in the building were mainly nursing students and employees. The survivors told their stories of holding hands with those who passed away while trapped in the building. After honoring the dead and the survivors, Jerri, Lindsay, Sharon, and I, along side Sharon Watkins (General Minister & President, Disciples of Christ) Geoffrey Black(General Minister & President, United Church of Christ), David Vargas (President, Division of Overseas Ministries and Co-Executive, Global Ministries), Cally Rogers-Witte (Executive Minister, Wider Church Ministries and Co-Executive, Global Ministries), and Felix Ortiz – who came down for the weekend to stand in solidarity with our mission partners in recognizing their great loss in the earthquake – served communion to the 500+ gathered there for the service. What an experience!
At the conclusion of the service, lunch was provided for us and the survivors and families who lost someone, hosted by CONASPEH. 
Detailed accounts were shared of being trapped in the building for over six hours before they could be dug out. One woman, Victor, told of singing so rescuers could hear she was alive and follow her voice. Another woman, Juliana, lost a portion of her foot in the building. She expressed deep sadness that she would no longer be able to be a nurse. Without missing a beat,Geoffrey Black stood up and said (paraphrased): “Oh yes you will – and you will be a better nurse because you will understand what your patients are going through.” It was in that moment I believe a true understanding was had by those around the table that the Disciples and the UCC were not just there for the publicity, but were in fact there for the long term, to stand in solidarity with Haiti; there to see the CONASPEH building and schools rebuilt, and ensure that the Haitian people are loved, supported, and prayed for by our churches. Gratefulness beamed from the eyes of the survivors that day; hope was renewed for the rebuilding of their school.
Day 6
We attended church in Cité Soleil, which is historically the most impoverished area in all of Haiti, just outside of Port Au Prince. 
Gathering under two adjoining mess tents in the midst of a ‘sheet city,’ we were met by excited people. We shared in singing and worshipping, and Jerri preached the message. It was Palm Sunday. Jerri’s message was simple: Jesus was with the people then, and is with the people now. She noted that when Jesus came into town, it was on a donkey, not a white horse, and that Jesus met with the brokenhearted and overlooked people of his day. Jesus is still is doing that – and is standing in the midst of the Haiti right now. This message was met with Alleluias and Amens. Our final day in Haiti we were overcome by gratefulness, getting to share with the Haitian people something that is so close to their hearts – their faith. In the midst of having nothing, they have faith in abundance, and shared it joyously with us
Now that we're home....
We want to go back! There is so much to do and see, and we want desperately to help, but that isn't possible. So we remain empowered by the stories of hope and faith we heard from the people there. There are a few stories that have stuck with us in such powerful ways that we can’t help but tell them repeatedly, many of which were told above.
Next to gratefulness, DIGNITY was the most powerful theme that coursed through our trip. One of the most important and profound statements we heard was made by Francois Villars, when sitting around a lunch table with the leaders from CONASPEH, Disciples of Christ, & UCC. In the context of beginning to map out the ways that the Disciples & UCC will be working together on a long-term sustainable development plan, she stated (paraphrased) “I believe that treating someone with Dignity is more that just giving them Charity – it is standing in Solidarity with them.” She thanked the church leaders and us for joining them, listening to their stories and needs, but most importantly, for standing in Solidarity with them when they feel so deserted by the world and their own government. This theme also came up in the final day of our training. We were listening to feedback and the needs of the attendees; one man said, “We have many needs here in Haiti, and we appreciate you giving us things; but what would be more helpful is to teach us how to get these things ourselves.” Solidarity, not just Charity = Dignity.
This theme has spoken so loudly to us that we have been acting on this idea in a number of ways. In addition to sharing our stories whenever possible, we are thinking long term. PSR students Jerri, Lindsay, and I will be writing a curriculum outline for the Field Education office of PSR with the intent that soon (hopefully within two years), PSR can begin a regular learning exchange with Haiti and the seminary at CONASPEH. Not only will students travel and learn about faith in a different context, but they will also have the opportunity to teach Haitian seminarians. Information sharing is beneficial to both parties and can enact a partnership that can have spectacular long-term effects. Jerri, Lindsay, and I have also recently led a chapel on May 4th, entitled “Faith, Hope, and Charity SOLIDARITY”. It is our hope that by pushing people to re-imagine standing WITH people in differing contexts and experiences, one’s own faith, spirituality, and understanding will deepen in relationship with others. We have been inspired by our Haitian brothers and sisters and will continue to work toward the creation of a global community: one that does not ignore impoverished people; one that does not ignore needs until catastrophe strikes. We can’t control the shaking of the earth, but we can control what we do with our love, effort, and funds after, AND BEFORE, something devastating happens. Meeting basic needs and seeing and valuing the humanity in ALL should be the first step to standing in Solidarity with someone unlike yourself. We are grateful for this critical lesson taught to us by Haitian people.
I can’t express how truly grateful we are to have had this experience. We are full – grateful – and wish to say once again, thank you to DSF for re-prioritizing cross-cultural contextual experiences. This too, is standing in Solidarity. Thank you!
~Lizzy Beach, 2010 graduate, Pacific School of Religion
DSF students receive the highest level of theological education through our partner institutions: Claremont School of Theology, Pacific School of Religion, and Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry.
Our students graduate with the skills for effective ministry and with spiritual resources for a lifetime of ministry. DSF also partners with the church to nurture and call future leaders.
All of this is made possible by generous donors, including Disciples Mission Fund, who share our vision of leadership for mission in an ever-changing future.
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