The Seminary Explores

Dr. William Buckley, Adjunct professor-instructor in the Doctor of Liberal Studies Program in the School of Continuing Studies, Georgetown University, discusses the election and work of Pope Leo XIV. Buckley affirms that Pope Leo is a leader for these times. His missionary work in Peru, his graduate theological degrees including a doctorate in  Canon Law, pastoral work, and teaching make him prepared for the challenges of ecclesial leadership in the world in which we live. Throughout the interview Dr. Buckley makes us keenly aware of Pope Leo’s Augustinian roots which emphasizes mission and sensitivity to the poor and marginalized. Buckley, an active Roman Catholic theologian and ethicist, shares his hopes for Pope Leo as well as the challenges that he will encounter.

(Please note there are some minor audio dropouts due to phone connection instability, but they should not impact your enjoyment or understanding of this conversation.)

Dr. James Thomas, retired professor of Church, Ministry and Worship at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University, discusses various people he interviewed and researched for his book, A Rumor of Black Lutherans. He emphasizes the importance of telling and sharing their stories as members of Lutheran churches in the U.S. In addition, he notes that the lives of these Black giants in Lutheranism indicates their contribution to the life of the whole church and people do not know them. For example, he mentioned Jehu Jones, Daniel Payne, Rosa Young. He encourages future scholars to continue to research and share the stories of Black Lutherans who have made contributions to our lives from their secular work as involved Lutheran laypersons (doctors, teachers, etc.).

Pew Research data on the Racial and ethnic composition among members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Pastor William Sowers received the Lifetime in Ministry Award from United Lutheran Seminary. He talks about the process of attending seminary and what factors informed him of his final decision to attend. Much of his years in ministry focused on social issues or social ministry. Pastor Sowers shared parts of his ministerial life.  He organized and developed the first CROP walk, studied Family Therapy, worked for Tressler Lutheran Services, and developed the program for families of gay children. He is thankful for the award and his years in ministry.

Dr. Warren Eshbach is the recipient of the United Lutheran Seminary, Called to Lead – Excellence in Parish Ministry Award from the Alumni/ai Association. He talks about his Lutheran educational history although he is a member of the Church of the Brethren. He recalls his theological studies on the Gettysburg campus and their importance as he continued in ministry over the years. He emphasizes the importance of theology in helping one to think critically. Eshbach life in ministry included: parish pastor, District Executive Minister, and adjunct faculty member. For anyone contemplating ministry, he advises them to learn to listen; try to understand “the other.”

This episode focuses on the work of Dawn Stewart and Mark Staples. They are part of a group of friends and colleagues of the late Dr. Richard Stewart. Dr. Stewart concentrated his work on the history of Black Lutherans. Mark and Dawn share their two-year project of reading and identifying articles in The Lutheran, Lutheran Standard, and Partners magazines which centered on Black Lutherans.

In continuing the work of Dr. Stewart, they hope to make their findings available to the public, students, and scholars. From their investigation, they were able to identify trends (Civil Rights, Housing, etc.) in the reporting as well as Black Lutherans who contributed to daily life in the United States and to the Lutheran Church.

Tristan Ericson and Elizabeth Mitchell shared their reflections on a recent mission trip to Tanzania. They were part of a mission team of over twenty-five people mostly from St. Paul Lutheran Church in York, Pennsylvania.

This trip was designed to acquaint and connect the delegation with the leaders and congregants Mpuguso Church of the Konde Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. Once there, they helped where needed by the church and places they visited, the Lutheran school, the hospital. Tristan and Elizabeth talked about Sunday worship that was between three and four hours in length but did not seem that long. It was vibrant.

When asked about some of the outcomes of the trip, Elizabeth and Tristan stated that the people they had heard about before the trip were no longer in the abstract. They now have brothers and sisters in Christ around the world. The hospitality shown to them was overwhelming. This trip helped members of St. Paul and other churches in the area to be aware of the connections that exist in the global church.

Dr. Janet Powers, Professor Emerita of Interdisciplinary and Women's Studies specializing in Indian religion and literature at Gettysburg College joins Katy Giebenhain for a conversation about her book Kites Over the Mango Tree: Restoring Harmony Between Hindus and Muslims in Gujarat. Powers is a certified conflict resolution mediator and has worked with women's peace-building organizations in India, Palestine, Israel, Haiti, South Africa, and Estonia. Her PhD is from University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has received many awards including a Peacemaker of the Year Award from the Interfaith Center for Peace and Justice, the inaugural Outstanding Contribution Award by Gettysburg Connection for Mediation Services of Adams County, and a YWCA Gettysburg Adams County Callie Award. Powers is the author of scholarly articles and poems as well as three books. You can also hear Dr. Powers speak about her experience of being a woman in academia on the Tell Us A Story podcast.

Dr. William Avery, Professor Emeritus of Stewardship and Parish Ministry, shares his thoughts on three top issues from the previous year, 2023: The Hamas-Israel conflict, the exit of from church participation, and clergy burnout. He reminds us that that the Middle East conflict is not recent but has its roots from the biblical period. From his years of teaching and research, Avery suggests that the membership in our American congregations started to decline in the early 1960s. Avery indicates that the issue of clergy burnout has developed from lack of communication between the clergyperson and the congregation. While these issues are troubling, Avery leaves the conversation with words of hope.

Andrew Taminger, a third-year seminarian at United Lutheran Seminary, talks about his attendance at the Lutheran World Federation Assembly (LWF) in Krakow, Poland. After a brief introduction to the history of the Federation, he continues by sharing his personal highlights of the Assembly along with some of the discussions including climate change, women’s rights, disabilities, and gender issues. He goes on to discuss the tensions that were present in the deliberations including the use of languages and the concerns of youth. He describes a youth strike that took place at the Assembly. He concludes the by sharing some of the seventeen resolutions that were passed for the ongoing work of the LWF.

Fr. Andrew Durbidge, Rector St. Luke and St. Matthew Episcopal Church in Brooklyn New York Joins us to talk about his recent pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago or the Way of St. James. Each year thousands of individuals start from various points in France, Spain, and other locations to take the journey. This pilgrimage dates from the medieval period. Durbidge used his walking time for meditation and reflection. The walk reinforced his own spiritual growth. He began his 60-mile journey from Camino de Portugues and culminated at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwest Spain. Ending the journey with worship at the Cathedral, Fr. Durbidge noted the emotional impact of the journey in the tearful eyes of his fellow travelers.