The Seminary Explores

Pastor Scott Schul, Senior Pastor, Grace Lutheran Church describes his recent visit to Denmark where he met and served alongside leaders in the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Denmark in an effort to “build a bigger Lutheran Church” united by common creeds and confessions, and not divided by national boundaries, politicians, or parochial allegiances to pastors, buildings, and boundary lines on a map. He explains ways that Danish Lutherans are using beauty and education, especially the “folk church tradition,” to reach a new generation of seekers.

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Joining approximately 100 doctors, dentists, nurses, and volunteers, Dr. Susan Cole participated in a mission to a remote region of Honduras to conduct an annual clinic that provides healthcare to hundreds who otherwise have no access to healthcare in their day-to-day lives.

She delves into the economic and other factors that impact the health status of children and adults and emphasizes how important basic education in simple health practices is to potentially changing the future health of the patients they treat.

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This episode contains a reference to suicides. If you or someone you know is in crisis call or text 988 for assistance.

Poet Shaheen Dil speaks with Katy Giebenhain about what sparked the writing of her verse memoir. Dil was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She now lives in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Her poetry collections include Acts of Deference, The Boat-Maker’s Art, and, most recently, Letters to My Younger Self. Her BA in English is from Vassar College. She holds a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and a Ph.D. in International Relations from Princeton University. Dil’s career started in academia, then shifted to banking and consulting. All along she’s been writing poetry. But for many years that was her secret. Luckily, we are now able to read her poems in journals and books, and to hear her at public readings.

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In this Episode Dr. Christopher Bellitto, Professor of History at Kean University, author of “Walking Toward Virtue: A Journey with Dante,” and a frequent interpreter of Catholic history and current affairs, recaps the election of the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV, and his recent encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, “The Magnificence of Humanity,” which is about the promise and peril of AI, but also about war, slavery, and the poor. A recurring theme is safeguarding humanity.

Bellitto believes that Pope Leo’s papacy will emphasize human values and the condition of have-nots in society.

This episode is hosted by retired Seminary Explores host Jerry Christianson, Professor Emeritus of Church History at United Lutheran Seminary.

Pope Leo XIV photo credit: Edgar Beltrán, The Pillar

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. James Thomas, Retired Associate Professor of Worship Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University, talks about his recent experience in teaching at the Good News Theological Seminary in Ghana. He shares his experience with students in the classroom as well as in the field experiences. Although he had been to Ghana previously, this experience exposed him to the deep division between Muslims and Christians. He also comments on his taking more time to listen to various individuals he encountered. In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Thomas talks about the various congregations he attended where he preached and taught during his semester of teaching. His comments on his experience and his suggestions to considering teaching on the African continent will be helpful to faculty members considering teaching there.

Pastor Annabelle Markey, Co-pastor Community Lutheran Church, Sterling, VA, while on a 3-month sabbatical from her parish she had the opportunity to fulfill her interest in traveling 490 miles on foot from France through northern Spain on the Camino de Santiago. The pilgrimage attracts people from around the globe: Christians and non-Christians, people in transition in their lives, walkers who are taking the time to discern, and non-believers.

She and her husband walked 10 to 18 miles each day going through various small towns. Upon reaching their designated walk, they would find various accommodations for sleeping and continue their pilgrimage the next morning beginning at 6 AM. She shares the history of this pilgrimage which developed in the ninth century with the discovery of the relics of St. James and about the personal outcomes of this pilgrimage for her which included learning to slow down and how to be present by listening to others without thinking about the next project or projects to do. Although it was a strenuous walk, she hopes to repeat this pilgrimage.

Dr. Christianson speaks with Ambassador Lawrence Taylor who provides his assessment of the current war in the Ukraine. Ambassador Taylor emphasizes the need for an immediate pause in hostilities and expresses deep concern that there is no easy way back or no quick resolution to this conflict.

For reference you may also want to listen to some of our past episodes on the Ukraine.

• 10/14/2014: http://seminaryexplores.uls.edu/e/the-conflict-in-ukraine/
• 12/5/2019: http://seminaryexplores.uls.edu/e/why-is-ukraine-important/

Haya Mohanna came to the United States from the Gaza Strip in Palestine to study at Gettysburg College. She was sponsored by LE.O (Leonard Education Organization) which supports nearly 60 qualified students in American universities. Even with this support, she experienced the difficulty of leaving occupied Gaza, and the frustration of not being able to visit her family whom she has not seen in seven years. She has flourished in America even while she continues to make adjustments as a Muslim woman to her new environment. She believes that this country is a beacon of hope that must come to terms with itself as a cultural mix where no religion, culture, or race can be privileged.