The Seminary Explores

Gretchen Natter is the Executive Director of the Center for Public Service and Assistant Dean of College Life, Gettysburg College; and Communications Liaison, Project Gettysburg-Leon. In this podcast she describes the current political crisis in Nicaragua brought about by protests against President Daniel Ortega, the long-time leader of the Sandinista Movement that overthrew the Somoza dictatorship but is now using similar tactics to suppress opposition. The situation has directly affected the work of groups that encourage cultural interchange and assistance such as Project Gettysburg-Leon and others around the country.

Carla Christopher, a student at United Lutheran Seminary and a former Poet Laureate of York, Pennsylvania, talks about how we can have difficult conversations around challenging topics by creating a safe space where people can engage with one another and feel safe to be human. Conversations about race, diversity, and a gender can be difficult, but there are resources available to help any group or organization, no matter how small, to begin to share their life experiences with one another.

Learn more about Carla at carlachristopher.com and communityartsink.org.

You’ll see and think about landscapes differently after hearing about the work of Dawn Waters Baker. The Dallas, Texas-based painter brings her rich perspectives and large-scale attention to spaces on and above the battlefield as an Artist-in-Residence at the Gettysburg National Military Park. She has shown extensively and her paintings are in a number of collections. “Stunning, atmospheric and spiritual” are the impressions Katy Giebenhain came away with after her Seminary Explores conversation with the artist. The culmination of paintings Waters Baker is beginning here during her residency will be exhibited in the show “Civil: Works Inspired by the Civil War” at Mary Tomas Gallery, March 2019 (Reception TBA) in Dallas.

Thanks to our host site for this interview, Waldo’s and Co. on the square in Gettysburg

The Artist-in-Residence program is made possible by the Gettysburg Foundation and The National Park Arts Foundation, with support from the National Park Service.

Gettysburg National Military Park artist-in-residence Rick Stark reflects on who we choose to memorialize, contemporary and Civil War poetry, moral injury, nature and what it is like to be a military veteran living on the Battlefield for four weeks which include the famous first week of July.

Rick Stark and Chris Lauer examine hand made paper for Rick's poetry.

Pope Frances has called a special meeting in Rome for February 2019 to address the scandal in the Roman Catholic Church concerning the abuse of boys by priests, but will it be enough?

Dr. Christopher Bellitto, Professor of History , Kean University, and author of “Renewing Christianity.”, explores the history and future of this ongoing crisis. How it has been handled and ignored in the past and what is being done about it now. He believes that–despite the bishops’ historic reservations toward “secular” interference—the first call when abuse is suspected must be to the police.

On the 50th anniversary of the Tet Offensive, Lt. Col. (ret.) Thomas Dombrowsky a Vietnam War combat veteran and Adjunct Professor, Gettysburg College, asks what we have learned: the trauma of veterans was not so much outright hostility as disinterest or silence; we should not blame the soldiers for bad policy; and, above all, we need to think beyond the end of hostilities so that winning the peace becomes as important as winning the war. On the positive side, he notes that two American presidents, Obama and Trump, have visited Viet Nam.

The hosts of The Seminary Explores podcast reflect on the last five years as a podcast and the 43 years of the on-the-air radio program.  We encourage you to take this time to look back with us and find your favorite episodes or maybe listen to one you have not heard yet.  With 146 episodes on line there is surely something for everyone.

Dr. Dennis Onieal discussed the events of 9/11 as a first responder. the former head of the Jersey City Fire Department and currently Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator for the U.S. Fire Administration, was called to help following the attack. He discussed the clean-up effort and the responsibility of civilians during such a crisis. He called attention to the issues that were not publicized but essential in the recovery effort. In addition, he talked about the post-9/11 changes in instruction for policemen, firefighters, etc. in responding to attacks. In addition, he shared how he handled his own feelings after working at the 9/11 site.

Emphasizing the importance of addressing community relations with students, faculty, alumni, and churches, Dr. Richard Green the Interim President at United Lutheran Seminary, pointed to the recently approved Mission Statement as a foundation for the future. The Mission calls for a focus on unity, learning, and service, and lays the groundwork for a strategic plan that is already under way. The plan will then guide policy decisions on tuition scholarships, faculty development, curriculum, maintenance, and endowment, among other issues.

In this episode Dr. Scott Hancock discusses the work of the historian. In particular he talks about his research interest in the African American experience and the Underground Railroad. While it is part of the 19th century, the underground railroad continues in our times with people crossing borders, human trafficking, etc. In addition, he discussed the state monuments on the battlefield and what they are teaching and saying to onlookers.