Dean's Desk
May 2012
As we end one academic year with the celebration of Commencement, I give thanks to God for the many, many amazing people who make graduation possible for each student at Wesley. From staff in the kitchen to the mailroom to the grounds, from faculty who are full-time to adjuncts that come to campus once a week, from congregations who teach interns to hospital CPE programs, from donors to neighbors, from first year seminarians to recent alumni – a host of witnesses surround our common life, blessing and supporting the Wesley community. None of us walks this path alone, and together God is at work in powerful ways!
If you are a graduate, keep in touch and let us know where you are and how you are. If you are a current student, take this brief respite at the end of the semester to catch your breath, let your soul catch up with your body, and listen to what God is saying in your life right now. If you are a prospective student considering Wesley, we invite you to visit campus, sit in on a class, and take a tour.
Highlights
New Master of Arts Program
The Master of Arts program is perfect for those seeking to deepen their spiritual life and to examine the text and traditions of Christianity. Adding a theological context to your work in the world can add a new dimension to your effectiveness as a professional or lay person. Students are welcome to take a few courses, or may pursue the Master of Arts degree. To check it out, click here.
Wesley Faculty on the Web
Lucy Hogan recently provided Bible commentary on www.workingpreacher.org, a website for preachers. Dig around that site and you will find several other Wesley faculty who have contributed, including Carla Works, Denise Dombkowski Hopkins, Sharon Ringe and Amy Oden. To view Dr. Hogan’s commentary, click here.
Special Fall Course
We have partnered with Eastern University to offer a special course, “American Politics and Christian Faith,” taught jointly by Tony Campolo, Jim Wallis and Ron Sider during the fall 2012 semester. We are thrilled that the course will be offered at Wesley@MVS to draw new publics into Wesley’s conversation on faith and politics, especially during the fall presidential election. The class will meet Monday evenings, so check it out by clicking here.
Center for the Missional Church
Two new initiatives have grown out of our Center for the Missional Church. The first is the Missional Fellows Program, launched with the support of the Cousins Foundation. Students selected to be Fellows will receive additional financial, academic and formational support to study and participate in missional ministries both in congregations and non-profit organizations. The Fellows program will equip outstanding students with prior experience in national service corps for fruitful missional leadership in the church and world. The second initiative is the Missional Church Specialization, which any student may declare. The Missional Church Specialization is designed to equip church leaders to focus on the church's mission of being sent into the world to create disciples for Jesus Christ. Through coursework and internship placement, the program will focus on both the nature of the church to be missional and the practices of fruitful missional churches.
Amy Oden
Dean and Professor of History of Christianity