Spring is around the corner and we will celebrate another ministry
partner in our congregation’s Second Mile Giving program. In March,
our Second Mile Giving ministry partner is Pacific Lutheran Theological
Seminary, located in Berkeley.
A little background on this Seminary: It is 1 of 7 Lutheran seminaries in
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). This Seminary was founded
in 1910 in Portland Oregon, relocated to Seattle for a few years, and moved back to Berkeley in 1972. It is the only Lutheran seminary in the western half of the United States, and its territory of service include nearly 2/3 of our country.
In 2014, PLTS merged with California Lutheran University
(CLU), and now is a Graduate School of Theology of CLU. Additionally, in 2017, the
seminary moved its campus from the top of a hillside in Tilden Park to a location
near the downtown BART station.
So why are seminaries important? Two quotes from the PLTS
website provide some great insight about seminaries, and PLTS in particular:
1) “PLTS develops leaders in the Lutheran tradition for a complex and changing
world. We equip people to put their faith into action as our church and culture face
dramatic change; because people who follow their purpose can transform a
community – in the world.”
2) “PLTS develops leaders for the church by: Deepening faith in Christ; challenging the mind; expanding the heart; and energizing for mission.
In March we are focusing on our Seminary and an opportunity to provide financial support during our Second Mile offering on March 9. Our congregation will also have the opportunity to learn more personally on March 9 about the Seminary, when Andrew Thomas, a third-yearseminary student from PLTS will be our guest preacher. Andrew will stay after worship and provide an informal Q & A session
Comments