From @austinseminary ... "The Reed" for April 2022

Climate Change Conversations: Resources for your Congregation

On March 31, Education Beyond the Walls invited Christian climate scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe to speak with alumna Sarah Macias about the positive things we can do as individuals and congregations to move forward the conversation on climate change. She offered practical, solution-oriented suggestions toward finding common ground and a biblical understanding of our obligation to care about the planet and its inhabitants.

• Watch the video ...
• Browse the "Talking about Climate Science" resource page...

Please Join Us!

The Mary B. and Robert J. Wright Learning and Information Center
Dedication • Tours • Lunch
May 13, 2022, beginning at 11:00 a.m. in Shelton Chapel

• Let us know you can come ...

Apply to Austin Seminary's Certificate Programs

Did you know that Austin Seminary faculty offers courses in the three mostly online certificate programs: the Certificate in Ministry, the Certificate in Jewish Christian Relationships, and the Spanish-language Certificado en Ministerio. The certificates comprise seven courses completed over a four-year period.

Carol Clarke (CJCR’21), a veteran of many courses in the CJCR program, says "Interfaith conversation takes many forms, but rarely do we have opportunity to roll up sleeves and study in earnest Jewish and Christian perspectives on faith. For those who are committed to that task, whether laity or clergy, this program offers a unique and fulfilling learning experience."

New courses in the English-language programs run September 6 - December 2; apply for the program by August 12.

• More information here...

Legacy Giving

You can direct up to $100,000 annually from your IRA to Austin Seminary as a Qualified Charitable Distribution that is not taxable.

• More information here...

A Message from the Presidential Search Committee

The Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary Presidential Search Committee has had a busy month of travel, conversations, prayers, and wonderful interaction with exceptional people who are doing wonderful things in service to God, the church, and the larger world, but who have been willing to take time with us to seriously discern this opportunity as President.

As we enter into a critical phase of discernment with exceptional and gifted people, we wanted to update you as best we can on our work as a committee in ways that should make you hopeful and excited about what is next in the life of this institution. First of all, the Presidential Search Committee is a committed and exceptional group of people who deeply care about the mission and vision of this institution and who are generous with their time, insights, and willingness to be fully engaged in this search. Second, there are lots of gifted and superlative people doing amazing things in the greater Presbyterian church, and all of them respect and admire what Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary has been doing and promises to be in the future. Third, we are moving into a serious phase of discernment and ask for your continued prayers and hopes as we seek to determine the best person to lead this seminary forward into its next chapter.

And finally, as we discern together as a committee, we remind you that we take to heart the institutional values we heard from the many stakeholders of the seminary community: we seek someone with a pastor’s heart, strategic vision, wonder and humility, appreciation for the seminary’s unique context, and a disciple committed to the vision of Christ’s beloved community and our attempt to embody that vision as the community of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Each time we gather together as a committee, after we pray together, we enter into our work with these words: "We trust in God, who is sending a faithful leader to Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary to serve as President, and as we carry out our work of discernment, we commit ourselves to the responsibilities of diversity, equity, and inclusion as we discern God’s purposes for the leadership and future of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary."

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

Gratefully yours,
The Reverend Chris Currie
Chair, Presidential Search Committee

"Our students care about each other, they care for the Seminary community, they care for the greater Austin community, they care for the Gospel. And they act that care out. Judging where the world is today, for me, that’s a relief."

Please Support our Students and Faculty with a Gift to the Annual Fund

Austin Seminary provides merit-based and need-based financial assistance to the vast majority of our students so that they can pursue their calling in ministry, wherever that may take them. This would not be possible without the generosity of our donors.

Please support the future leaders of the church by sending your gift to the Annual Fund today.

Support our graduates ....

My Seminary Spot

Our new campus banners were inspired by the reflections of students and alumni on special places around campus. Ruth Elswood (MDiv’15) found Shelton Chapel to be a place of learning as well as worship.

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