Student Life
Come as you are . . .
Go not as you came . . .
Come and BE a part of shaping and forming and inspiring this scholarly and spiritual community of leaders and believers.
Come and know that here in this place:
questions are encouraged;
listening is essential;
and acceptance is practiced.
Come participate in the community in many ways!
Lee Saylor, MDiv student currently in his ministry formation year writes:
"A vital component of being part of the Bethany Community on campus is Student Life. This term describes more than I can list here, but what is interesting to note is how my interaction has evolved as I have progressed as a student. Early, I was active and present in a lot of the planning and preparations. This year, being in Ministry Formation, I am finding that I am not as able to participate as before, but that can be a good thing. The community has many talented people who step up and reshape student life each year. For me, Ministry Formation has served to remind me that I do not need to be doing everything, and this has built up the trust I have in the ongoing community development. Ministry Formation pushes me to grow emotionally and theologically. Student Life balances that growth with time for fun and fellowship with my peers and friends."
08-09 Student Leadership Team:
Lee Saylor, Anna Lisa Gross, Tracy Stoddart, Haley Goodwin, Denton Krietz, Janelle Flory Shrock, & Amy Ritchie, faculty advisor not shown, (photo credit: Enten Eller).
Bethany deeply values our students. Our mission to educate and empower Christian leaders who are headed into the world to nurture congregations, work for justice and provide academic scholars for the next generation of students.... comes alive in the study, work and play of our student body. The Student Leadership Team – comprised of six to eight students called by their peers – envisions and invokes meaningful community life seeking to include everyone. Beyond the students, our community embraces spouses, faculty, staff, families and friends - everyone is invited! Thus, the Student Leadership Team plans open activities oriented to the breadth of participants - gathering at Wings & Rings for late-night conversations after classes or rising early for coffee and bagels at the local bakery shop for morning discussions.
Come play and pray with us!
From softball tournaments (against the Fightin' Quakers!) to team triathlons; from bowling evenings to movie nights (with theological reflection, of course!); from road-tripping to IKEA and Jungle Jim’s International Market in Cincinnati to hearing our favorite band Mutual Kumquat at the local digs! From karaoke kraziness to potluck indulgence; and deep listening in the gathering rooms, study rooms, and quiet places on campus.
Come encounter a lively and balanced student body:
Approximately 120 students, 45% women and 55% men,
single and married adults,
Many arriving from the Church of the Brethren,
while 25% joining us from other diverse faith traditions.
Diversity is felt in the broad spectrum of theological thought,
economic situations,
through the various cultures within the story of the United States
(from Pennsylvania Dutch tradition to Mid West pragmatics to West Coast openness),
and educational backgrounds;
and from various cultures beyond the United States: Nigeria, Dominican Republic, Korea, and Jamaica --- and soon India!
This type of diversity provides opportunity to study and discuss,
worship and enjoy people who do not have the same assumptions
or understandings about life.
This type of diversity causes us to be purposeful in our listening to one another
and our willingness to have our own assumptions challenged.
God is present. Growth happens and one is never the same.
Anna Lisa Gross, Mdiv student writes: "Many of my classmates are people I would never have become friends with. Even in the small Church of the Brethren, I would not have crossed paths with them, or our theological, political and other differences would have limited our exposure to each other. I cherish the diversity of the Bethany student body. During my first year at Bethany, there were always students (and staff and faculty, too!) hanging out in the gathering area, usually laughing and talking loudly, always having fun. Moving through this lively space always left a smile on my face, and I usually couldn't resist sitting down and staying awhile. Being surrounded by people enjoying each other in these ways has made it quite natural to enjoy my classmates (even those who are quite different from me, or whose quirks shine most brightly) as well!"
Come and witness by the manner of your living!
Here at Bethany, our student body is further deepened through our partnership with the Quaker seminary, Earlham School of Religion. The “Friends” across the sidewalk share many values with the Church of the Brethren, including:
peace witness,
simple living,
and spiritual devotion.
Together, we practice living out these common values.
We also share faculty and facilities, common worship and common meals.
Together, we learn and grow,
challenge and listen,
being two distinct seminaries in one body of Christ.
Come worship well with us!
Every Wednesday the Bethany community gathers for thoughtful and meaningful worship, which is planned by our Ministry of Worship class.
dynamic, skilled preachers share the Good News,
diverse worship experiences seek to embody mind, heart, and body,
and together our voices lift up to God in song and prayer!
On Fridays we worship jointly with our partners in the faith, Earlham School of Religion. Here we hear more from various voices from the two seminary communities – and even more importantly, we learn to appreciate the soulful silence of the Quaker Waiting Worship.
Every day, silent worship from 8:00am - 8:30am is offered in the Quigg Room at ESR, as well as Wednesday and Thursday programmed and unprogrammed worship with the ESR community.
Come and deepen your faith . . .
Bethany students are strongly encouraged to participate in a local congregation. It is important for the seminarian to give attention to his/her own spiritual growth through investment in a faith community beyond Bethany's learning community of faith.
Bethany's Pastoral Care Team is comprised of two to three faculty members, who are a place for confidential listening, spiritual direction, prayer and support. The Pastoral Care Team sends out emails for prayer concerns and joys that involve the people who are part of the wide Bethany community.
Each year, students are supported to form spiritual circle groups, bible studies, open prayer time, special times of spiritual renewal, and volunteering in the local community.
bethanyseminary.edu