PLTS and the GTU
Our Sister Seminary, PLTS
Today was spent getting to know Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS). The morning began with a trip down hill to the Graduate Theological Union (GTU). The GTU is a consortium of nine independent theological schools of various denominations who function under one umbrella. Most of the schools are located within a two-three block radius. PLTS is a member of the GTU, even though they are located a few miles up hill. Students register at one of the nine theological schools but are able to take classes at any of the schools within the GTU. The Martin Looper bus shuttles students from the GTU to PLTS.
After my tour of the GTU we returned to PLTS for Wednesday morning Holy Communion worship at 11:15 AM in the Chapel of the Cross. Worship lasted an hour and was followed by an all campus meal made by the “church ladies,” three male students with wonderful culinary abilities. Today we had grilled chicken kabobs, rice, cabbage salad, carrot cake & beverage. The worship service and meal gave me an opportunity to meet some of the students and staff at the school.
That afternoon Greg (the Director of Admissions at PLTS) and I were back at the GTU for their 2005-2006 Convocation. The Convocation took place in the chapel at the Pacific School of Religion and was attended by students and faculty from the GTU as well as a representative from University of California, Berkeley whose school is an adjunct member of the GTU. (students can take classes at U of C, Berkeley as well, which is only a few blocks away and which Greg and I did a walking tour of earlier in the morning). The Convocation gave me an opportunity to learn more about the GTU and how it functions.
Our last stop for the day was a visit to University Lutheran Chapel and Pastor Jeff Johnson. Jeff serves as both pastor to the University Lutheran congregation as well as Lutheran Campus Pastor to U of C, Berkeley. He shared with Greg and me his ministry with the congregation and the university students.
Our evening wrapped up with a driving tour through Greg’s undergraduate alma mater, St. Mary’s; and supper with his fiancee, Gwen, at Greg’s favorite Chinese restaurant.
Reflections on my visit to PLTS
All of us in admissions (from all eight ELCA seminaries) tell perspective students we meet with that the best way to decide which seminary will fit you best is to visit. I have to say that my visit to PLTS opened my eyes to that institution and all the wonderful things it has to offer better than the brochure alone could never do. Luther and PLTS share the same goal: to raise up theologically trained leaders for the church. Yet we do so in different ways. As “sister seminaries” we are a good pairing. Because of those differences we can greater meet the needs of those wishing to study in the West. I also appreciated spending time with a colleague in the ministry, especially a more veteran member than I, though by no means the most veteran. My thanks to Greg for all the time and planning that went into my visit.
Today was spent getting to know Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS). The morning began with a trip down hill to the Graduate Theological Union (GTU). The GTU is a consortium of nine independent theological schools of various denominations who function under one umbrella. Most of the schools are located within a two-three block radius. PLTS is a member of the GTU, even though they are located a few miles up hill. Students register at one of the nine theological schools but are able to take classes at any of the schools within the GTU. The Martin Looper bus shuttles students from the GTU to PLTS.After my tour of the GTU we returned to PLTS for Wednesday morning Holy Communion worship at 11:15 AM in the Chapel of the Cross. Worship lasted an hour and was followed by an all campus meal made by the “church ladies,” three male students with wonderful culinary abilities. Today we had grilled chicken kabobs, rice, cabbage salad, carrot cake & beverage. The worship service and meal gave me an opportunity to meet some of the students and staff at the school.That afternoon Greg (the Director of Admissions at PLTS) and I were back at the GTU for their 2005-2006 Convocation. The Convocation took place in the chapel at the Pacific School of Religion and was attended by students and faculty from the GTU as well as a representative from University of California, Berkeley whose school is an adjunct member of the GTU. (students can take classes at U of C, Berkeley as well, which is only a few blocks away and which Greg and I did a walking tour of earlier in the morning). The Convocation gave me an opportunity to learn more about the GTU and how it functions.
Our last stop for the day was a visit to University Lutheran Chapel and Pastor Jeff Johnson. Jeff serves as both pastor to the University Lutheran congregation as well as Lutheran Campus Pastor to U of C, Berkeley. He shared with Greg and me his ministry with the congregation and the university students.Our evening wrapped up with a driving tour through Greg’s undergraduate alma mater, St. Mary’s; and supper with his fiancee, Gwen, at Greg’s favorite Chinese restaurant.
Reflections on my visit to PLTS
All of us in admissions (from all eight ELCA seminaries) tell perspective students we meet with that the best way to decide which seminary will fit you best is to visit. I have to say that my visit to PLTS opened my eyes to that institution and all the wonderful things it has to offer better than the brochure alone could never do. Luther and PLTS share the same goal: to raise up theologically trained leaders for the church. Yet we do so in different ways. As “sister seminaries” we are a good pairing. Because of those differences we can greater meet the needs of those wishing to study in the West. I also appreciated spending time with a colleague in the ministry, especially a more veteran member than I, though by no means the most veteran. My thanks to Greg for all the time and planning that went into my visit.
posted by Liza at 9:42 AM
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