Sabbath on the Red Sea

Today we had the privilege of visiting Al-Azhar Al-Shariff, the largest and most prestigious Islamic academic institution in the world. Our hosts graciously welcomed us and Islamic scholar, Prof. Dr. Nazir Mohamed Ayyad spoke with us about the work and mission of Al-Azhar Al-Shariff. He spoke particularly about the research arm of the institution, Al-Azhar Islamic Research Academy (AIRA). Dr….

Strategic Plan 2024-2029 FINAL

From Galilee to the Dead Sea

…is not my first time in the Holy Land, as I was fortunate enough to come on a pilgrimage with my church in October 2019. That trip was a pivotal moment that shaped my path to seminary. This trip has deepened my connection to the culture, people, and especially the religions that share this Holy Land. I know these last…

Strategic-Plan-2024-2029-FINAL

Joshua T. Morris Named Assistant Professor of Practical Theology

…for Pastoral Theology, the Association of Practical Theology, the American Academy of Religion, the Society for Intercultural Pastoral Care and Counseling, and the Pediatric Chaplains Network. He has received awards for excellence in academic, military, and hospital communities. Dr. Morris is married to Beth Morris. They are the proud parents of an eight-year-old son, Isaac, and a four-year-old daughter, Annette….

Listening and Learning in Egypt

…multipronged approach to addressing poverty, especially among women, children, and the disabled. Various directors shared their work in areas ranging from development to microfinance to agriculture to intercultural dialogue.   Recently, CEOSS participated in writing and proposing legislation against hate speech that is now being considered by the Egyptian parliament. Of particular interest to our group was their 80/800 initiative…

Everything, Everywhere, All at Once

…experiences are lifelong accumulations but the experiences are manifest fully only in their singular occurrences that cannot be appreciated to any great measure outside of them. So, suffice to say here that I could write pages and pages here in some vain attempt to elaborate on the ineffable. And then we had lunch. (Ask me later about Hezekiah’s Tunnel) –Lucius…

Campus Covid Protocols – January 2023 (pdf)

This set of protocols will take effect on January 25, 2023. Amendments to these protocols will occur as pandemic conditions and CDC responses to those conditions change….

Bridge for Early Career Preachers to Expand

…with changing technology, and the Bridge for Early Career Preachers is a wonderful example of innovation.” Lilly Endowment Inc. launched the Compelling Preaching Initiative in 2022 because of its interest in supporting projects that help to nurture the religious lives of individuals and families and foster the growth and vitality of Christian congregations in the United States. # # #…

Sunrise on Mount Sinai

…did was support each other on our often arduous trek. It seems fitting that we will have celebrated three birthdays of group members on this trip. Birthdays are individual milestones, and our hike today marked a milestone that I think many of us will remember as we consider our own journeys—whether today’s climb was frustrating, exhilarating, or even painful. Yesterday,…

The Meaning of a True Pilgrim

…frizzy hair from sweaty walks. We see people limping and dragging. And most strikingly, the eyes are matt and weary. It is the same look from different denominations, religions, and ethnicities. It is as if pilgrims think we are here to find something, but God in God’s mercy is helping us lose something instead. Alhamdulillah. –Elisabeth Chapin 3rd year, MDiv/MACE…

The Museum of Israel

…is that the replica is made out of the same stones, marble, ceramics, copper, iron, and gold as the original city. Even though we’ve been to the remaining walls of the city and other locations within the old city, the model offers a panoramic view of ancient Jerusalem. We, then, moved inside the museum, which was breathtaking. It was a…

Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty Named Professor of Theology and Ethics

…School of Christian Education (now UPSem) in 2002. Ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church, USA, she is a member of the Mid-Kentucky Presbytery. Dr. Hinson-Hasty’s service to the church is ecumenical and international. She has represented the World Council of Churches in numerous capacities. On the national church level, she has served as a…

Rev. Dr. Karen-Marie Yust Elected President of the Religious Education Association

…spans decades. Previously, Yust served as Chair of the Academic Disciplines and Institutions Committee, a Board position for REA. In her role as president, she joins many notable figures in the field of religious education, including George Albert Coe, Mary Elizabeth Mullino Moore, C. Ellis Nelson, Iris Cully, Maria Harris, Charles Foster, Thomas Groome, Jack Seymour, and Anne Streaty Wimberly….

Valley of the Kings

Egypt is a magical land, there is no other way to explain how we fit so much in a day! Like the setting of the sun, today we traveled west, across the Nile, to the land of the dead. Fourteen adventurous members of our group began their day at 3:30 a.m. to watch the sun rise over the Nile in…

Mosques, Museums, and More

…leader Muhammad Ali (not the boxer) in the 19th century. We were invited to observe (and some participated in) their main prayer service for the week (similar to our Sunday morning), and ask questions of the imam (the leader of the prayer service) afterwards. Bahgat, our tour guide, was able to share with us about his belief in Allah and…

Crossing into Sinai

…to the beach, while others headed to the waterslide at the pool. The splendor and serenity that is the Red sea is difficult to describe. I marveled at the coldness of the water and the silkiness of the sand. As one colleague noted, “This gives a different meaning to sinking sand!” Before lunch, we prayed and participated in a time…

Duc in Altum

…only shared each artist’s intention behind their piece, but also her own interpretations that centered on the message that Jesus is always there for you. As impressive as it was to walk in the steps of Jesus, what really stood out to me was the living faith of the communities of I witnessed at each site. –Angie Palmer, Alum ’21…

From Hermon to the Sea of Galilee

Today we were able to experience more connections with the biblical traditions. We went out to Caesarea Phillipi, which is located at the base of Mount Hermon. We read Psalms 42 and 133 while there, as they mention Mount Hermon. Experiencing that space, we came to better understand the reference to the “gates of Hades” in Matthew 16:13-21. In this…

6 things about Marina Ghaly’s summer break

…can. This is important to me and I believe for the church specifically because of all the division and tension occurring in our country. RR: What exciting insights or learnings have you gained so far? MG: I’m learning a lot about Christians who care about immigrants and refugees. I’ve been having the chance to meet a lot of immigrants and…