Self Love by alumna Dr. Melissa Pearce

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When my son was in second grade, I received a phone call from his teacher. She relayed to me that she had to repeatedly ask my child to stop talking to his neighboring student. A little perplexed that this behavior had seemed to arise suddenly and did not correlate with his usually quiet demeanor, I…

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Scholar Strike for Racial Justice

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The faculty of 窪蹋勛圖厙 stands in solidarity with the #ScholarStrike for racial justice September 8/9. We commit to opening up space in our classrooms on the 8th/9thto speak out about brutalities by police and others, particularly against communities of color, and to affirm the public witness and liturgy of protestors. We…

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Alumni to Reconnect with Upcoming Virtual Class Reunions

Alumni posing for group photo at reunion

窪蹋勛圖厙 has always been about intentional relationships. It is central to our core and our teaching. Those relationships include our many treasured alumni. Saint Paul fosters community beyond graduation in many ways, including class reunions where alumni can share stories and stay up-to-date on whats new. While large, in-person gatherings remain…

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Chaplaincy in the Time of COVID-19

Saint Paul graduates Rev. Emily L. Stirewalt and Kelli Hansen reflect upon their time as chaplains during the COVID-19 pandemic

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals and other health care facilities have become the front lines, and we have honored and celebrated our health care workers serving our nations most vulnerable populations. For the church, the role of chaplain has also been elevated, particularly as most buildings have been shuttered in favor of social-distanced worship and…

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Online-Only Course of Study Registration Approaching

Course of study students sharing a meal in the classroom

Fall 2020 registration for the Course of Study program begins in August. This years fall session will be available online only. The program is designed for licensed local pastors, those who are certified for ordained ministry and those under appointment in the United Methodist Church. Course of Study is a specialized continuing education program prescribed…

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Guiding Emerging Ministers Through Vocational Discernment

Young woman leading Bible discussion group

People from all walks of life are called to share Gods love with a hurting world, drawing upon their own unique gifts and experiences. How can faith leaders offer support to those in their churches and communities who may be discerning such a call? Dr. Anne Walker, Executive Director of the Oklahoma campus of Saint…

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What Is There to Prevent Me? by alumna Rev. Colleen Riley

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What is there to prevent me? Ones narrative identity Acts Ch., 8:27-37 Ethiopian Eunuch Recently I read about a concept called narrative identity as it was described by Dan McAdams, Personality Psychologist and Professor of Psychology at Northwestern University. McAdams premise is that we use autobiographical narrative to find meaning using our own lived history.…

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Following God

Reverand Sara Martin poses in front of the First United Methodist Church signage

by Dr. Melissa Pearce, Director of Alumni & Partner Relationships As we sat on the steps of her first appointment, First United Methodist Church of Guthrie, Oklahoma, I grappled with the juxtaposition of her age and the poise with which she detailed her call to ministry and her habit of following God faithfully and intentionally.…

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A Statement on the Police Killing of George Floyd

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We are dismayed and outraged about the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis by the lethal force of Officer Derek Chauvin. Floyd had been handcuffed and pushed to the ground, whereupon Officer Chauvin forcibly pressed down on Floyd’s neck for eight minutes as depicted in an independent video of the scene. In spite of Floyd…

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