Growing up in San Diego, the idea of serving a congregation in Ashland, Kentucky, was nowhere on the path Jacque Parlato mapped out for herself.

She attended church with friends from time to time, but it wasn’t until after she finished her undergraduate degree in New York state that she became consistently involved in the life of a congregation.

Her parents had moved to Ashland, Ky., to establish a medical practice, and Jacque agreed to help. That was nearly two decades ago, and in the interim, Jacque married, had two boys and found herself active in children’s ministry at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Ashland.

In the summer of 2005, the church’s senior minister, LTS alumnus Rev. Ike Nicholson, asked Jacque to serve as interim youth director until the church could call an associate youth minister.

“At first, I just wanted to learn enough to survive and do my best for the sake of the ministry until a full-time person was called,” Jacque recalled. “As time went on, I started to see myself as much more than the ‘sub,’ and so did they. I felt drawn there, as though I was supposed to be there.”

At the end of her first program year, Jacque accepted an offer to serve on staff as director of youth ministries, no longer the interim. She now serves as director of youth and young adult ministries and directs St. Andrew’s Kids, the children’s afterschool program at FCC. She also is active in the region as an adult member of X-Committee, the regional Disciples of Christ youth council.

That support and involvement in lay ministry stirred in Jacque the realization that the next step in her life was to attend seminary.

“I learned that I was now ready for more disciplined preparation and filled with a desire to professionalize my work,” said Jacque. “I have discovered my call through the opening and closing of doors throughout my ministry and a trend of revelation through those with whom I do ministry.”

Jacque recalls the call to her mother the day she decided to apply for seminary: “She said something so simple, yet so powerful–‘It’s about time.’”

The decision to apply was not one Jacque reached easily—initially. With her family rooted in Ashland, she did not know how she would attend seminary a few hours away.

Over breakfast with some colleagues in the region, Jacque said something that seemed at the time to be wishful thinking: “If only LTS had an online program.” Little did she know that an online program was an idea that was actively percolating at the Seminary.

When the program was announced in late 2009, Jacque’s hopes of attending seminary were renewed. “This was an answered prayer—not just for me, but for so many who are being called to ordained ministry but could not commit to relocate until after seminary.”

Jacque completed her first online course in the M.Div. program this year and found it to be a much more personal experience than she imagined. “I understand the concerns many have regarding the in-class one-to-one experience, but I have to say that I developed closer relationships in my online community than I ever did during my undergraduate studies. We were in constant communication with our classmates as well as our professor.

“Technology such as ooVoo and Skype have enabled our small groups to meet via webcam. I have had only positive experiences from day one. I longed to be back in class immediately after completing my first semester.”

Attending seminary online while being rooted in her congregation has added further opportunities for growth. “As I gained knowledge, I shared it with our staff, youth and sponsors. The congregation, clergy and staff have been tremendously encouraging not only to me, but to all of our seminarians.”  Three of FCC’s four seminarians are LTS students.

Jacque hopes others will be encouraged by the changes taking shape at the Seminary.

“I encourage friends of LTS to get to know the students and grow with us as we walk this path together. We are here because we are called to be here along with the professors, administrators and staff of LTS. It is with your prayers and support that we will learn, grow and serve together.

Jacque continued, “The seminary experience at LTS may be changing, but if it were not for these changes, many would never be able to answer their call to ordained ministry. They would have been among those who have said, ‘I felt that I was being called to ordained ministry but was unable to get there.’ But now they can.”

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 14, 2010) – Twenty three students from 11 states and Puerto Rico received degrees during Lexington Theological Seminary’s 144th commencement ceremony, which took place at Memorial Hall on the campus of the University of Kentucky.

 

MASTER OF ARTS

• Patrick Alden Dillon, Flemingsburg, Ky.

 

MASTER OF DIVINITY

• David Agrinsoni, San Juan, PR

• Faye Elizabeth Blevins, St. Louis, Mo.

• Jordan Byrd, Whitehouse, Texas

• Chrysanthia Faye Carr-Seals, Lexington, Ky.

• Tonya Jean Farrin, Charleston, W.Va.

• Marsha Jean Charles, Lexington, Ky.

• Lakeya Nichelle Chase, Lawrenceville, Ga.

• Amanda Cooke Hatfield, Durham, N.C.

• Johanna L. Heil, Akron, Ohio

• Wanda B. Olive, Lexington, Ky.

• Tracy R. Parker, Georgetown, Ky.

• Sarah Elizabeth Renfro, Lexington, Ky.

• Dustin Swartz, Virginia Beach, Va.

• Tracy A. Siegman, Akron, Ohio

• Bonnie Joyce Simerly, Abita Springs, La.

• Starla Nicole Solan, Watertown, N.Y.

• Jodie Paris Stamper, Mount Olive, Ky.

• Christopher K. Stark, Mineral Ridge, Ohio

• Katharine Lynn West, Des Moines, Iowa

• Kathryn L. Wilson, Xenia, Ohio

 

DOCTOR OF MINISTRY

• David F. Walton, Jr., Roanoke, Va.

• Terrye Williams, Newport News, Va.

Dr. William L. Lee, senior pastor at Loudon Avenue Christian Church in Roanoke, Va., delivered the commencement address. A former Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) moderator, Dr. Lee is a graduate of Duke Divinity School.

The 144th commencement also signals the start of a new curriculum for in the life of Lexington Theological Seminary. Beginning this summer LTS will begin to incorporate a new model of education in the curriculum, which will include a renewed focus on congregational ministry of students as well as distance learning in order to reach students in many different phases of life, from recent college graduates to second-career students and those seeking continuing education.

A former Disciples of Christ moderator, Dr. Lee is a graduate of Duke Divinity School and serves as a dynamic motivational speaker, lecturer, mediator and clinical counselor.

Dr. Lee is active in community outreach in the Roanoke area, helping to meet health & wellness and educational needs as well as providing spiritual guidance.

A young wife and mother of three, Betts had been quietly wrestling with a call to ministry.

“I kept saying to myself, ‘Surely this isn’t right,’” Betts recalled. “I kept feeling nudges from God, but I didn’t want to tell anyone.”

On the way home from a spiritual retreat in which the theme was “Nudges from God,” Betts was rear-ended by a small car. When she got out of the car to inspect the damage, she was stunned to see the woman driving the other car was wearing a priest’s collar.

“This is all God’s fault,” Betts told her.

“Oh, no, I’m just a representative,” the woman, an Episcopal priest, told her.

Betts explained that she was feeling conflicted about her call to ministry, and the priest responded, “You’d better answer it. I’m a car. Next time, God will send a Mack truck!”

Betts relented and embarked on her education with the goal of attending seminary. Betts will graduate with a BA in History and a Judaic Studies Certificate in May 2010. She became a licensed minister through the Disciples of Christ in 2006 and is now serving her second Disciples congregation as Associate Pastor at Tropical Sands Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a growing congregation with four services each weekend.

Her desire to attend seminary has not wavered, but Betts worried how to balance seminary education with her service to her congregation, her children’s needs and her husband’s job in the local school district.

“When I read the mission statement of LTS, I just knew it was the place for me, and when I made a campus visit, it felt like home,” Betts said. “But getting there was going to be very tough.”

When Betts learned of the Seminary’s plan to offer a new model of theological education, she wept for joy.

“It’s all in God’s perfect timing,” Betts said. “It’s an answered prayer–a great relief financially and emotionally. “

Betts will take her first seminary course at LTS in the fall. In the meantime, she has hardly tried to contain her excitement about the new M.Div. program at LTS. At a recent youth event, she shared her plans with a colleague who is also an associate minister but has been searching for a way to attend a seminary with a rich tradition of pastoral training like LTS.

“Because of this new program, it is now possible for him to attend seminary. This is going to fill a lot of needs,” Betts said.

It also will help span the physical divide between Disciples congregations scattered throughout the U.S., she noted.

“I can already see the sense of community this is creating,” she said. “It demonstrates how seminary is still relevant to our churches, and that together, we’re much stronger than we can ever be standing alone. I think we have to be open to seeing things in a whole new light.”

We encourage all students who may have an interest in this program to schedule a time with them while they are on campus tomorrow. Please contact Jaime Mulloy in the president’s office to schedule a time.

Click here to view and read the residency program.

Dr. Charisse L. Gillett will oversee student recruitment at LTS & develop a special project with the Pension Fund of the Christian Church

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 15, 2010) – Lexington Theological Seminary announced today the appointment of Dr. Charisse L. Gillett as Vice President of Administration & Special Projects for the school. In her new roles Dr. Gillett will supervise student recruitment and work with staff and faculty on admissions and scholarships. She will also develop a special project with the Pension Fund of the Christian Church, with the goal of creating programs and materials to equip ministers with the skills to weather the rigors of ministry and enable them to make better choices about their own health and wellness over a lifetime of ministry.

“Student recruitment and scholarships are crucial areas in helping LTS prepare men and women for a career in the ministry,” said Dr. Jim Johnson. “We also recognize the importance of helping our current ministers make better, informed choices about their health and wellness through the Pension Fund of the Christian Church. Dr. Gillett’s background and passion make her an excellent choice to take on this dual role.”

“I am pleased to be a part of this unique partnership between LTS and the Pension Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ),” Dr. Gillett said.  “In many ways, this partnership models the needs of many congregations. That is to have well educated and trained clergy with a deep sense of the church’s needs, but also pastors with a clear sense of the balance needed to sustain oneself in ministry.  I look forward to this work and ministry as well as the possibilities for the church.”

“We are delighted to partner with Dr. Gillett and LTS in the training and development of men and women for vibrant ministry,” said James Hamlett, president of the Pension Fund of the Christian Church.  “LTS has a rich history of training people for ministry.  Dr. Gillett’s passion for leadership development and wellness makes her uniquely qualified to lead the development of programs that will enable clergy to remain vibrant throughout a life of service.  We believe these efforts will positively impact the well being of clergy, the use of health services, and the retention of clergy in ministry.”

Before coming to Lexington Theological Seminary, Dr. Gillett served as program director for The Lilly Project at Transylvania University. She has previously served in a variety of roles in academic enrichment, financial aid and financial planning at Robert Morris College, Midway College and the University of Northern Iowa.

Dr. Gillett is a member of the Lexington Theological Seminary Board of Trustees, Transylvania University’s Diversity Enhancement Committee, African-American Leadership Committee of the National Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Foster Parent Association of Fayette County. She previously served as moderator and board chair of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She was a member of the Lexington Theological Seminary Strategic Planning Committee and the seminary’s ATS Accreditation Round Table.

Dr. Gillett also has served on a number of other community and national boards, including: the National Convocation Board of Trustees, Black Disciples Endowment Fund, the Lexington-based Martin Luther King for the Dream Committee and was a section leader for the Administrative Committee and General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Dr. Gillett holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Northern Iowa, and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) from Northern Illinois University. She resides in Lexington with her husband, Reverend Dr. Donald K. Gillett II, Senior Pastor, East Second Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).