Beginning January 30, Bosworth Memorial Library will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rather than 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Monday through Friday. The library will be closed on Saturdays.

Gracious light who shines in the darkness
Source of fresh water in the deserts of our lives
Sustainer of spirit, intellect and practice
Assurance of the not-yet that is yet-to-be
Re-newer of our weary vision
We gather in this season of watchful waiting
Invited to savor our community
As a child seeing life through fresh eyes
Who is in awe at the sources of creation
Who wonders at our capacity for nourishment
May we discover how the rough places have been smoothed
and will be smoothed yet again
How a way has opened and is opening for us
to learn and teach and care among those who wait for us
In the name of the one who went to the desert and returned full of a sense of justice and mercy we pray.
– Dr. Steve Monhollen, Donald & Lillian Nunnelly Professor of Pastoral Leadership

Lexington, Ky., Dec. 5, 2011 – Observing that hope “is more than wishful thinking,” the Rev. Dr. Charisse L. Gillett called upon all those who work in and alongside Lexington Theological Seminary to support its efforts to meet the needs of students and congregations at her service of installation as the Seminary’s 17th president Dec. 4.

“We must embrace a new narrative for LTS as we integrate and cultivate what we do in the classroom with our realities in the church…as we take God’s word and begin to shepherd God’s people,” Gillett said during her inaugural address. “We must, at every level, embrace the promise of all we have.” Gillett spoke of the transformational power of education and the Seminary’s bold choice to completely restructure its approach to theological education and shaping students for ministry.

The Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and delegates from church organizations, a host of congregations, other academic institutions, as well as former LTS presidents and current students, trustees, officers, faculty and staff participated in the service at Central Christian Church Sunday afternoon. On Saturday, Gillett was held in prayer at a service with her home congregation, East Second Street Christian Church in Lexington, where her husband, the Rev. Dr. Donald Gillett II, is senior pastor.

Gillett was welcomed as president in July following the retirement of the Rev. Dr. James Johnson. Gillett previously served as Vice President of Administration and Special Projects at LTS. She has more than 20 years of successful administrative experience in higher education, including service at Transylvania University, Midway College, Robert Morris College and University of Northern Iowa. She holds a doctorate in education from Northern Illinois University. A former moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), she has been a commissioned minister by the Christian Church in Kentucky since August 2010. She is also a former LTS trustee and officer of the board.

Dr. Gillett’s appointment is a historic one in the 146-year history of LTS. She is the first woman and first African-American to lead the Seminary as president. “Dr. Gillett has an outstanding depth of knowledge and experience about the Seminary,” said LTS Board of Trustees president Rev. Gary Kidwell. “LTS has a storied history of shaping people for ministry, and with Dr. Gillett’s leadership, we look forward to an exciting future for the Seminary.”

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Lexington Theological Seminary is a graduate theological institution of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.  Consistent with the Disciples’ historic commitment to Christian unity, the Seminary is intentionally ecumenical with students, faculty, staff and trustees of various denominations. The Seminary has been preparing leaders for the church since 1865. For more information, visit www.lextheo.edu.

LEXINGTON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY NAMES NEW VICE PRESIDENT

Lexington, Ky., Nov. 9, 2011 – The incoming Vice President of Advancement at Lexington Theological Seminary says that having a committed alumni base is a key component to the success of the Seminary, its students and the congregations they serve.

Mark Blankenship joins the Seminary Nov. 15. In his most recent position, Blankenship is Associate Vice President for Advancement and Associate Vice President for Alumni Programs at Transylvania University in Lexington.

“Having an alumni base that is invested in the institution is key in not only developing resources but also in attracting future students,” Blankenship said. “With alumni support, you know you’re not singing in the choir by yourself. It’s a team effort.”

Blankenship will work to transition alumni programs with Sonny Wray, the current Vice President of Advancement, who announced his retirement after 35 years at the seminary, effective July 31, 2012.

“We are grateful to Sonny for his years of service and his willingness to ensure a smooth transition in this critical area of the Seminary’s ministry,” said LTS President Charisse L. Gillett.   “Mark Blankenship will be an outstanding addition to the leadership at the Seminary. He clearly recognizes that the ministry of the Seminary allows us to serve not only our students but the church as a whole, and that our network of alumni and congregations are a vital part of that ministry.”

Blankenship, whose parents are LTS alumni, has a successful history of higher education leadership in the areas of development and alumni programs.

“It’s exciting to be a part of an historic institution that also, in its groundbreaking curriculum, will serve the church effectively. This is just the beginning,” Blankenship said.

The married father of three is active in several professional organizations and is a member of Twin Pines Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

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Lexington Theological Seminary is a graduate theological institution of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.  Consistent with the Disciples’ historic commitment to Christian unity, the Seminary is intentionally ecumenical with students, faculty, staff and trustees of various denominations. The Seminary has been preparing leaders for the church since 1865.
For more information, visit www.lextheo.edu.

Lexington Theological Seminary students Tomeka, a licensed minister, and Peter, a recent Barton College graduate, talk about the Master of Divinity program at LTS.

Lexington, Ky., Oct. 5, 2011 – The Rev. Erin Cash soon joins Lexington Theological Seminary as the new Director of Admissions.

Cash brings a range of perspectives to the role. She currently serves as Minister to Children at First Christian Church (DoC) in Paducah and as Economic Justice Counselor at Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center. She also has experience as an admissions counselor at Greenville College in Greenville, Ill. Cash joins the Seminary Oct. 11.

“This role is a way for me to combine my experience in admissions, the work of the church and non-profit organizations,” said Cash. “I believe in this model of education. It’s a good model. When I graduated from seminary (at Emory University), I went straight into church work without being prepared for the role of being a pastor at a church. When pastors graduate from Lexington Theological Seminary, they will be ready for church life. I applaud the Seminary for thinking about how to adapt in this changing culture and concentrating first on how we train pastors. It’s an exciting program, and I am looking forward to connecting with students who wish to explore solid preparation for ministry.”

LTS President Charisse L. Gillett said that Cash’s background in ministry and as an admissions counselor gives her unique insight into the role of connecting students and the new curriculum at the Seminary. “Erin Cash’s passion for helping people, especially those interested in ministry, fits well with the mission of the Seminary and our vision for serving the people of God. It is important to us to be committed to the well-being of students with a desire to serve the church, and she will be a great resource for people who seek to know more about how to be effective pastors and leaders within the church.”

The Board of Trustees of Lexington Theological Seminary cordially invites you to the Inauguration of Charisse L. Gillett.

Where:  Central Christian Church in Lexington,KY
When: Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 4:00 P.M.
RSVP: Sonny Wray at swray@lextheo.edu or (859) 280-1245 by Nov. 18

View or Print the Formal Invitation for the Inauguration of the 17th President of Lexington Theological Seminary

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Hear from our students, in their own words, as they describe the impact the new model is making in their lives. First we hear from Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe, a student from Nevada.

Lexington, Ky., Sept. 16, 2011 – Thanks to the generosity of churches and individuals from regions across the U.S., several Lexington Theological Seminary students received independent scholarships to assist with expenses related to their studies for the 2011-12 academic year.

• Vernie Bolden of Roanoke, Va., and Amanda Sorenson of Lexington, Ky., received scholarships from Washburn Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Washburn, Ill., led by the Rev. Patricia Jones, an alumna of the Seminary.
• Sean Kennedy of Richmond, Va., and LaVeeshia Pryor, also of Richmond, Va., received the Paul and Norman Hobbs book scholarship.
• Laurie Metzko of Mantua, Ohio; Sheila Spencer of Indianapolis, Ind.; and Katie Sexton of Phoenix, Ariz. each received a Disciples Home Mission scholarship.
• Sean Kennedy of Richmond, Va., and Norman Cunningham of Sparta, Tenn., received the Stevens Scholarship from Bethany Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Fort Washington, Md.

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Lexington Theological Seminary is an accredited graduate theological institution of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  Consistent with the Disciples’ historic commitment to Christian unity, the Seminary is intentionally ecumenical with students, faculty, staff and trustees of various denominations. The Seminary has been preparing leaders for the church since 1865.
For more information, visit www.lextheo.edu.

Lexington, Ky., Sept. 8, 2011 – With graduate degrees in theology, divinity, religion and women studies, as well as library and information studies, Lexington Theological Seminary’s new interim library director brings a unique understanding to her role at the helm of the Bosworth Memorial Library at LTS.

Dolores Yilibuw joined the Seminary in July, taking the reigns from Barbara Pfeifle, who retired after 16 years at LTS. Former roles as a Bible translator and translation officer for the United Bible Societies in Micronesia and as a high school teacher in the Republic of Palau give Yilibuw a diverse perspective.

“My hope is that in serving as a librarian I will also bring some aspects of internationalization to the ecumenical effort that is the tradition of LTS,” Yilibuw said.

Prior to joining the Seminary, Yilibuw was the acquisitions librarian at Eastern Kentucky University and had been a senior library specialist in acquisitions at Emory University.  She has a Master of Sciences in Library and Information Studies from Florida State University; and a Master of Arts in Religion, certificate in Women’s Studies and Master of Theology from Emory University. She also holds a Master of Divinity degree from Asian Theological Seminary in Quezon City, Philippines, and a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education from the former Asbury College (now Asbury University).

Bosworth Memorial Library at Lexington Theological Seminary has over 165,000 volumes and regularly receives over 200 periodicals mostly in English. Learn more about the library online at http://www.lextheo.edu/current-students/library-resources/
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Lexington Theological Seminary is an accredited graduate theological institution of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  Consistent with the Disciples’ historic commitment to Christian unity, the Seminary is intentionally ecumenical with students, faculty, staff and trustees of various denominations. The Seminary has been preparing leaders for the church since 1865.
For more information, visit www.lextheo.edu.