Drew Theological School
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Draw the Circle Wide
We are looking for believers, activists, seekers, thinkers, counselors, preachers, teachers, poets and dreamers who value thinking and action.
- Commit to courageous Christianity.
- Dive into ecological and social justice.
- Inspire the church, the neighborhood, the city, the world.
The next generation of faith leaders needs imagination and courage to constructively engage the challenges and opportunities of our age. This is built into how we do things. No matter your degree program, a Drew Theological School education includes interdisciplinary courses that demand out-of-the-box thinking, apprenticeship training that addresses real-world issues and modes of learning that promote adaptability and innovation.
Community News
The Rev. Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah T’10
Chaplain, JFK Medical Center | Associate Minister, New Hope Baptist Church
The Rev. Dr. Kevin D. Miller T’03,’08
Executive Director of Graduate Admissions, Drew University
Teresita Matos-Post T’14
Executive Director, Beth-El Farmworker Ministry
The Rev. James Lee T’19
Lead Pastor, Wesley United Methodist Church
Olivia DiAgostino T’19
Transformation Program Coordinator, United Methodist Women
STORIES
The Forest is Waiting
We welcome you to determine if Drew is the right fit for you. Join us for a personal consultation with our admissions staff to learn more about our many graduate programs, our faculty, and the admissions process.
Upcoming Events
Advent Chapel Service
December 6 @ 6 p.m. EST
Q Christian Fellowship Conference
January 5 – 8 | In-person, Washington, DC
#DrewTheo is proud to sponsor the Q Christian Fellowship Conference next month. The conference will be conducted both in person in Washington, D.C. and online in a hybrid format. Reach out with any questions, and we look forward to seeing you there in January!
#FaithfullyLGBTQ #QueerlyBeloved #LGBTQIA2Splus #QueerChristian #GayChristian #QCF
We're two weeks from the deadline for PhD applications with fall 2023 entry!
This cycle, we are accepting applicants in our cohorts for Bible and Cultures, as well as Theology and Philosophy. Reach out today to schedule a visit, ask questions, or complete an application. Apply by December 15, 2022.
Admissions.Drew.edu/Apply
#DrewTheo Master of Divinity alum Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez T’10 made history this month when he was elected as the first Latinx bishop of the United Methodist Church’s Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference.
Burgos-Núñez will also be the first bishop of Puerto Rican descent in the denomination. He will be assigned to the Upper New York Conference.
As the outgoing superintendent of the Central District in the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference, Burgos-Núñez is one of 13 new U.S. bishops who will take office on January 1, 2023.
“I am deeply humbled by the discernment of the body and will serve in this role with integrity, grace, and equity,” he said. “I am eternally thankful to all who have been part of this journey and nurture me as a disciple and a servant leader throughout the years.”
Congratulations to Bishop Burgos-Núñez from the #DrewTheo community!
Join us for #DrewTheo’s Advent lessons and carols service on Tuesday, December 6 at 6:00 p.m. ET in Craig Chapel or online.
The Drew community will gather and celebrate Advent with the topic, “How long?” We will share in communion, and boxed dinners are provided for those who are attending in person. Check out Drew Worship on Facebook Live and YouTube.
#DrewTheo PhD candidate, rev. abby mohaupt, is a recipient of a Women of Faith Award, sponsored by Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries and Presbyterian Women, Inc.
abby is the Director of Education and Training at Greenfaith. She was nominated for her leadership as moderator of Fossil Free PCUSA, an advocacy group which works to end the Presbyterian Church's relationships with fossil fuels.
“It’s a humbling honor to receive this award on behalf of the hundreds of people who have been organizing in the FFPCUSA for divestment from fossil fuels over the last 10 years,” abby said. “Our work is built on the shoulders of so many climate justice activists who have called us to be faithful. My research, activism, and faith leadership is indebted to so many.”
Congratulations to abby on this award!
#FossilFree #PhD #TheologicalSchool #PCUSA
Dr. Stephen Moore is the Edmund S. Janes Professor of New Testament Studies at #DrewTheo. A native of Ireland, he found his Drew home in 1999, having previously taught in Ireland, England, and elsewhere in the U.S.
Dr. Moore is the author, editor, co-author, or co-editor of approximately 30 books. Selections include “Gospel Jesuses and Other Nonhumans: Biblical Criticism Post-poststructuralism; Revealing the New Testament” (the first interactive courseware introduction to the New Testament); “Religion, Emotion, Sensation: Affect Theories and Theologies” (co-edited with Drew PhD alum, Dr. Karen Bray T’16); “Biblical Interpretations in Queer Time(s);” and “Revelation: Book of Torment, Book of Bliss.”
He has a new book forthcoming in December 2022, “The Bible after Deleuze: Affects, Assemblages, Bodies without Organs.” He is currently working on a short book titled, “Decolonial Theory and Biblical Unreading: Delinking Biblical Criticism from Coloniality.”
This current work in progress, as Dr. Moore says, “emerged directly out of a course on coloniality, decoloniality, and the Bible I taught in fall 2021.”
“Two-thirds of the students enrolled in the course were international students from almost 10 different countries, nearly all of them former colonies,” he continued. “To engage the themes of such a course with such a group of students was an extraordinary learning experience - at least for the professor! As our international student body at the Theological School has continued to grow, our classrooms have become immensely rich intercultural spaces. Teaching at Drew has never been as exciting - or as challenging - as it currently is, and it is wonderful to be part of a faculty that is so determined to rise to these challenges.”
Read the full article about Dr. Stephen Moore in our Linktree. #InternationalStudent #DecolonialTheory #BiblicalCriticism #TheologicalSchool #PhD
The Transdisciplinary Theological Colloquium will be hosted on March 17 - 19, 2023 at #DrewTheo. The theme is "Haunted (by) Speech: Translating Religions and Religious Translations."
Review the #CallForPapers and submit a proposal to ttc@drew.edu by January 15. #CFP #TheologicalSchool #PhD #Transdisciplinary #Interdisciplinary #Theological #DrewU
#DrewTheo Master of Arts in Religion student Cynthia Puleo T’24 is a copy editor for various online publications, including Christianity Today and Fast Company. Cynthia earned her undergraduate degree in #journalism from New York University, and the pandemic prompted her to take action toward her desire to earn a masters degree.
Her vocational path led her to Drew Theo. “Although I was raised Catholic, I’ve spent years personally studying several different religions, and I have most recently felt drawn to Christianity,” Cynthia said. “I decided to return to school to delve into that interest.”
Cynthia continues to work in journalism in secular and non-secular spaces during her time as a Drew student. She spoke of her intentionality in theological education by saying, “I chose Drew because I enjoyed the idea of attending a smaller school.”
Read more about Cynthia at the link in our bio.
Registration is now open for the annual #DrewTheo reception at AAR / SBL in Denver! Dr. Mayra Rivera T'01, T'05 will be present as the current AAR President.
Dr. Rivera earned a PhD in Theological and Religious Studies as well as a Master of Theological Studies from Drew. She is now the Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Religion and Latinx Studies at Harvard Divinity School. Dr. Rivera’s scholarship engages the crossroads between philosophy of religion, literature, and theories of coloniality, race, and gender. Her research explores the relationship between discursive and material dimensions in shaping human embodiment and socio-material ecologies.
In her book, The Touch of Transcendence: A Postcolonial Theology of God, Dr. Rivera writes, "The ethical responsibility to other humans is intrexicable from our relation to the rest of the natural world."
At #DrewTheo, we celebrate the accomplishments of Dr. Mayra Rivera and welcome alum, current students, and guests to our annual reception.
#DrewTheo hosted the 2022 Tipple Lectures in October. The events honored the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Rowe C’59, T’69 who served as Methodist Librarian at the #UnitedMethodist Archives and History Center and Professor of Modern Church History at Drew Theological School for 32 years.
Under Rowe’s leadership, the United Methodist Archives and History Center, located on Drew’s campus, became one of the premier centers of United Methodist research in the world. His scholarship placed Drew as the premium university for studying #UMC history.
Rowe reshaped how the narrative of #Methodism in America is understood, expanding it to include indigenous persons, women, and LGBTQ+ persons.
Preaching the memorial and service of the reaffirmation of baptism was Rev. Dr. Heather Murray Elkins - Professor Emerita of Worship, Preaching, and the Arts - with her sermon “By Water and the Word.”
Holding an acorn in her hand, she said, “This is so very Ken Rowe,” explaining the transformation both acorns and Rowe have made in The Forest. “He shared his knowledge as generously as these oaks shower us with acorns.”
Attendees were invited to an open exhibit, “Splits, Separations, and Reconciliations: Rooted in #Wesleyan Grace,” at the United Methodist Archives and History Center.
The event concluded with a Tipple keynote lecture from Ashley Boggan T’17, General Secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History, “(Vile) Foundations of our Past.”
Rowe was “prophetically vile,” said Dr. Boggan. “He was one of the first #Methodist scholars to take an interest in women’s history, indigenous history, and an honest assessment of the anti-Black racism present in our denominations. He’s one of the first scholars to call for queer inclusion in our [Methodist] history.”
“And he did all of this before it was front page or headline news prompting an inquiry," Dr. Boggan concluded.
At #DrewTheo, we are grateful for the legacy and impact of Rev. Dr. Ken Rowe.
For the first time in nearly three years, prospective #DrewTheo students gathered in person to experience a day as a Drew student during the Open Doors event.
Future faith leaders were able to experience Drew’s campus by participating in worship, conversations, campus tours, and classes throughout the day.
“Open Doors at Drew is an opportunity to get to know the Theological School as a place that values thinking, action, flexibility, and creativity,” said Rev. Dr. Kevin D. Miller, Executive Director of Graduate Admissions.
“Drew Theological School has trained rooted, innovative, and courageous leaders for more than 150 years for service to the church, the academy, and society. The day provides a realistic glimpse of life as a Drew Theological School student,” he continued.
#DrewTheo plans to host additional events, including Virtual Open Doors on Zoom on Wednesday, November 9. Contact Graduate Admissions at gradm@drew.edu for more information.
A #DrewTheo education does not always lead to a path in ministry or scholarship.
Theo alums Rev. Dr. Kimberly Holmes T’11, T’17 and Robert Long T’10 utilize their education and experience for the betterment of New Jersey through their work at the NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
Holmes, assistant commissioner and chief of staff, and Long, deputy commissioner, work tirelessly to enact DCA’s mission to strengthen New Jersey communities. “Though not traditional church ministry, I like to think of our work as public service ministry,” Long said. “It’s all about strengthening, preserving, and developing communities.”
“The connection with the community work that DCA does and helping our most vulnerable people matters and my interaction and engaging with people at Drew definitely helped me in terms of being here,” Holmes stated.
“Because of our training, although this is a secular environment, we are inspired by the Holy Spirit and bring what we’ve learned at school to our work here to make it God’s work as much as reasonably possible,” Long reflected.
Rev. Dr. Holmes will rejoin the #DrewTheo community during the 2023 spring semester teaching Baptist Polity, Doctrine, and History. Read the full article in our Linktree.
#NJDCA #NewJersey
Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those affected in the Itaewon Halloween tragedy, and to those responding to give care.
#DrewTheo #MDiv student Jennifer Lundberg took her TheoTREC this past summer to the #BlackfeetReservation on the land which has been claimed as the USA state of Montana.
While traveling, Jennifer and the group of students saw “the breathtaking beauty of the plains and Glacier National Park,” which she described as “a once in a lifetime experience.” Jennifer also acknowledged that the group received radical hospitality from the #Blackfeet United Methodist Parish (BUMP) mission community.
“Rev Hill [of BUMP] challenged us to explore our core values and how we engage those values in community. He reminded us that ‘love does not just recognize value, it creates it,’” Jennifer shared.
In the time since taking her TheoTREC this summer, Jennifer said, “the love and inspiration created at BUMP I carry with me wherever I am.”
The 2023 TheoTRECs were announced recently, with return trips to England, South Korea, and the Pacific Northwest as well as a TREC to Appalachia / North Carolina. Registration opens soon for current students to enroll in a pre-departure class to engage with various cultural contexts different from their own.
The #HispanicSummerProgram (#HSP) Summer Session, sponsored by #DrewTheo, provides an annual summer intensive for students to take courses with many leading Latinx faculty in the nation.
Two #DrewTheo students, Kenia Vanessa Rodriguez T’26 and Adrian Mendoza T’23, have both attended HSP sessions and shared the benefits that have impacted their Drew education.
Kenia Vanessa enrolled in 2019’s class, Border Theory and Migration in Theology and Philosophy. She chose the program because “there is no other space where one can be immersed with a predominantly Latinx community of faculty and students.”
“I assisted the HSP program as a Master of Divinity student. It was during that time that I first developed the notion of applying to a PhD program. The program, the faculty, and the students provide the space and environment to be affirmed in whatever academic pursuits one might have,” Kenia Vanessa said.
“That led me to apply to PhD programs and how I am now at Drew University pursuing a PhD in Christian Social Ethics. I would have never thought it possible to be in a PhD program without HSP. Now that I am at Drew, I can apply what I have learned at HSP regarding how we inhibit space and space inhibits us and the constructed borders we form as it is interdisciplinary theology and philosophy.”
Adrian enrolled in Theology, Anthropology, Race, and Negotiating Identity during which he said, “I received valuable feedback on my participation in the class that affirms my strengths and encouragement on my growing edges.”
Adrian, as a Filipino student interested in studying racism and decolonization, said, “I have always been enthusiastic about learning more about the Latinx community to maximize the learning opportunities that are out there. It is great to know that Drew and HSP make it possible for us to take courses beyond our regular curriculum. The class that I took was very relevant to help me better understand my experience and journey as a Filipino-Asian non-immigrant student here in the U.S., particularly in navigating my foreign identity as a strong black and white racial binary.”
There is still time to apply for next summer’s HSP session! Link in bio.
The Hispanic Summer Program, sponsored by #DrewTheo, gathers students from across the country annually for a two week summer intensive. Participants have the opportunity to take accredited, graduate level courses with some of the top Latinx faculty in the nation in an environment that centers Latinx methods, pedagogies, and stories. #HSP is accepting applications for the summer 2023 session now through December 1, 2022.
For more information or to apply, visit the HSP website which is linked in our bio!
#Latinx #LatinxTheology #Theology
Rev. Dr. Kenneth Ngwa, the #DrewTheo Professor of Hebrew Bible, recently spoke at St. Paul Baptist Church's annual MAAFA Commemoration. His message was titled, "Let My People Live."
MAAFA (mah-AH-fah) is defined by St. Paul's as "a Kiswahili word which gives definition to the catastrophic event experienced by millions of African people during the middle passage journey from Africa bound for enslavement in the Americas. The word MAAFA is the concept of Dr. Marimba Ani, African-American scholar and author, and has been adopted in contemporary scholarship."
The link to the commemoration is in our bio.
#LetMyPeopleLive #HebrewBible #MiddlePassage #MAAFA
#DrewTheo MDiv student, Michael D. Jenkins, took his TheoTREC this summer to the #BlackfeetReservation. During the summer's fourth TREC opportunity for theological students, Michael said the trip was "challenging, rewarding, amazing, exciting, and bittersweet."
Michael and the group attended a powwow in which children and youth were dancing. There were also food, clothing, and jewelry vendors present.
#DrewTheo students were led by Dr. Rodney Aist and accompanied by Rev. Calvin Hill, pastor of #Blackfeet United Methodist Church within the reservation.
"Overall, I’m glad that I had the opportunity to learn about a culture that will always be near and dear to my heart," Michael said about visiting the #BlackfeetNation. "The main piece of this whole puzzle in Browning is learning to embrace an indigenous culture who is struggling to maintain their identity in a society that is not so welcoming."
Congratulations to #DrewTheo's Dr. Gladson Jathanna on the publication of his chapter, "Transformative #Indigenous #Queer Spiritualities: Journeying with Jogappas of India" in #TransformativeSpiritualities: For the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace. You can read this chapter in our Linktree on PDF page 78.
Dr. Jathanna will also be preaching in Craig Chapel this Thursday, and we look forward to welcoming one of our newest faculty members in his first sermon at #DrewTheo!
#DrewTheo professor, Rev. Dr. Althea Spencer-Miller is part of the weekly lectionary podcast, "Shaped by Faith." She joins Dr. Deidre Good and Dr. Joshua Davis to examine the lectionary from each of their contexts, with the podcast hosted by the Stevenson School for Ministry.
Dr. Spencer-Miller is the Assistant Professor of New Testament at #DrewTheo, and the podcast can be found at the link in our bio.