The leaves falling and crunching beneath my feet often causes me to walk a little slower and think a little deeper. Over the course of these fall walks, I have been reflecting on my incredible co-workers and the efforts made over the course of the last month to provide outstanding educational opportunities through the Office of Continuing Education.

From Sept. 24 to 26 Pittsburgh Seminary welcomed 250 students to the Henderson Leadership Conference in person and online. These students were neighbors, friends, alums, faculty, staff, administrators, and current master's and doctoral students of PTS. During our time together, we enjoyed worship, lectures, fellowship, and conversation. Thanks to all of you who attended!

As a part of the Conference, we recognized outgoing Director of Continuing Education Dr. Helen Blier. Helen served in this role for 10 years overseeing programming such as the Henderson Leadership Conference. All of us at PTS wish Helen well as she begins serving Columbia Theological Seminary as their director of lifelong learning. PTS is currently searching for a new director of Continuing Education. Please see information about the position here. Share this employment opportunity with your friends and neighbors, as we at PTS remain committed to providing outstanding educational offerings through the entire PTS Neighborhood Collaborative and the Office of Continuing Education!

The month of October brings us another occasion to welcome folks online and in person to be formed for ministry through the work and resources of PTS. The W. Don McClure Lecture in World Mission and Evangelism will be held Oct. 25. Join us in welcoming Dr. Jonathan Tran and artist Mai Khoi as they give us new perspectives on "The Spirit of Capitalism and the Witness of the Church." I hope to see you there!

With Thanks,
The Rev. Erin Davenport, LSW ’05
Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Continuing Education
edavenport@pts.edu

W. Don McClure Lecture on World Mission and Evangelism Oct. 25, 2023

In Person and Online

The Spirit of Capitalism and the Witness of the Church

For decades, mission workers, pastors, and theologians have talked about the holistic dimensions of the gospel. We largely assume that the Good News has economic, social, and political dimensions. In practical terms, this means that our witness to the gospel must address racial and economic inequalities, racial ideologies, and economic exploitation. But how?

Drawing upon his work in the award-winning book Asian Americans and the Spirit of Racial Capitalism, Dr. Jonathan Tran will explore our McClure theme “The Spirit of Capitalism and the Witness of the Church” and the entanglements between race and economics, in order to offer theological and practical resources for the renewal of Christian community in this time and place.

Schedule

▪	4:30 p.m. - Lecture "The Plenteous Harvest: How Identity Politics is Killing the Church, and How Theology Might Save Us Yet" - Explores the ways in which the church witnesses to God's liberative economy within this world shaped by the inequalities and injustices of racial capitalism

▪	6:00 p.m. - Dinner (cost $20, RSVP online)

▪	7:30 p.m. - "Journeys on Purpose: Reflections Between Vietnam and America" - A conversation between Dr. Tran and Mai Khôi, a Vietnamese artist and activist currently in exile in Pittsburgh, exploring the possibilities for economic and political renewal

The lecture and conversation are free and open to the public.

McClure Lecture - Register Now!

PTS Joins Neighbors in Packing Meals on Campus

On Oct. 28, 300 neighbors will come to the Seminary to pack 100,000 meals in three hours for those facing food insecurity. In partnership with local churches, the Pittsburgh Leadership Foundation, Greater Pittsburgh Community Foodbank, and Meals for Hope, volunteers will worship together before assembling soup mixes. Want to volunteer by yourself or with a group? Join us! Want to help offset the cost of materials and financially support this ministry at PTS? Give online.

Admissions Hosts Three Virtual Information Sessions in November

Know someone who is discerning their call to do God’s work in the world and may be interested in studying at PTS? Invite them to attend the Seminary’s master’s and certificate online information session Nov. 1 at 7:00 p.m. ET. During the 60-minute Zoom session, prospective students will hear more about our education offerings, the Seminary's hybrid learning modality, and financial aid available to students. Learn more.

Students interested in our doctor of ministry program are invited to two additional online info sessions: Nov. 6 (Eastern Christian focus) and Nov. 7 (Christian Spirituality focus). Both sessions run 12:00-1:00 p.m. ET. Learn more.

Thank you for partnering with us in student formation!

Advent Devotional and Resource Kit

The Seminary is putting the finishing touches on our 2023 Advent Devotional and Resource Kit. This free online resource provides a devotional for each day of Advent based on the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s daily lectionary. The devotionals are written by members of the PTS community and can be accessed in various ways:

▪	Read and listen online or print and share.

▪	Receive daily e-mails. (Scroll to the bottom of this e-mail, select “Preferences,” watch for an e-mail from GoDaddy with the link to change your subscription, and pick “Devotionals (Advent & Lent)” from the list. Or enter your information online and select “Devotionals (Advent & Lent).”)

▪	Request your printed copy. Call 412-362-5610 or e-mail reception@pts.edu.

Other downloadable Advent resources include sermons and reflections, videos, and children’s activities. Visit our website for selections from our previous Advent Resource Kits. Learn more.