On Saturday, April 25, he made one final trip to campus for the seminary鈥檚 commencement ceremony to celebrate the earning of two degrees: a master of divinity and a .

In contrast, Seth Miller, also a new seminary graduate, simply walked up the hill from the Maplewood Residence Hall, where he is residence director for 91短视频 undergraduate students. Miller came to the seminary after several years as a teacher at Lancaster Mennonite School and in public educational settings in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

And then there鈥檚 Kathryn Fenton, of Harrisonburg, who created聽seven mixed media paintings based on the principles of Mennonite faith to partially fulfill thesis requirements for a . And Misty Wintsch, a Church of the Brethren pastor from Pennsylvania, whose ministry specialization project for her included studying about and performing funerals for the 鈥渦nchurched.鈥�

These are a fraction of the various stories that could be shared about this year鈥檚 graduating class of 33, the largest since 1988.

鈥淭here is sorrow in letting go of such a large and gifted class of graduates,鈥� said , vice president and seminary dean. 鈥淵et the very qualities that make it hard to see them go underscore the great gifts of ministry, leadership, and authentic relating they鈥檙e primed to share with the world.鈥�

Twenty-five students received master of divinity degrees, with five of these also receiving dual master鈥檚 degrees in conflict transformation or . Four students received a master鈥榮 degree in church leadership and four students received a master鈥榮 degree in religion.

Additionally, nine students received .

Religious backgrounds and affiliations varied, including Mennonite, United Methodist, Church of the Brethren, Presbyterian, and non-denominational. The class includes students from India, Honduras, and Chile.

鈥淚t is challenging to do what you are going forth to do,鈥� said L. Gregory Jones, PhD, professor of theology and Christian ministry at Duke Divinity School. His commencement address, 鈥淔or Such a Time as This,鈥� was based around the Biblical book of Esther and suggested that perhaps these graduates were prepared for just this moment in the church.

鈥淕od raises up people like you in order to do things you would never have done,鈥� he said. Jones encouraged graduates to practice fasting and spiritual disciplines, hospitality and peacemaking 鈥� practices that will provide spiritual sustenance in challenging times.

鈥淲e have a responsibility to God who calls us to become what we are not yet,鈥� said Lizzette Hernandez, class president, speaking to the ongoing journey that continues after commencement. 鈥淲e respond to God so that we can minister, not to the church that is, but to the church that will be.鈥�

鈥淓astern Mennonite Seminary seeks to be fully accountable to the United Methodist University Senate, which has asked that non-Methodist seminaries approved to teach Methodist students either enter in partnership with a Methodist seminary or hire a full-time Methodist faculty member,鈥� said Michael A. King, EMS dean.

This year EMS has done both. In two separate processes, EMS has entered into a partnership with Wesley Theological Seminary and hired , PhD, a United Methodist and Wesley graduate as assistant professor of history, mission, interfaith and intercultural studies.

鈥淲e’re pleased that the formal signing of a partnership agreement with Wesley Theological Seminary was quickly followed by confirmation that Dr. David Evans, a Methodist, would join our faculty,鈥� said King. 鈥淲e believe this combination holds unusual potential to enable EMS simultaneously to meet Senate expectations and provide a rich and flexible range of resources to our students.鈥�

Partnership allows United Methodist students to work toward ordination

United Methodist students at EMS will have the opportunity to take some of the required courses for ordination through WTS, either online, on the EMS campus, or on the WTS campus in Washington, D.C.

WTS is providing a United Methodist advisor who will help students navigate between the two schools and manage the requirements for ordination.

Julie Nitzsche has taken an online class from WTS already.

She said, 鈥淎s a mother of 2 small children I appreciate the opportunity to take online classes from Wesley to supplement my classes at EMS. This partnership allows me to continue to take classes at EMS, which is closer to home, while helping me get the credits I need for ordination in the United Methodist church.鈥�

WTS students will have the opportunity to work with EMS and the world-renowned at 91短视频, taking peace studies courses, such as, 鈥淢anaging Congregational Conflict鈥� and 鈥淭heology and Peacebuilding.鈥�

鈥淏oth schools agree that Dr. Evans and the partnership activities hold potential to create exciting bridges across EMS and Wesley resources for Methodist students, and the rich range of denominations both seminaries serve.鈥�

Currently 33 of the 131 students at Eastern Mennonite Seminary are United Methodist.