There was an empty chair on the Lehman Auditorium stage at the 57th annual commencement of on Saturday afternoon, Apr. 29.

The vacant chair was in recognition of Lawrence M. Yoder, professor of missiology, recuperating from quintuple by-pass heart surgery performed earlier in the week. “He’s doing well, but obviously unable to be here,” seminary dean Ervin R. Stutzman told the audience.

Graduation speaker Cheryl J. Sanders, pastor of Third Street Church of God in Washington, D.C., spoke on “A Holy Calling,” citing marks of ministry that the Apostle Paul commended to his young protege Timothy and are applicable to members of the graduating class.

‘Be Courageous,’ Seminarians Told

“You are gifted, you are called and you are appointed,” Dr. Sanders told the class. “Don’t be shy in exercising your spiritual gifts, be courageous. Let the power of God flow through you to others.

“To discern what God wants you to do in ministry requires listening and aligning oneself with God’s purposes,” the speaker said. One thing we all have in common is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. Your calling is a life-long commitment to pass along the faith to the next generation.”

Class members are continuing ministry assignments with congregations or moving out into new ventures.

Christopher L. Riddle, M.Div., Harrisonburg, will be doing mission work in Bari, Italy with his family for the next three years with Virginia Mennonite Board of Missions.

“EMS has helped me in my spiritual growth and it has helped me to better hear where God is calling me and my family,” Riddle said.

Husband and Wife Team

Christine J. Nafziger, master of arts in church leadership, Harrisonburg, is applying for pastoral ministry with her husband Patrick A. Nafziger, who also graduated with an M.Div. degree.

“Theologically, I was never taught how to critique things before. I was never taught to think critically. It has been helpful to have tools to do that, and to interpret the Bible,” Nafziger said. “The spiritual direction courses were especially helpful. They have made me aware of God in all things and taught me how to help others be aware of God as well.

“I have a deep respect for the professors here. They think broadly about theological issues, but they have a deep love and reverence for God,” she added.

Theda J. Good, M.Div., Lancaster, Pa., is looking at a number of ministry options including pastoral ministry, mission work and church planting.

“As I consider various options from pastoral ministry, to mission work, to church planting, I believe that my time here has grounded me in the Anabaptist faith tradition and has prepared me to relate to and connect with a wide variety of people,” Good said, adding: “I have gained the skills to help with spiritual formation in the lives of people I minister to, no matter what that ministry position will be.”

will hold its 57th annual commencement 3 p.m. Saturday, Apr. 29, in Lehman Auditorium on the EMU campus.

Dr. Cheryl J. Sanders, senior pastor of Third Street Church of God in Washington, D.C., and professor of Christian ethics at Howard University School of Divinity, will give the commencement address during the ceremonies on the theme, “A Holy Calling,” based on II Timothy 1:1-11.

EMS dean will preside and confer degrees or certificates on the 33 members of the seminary class of 2006. The seminary will award 25 master of divinity degrees, one master of arts in religion degree and four master of arts in church leadership degrees. Three persons will receive the one-year certificate in ministry studies.

A baccalaureate service planned by the graduating class will be held 7:30 p.m. Friday, Apr. 28, in Martin Chapel of the seminary building. Dr. , associate seminary dean and associate professor of Christian education, will speak. A reception for seminary graduates, their relatives and friends will immediately follow the baccalaureate in the seminary fellowship area.

The baccalaureate and commencement services are open to the public.

By Lee Zion, Daily News-Record

Martin Luther King Jr.

"A Compassionate Faith: Courage to Move Forward" is the theme for " observances at 草莓社区.

Activities will open 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16 with a message and open discussion led by Rev. Derrick Parson, a campus minister in the United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation at James Madison University. The forum will be held 10-11:30 a.m. in the Campus Center Greeting Hall.

Dr. Cheryl Sanders

Monday evening, the keynote speaker for the annual School for Leadership Training at Eastern Mennonite Seminary will bring a prophetic message on the continuing legacy of Dr. King.

Dr. Cheryl Sanders, senior pastor of Third Street Church of God in Washington, D.C., and professor of Christian ethics at Howard University School of Divinity, will speak on the theme, "Reconciliation and Repentance," based on II Cor. 5:17-21. ()

Sons of the Day, an a cappella group of EMU alumni and current students, will provide special music.

King Week observances continue with a "Dialog on Race: Steps of Hope," 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, in the Northlawn Great Lounge. EMU faculty, staff and students will share steps that can be taken to increase understanding of others despite cultural and ideological differences.

In university chapel 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, persons representing the diverse EMU community will reflect on values represented in Dr. King

Eastern Mennonite Seminary will hold its 55th annual commencement exercises 3 p.m. Saturday, Apr. 24, in Lehman Auditorium at EMU.

The seminary will confer 12 three-year master of divinity degrees, two two-year master of arts in religion degrees and one master of arts in church leadership degree.

Cheryl J. Sanders, senior pastor of Third Street Church of God in Washington, D.C., will give the commencement address.

Dr. Sanders is also Professor of Christian Ethics at Howard University School of Divinity. She has written numerous articles and several books, including “Ministry at the Margins” (InterVarsity Press, 1997); “Saints in Exile: The Holiness-Pentecostal Experience in African American Religion and Culture” (Oxford, 1996); “Empowerment Ethics for a Liberated People” (Fortress, 1995); and is the editor of “Living the Intersection” (Fortress, 1995). For several years, she has been a contributing guest editor for “Leadership,” a journal for pastors.

Sanders completed her undergraduate work at Swarthmore College and received a master of divinity degree, cum laude, from Harvard Divinity School in the field of applied theology. In 2002, she was awarded an honorary doctor of divinity degree by Asbury College in Wilmore, Ky. She is married to Dr. Alan Carswell and is the mother of two children, Allison and Garrett.

The Northeast Community Choir, directed by Richard A. Pannell, will provide special music during the ceremonies.

Nathan E. Yoder, associate professor of church history at EMS, will give a meditation at a baccalaureate service 7:30 p.m. Friday, Apr. 23, in Martin Chapel of the seminary building. Daphna Creek, a local gospel-bluegrass band that includes graduating student Ben Risser, will provide special music.

The public is invited to both events.