Speakers in Messiah College’s annual Wittlinger Chapel Series address topics of reconciliation, peacemaking and holiness
August 28th, 2008
GRANTHAM, Pa. (Aug. 28, 2008) — Messiah College, together with its Sider Institute for Anabaptist, Pietist and Wesleyan Studies, announces the fourth annual Wittlinger Chapel Series, a three-part lecture series designed to discuss Biblical themes central to the Brethren in Christ denomination’s heritage at Messiah College. Each of the three chapels will be held at the Grantham Brethren in Christ Church, located at the main entrance of the Messiah College campus in Grantham, on Sept. 18, Oct. 2 and Oct. 23, all from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. The lectures will focus on the principle of holy-living – a fundamental concept in both the Brethren in Christ denomination and Messiah College. Specific topics will include holiness, reconciliation and peacemaking. The Wittlinger Chapel Series is free and open to the public; those wishing to attend are encouraged to arrive early to obtain good seating.
Sept. 18, Susie Stanley, addressing holiness
Susie Stanley, professor of historical theology at Messiah College, will speak on how Christians are called to integrate holiness into every aspect of life. A member of the Wesleyan/Holiness women clergy and the author of “Holy Boldness: Women Preachers’ Autobiographies and the Sanctified Self,” Stanley received her bachelor of arts degree from Towson State University. She later earned her master of arts in religion degree from the Iliff School of Theology and her doctorate through a joint program with the Iliff School of Theology and the University of Denver.
Oct. 2, President Kim Phipps, addressing reconciliation
Messiah College President Kim Phipps will speak on the subject of reconciliation to God by accepting and extending forgiveness. Before becoming its eighth president, Phipps served as academic dean and provost at Messiah College from 1998 to 2004. She earned her doctorate in communication studies from Kent State University, going on to hold a variety of leadership roles at Malone College prior to coming to Messiah College.
Oct. 23, Jay McDermond, addressing peacemaking
Jay McDermond serves as professor of Christian ministry and spirituality at Messiah College, as well as performing the role of director for the Sider Institute and director of the peace and conflict studies initiative. His education includes a bachelor of arts from Messiah College in 1976; a master of divinity from Mennonite Biblical Seminary in 1979; a master of letters in 1987 from the University of Durham; and most recently a doctor of ministry from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1998.
About the Wittlinger Chapel Series
The series is named in memory of Carlton O. Wittlinger, a former student, history professor and administrator at Messiah College. Wittlinger graduated from Messiah College in 1935 and returned to teach at the college for 31 years. The Wittlinger Chapel Series is sponsored by the Messiah College Sider Institute, an organization which explores the Anabaptism, Pietism and Wesleyan faiths through a variety of educational opportunities and scholarly programs. To learn more about the Sider Institute, visit www.messiah.edu/siderinstitute.
About Messiah College
Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls 2,800 undergraduate students in more than 60 majors. Established in 1909, the primary campus is located in Grantham, Pa., near the state capital of Harrisburg. A satellite campus affiliated with Temple University is located in Philadelphia.
