Stories

Dear Eden Students, Alumni, Congregations and Community Partners,

God’s heart breaks. We join this heartbreak.

The past weeks since the Hamas terror attacks and hostage-taking in Israel on October 7^th and subsequent war on Hamas by Israel with widespread killing in Gaza have been times in the Eden Seminary community of deep grief and renewed actions for solidarity with traumatized and oppressed people.  We have seen this activated in our community and congregational networks, among alumni, and in our classes, worship life and faculty resources. We continue to pray and act for peace with justice- Just Peace.

The context of violence in Israel and Palestine is emerging as we speak. We see this not as a situation for unilateral statements that make a proclamation and move on, but for engaging in long-term deep relationships of solidarity and action. Here we share resources of the various ways and in various voices the Eden community is about that work.

With many people of Jewish, Muslim and Christian faith traditions, Eden Seminary reads our sacred texts to hold that the Sovereign God of all creation intends peace for the world. Just Peace – that comprehensive condition of economy, society, and culture in which the earth’s ample provision of resources is sufficient for the thriving of all people and creation. We grieve that the world God has made for peace, we have refashioned for war. It is in this context that we recommit to the work of Just Peace.

As a school of contextual teaching and learning, this moment matters. You, in Eden’s networks, classes, worship life are reflecting, preaching, praying, studying, and organizing.  Eden’s curriculum goal to support commitments and build skills for interfaith collegiality seems particularly urgent in resisting the religious nationalism and extremism undergirding this violence.

Eden students are thinking theologically about the Israel-Gaza crisis in classes.  In Professor Raquel Lettsome’s course Introduction to Bible,  students are engaging how Christians misinterpret and interpret the stories of  Israel’s Exodus and return from Babylon in ways that perpetuate violence and work for peace. Professor Sonja B. William’s Social Ethics students are examining their ethical positions and exploring how they put them into action.

In addition to teaching courses, Eden faculty are offering resources from the experience of various academic fields in the context of worship, teaching, and ministry.

Cultivating a Culture of Safety in a Digital World
Nov 2, 2023, from 1-2pm CT

Eden’s Press Hall tower witnesses to the presence and mission of the Seminary.  Interfaith collegiality is central to our identity and formation of our students.

At sunset on 9/15 the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins. Next week will mark the observance of Yom Kippur 9/24-25, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. The ten day period between is known as the “Days of awe.”

As a sign of love and gratitude to our Jewish colleagues, friends, and neighbors, Eden Seminary will light its tower in bright white light, a traditional color for these holidays, symbolizing the new year, purity, restored relationships and hope.

Gmar tov, Tzom kal, and Happy Holidays!

This summer, the Eden Gleaning and Garden Project has been growing and harvesting produce for area food pantries and ministries. Over the past 4 months, we have partnered with farmers in Indiana and Illinois to glean thousands of pounds of asparagus, corn, potatoes and cabbage.

Our next gleaning trip is this Saturday Sept 2, and we would love to have you join us.

• Departing Eden @ 7:30 am Central (Schroer Commons parking lot) and returning to Eden by 7pm.
• Meeting in Vincennes Indiana at St John’s UCC @ 11:30 (Eastern)

The tasks for the day allow for varying levels of physical exertion: from moderate (harvesting, lifting bags, and climbing in and out of a wagon) to light (counting and bagging produce). Bring water, snacks, and a knife (for harvesting). Lunch is provided. The forecast is for temperatures in the high 80s, so dress appropriately. We will be in the fields mid-day for 2-3 hours

Eden’s Press Hall tower witnesses to the presence and mission of the Seminary.  Colors of the Deaconess Foundation shine from the Eden tower this week as the 2023 CDC Freedom School® concludes its final sessions of the summer.

The tower of the Press Hall at Eden Theological Seminary is a recognizable presence on the Webster Groves campus.  Local neighbors as well as alumni and the community around the world often identify Eden’s campus with the iconic tower.

Lights in the tower also now witness to the mission of Eden Seminary through occasional displays that share particular stories. In June, lights on the tower expressed solidarity with members of the LGBTQIA+ community through a celebration of PRIDE.  This week, the tower lights bear witness to partnerships that make possible a Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School® for young scholars in Webster Groves.

Eden Seminary at the United Church of Christ General Synod
Eden was well represented at the United Church of Christ General Synod in Indianapolis, IN, June 30-July 4. The Eden booth and bookstore was a great success. Along with attracting many prospective students to Eden’s MDiv, DMin, MCL, and other non-degree programming, it quickly became a landing place for friends, graduates, musicians and authors to gather and share talents and stories, catch up with old friends and make new ones.