Fall 2019 Semester Begins for Students at the Dallas and Houston-Galveston Campuses of SMU’s Perkins School of Theology
Even though the summer heat still rages, the feeling of fall is in the air, as students at Perkins School of Theology return to their studies and the Fall 2019 semester gets underway. The Houston-Galveston Extension Program kicks off on August 19 and classes begin on August 26 for students at the Dallas campus of SMU. |
Novelist Chandrahas Choudhury to Headline Perkins Indian Literature and History Event
Renowned Indian novelist Chandrahas Choudhury will come to the SMU campus on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019 for a half-day interdisciplinary conference focused on Indian literature and its role within our global community. |
Perkins Announces Dr. Ángel J. Gallardo as New Intern Program Associate Director
Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University is pleased to announce that Dr. Ángel J. Gallardo has joined the faculty and staff as Associate Director of the Intern Program. Dr. Gallardo brings a rich range of experiences to this new position. Most recently, he graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy from the Graduate Program in Religious Studies at SMU in 2018. |
TV host Rick Steves to headline Perkins’ 2019 Fall Convocation, Mission Quest: Finding Your Place in God’s World
TV host and travel author Rick Steves leads the lineup of distinguished speakers for Perkins’ annual fall convocation, “Mission Quest: Finding Your Place in God’s World,” November 11-12 at Highland Park United Methodist Church and on the campus of SMU. This annual event offers two days of lectures, workshops, dialogue with speakers and participants, Bible study and worship. |
Perkins Invites Nominations for 2019 Distinguished Alumnus/a Award
Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University is accepting nominations for its 2019 Distinguished Alumnus/a Award. The deadline to submit nominations is Monday, Sept. 2. |
Applications Due for Houston-Galveston, Dallas Master’s Programs
The application due dates are fast approaching for all Fall 2019 master’s degree programs at Perkins School of Theology. The submission of applications for the Houston-Galveston Hybrid Program must be completed by Friday, June 30. Applications for the Dallas campus programs must be completed by Wednesday, July 31. |
Houston Lay School of Theology: August 2019
Perkins School of Theology will present “The Wit of Alyce McKenzie & The Wisdom of the Bible” at the two-day Houston Lay School of Theology, August 16-17, 2019, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 5501 Main Street in Houston. |
Remembering Rev. Dr. Schubert Ogden
The Rev. Dr. Schubert Ogden earned broad renown as a United Methodist theologian — writing challenging books and articles, winning top honors and fellowships, and eventually becoming the subject of younger scholars’ analysis. |
Mark Your Calendar: September 20-21, 2019
The Art of Resilience: Latinx Public Witness in Troubled Times
The Art of Resilience will address the current social climate as well as public policies impacting Latino/a families and communities and how those policies test human rights commitments and the democratic process. The event will bring together the work of theologians, scholars, artists and community members. |
“Preaching and the 30-Second Commercial” Workshop Offers Unique Approach
What can preachers learn from advertisers? For starters, advertisers know how to cut through the noise in the marketplace. There are also creative processes used by advertising firms that can jump start sermon preparation. “Preaching and the 30-Second Commercial” is a workshop offered by the Center for Preaching Excellence at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology. |
A Statement from Perkins School of Theology Dean Craig C. Hill
On February 26, 2019, the Special Session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church adopted the “Traditional Plan,” which continues to exclude “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from ordained ministry and prohibits clergy from officiating at same-sex weddings. This decision has given birth to a great many uncertainties, but at least one thing is absolutely clear: it in no way changes our institution’s historic stance of inclusion. |
Perkins School of Theology-SMU to Continue Spanish-Language Th.M. Degree Program with Second Cohort in 2019
Perkins School of Theology-Southern Methodist University will offer a Spanish-language Master of Theology (Th.M.) degree to a second cohort of students beginning in the fall of 2019. The advanced Master’s degree is a non-residential program designed for experienced full-time pastors or Church/academic leaders. Once selected, the next group will follow the same path as the first cohort of seven students, who began in the fall of 2017 and will graduate in May. |
Rev. Dr. Andrew Zirschky, Adam Hamilton and Perkins Faculty to Lead 2019 Perkins Theological School for the Laity
The 2019 Perkins Theological School for the Laity, a three-day event focusing on the Bible, theology, and spirituality is set for March 28-30 on the Southern Methodist University campus. A free evening lecture will feature the Rev. Dr. Andrew Zirschky, Assistant Professor of Practical Theology and Youth Ministry at Memphis Theological Seminary. |
Perkins Names 2019 Seals Laity Award Recipient
Perkins School of Theology is honored to announce John M. Esquivel as the recipient of the 2019 Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award. He will be recognized at 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, 2018, during the opening worship service of the three-day Perkins Theological School for the Laity in Perkins Chapel. |
Perkins to Offer Houston Lay School of Theology, Feb. 16
Dr. Tamara Lewis, Assistant Professor of the History of Christianity at Perkins School of Theology, will explore “Praying with the Desert Fathers and Mothers” during the annual Houston Lay School of Theology. The day-long course -- scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church (5510 Main St.) -- is sponsored by the Office of External Programs at Perkins School of Theology and made possible in part by the Howard-Holbert Endowment at SMU. |
Perkins Receives $1 Million Lilly Endowment Grant to Strengthen Congregational Ministries with Youth
Perkins School of Theology is the recipient of a five-year, $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., for an initiative designed to strengthen congregational ministries with youth. Co-directors of the grant are the Rev. Bart Patton, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry Education, and Dr. Priscilla Pope-Levison, Associate Dean, Office of External Programs. |
Perkins School of Theology Faculty Publications 2018-19
A selection of publications by the Perkins School of Theology Faculty. |
Nominations Being Accepted for 2019 Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award
The annual award is presented to a layperson in the United States who exemplifies an exceptional commitment of service to Christ through faith and action in the church, community and world. Awarded first in 1993, the award has been presented to more than 45 distinguished laypersons throughout the years. |
Annual Advent Service Set for Dec. 6 at Perkins School of Theology: 'What Child Is This?'
As it has every year since 1959, the Perkins School of Theology community will celebrate Advent by recalling an ancient story: the coming of the Christ Child. This year, however, the annual worship service will include some new twists. It’s the first led by Marcell Silva Steuernagel, Perkins’ new Director of the Master of Sacred Music program. |
The 2018 Aldersgate Prize has been awarded to Dr. Natalia Marandiuc, a theologian from Southern Methodist University
Indiana Wesleyan University’s John Wesley Honors College is pleased to announce the winner of the 2018 Aldersgate Prize: Natalia Marandiuc’s “The Goodness of Home: Human and Divine Love and the Making of the Self” (Oxford University Press, 2018). |
Watch the 2018 Distinguished Alumna Awards Banquet Video with Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey
Cynthia Fierro Harvey (M.Div. ’99), bishop of the Louisiana Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church, received the 2018 recipient of the Perkins School of Theology Distinguished Alumnus/a Award on Nov. 12. The event was held in the Great Hall of Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall on the Perkins campus. Watch the video below. |
Perkins-SMU Faculty, Students Presenting at Conference of Religious Scholars, Leaders
The annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature takes place Nov. 17-20 in Denver, and many Perkins School of Theology and SMU professors—as well as SMU Ph.D. students— will be presenting research and participating on panels and in committees. |
Judy Woodruff to speak at the Bolin Family Public Life Personal Faith Scholarship Luncheon lecture on Feb. 8, 2019.
Judy Woodruff, anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour, will be the featured guest for the 2019 Bolin Family Public Life Personal Faith Scholarship Luncheon, scheduled for noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, February 8, 2019, at the Martha Proctor Mack Grand Ballroom of the Umphrey Lee Student Center on the SMU campus. This is the tenth Public Life Personal Faith luncheon. Woodruff will be interviewed by Peggy Wehmeyer, former religion correspondent for ABC World News Tonight, on the topic of personal faith in the public square. |
Deadline Nears for Hybrid United Methodist Studies Course in Basics of Methodist History, Theology and Polity
Applications are now being accepted for the hybrid United Methodist Studies course, to be taught by three leaders in world Methodism, which runs January 3-5, 2019. The deadline for enrollment is December 1, but discounted early enrollment ends November 3. |
Eight North Texans to be Recognized for Human Rights and Sustainable Development at Annual UN Day Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, October 23 at SMU
The Dallas Chapter of the United Nations Association of the USA, a national grassroots organization devoted to strengthening the U.S.- UN relationship through public education and advocacy, announced its 2018 Honorees – an extraordinary group of North Texans, for their bold, transformative work shifting the world onto a more sustainable and resilient path. |
Perkins School of Youth Ministry Celebrates Three Decades of Relationship-Building
Since 1988, the Perkins School of Youth Ministry has taken place each January as a way to offer a collaborative learning environment for sharing best practices and trends relating to youths in the church. |
Perkins Names Louisiana Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey as 2018 Distinguished Alumna
Cynthia Fierro Harvey (M.Div. ’99), bishop of the Louisiana Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church, has been chosen as the 2018 recipient of the Perkins School of Theology’s Distinguished Alumnus/a Award. The prestigious award will be presented to Bishop Harvey at a dinner banquet at 5 p.m. on Nov. 12. |
Explore Your Next Steps at Perkins
All prospective degree and non-degree students are invited to attend Inside Perkins, a free information session offered by Perkins School of Theology. An evening session is set for Oct. 3, 5 to 8:30 p.m. and a daylong session will be held Nov. 13. |
Noted Preaching Scholar, Author to Keynote ArkLaTex Lectures
Dr. Frank A. Thomas, an internationally renowned author, scholar and preacher, will be the keynote speaker on Monday, Oct. 22 at the second annual ArkLaTex (Arkansas-Louisiana-Texas) Lectures in Preaching. |
Dialog to Examine Impact of Criminal Justice Reform, Theology on Path ‘from School to Prison’
An interdisciplinary dialogue, “The ABC’s of Theology and Criminal Justice Reform on the Lives of School Children of Color,” set for Monday, Oct. 15 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.in Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall (5901 Bishop Boulevard) at Perkins School of Theology and will bring together scholars from Perkins School of Theology and the Dedman School of Law. |
Explore Perkins, Graduate Theological Education During ‘Inside Perkins’ Event
All prospective degree and non-degree students are invited to attend Inside Perkins, a free information session offered by Perkins School of Theology, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21. In addition to receiving a first-hand look at the range of educational opportunities offered at both the Dallas campus and through the Houston-Galveston Extension Program, participants will have the opportunity to engage with noted theologian Dr. Stanley Hauerwas. |
‘The Pietists’ Exhibition Ongoing at Bridwell Library
“The Pietists,” an exhibition of works from Bridwell Library Special Collections written by precursors to and leaders of the Pietist movement in Holland, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States is the featured fall exhibit in the library galleries and will be on display through Dec. 14. |
Perkins Invites Nominations for 2018 Distinguished Alumnus/a Award
Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University is accepting nominations for its 2018 Distinguished Alumnus/a Award. The deadline to submit nominations is Sept. 1. |
Fall Convocation on Worship, Justice (7/25/2018)
"JustWorship" the 2018 Fall Convocation at Perkins School of Theology set for Nov. 12-13, will explore worship through the lenses of social justice and reconciliation with internationally acclaimed author, theologian and pastor Brian McLaren and Chicago-based preacher, liturgist and activist Sandra Maria Van Opstal. |
Keeping Faith in a Multifaith Society (7/12/2018)
“Keeping Faith in a Multifaith Society” is the theme for the 2018 Houston Lay School of Theology, set for Aug. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 5501 Main Street, in Houston. Featured speakers and discussion leaders include Dr. Robert Hunt, Director of Global Theological Education at Perkins School of Theology and Rev. Gregory Han of Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston. |
Perkins Names New Director of Master of Sacred Music Program
Marcell Steuernagel, an internationally acclaimed musician and scholar, is the new director of the Master of Sacred Music (M.S.M.) Degree Program at Perkins School of Theology – Southern Methodist University. |
Statement on the U.S. Department of Justice’s Immigration Policies (6/19/2018)
Jeff Sessions, the U.S. Attorney General, on Monday, June 11, 2018, declared that a strict interpretation of asylum eligibility excludes victims of domestic abuse and gang violence, reversing his own Department of Justice’s Board of Immigration Appeals decision in 2016. In doing so, thousands of children, women and men fleeing Central America’s well-documented criminal gang violence are at risk. Also, at risk are the thousands of women and children fleeing honor killings and genital mutilation globally. |
New Admissions Director, Associate Will Help Meet Perkins’ Increasing Demands (6/14/2018)
Dean Craig C. Hill of Perkins School of Theology has announced two hirings that will further enhance the school’s admissions and recruiting efforts. |
Rev. Dr. William J. Abraham Receives SMU’s 2018 Faculty Career Achievement Award (5/9/2018)
Rev. Dr. William J. Abraham, Albert Cook Outler Professor of Wesley Studies at Perkins School of Theology, is the recipient of the 2018 SMU Faculty Career Achievement Award for his extensive work and dedication to Perkins and Southern Methodist University. |
Andrew Keck assumes new position as Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives (5/9/2018)
Perkins School of Theology has named Andrew Keck, former director of library services at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., as executive director of strategic initiatives. In the newly created position, Keck will work closely with Dean Craig C. Hill to provide leadership and management for school-wide projects and priorities. |
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