Theological Education Sunday
On Theological Education Sunday, September 18, congregations across the country will be celebrating the contributions of Presbyterian seminaries and the partnerships they enjoy. More than forty Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary faculty, staff, students, and alumni will be participating in this year’s event as preachers and teachers at host churches.
This annual event allows congregations the opportunity to celebrate the gift of strong, effective leaders of the church who graduate from Austin Seminary and reflect on the role they play in shaping the lives of those who have answered the call to ministry.
PC(U.S.A.), which coordinates this day of celebration, published the following statement:
It takes seminaries and churches together to “equip the saints for the work of ministry.
Seminaries can’t grow leaders by themselves. Leadership development requires a congregation-seminary partnership that begins in the parish with meaningful worship, mission trips, small groups, youth programs – and more. It continues as the congregation nurtures one of its own who identifies a call to ministry.
While students are in seminary, congregations offer prayer, encouragement and on-site opportunities for service and experiential learning. As seminary graduates become pastors, they count on their congregations for greater understanding of faith, hope, peace, justice, and love.
Austin Seminary student Michelle Ruiz is eager to participate in Theological Education Sunday because she sees it as a great opportunity to be a presence in the congregational community, to connect an individual story to the academic institution.
Congregations nurture those whom Austin Seminary educates and equips to return to lead worship, preach, teach, and pray in local churches, chaplaincy, and other ministries. It is with the support of the local congregations, prayerfully and financially, that Austin Seminary is able to prepare the quality men and women for ministry of Word and Sacrament throughout the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Where will Austin Seminary be represented?
| Central Presbyterian Church, Austin, TX |
| Central Presbyterian, Waco, TX |
| Church at Horseshoe Bay, Horseshoe Bay, TX |
| Covenant Presbyterian Church, Austin, TX |
| Crestholme Presbyterian Church, San Antonio, TX |
| Faith Presbyterian Church, Austin, TX |
| Faith Presbyterian Church, Baytown, TX |
| First Presbyterian Church, Austin, TX |
| First Presbyterian Church, Elgin, TX |
| First Presbyterian Church, LaGrange, TX |
| First Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, TX |
| First Presbyterian Church, Melvern, AR |
| First Presbyterian Church, Mt. Pleasant, TX |
| First Presbyterian Church, Sweetwater, TX |
| First Presbyterian Church, Temple, TX |
| First Presbyterian Church, Whitesboro, TX |
| First Presbyterian Church, Allen, TX |
| First Presbyterian Church, Clinton, OK |
| First Presbyterian Church, Dallas, TX |
| First Presbyterian Church, Henderson, TX |
| First Presbyterian Church, Snyder/ Colorado City |
| First Presbyterian Church, Waco, TX |
| Grace Presbyterian Church, Arlington, TX |
| Grace Presbyterian Church, San Antonio, TX |
| Grand Avenue Presbyterian Church, Sherman, TX |
| Hope Presbyterian Church, Austin, TX |
| Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, Austin, TX |
| Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, Denison, TX |
| New Covenant Fellowship of Austin, Austin, TX |
| Northwood Presbyterian Church, San Antonio, TX |
| Parkway Presbyterian Church, Corpus Christi, TX |
| Salado Presbyterian Church, Salado, TX |
| San Gabriel Presbyterian Church, Austin, TX |
| St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, Marble Falls, TX |
| St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, San Antonio, TX |
| St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, New Orleans, LA |
| Union Presbyterian Church, Brownwood,TX |
| Westminster Presbyterian Church, Austin, TX |
| Westminster Presbyterian Church, Corsicana, TX |
| Wimberley Presbyterian Church, Wimberley, TX |