A destructively powerful storm swept through the MTSO campus Thursday night, March 14. We’re relieved to report that campus residents all are safe and accounted for. As President Jay Rundell said in a wee-hours email to the campus community, “So very grateful to know campus residents and staff are checking in on each other.”

Most downed trees were in the lower campus area, though there was considerable damage to farm structures in the upper campus, particularly a large hoop house.

Our prayers are with those elsewhere in Ohio who lost loved ones in this same storm system and whose lives will be impacted for some time to come.

MTSO Assistant Professor of Public and Practical Theology Kate Common will discuss her new book, Undoing Conquest: Ancient Israel, the Bible, and the Future of Christianity, in a faculty lecture at 7 p.m. April 2 in the Alford Centrum on the MTSO campus, 3081 Columbus Pike in Delaware. The lecture is presented by the Theological Commons at MTSO.

Undoing Conquest explores how biblical conquest narratives shaped Christian ideology, white-settler colonialism and genocide – and considers what to do about it.

The book dives into recent archeological research that reveals a new story of Israelite origins that can help reshape Christian identity and practice. It also presents tangible practices that churches can take to help repair harmful and ongoing legacies of Christian violence.

The Williams Institute at Methodist Theological School in Ohio will present two lectures by Eboni Marshall Turman, associate professor of theology and African American religion at Yale University Divinity School.

Turman will speak at 7 p.m. Eastern April 9 and 10 a.m. Eastern April 10 in the Alford Centrum on the campus of MTSO, 3081 Columbus Pike in Delaware, Ohio. She also will preach at MTSO’s weekly chapel service at 1 p.m. Eastern April 9. These events are open to all. There is no charge.

Turman teaches constructive theology, ethics and African American religion at Yale Divinity. Her research interests include the varieties of 20th century U.S. theological liberalisms, most especially Black and womanist theological, social ethical and theo-aesthetic traditions.

Read more.

WomanPreach! Inc., in partnership with MTSO, invites all women who preach to “Chloe’s Circle: Why War Is Never a Good Idea.” This two-day, in-person event begins at 5 p.m. Friday, April 19, and runs through 6 p.m. Saturday, April 20, on the MTSO campus.

WomanPreach! has designed Chloe’s Circle to gather women from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and focus on a specific justice theme. This year’s theme comes from the children’s book by Alice Walker Why War Is Never a Good Idea.

Our wisdom partner for this intensive is Seattle Quest Church Pastor Gail Song Bantum. As a second generation Korean-American, formed in the Korean immigrant and Black Pentecostal traditions, she seeks to cultivate advocacy, liberation, and belonging for the marginalized within the life of the church.

Registration is $500 which includes the intensive and meals. Lodging is on your own.

Learn more and register.

A church technology revolution is under way, and church leaders who embrace this new age with creativity and wisdom are seeing their congregations thrive.

The Theological Commons at MTSO will offer religious leaders a time of guidance and inspiration with “Liturgy and Leadership in the Digital Age,” a morning workshop led by pastors, authors and sought-after speakers Rachel Billups and Matt Rawle.

The free workshop will take place Wednesday, April 17, from 9:30 a.m. to noon on the MTSO campus, 3081 Columbus Pike, Delaware, Ohio 43015, and streamed online. An optional post-workshop lunch, featuring food from MTSO’s Seminary Hill Farm, is offered for $12.

Rachel Billups is senior pastor of New Albany United Methodist Church in central Ohio. She holds a bachelor’s degree in bible/religion and history from Anderson University and a Master of Divinity Degree from Duke Divinity School. She is the author of An Unlikely Advent: Extraordinary People of the Christmas Story and Be Bold: Finding Your Fierce.

Matt Rawle is lead pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Bossier City, Louisiana. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Louisiana State University and a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School. He has authored numerous studies through Abingdon Press, including The Grace of Les Miserables and The Redemption of Scrooge.

Learn more and register.

MTSO’s Seminary Hill Farm sells food through its Community Supported Agriculture program. The CSA gives our friends and neighbors the opportunity to stop by our campus farm and pick up fresh, delicious, local produce each week while supporting our mission: Seminary Hill Farm teaches small-scale farming and produces good food for all in pursuit of a just, sustainable and generative world.

This year, we offer three distinct seasons for Community Supported Agriculture members. Our spring CSA season begins May 7. Summer season begins June 4. Fall season begins Oct. 8. The summer and fall seasons will offer an additional pickup site in German Village near downtown Columbus.
Our goal is to provide a balanced selection of Ohio favorites along with less-seen vegetables that can enhance your eating experience. We farm without the use of synthetic herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers, and all seed stock is non-GMO.

A share in our four-week spring season is $120. Your share won’t be pre-packed. Each week’s offerings are set out to allow members to select and pack their own shares.

Visit our 2024 CSA page to see dates and pricing for all three seasons and place your order.