Palmer Theological Seminary

Under the guidance of the Office of Student Formation, a wide variety of small groups are available throughout the Palmer Seminary community. These groups meet for prayer, Bible study, support and work projects. In addition there are groups offered for spiritual direction as well as denominational interaction and information. Some groups exist for outreach and evangelism. Email the Office of Student Formation for the current Small and Special Interest Group contact.

Student Groups: The SSIG Resource Manual is available in PDF format!

Baptist Support Group
If you call yourself a Baptist or if you would like to find out who your Baptist classmates are or if you would like to know what Baptists believe and how this denomination works, consider coming to the BAPTIST GROUP. In our meetings, we will encourage and support, discuss and question those important areas that identify Baptists. We plan to meet twice a semester at a time convenient to the majority. We will have occasional visiting speakers and area leaders in our denomination. Field Education opportunities will be on our agenda as well. Plan to come and fellowship with other Baptists -- or come for the fellowship. You will be welcomed.

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Black Seminarian Fellowship (BSF)
We, the Black Seminarian Fellowship, a ministry group made up of students and alumni of the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary who are from Africa and are of African descent, are committed to the cultural, educational and spiritual development of Black Theologians and are organized under the banner of Christian love, humility, charity and oneness. To this end, the Black Seminarian Fellowship shall:

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Captive Soul
Captive Soul provides a God centered ministry, whose goal is to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ through our many talents and gifts God has given us. As Christians we are all called to worship God and as seminary students we are called to lead worshippers. Captive Soul is a ministry that will allow you to do just that.

Open to anyone who feels called to participate in a praise band or who feels called to lead worship through expression of music, drama, or dance.

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Blended Women's Ministry
The Blended Women's Ministry (BWM) is comprised of fellow students, staff, faculty, wives of ministers and various others in ministry.... It is a blend of women that gathers to find strength and wisdom by the sharing of experiences from the stories of others. The Blended Ministry for Women stands to promote support, equality and diversity in the seminary community.

We are dedicated to offering support and education to women involved in all kinds of ministry no matter denominational position or support. We are a group created with women in mind but men that seek to support there sisters in Christ are also welcome. Ultimately, we hope to bring about equality, awareness, support, and community within the collective strength of all participants.

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Hispanic Fellowship
The Latino Fellowship involves Latino students, alumni/ae, pastors, faculty and staff who are committed to understanding, cultivating, and strengthening their Christian faith and mission within the context of the Latino world, especially in the U.S. and Latin America. It seeks both to enrich the seminary community by sharing the Latino experience and to keep in close contact with Latino Evangelical churches in Philadelphia and surrounding areas and surrounding areas, as well with the Latino American Theological Fraternity (FTL).

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International Student Fellowship
The International Student Fellowship includes those persons born overseas and who may now live in the U.S. (permanent residents), study at Eastern Seminary (F-1 students), or students from the MBA/MS program at Eastern University. The fellowship is also comprised of seminary employees from the international community, as well as those who are interested in the world-wide arena.

The purpose of the Fellowship is to assist students in becoming acquainted with living and studying in the U.S., to learn about other cultures and to provide an environment for support and caring. ISF meets to discuss items of concern/interest and, in order to foster community relations; a meal gathering is frequently planned. International Week, held each year in the fall, celebrates the diversity of our international community. United Nations Day is celebrated with an evening banquet of International cuisine, a variety of music, and sometimes a special speaker.

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Methodist Student Support Group
Purpose: The Methodist Groupï¿½s mission is to encourage, uphold, facilitate, and validate relationships, faith, equality and humility for Jesus Christ through each other.

Description: The group is open to all students from various denominations including all Methodist traditions (United Methodist, AME, AMEZ, CME, Free Methodists, etc.) in providing fellowship and support to students struggling with candidacy process for ordination, theological reflection, Methodist history and polity, and the seminary experience. We have a flexible leadership model, all being equal partners through our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Activities:

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Residentsï¿½ Council
The Residentsï¿½ Council deals with concerns of residents, assists in policy decisions, and works to develop community among residents. All residents are welcome to take part. Students may volunteer at the first all-residence meeting at the beginning of the academic year. The Council then meets periodically. The Residentsï¿½ Council is a fantastic way to serve the seminary and the perfect way to develop community among your fellow students.

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Spiritual Health Organization
Information to come!

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Student Assembly
Provides an active voice for seminary students and serves the Palmer Seminary community. The Student Assembly represents the student body at faculty meetings, curriculum design and student concerns committees. Your voice, your organization, your vehicle for change!

The 2005-2006 Assembly

Name
Calvin Skinner
Mary Holland
Gretchen Hulse
Darryl Allen
James Brown
Yana Pagan
Jessica Ross

Position
Moderator
Vice Moderator
Secretary
Treasurer
Middler Class Representative
At-Large Representative
At-Large Representative

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Thursday Morning Bible Study

WHERE: PRESIDENTSï¿½ ROOM
WHEN: EVERY THURSDAY MORNING AT 7:00AM
WHO: OPEN TO ALL AT THE SEMINARY AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITY

Sessions are taught by a variety of faculty members, seminary staff, pastors in the surrounding community, and seminary students, infusing each biblical lesson with diverse experiences and teaching styles.

Join us early Thursday morning and experience God's word. Refreshments are provided!

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Womenï¿½s Spiritual Direction and Support Group
The concern regarding women in ministry is one aspect of the larger, more fundamental issue of sexist bias that permeates social structures and cultural values in society. The manner in which one deals with concerns regarding women in ministry must be considered in light of the cultural whole.

Given both the broader and more specific contexts, Palmer Seminary has committed itself to an advocacy role regarding women in ministry. The faculty provides leadership in shaping and implementing such an advocacy stand. The Womenï¿½s Group currently meets weekly as a support and spiritual direction group. All seminary women are welcome.

Meeting Days: Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Meeting Venue: Carol Schreckï¿½s Office, downstairs Laws Chapel

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Small and Special Interest Groups