Disciples Seminary Foundation

What does it mean to keep saying "yes" to God's call?

This week in the DSF newsletter, meet one of our new students, Rev. Christiane Swartz. Christiane's story is a powerful reminder that formation doesn't end with graduation.

"I always thought I was giving my time to ministry, but ministry keeps giving me life."

Also in this week's newsletter:
✨ Registration is open for our newest DSF Collective course, The Church at Work: Worship, Preaching, and Pastoral Care
✨ General Assembly 2026 on-demand recordings are now available
✨ Upcoming webinars and justice-centered events from our ministry partners
✨ Opportunities to support the next generation of theological leaders

Read this week's newsletter and be inspired by a story of lifelong learning, faithful leadership, and God's continuing call.

https://mailchi.mp/dsf.edu/august-5-2026

This week in the DSF newsletter, we reflect on a powerful question: What if the most important thing we bring to ministry is a willingness to listen?

After accompanying the HELM Leadership Fellows on a pilgrimage to Sierra Leone, our Development and Communications manager, Erin Zavala, explores how approaching others with humility, curiosity, and openness has the power to transform not only those who travel, but also the communities they return home to serve.

As DSF dreams about offering pilgrimages for our own students in the future, we're sharing why these experiences matter and why they can be life-changing for leaders of faith.

Plus, you'll find:
✨ Registration for our newest DSF Collective course, The Church at Work: Mission, Stewardship, and Hospitality
✨ Opportunities from our ministry partners
✨ Upcoming retreats and events
✨ Ways you can support the formation of emerging theological leaders

Read this week's newsletter and be inspired to listen, learn, and be changed.

https://mailchi.mp/dsf.edu/july-29-2026

📬 The latest DSF Newsletter is here!

This week's edition features a powerful reflection from Rev. Rachael Pryor on the church's call to faithful public witness, updates from our partners across the wider church, and an invitation to deepen your ministry through the DSF Certificate Program: Pastoral Leadership in a Divided World. Learn about the upcoming The Church at Work: Mission, Stewardship, and Hospitality course and discover resources to equip your leadership for today's church.

Read the latest newsletter and stay connected with all that's happening at DSF!

https://mailchi.mp/dsf.edu/july-22-2026

"The Convocation got something to say."

This week in the DSF newsletter, Pastor Terry C**n, Jr. reflects on the powerful impact of the 29th Biennial National Convocation and its theme: Revive. Reset. Resist. Drawing inspiration from André 3000's iconic words, Pastor TJ shares how the gathering became an invitation to embrace renewal, faithful rest, and courageous resistance in ministry and daily life.

You'll also find:
✨ A recap of DSF's time at National Convocation and the joy of reconnecting with alumni, students, and friends
🎉 An invitation to visit the DSF Booth during General Assembly and join our online Alumni Gathering
📚 Registration information for the next DSF Collective course, The Church at Work: Mission, Stewardship, and Hospitality, and the DSF Certificate Program
❤️ Opportunities to support the next generation of theological leaders through DSF

Whether you're an alum, a student, a church leader, or simply passionate about faithful ministry, there's something for you in this week's newsletter. Read it today and stay connected with the growing DSF community!

https://mailchi.mp/dsf.edu/july-8-2026

Join Us at the DSF Booth during General Assembly 2026!

Whether you're a longtime DSF alum or simply want to learn more about theological education, we invite you to connect with us during General Assembly!

Start your day at 10:00 a.m. PT on Saturday, July 11, by meeting representatives from our partner schools and learning about the DSF Certificate Program. It's a great opportunity to explore educational pathways, ask questions, and discover how DSF continues to support leaders for ministry.

Then at 1:00 p.m. PT, all DSF alumni are invited to our online DSF Alumni Gathering. Reconnect with classmates, faculty, mentors, and friends, celebrate where ministry has taken you, and hear what's new at DSF. Whether it's been a few months or many years since we've seen you, we'd love to catch up!

Please RSVP (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeG-PC4o1aD5tJIQWJeoxDZC_L4HJ6-wRgUDpqDfbENrZUUXQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor) to receive the Zoom link for the Alumni Gathering and to stay connected with future alumni events. (If you're attending General Assembly, we encourage you to RSVP as well.) Zoom links will be posted in the General Assembly chat 15 minutes before each event. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].

We can't wait to see you online!

This week in the DSF newsletter, we celebrate the graduation of Dr. Leland Merritt, whose remarkable eight-year Ph.D. journey included moves across three states, welcoming two children, and navigating a global pandemic. 🎓

Leland's doctoral research offers a fresh and thought-provoking approach to the Hebrew Bible, applying horror theory to the story of Tamar, Amnon, and Absalom in 2 Samuel 13 to reveal a powerful critique of the treatment of women and survivors of sexual violence in ancient Israel.

Plus, inside this week's newsletter:

✨ Register for the 2026 General Assembly and join Disciples from across the U.S. and Canada for worship, learning, and fellowship

🤝 RSVP for the online DSF Alumni Gathering and reconnect with the DSF community

📚 Learn about the upcoming DSF Collective course, The Church at Work: Mission, Stewardship, and Hospitality, and discover how the DSF Certificate Program equips leaders for faithful ministry in today's world

There’s something for alumni, students, church leaders, and lifelong learners alike. Read this week's newsletter and celebrate the stories of faith, scholarship, and leadership shaping the future of the Church.

https://mailchi.mp/dsf.edu/july-1-2026

Join Us for the DSF Alumni Gathering at General Assembly 2026!

Calling all DSF alumni! Reconnect with friends, faculty, and the DSF community during our online Alumni Gathering at 1:00 p.m. PT in the DSF booth at General Assembly. We'd love to catch up, celebrate where ministry has taken you, and share what's new at DSF. Please fill out this RSVP form to receive the Zoom link and to sign up for future alumni events. If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]. We can’t wait to see you there!

https://forms.gle/mZd1u8jwVPz1Anjd6

This week in the DSF newsletter, we celebrate the graduation of Rev. Dr. Vinnetta Golphin-Wilkerson from Iliff School of Theology!

Inspired by a renewed sense of calling, Rev. Dr. Golphin-Wilkerson’s Doctor of Ministry work explored how congregations can faithfully respond to church decline by aligning their resources with their mission and cultivating renewed vitality.

Be sure to read her reflection, along with stories from our other graduates, in the newly released DSF Graduate Newsletter.

Plus, inside this week's newsletter:

Opportunities from our ministry partners, including leadership development grants from the National Benevolent Association

Registration information for the DSF Collective course, The Birth and Growth of the Disciples of Christ Movement – in the United States and Globally, and the DSF Certificate Program: Pastoral Leadership in a Divided World

There is so much to celebrate, learn, and explore. Read this week's newsletter and join us in supporting the next generation of theological leaders.

https://mailchi.mp/dsf.edu/june-24-2026

National Benevolent Association (NBA) is accepting applications for Young Adult Leadership Development Grants, designed for Disciples-affiliated young adults 18-30 years old to support building leadership capacity. We are also accepting applications for Health & Social Services Leadership Development Grants for individuals leading Disciples-related health and social service organizations for educational opportunities enhancing knowledge and skillsets. Applications will be accepted through July 1. Learn more HERE: https://www.nbacares.org/programs/grant-programs/

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, along with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indiana, have written a letter to Indiana’s Governor Mike Braun opposing the exclusionary rhetoric in the June 1, “Nuclear Family” proclamation. It states, “Our tradition teaches that God moves toward those who are excluded, not away from them. We also hold a vision of a world where every person can live fully into who they are — without shame, without fear, and without being diminished by the narrowness of others.” Read the letter in its entirety HERE: https://disciples.org/general-ministries/call-to-love-inclusion-and-unity-letter-to-governor-braun/