Minute for Mission:  

McCormick Theological Seminary

April 10, 2016

“He has told you, human one, what is good and
what the Lord requires from you:
to do justice, embrace faithful love, 
nd walk humbly with your God.” 
Micah 6:8 (CEB)

What does it mean to do justice in today’s world?

In 2014, McCormick engaged its first annual theme, “Peacemaking in the City: A Faithful Response to Urban Violence,”with a series of lectures, exhibits, and events to increase understanding and create responses to the violence impacting people in Chicago. McCormick’s faculty is deeply engaged in this work, offering courses and experiential opportunities for students to develop skills and knowledge in peacemaking. During weekly worship, worshipers light candles and read aloud the names of each person who died from violence in Chicago that week. 

Action is the focus of the 2015 theme, “Peacemaking in the City: Equipping Transformational Leaders.” The Rev. Dr. David Daniels, the Henry Winters Luce Professor of World Christianity, continues to engage and share his research identifying best practices in violence-prevention ministry in local churches. The Rev. Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes, associate professor of homiletics and worship, offers a course exploring worship, arts, and the Black Lives Matter movement. Field education students complete workshops on restorative justice philosophy and methods. McCormick partners with local congregations and organizations to provide opportunities for dialogue, training, and action to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends.

Together with the Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, former moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly, McCormick created the Do Justice Fund to equip faith leaders to meet the social, economic, and political challenges of our time. The Do JusticeFund provides opportunities for students to participate in workshops, conferences, and campaigns to grow their skills as agents of change in the church and the world. Reyes-Chow said, “McCormick is clearly a seminary that is doing prophetic and powerful work.”

McCormick Theological Seminary is one of 10 seminaries and two theological institutions related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Located among the Hyde Park cluster of theological schools, McCormick is affiliated with the Association of Chicago Theological Schools. McCormick encourages, embraces, celebrates, and prepares women and men from all denominations and backgrounds for Christian ministry and service, advancing a model of education that is cross-cultural, urban, Reformed, and ecumenical.

Lisa M. Dagher, vice president of seminary relations and development

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Christopher Lega, PMA                                                                        
Terry Leiner, PMA                                                                                
Nora Leccese, PMA

Let us pray

God of justice and of peace, you call us in Jesus Christ to bear witness to the mysterious surprises of your grace. Strengthen us through the Holy Spirit to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you as we sustain each other through the bonds of fellowship that hold us together. Amen.