The offering and sharing of physical space is a seemingly simple act of hospitality. Palmer Theological Seminary joined the main campus of Eastern University, in St. Davids, PA, in 2016. The beautifully expansive campus allows the seminary to offer local churches, denominations, and ministries the gift of space!
On February 24, 2024 Palmer hosted Salt & Light Church’s leadership retreat. Salt & Light is led by Rev. Cean James and Rev. Christopher Holland ‘12, Palmer’s 2023 Alumnus Waymaker honoree. Salt & Light is dually aligned PCUSA and UCC, having merged two respective congregations in 2020 amidst the pandemic. Shameika Black-Odei, a current MDiv student and minister and executive assistant at Salt & Light, appreciated the opportunity to bring Salt & Light’s “leadership together to share our vision” on the Palmer campus.
The following weekend, Palmer shared its space again, hosting 200 guests for “Tools for Ministry”, a day of workshops for the South-East Region of United Methodists of Eastern Pennsylvania. Workshops included resources for laity, staff, and clergy, and ranged from topics like youth ministry and worship ministry to mental health and even church web design! Palmer hosted its own session for those who might be interested in theological education.
Palmer’s ongoing relationships with denominations, churches, and ministries reflect our deep commitment to bridging the Church and the Academy. Hosting, offering the gift of space, is more than simple hospitality; it is just one of many ways we live out our mission, and continue to encourage the union of theory and praxis.
If your church or community is looking for their next retreat or conference location, we would love to host you! For more information, please reach out to the Center for Alumni Care and Seminary Engagement (CARES) at PTSAlumniCare@eastern.edu.
About the Author
Dan lives with his wife, Libby, in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Palmer Theological Seminary with his Master of Divinity in 2018. He now serves full-time as the Director of College and Young Adult Ministries with the Church of the Good Samaritan in Paoli, PA on the campuses of Eastern University and West Chester University. He also serves as a Chaplain and Seminary Storyteller for our Center for Alumni Care and Seminary Engagement.
