The Rev. Verlee Copeland is a leading pastor in the United church of Christ. The Rev. Jonathan Strandjord is director for Theological Education for the ELCA. Watley is a professor of theology at Wartburg Seminary in dubuque, iowa.
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Original Title
Three Distinguished Church Leaders Appointed to FTE Board
The Rev. Verlee Copeland is a leading pastor in the United church of Christ. The Rev. Jonathan Strandjord is director for Theological Education for the ELCA. Watley is a professor of theology at Wartburg Seminary in dubuque, iowa.
The Rev. Verlee Copeland is a leading pastor in the United church of Christ. The Rev. Jonathan Strandjord is director for Theological Education for the ELCA. Watley is a professor of theology at Wartburg Seminary in dubuque, iowa.
Announces New Trustees Three Distinguished Church Leaders Appointed to FTE Board
ATLANTA, December 8, 2005 – The Fund for Theological Education (FTE)
announced today three new appointments to its Board of Trustees, elected by the Association of Theological Schools: the Rev. Verlee A. Copeland, the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Paul Strandjord and the Rev. Dr. William D. Watley. Each will serve a three-year term, advancing the Fund’s mission to encourage a new generation of gifted young people to consider vocations in ministry and theological scholarship. FTE annually awards more than $1.2 million in fellowships and support to undergraduate, seminary and doctoral students who are named as FTE Fellows. “We value the leadership abilities of these talented and diverse trustees,” said the Rev. Ann Svennungsen, president of The Fund for Theological Education. “Their guidance and involvement will advance our efforts to help congregations, communities and campuses meet growing demands for talented and faithful pastors and scholars.” Verlee A. Copeland is a leading pastor in the United Church of Christ and is senior minister of Union Church in Hinsdale, Ill. Prior to her appointment to Union Church, she served for 13 years as pastor of First Congregational Church in Greeley, Colo. Copeland held senior leadership positions in public education and administration in the Lincoln, Neb., Public School System. A trustee of the Chicago Theological Seminary, Copeland holds a Master of Divinity degree from Yale University Divinity School, and a Master of Counseling Psychology degree and bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska. -more- 2
Jonathan Paul Strandjord is director for theological education for the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) Unit for Vocation and Education in Chicago, Ill. In this role, he directs programs that strengthen the capacity of ELCA seminaries to identify, prepare and support future church leaders. Strandjord chairs the steering committee of the ELCA Fund for Leaders in Mission, which distributes $500,000 annually in endowed scholarships. He has taught ethics and theology at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, and has served two extended co-pastorates in Wisconsin. The author of several published works on theological education, theological anthropology and preaching, he received a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University, a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s degree from Luther College. William D. Watley is senior pastor of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church in Newark, N.J. He formerly served pastorates in Flushing and Warwick, N.Y., and in Elberton, Ga. A former president of Paul Quinn College in Waco, Texas, Watley has served on the faculties of Princeton Theological Seminary, New York Theological Seminary and New Brunswick Theological Seminary. He serves on the board of directors of Beth Israel Hospital and First Union Bank. Watley earned a Ph.D. from Columbia University, a Master of Philosophy degree from the Interdenominational Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s degree from St. Louis University. The Fund for Theological Education is a leading advocate for excellence and diversity in Christian ministry and theological scholarship. FTE supports the next generation of leaders among pastors and scholars, providing fellowships and a network of support for gifted young people from all denominations and racial/ethnic backgrounds. The Fund is also a resource for educational and faith communities, offering programs that encourage highly capable candidates to explore vocations in ministry and teaching. Since 1954, the Atlanta-based organization has awarded more than 5,600 fellowships in partnership with others committed to quality leadership for the church. Information about FTE is available on the Web at www.thefund.org.