The Seminary Explores

Laughing and Crying in Silence: A Chaplain’s Story of 9/11

Father Recla, then a pastor in New York, took on the role of chaplain in one of the morgues where remains were sent during recovery operations after 9/11, often accompanying body bags to their final destination--sometimes with police or fire escorts. Little was said during these sad journeys, but Recla sensed there was both laughing and crying in the silence.

Happy 100th Birthday to Our National Parks

Ed W. Clark, Superintendent, Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site talks with Dr. Christianson about the business of running a national park.  As the National Park Service celebrates its centenary with the theme “Find Your Park” to encourage us to visit these treasurers of our heritage whether near or far, it prepares to face new challenges. They include maintaining the Gettysburg Battlefield’s 1863 appearance, a maintenance backlog, new land acquisitions, and raising questions of interpretation beyond the battle itself, such as slavery the impact on civilians.  

The Art and Experience of Wet Plate Photography

Photographer Robert Beech discusses the process, challengesand rewards of wet plate photography. During his tenure as Artist in Residence at the Gettysburg NationalMilitary Park, Robert recreated some of the most famous photographs of thebattle using the same technology used by the photographers of the time.

 

Read Robert Beech's Blog

Cancer Trials and Christian Faith: One Expression of a Lutheran Vocation

In the ongoing series of podcasts “Science for Seminaries”, Gettysburg Seminary board member Dr. Greg Yothers discusses his own faith and the connection he sees between his faith and his work as a researcher in clinical cancer trials. 

Storyboards and Battle Plans: Gettysburg National Military Park Artist-in-Residence Leigh Rydberg

Leigh Rydberg, an artist/filmmaker from Minnesota was selected as the April 2016 Artist-in-Residence at the Gettysburg National Military Park. She took a moment away from her work (on a film about First Minnesota soldiers at Gettysburg) and workshops with park visitors to talk with The Seminary Explores. Rydberg’s film and television production credits include Wilson, A Serious Man, The Drop and Boardwalk Empire.

Links:

Gettysburg National Military Park

NPS Artist-in-Residence Program

The Q&A with Jeff Goldsmith

Dark Matter, Dark Energy and Gravitational Waves—More Fun with Physics with Dr. Craig Foltz

Astrophysicist Craig Foltz discusses dark matter, dark energy and the exciting new detection of gravitational waves that was announced in February.  No one makes physics more fun and interesting than Craig!

American Elections: Why Have We Become so Divided?

Dr. Kenneth Mott, Professor of Political Science at Gettysburg College explains that beginning with the nomination of Senator Barry Goldwater in 1964 and the passage of the Civil Rights Act shortly thereafter, the two parties have moved away from the “middle” and toward the “more purified” or ideological.  The reasons are complex but are mainly due to regionalism and segregation, as well as social media and an emphasis on individualism.

Where Michelangelo Stood: Vocation, Incarnation and New Work in an Old Form

Award-winning, classically-trained sculptor Sarah Hempel Irani opens her studio for a conversation with Katy Giebenhain from Seminary Ridge Review. She specializes in sacred art and portraiture and works in clay, plaster, bronze, and marble. She has stood at the chalk “x” marking the spot where Michelangelo stood when selecting Carrara marble. Hempel Irani works from live models with oil-based clay and armatures. She studied Fine Art and Classical Studies at Hillsdale College with sculptor Anthony Frudakis and was apprenticed to Jay Hall Carpenter, former Artist-in-Residence at the Washington National Cathedral. Her M.A. in Humanities is from Hood College Graduate School, with a concentration in Medieval and Renaissance Studies. 

Other Resources:

Christians in the Visual Arts

National Sculpture Society

Firefighting and Public Ministry: An Expanded Understanding of Vocation

In this episode Dr. Largen chats with Jono Adams, Seminary student and volunteer firefighter.  They discuss his sense of calling as a member of the Gettysburg Volunteer Fire Department, and how that enhances and expands his calling to public ministry.

 

Is the Private Practice Physician a Dinosaur?

Recorded live at St. James Lutheran Church in Gettysburg, long time host, Dr. Gerald Christianson, talks with Dr. Elizabeth Wood, retired physician in private practice, about the decline of private practice in medicine.  Dr. Wood expresses concern that some important values are in danger of being lost: a single physician’s knowledge of the whole person; drug over-dose or contradicting prescriptions; lack of communication among specialists.  Much has been gained as well, but two universal issues remain open to debate: the delivery of quality care for all and end of life decisions.