Special Gifts 

She is a woman with many special gifts, but Karen Arencibia ‘88 focuses not on the gifts that she brings to others, but upon her appreciation for the many special gifts that she has received.

In 1973, Karen Kramer was an undergraduate at Albright College when she made the decision to put her education on hold and marry the love of her life, José Arencibia. For the next decade, her gifts of time, energy, and a whole lot of love were focused on providing for her husband and their four children. As her children grew older, Karen returned to school, completing her undergraduate course requirements at Moravian College and graduating from Albright College in 1982. She credits Moravian College’s professor Clarke Chapman for piquing her interest in theological studies, and so in September of 1982, with the support of her family, Karen enrolled in the Master of Arts in Theological Studies program at Moravian Theological Seminary (MTS).

“More than earning a degree, I wanted to learn more,” says Arencibia, “and [the faculty and staff] wanted me there.” She appreciates the many ways in which the MTS community supported her as a non-traditional student, such as allowing for flexible course scheduling. Karen is most grateful for the unexpected support she received one semester when she went to the Dean at that time, The Rev. Dr. William Matz, to explain that she would need to leave the Seminary because she did not have the finances to fully cover the tuition costs. Without any further discussion, Dean Matz secured a $700 grant for Karen. “That gift made all the difference, and allowed me to continue at Moravian. It was a major turning point for me.”

Karen is also extremely thankful for the opportunity she had to serve as student assistant to Professor Howard Cox. “That hands-on experience, along with all the other experiences I was having at MTS, not only affirmed my calling, but gave me the skills to do what I do.”

After graduating from MTS in 1988, Karen received a call to teach at Mary Immaculate Seminary in Northampton, Pennsylvania. “I think these men need a woman in the classroom,” came the invitation from the President of the Seminary, Fr. Kehoe. Though the Seminary closed a year later, it continued to serve as a center for the Allentown Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church. Karen was retained as a Biblical Studies teacher in the Permanent Diaconate program, a position that she still holds and in which she finds great satisfaction as she helps to prepare those called to be deacons in the Church.

Moved by the gifts she received while a student at MTS, Karen now faithfully returns her gifts of time, talent, and treasure to the Seminary. “My love of the Seminary keeps me connected. I believe in the mission of Moravian Seminary, and I feel that the mission needs to go on. I had a valuable experience and I want to provide for others so that they may follow their calls.” Karen served six years on the Alumni Board of Governors and will join the MTS faculty in the Fall of 2008 as an adjunct professor, teaching Greek.

Through her special gifts, Karen Arencibia is making a difference in so many lives, but she is always aware that she is able to give of herself because of the gifts that were given to her. “Seminary was a gift that will continue to give to me for the rest of my life.”

— Pamela Weiss ‘99
Seminary Advancement