Recommissioning Our 200-Year Mission  

On October 2nd, 1807, three students and two professors were commissioned at a chapel service in Nazareth, Pennsylvania as the first class of the theological seminary for Moravians in America. From those humble beginnings, the mission of Moravian Theological Seminary has remained for two hundred years — to provide a strong theological education that would enable each student to serve in ministry and leadership to their community. From October 2nd through October 5th, 2007, the Seminary celebrated its memorable 200-year journey with a bicentennial chapel service, gala dinner and walking history tour.

Recommissioning Our 200-Year Mission

The fall bicentennial events began on October 2nd with a Chapel Service of Recommissioning that honored the students, faculty and staff of Moravian Seminary’s first two hundred years and affirmed its mission into the future. Nearly 100 members of the extended Seminary community gathered for the service created by Chaplain Dave Bennett ‘88.

Seminary Dean Frank Crouch ‘80 and President Christopher Thomforde led the poignant Prayer of Recommissioning which lifted up the mission and role of the specific groups of people that comprise the Seminary community — the dean and board, faculty and staff, students and alumni — and required the oral affirmation of each of these groups. As the body of respondents grew in number it became an audible witness to the interconnections that make up the whole of the Seminary.

On behalf of Moravian College, President Thomforde presented the Seminary with a gift of a framed copy and translation of the letter that outlined the creation of the institution. The five-page letter, written in German script and dated 1807, was researched and located by Moravian Church Archivist Paul Peucker in the vault of the Moravian Archives, located across the street from the Seminary.

Reporters from local newspapers and television stations covered the event. Later that day segments of the Recommissioning Service aired on local news telecasts. The next morning prominent articles about the Seminary’s bicentennial appeared in the Morning Call and Express Times newspapers.

At the conclusion of the service the participants were treated to a reception hosted by the Dean’s Office.