Engaging in God's Mission with the World Christian Movement since 1922
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Thank You, New Haven!
As we prepare to move to Princeton Theological Seminary in early June, we want to thank each person and congregation in the greater New Haven area for your love and support for OMSC since we moved here in 1987 from Ventnor, New Jersey. On behalf of all current and former OMSC alumni, trustees, executive directors, and staff, thank you for welcoming our residents, for your prayers, support, and participation in our seminars, lectures, pot-luck suppers, and other special events. Thanks to all of you, OMSC's unique ministry was able to thrive here for the past 32 years. As we "continue the legacy and embrace the future" in our new, covenant partnership with Princeton Theological Seminary, we look forward to seeing you soon and want to thank you for your continued prayers, support, and participation. Please stay well and keep in touch!
With thanks and blessings,
Tom Hastings, Executive Director
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Dr. Edith Blumhofer
(
In Memoriam
)
Edith Lydia Blumhofer,
President of OMSC's Trustees, died on March 5, 2020 after battling pancreatic cancer with faith and courage for three-and-a-half years.
Edith joined the OMSC Board of Trustees in December 2009 and was elected president in June 2014. She served as president until her death, offering OMSC a steady hand as the board faced momentous decisions. Tom Hastings, OMSC Executive Director, commented, "During an exceptionally difficult time for OMSC, Edith stood in the gap as president of the trustees. Without her decisive leadership, faithful prayers, and unconditional support, we could never have made the strategic decisions needed to place OMSC onto the sustainable future trajectory we are now envisioning through our new partnership with Princeton Theological Seminary. Since starting in August 2016, Edith has been my strongest supporter and wisest counselor. I give thanks to God for her witness, fortitude, and integrity.”
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Important COVID-19 Updates
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As we respond out of an abundance of caution to the progress of this terrible global pandemic, we have had to adjust our plans, as follows:
2020–2021 Study Program
: We had recruited a wonderful group of four women and four men from Brazil, China, India, Myanmar, Nigeria, S. Africa, and S. Korea as our first cohort of
global leaders
for OMSC at PTS. However, since the pandemic has suspended visa applications at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates, we have decided to defer arrivals at least until January 2021, in hopes that visa processing and international travel may resume by then.
"Virtual Study Program"
: In place of our regular Residential Study Program seminar series, we are making plans for a "Virtual Study Program" for the fall semester that will include online seminars, interviews and webinars with
IBMR
authors, lectures, etc. These offerings will be of interest to scholars and practitioners in Mission Studies, World Christianity, and Intercultural Theology. We will post the schedule on our website over the summer.
Inaugural Lecture and Reception
: We have postponed until further notice the OMSC Inaugural Lecture by Professor Andrew F. Walls and reception planned for Thursday, September 17 at Princeton Theological Seminary.
Move to PTS
: While work on the renovation of our new headquarters has been delayed because of pandemic-related work stoppages, we are still planning to relocate to the PTS campus in early June.
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OMSC in the
New York Times
On April 10, OMSC and our Artist in Residence Program were mentioned
in Eric Copage's piece, "Searching for a Jesus Who Looks More Like Me."
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HAVE YOU MADE YOUR GIFT TO
OMSC'S SECOND-CENTURY CAMPAIGN?
Since our founding in 1922, OMSC has been a unique gathering place for cross-cultural missionaries, church leaders, and scholars from every nation and Christian tradition. Given the current challenges the world is facing, we believe this "ministry of gathering" is more relevant now than ever.
You have been blessed by meeting our international residents, reading our academic journal (
IBMR
)
,
participating in our
study program seminars, appreciating the work of our artists in residence, or attending lectures and other special events.
Today, I am asking each of you to make an investment in the second century of OMSC. Or you may prefer to give a gift in honor of someone you know who has been blessed by OMSC's ministry in our first 98 years.
As the first phase of our Second Century Campaign, we have set a goal of $200,000 as OMSC's contribution to the renovation of our new headquarters at Princeton Theological Seminary. As a sign of their own institutional commitment, PTS has allocated $300,000 toward the renovation.
As of May 1, 2020, we have received a little over $105,000 in gifts and pledges toward our goal.
With sincere thanks to those of you who have already given, we will reach our goal if everyone gives something. No gift is too small.
With thanks and blessings,
Dr. Thomas John Hastings
OMSC Executive Director
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or mail checks to
OMSC Second-Century Campaign
342 Yale Ave. New Haven, CT 06515 (until 5/31/20) PO Box 821, Princeton, NJ 08542 (from 6/1/20)
(Please make checks payable to
Overseas Ministries Study Center)
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Overseas Ministries Study Center
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