Seminary Discernment and Climate Justice: PLTS Updates
Know someone considering seminary? Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) invites prospective students to Signs Along the Way, October 30–November 1, 2026. Its October Centering newsletter also highlights ministry formation, opportunities to connect with congregations, and climate justice learning—including space for two additional teams in an online certificate program.
For Grand Canyon Synod congregations, these updates offer ways to encourage emerging leaders and explore how faith shapes service to our neighbors.
An invitation to discern. Signs Along the Way offers faculty and student panels, a sample class, and conversations with others exploring their call. As PLTS builds its fall 2027 entering class, congregations are encouraged to share this opportunity with people curious about theological education. The newsletter links to visit and discernment weekend details.
A renewed connection with congregations. The Rev. Sara Wilson returns to full-time service as Director of Seminary Advancement and Congregation Engagement and becomes the editor of Centering. She welcomes invitations to preach, speak, or lead workshops and retreats in person or online, with topics including stewardship, planned giving, wellness, and PLTS and Cal Lutheran programs. Contact swilson@plts.edu or 510-559-2717 to explore a visit.
Leaders formed in community. The issue shares highlights from an intern and supervisor leadership retreat and fall gatherings of Theological Education for Emerging Ministries (TEEM) students in Berkeley and Indianapolis. TEEM equips leaders identified within their congregations, with their bishop’s support, for pastoral ministry.
Faith expressed through climate justice. Readers can learn about Professor Cynthia Moe-Lobeda’s work on economic and climate justice with global Lutheran and ecumenical partners, along with a student retreat examining environmental injustice along the Richmond, California, shoreline.
The newsletter also reports two openings for additional teams in the Certificate in Faith-based Community Organizing for Climate Justice. This nine-month, fully online program equips teams of three to six people to listen to their communities and develop a climate justice project. Interested congregations and faith-based organizations should contact Sarah Berg at sarahberg@plts.edu about participation.
Together, these stories reflect a Lutheran understanding of vocation: nourished by God’s grace, we are sent to serve our neighbors through our gifts and callings.
Read the full October Centering newsletter for program links, ministry stories, and a recording of the September 30 keynote lecture and responses. Share it with prospective students, ministry leaders, and those exploring faith and climate justice.
