Seminary News & Events

Latest Updates

MARCH 2025

Symposium announcement: Doctor of Ministry

Moravian Seminary is pleased to announce its upcoming Doctor of Ministry Symposium, scheduled for March 27 from 9 am to 4:30 pm. This day-long event will showcase the scholarly work of Doctor of Ministry candidates and provide opportunities for enriching discussion and community building.

Event Schedule:

  • 9 am - Greetings and Instructions
  • 9:10 am - Devotions and Opening Prayer
  • 9:25 am - Roslyn L. Sellman
  • 10:15 am - Windy Cooler
  • 11:05 am - Desna Henry Goulbourne
  • 11:55 am - LUNCH BREAK
  • 12:40 pm - Rebecca Shillingburg
  • 1:30 pm - Jennika Eckhaus
  • 2:20 pm - Kelly Johnson
  • 3:10 pm - Mandy M. Mastros
  • 4 pm - Zoom Celebration and Social Hour

 

Community members are encouraged to attend any portion of the symposium that fits their schedule. Recordings will be made available after the event for those unable to attend live.

 

Registration Information:

 

Attendees who have not yet registered are asked to do so via the following link: https://moravian.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_icuek-U9Qo-DX5kEtOgH_g

 

Upon registration, participants will receive a confirmation email with details on joining the webinar.

 

FEBRUARY 2025

 

Christian Rice named Vice President and Dean of School of Theology

Moravian University has named Christian Rice as its new Vice President and Dean of the School of Theology. Rice brings more than two decades of experience in higher education and theological education to this role. Prior to joining Moravian University, Rice worked at Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA. Rice was at Ursinus since 2010, first as the Assistant Dean for Civic Engagement then moving on to become the Associate Dean for Civic Learning. Rice was also an Assistant Professor of Philosophy and the Humanities at Ursinus since 2020.

 

“Christian grew up in the Moravian Church, and he shared with us that this upbringing fostered a love for the Church’s history, traditions, music, and theology,” said Bryon Grigsby, president of Moravian University. “The entire university community, in Bethlehem and Lancaster, welcomes Christian’s passion for theological education and looks forward to working with him to lead the School of Theology.”

 

During his time at Ursinus College, Rice worked extensively with faculty, staff, and students on the development of curricular and co-curricular projects. In 2016 Rice was one of three faculty members from three different disciplines who founded the Melrose Center for Global Civic Engagement. The Center has provided a dynamic space for students to confront social problems in both a domestic and international context. Rice has also served on the board of trustees for Moravian Academy (Bethlehem, PA) since 2014, and was one of three Moravian Academy board members who orchestrated the merger with the Swain School (Allentown, PA) in 2020.

 

“Christian's experience in a small regional college similar in some ways to Moravian University, his intellect couched with great listening skills and deep empathy, his involvement in the Moravian Church community, and his true excitement for this position will serve him—and us—well as we move to integrate the two seminaries into a new School of Theology and rethink the future of theological education,” said Carol-Traupman-Carr, provost at Moravian University.

 

Rice’s educational background includes Harvard Divinity School, Harvard University (2008), Doctor of Theology (Th.D.); Harvard Divinity School, Harvard University (2001), Master of Divinity (M.Div.): concentration in religious ethics; Ursinus College (1998), B.A., magna cum laude with distinguished honors (politics and German).

 

Rice officially begins his tenure as Vice President and Dean of the School of Theology at Moravian University on June 1, 2025.  

 

FEBRUARY 2025

New Master of Religion in Public Life Degree Program Launches in Fall 2025

A program designed for professionals seeking to understand and communicate the intersections of religion and social, historical, political and cultural contexts in people’s lives.

Set to begin in fall 2025, this innovative 36-credit program will place its graduates at the forefront of professionals with competencies working in religiously diverse settings no matter what their profession.

The Master of Religion and Public Life is not a traditional graduate theological degree. Instead of preparing church leaders seeking credentialing for ordination or religious leadership the MRPL provides comprehensive religious literacy for professionals across various sectors, including:

  • Public service administrators
  • Healthcare professionals
  • Social workers
  • Educators
  • Community organizational leaders
  • Non-profit managers

Learn More

JANUARY 2025

Rev. Dr. C. Riddick Weber named Associate Dean at Bethlehem Campus

Moravian Seminary is pleased to announce the promotion of Rev. Dr. C. Riddick Weber as Associate Dean, Bethlehem Campus. The Moravian Seminary is located on the campus of Moravian University in Bethlehem, PA. The University also has a seminary campus at the Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, PA.

Dr. Weber, an esteemed theologian, educator, and liturgical scholar brings a wealth of experience and dedication to this role as he helps guide the Seminary through its evolving mission in theological education.

 

 

“I am honored to be the Associate Dean, Bethlehem Campus for the Moravian University School of Theology,” said Dr. Weber. “I celebrate Moravian’s move from college to university status, our merger with Lancaster Theological Seminary, and the opportunities and resources these relationships afford us all. I am grateful to our Interim Vice President and Dean, the Very Rev. Dr. Katherine Ragsdale, for her trust in me.”

 

Rev. Dr. Weber will continue his teaching role while collaborating with Rev. Dr. Vanessa Lovelace, Associate Dean, Lancaster campus, and the incoming Vice President and Dean of the School of Theology. Together, they will work to uphold the Seminary’s values of hospitality, inclusivity, and service to the church and the broader world.

 

Said The Very Rev. Dr. Katherine Ragsdale, Interim VP and Dean of the Seminary, “We are fortunate and delighted that Dr. Weber has taken on these new responsibilities. His broad connections, and the deep respect in which he is held, throughout the Moravian Church should stand the seminary in good stead as we recruit and support Moravian students for ministries within that Church. His excellent scholarship and collegial style make him a valuable faculty partner and leader.Throughout his work, Riddick models the respectful, inclusive, collaborative style that is integral to the values of both Moravian and Lancaster Theological Seminaries and is, in my view, the foundation of effective leadership.”

 

Dr. Weber’s distinguished liturgical work includes numerous publications, conference presentations, and workshops. He is currently working on a new project, “‘Brother Joseph’s’ Wachovia Work: Spangenberg and the Founding of the Moravian Church in North Carolina” in a forthcoming book celebrating the 300th anniversary of the birth of August Gottlieb Spangenberg to be published by Penn State University Press.

 

His contributions to Moravian worship, music, and hymnology have enriched the Seminary’s academic and spiritual life. Highlights include his chapter on “Moravian Worship” in Moravian Treasures and his recent presentation on liturgical heritage at the 2023 Bethlehem Conference on Moravian History and Music.

The Associate Dean will work closely with two key leaders: the VP/Dean of the School of Theology and the Associate Dean, Lancaster Campus. Together, they will ensure that both academic and administrative operations run smoothly.

This position connects three important groups: the School of Theology, the Moravian Church, and the local Lehigh Valley community. The Associate Dean builds partnerships between these groups and provides support to faculty, staff, and students.

The role involves regular collaboration with church leaders, professors, and university administrators to build relationships and coordinate various activities while maintaining high academic standards. The Associate Dean also oversees important faculty matters like hiring, tenure decisions, and promotions, while serving as a bridge between university and community groups.

Dr. Weber earned his PhD from the University of Virginia and a MDiv degree from Duke Divinity School. In addition, he was ordained a Deacon in the Moravian Church in 2002 and Consecrated a Presbyter of the Moravian Church in 2015.

 

January 2025:

The School of Theology at Moravian University invites applications for three tenure-track positions at the Assistant Professor rank to start in July 2025.

This cluster hire is intended to attract the best candidates from a diverse pool to join us in working to build and sustain inclusive excellence. Candidates will demonstrate innovation in teaching and scholarship, competence to teach in multiple disciplines, including interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary content, and flexibility and generosity in addressing the needs of the new School of Theology. Experience in academic leadership, accreditation and institutional research, and grant writing is desirable. These positions are for: Tenure Track appointments with needs for teaching in the areas of 1) Religious Education or 2) Pastoral Care/Clinical Counseling/Chaplaincy or 3) Ministerial Leadership.

The successful candidates will have a record of or potential for research, teaching, and service. Candidates seeking a position in religious education should be familiar with multiple theories of Christian education and their theological and philosophical foundations. Candidates for a pastoral care/clinical counseling/chaplaincy position should be knowledgeable of historical and contemporary models of spiritual/pastoral care in a variety of contexts, including parish-based ministry, chaplaincy, and other non-profit settings.

See complete job description and apply.