Disciples Seminary Foundation

This week’s DSF Newsletter is full of stories of growth, courage, community, and calling. ✨

We’re celebrating DSF/UCC graduate Bry Brannan on completing their journey at Iliff School of Theology and sharing a powerful reflection on transformation, accompaniment, and ministry rooted in “weaving people and resources together for intergenerational resilience.”

You’ll also find highlights from the Tri-Regional Women’s Retreat, where DSF alumni and leaders helped create a weekend of authentic connection, wisdom, and renewal, along with reflections from the Oregon and Southwest Idaho Regional Assembly and an invitation to register for June’s DSF Certificate Program course, God and the History of God’s People.

Read the latest newsletter and stay connected with the stories shaping the DSF community.
https://mailchi.mp/dsf.edu/may-20-2026

This week’s DSF newsletter highlights a powerful witness unfolding right here in Southern California.

Amid sweeping immigration enforcement and ongoing ICE detentions, communities are coming together in prayer, protest, and solidarity. Each Tuesday, faith leaders and neighbors gather in downtown Los Angeles for “Godmothers of the Disappeared”, a vigil honoring those held in detention and reminding them they are not alone.

DSF staff and graduates joined this sacred space last week, offering prayers and testimony. As Rev. Dr. Louise Sloan Goben shared, “Our small prayer circle may feel small in the face of something so large — and I also know that prayer is a powerful witness.”

Rev. Siobhan Lopez reflected on the vigil as a place where “love and hope press through concrete,” reaching those inside and calling the outside world to attention.

Read their reflections, learn how to get involved, and hear stories from communities directly impacted.

Plus: Registration closes May 3 for our upcoming course, Biblically-Informed Pastoral Leadership: New Testament, part of the DSF Certificate Program designed for leaders navigating ministry in today’s complex world.

Join us in learning, witnessing, and showing up with compassion.

Read more & register today. https://mailchi.mp/dsf.edu/april-29-2026

This week’s DSF newsletter is full of opportunities to learn, connect, and take action.

Meet our newest board member, Rev. Silvia Tiznado-Smith, a bilingual CPE educator expanding access to pastoral care training for diverse communities.

Explore upcoming learning opportunities, including a New Testament course in the DSF Certificate Program, and a Spanish-language workshop on reading biblical narratives.

Plus, join partners like CLUE in showing up for justice at the May Day march in Los Angeles.

There’s something for everyone, whether you’re growing in your ministry, deepening your faith, or engaging your community.

Read more and get involved. https://mailchi.mp/dsf.edu/april-22-2026

Como Leer una Historia Bíblica: Herramientas para profundizar en el estudio de textos narrativos. Esta serie de talleres brinda herramientas sencillas pero poderosas para la interpretación de textos narrativos en Mateo, Marcos, Lucas, y Hechos. Estos métodos pueden ayudarle a encontrar nuevos aspectos de textos muy familiares, y hacer conexiones con textos que han parecido extraños o difíciles. Le ayudan a encontrar su voz como intérprete de la Biblia antes de buscar las opiniones de comentarios o expertos. Los estudiantes harán ejercicios prácticos durante cada sesión y como tarea. Estudiantes de ELC, de maestría, y auditores pueden participar. Para recibir crédito al nivel de maestría, necesitan escribir un ensayo final.

https://bst.edu/current-students/course-schedule/

Registration is now open for the 2026 General Assembly! Join us online July 10 and 11 for BEYOND: Love Surpassing, a time to gather in faith, connection, and community wherever you are. Participate on your personal device or alongside others at a local congregational gathering. Registration is $30. Click below for more details and to register.

https://disciples.org/2026-general-assembly-beyond-love-surpassing/

Also, make sure to check back to find out how to visit with DSF during our time at General Assembly. More details to come!

The latest DSF newsletter is here!
This week, ordained Disciples minister and community organizer Rev. Sandhya Jha shares a powerful excerpt from Transforming Communities, a firsthand account of what it looks like when faith shows up at the intersection of environmental justice, workers' rights, and community organizing. It's a compelling reminder that faith-rooted action is alive and well.

Also in this issue:
Registration is open for Biblically-Informed Pastoral Leadership: New Testament — the next course in the DSF Certificate Program, starting in May

Spanish-language learners — check out Como Leer una Historia Bíblica, a workshop series on interpreting biblical narratives in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Acts, offered through Berkeley School of Theology.

A pastoral letter from Week of Compassion Executive Director Rev. Vy T. Nguyen on the escalating conflict involving Iran and what it means for the people they accompany.

General Assembly 2026 registration is open! Join online July 10–11 for BEYOND: Love Surpassing — registration is $30. And stay tuned for details on how to connect with DSF at GA!

Read the full newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/dsf.edu/april-14-2026