Candler School of Theology - Emory University

T-1 month until the 2025 Bandy Preaching Conference! As part of the conference—which will be held March 25-27 on campus at Candler—participants will be able to select one of three breakout sessions to attend: "Liturgy and Worship," "Denominational Preaching," or "The Art and Science of the Word." Learn more about our phenomenal ministers, scholars, and musicians who will be joining us for these sessions and register for the conference here: https://bit.ly/bandy-2025

Our students and alumni know firsthand how Candler equips them for meaningful ministry, deep theological engagement, and transformative leadership.

Says Emily Elizabeth Castelloe 23T:

"Candler has been a place where I earnestly wrestled with my call to ministry and grew academically, spiritually, and emotionally. Leaving Candler, I feel as though I am equipped for a variety of professional environments, but more importantly, I am equipped to be a faithful servant in the church and world."

If you're considering seminary, there's still time to apply—our application is open through July 1! Learn more about our deadlines: https://candler.emory.edu/admissions/application-deadlines/

Calling all rising 10th-12th graders! Now is the time to apply for this year's Youth Theological Initiative Summer Academy, which will take place on Emory University's campus July 13-26. If these photos from last summer's academy are any indication, we know it's gearing up to be an unforgettable experience!

Since 1993, YTI has provided a space where diverse teenagers come together to explore their questions about God, faith, and the world. Together, student scholars and committed mentors ask tough questions about why the world is as it is and how they can change it for the better. Scholarships and a sliding scale for costs are available!

Learn more and apply, or give to support YTI: https://bit.ly/emory-yti-summer-academy

Photos: Alan-Joshua Carrasco, MDiv '25

Candler's 2025 Bandy Preaching Conference "Sacred Symphonies: The Word and Song" will include a plenary panel moderated by Associate Dean of Faculty and Charles Howard Candler Professor of Divinity Ted A. Smith, featuring Jonathan Alvarado, bishop of Grace Church International; L'Tanya Moore-Copeland, director of worship and arts ministry at Atlanta's Saint Philip AME Church; and Joy Ducree Gregory 25T, director of modern music & performing arts at Dunwoody United Methodist Church. Join us March 25-27! Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/bandy-2025

The Candler Foundry's TheoEd Talks Nashville is coming this Sunday, Feb. 23 to the historic Woolworth Theatre! If you aren't in the area, register to attend via free livestream to hear speakers Julian Davis Reid 19T, Lanecia Rouse, Josh Scott, and Suzanne Stabile.

For those coming to TheoEd Talks Nashville in person, join Candler’s Advancement and Alumni Engagement team for a Candler alumni and friends mixer before the show to connect with fellow alums, engage with our staff, and hear from Dean Jonathan Strom.

Register to attend in person, via livestream, or the mixer: https://bit.ly/theoed-nashville-2025

Candler's 2025 Bandy Preaching Conference will open on Tuesday, March 25, with a celebration concert in Cannon Chapel featuring a stellar ensemble of ministers, musicians, scholars, artists, and worship planners. The evening event will kick off the three-day conference on campus, which will also include lectures, breakout sessions, and worship as participants and speakers explore the relationship between the preacher and the psalmist in the worship experience. Join us! Register to attend here: https://bit.ly/bandy-2025

Candler’s Black Student Caucus (BSC) is celebrating Heritage Month in February, with a focus on commemorating six decades of Black student life at Candler. Events include chapel worship with Dominique Robinson 10T 11T, John E. Hines Assistant Professor of Preaching at Seminary of The Southwest, and an alumni/student mixer with jazz musician and theologian Julian Davis Reid 19T. The month will culminate with the 15th annual Heritage Ball on February 28 in partnership with the school’s Advancement and Alumni Engagement office to support Candler’s Erskine-Smith-Moseley Scholarship Endowment. Learn more and register to attend the 2025 Heritage Ball: https://bit.ly/heritage-ball-2025

Photos from the 2023 Heritage Ball by BowTie Photos, LLC. Can't wait for the memories made this year!

At Candler’s 2025 Bandy Preaching Conference—taking place March 25-27 on campus—you’ll have two opportunities to hear from the Rev. Dr. Lisa Weaver, executive minister of The Riverside Church in New York City. Dr. Weaver will present the conference’s keynote Whiteside Lecture and will also preach in chapel to close out the gathering. We’re excited to welcome her to Candler!

Register for the conference by March 20: https://bit.ly/bandy-2025

Weaver is a member of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship’s worship grants advisory board, a member of the Liturgical Conference board, and recently completed a term as a member at large on The Hymn Society of the United States and Canada’s executive committee. She served as a theological consultant on the hymnal One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: An African American Ecumenical Hymnal (GIA Publications, 2018) and as a contributor to Singing Our Savior’s Story: A Congregational Song Supplement for the Christian Year, Hymn Texts since 1990 (GIA, 2014). Weaver has served internationally as a preacher, teacher, seminar convener, seminar and workshop leader, Bible study leader, panelist, and liturgical consultant.

Last week, Bishop Rob Wright of The Diocese of Atlanta launched a new series on his podcast "For People" on "The Heart of Moral Leadership." His first guest? James T. and Berta R. Laney Professor in Moral Leadership Robert M. Franklin, Jr.—who literally wrote the book on the subject. Listen to their full conversation at the link below.

Says Franklin, "The single best predictor of whether or not an organization will thrive, whether a community will be conducive to the flourishing of all of its members, whether a society will prosper and persist, the single best predictor is the presence of moral leaders, the presence of leaders of integrity and courage and vision, and leaders who are serving, looking out for all people, starting with the least advantaged members of the community."

The Heart of Moral Leadership with The Rev. Dr. Robert Franklin - For People with Bishop Rob Wright Jesus' leadership, marked by compassion, forgiveness, and a radical commitment to loving one's neighbor, offers a moral framework that transcends political and social boundaries. His teachings focus on humility, service, and advocating for the marginalized—values that resonate throughout history a...

Drawing on their family’s deep roots in Methodism, the O. Wayne Rollins Foundation has made a historic $20 million gift to Candler to support master of divinity scholarships. Describing it as “pivotal,” Dean Jonathan Strom says the gift will enable the school to financially support students pursuing careers in ministry more than ever before. Read more about the Rollins gift:

Rollins Family Honors Roots with $20 Million Gift for Theological Education The O. Wayne Rollins Foundation has given $20 million to Candler School of Theology to support scholarships in the school’s Master of Divinity program.

Third-year MDiv student Jaeun Koo is a chaplaincy intern in the Emory University Office of Spiritual and Religious Life, a role she initially took on for her Contextual Education (Con Ed) II placement at Candler during her second year. In January, Jaeun had the opportunity to serve as a Scripture reader for The King Center’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church. She writes of the experience:

“Serving at Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church was truly inspiring—it is a place deeply tied to Dr. King’s life and ministry. Standing in that sacred space and reading words that have carried hope for generations reminded me of the power of faith in action. It was a profound honor to be part of a service that united people from diverse communities, voices, and traditions, all united in the continuation of Dr. King’s legacy.

At the same time, the service humbled and challenged me to carry its message forward. I left with a renewed sense of purpose and was deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute in a small but meaningful way.

As a chaplaincy intern with Emory’s Office of Spiritual and Religious Life, I work alongside Rev. Maddie Herlong to support Christian students in deepening their relationship with God, building a strong bond with their faith communities, and engaging with the wider world—including marginalized people, those from diverse faith traditions, and creation itself. This vision deeply resonates with the mission of The King Center, making my participation even more meaningful.”

Photo: The King Center

Third-year MDiv student Sydney Tye recently penned a blog post for Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL) about her transformative experience with the organization through Candler's Contextual Education curriculum.

"Growing up in a Christian household meant taking seriously the care we give to everything around us—including the Earth. The Bible tells us that we are to tend to and care for the Earth because it is our Home. Caring for the Earth is one of the core tenets of what we are called to do as stewards of Christ. That is something that has stuck with me throughout much of my life and academic career. ...As part of my Contextual Education course [at Candler], I had the opportunity to select a site where I could apply classroom learning to real-world ministry settings. With a background in sustainability and interfaith work from my undergraduate studies, I felt drawn to GIPL. Their mission aligned closely with my experiences and understanding of what faith communities are called to do: care for our neighbors and Creation."

Read Sydney's post here:

A Journey of Faith, Community, and Care for Creation — Georgia Interfaith Power and Light There comes a point in life where past experiences and future aspirations converge, creating a kaleidoscope of meaning where everything seems to make sense. Every step taken has led to a moment. This is how I found myself working for Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL). Originally from the

Last month, Aquinas Associate Professor of Theology and Culture Tony Alonso spoke with Kate Williams of the Interchange podcast exploring the bravery, audacity, but above all the invitation offered by the sacred vocation of music ministry. Listen here: https://bit.ly/alonso-interchange-podcast

Snow and ice postponed our January worship service with Professor Emeritus of Church and Community Luther Smith, Jr., but good news: he's preaching and presiding tomorrow, February 4, at 11:05 a.m. in Cannon Chapel and online! Tune in here: https://bit.ly/candler-worship-livestream

Dean Emeritus and William R. Cannon Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Church History Russell E. Richey died on January 19 at the age of 83. Professor Emeritus in the Practice of Historical Theology and Wesleyan Studies Rex D. Matthews offers a remembrance. "Although his modesty and humility were such that he would no doubt have resisted this accolade, in my judgment and that of many others, the quantity and quality of Russ’s scholarly work distinguished him as the preeminent interpreter of American Methodism of his generation. ...As word of Russ’s death spread through social media, many reactions and comments centered on his humility, his kind and gentle nature, and his essential human goodness, as well as on his excellence as a scholar and teacher. Some called attention to his dry, often deadpan sense of humor, illuminated by his characteristically slightly crooked smile." Read Matthews' full tribute here: https://bit.ly/candler-russ-richey-tribute

(Pictured: Richey front and center with the Candler faculty in the early 2000s.)

Heads up, Nashville: The Candler Foundry is taking TheoEd Talks on the road to the Woolworth Theatre on Sunday, February 23—and if you're not nearby, there's also a free livestream option! TheoEd Talks gives faith leaders, scholars, and visionaries a chance to share “the talk of their lives” in 20 minutes or less. This time around, attendees will hear from jazz musician and theologian (and Candler alum!) Julian Davis Reid 19T, artist-theologian Lanecia Rouse, bestselling author and Enneagram teacher Suzanne Stabile, and Josh Scott, pastor of Nashville's GracePointe Church. Learn more and register for TheoEd Talks Nashville: https://bit.ly/theoed-nashville

Calling United Methodist students and prospective students! The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation is accepting applications for scholarships to help make your Candler education possible for the 2025-2026 academic year. Learn more and apply by April 1: https://umhef.org/scholarships

And don't forget, you can always be in touch with our Candler School of Theology Admissions team for guidance on financial aid and applying to Candler: https://candler.emory.edu/admissions/

Are you considering a seminary education? The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation is accepting applications for scholarships to make seminary affordable at these 13 UM-related theological schools. Learn more and apply at https://umhef.org/scholarships.

Boston University School of Theology
Candler School of Theology - Emory University
Claremont School of Theology
Drew Theological School
Duke Divinity School
Gammon Theological Seminary
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Iliff School of Theology
Methodist Theological School in Ohio
Perkins School of Theology - Southern Methodist University
Saint Paul School of Theology
United Theological Seminary
Wesley Theological Seminary