Rebecca Guhin and Joseph Kolar, both entering master of divinity students at the University of Notre Dame, have been recognized as young leaders who demonstrate exceptional gifts for ministry by the Fund for Theological Education ( FTE ).
Both were recipients of 2009 FTE Volunteers Exploring Vocation Fellowships, which supported attendance at the FTE Conference on Excellence in Ministry, “Becoming Rich toward God: Pastoral Leadership and Economic Justice,” held last month in Alexandria, Va.Guhin earned her bachelor’s degree in theology and public service last year from Providence College. A Jesuit Volunteer Corps participant, she currently is serving full-time at Mustard Seed School for Homeless Children in Sacramento, Calif.
Kolar earned his bachelor’s degree in theology from Loyola University in 2007 and served as a Lasallian Volunteer for two years, teaching 12th grade government and 9th grade religion at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore.
FTE awards fellowships to talented undergraduate and seminary students—selected competitively from a pool of applicants from across the United States and Canada—who have intellectual and interpersonal gifts for pastoral leadership. The 2009 FTE fellows were chosen by a national committee of theological educators and church leaders.
FTE awards the fellowships, which are funded by Lilly Endowment Inc., to increase the number of highly capable young people exploring or preparing for ordained ministry as a profession.
The FTE is a leading ecumenical advocate for excellence and diversity in pastoral ministry and theological scholarship. It supports the next generation of leaders among pastors and scholars, annually providing $1.5 million in fellowships and support to gifted young people from all denominations and racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Additional information on FTE fellowships is available at www.thefund.org .
Originally published by at newsinfo.nd.edu on July 13, 2009.