Talitha Given Phillips earns Master of Divinity degree from SFTS

SAN ANSELMO, CA (05/27/2011)(readMedia)-- San Francisco Theological Seminary graduated 62 students in six degree and diploma programs on Saturday, May 21, on a beautiful, sunny day amid the redwoods at Bouick Field. With 20 graduates from Korea, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Mexico and Canada, SFTS continues to stand out as a training ground for international theologians and pastors.

Talitha Given Phillips of New York, N.Y., is one of 28 students who earned a Master of Divinity degree, the first professional degree in theological studies. She won the David Esler Award in Homiletics for inspiring and insightful preaching.

Last summer, Phillips went on a road trip with the Presbyterian Hunger Program. The Heaven on Earth Agrarian Road Trip (HEART) brought together 15 diverse individuals from farmers to seminarians to retirees. They explored local food and food justice initiatives in eight states.

"The issue that inspired me to go on the road trip is the effort to solve local hunger problems and build local sustainability and resiliency through local agriculture," Phillips explained. "My mind was blown away in many ways, and my heart touched, and my energy greatly channeled into inspirations for the future. We learned from local church, school and community efforts to rebuild regional food supplies that are more equitable, more just for farmers and farm workers, more secure, and more sustainable for the future."

Phillips will continue with part-time work at Montclair Presbyterian Church near Oakland, Calif., and part-time volunteering for Children of Uganda (www.childrenofuganda.org). 

Phillips earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Binghamton University in 2005 before attending seminary.

Founded in 1871, SFTS has a rich history of service to the church. As an institution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and a member of the Graduate Theological Union, SFTS remains dedicated to being a Christ-centered academic community, rooted in the Reformed tradition that embraces a diverse student body. With a focus on spiritual formation, critical theological reflection, and the skills and arts of ministry, SFTS prepares Christian leaders to serve in congregations, the wider church, classrooms and the public sphere.