Deacon Fellows Program
Deacon Fellows Program
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary has been a leader in preparing students for ministry as a deacon since The United Methodist Church created the Order of Deacons in 1996. In 1998, Garrett-Evangelical became the first seminary to create a Deacon Studies program and hired Rev. Dr. Margaret Ann Crain as the first Director of Deacon Studies. Today, Rev. Dr. Virginia Lee, a deacon in the Virginia Conference, serves as director of the program. She and the entire Garrett-Evangelical community help to provide a supportive environment for students to continue to discern their call and vocation.
As a Deacon Fellow, a student will be a part of a cohort that:
- has meals together with the Director of Deacon Studies, Rev. Dr. Virginia Lee, once or twice a semester;
- has opportunities to network with deacons in the Chicagoland area;
- connects through a Garrett-Evangelical Deacons Facebook group;
- is invited to the Deacon Dialogue –a gathering for deacons from around the country, every other year, for workshops, worship and networking; and
- has opportunities for internships both inside and outside of the local church, including an internship at Garrett-Evanston Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools Program.
To learn more about the Fellows Program at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, contact our Admissions Office at 1.800.SEMINARY (outside of Chicago), 847.866.3998, or getadmitted@garrett.edu.