The 2026 Alumni/ae & Friends Reunion at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School offered far more than a weekend of events. It became a meaningful gathering of memory, mission, worship, and vision as alumni/ae, students, faculty, friends, and community leaders came together in Rochester to celebrate the school’s enduring witness and evolving future. Across several days, the reunion reflected the very heart of Colgate Rochester Crozer — a community committed to preparing leaders for lives of ministry, justice, compassion, and public engagement. A particularly moving moment of the reunion came during the annual Alumni/ae Chapel and Service of Remembrance on Thursday afternoon. Rev. Dr. Jesse Wendell Mapson Jr., CTS ’70, Senior Pastor of Monumental Baptist Church in Philadelphia, delivered a powerful sermon titled “This Ministry,” rooted in 2 Corinthians 4:1–6. Reflecting on his own journey through theological education during the Civil Rights era, Dr. Mapson spoke honestly about the realities of ministry in times marked by division, uncertainty, injustice, and rapid cultural change. Yet even amid these challenges, he reminded listeners that the call of God remains steadfast. He encouraged graduates, alumni/ae, and church leaders to remain grounded in compassion, mercy, courage, and justice, emphasizing that ministry is not about status or power, but about faithfully serving others through the transformative love of Jesus Christ. The chapel service also provided sacred space to remember members of the Colgate Rochester Crozer community who passed away during the year, honoring their lives, ministries, and enduring contributions with gratitude and prayer. Following the chapel service and a meaningful time of fellowship and reconnection, alumni/ae and guests gathered for Theology in Conversation: A Roundtable with the Faculty . Designed as an engaging and interactive discussion, the session created space for thoughtful dialogue around theology, ministry, scholarship, and the pressing questions shaping faith and public life in today’s world. Five members of the Colgate Rochester Crozer faculty participated in the conversation, offering insights from their areas of teaching, research, ministry, and lived experience. One of the signature gatherings of the reunion was the “Voices in the City: Leadership & Impact Celebration,” which brought together leaders from across faith communities, education, nonprofit organizations, business, and civic life. The evening highlighted the importance of thoughtful leadership, ethical reflection, and public engagement while also recognizing distinguished alumni/ae whose ministries and leadership continue to embody the mission of Colgate Rochester Crozer. During the celebration, the Rev. Dr. Keith A. Russell, CRDS ’67, received the Distinguished Alumni/ae Award; Dr. Melany J. Silas-Chandler, CRCDS ’06, received the Peace, Service, and Justice Award; and Rev. Eileen O. Casey-Campbell, CRCDS ’17, received the Emerging Leader Award. The evening also included a special tribute honoring the life and legacy of the late Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney during his centennial year. The reunion also highlighted the deep spiritual roots and enduring vision of the institution itself. During the 4th Annual Community Prayer Breakfast, participants reflected on the founding of the seminary in 1819, when a small group gathered with faith, prayer, and determination to establish what they called a “school of prophets” with just 13 people, $13, and 13 prayers. In recognition of that history, faith and community leaders offered prayers for the Church, the world, students, faculty, and the future of theological education. The weekend concluded with Baccalaureate and Commencement celebrations honoring the Class of 2026, whose graduates now prepare to carry their gifts and callings into congregations, classrooms, nonprofit organizations, chaplaincy settings, advocacy work, and communities across the globe. Altogether, the 2026 Alumni/ae & Friends Reunion served as a vibrant reminder that the mission of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, to form students in theological and multi- religious studies to serve, care and advocate for all peoples and the earth.
Rev. Dr. Jesse Wendell Mapson, Jr., CTS ‘70, Senior Pastor at Monumental Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA delivers the Alumni/ae & Friends Chapel sermon.
Dr. Muhammad Shafiq, Executive Director of the Hickey Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue at Nazareth University participates during the Community Prayer Breakfast.
Colgate Rochester Crozer Faculty discuss theology, ministry, scholarship, and pressing questions shaping faith and public life today during the faculty roundtable.
Dr. Lesli Myers-Small, Executive Director of the Rochester Police Accountability Board provides a prayer during the Community Prayer Breakfast.
Students, faculty, and alumni/ae gather in the Community Room on the 20 East Avenue Campus.
8
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker