NATIONAL CAPITAL EXPERIENCES FOR SEMINARIANS

Wesley offers innovative National Capital Experiences for Seminarians (NCES) during the Spring and Summer semesters via in-person immersion(s) and online sessions. View the details below.

The application deadline is January 5, 2024.

HOW TO APPLY

Non-Wesley students, click here to complete your 2024 application. Applicants from participating schools need to have a letter of good standing from your registrar, Dean, or Ethics faculty (or designated faculty representative). Questions? Email admissions@wesleyseminary.edu.

*Current Wesley students may sign up for NCES in the Registrar’s office.

Note to Applicants

You should submit the application no later than January 5, 2024

NCES is open to current students in good standing at any accredited seminary who has completed at least one year of a degree program at an accredited seminary and is recommended by his or her home seminary.

Students from participating institutions are charged for tuition at their home institution's regular tuition rate and pay these charges through their home seminary. If you are uncertain if your school is a participating institution, see the list below, or if you would like to find out how it can join, please reach out to Admissions at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu.

Other NCES students pay tuition directly to Wesley Theological Seminary at Wesley's regular tuition rate listed on the application.

For more information, contact our Admissions offices by email at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu or 202-885-8659.

NCES FACULTY

NCES Faculty

Dr. Lorena Parrish
Associate Professor of Urban Ministries
Director, Community Engagement Institute & Center for Public Theology

Dr. Parrish earned her Ph.D., M. Phil. and M.Div. at Union Theological Seminary and an M.S.S.W. from Columbia University. An ordained Baptist minister, Dr. Parrish’s academic specializations include Urban Ministry; Womanist Theology; Theology, Ethics and Popular Culture; Theology and the Black Church; and Practical Theology.

Professor Lucila Crena

Assistant Professor of Ethics and Public Theology

Professor Creana holds a BA in Economics with highest honors from Emory University, a MTS from Regent College (Vancouver, Canada) and will defend her Ph.D. in Theology, Ethics, and Culture dissertation at the University of Virginia this Fall.

APPLY NOW TO NCES

Wesley Theological Seminary housing: A community for students, fostering growth, connection, and shared academic journeys

Spring 2024 Semester

EP-282 Faith, Politics, and the Public Square

4 credits, Mondays, online, 1:00PM-5:00PM ET, January 22- May 6, 2024, Professor Lucila Crena

This course is a spring semester only virtual (online via Zoom) course on Mondays from 1-5:30 p.m. EST. This class combines interactive conversation with public officials, political figures, advocates and activists, and theological discussion seminars on the issues and structures of public life. This year's focal issues may include:

2024 Election Issues
Public Discourse
Race, class, and economics
Gender and sexuality

EP-282 NCES Course Flyer

MM-350 NCES Immersion Course to the 2024 Democratic Primary in South Carolina

3 credits, In-person Immersion Dates: January 30th - Feb. 5th, 2024, Dr. Lorena Parrish

*NOTE: Pre-trip virtual session held January 19, 2024, 10:00AM-1:00PM Eastern.

This NCES course will allow students to explore the beginning of the 2024 presidential primary season. We will journey around South Carolina learning about its political and historical place in history and how it relates to people of faith in our current culture.

MM-350 course housing questions may be directed to Rev. Rochelle Andrews, randrews@wesleyseminary.edu.

MM-350 NCES Immersion Course Flyer

Summer 2024 Immersion

EP-498-IP NCES Advocacy and Action in the Public Square - Summer Immersion

3 credits, In-person Immersion dates May 19 - May 24, 2024, Dr. Lorena Parrish

"Advocacy and Action in the Public Square" is a one-week May-term, in-person immersion in Washington, DC.

The in-person class allows students to reflect theologically and develop practical strategies for faithfully engaging in the public square. Students will visit sites around the D.C. area and engage in conversations and debrief with congressional policy experts, public servants, faith-based advocacy groups, local community activists, pastors, and media representatives.

**NOTE: Students need to arrive in Washington, DC by Sunday May 19, 2024.

***Seminarians at accredited institutions are invited to cross-register for one or both courses and are eligible to also enroll in additional Wesley courses during the selected term(s). Commuter/Temporary housing is available during this week if students register and apply by April 15, 2024. Learn more about commuter housing here.

For more information, contact our Admissions offices by email at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu or 202-885-8659.

EP-498 NCES Summer Immersion Course Flyer

NCES Program Flyer

Participating Institutions

In addition to institutions of the Washington Theological Consortium, the seminaries in the following listing have become Participating Institutions in NCES with designated faculty representatives:

Asbury Theological Seminary • Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries • Bangor Theological Seminary • Boston University School of Theology • Candler School of Theology, Emory University • Catholic Theological Union (Chicago) • Christian Theological Seminary (Indianapolis) • Columbia Theological Seminary (Georgia) • Drew University Theological School • Duke University Divinity School • Earlham School of Religion • Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary • Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary • Harvard University Divinity School • Iliff School of Theology • Interdenominational Theological Center (Atlanta) • Lancaster Theological Seminary • Lexington Theological Seminary • Meadville/Lombard Theological School • Methodist Theological School in Ohio • Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary • New Brunswick Theological Seminary • Northern Baptist Theological Seminary • North Park Theological Seminary • Pacific School of Religion • Palmer Theological Seminary • Perkins School of Theology • Pittsburgh Theological Seminary • Princeton Theological Seminary • School of Theology at Claremont (California) • Southern Methodist University • Union Theological Seminary (New York) • United Theological Seminary (Dayton, Ohio) • United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities • University of Dubuque Theological Seminary • Vanderbilt University Divinity School