We have received word from Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey, that two of the individuals who grew up as members of First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton received degrees at the school’s 197th Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 23, 2009. 

Princeton Theological Seminary, founded in 1812 as the first theological school of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, is the largest Presbyterian seminary in the country. More than 10,000 of its alumni/ae serve the Christian church throughout the world.

Sarah D. Iliff

Sarah D. Iliff of Wheaton, Illinois, received the Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary at the school’s 197th Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 23, 2009.

The Master of Divinity is a three-year graduate degree that is the basic professional degree for ministry.  The Seminary awarded a total of 216 degrees at the Commencement Exercises.

Sarah Iliff will serve as a chaplain intern at Pres House in Madison, Wisconsin.

The photo on the left is from the website of Princeton Theological Seminary - http://www.ptsem.edu.

According to their website - http://www.preshouse.org/abt.mission.cfm - "Pres House seeks to be a spiritual home at the heart of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.  In keeping with the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Christian tradition of hospitality, Pres House is dedicated to providing a religious center and high quality student housing to promote the spiritual, emotional, and intellectual growth of residents and members of the campus community.  Pres House is a ministry of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. and welcomes individuals of every perspective and background."

The photo on the right was copied from the 1988 Directory of the First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton. Shelley and Scott have not changed that much, but Kimberly and Sarah certainly have! Megan Iliff was not even born at the time of this directory.

Has it really been that long since Sarah delivered her message as a high school senior on April 28, 2002?

Sarah also delivered a message here on August 19, 2007, "The Call for Decision is a Call for Division."

Congratulations, Sarah!

Peter J. M. Henry

Peter J.M. Henry of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, received the Doctor of Philosophy degree from Princeton Theological Seminary at the school’s 197th Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 23, 2009.  The Doctor of Philosophy is the highest academic degree earned in theological study. It prepares men and women for independent scholarship and for teaching in colleges and theological seminaries. The Seminary awarded a total of 216 degrees at the Commencement Exercises. Henry is pastor of Grosse Pointe Presbyterian Church in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.

The above photo was captured from the video of the May 31, 2009, sermon being delivered by Peter Henry on the website of the Grosse Pointe Presbyterian Church - http://www.gpmchurch.org/sermons.html.

The photo on the right is from the 1983 Directory of the First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton.  Chet and Gwen Henry are still active members of our church.

Congratulations, Peter!