Organizations

The Boston University School of Theology student groups cover a wide variety of interests and issues. These groups contribute to an active community life at BUSTH. The student organizations listed below are sponsored by BUTSA, the student government organization at the School of Theology. For more information on any of these groups, contact BUTSA President David Scott.

Black Seminarians
This group is comprised of Black seminarians from the African Diaspora such as those from the Americas, Africa, the Caribbean, and their advisor. The Black Seminarians meet to share their common heritage. They provide support for each other in scholarly and vocational endeavors. The group offers opportunities for the discussion of relevant topics related to the diversity of theological concerns in the global theological community. The organization also seeks to develop and maintain a community committed to a sound theological education that includes a relationship to experiences of the African Diaspora.

Boston University Theological Students Association (BUTSA)
The Boston University Theological Students Association (BUTSA) is made up of all students enrolled at the School of Theology. Its purpose is to assess and advocate for the needs of the students through its own activities and by working with other student organizations, the faculty, and the administration. BUTSA is also responsible for distributing funds from the Student Activities Fee to student constituency groups. The BUTSA Council represents the student body. The Council includes elected officers, student constituency group representatives, elected at large representatives, and ex-officio members. All STH students are encouraged to attend BUTSA Council meetings to be informed and active community members.

Christian Association United for Service Everywhere (CAUSE)
Christian Activists United for Social and Environmental Justice (CAUSE) is concerned with affirming that faith and action are inextricably linked and believing that theological education necessitates social engagement and valuing the influence that persons of faith can have on abolishing powers of oppression and establishing a just society.   CAUSE is a group of student and faculty activists who champion social and environmental causes as they bear witness to the kingdom of God entering and confounding our world.   Fired by the Spirit, each member brings passion and unique gifts. Together in humility they lift their prophetic voice. Following the Gospel example of Christ members aim to build more merciful communities and a more just society.

This past year CAUSE worked chiefly to raise awareness about the Boston University biosafety lab being built on the Boston Medical Center campus in the South End. The lab, which will contain high-risk lethal pathogens for biodefense research, is situated in a high-density population near poor communities of color. CAUSE held an ethics panel and an interfaith discussion; staged a protest action on Marsh Plaza; visited Roxbury for a day of immersion; and held an evening vigil in Marsh Chapel.   The first meeting in the fall will develop themes that emerge from orientation and carry forward the vision CAUSE formed last year. Many more activities are being planned, and your passion is needed. Bring your cause to CAUSE.

Daytrippers
Daytrippers offers STH students a chance to enjoy God’s creation, both in Boston and beyond. The Daytrippers take day and overnight trips including camping, skiing, beaches, hiking, and more. Ttrips are tailored to the interests of the members, so come join in your favorite outdoor activity.

Dialogue Among Religious Traditions
DART's goal is to encourage and promote dialogue among religious groups on campus and in metropolitan Boston. The group sponsors lectures, seminars, and workshops which focus on the meaning of religious pluralism in relation to the Christian community.

International Students Organization
Open to all STH students, this group works to promote educational, social, and recreational international and cultural exchanges. One important activity has been the international potluck supper, an opportunity to share food, stories, and music across cultures.

Korean Student Association (KOSA)
KOSA recognizes the concerns and needs of Korean students in the School of Theology through community and support. Most of the Korean Students in the School of Theology originally come from Korea and share the same cultural identity. To retain the culture and friendship and also to express common concerns, the Korean Student Association (KOSA) provides students with comfort and safety so that they can feel at home. Furthermore, KOSA tries to help those who need information on studying tips, life in Boston, etc. KOSA is open to other ethnic group students and is pleased to invite those who are interested in Korean culture, sports days, movie days, etc. KOSA expects to see more friends beyond boundaries of ethnic, language, and cultural differences.

Mission Club
The Mission Club enjoys the fellowship of all students from different faith traditions and countries who are involved or interested in mission.   BU is one of the few universities with a chair in mission. Mostly mission has received negative coverage due to colonialism which accompanied it. Despite such negative publicity, mission is responsible for the growth of world Christianity. In fact, mission has become wider than it was historically understood. Questions about mission have been addressed from different perspectives. Today, mission encompasses inter-religious dialogue, women's studies, environmental issues, ethics, church and state, justice, and many more.   Issues discussed ranged from the relationship between “Christianity and Other Religions” to “Is Christianity dead in the West?” While these questions are answered from books and lectures, the BU Mission Club creates opportunity and an open space for students and beyond to know and to engage critically and reflectively with issues in the world of mission.

MTS Club
The MTS Club is a social organization that meets weekly at the conveniently located BU Pub. The MTS Club specifically caters to MTS students but also welcomes students from other degree programs.   While primarily a social organization, the MTS Club provides an atmosphere where students who are planning to enter into career paths, such as working in a non-profit setting or pursuing further academic studies, can share questions, concerns, and ideas to further professional development and personal growth. MTS Club participants tend to have an academic/philosophical interest in theology. The weekly meetings provide an environment for students to continue exploring, discussing, and processing topical subjects presented in the classroom. Additionally, MTS Club offers a chance to interact with our fellow pub-visiting professors in a non-classroom setting.

Music and Worship
The Music and Worship group meets for informal worship and fellowship, emphasizing the introduction and sharing of unfamiliar worship music. It is their hope that they will be able to sponsor occasional events focusing on the relationship between music and worship

Order of St. Luke
The OSL was founded in 1946 in the former Methodist Church as a religious order dedicated to sacramental and liturgical scholarship, education, and practice. Their moving and sustaining force is that vision of John and Charles Wesley. Membership is open to laity, seminarians, and clergy of the United Methodist Church and other denominations.

Sacred Worth
Sacred Worth is the School of Theology's student group committed to the full-inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) persons in the church, academy, and wider society.   Sacred Worth exists because GLBT persons, like other minorities, represent a population of God's beloved children historically marginalized by the church and society. Sacred Worth serves as a community of support for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities wishing to partake in God's creation and building community, as well as working for the full-inclusion and recognition of its liturgical traditions and other ecclesial gifts both in the academy and the parish.   If you have questions or are questioning please feel free to contact the 2005-2006 president Alex Hivoltze-Jimenez or check out sacredworth.org. All contact is confidential and protected.

Seminarians For Choice
Seminarians for Choice at BU is concerned with understanding how being a religious leader and being pro-choice can go hand in hand and is part of the larger organization, the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice .S4C discusses and listens to speakers on a variety of women's rights issues including abortion, Plan B medication, and the rights of women internationally. They also bring in trained professionals to help counsel, and prayerfully support the pro-Choices movement. After all, being pro-choice is about having a choice and a voice!

Seminary Singers
Seminary Singers is a choir composed of students, faculty, and staff, which sings for School of Theology chapel services. The choir recently toured through Florida, and regularly participates in special events such as Lessons and Carols, which gathers all University choirs for an annual Advent service.

STH Student Newspaper
This group is responsible for an in-house publication focused on STH issues and events and written by STH students. Their aim is to produce an informative newsletter for STH students, including a calendar of events, chapel news, professor profiles, and a forum for community issues.

Task Force on Ecology and Theological Education
This constituency group strives to explore with and educate the School of Theology community, stressing the importance of ecological theology in STH education as well as touching on practical applications outside of STH

Theology House Fellowship
The purpose of this group is to foster the community experience of STH students residing at 2 Raleigh Street. This group seeks to encourage a sense of ownership within the STH community in regards to the Theology House, as well as providing social, service-oriented, and educational events centering around the Theology House.

UCC Student Group
The UCC (United Church of Christ) Student Organization invites all UCC students and all those who are interested in the UCC to join with current students as to establish a unified community this year. The UCC students have been meeting informally, and have benefited from discussions about UCC issues, have met with UCC staff, held a "mock Ecclesiastical Council", and come together around community issues. If you are looking for the 'secret decoder ring' that answers all those questions you are afraid to ask about seminary or the ordination process - look no further, you have found it! Please join us as we offer each other mutual support and help develop our UCC community this year. We look forward to walking the journey with you!

Look for notices the first week of school for our first gathering. For further information contact Cathy Turrentine - convener, Katherine Adams, Natalie Austria, John Brink, Meg Clapp, or Maggie Keelan.

Women's Coalition
This group is open to all female students. It is an action-oriented group, which is concerned with issues of justice and liberation for all women. The Shaw Center and the Women's Coalition often cooperate in projects involving the larger School of Theology community. Women's retreats are planned annually, as well as discussion groups, film presentations, and worship services.

Young Adult Seminarians Network
YASN is a local chapter of the national organization of United Methodist seminaries to discuss issues relevant to Seminarians 35 years of age and younger. The United Methodist Young Adult Seminarian Network dedicates itself to meeting the needs and utilizing the gifts of young adult seminarians. We interpret this through advocacy, support, and community. YASN seeks to be a place for students in seminary to network, contemplate, and rejuvenate. The organization welcomes those 35 and younger as well as those concerned with the issues of those aged 35 years and younger. YASN (BU) is a local chapter of the national organization. While YASN welcomes people of all ages and walks of faith, the organization will reflect the distinctive theological, organizational, and missional UMC heritage.