Princeton Theological Seminary

Admissions Drop-In Sessions
2026-03-05 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-23 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-13 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-29 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-01-13 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-06 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-03 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-24 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) and 2 more dates | NJ
Drop-In Sessions Information:
Have questions about your application?
Drop in for personalized guidance from Sherry Garrahan, Associate Director of Enrollment Management.
Whether you’re just getting started or putting finishing touches on your materials, we’re here to help.
No registration required! Join at this link on the dates & times below:

Thursday, October 30 @ 10am
Friday, November 14 @ 1pm
Monday, November 24 @ 11am
Wednesday, December 3 @ 3pm
Tuesday, January 6 @ 11am
Tuesday, January 13 @ 12pm
Thursday, January 29 @ 2pm
Friday, February 13 @ 11am
Monday, February 23 @ 3pm
Thursday, March 5 @ 11am
Monday, March 30 @ 2pm
Monday, April 13 @ 3pm

Sanctuary and Struggle: The Black Church as Refuge Then and Now—The Underground Railroad and Fugitive Slave Act
2026-02-03 18:00 - 19:00 | NJ
DescriptionHosted by the Betsey Stockton Center for Black Church Studies, this program explores the intertwined histories of the Underground Railroad and the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. It highlights how the Black Church emerged as both sanctuary and site of resistance.
Through historical narrative, theological reflection, and contemporary analysis, the event will trace how Black communities—enslaved and free—defied state-sanctioned injustice through clandestine networks, embodied faith, and spiritual courage. The conversation will also consider how the moral tensions of that era echo in today’s struggles against mass incarceration, voter suppression, and systemic oppression.
Audience

Attendees of previous Center events

Scholars and faculty of African American Religion

PTS students and seminarians from other institutions

Lecturer: Dr. David Childs, Northern Kentucky University

2nd Annual Seed Swap
2026-01-31 15:00 - 17:00 | NJ
Bring seeds to share that you have saved from your garden or extra commercial seed from the last several years. No seeds? Come anyway! All are welcome to take what they need at the 2nd Annual Seed Swap.
The Seed Swap gathers people and seeds for nourishing community resilience and neighborly connection. Whether you are a new gardener or an experienced seed saver, help build a network for local seed keeping and sharing.
Please bring your seed labeled and packaged. (In bulk is fine.) We will have extra envelopes, pens, markers, tape, and labels. Upon arrival, you will be invited to distribute your seed onto tables labeled by plant type. After a welcome and introductions, the swap will begin!
Don’t miss this potluck-style sharing of seeds on January 31st from 3pm to 5pm on National Seed Swap Day.
We are grateful to co-sponsor this event with The Seed Farm at Princeton.
If you have questions, please email the Farminary at the.farminary@ptsem.edu

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (observed)
2026-01-19 | Wright Library, 25 Library Place, Princeton, NJ, 08540, United States
Closed

Princeton Seminary Alumni Choir Day
2026-01-17 09:00 - 20:00 | Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
A Day of Fellowship, Learning, and Song
Hosted by: Princeton Seminary Office of Alumni Relations
When: Saturday, January 17, 2026, starting starts at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, Scottsdale, Arizona

Princeton Seminary alums are invited to join a special day of community and music with the Seminary Touring Choir, directed by Dr. Martin Tel. We will rehearse beloved Seminary choral favorites (yes, The Call is included!), enjoy Professor Eric Barreto’s lecture Reading the Gospel of Luke with Time by, and connect with fellow alums during breaks and shared meals.
The celebration will culminate in an evening concert, uniting alumni voices with current Princeton Seminary students and the adult choir of Pinnacle Presbyterian Church.
Whether you once sang under Martin Tel (marking 30 years in 2026!), David Weadon, James Litton, or David Hugh Jones—or never had the chance to sing in choir during seminary—you are warmly welcome.

Registration

Fee: $75 (includes lunch, dinner, and all choral scores)
Travel & Lodging: Participants arrange their own accommodations
Support: Partially underwritten by the David Weadon Memorial Trust

>>Register Now

Carols of Many Nations
2025-12-10 20:30 - 21:30, 2025-12-10 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-12-10 15:30 - 17:00 | The Seminary Chapel, Princeton Theological Seminary, 64 Mercer St., Princeton, NJ, 08542, United States
Princeton Seminary is excited to announce that our annual Carols of Many Nations services will be held on Wednesday, December 10.
All are welcome to join the Chapel Choir as we celebrate the Christmas Season.
These three identical services will include scripture readings, anthems, and carols offered in various languages that represent the diversity of the Princeton Seminary community.
Services will be led by the Princeton Seminary Chapel Choir and C.F. Seabrook Director of Music Martin Tel.
Times: 3:30, 6:30, and 8:30 pm
All concerts are free and open to the public, but admission tickets are required.
Tickets will be available to the public beginning on Monday, November 10.

Spiritual Leadership in Tumultuous Times
2025-12-04 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual/Zoom
What does faithful leadership look like in the midst of crisis, uncertainty, and change?
This Advent season, join the Center for Contemplative Leadership at Princeton Seminary for a timely conversation on cultivating spiritual depth, resilience, and clarity in challenging times.
Rooted in practices of contemplation, this session explores how leaders can respond to the demands of the moment—not with haste or fear, but with wisdom, presence, and courage. Whether you’re leading in ministry, education, activism, public life, or among your loved ones, this event offers space for reflection, conversation, and renewal for the work ahead.
>>RSVP for Spiritual Leadership in Tumultuous Times

Presbyterian Lecture: From Past Promise to Prophetic Practice
2025-12-02 08:00 - 17:00 | Princeton Seminary, 64 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ, 08542, United States
Overview
Building on the theological grounding from the first Presbyterian Pastors’ Roundtable, this second gathering turns toward the practical and pastoral work of leading congregations in times of sustained injustice.
Pastors and ministry leaders will explore strategies for translating liberative theology into congregational formation, public witness, and sustainable ministry practices. The conversation centers on how leaders can faithfully respond to the needs of their communities while nurturing spiritual endurance and collective hope.
Discussion Topics

Discerning when and how to address urgent justice issues from the pulpit
Engaging session and presbytery processes to support public action
Building partnerships with civic and grassroots organizations
Integrating justice commitments into worship, Christian education, and pastoral care
Developing practices of Sabbath, self-care, and mutual support to prevent burnout

Participants will reflect on how Presbyterian leaders can move from sanctuary to public square, embodying prophetic courage and pastoral wisdom in equal measure.
Who Should Attend
This event welcomes:

Previous BTLI participants and alumni of the Betsey Stockton Center
Presbyterian pastors and clergy engaged in public ministry
PTS students and seminarians from other theological institutions

Register Now!

2025 AAR/SBL Reception
2025-11-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Westin Copley Place, Boston (Essex South – 3rd Floor), 10 Huntington Place, Boston, MA
Join Princeton Theological Seminary for a reception at the 2025 annual AAR/SBL meetings at Westin Copley Place, Boston (Essex South – 3rd Floor). All alums, friends, prospective students, and guests are welcome!
The reception will be held in the The Westin Copley Place, Boston. This reception is a chance to reconnect with Seminary friends, meet new colleagues, and spend time with students, alumni, faculty, and guests from across the academic community. We hope you join us!
Many Princeton Seminary faculty and students are presenting papers, serving as panelists, or presiding over conference units at the annual AAR/SBL meetings. For a complete listing of all conference participants, search for “Princeton Theological Seminary” in the online program booklets below.
AAR Online Program Book
SBL Online Program Book

Funding Your Calling
2025-11-20 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual/Zoom
Navigating finances for graduate school isn’t easy. That’s why we are excited to introduce you to our Student Financial Services Team to share more about financial aid opportunities at Princeton Theological Seminary. Participants will have the chance to ask questions about scholarships, student work study, health insurance, and much more.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Register Now.

Life Beyond Seminary: A Conversation with Princeton Seminary Alumni
2025-11-13 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual/Zoom
Wondering where a theological degree can lead you? Join us for the final installment in our 2025 Fall Discernment Series, a panel conversation with Princeton Theological Seminary alumni who are living out their callings in diverse and meaningful ways.
This event will feature graduates serving in a wide range of fields. They’ll share candid reflections on their vocational journeys, how their theological education shaped their work, and what they’ve learned along the way.
Whether you’re discerning a call to seminary or already imagining your next steps after graduation, this panel will offer insight, encouragement, and real-world perspective on the possibilities that lie ahead.
🎓 Hear From Alumni Working In:

Congregational and denominational leadership
Nonprofits and advocacy organizations
Higher education and scholarship
Chaplaincy and spiritual care
Innovative and emerging ministries

Bring your questions and your imagination. Let’s explore how theological education can prepare you to serve the church, the academy, and the world.
>>RSVP for “Life Beyond Seminary”

2025 Frederick Neumann Memorial Lecture - Rendering to Caesar: Lessons from Wartime Sudan
2025-11-12 17:00 - 18:00 | Hybrid – Theron Room, Wright Library, 25 Library Pl, Princeton, NJ, 08540
November 12 at 5 pm, Theron Room, Wright Library and streaming online
Lecture title: “Rendering to Caesar: Lessons from Wartime Sudan”
Lecturer: Dr. Christopher Tounsel
Christopher Tounsel is an historian of modern Sudan, with special focus on race and religion as political technologies. His first book, Chosen Peoples: Christianity and Political Imagination in South Sudan (Duke 2021), was named a finalist for the Association for the Study of the Worldwide African Diaspora’s Outstanding First Book Award and was a Finalist for the 2022 Christianity Today Book Award (History/Biography).
His most recent book, Bounds of Blackness: African Americans, Sudan, and the Politics of Solidarity (Cornell, 2024), has received honorable mention for the 2025 International Studies Association Book Award (Diplomatic Studies section).
Dr. Tounsel’s articles have appeared in venues including Political Theology, Journal of Africana Religions, and Journal of Religious History, and he has provided Sudan-related commentary for outlets including the BBC, Al Jazeera, Human Rights Watch, and NPR’s Throughline.
Free and Open to the Public
RSVP Here

Spiritual Life at Princeton Seminary
2025-11-06 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual/Zoom
What does it mean to grow spiritually during seminary? Join us for a conversation about the rhythms, practices, and communities that shape spiritual life at Princeton Theological Seminary.

In this session, you’ll hear from students, chaplains, and staff who help foster a vibrant culture of worship, prayer, and formation on campus. Learn how Princeton Seminary nurtures spiritual growth through daily chapel, retreats, small groups, spiritual direction, and opportunities to connect across traditions and backgrounds.
Whether you come from a deeply rooted faith tradition or are exploring new spiritual questions, this event will give you a glimpse into how seminary life can deepen your relationship with God and others.
>> Register Now

1700 Years of Nicene Faith
2025-11-06 09:00 - 18:00 | Theron Room, Theodore Sedgwick Wright Library, 64 Mercer St
Celebrate Nicene Faith
Princeton Theological Seminary joins the international chorus commemorating 1700 years of the Council of Nicaea with a day-long event on Thursday, November 6, 2025. Since the Creed of Nicaea’s formulation in 325, it has become not only the succinct expression of Christian theology but also an important part of the verbal prayer-life of the church, as well as non-verbal, artistic expressions of Christian faith.
Join us for a day of reflection on Nicaea in prayer and art with the world-renowned liturgical historian, Bryan D. Spinks, and the internationally acclaimed curator of art, Helen C. Evans. We will enjoy lectures and discussions about Nicene prayer and art with our esteemed speakers. Throughout the day, we will come together for prayer, contemplation of sacred art, and fellowship over lunch and snacks.

Next Generation Faith & Health Initiative: A Public Conversation
2025-11-03 17:00 - 18:00 | Princeton Public Library, Community Room, 65 Witherspoon St., Princeton, NJ, 08542, United States
Monday, November 3 | 5 pm | Princeton Public Library
We welcome guests to join us for refreshments beginning at 4:30 pm. Books will be available for sale from Labyrinth Books.
This public conversation will bring together Dr. Lisa Miller and Dr. Howard Koh for a dialogue moderated by President Jonathan Lee Walton. Together, they will explore how faith and spirituality shape health, resilience, and well-being across generations.
Drawing from neuroscience, public health, and theological reflection, the panel will consider how faith can serve as a vital resource for healing and flourishing, particularly for young people and communities.
Open to students, faculty, and members of the wider Princeton community, this public gathering will model how scholarship and faith-based leadership can intersect to advance a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to human flourishing, in service of the common good.
This event is free and open to the public. However, space is limited, and we kindly ask guests to RSVP.
>>RSVP for Faith and Health: A Public Conversation

About the Speakers
Lisa Miller, Ph.D.
Lisa Miller is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and professor in the Clinical Psychology Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is a pioneering voice on the neuroscience of spirituality and its role in adolescent well-being. Her research has shown that spiritual development is strongly associated with resilience, lower rates of depression and substance use, and overall mental health. She is the author of The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life.
Howard Koh, M.D., M.P.H.
Howard Koh is the Harvey V. Fineberg Professor of the Practice of Public Health Leadership at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Harvard Kennedy School. A physician and public health leader, he has served as U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health and Commissioner of Public Health for Massachusetts. His work has advanced national conversations on health equity, prevention, and community well-being, and his recent scholarship highlights spirituality as a critical determinant of health.
Rev. Dr. Jonathan Lee Walton
Jonathan Lee Walton became president of Princeton Theological Seminary in 2023. Dr. Walton is trained as a social ethicist whose scholarship focuses on the intersection of evangelical Christianity, mass media, and political culture. He is the author of two books: Watch This! The Ethics and Aesthetics of Black Televangelism (NYU Press, 2009) and A Lens of Love: Reading the Bible in Its World for Our World (Westminster John Knox Press, 2018).
Walton has published widely across various academic journals, books, magazines, and newspapers. His insights have been featured in the New York Times, CNN, Time Magazine, and PBS. Walton is a member of the Humanities Advancement Council at Morehouse College in Atlanta.
Dr. Walton earned his Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Divinity degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Mapping the Journey Ahead: A Discernment Workshop
2025-10-30 18:00 - 19:00 | NJ
Are you discerning what’s next in your personal, professional, or spiritual journey? This interactive workshop will help you pause, reflect, and consider how theological education might fit into the path ahead. Together, we’ll explore questions of vocation, purpose, and preparation through guided reflection and practical exercises designed to bring insight and focus.
Whether you’re sensing a new call to ministry, exploring how faith intersects with public life, or simply seeking clarity about your next step, you’ll leave this session with concrete tools, renewed confidence, and a clearer sense of direction.
No prior preparation is required–just bring your curiosity, your questions, and a willingness to listen for what’s unfolding.
>> RSVP for Mapping the Journey Ahead: A Discernment Workshop

Sip & Savor: Strange Spirits
2025-10-30 17:00 - 18:30 | Wright Library, 25 Library Place, Princeton, NJ, 08540, United States
Overview
This October, Princeton Theological Seminary invites you behind the scenes for an evening unlike any other. Step into the stranger side of our archives, where rare manuscripts and artifacts reveal centuries-old fascinations with witches, extraterrestrials, and the underworld.
Guests will enjoy a private after-hours exploration of our Special Collections, guided by Seminary archivists and curators who will share stories from some of the library’s most peculiar holdings—texts that challenge, unsettle, and illuminate how the imagination of faith has engaged with mystery and the macabre.
Experience
To complement your journey through the archives, the evening features a wine tasting curated to pair with the night’s themes—dark, mysterious, and full of flavor. Each pour is selected to deepen the sensory experience as you move between conversation, curiosity, and discovery.
Whether you’re a lover of history, a seeker of strange stories, or simply intrigued by the Seminary’s hidden treasures, Sip & Savor: Strange Spirits promises a memorable night of scholarship, storytelling, and spirited delight.
Tickets
Space is limited.Reserve your ticket for $75 per person to secure your place at this exclusive event.RSVP Now

2025 Sang Hyun Lee Lecture - The Challenges of Doing Transpacific Theology
2025-10-29 19:00 - 20:00 | Hybrid – Theron Room, Wright Library, 25 Library Pl, Princeton, NJ, 08540
Wednesday, October 29, 7pm, Theron Room, Wright Library and streaming online (Reception to Follow)
Lecture title: “The Challenges of Doing Transpacific Theology”
Lecturer: Dr. Kwok Pui-lan
Dr. Kwok Pui-lan is a Distinguished Scholar at Episcopal Divinity School and a past president of the American Academy of Religion. She has authored and edited numerous books on Asian and Asian American feminist theology, biblical interpretation, and postcolonial criticism. She is the author of The Anglican Tradition from a Postcolonial Perspective and Postcolonial Politics and Theology. She is the editor of Transpacific Political Theology: Perspectives, Paradigms, Proposals. Dr. Kwok received the Lanfranc Award for Education and Scholarship from the Archbishop of Canterbury in 2021.
RSVP Here

Faith and Food Workshop
2025-10-29 10:30 - 2025-10-30 20:00 | Hybrid – Theron Room, Wright Library, 25 Library Pl, Princeton, NJ, 08540
Join us for a special public program as part of the international Faith and Food Workshop, exploring how belief, culture, and culinary traditions shape human flourishing. Hear from leading scholars in the emerging field of religion and food, and experience the tastes and stories that connect communities across the globe.
Wednesday, October 29
Keynote Lecture #1 — Thinking about Method in the Study of Religion and Food
Dr. Benjamin E. Zeller, Lake Forest College
10:30–11:30 am | Theron Room, Wright Library
Thursday, October 30
Keynote Lecture #2 — Nordic Jewish Foodways: Vernacular Religion in Practice
Dr. Ruth Illman, Åbo Akademi University
11 am–12 pm | Theron Room, Wright Library
Food Bazaar — Taste and purchase ethnic foods, meet growers and chefs, and learn home gardening techniques in our D-I-Y demonstration.
6–8 pm | Mackay Dining Hall
All events are free and open to the public.
>>RSVP for “Faith and Food”
