News from the Hill February 27, 2008 | back to index
MASSACHUSETTS BIBLE SOCIETY DONATES $500,000 to ANDOVER NEWTON
State of the art media center to be created in Wilson Chapel
President Nick Carter announced today that the Massachusetts Bible Society (MBS) is donating $500,000 to Andover Newton in support of the Wilson Chapel and the creation of a state of the art media center in the Chapel. The two historic religious organizations also announced a covenant partnership in media arts and education that will provide a foundation for the production of a wide range of innovative resources for progressive Biblical literacy.
The largest portion of the gift will fund the creation of the “Massachusetts Bible Society Media Center” in Wilson Chapel, which will have full audio/visual recording, production, and broadcast capabilities. Not only will the center be able to record programs that take place in Wilson Chapel, but it will be able to generate CD, DVD, streaming video and cable programs. President Carter hailed the gift saying, “This is a wonderful opportunity to prepare our students for ministry in an increasingly media savvy world. It also enables us to provide greater access to our outstanding faculty and to serve our supporting churches more fully. I am thrilled with the vision and strong leadership the Massachusetts Bible Society is offering. Our histories are complementary, and now our future endeavors will be also.”
The new Executive Director of MBS, Rev. Anne Robertson, said “The task of increasing biblical literacy is too large for one organization. We need partners.” She went on to note that “our two institutions share a progressive theological outlook, a commitment to the local church, and a passion for introducing others to the all-inclusive love of God. When we heard of Andover Newton’s vision for bringing the mainline churches into the theological conversation happening in and through the media, it was clear that we could do more together than separately.”
Andover Newton is the nation’s oldest graduate school of theology. Founded in 1807, amid its controversial withdrawal from Harvard College, it established the model for preparing ministers upon which nearly every seminary in America now follows. Originally two schools, the Congregational Andover Theological Seminary and the Baptist Newton Theological Institute, they joined forces in the 1930’s and officially merged in 1965. Andover Newton has been a pioneer in many areas, notably missions, field education and pastoral care. Recently, its programs in ‘Border Crossings’ and its unique partnership with neighboring Hebrew College have drawn national and international attention for creating new approaches to overcoming religious difference. For more information contact Nick Carter 617-964-1100 x211.
The Massachusetts Bible Society was founded in 1809 and has maintained its offices in Boston ever since. It was the third Bible society in the US, and has a long history in the dissemination of Bibles, Biblical literature and education. Its mission is: To further biblical and theological study and reflection through a variety of means — educational programs, grants, and book services — so that the ecumenical church is empowered to be faithful; that individuals might have faith strengthened for service; and that the broad outlines of a biblical vision of reality be lifted up in the larger world. For more information go to www.massbible.org or call (617) 542-2230.